In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

Yang Zhuo took it: "This, isn't this distilled liquor?"

"Yes, this was found by my men three miles from the scene of the incident. It can be basically confirmed that it was left by the bandits."

"Finding the origin of this bottle might lead to discovering the true background of the bandits, allowing us to precisely destroy their property," Li Yuanchang said.

Yang Zhuo's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he then observed carefully.

"this……"

"Your Highness, I don't recognize this bottle either."

"Try to find out if this bottle is any ordinary earthenware jar. It's quite finely made, and the size is probably quite small."

"Especially some of the nearby official kilns and private kilns," Li Yuanchang said.

"yes!"

"Then I will go now."

Li Yuanchang said, "It's too late, it's already past 1:45 AM. Let's do it tomorrow."

"Your Highness, it's alright. County Magistrate Wei messed up Your Highness's affairs, and I bear the primary responsibility. No matter what, we must get the money back first!" Yang Zhuo said with some guilt.

Li Yuanchang did not object: "Okay."

"Furthermore, the army entered the city late at night, and the people are unaware of it, but the officials at the city gate saw it. Have your men go and silence them."

"If the bandits find out, it will alert them, and that wouldn't be good."

"Understood!" Yang Zhuo replied solemnly.

Immediately after arranging matters for the personal guards of the inner palace, Li Yuanchang rested.

County Commandant Zhou Yao even specially arranged for two young maids to serve him.

This was the custom in ancient times; in addition to serving miscellaneous tasks, it usually included warming the bed and even sexual intercourse.

But Li Yuanchang dismissed them.

He didn't come here for leisure; all he could think about was how to find the real culprit, bring them to justice, and recover the payment.

……

Its daybreak.

With the crowing of roosters and barking of dogs, the small town regained some of its hustle and bustle. The passersby were all discussing the return of the bandits, but no one knew about the five hundred soldiers who had already entered the town.

Li Yuanchang didn't fall asleep until late at night, and he slept until noon.

He had just finished getting dressed.

Guo Chao's heavy footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Your Highness, there is news."

Li Yuanchang was taken aback. So fast?

He quickly went out and opened the door.

Guo Chao cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness is incredibly resourceful. Magistrate Yang sent a messenger from outside the city to deliver a message saying that he actually found these bottles in a kiln, indicating where they were mass-produced."

"A total of 1,200 bottles were purchased by only one brothel in Wei County, Jinxiulou."

Jinxiu Tower?

Li Yuanchang's pupils contracted; he hadn't expected the investigation to proceed so quickly.

"Send a small group of men, not too many, to change into civilian clothes and come with me immediately!"

"Your Highness, you have not yet eaten."

"Let's go eat at Jinxiulou!"

"Yes!" Guo Chao immediately went to prepare.

About fifteen minutes later, a guard of twenty men changed their clothes and then accompanied Li Yuanchang discreetly to the Jinxiu Tower.

Li Yuanchang was unsure of the connection between Jinxiulou and the bandits, so before setting off, he informed Zhou Yao of Weixian County not to act rashly.

Soon, they arrived at Jinxiu Tower.

The people in the Hanwang Mansion were quite surprised that such a luxurious building was hidden in such an old and dilapidated small county town.

This is even better than the county government office. It has five floors, carved with clouds and phoenixes, and decorated in a bright style, like a beautiful flower planted in this barren county town.

All I can say is that the brothel economy of the Tang Dynasty was incredibly extravagant.

In later generations, the only consequence of this ban is that if it weren't banned, the economic indicators would be unimaginable.

"Young man, please come in."

"May I ask if you've come for a meal or to listen to music?" A servant greeted them with a broad smile.

"Prepare a good meal and half a jin of distilled liquor." Li Yuanchang did not directly reveal his identity or purpose, but he had reason to suspect that Jinxiulou was a den of thieves.

"yes!"

"Young master, please come upstairs." The servant led the way.

Like many of the women in the building, he had sharp eyes and immediately recognized that Li Yuanchang was no ordinary person and a major client.

Many prostitutes leaned against the railing, casting flirtatious glances at Li Yuanchang, and even went so far as to flaunt their impressive cleavage in an attempt to seduce him.

But Li Yuanchang had no interest at all. Although these courtesans were not bad, they were nothing compared to Situ Lan and Qin Keyu.

He was led to a seat on the third floor, his eyes constantly scanning the area.

The first floor is the most ordinary area, which is very crowded. The second floor has some private booths, which are relatively quiet. The third floor is decorated in a more ancient and grand style, and each private booth can be considered equivalent to a private room.

It even had a bed and a toilet, making it equivalent to a luxury suite in later times.

Staircases surround the area, with a huge stage in the center where people play and sing on the pipa, and others dance in revealing clothing.

But these were not the goals that Li Yuanchang was concerned with.

He kept an eye on the staircase leading to the fourth floor, and there were guards there!

This detail immediately alerted him.

"My lord, the wine and dishes will be served shortly. Please take a seat."

"Do you think you'd like a few beauties to come and serve your husband?" the servant enthusiastically offered.

Li Yuanchang did not enter the side room on the third floor, and said with a smile, "No rush."

"I don't really like this spot. Could you move it for me?"

"Of course, where would you like to go, sir?" The servant readily agreed, as seating on the third floor would naturally cost a high price.

Li Yuanchang glanced up and said, "I like sitting high up so I can see far. Why don't you take me to the fourth floor?"

Upon hearing this, the servant's smile faltered for a moment, then he said with difficulty, "Sir, to be honest, the fourth floor is not open to the public."

"This is already the best room available."

Li Yuanchang took a full string of copper coins from Guo Chao: "Money is no problem, this is your reward. I like to listen to music from the highest point."

He had the demeanor of a spoiled brat.

The servant's eyes lit up when he saw so many copper coins, but he was still puzzled.

"My lord, this really won't do."

"No guests are allowed on the fourth floor; that's not a guest area."

Even money wouldn't work. A deeper suspicion flashed in Li Yuanchang's eyes. A brothel shouldn't be like this.

But he didn't insist any further, lest he attract the attention of others.

"Okay, third floor it is."

"Oh, thank you, sir. Please have a seat."

Li Yuanchang entered the private room, and soon the wine and dishes were served. All the guards, along with Li Yuanchang himself, turned their gazes to the wine bottle on the tray!

It was emerald green, slender, and exactly the same as the one I found on the shady slope last night!

Guo Chao and the others looked grim at Li Yuanchang.

Li Yuanchang calmly waved his hand, signaling not to act rashly, as a mere wine bottle didn't prove anything.

"My lord, the wine and dishes have arrived. Would you like some company? Our courtesans are all skilled in the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. They are not only beautiful but also obedient and sensible, guaranteeing you a comfortable stay!"