Some people, seeing that he seemed to know something, went over to try and get closer to him. But before they could even move their chairs over, the man had already put down the money for the drinks on the table and left.
After leaving the restaurant, the man didn't go anywhere else. He walked around the main street, then slipped into the alleyways. After several twists and turns, he shook off his tail and entered the Duke of Wei's mansion.
Outside Qiulan Lane in the distance, a young civil official in a scarlet robe sat lazily on an official's hat chair covered with sable fur. In front of him was a sandalwood table, on which fruits and snacks were laid out.
Qiulanfang was a famous brothel in Yujing City, but from the moment the young civil official appeared there, it was destined to become history.
In fact, this scene has become quite common in the city recently.
Some even gave Wei Qinglou the nickname "the devil's nightmare".
Since the imperial decree was issued, wherever he went, chaos and turmoil ensued. Those brothels and entertainment venues with powerful connections who didn't believe in such superstitions thought that this was just another one of the previous incidents, a minor whim of the emperor that would soon pass, so they simply kept a low profile and did not close down voluntarily.
However, Wei Qinglou did not give them any chance to escape. He led his guards to investigate each house one by one. If any house did not close down voluntarily, he would have the guards seal it up without any mercy. No matter who was behind it, or how much the women cried, he treated them all the same.
He glanced at the sun and looked at the guard commander in front of him: "Next, we'll go to Yaoxue Tower. After that, we'll call it a day. You've worked hard these past few days. I'll treat you all to a meal later, Commander Zhou, take the brothers out for a drink."
Upon hearing this, Commander Zhou naturally agreed.
Wei Qinglou stood up, and the guards, who had long been trained by him, hurriedly stepped forward to carry the tables, chairs, and food to the next location for him.
"Wei Qinglou has gone too far. Isn't he afraid of offending people by doing this? There are so many shady places in Yujing City that he doesn't bother to deal with, why does he have to target our little corner of the world!"
In the private room of Jianyue Tower, a group of young men in fine clothes sat around, all with angry expressions on their faces.
Although they came from prestigious families, they lacked any real ability. They couldn't inherit titles or family businesses, and they didn't even have much talent or learning. They couldn't even get a government position. So they could only do these low-class businesses to save up for their wives.
Wei Qinglou was once one of them, but who would have thought that now he would transform into a pillar of the nation and turn his back on all past friendships! He doesn't act rashly, but when he does, he kicks over their rice bowls!
How can anyone not be angry?
"Didn't you invite him to a banquet to discuss business last time? Why did he seem unmoved?" someone else asked.
They were strictly controlled and never received much money each month. Their families were afraid that if they had any money, they would go to brothels to indulge in drinking and causing trouble for the family. Later, when news spread that the emperor was furious about officials who had been involved in prostitution and had even brought prostitutes into their homes to become concubines while neglecting their wives, the brothels' business plummeted.
Without a source of income, they are not as extravagant as before. The cost of the last banquet for Wei Qinglou was raised by them, and now it has gone down the drain, so it is inevitable that some people will complain.
The people whose names were called looked at each other, not daring to say a word.
They couldn't possibly say that because Wei Qinglou looked too sickly that day, they were afraid something might happen to him, and therefore didn't even reveal their purpose for coming that day.
If they really confess, I'm afraid Wei Qinglou will be fine, but they will be in trouble!
The group chuckled awkwardly for a while, then began to give Song Qingzhang, who was always decisive, meaningful glances.
Song Qingzhang understood and smiled as he changed the subject: "Brothers, please don't get angry. In my opinion, what's done is done. We should think of a way to get revenge on Wei Qinglou instead."
After he finished speaking, someone scoffed, "Easier said than done. How do you plan to retaliate? Who is he, and who are you? The difference is like heaven and earth! You dare to talk about revenge?"
Compared to everyone else present, Song Qingzhang came from a very humble background. Moreover, he only managed to join their circle by chance after his mother remarried. If it weren't for the young master of the Jiang family's favor, they would never have had the chance to sit at the same table.
Song Qingzhang remained calm and smiled gently, "I am naturally unworthy, but doesn't Young Master Yan want to retaliate?"
The man called Yan Langjun frowned and looked at him: "Tell me about it."
"Wei Qinglou's crackdown on brothels is a done deal. Now that you gentlemen have jumped out, not only will it be of no use, but he might even use it against you and tell that person. I'm sure you all know what awaits you then."
He paused here, took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and looked with satisfaction at the thoughtful faces of the crowd. Without waiting for their urging, he continued:
"But if we turn the tables on him, things will be different. Wei Qinglou has taken over this matter now. Although he will make many enemies after this, the Emperor will definitely look favorably upon him. But what if he outwardly complies but inwardly defies the Emperor at this critical juncture and commits a grave taboo?"
Knowing full well that these纨绔公子 (spoiled young masters) were not as intelligent as their outward appearance suggested, Song Qingzhang didn't mind going all the way and reminding them, "Last time at Jian Yue Lou, when Brother Jiang presented Yao Ji to him, didn't he not refuse her?"
"You mean, take advantage of this incident to ruin his reputation and lose the Emperor's favor?" Someone reacted, looking at Song Qingzhang in shock, seemingly not expecting him to come up with such a vicious plan, and couldn't help but click their tongue in amazement.
Song Qingzhang smiled faintly, his eyelids lowered to conceal the disdain and contempt in his eyes.
These people are incredibly stupid. If he weren't born into a poor family and had to rely on them to climb the social ladder and build connections and resources, he would never associate with them.
But he didn't show it, still maintaining a gentle demeanor: "Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. Wei Qinglou doesn't even care about our past relationship, so how can you expect to consider his feelings?"
"Besides, he has always been favored by the Emperor. If this matter succeeds, it will not be a big blow to him. At most, he will be out of the Emperor's favor for a few months or a year and a half. You all don't need to feel guilty towards him."
He looked down at the pattern on his sleeve and said in a calm tone, "However... this opportunity is too good to miss. If you miss this chance, it will be difficult for you to deal with him and make him suffer next time."
"That makes sense." Yan Feng gritted his teeth. "You don't need to get involved in this matter; I'll handle it!"
This time, Wei Qinglou attacked, and he was the one who suffered the most serious injuries. He was indeed unwilling to let go of the opportunity to severely injure Wei Qinglou!
The thought that those beautiful courtesans he had spent a fortune to raise would not only fail to generate revenue for him for a long time to come, but would also require him to find a place to house them made him feel as if he had a mouthful of blood stuck in his throat, unable to spit it out or swallow it back down.
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