Dream of the Red Chamber: Rising from Refugees to Sweep Across the Land

Chapter 92 Liu Feng: Where did this bastard come from?!

The area around the imperial city wasn't entirely a restricted zone; restaurants and teahouses were common near government offices. The Office of Transmission, in particular, received and dispatched reports from various regions daily, resulting in a large number of officials and errand runners coming and going, making the surrounding area naturally more crowded and bustling than other places.

Of course, those who can do business on the outskirts of the imperial city are no ordinary people.

In the dead of winter, the window of a private room facing the street was ajar. If someone were standing behind the window, they could see everything that was happening in front of the Office of the Commissioner of the Court of State Ceremonies.

There were indeed people behind the window, a whole group of them.

If Liu Feng were here, he would be greatly surprised. It was none other than Mei Hanlin and his group; all the people he had beaten up that day were present.

Opposite them stood a young man in brocade robes. If Liu Xianglian were to see him, he would likely be furious, for this was none other than the very friend who had leaked the information to him.

Several officials nearby said something, and Mei Hanlin stroked his beard and laughed, saying to the young man, "Don't worry, my dear nephew. The Grand Secretary said that after this matter is over, he will recommend you for a post as a county magistrate in a top-tier county in Jiangnan."

An imperial censor laughed and said, "A county magistrate for three years might not earn 100,000, but he could earn 60,000 or 70,000."

The young man quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "I dare not, I dare not. I will certainly serve as an upright official, uphold justice for the people, and achieve something to make the Grand Secretary proud."

Everyone laughed at what he said.

The young man was somewhat confused.

Another scholar laughed and said, "In officialdom, one must remember the saying 'fit in with the world.' That's too extreme; one can't be a good official that way."

The young man seemed to understand something, yet he couldn't believe it.

The censor next to him chimed in, "The Grand Secretary recommended you, so he is my mentor. You can't help but offer filial piety during festivals, your subordinates need to eat, and you also have to support your family and entertain guests... Do you really expect to earn that little bit of salary?" He shook his head as he spoke.

Seeing his still cautious demeanor, Mei Hanlin held up his right hand, making a "five," and said, "As long as you don't exceed this number in three years, I'll recommend you for an honest official position."

The young man's mouth was slightly open, and his eyes were wide open.

Mei Hanlin and the others exchanged smiles, becoming even more delighted.

The young man snapped out of his reverie, glanced out the window, and looked worried: "My uncles all say that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has eyes and ears everywhere in the capital. Could they have found me?"

An official from the Imperial Academy scoffed, "What's there to be afraid of? This is the territory of the gentry of Jiangnan. Even the sweepers and water servers are elderly locals from Jiangnan, their families' roots have been in Jiangnan for generations. Dare to betray us? We'll make sure their entire clan is wiped out!"

As he spoke, he gave the young man a sinister look, which sent a shiver down his spine.

Mei Hanlin glanced out the window and pondered, "When he arrives, have the aggrieved party tell us to drop the lawsuit," then we'll go out together... Don't provoke trouble, don't give him an excuse to attack.

'

He paused, then said, "He has to hold back even if he takes action, so as not to give the emperor an excuse to favor him."

"7

"Yes, this time we can't let him get away with just a few dozen blows."

"Knowing the law and breaking it, abusing power for personal gain, interfering with national law... This time we have to expose his utter nonsense."

Suddenly, someone asked, rather inopportunely, "What if he doesn't come?"

Silence fell instantly, and everyone stared at Mei Hanlin.

Mei Hanlin was stunned for a moment: "No, no way. Cunzhou has praised him more than once, saying that he is grateful and repays kindness... He shouldn't just stand by and watch Lin Ruhai be falsely accused..."

Just then, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open with a "bang," and Mei Hanlin trembled in fright.

"Oh no! That guy surnamed Liu didn't come this way at all!"

Mei Hanlin suddenly stood up: "He didn't come? Where did he go?!"

"They've gone to the Thousand Household Office."

Mei Hanlin was completely stunned: "How is this possible? How dare he not come..."

Some speculated, "Could it be that there's an urgent matter at the Thousand Household Office, and they'll come over after they're done?"

"The messenger said that the man surnamed Liu strolled along, watching the commotion, and slowly made his way to the garrison."

After a long pause, Mei Hanlin finally blurted out, "Ungrateful wretch! He stood by and watched someone die! What a shameless scoundrel!"

After a long while, someone asked in a low voice, "What should we do now?"

Mei Hanlin said irritably, "This matter was decided by the people of Jiangnan, just to drive the Lin family out of Jiangnan... It's already been delayed for a day. The Wang, Xue, and Jia families must have received the news as well. We can't let them intercept the petition." As he spoke, he turned to the official beside him, "Immediately send the person to the Office of Transmission and Inspection. I want to personally witness the signing and registration of the petition."

The official nodded, turned and walked out.

"Are we really going to let that guy surnamed Liu get away with this so easily?" someone said, unwilling to accept it.

Mei Hanlin's eyes darted around, and he said to the messenger, "Go, keep a close eye on that Liu fellow, and see where he goes next."

The messenger withdrew immediately.

Mei Hanlin beckoned, and the officials all craned their necks to get closer.

Mei Hanlin lowered his voice and muttered a few words.

Liu Feng did not stay at the Thousand Household Office for long. He changed into civilian clothes, took Jia Yun with him, and parted ways with Wang Daniu and the others, arriving at the East City.

After monitoring the situation for several days, Liu Feng finally identified the senior management personnel.

Prince Yong was notoriously stingy, being frugal with himself and even more so with his subordinates!

But this executive has been going to brothels every few days lately, and he even secretly booked a top courtesan. That's quite an expense.

What's even more suspicious is that he always disguises himself when he goes out, and you wouldn't recognize him unless you were watching closely.

Suddenly having money and being so cautious—there's definitely something wrong.

The news just came that the man surnamed Gao has left the Prince's mansion. Based on his recent habits, he will definitely go to a brothel.

Liu Feng couldn't be bothered to keep an eye on them anymore, so he just arrested them and subjected them to severe torture!

The emperor's son died. Although it was not a national mourning, under the emperor's nose, who would dare to put up red lanterns or play music? The once bustling brothels have changed. The red lanterns are gone, the music has stopped, and even the girls who used to greet customers at the door have disappeared.

Only the madam remained, yawning and leaning against the door frame, watching the passersby, afraid of missing a single customer.

As soon as Liu Feng and Jia Yun stopped at the door, the madam's eyes lit up.

The two men were dressed plainly, but they exuded an air of officialdom.

Although the imperial court had issued a ban prohibiting officials from entering privately-run brothels, it was no longer the early days of the nation's founding, and since no one reported it, the court was too lazy to care.

This is a big spender, we can't let him get away!

The madam shouted into the house, "Ladies, we have a distinguished guest!" She then came out with a beaming smile, "Sir, please come in—"

Liu Feng nodded and stepped inside. He hadn't gone far when seven or eight heavily made-up women surrounded him, holding round fans and smiling like flowers: "Oh, sir, please come in, please come in! There are private rooms upstairs!"

"Is this your first time here? How about we sisters show you some of our talents?"

A cacophony of sweet voices, playful laughter, and playful scolding.

Liu Feng frowned slightly.

Seeing Liu Feng's displeasure, the madam quickly shooed him away: "Stop fooling around, go do what you're supposed to do!" Turning back, she put on a smiling face and said to Liu Feng, "Sir, please go upstairs for a cup of tea, I'll arrange some good ones for you right away..."

'

Liu Feng didn't mince words: "I heard there's someone here named Yunniang?"

The madam's smile froze for a moment, then she laughed again, "Oh dear, so you've come for Yunniang. But unfortunately, Yunniang hasn't been feeling well these past few days and has declined to come."

Liu Feng was slightly taken aback. A truce sign? That's rather elegant.

The madam asked with a smile, "Sir, are you esteemed...?"

"9

Liu Feng raised his hand, and Jia Yun immediately took out a silver note from her bosom.

The madam's eyes lit up, but she still hesitated to speak.

Liu Feng smiled and said, "We'll just have some tea and chat, that's all."

The madam had an air of "Don't I know you men?"

Liu Feng gave Jia Yun a wink.

Jia Yun added another card, and seeing the madam open her mouth, he immediately stuffed another card into her mouth.

While the madam hesitated, Liu Feng snatched back the silver notes: "If it's not acceptable, then forget it."

"Alright, alright!" The madam quickly grabbed Liu Feng's arm, her face beaming with joy. "But we've agreed that it's just tea, no sex."

Liu Feng nodded: "Let's just have tea."

"Okay! I'll take you upstairs right away..."

""

Before she could finish speaking, the madam caught a glimpse of someone entering through the door out of the corner of her eye. She instinctively turned her head and her expression immediately changed.

Liu Feng also saw it and thought to himself, "What bad luck!"

Upon seeing a stranger, the executive immediately became alert and withdrew.

Liu Feng glanced outside the door. Why hadn't Wang Daniu arrived yet?

He gave Jia Yun a wink, signaling her to go inside and calm down the man surnamed Gao first.

Just then, a loud shout came from outside the door: "Liu Feng, as a current official, what is your crime for frequenting brothels?"

The mere mention of the word "official" sent chills down the spines of the senior executives, who turned tail and ran, disappearing into the crowd in the blink of an eye.

Liu Feng was dumbfounded. Holy crap, where did this bastard come from?!