Chapter 94

Zhao Yougong was not concerned about what Ma Rulong and the others might think; all he needed to do now was wait obediently for Emperor Zhezong's imperial edict. As he walked to the back office, he noticed something was amiss. It was almost noon, yet he hadn't seen Zhu Lian's figure.

"Where is Lady Zhu?"

"Your Highness, Lady Zhu hasn't arrived today!"

"Oh, and where are Chief Clerk Gongsun, Judge Lin, and Magistrate Yu?"

"Well... they haven't come either, saying they are unwell..."

Listening to the big-bearded man's intermittent words, Little Prince Zhao almost stumbled over the threshold. Fine, they all hide when something big happens. But Zhu Lian doesn't seem like someone who shies away from trouble. Could she be unwell too? Or maybe it's her period?

Shaking his head and muttering, perhaps his voice was a bit too loud, the big-bearded man asked with interest, "Your Highness, is this 'period' a relative? It doesn't seem like Lady Zhu has an aunt..."

"Ha!" Little Prince Zhao turned his face, looking pained as he patted the big-bearded man's shoulder, "Ah... Big Beard, you've seen a lot, but the 'period' is indeed a relative. Could it be that you're mistaken? Lady Zhu does have an aunt, and she's very beautiful!"

"Really?"

The big-bearded man's eyes sparkled with eager anticipation.

Zhao Yougong inwardly marveled at the strangeness of the world; Big Beard didn't like the young but preferred the mature. However, this innocent Song dynasty official was destined to be disappointed; the 'period' wasn't a good thing.

Inside the imperial palace, Emperor Zhezong was also having a tough time. The news of the Longwei Army's corruption was spreading like wildfire, and he, as the emperor, was in a difficult position. In fact, Zhezong was more aware of the military's issues than anyone else. With the Office of Supplies, how could anything in the capital be hidden from him? Knowing was one thing, but whether to act was another. In Zhezong's view, it was understandable for his officials to be greedy as long as they remained loyal and had no second thoughts.

In fact, it wasn't surprising that Zhezong held this view. When the Song dynasty was founded, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin left a famous saying: "Ten corrupt officials are not worth one general." The meaning was simple: as an emperor, one needn't worry about corruption because ten major corrupt officials were not as valuable as a general leading troops. This sentiment stemmed from Zhao Kuangyin's rise to power through the Chenqiao mutiny, where he was crowned emperor and seized the throne from the Later Zhou dynasty. Because of the mutiny, Zhao Kuangyin was wary of the military, and over time, the Song dynasty developed a tradition where literati and eunuchs handled military affairs.

As for military corruption, it was commonplace because the Song dynasty's purpose for recruiting soldiers was unique. Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, and even in later Ming and Qing dynasties, conscription was always for national defense and territorial expansion. But the Song dynasty was different; its primary goal in recruiting soldiers was to provide them with a salary to support their families. As long as they had food, they wouldn't cause trouble. Due to this unique reason, the recruited soldiers were often poorly trained, and some had never even touched a weapon in their years of service.

The Song dynasty's imperial guards were said to number 200,000, but in reality, half that number was more likely. The rest were on the payroll but did not exist. As for the recruited soldiers, their situation was laughable. In the capital's imperial guards, for example, the two divisions trained no more than five times a month, and most of their time was spent earning money for the Grand Marshal's office. In the past, recruits were strong, brave, and fearless. The Song dynasty's imperial guards were different; besides the sons of nobles, they mostly recruited artisans like tailors, carpenters, and chefs. These artisans spent most of their time using their skills to make things, which were then sold by specialists from the Grand Marshal's office. The proceeds were then distributed to the artisans. Over the years, these artisans not only received their military pay but also earned bonuses, living quite comfortably. Grand Marshal Gao Qiu, on the other hand, made a fortune, using the money to curry favor with Emperor Huizong, creating a bizarre "joyful coexistence" between the emperor and his officials.

Due to the Song dynasty's unique characteristics, it could no longer be measured by normal standards. When there was a rebellion, the usual approach was to suppress it and then pacify the people. The Song dynasty was different; wherever there was unrest, they would recruit or pacify the rebels, providing them with a salary. Once they had food, they wouldn't rebel again. For over a hundred years, the Song dynasty had maintained stability, using money both domestically and internationally. By now, Zhezong had long forgotten the importance of the military.

"Have you found out who spread the news about the Longwei Army?"

"Your Majesty, it was Lady Li who said it!"

"Shishi? She lives in seclusion, how could she know about this?" Zhezong was quite troubled. If it were anyone else, he could find an excuse to silence them, but it was Shishi. How could he bear to? He sighed and waved his hand, "Forget it, order the Kaifeng Prefecture to continue investigating the case!"

Hearing Zhezong's words, Yang Jian's heart tightened. Was this a joke? If they really investigated, how many officials could escape? The money Tong Guan obtained wasn't just given to Gao Qiu; he, Yang Jian, also had a share.

"Your Majesty, this... rumors from the marketplace are often false. Lady Li must have been misled. Why make such a big fuss?"

"An investigation must be conducted; otherwise, how can we silence the public? Sigh, that Xie Kuang really knows how to cause trouble!"

Zhezong said, sighing and walking toward the door with his hands behind his back. Yang Jian, head down, was still pondering the words. Soon, he smiled. It seemed the emperor didn't really want to investigate. This was good; since Xie Kuang had caused such a mess, let him bear the blame.

At noon, the Kaifeng Prefecture received Zhezong's imperial edict. Holding the yellow silk, Zhao Yougong sneered inwardly. After waiting for so long, he wouldn't let this opportunity slip. He had to make Cai Jing and the others squirm.

In the back office, Zhao Yougong waited patiently. He believed Zhu Lian would come to him.

Little Prince Zhao was confident, but he didn't know that Zhu Lian was already gracefully ascending the Deyue Tower. Dressed in a blue brocade robe, her long hair tied up with a jade headband, Zhu Lian, already beautiful, now looked even more striking in her male attire. As she entered the Deyue Tower, the girls couldn't help but stare, admiring the handsome young man. Spending a night with such a man would be worth any price.

The girls' fiery gazes made Zhu Lian both flustered and annoyed, but she maintained her composure. She walked slowly, and the sharp-eyed Mama Li hurried down.

"Oh, young sir, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at the Deyue Tower? Let me tell you, in this Bianliang city, my Deyue Tower is the best, no one dares to claim second place." Mama Li, with her vast experience, saw the unease in the young man's eyes and knew she had a first-timer. Delighted, she waved her handkerchief and called upstairs, "Girls, come out... come, young sir, take a look, is there anyone you like?"

Seeing Mama Li's hand, Zhu Lian skillfully stepped back, flipping her wrist to produce two banknotes. Mama Li didn't hesitate, exclaiming and immediately snatching the notes.

"Young sir, you are truly generous!"

"Enough talk, I want to see Lady Li!"

"Well..." Mama Li's face showed difficulty. It wasn't that she was being difficult; as a brothel owner, she loved money, but Shishi was different. To see her, one needed her consent.

"I won't trouble you, Mama. Just let her know that Fu Xiang's Zhu Da wants to see her. If she refuses, I'll leave!"

"Very well, young sir, please wait a moment, I'll be right back!"

With the two banknotes, Mama Li was more diligent. She soon arrived at Shishi's door and knocked. The maid, Xuan'er, peeked out.

"Mama Li? What is it?"

"You little thing, what could I tell you?" Mama Li poked Xuan'er's forehead and smiled as she entered the room.

At that moment, Shishi was writing a calligraphy piece. Hearing Mama Li, she put down her brush.

"Shishi, there's a young sir downstairs who calls himself Fu Xiang's Zhu Da and wants to see you!"

"Zhu Da? I don't know him," Shishi muttered. Mama Li knew it was time to shoo the visitor away. She turned to leave, but before closing the door, she heard Shishi say with a bitter smile, "Mama, why so hasty? What does this Zhu Da look like?"

"Look like? He's flawless, even I was moved!" Mama Li laughed shamelessly, making Shishi shake her head. "See him, then!"

"Alright!"

After Mama Li left, Shishi sat at her desk, her face calm, her deep eyes fixed on the calligraphy before her.

Fu Xiang, and he's surnamed Zhu. Could he be related to that Lady Zhu?