Volume Two: The Gentleman and the Knave Chapter Twenty-Five: Teacher Zhang’s Invitation

Shuntian Prefecture, second hall, in a private signing room.

Assistant Judge Xie Tianshun looked at his fellow townsman with a wry smile. “I understand what you mean, Brother Zhiwei, but I’m afraid this matter cannot be done.”

“Cannot be done? What’s so difficult about it?” Chen, the chief steward from the Music Bureau, looked puzzled. “Are you afraid of offending the patrons behind those twelve brothels? No matter how influential those people are, they’re nothing much to us, the court officials.”

“Taking those nobles into consideration is one thing, but as you know, Shuntian Prefecture is the capital’s closest magisterial office to the common people. Many matters are handled differently here than in other official bureaus—we must allow some room for face, mustn’t we?” Xie Tianshun’s tone turned serious. “But the main reason is that we cannot go back on our word. If we did, how would we command respect in the future? How could we get anything done?”

“Go back on your word?” Chen was momentarily stunned, then quickly caught on. “You took bribes from the twelve brothels?”

“I’m only telling you this because we’re friends. The moment you step outside this door, I’ll deny everything I just said.”

Xie Tianshun lowered his voice. “To be frank, the pageant those twelve brothels orchestrated this time truly caused a sensation, especially during the Lantern Festival. The parade floats stirred up half the capital. Tell me, would they have dared to make such a commotion without the approval and support of our security offices?”

“How much did they pay you?” Chen’s expression changed as he pressed further.

“There’s no need for you to know the details. Suffice it to say, everyone in Shuntian Prefecture received their share and is quite satisfied. Now, whenever someone from the twelve brothels comes seeking help, our people respond immediately, without delay.

“And it’s not just us; the Five City Patrol Offices, all divisions—east, south, west, north, and central—are of the same mind. Do you understand what this means?”

Chen’s body shook violently at this revelation. The other party had managed to bribe every level of these grassroots security offices.

How much silver would that take?

Surely not less than ten or twenty thousand taels.

An astonishing expenditure indeed!

But to what end? And with such an enormous outlay, are they so confident they’ll recoup their investment?

Faced with Xie Tianshun’s helpless gaze, Chen could only take his leave, resigned.

He knew that when the silver had been so well distributed, it didn’t matter if he came in person—even if a senior official interceded, the outcome would still be fruitless.

And from the looks of it, it wasn’t just his own efforts; the same result likely awaited others elsewhere.

As he expected, the following day, when everyone returned to the Music Bureau, they gave Gu Yunxiao the same dejected, defeated answer.

This made Lord Gu instantly deflate like a punctured ball. “How could this be? They were prepared all along?”

“It seems so. This time, they really planned every detail…”

“My lord, perhaps we should try negotiating with them, each side making concessions to cooperate?”

This time, Gu Yunxiao did not accept the suggestion. “If we approach them like this, we’ll either be ridiculed or they’ll use the opportunity to extort a heavy price from us. Unless left with no choice, I will not take this step.”

“Then what should we do?”

“I believe our best course is to first find out the cause of their new approach.

“I do not think the owners of the twelve brothels could have devised such an imaginative strategy on their own. Clearly, someone is advising and orchestrating from behind the scenes.

“I want to find him, and only then negotiate with the twelve brothels through him!”

This was indeed a sound strategy, and not difficult to implement. Whether on the side of the twelve brothels or Huang Ming himself, neither had any intention of hiding the truth in this matter.

So within two or three days, the answer was presented to Gu Yunxiao.

When he saw the name Huang Ming and learned of his background, this official in his forties from the Ministry of Rites was silent for a long while.

“All of this was orchestrated by a boy barely in his teens? And he’s the son of a palace eunuch?” Gu Yunxiao almost ground his teeth as he spoke.

“Yes. I’ve heard he’s been studying at the Imperial Academy lately… If we hadn’t verified it, we wouldn’t have believed all this was his doing.”

“Still, this boy should not be underestimated. At the last classics debate of the previous year, he shone brilliantly—rumor has it even Yang Shenzong, the prime minister’s son and the top scholar, was refuted by him.”

Gu Yunxiao slowly exhaled, apparently reassured by Yang Shenzong’s defeat. “In that case, try to make contact with him. If we can use the lecturers at the Imperial Academy to build a connection, all the better.”

…

Recently, the Flower Queen Pageant organized by the twelve brothels had taken the capital by storm, becoming the hottest topic in the city.

Yet as the mastermind behind it all, Huang Ming kept a low profile.

Since the Lantern Festival ended and the Imperial Academy reopened, he had returned to his routine of study and calligraphy, shuttling only between home and the Academy. Nothing about him suggested he was the great impresario of Ming’s entertainment world.

None of his classmates suspected a thing; only Xu and Zhang suffered in silence, longing to boast of their adventures—about their escapades in the brothels or how together they had bested six Flower Queens in one night—but unable to say a word.

On the ninth day of the second month, as noon approached, classes were still in session at the Xuanzi Hall.

Today’s lecturer was Master Zhang Bi, and unlike before, discipline was excellent. There was no more noise or disruption; nearly half the class genuinely listened, with Huang Ming as the prime example.

However, Huang Ming noticed that Master Zhang seemed distracted today, making several mistakes in his lecture. Who knew what trouble weighed on his mind?

When Zhang Bi finally finished the lesson and began to gather his things, Huang Ming couldn’t help but rise to inquire.

Just then, Zhang Bi looked up and said, “Mo Zhi, come with me.”

Since being granted his courtesy name at the start of the year, only Master Zhang ever called Huang Ming by it—never his given name. The sound was almost unfamiliar, and it took him a moment to react before following.

As before, teacher and student walked some distance in silence. Then Zhang Bi stopped, turned, and studied his pupil intently, until Huang Ming felt uneasy.

At last, Zhang Bi spoke quietly, “Tomorrow is a rest day—the Academy will be closed. Come to my house for lunch.”

This invitation struck Huang Ming as peculiar. He sensed his teacher had something important to discuss privately.

A moment’s thought, and he understood. He bowed and replied, “Yes, sir. I shall come to visit you tomorrow.”