Yamafu Military Affairs

Chapter 675 Listen

Humph~
The luxurious BMW drove through the outer city of this city with a population of one million. Following the banks of the Qinhuai River and crossing the Wuding Bridge, one would arrive at Chaoku Street, where the Quzhong Old Courtyard was located.

Here, the houses of both official and private prostitutes are arranged in an orderly fashion, each one more exquisite and tidy than the last, with flowers and trees vying for beauty, and the environment is quiet and secluded, completely unlike any other place in the mortal world.

"Young master, we've arrived at the old courtyard."

The coachman, nearing fifty and possessing a refined, scholarly air, carefully straightened his worn-out clothes before turning back to invite Qin Wenxiang inside the carriage.

"Old man, I've come here alone and need someone to keep me company. I wonder if you'd be willing to earn some extra money tonight?"

Qin Wen leaned out and generously slapped a gold ingot into the coachman's hand.

"This"

Upon hearing Qin Wen's request, the coachman hesitated for a moment, but feeling the heavy weight in his palm, he finally gritted his teeth and nodded, saying, "Since you've asked, young master, then this old body of mine will serve you for the night. It just so happens that there is already a curfew in the outer city of Jinling, and there is indeed no better place than this on both sides of the Qinhuai River."

"Then let's go."

Qin Wen nodded and withdrew his gaze from the coachman.

The luxurious carriage that Xiao Yi, the waiter at the restaurant, hired for him belonged to some wealthy family in Jinling. It was exquisitely decorated with jade and pearls, and the carvings were very elaborate, showing that it was well maintained. However, the driver's words, actions and clothing were quite intriguing.

'A descendant of a prominent clan? Or from a poor family that has fallen on hard times?'

Just as Qin Wen was pondering the coachman's origins, he got out of the carriage and called for the gate of the old courtyard in Quzhong, where the beaded curtains were lowered and the copper rings were half-open.

Wang Wang Wang ~
"Distinguished guests have arrived! Come out and greet them! Serve tea! Serve tea!"

Qin Wen stepped into the brightly lit front hall, where he could see a fine-looking puppy barking softly and a brightly colored macaw speaking human language.

Soon, pimps and brothel owners led the two into the main hall, where they could see many playboys and romantic scholars setting up tables and enjoying the brothels' competition of beauty and flirtation amidst the fragrant scents of their clothes.

For a time, flutes and zithers were played, operas were performed, and the atmosphere was lively. Under the guidance of the pimp, Qin Wen went up to the top floor of the Cloud Pavilion. He could see the Changban Bridge just a few dozen steps away from the window. The view was wide open, with lush green grass and water mist covering the area. Huiguang Temple and Jiufeng Temple were on either side, Zhongshan East Garden stretched in front, and Zhuque Bridge on the Qinhuai River surrounded the area behind.

It must be said that the scenery is indeed pleasing to the eye and washes away the dust of the world.

"Young master, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting the old courtyard? Is there a mother or daughter you wish to see?"

Glancing at the eager pimp, Qin Wen shook his head and waved his hand, saying, "Serve the food and wine first. As for the young lady, we'll invite her later."

After saying that, Qin Wen stopped paying attention to other matters, gave the coachman a look to deal with the madam who was crowding around him, and then focused all his attention on those playboy young men. Many romantic tales and secrets of the literati that ordinary people could hardly hear were thus brought to his ears.

"Pointing afar, the trees of Zhongshan unfold their colors, the fragrant grasses of the Six Dynasties reach towards the Jade Terrace. A circle of lanterns descends from the sky, ten thousand pieces of coral ride the sea."

"In my dream, spring's crimson blossoms stretch ten feet long, their fragrance sneaking in from behind the curtain, reaching Hainan. The western sunset emerges from the Bronze Dragon Pavilion, several pairs of women, their eyebrows adorned alike."

This was a group of self-proclaimed refined scholars composing poetry in front of beautiful courtesans—not much substance whatsoever. "Brother Hu, regarding the position you want, the higher-ups said that as long as you add another five thousand taels of silver, the master can arrange it for you."

"Five thousand taels? Steward Liu, I don't need a lucrative position, why is it so difficult? I heard that Lord Shen has a fondness for beautiful women, and I recently took a new concubine."

These are two corrupt officials and businessmen colluding to discuss selling official positions; upon closer examination, the details are not surprising at all.

But soon, Qin Wen found a few words that might be useful to him from the chaotic noise.

"Uncle Mei, the Dengzhen Pagoda issued a decree yesterday, requiring all prefectures to pay the full amount of innate red lead. As the head of the treasury in Jinling, do you have any progress on this?"

The speaker was a handsome, gentle young man with a brightly colored robe and sash. His casual conversation was elegant, exuding an air of wealth and refinement.

"To be honest, Yuncong, I have indeed been troubled by this matter recently. In Jinling, the practice of marrying young girls and keeping slaves is prevalent, and there are very few young girls of marriageable age who have not yet had sexual intercourse. I'm afraid it will be difficult to provide enough red lead on schedule."

Despite his words, the middle-aged man, dressed in an expensive silk Taoist robe, wearing a jade hairpin, and with white eyebrows slanted upwards into his temples, showed no sign of tension.

"Innate red lead? Isn't that the menstrual blood of a virgin girl? What do those Taoist priests want that stuff for? To refine elixirs?"

With this in mind, Qin Wen pretended to be engrossed in the song and dance performance, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the two men talking in the top-floor attic to his side.

"Master Mei is highly skilled in Taoism and must know that there are spiritual materials in the world with even more abundant Yin essence than innate red lead, and the easily obtainable ones are not uncommon in Jinling City."

The young man hesitated, then deliberately paused, took a small sip of his tea, and looked at the middle-aged Taoist priest who sat upright like a bell.

"Is Yun Cong referring to the virgin blood of a cultivator?"

The middle-aged Taoist priest glanced at the refined young man and said indifferently.

"Uncle Mei did indeed consider this. The outer city of Jinling is a melting pot of all sorts of people, with many from all walks of life hiding in its nooks and crannies. If we could send out a Taoist priest to thoroughly investigate..."

Seeing that the middle-aged Taoist understood, the gentle young man nodded and continued to suggest, "Even though most of those wild cultivators are dissolute, there might be female cultivators among them who meet the requirements of the higher-ups. If we can catch one or two, their 'gui shui' (menstrual blood) is no less than that of ordinary mortal women."

Looking at the young man, the middle-aged Taoist priest murmured and shook his head, sighing, "Yun Cong, you've been handling government affairs in the palace for so long that you haven't seen the true faces of those rogue cultivators. Although they have some magical abilities, they haven't studied the path of precepts. Once they enter the banks of the Qinhuai River, how can they still be considered virgins?"

At this point, looking at the young man with a half-smile, the middle-aged Taoist suddenly realized something and laughed and scolded, "You, Young Master Chen, how dare you set your sights on the nuns of my sect? Aren't you afraid that the moment I explain this matter to them, the [Mysterious Female Venerable] will punish you?"

"Hahaha, Mei Bo is joking. Now we all serve Yuanshi Zun. Xuanpin Zun will explain things to us. What is there to fear? Besides, it's just asking the nuns for some Gui water. How could a dignified saint blame his subordinates for such a trivial matter?"

Seeing that the middle-aged Taoist understood, the refined young man couldn't help but smile and say something.

"Yun Cong, Yun Cong, it is indeed remarkable that you have such a clever idea, but you are not a cultivator after all. Do you not know why the Tower of Ascension requires this innate red lead?"

The middle-aged Taoist pointed at the young man with his finger and suddenly said in a serious tone.

(End of this chapter)