Chapter 3

"Sir Han, you're too kind. I'm just a simple man who knows a few characters. I don't deserve to be called 'Sir Han.' It's truly too much for me. On the contrary, I envy you, Sir Han. Your martial arts skills are renowned throughout Bianjing, and you are well-known far and wide. I dream of becoming someone like you, someone who commands respect and whose might no one dares to challenge."

Jiang Xia flattered Han Yu one after another, making Han Yu extremely pleased. Han Yu walked over and patted Jiang Xia's shoulder, saying, "You're a talented young man. Don't worry; I'll take good care of you in the Qunfang Pavilion. I won't let anyone bully you."

"Thank you, Big Brother Han." Jiang Xia said with a grateful expression.

In just a few words, Jiang Xia's address to Han Yu had changed from "Sir Han" to "Big Brother Han." Han Yu nodded and called back, "Brother Jiang."

"Alright, Brother Jiang, let's not keep Mama Kang waiting." Han Yu said.

"Okay."

Jiang Xia followed Han Yu to "Qingyanju," where Mama Kang lived. It was said that Mama Kang was once a famous courtesan in Shuntian Prefecture in her youth. Later, she connected with a high-ranking official, redeemed herself, and opened the Qunfang Pavilion.

The name "Kang Qingyan" indeed evoked the image of a beauty, but in reality, Mama Kang, who was nearly fifty, had lost her youthful charm due to frequent social engagements and drinking.

Han Yu knocked on the door, and Mama Kang's voice came from inside, "Come in."

Han Yu pushed the door open and walked in with Jiang Xia.

The Qunfang Pavilion was spacious and lavishly decorated. After Han Yu and Jiang Xia entered, they stayed in the living room. From the study, Mama Kang's voice came, "You two sit down for a moment; I'll be right there."

A moment later, Mama Kang came out. She was wearing a Suzhou-embroidered robe, and despite her age, her tall and slender figure still gave an impression of plumpness. Her hair was elaborately styled with various ornaments, including gold and jade. Perhaps due to her age, the skin on her face had begun to sag, and even with a thick layer of makeup, the spots on her face were still visible.

"Hey, why are you standing? Sit down." Mama Kang said to Han Yu and Jiang Xia.

Han Yu shook his head, "No, Mama Kang. I need to go and give some instructions to my men, so I'll have to leave first." Han Yu glanced at Jiang Xia and then leaned close to Mama Kang's ear and whispered a few words.

While Han Yu was speaking, Mama Kang glanced at Jiang Xia a few times, her eyes slightly brightening.

After Han Yu finished, Mama Kang nodded. Han Yu looked at Jiang Xia again and gave him an encouraging look. Jiang Xia knew that Han Yu must have said something good about him to Mama Kang, so he nodded slightly and gave him a grateful look.

After Han Yu finished speaking, he left the room. Mama Kang then looked at Jiang Xia from head to toe.

Being scrutinized by an older woman made Jiang Xia feel very uncomfortable, but he had to endure it, as the situation was beyond his control.

After looking at Jiang Xia for a while, Mama Kang smiled and said, "I never thought that there was such a talented and handsome man hidden in my Qunfang Pavilion. If it weren't for Master Zhao telling me you were very clever, I might have let a pearl be buried in the dust. That would have been a real pity. According to Han Yu, you can read and write, Jiang Xia?"

Jiang Xia nodded, "I learned some classics when I was young, so I know a bit."

This was a modest statement. As the youngest leader in the history of the Qianmen, Jiang Xia was not just smart and good at deception. His knowledge far exceeded that of ordinary people, and it was not an exaggeration to say that he was well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge.

"Good." Mama Kang got up, went to the study, and brought a few books, placing them in front of Jiang Xia. Jiang Xia glanced at them and saw that they were account books. Mama Kang said, "Take a look at these account books and see if you can find anything."

"Okay." Jiang Xia picked up an account book and started flipping through it. He read quickly and then closed the book, saying, "Mama Kang, this is the account for April. The total income for April was 3,220 taels and 672 cash, the expenses were 1,018 taels and 500 cash, and the net profit was 2,202 taels and 172 cash. However..."

"However what?" Mama Kang was somewhat surprised. Although she knew some arithmetic, it usually took her a long time to calculate the accounts with an abacus, but Jiang Xia had calculated the gross profit, expenses, and net profit with just a quick glance.

When Jiang Xia said "however," Mama Kang was even more surprised, thinking that this young man might have found some issues with the accounts. She quickly asked for more details.

Jiang Xia opened the account book and pointed to a page, saying, "Mama Kang, look. It says here that on the 8th of April, 100 high-quality quilts and bedding were purchased for 380 taels. However, the best quilts in Shuntian Prefecture cost no more than 2 taels each, and usually, when a shop owner sells 100 high-quality quilts, they would include some bedding for free. So, 380 taels seems unreasonable."

"..." Mama Kang took the book and looked at it, immediately becoming angry. She slapped the table and stood up, "He Chaoxi, how dare you embezzle funds when I trusted you so much?"

Mama Kang opened the door and shouted, "Someone!"

Two strong men in tight-fitting clothes quickly ran up from the fourth floor. They were the enforcers of the Qunfang Pavilion. Mama Kang ordered, "Go and bring He Chaoxi here immediately."

He Chaoxi was an old manager in the Qunfang Pavilion, trusted by Mama Kang for his long service. He was responsible for all the purchases in the Qunfang Pavilion.

The two enforcers responded, "Yes," and immediately went to find He Chaoxi. A moment later, they brought him in.

As soon as He Chaoxi entered, Mama Kang slapped the table and shouted, "He Chaoxi, you have the nerve to deceive even me?"

She handed him the account books for April and May, "The items you bought were much more expensive than the market price. Explain yourself!"

He Chaoxi was stunned and began to tremble. He looked up at Mama Kang, his face pale. With the evidence clear, he could not deny it. He wailed and repeatedly bowed to Mama Kang, "Mama Kang, I was wrong, I was wrong. I won't do it again. Please forgive me, please forgive me..."

Seeing He Chaoxi admit his guilt, Mama Kang did not hesitate and ordered, "Take him away and break one of his legs first."

"Yes!" The two enforcers dragged He Chaoxi out, and he shouted, "Mama Kang, spare my life, spare my life..." His voice gradually faded away.

After resolving He Chaoxi's issue, Mama Kang looked at Jiang Xia again. This time, her admiration was clear and unhidden, making Jiang Xia feel uncomfortable.

Mama Kang had not expected that she was just testing Jiang Xia, but he had found so many issues with the accounts. Mama Kang said, "Jiang Xia, I see that you are a talented person. It's a waste for you to be a servant in the Qunfang Pavilion. We happen to need a tutor. How about you try it? The monthly salary is three taels, and if you do well, there will be a bonus, and you'll get a share of the profits at the end of the year."

Three taels! Jiang Xia quickly calculated in his mind. This was six times his original salary. At this rate, he could redeem himself in no time.

Such a good opportunity, how could he refuse? Jiang Xia immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Mama Kang. I will do my best and not let you down."

"Good." Mama Kang smiled, "You did well just now. I'll reward you. Go to the accountant and collect five taels as a reward. Tell him I said so."

A reward? Jiang Xia was even happier. He needed money, so he did not refuse and immediately responded, "Thank you, Mama Kang."

After leaving Mama Kang's room, Jiang Xia went out to buy some wine and food to bring back to Han Yu, to thank him for his good words. Reciprocity is the foundation of building relationships, and it is established through mutual help and giving.

Shuntian Prefecture. On the southwest shore of Taiye Lake in the western garden of the imperial city, near the Xihua Gate, was the political center and military headquarters of the Ming Dynasty during the Zhengde period, the Baofang.

The new residence of the Baofang was first constructed in the second year of Zhengde and completed in the fifth year, with over 200 rooms and a cost of 240,000 taels of silver. The new residence of the Baofang was not a place for raising leopards, nor was it a simple pleasure palace. It was actually where Emperor Zhu Houzhao lived and handled state affairs. The new residence of the Baofang had many secret rooms, like a maze, and also had a training ground and a Buddhist temple.

At this moment, Emperor Zhu Houzhao was sitting in a pavilion built on a huge, unique rock transported from Lake Tai. From the pavilion, he could see all 200 rooms of the Baofang. He took a deep breath and assumed a strange posture, like a sleeping laughing Buddha.

After a while, Zhu Houzhao shook his head, picked up a book from the ground, and flipped through it, "What a pity. I have only found four of the eighteen postures of the 'Imperial Manual of Women' in the world. The four postures are 'Pulling Out of the Dry Land,' 'Guanyin Sitting on the Lotus,' 'Old Man Pushing the Cart,' and 'Embracing the Moon in the Arms.' I really want to see what the other fourteen postures look like."

Zhang Yong, who was watching, smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the 'Imperial Manual of Women' is the pinnacle of the art of the bedchamber. The original ancient text has been lost. To find four postures is already a great fortune. There's no point in forcing it. Why don't we practice these four postures for now? I'll arrange for you to visit the Qunfang Pavilion and listen to Miss Shi play the zither and sing."

"Miss Shi?" Zhu Houzhao's spirits were visibly lifted. He nodded and said, "That's a good idea. Let's invite Liu Jin as well."

Zhang Yong's face darkened when he heard that Zhu Houzhao wanted to invite Liu Jin. He thought, "If I bring Liu Jin, who is skilled in flattery, how can I win the emperor's favor?" Zhang Yong quickly thought of a response and smiled, "Your Majesty, I believe Liu Gonggong went to Jiangxi with Lord Wang a few days ago. He might not be in Shuntian Prefecture now."

Zhang Yong was a very smart person. He knew that Liu Jin was still in Shuntian Prefecture, but he did not want Liu Jin to go. Therefore, he used vague words like "I believe" and "might not be," so that even if Zhu Houzhao later found out that Liu Jin was still in Shuntian Prefecture, he could not blame him, as he did not say Liu Jin was definitely not there.

"Oh, right. Liu Jin said he would go to Jiangxi to bring back some beautiful musicians for me. He might have already left. That's fine. Let's just you and I go today. Go and prepare, and we'll leave the palace at the end of the hour."

"Yes, I'll go and prepare." Zhang Yong responded and left.

Zhu Houzhao continued to look at the four postures of the 'Imperial Manual of Women.' With these four postures, he could have seven women in one night, which showed that it was indeed a divine book. After looking at it for a while, he sighed and shook his head, then walked down from the pavilion.

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