Shamelessness knows no bounds! When Qin Mu heard Liu Hongji say he was cunning, he knew this was another scoundrel.
"The Bad People are like an unwanted bunch! They're disliked by the martial arts world and the imperial court, but they're needed to maintain Chang'an. So their wages are very low, and out of necessity, I granted them some work," Liu Hongji explained.
"What do you mean, Commander?" Qin Mu asked. He didn't believe Liu Hongji's words. Many of the Bad Guys were local thugs. They might not have done good deeds, but they certainly had done a lot of bad ones. Their so-called "businesses" were probably just some gray-market industries.
"Didn't you launch a crackdown operation in Chang'an? I'm just here to tell you, so you don't accidentally hurt your own people!" Liu Hongji said, his eyes wide.
Hearing that they weren't here to demand someone's return, Qin Mu breathed a slight sigh of relief. He frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "If the problem isn't too serious, the Six Doors can turn a blind eye; but if they go too far, that might not be appropriate. I wonder what kind of business the Bad Guys do?"
Liu Hongji glared at Qin Mu, then said with a wicked grin, "Hehe! Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. The Bad Guys only charge a fee for protecting merchants!"
That's it?
"Not bad? What else did you expect? We didn't take much, just a token amount!" Liu Hongji said, looking at Qin Mu strangely.
"Such a small matter shouldn't warrant your personal intervention, General Qin Mu asked, somewhat disbelievingly."
"His Majesty said in court that you should investigate thoroughly, so of course I will obey orders! Besides, I was worried that you would have the same temperament as your father, but it seems I was overthinking it," Liu Hongji explained.
“If it’s just this, then of course there’s no problem. However, I have a request for you, and I hope you will grant it, General.” Qin Mu nodded and said.
"You tell me first!" Liu Hongji said, his eyes darting around.
"This isn't difficult. We just need to ask the brothers from the Bad Guys to help provide some clues. After all, they've lived in Chang'an for a long time and are very familiar with it." Judging from his expression, it was clear that if it was too difficult, he shouldn't ask. Such a shameless person made Qin Mu chuckle.
"That's easy. I'll call a few people over tomorrow, and you can arrange it as you see fit," Liu Hongji said generously.
"Thank you, General Liu!" Qin Mu stood up and bowed.
"Ahem, Qin boy, have you ever thought about opening a few restaurants in Luoyang? I have some connections there. If you want to open one, you won't have to spend a single penny." After sitting for a moment, Liu Hongji leaned forward and asked.
"No!" Qin Mu answered without hesitation.
"What? How could you not want to? Let me tell you! All you need to do is provide some cooks, and you can get 50% of the profits for free." Liu Hongji was a little dumbfounded and asked hurriedly.
"Why open so many restaurants? And even in Luoyang? It's too much trouble, so far away, I wouldn't even know if I got ripped off," Qin Mu said, shaking his head.
"No, no, who would dare to cheat me... not you, I'd be the first to get revenge!" Liu Hongji said, his eyes wide. Perhaps realizing he had misspoke, he changed to a serious tone and tried to persuade him.
"Think about it, Luoyang! It's about the same size as Chang'an. You could open at least four or five more stores there. That's a lot of money! How can you just sit there and not make money?"
"What's the point of making so much money? Money is the most useless thing in the world!" Qin Mu thought to himself with a wicked smile.
"I've never seen such a shameless person!" Liu Hongji cursed inwardly, his lips twitching uncontrollably. He had originally thought that by saying a few words to Qin Mu, relying on his status, Qin Mu would definitely be willing to cooperate, since he could make money without lifting a finger.
"Ahem! However, it's not impossible for General Liu to open Rugui Tower in Luoyang!" Knowing when to stop, Qin Mu didn't want to offend Liu Hongji, so he changed the subject and said.
"Oh! What method?" Liu Hongji's eyes lit up, and he asked hurriedly.
“General Liu, as you know, I’ve been busy with matters concerning the Six Doors lately, and I don’t know when I’ll be finished. I really don’t have time to deal with the restaurant issue. How about we discuss it later?” Qin Mu explained.
"It's just catching some pests in Chang'an! You name which one, and I'll arrange for the Bad Guys to help you! You set a time for the restaurant, so I can get Luoyang to start preparing." Liu Hongji hurriedly said, worried that Qin Mu was just making excuses.
It was clear that he really wanted to open a restaurant, so Qin Mu couldn't very well refuse. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded and said, "Alright! As long as this operation is successful, I agree to the Luoyang restaurant issue!"
"Who do you think we should target?" Liu Hongji asked excitedly.
“Gambling dens and brothels in Chang’an!” Qin Mu said.
"What! All of them?" Liu Hongji asked, startled.
“That’s right, all the gambling dens and brothels!” Qin Mu nodded.
"Are you crazy, kid? Do you know how many people are involved? You could say that more than half of the well-known figures in Chang'an are involved!" Liu Hongji warned, his eyes wide.
"Yes, just as expected!"
"You really don't know anything! Do you know that he also has a share!" Liu Hongji said in a low voice, pointing to the palace.
"I know!" Qin Mu nodded again. How could Li Shimin possibly miss a brothel, the best place to gather information? Qin Mu had also guessed this.
"You know you still need to do this? Let me tell you, just pull some out and mess with them!" Liu Hongji reminded him.
"Thank you for the reminder, General Liu. However, I don't intend to destroy gambling dens and brothels, but rather to regulate them and investigate those with bad reputations who have committed numerous evil deeds and forced women into prostitution!" Qin Mu said, bowing with his hands clasped. Liu Hongji's frank advice impressed him, making him feel that this man was worth befriending.
"That's more like it. I'll bring people over to help you," Liu Hongji said, his expression softening.
"I am extremely grateful!"
"Alright! I'm leaving now. If I stay any longer, my heart will jump out of my chest." Liu Hongji stood up and said, then declined Qin Mu's offer to see him off and left satisfied.
The next day, the bad guys did indeed arrive. There was an old man, who looked like a farmer, hunched over with a simple and honest face; a young man, who also looked honest and upright; and a thin and weak child, who looked about the same size as Qin Huaiyu.
"The Bad Guy Commander Liu Renshi greets the Police Commissioner!"
"Please, all three of you, have a seat!"
"This humble official is introducing you to the patrol officer. This is Master Lu, the second master of the Western City of the Bad Guys! He is the oldest among the Bad Guys. When it comes to his knowledge of Chang'an, if he is second, no one in the Bad Guys can claim to be first," Liu Renshi introduced.
"You flatter me, young man. Just call me Old Man Lu, Officer Lu." The old man grinned.
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