Daming: I, the emperor who trains the carpenter

"Brother Huang, what are you laughing at?"

Gu Yanwu looked at Huang Zongxi suspiciously, Huang Zongxi pointed to the upstairs: "The officials in this place live much more comfortably than those in the capital."

"The Beijing officials look good, but at the foot of the Son of Heaven, there are people staring everywhere. You have to be careful in everything you do. You have to go to court before dawn, start work when the court is over in the morning, and go down to court in the evening. Look at this The local officials, what time is it, come here to enjoy it."

Gu Yanwu was also quite upset: "Yuan Fu works in the cabinet early in the morning every day, and often handles government affairs until late at night. Now, as the Chief Assistant, he only eats three meals a day, three dishes and one soup. They enjoy it."

Huang Zongxi said with a smile: "How can they compare with Yuanfu, Yuanfu has the imperial court on his shoulders, they only need to be responsible for one side, and they don't need to worry about the important affairs of the imperial court."

"Speaking of which, didn't Yuanfu also say that if he is not in his position, he will not seek his own government. If this local official can manage the people well, make the people have enough food and clothing, and the local industries are prosperous, he is a capable minister and official. How about his private life? , It’s a personal matter, and the court wants to take care of it, but it’s not easy to take care of it.”

Gu Yanwu took a sip of his wine: "I'm afraid that if they behave badly, the lives of the common people will be difficult."

Huang Zongxi nodded, and then glanced at the dignitaries of Yangzhou City on the second and third floors. They kept hugging maikos, as if they were still waiting for something new: "That's why Yuanfu asked us to take a look."

The two of them were talking, a new batch of girls from Zuixianglou came on the stage, these girls seemed to have just come to this Zuixianglou not long ago, not only looked young, but also looked nervous, their behavior didn't look like Ordinary prostitutes, Huang Zongxi can tell that there is something wrong with these girls at a glance: "Brother Gu, these girls"

Gu Yanwu said: "They are all good families, they seem to have been forcibly taken here."

Huang Zongxi said in a deep voice: "I'll call a few people to ask and see what's going on."

And at this time, the old bustard had already stepped onto the stage. Although the old bustard was said to be a old bustard, he was actually only in his thirties, and it was the time when the charm was still there.

This twisted waist stepped up to the stage step by step, attracting the attention of many people.

The old bustard said with a smile: "Today, everyone has caught up with a good day."

"Everyone knows that we, Zuichunlou, will select a group of girls to leave the cabinet every six months. Today, it happens to be such a good time."

"It's time for our group of girls from Zuichunlou to leave the pavilion. Come here, all the girls come here."

Following the words of the procuress, these girls trembled and stepped forward with their heads lowered, standing on the stage like goods, being scrutinized wantonly by people upstairs and downstairs.

The bustard then raised the heads of these girls one by one, showed the faces of these girls, and then asked the girls to say what talents they had.

Those trained by Zuichunlou must know how to play piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. After half a year of training, they can only be proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, but it is the same as knowing and not knowing. What I did was not a vulgar thing but became an elegant thing.

Looking at these shivering girls standing on the stage like chicks, everyone upstairs and downstairs smiled knowingly, but Gu Yanwu's face was not good-looking. He has been following Zhang Haogu for the past few years. I have seen a lot of things around me, but it has been a long time since I saw people openly buying and selling people in public like this.

"These people, do you still think this is something elegant?" Gu Yanwu gritted his teeth and said, this is a business of kidnapping people, is it really a display of the law of the Ming Dynasty?
The old bustard is still selling her wares, this is not an ordinary thing to come out of the pavilion, these guests are spending a lot of money in order to compete for the girls' boudoirs.

Sure enough, as the old bustard's voice fell, the guests upstairs and downstairs began to shout prices, while those girls stood helplessly on the stage like goods and let these people ask prices. It seems that they have been trained to dare not resist up.

Huang Zongxi also started asking for prices. He did not forget the purpose of coming here. He spent a lot of money to play the role of a nobleman from Jinling, and bought the two girls who came out of the court. This also aroused the admiration of the people around.

The old bustard also came over soon: "Oh, you two gentlemen, you can love others. These two girls are definitely the most handsome and sensible. You two are blessed tonight. The girls have already gone upstairs to wait for you gone."

Huang Zongxi followed the bustard upstairs, looking at the surroundings: "How about those girls just now?"

The old bustard was stunned for a moment, and quickly said: "Young master, don't worry, they are all innocent people."

Gu Yanwu asked: "Innocent family? Don't fool us."

The old procuress said helplessly: "Oh, two young masters, our Zuixianglou is famous for its honesty and absolute innocence. They came here to find a living when they had nowhere to go. I also kindly took them in. Otherwise, you How can you live with a few girls alone?"

As he said that, the old bustard smiled ambiguously: "The two gentlemen will love others at first glance. If these girls are not desperate, they would not be able to meet the young master here, right?"

Huang Zongxi also smiled: "He can talk, so you don't have to accompany me here, do you?"

The old bustard responded with a smile: "Yes, I understand."

After the old bustard left, Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu entered the room, and saw a table of refined wine and dishes, and behind the screen of the boudoir, there were two faint figures.

As soon as Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu took their seats, the two figures came out slowly. It was true that the two girls on the stage just now were not bad. The difference between these two girls and the others was that they still had anger and stubbornness in their eyes. This is also the reason why Huang Zongxi chose them, and he should be able to find out some things here.

The two girls saluted: "My lord, would you like some music?"

Huang Zongxi asked: "Girl can play the piano? Then why not play a piece of music."

Soon, the strings of the pipa sounded, and Huang Zongxi also began to look at the room. This was set up according to the standard ladies' boudoir, and it should also be the usual residence of the two girls. The layout looks quite elegant, and it is also suitable for a romantic affair. The curtains are soft and the vanity mirror, the zither, the pipa and the shengxiao, isn't the realm going up?

Even for people who are used to seeing the big world, Huang Zongxi can't help but sigh that this Zuixianglou has a good eye for people, what do you like, what do you arrange for you, what do you lack, what can you make out, such a brothel painting boat, It's really unusual.

As the zither sounded, Huang Zongxi nodded slowly: "You two girls, why are you living here?"

The two girls didn't answer, as if they didn't want to talk about the subject.

Gu Yanwu asked: "But it touched the heart of the two girls?"

Among the two girls, the one who seemed to be the elder sister said: "Today is the day when my sister will leave the cabinet. On such a day, do you two have to talk about this?"

Huang Zongxi looked serious: "It's okay to talk about it, it doesn't matter whether the girls believe it or not, the two of us will not do anything to the two girls."

Looking at the suspicious and vigilant looks of the girls, Huang Zongxi smiled, it seemed that Huang Zongxi's appearance played a role, after all, Huang Zongxi was also very handsome.

Speaking of it, throughout the ages, if you want to be an official, you don’t have enough literary talent and outstanding appearance. This is not just the case in Ming Dynasty, it has been the case in all dynasties. The Han Dynasty will select those who are dignified and upright. This Ming Dynasty also established a rule, among the scholars, you choose to be an official with a good appearance. After all, your official position represents the majesty of the imperial court. How can you be worthy of the imperial court if you look crooked?
Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu are obviously not bad looking, and they don't have the malicious appearance of the sons of ordinary rich gentry or playboys, and they also sit with good manners.

The two girls seemed to have believed Huang Zongxi's words, so they let go of their guard, and Huang Zongxi said: "You two girls, come forward and tell me, we don't need wine, some tea is fine."

The two girls sat opposite Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu, the younger one served tea, the older one was silent for a moment and said slowly, "My sisters are actually a family of scholars."

Through the narration of these two girls, Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu also knew the reason. The two girls, the eldest named Qiao Ya, and the young named Qiao Wan, were actually from Suzhou. He is a rich man, but he also has no worries about food and clothing, and he has no shortage of snacks and clothing.

Later, the mother died of illness, and the father continued the marriage, but the stepmother who continued the marriage always felt that the sisters were in the way, and always wanted them to marry as soon as possible, but the father loved them, and the stepmother was not easy to force.

Until my father suddenly fell ill, I didn't know what was going on, and it didn't help to ask someone to treat him. Gradually, he became thinner and thinner, and the power in the family was controlled by the stepmother. Until the father died of illness, the stepmother didn't force him They got married, but sold them directly to Yangzhou.

The two girls suspect that their father's death may be related to their stepmothers, and they are not allowed to marry because they are afraid that they will take advantage of their husband's family to compete for the family property. After all, these two girls are well-known in Suzhou, and they love each other. There are a lot of people, many of whom are children of gentry and officials.

Gu Yanwu frowned: "Didn't the imperial court have issued repeated orders to strictly prohibit the sale of human beings, and the imperial court's new policy has been implemented, so why is there such a thing?"

Su Ya said: "My lord, how much majesty is there for the imperial government's decree when it leaves the place where the capital issued it? How much is left when it arrives in the south of the Yangtze River?"

Gu Yanwu choked, Huang Zongxi was silent for a moment, and asked again: "I don't know, do the two girls know that there is a person named Zhang Xiaowan in the Zuixiang Building?"

Qiao Ya became a little vigilant: "The two young masters are here for sister Zhang?"

Huang Zongxi nodded slightly: "To save her, I also want to save you."

"Why do we believe you?" Qiao Ya asked.

Huang Zongxi said: "We heard that when Zhang Xiaowan and Zhou Ling'er fled, many people helped them. I wonder if there are two girls?"

Without waiting for the two to answer, Huang Zongxi said: "Don't worry, the two of us are not bad people, the two of us are from Jinling."

"Jinling, was Governor Wang sent here? Does Governor Wang know about us?" Qiao Wan asked in surprise.

Gu Yanwu nodded: "Yes, Governor Wang found out what happened here and sent the two of us to investigate."

"Sister?" Qiao Wan looked at her sister expectantly.

Although Qiao Ya still hesitated, she finally nodded: "Anyway, my sister and I have fallen to this point, and there is not much hope. I will trust you once today."

Huang Zongxi motioned Gu Yanwu to take out a pen and paper, and then said: "Please tell me, girls."

Following Qiao Ya and Qiao Wan's narration, the inside story of Zuixianglou was revealed in front of Huang Zongxi.

This Zuixianglou is not simply abducting and robbing people. In fact, these girls were trained by Zuixianglou. After training, they became the tools of Zuixianglou. They were sent to officials in Yangzhou Whether it is the government or the gentry, they are caught in the boat of Zuixianglou by a net of women.

Not only that, every year after Zuixianglou forcibly robs or forces good families to sell their daughters, whether these good families come out of the cabinet or receive customers daily, the money they get is given to the local government in Yangzhou by Zuixianglou for bribes. With the local government of Yangzhou As a backer, Zuixianglou's business is getting bigger and bigger, not only in Yangzhou City, but also in Yangzhou Prefecture. They all win over gentry and bribe officials. But there are few officials who come to Yangzhou who are not bribed by them However, the merchants who came to Yangzhou became their new prey.

As for Zhang Xiaowan, after fleeing, she was beaten and scolded by Zuixianglou and locked up, planning to send her to another place in the future.

Having said this, Qiao Ya sighed lightly: "Our original intention is to count as many sisters as possible to escape. After all, here, we will eventually be involuntary."

"I didn't expect it. Sister Zhang and Sister Zhou failed to escape, and now they still end up like this."

"The other sisters in the building said that Sister Zhang and Sister Zhou were going to be sent to a remote place to go to Goulan to exchange money for Zuixianglou. "

Huang Zongxi said: "You two girls, don't worry, we've got a lot of clues from you two girls, we'll do our best to stop this matter, you two girls can rest at ease tonight, we won't mess around."

Although Qiao Ya and Qiao Wan were still somewhat vigilant, Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu really didn't mess around overnight, and they didn't have the time to mess around. According to what Qiao Ya and Qiao Wan said, the tip of the iceberg of Zuixianglou was unveiled. Big case.

After leaving Zuixiang Building the next day, Huang Zongxi said: "This matter must be reported to Yuan Fu immediately. The situation is beyond the decision of our two fifth-rank councilors."

After finding the secret store of the local Jinyiwei according to the address given by Zhang Haogu, Huang Zongxi looked at the vigilant few people and took out their pocket cards: "I want to recruit your pigeons, so I can write to the capital."

After confirming the waist card, Yangzhou Jinyiwei sent the secret letter flying pigeon to the capital, and Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu were not idle. On the one hand, they asked Jinyiwei to investigate the truth and falsehood of Qiao Ya and Qiao Wan's words, and at the same time, the two separated to search in Yangzhou city. The evidence, in just a few days, really allowed them to find a lot of things.

And Zhang Haogu of the capital frowned after receiving the secret letter from the two of them: "Abduct women, buy good houses by force, train nobles to win over local officials and gentry, and secretly support horse bandits to rob merchants."

"The officials of Yangzhou City belong to them."

After pondering for a while, Zhang Haogu called Tian Ergeng: "Activate Jinyiwei's network in Yangzhou, and check the situation of Zuixianglou."

"Also, check whether the officials in Yangzhou are officials of the imperial court."

This is a serious statement. If the officials in Yangzhou are not from the imperial court, whose is it?
Tian Ergeng, who realized that the head of Yangzhou was about to land, was very excited: "Please rest assured, Yuanfu, I will definitely investigate and find out the truth."

If there is anyone in Yangzhou who cares about him, he can take credit for it again.

Jin Yiwei, the most fearful thing is that the people above have forgotten, as long as there is work to do, Jin Yiwei is very happy.

The silent Jinyiwei in Yangzhou City was awakened, and many secrets in Yangzhou were no longer secrets to the imperial court.

It was the first time to use such a force to investigate information, and Huang Zongxi couldn't help feeling that Jinyiwei was everywhere. There were almost all Jinyiwei people in every government office in Yangzhou Prefecture.

These people may not be able to use it for a lifetime, but once it is used, the big net of Jinyiwei can catch everything inside.

After getting the information, Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu rushed to Zuixianglou again, and they still wanted to get some key evidence from Zuixianglou.

But as soon as he arrived at the Zuixiang Building, the old bustard saw that he was the big benefactor of the previous few days, and immediately approached with a smile: "The two young masters haven't come for a few days. Our girl has been waiting so hard. If the day doesn't come, I feel that the young master has forgotten them."

Huang Zongxi smiled and said: "How could I forget, isn't this here again."

The old bustard immediately shouted: "Little Sanzi, Xiaosanzi, quickly take the two young masters up."

When they arrived in Qiao Ya and Qiao Wan's boudoir, before Huang Zongxi sat down, Qiao Ya said eagerly, "Huang Zongxi, sister Zhang and sister Zhou will be transported away by them."

Huang Zongxi frowned, Zhang Xiaowan and Zhou Linger are the key witnesses in this case, they cannot be sent away by the people from Zuixianglou: "When will they transport them?"

"It will be transported away tonight." Qiao Ya said the news she had inquired about.

Gu Yanwu snorted coldly: "Tonight? There is a curfew this night, and they can go out of the city gate. There is really nothing they can't do in Yangzhou City."

Huang Zongxi said: "Two girls, don't worry, we will save Zhang Xiaowan and Zhou Linger, but we are here this time, and we also hope that the two girls can help us win over more people. We need physical evidence. If the two girls can let us If more people testify, Zuixianglou will not survive."

Qiao Ya took a deep breath and said, "Leave this matter to us. Sisters, as long as they have a heart, who would like to be in this kind of place."

Huang Zongxi said: "Then I would like to thank you two girls. If you have information, just put a flower in the window."

Qiao Ya nodded: "Remember it."

After staying with Qiao Ya Qiao Wan for a long time, and after the two narrated and perfected their testimony, Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu left, and they still had to arrange people to rescue Zhang Xiaowan and Zhou Ling'er.

The cabinet has ordered that they can mobilize the Jinyiwei in and around Yangzhou to act, and the imperial court's Jinyiwei will also send people quickly. If the matter is serious, the new army in Jinling can be mobilized.

But before that, they had to obtain key evidence and decide the case.

"Brother Gu, let's act tonight and save people!"