Ch 429: The Rouge Pavilion
“Say what you need to say.”
Li Hanzhou spoke indifferently.
The person in front of him, though unremarkable in appearance, was one of his secret agents, specifically tasked with gathering intelligence for him.
“Your Highness, things have been rather unsettling lately. The price of charcoal sold at charcoal shops throughout the Divine Capital has been rising sharply. And these past few days, His Highness the Second Prince has also opened a charcoal shop, selling charcoal at an exorbitant price.”
“After investigation, my subordinate found that His Highness the Second Prince is involved. Furthermore, these past two days, commoners, angered by the ever-increasing price of charcoal, have caused disturbances at the shops. Several lives were lost in the Second Prince’s charcoal shop.”
The secret agent blurted out all the information he knew.
“He’s involved in this too!”
Li Hanzhou’s expression tightened, his gaze growing sharp.
Recently, the price of charcoal in the Divine Capital has skyrocketed, reaching a point where commoners simply cannot afford it. Yet, for the sake of survival, they have no choice but to use up most of their life savings to buy charcoal.
This matter, even days ago, had already caused considerable discontent among the commoners, leading to widespread complaints. Some even angrily cursed the Imperial Court for its inaction, allowing these charcoal shops to act wantonly.
If this continues, the situation will undoubtedly worsen, leading to a loss of popular support.
Originally, Xiao Tiansheng intended to handle this matter personally, but due to his overwhelming workload, he couldn’t spare the time and thus entrusted the matter to Li Hanzhou.
Li Hanzhou did not refuse. He immediately mobilized officials from the Dragon Court to order these coal shops to lower their charcoal prices.
However, the owners of these charcoal shops were stubborn, refusing to lower their prices even when officials arrived in person.
Some even went so far as to bring the matter to court, publicly accusing the officials of trying to steal their business and starve them to death.
A group of ordinary charcoal shop owners displaying such strong resistance, even fearing death, is clearly illogical.
After all, those in business know what they should and shouldn’t do.
Therefore, Li Hanzhou suspected that these charcoal shop owners might have someone backing them, emboldening them to act so recklessly.
Now, it’s clear who is behind these charcoal shop owners.
Qingshui Alley is a very famous street in the Divine Capital.
However, unlike its name suggests, it is a place of brothels and prostitutes, containing many large and small brothels and is a haven for many clients.
The Rouge Pavilion is the largest brothel in Qingshui Alley.
The young ladies inside not only possess the finest appearance and posture but also possess a wide range of skills. They are proficient in singing, playing instruments, and other arts.
Countless women, heavily made up and dressed in flamboyant attire, constantly cast seductive glances at the passersby in front of the Rouge Pavilion.
“Sir, come in and have some fun~”
A man felt a stirring in his heart upon seeing this scene. Just as he was about to turn towards the Rouge Pavilion, a group of men dressed in black marched in formation from the alley entrance.
Their faces were impassive; they carried sharp weapons and silently surrounded the entire Rouge Pavilion.
The brothel women at the entrance were startled and quickly ran back into the building to find the Madam.
“Mama, someone is causing trouble!”
“Who dares be so bold!”
The Madam, furious, came to the front of the building and surveyed the men, coldly saying, “You have some nerve! Don’t you know this is the Rouge Pavilion?”
“Get lost immediately, otherwise…”
The Madam’s words trailed off. Seeing the approaching figure, her expression froze, replaced by fear.
Without hesitation, she knelt down, her body trembling, “Your…Your Highness, Crown Prince!”
Li Hanzhou glanced at the Madam and said, “Get all the women in your building out here.”
The words fell.
Before the Madam could give an order, the brothel women, watching from inside, hurriedly ran out and knelt down together.
Li Hanzhou then looked at the Madam and asked, “Which room is Xiao Yuanyang in?”
“Your Highness, Crown Prince, the Second Prince is in the Tianzi room on the third floor,” the Madam quickly replied.
Li Hanzhou said nothing more. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked directly into the building.
At this moment, inside the Tianzi room…
Several scantily clad brothel women moved around the room, constantly refilling the wine cups of the men seated there, occasionally giggling.
“Your Highness, cheers!”
“Thanks to Your Highness’ protection, we wouldn’t have made so much money!”
“We hope for your continued patronage, Your Highness!”
Several men dressed as wealthy merchants raised their cups to toast Xiao Yuanyang, who sat in the main seat.
“My pleasure, my pleasure.”
Xiao Yuanyang’s face was flushed, he held two women in his arms, and he chuckled in response, his brow filled with smugness.
He was now His Highness the Second Prince, his status far different from before. Though he couldn’t compare to Li Hanzhou’s status as Crown Prince, he had his own fiefdom, and other officials and commoners alike would respectfully address him as Prince Qing.
However, despite being a prince, the things he could obtain were pitifully few.
Xiao Tiansheng had devoted his entire heart to Li Hanzhou, neglecting his other sons.
After enjoying the treatment befitting a prince, Xiao Yuanyang became increasingly arrogant, spending his days in Qingshui Alley.
Indulging in debauchery, he completely depleted his already meager family fortune.
Short of money, Xiao Yuanyang began to think of ways to get rich.
It happened that commoners needed to buy charcoal to survive during this period, so he set his sights on the charcoal business, seizing the opportunity to open a charcoal shop to make a quick fortune.
Later, these wealthy merchants, seeing his involvement, offered him their allegiance, willing to give him a share of their profits in exchange for him settling small matters for them.
Xiao Yuanyang agreed without hesitation.
Thus, he colluded with these wealthy merchants to artificially inflate charcoal prices.
Although commoners later caused disturbances at the shop, they were easily dealt with due to his status. He earned a great deal of money and was even invited by the wealthy merchants for a banquet today.
The people in the room exchanged drinks, laughing and chatting merrily.
Xiao Yuanyang was now quite drunk, his eyes somewhat hazy.
He weighed his light wine gourd, glanced at the cold food on the table, and said, “The wine is gone, and the food is cold. Bring a few more jugs of wine and clear away this cold food, and bring me a new table of hot dishes.”
“I’ll go, Your Highness.”
A wealthy merchant nodded, smiling as he rose and left.
However, he had just reached the doorway.
Bang!
A loud bang echoed, the door splintered, and the wealthy merchant was sent sprawling by the immense force.
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