Records of the Cattle and Horses of Chang'an

Dali Temple Morgue

Ding Yuan was extremely excited. What a fresh female corpse, what a good environment. But there was only one bad thing: the death was too quick and clean. He liked things that were bizarre and scary.

He took the handkerchief and carefully removed the disguise on the female corpse bit by bit, revealing an old and faded face. There were dark brown spots in the shape of clouds on both cheekbones, a small blue spot next to the right eye, a few fine lines at the end of the eye, a very pointed nose, but a low bridge of the nose, and slightly thin lips.

Those who tried to leave work but failed stood at the edge of the mirror sea, covered with two layers of veils. The smell, more disgusting than forty rotten eggs and fifty dead rats mixed together, still lingered.

After just one glance, he pouted and complained, "With a face like this, how can you get business in Pingkangfang?"

He now understood that with the smell on his body, he might not have the chance to sleep with his wife for several days, so his words became a little harsh.

The smell of a rotting dead body is very hard to get rid of. After smelling it, no matter how you wash it, you can still smell it faintly in your nose for a certain period of time.

The body of the young lady from May 1st had naturally reached this stinking standard, and at his strong request, it had been moved to the other end of the morgue. This was also the reason why he was standing next to the body of the woman from May 2nd.

The effect... is better than nothing.

"Is this from Pingkangfang?" Ding Yuan showed a rare hint of surprise. Although he was poor and alone, who in Chang'an City didn't know about the bustling Pingkangfang?

Although he had no chance to go there due to his lack of money, he knew that it was a first-class place of enjoyment in the world, with the best wine, the most beautiful prostitutes, and the most unrestrained poets and writers...

But if this person is from Pingkangfang... then he would have to doubt whether this reputation is a bit exaggerated.

Cong Jinghai put his arms around Xiong, looking calm and composed, as if he deserved a beating. "How should I know? I'm married and have a family. How could I go to such a filthy place?"

"A young lady said it today." Cui Bianxu was too lazy to look at his expression. It was just a marriage. What was there to be proud of?

"The fragrance used on this female corpse comes from Pingkangfang and is called Spring Night Hundred Charms." He added, "The smell is somewhat similar to that of the hair last night."

Ding Yuan's eyes widened slightly for a moment, then he leaned over, supported his hands on the autopsy table, moved his nose slightly, and started to smell from the top of the female corpse's head, stopping at the side of her face and ear, and sniffed hard.

Cong Jinghai rolled his eyes and quietly took a step back: Pervert, this is definitely perverted!

"It's true, it's exactly the same." Ding Yuan stood up and his face returned to calm. For a moment, he couldn't tell whether the lying female corpse looked like a dead person or he looked like a dead person.

He looked doubtfully at Lady May 1st on the other side. "But as far as I know, the clothes of the Huji and prostitutes in Pingkangfang...should not be like that."

Cui Bianxu couldn't understand this either. The women in Pingkangfang were always known for wearing light and bright clothes that revealed large areas of seductive skin. However, the clothes of the female corpse on May 1st were more like those of a woman from an ordinary family.

Zong Jinghai seemed to have seized the opportunity to escape, his eyes lit up, and he looked at Cui Bianxu: "Shaoqing, I will send someone to Pingkangfang now!"

"Well... you come too. Be careful and don't alert the enemy." Cui Bianxu understood his intention and took the purse and threw it to him: "Change into casual clothes."

In addition to the Qinlou and Chuguan, Pingkangfang also housed the Jinzouyuan, the offices of fifteen other provinces stationed in Chang'an City, to facilitate drinking and entertainment for officials from other provinces.

If they accidentally come into conflict with these officials or some self-proclaimed celebrities who indulge in sensual pleasures, the Dali Temple will naturally not be afraid, but it will also be troublesome. The priority at the moment is to investigate the case.

"Yes!" Cong Jinghai weighed the purse in his hand and smiled happily. Mr. Cui was indeed generous.

"All the women in Pingkangfang have been registered with the government. Ask Lu Xingzhou to check it out." Seeing his impatient look, Cui Bianxu gave another instruction.

"Yes! Shaoqing, don't worry! My subordinates are absolutely reliable in doing things!" Cong Jinghai patted his chest, and he couldn't wait to go to Pingkangfang for a change of atmosphere.

Ding Yuan looked at the money bag with some envy. It was great to use public funds to eat, drink, have fun and visit prostitutes.

"Go on." Cui Bianxu waved his hand, signaling him to get out quickly, and turned around to continue staring at the female corpse.

This meant that he had to find out the truth in one night. Ding Yuan lowered his head resignedly. Forget it, a dead prostitute is more interesting than a living one.

"The deceased was approximately forty years old. There were calluses on the palms of her hands. Judging by their location, they must have been acquired through years of martial arts training. The cause of death was a sharp weapon piercing her liver from her back. Her skin was relatively well-maintained, and she had given birth..."

Pingkangfang

Bringing three runners from the Dali Temple from Jinghai, dressed in casual clothes, they swaggered into the most magnificent and famous Jinfenmeng in Pingkangfang.

"Four gentlemen, please come in!" The people in this place are more lively at night than during the day. They are the best in Chang'an City in terms of their ability to keep an eye on all directions and hear all ears in a noisy environment. Before Jinghai and the other three stepped into the door, someone came out to greet them with a loud voice.

This is also the custom here. The voice to welcome guests must be loud so that everyone inside and outside the place will know that our business is good and more people are coming!

It is also a reminder to the women in the building who have not received any business yet to be prepared to receive business!

Inside the building, in the center of the hall, a Hu Ji, dressed in a dance costume, revealing her slender white waist, barefoot, and covered in exquisite jewelry from head to toe, was dancing to the rhythm of musical instruments.

The dance was the Hu Xuan dance.

The servant led the four of them to a corner and asked, "Four gentlemen, do you have any ladies you know?"

This is just a casual question. Even though people come and go every day, people in this line of work have to have a good memory. They can remember anyone who has been here two or three times.

Most of the new faces like Cong Jinghai were here for the first time, but we couldn’t just say: “Hi, is this your first time here?!”

Some customers are thin-skinned, wouldn’t it be offensive to say this?

The three yamen runners were named Wang Wu, Zhao Kui and Tu Sheng. Naturally, the salary level of yamen runners could not be high. Even if people with average economic level had needs, they would look for women outside who were not registered with the government - that is, the fallen women in the Tang Dynasty.

Unlike the women in Heping'anfang, who were well versed in poetry, songs, and could sing and dance and even play musical instruments, this type of women had no talents at all, except for one thing - they were cheap.

Therefore, they all looked towards the Mirror Sea in confusion.

Cong Jinghai naturally couldn't show weakness in front of his subordinates, so he casually threw the bag of money given by Cui Bianxu on the table.

Well, although it was said casually, it was actually thrown very accurately, right in front of him.

"Pick a few good ones and come over to take a look first."

This calm and composed demeanor successfully won the admiring glances of his three subordinates, who couldn't wait to gather their heads together as soon as the servant left.

Zhao Kui was a sturdy, dark-faced man. In casual clothes, he lacked the imposing air of a civil servant, but instead looked a bit more robust, resembling a butcher. "Cong Sizhi, shall we get serious later?"

Cong Jinghai slapped him on the head, poked at the money bag in annoyance, and said in a low voice: "How can this be real or fake? See? This was given to me by Cui Shaoqing!"

What an idiot! Someone is giving him money to eat and drink, but he is still acting like an idiot.

After receiving the confirmation, Zhao Kui couldn't help but rub his hands, his face flushed red: "Well, that's so embarrassing, hehehe."

"But, but Sizhi, aren't we here to investigate a case?" Wang Wu has a typical East Asian appearance, neither tall, thin nor fat, with yellow skin. At this moment, there are two blushes on his cheeks, and it is not known whether he is embarrassed or too excited.

"Are you stupid? Didn't you tell Si Zhi everything on the way here?" Tu Sheng was better than the other two. He looked somewhat presentable and his clothes were also acceptable.

Cong Jinghai was quite satisfied with him and nodded, saying, "If there are any unexpected situations, please use the whistle as a signal to contact us. Gather here at the beginning of the morning at the latest."

As soon as he finished speaking, the servant led a row of women, each with their own unique appearance, wearing bold and revealing clothes and heavy makeup, towards this side.

This is a common sight in the various brothels in Pingkangfang. Whenever a customer orders a prostitute, any prostitute who is not currently receiving customers will be led by a servant around the building, and finally stand in a row in front of the customer. After the customer has made his selection, they will go back along the same route.

Those who are unlucky will feel like laborers on an endless catwalk all night long. Not only do they have to walk the same path countless times, but they may not even be able to make any business.

There were many people in the hall, and the four of them pointed at someone each, and drank two pots of wine while restraining themselves before taking their people into the room upstairs.

Of course, this is another price.

As soon as they entered the room, the prostitute helped Zong Jinghai onto the bed, then turned around and walked to the table to light the incense burner.

Soon, the charming fragrance spread in the room.

The smell is very wonderful, with musk, cloves, and camphor mixed with the aroma of rose and kapok, and a hint of the sweetness of pear juice.

Cong Jinghai suddenly felt a little hot and his cheeks flushed.

"May I undress for you, my lord?" The prostitute lowered her head and smiled, then walked towards him gracefully.