Chapter 126 Upright Officials and Capable Ministers
The reason why Li Qing did this was mainly because of Lao Zhu's saying of "maximizing profits", but at the same time, it also had another advantage. At least those who could redeem their lives for these kiln sisters could be afforded.
Although the court made money, it also found a home for them.
If these women were sent out directly, it would be really difficult for them.
Zhang Jing collected the money, Liu Qiang wrote the receipt, and Li Qing pressed his fingerprints.
Two well-dressed Qianhu, and one deputy Qianhu, work as pimps, and the one is said to have a higher business ability.
The bustard calls me an expert!
"Sir, I don't like this group of prostitutes." A client finally got in line, but he was not satisfied with the remaining brothels, so he asked tentatively, "Can you change the batch?"
Zhang Jing frowned, "Do you think this is a vegetable market?"
"It's the same in Wuyou Cave." Liu Qiang snorted, "What else do you want at twenty taels?"
Li Qing had no expression on his face, "If you're not satisfied, go back to the queue again, but whether you can buy it or not depends on your luck."
The client looked back at the team and gritted his teeth: "Give me two."
"That's right." Zhang Jing said with a smile, "Pay the money."
Liu Qiang wrote down the names of both parties and the transaction price. Li Qing pressed his fingerprints and said, "Remember to go to the Yamen tomorrow to register for them, otherwise the money will be wasted."
"The villain understands." The man nodded and bowed, "This villain still knows."
As he said that, he stepped forward and picked two that he liked. He hugged the soft ones and felt so good. Suddenly he felt a little regretful and said, "Sir, I want the remaining two too."
One twenty taels is usually enough for a dozen prostitutes, but if you buy it back, it becomes your own. You can come whenever you want. Paying once is better than paying every time.
"Why are you so busy with so many things?" Liu Qiang cursed and wrote another document.
…
Two hours later, nearly three hundred mortal women were ransomed.
Next is the top card, one hundred and fifty taels each, and there is no bargaining, but the client feels that it is really conscientious, after all, he usually only gets five taels per time, not including drinks.
It's just that most people don't bring so many. After all, Ming Dynasty banknotes always have the largest denomination. Although the cuffs are large, it would be a hindrance to carry too many.
In response to this situation, Li Qing said that he could sign the purchase and sale documents first and collect the money tomorrow.
After another half hour of busy work, the top players also found their destination.
Then there are oirans like Lianxiang and Hongxiu. According to the bustard, five hundred taels is the lowest price, and a thousand taels is not high.
Li Qing compromised on the price of eight hundred taels, and the ten courtesans were quickly sold out.
Finally, the highlight is the Qing Guo Ren.
It's still an auction, the highest bidder wins.
After more than half an hour of competition, the three shepherds paid a total of 12,800 taels.
After finishing all this work, it was almost dawn.
He didn't sleep for two days and one night. Even though Li Qing had the energy to maintain his health, he was still very sleepy.
The Jin Yiwei who was copying the Prince Consort's house went back to sleep after finishing their duties. The people here were all the people Liu Qiang brought to investigate the files. In the real sense, the only ones who had not slept for two days and one night were Li Qing and Zhang Jing.
Zhang Jing couldn't stand it anymore and fell asleep on the table, snoring loudly.
Li Qing asked someone to bring a basin of water and washed his face, his sleepiness gradually disappeared.
Stretching, Li Qing said to the prostitutes: "The curfew has been lifted, let's take everyone back!
Remember to go to the yamen to register, take a picture of the top card, the courtesan, and the henkeeper, and come back quickly to hand over the money and take the person away."
A group of people said yes again and again and left Zuixian Tower happily.
"Sir, please take a rest!" Liu Qiang said with concern.
"It doesn't matter, I'll have a good night's sleep once I finish my job." Li Qing waved his hand, looked back at a group of beautiful women, and suddenly discovered a problem.
Except for the three of them, Wan Ling and the others, all the other women chose to be good without exception.
Could it be that... Jiaofangsi is scary?
With this question in mind, Li Qing came to the three women and asked: "Do you want to join the Jiaofang Division?"
Wan Ling said sadly, "Do we have a choice?"
Li Qing scratched his head and said, "If you don't want to, those people will come soon and I will help you find a good buyer."
Wan Ling turned away angrily and hummed: "Sir, why don't you dare to redeem your life for us?
Is it...no money?"
Li Qing: "..."
It hurts my heart.
At this time, a man with a fair face came leading four men without beards.
Li Qing recognized at a glance that the leader was Lao Zhu's personal eunuch, Xiao Guizi.
He hurriedly stepped forward and patted Zhang Jing awake, "The imperial envoy is here, please be energetic."
Zhang Jing opened his eyes drowsily. When he heard Li Qing's words, he immediately became energetic. He didn't close his eyes for two days and one night. Wasn't it just for this moment?
Xiao Guizi stepped forward with small steps, picked up the imperial edict on the wooden plate with both hands, and slowly opened it.
"Li Qing, Zhang Jing listens!"
"My humble minister listens to the decree." The two men stepped forward to perform the courtesy of a king and a minister.
Liu Qiang and other Jin Yiwei also knelt down with a roar. The women were stunned for a moment and then quickly knelt down.
"The emperor is destined to be transported by heaven and summons:
Li Qing is loyal, practical and capable. He has made great contributions to the Ouyang Lun smuggling case. He is rigorous and meticulous in his work. I am very pleased.
Now, Li Qing has been promoted to be the governor of Jinyi Town, and is given a set of Feiyu uniforms and a thousand guan of treasure notes.
Zhang Jing and others were rewarded with 800 gold notes for their meritorious service in assisting in handling the case.
Kudos to this!"
"I accept the order and thank you for your kindness."
The two stood up, and Li Qing stepped forward to receive the imperial edict.
Xiao Guizi took out another envelope from her sleeve and whispered: "You read the Emperor's secret decree alone."
Li Qing's heart moved and he nodded in thanks.
Zhang Jing accepted the reward, opened the box and gave one treasure note to each of the four young eunuchs, and two to Xiao Guizi.
It is an unwritten rule for the emperor to reward the eunuch and give some benefits to the eunuch who passed the order.
Several eunuchs declined one after another, politely put the money into their sleeves, and smiled like chrysanthemums.
Upon seeing this, Li Qing also gave a thank you gift.
After the eunuch who passed the order left, Li Qing went to a deserted place and opened the envelope.
【You did a good job, we are very satisfied.】
It was a very down-to-earth compliment, and Li Qing couldn't help but laugh. What Old Zhu said was really interesting...
He continued to look down.
[I’ll give you two months to recruit people. By the end of the day, we must have recruited 3,000 people.
The Queen's illness has not yet fully recovered, and you, the governor, cannot go far away, so we are here in the capital to investigate the officials of the capital, as well as the emperor's relatives. Continue to carry forward your drive and investigate ruthlessly for us.
No matter who is involved, we will make the decision for you!
Zuixian Tower has been sealed, do you feel bad?
Okay, I’ll reward you with that Wanling. If you like it, you can choose a few more.
However, you must do the things we tell you well.】
Li Qing put away the letter with a strange look on his face and cursed in his heart: "If Lao Zhu knew that a Wanling was worth at least five thousand taels, would he still reward it?"
It was a gift from the king, and it was given for free. If he didn't pretend to be pretentious, it would be unreasonable.
Arriving in front of the three girls Wan Ling, Li Qing said: "Go to my house later!"
The three women were startled, and Wan Ling's eyes flashed with surprise, and she said tentatively, "My lord, you are saying..."
"Are you willing to be a maid?"
"Yes." The three girls nodded decisively, their faces filled with unexpected joy.
Li Qing didn't say anything else, turned around and walked to Liu Qiang, "After finishing the work later, you go to Bashu and call all the brothers back."
"Yes, I humbly accept my order."
Liu Qiang was overjoyed. Li Qing was promoted to an official position. He also followed the rising tide, so he was naturally happy.
Zhang Jing looked envious, cupped his fists and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Li on your promotion."
Li Qing smiled and said, "Thanks to Zhang Qianhu this time. When I'm done, I'll treat Brother Zhang to a drink."
The two of them greeted each other politely and sat down at the table, waiting for the final ransom.
The prostitutes didn't keep him waiting, and quickly came to redeem him with the money.
Zhang Jing collected the money, Liu Qiang wrote the receipt, and Li Qing pressed his fingerprints. In less than two quarters of an hour, the business was completed.
After some statistics, the stolen money totaled 68,500 taels, and there were also many pieces of jewelry, estimated to be worth around 3,000 taels.
There is also a restaurant. The Zuixian Restaurant alone is worth more than a hundred thousand taels, but it is difficult for him to find a buyer for this thing, so he can only leave it to the court.
…
Royal Palace.
After Zhu Yuanzhang heard the process of searching Zuixian Tower, he nodded and said: "Well done, this is a good use of everything. Let Zhang Jing and others do the rest of the house searching."
You have been exhausted these past two days. Go back and have a good rest. Once you have had enough rest, you will immediately start recruiting more Jin Yiwei."
"I obey the decree." Li Qing cupped his hand, "Your Majesty, the funds..."
Zhu Yuanzhang wrote a note, stamped it with a jade seal and handed it to him, "Go to the Ministry of Household Affairs and ask them to allocate funds."
Li Qing took it and said, "Wei Chen resigned."
After leaving the palace, he went to the Zhenfu Division to make arrangements, and then went to Zuixian Tower to pick up the three girls. When he returned home, it was almost noon.
"You guys go ahead and squeeze in. I'll go buy two beds tomorrow." Li Qing said the next sentence and went back to the house.
He was really sleepy, so he fell asleep on the bed and slept from noon to early morning in one breath.
“Comfortable~”
Li Qing was full of energy, stretched his limbs, and felt comfortable all over.
"Master, wake up." The girls were cleaning the yard. When they saw him coming out, they quickly put down their work and started fetching water and moistening the towels.
"I'll do it myself." Li Qing was not used to being served like this for a while. He took the towel from Lianxiang's hand and wiped it carelessly, "I have something to go out for."
"Master, your servant has cooked the porridge. After breakfast, why don't you go about your business?" Wan Ling advised.
"You guys can eat." Li Qing put down his towel and went out.
The three women looked at each other, and for a moment, a smile appeared on their lips...