Chapter One, Inside the Lin'an Yamen
The woman in red sitting at Sister Lin's feet had remained silent until she could no longer hold back and said: "What is even stranger is that after a serious illness, Han Feng's temperament changed drastically. He used to be just an inconspicuous young master, at most showing off his skills with weapons. However, not long after his recovery, he stirred up that major case in Lin'an Prefecture..."
The three women exchanged smiles, clearly aware of the case the woman in red was referring to
The incident caused quite a stir in Lin'an Prefecture. Due to Han Feng's illness, the Han family specifically purchased a clever young maid to attend to him. While chatting with the maid, Han Feng learned that they were both women who had been trafficked. Those fortunate enough, like her, were sold into good families as maids. However, those less fortunate were sold into brothels, with some young girls being merely eleven or twelve years old, forced to entertain clients. It was heard that some "noble guests" had a particular interest in girls of such young age, and their spending was exceedingly lavish. Those less fortunate were sold into brothels, with some young girls being merely eleven or twelve years old, forced to entertain clients. It was heard that some "noble guests" had a particular interest in girls of such young age, and their spending was exceedingly lavish
Xiao Wu shyly smiled and said: "Sister Lin is teasing me again. Han Feng is not an unknown person; what does it matter if we find out a little about his past?"
This matter caused the young Han Feng to gain great fame within Lin'an Prefecture, becoming a topic of conversation that was essential during tea breaks and casual gatherings!
In just a few days, Xiao Wu has managed to uncover so much. It is no wonder she is the most outstanding girl in the Intelligence Department in recent years! A woman around twenty years of age, quite beautiful, lazily leaned against the window and said: "The waves of the Yangtze River push the waves ahead; in a few years, Xiao Wu will be the big sister here."
Master Han stated that if money is needed, one should take the list to the Han residence to request it. Which madam from those brothels would dare to risk her life and go to the Privy Council to demand payment? Moreover, the Han residence is not merely a family of officials; it also houses the current Princess Jia. Master Han Feng's grandmother is the biological sister of the current Empress Dowager Wu. It is said that this matriarch of the Han family is quite fond of her little grandson. Master Han Feng's grandmother is the biological sister of the current Empress Dowager Wu. It is said that this matriarch of the Han family is quite fond of her little grandson
In a tranquil little attic, the sweltering summer seems to have failed to dispel the coolness here. Several young women are seated upstairs, with a pot of tea, a plate of grapes, and the melodious and soft Wu dialect, making one forget the scorching heat of summer
Han Feng indeed took the initiative to handle it himself. However, this time, Han Feng's actions were quite surprising. This individual, who was previously seen by the people of Lin'an merely as a young master fond of martial arts, seemed to have had a revelation, as he insisted on visiting brothels and pleasure houses every day!
The Prefect of Lin'an candidly informed Han Feng that everything the yamen could do has been done, and the remaining matters are beyond the yamen's ability to resolve. You may handle it as you see fit
The young woman, known as Xiao Wu, is charming and lovely, with naturally curly hair. Several beautiful large waves of hair cascade down from her ears, giving her a delicate appearance. She appears to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, with skin that embodies the traditional fairness and delicacy of women from the Jiangnan water towns. Her eyebrows are slender, her lips a rosy red, and two dimples are faintly visible on her cheeks, resembling an extremely shy girl. However, there is an inexplicable sense of world-weariness in her expression.
"Xiao Wu's achievements today are all thanks to the care and support of my sisters..." Xiao Wu said firmly: "I will never demean myself!"
Han Feng was aware of this matter and decided to go to Lin'an Prefecture another day. He took a drumstick and struck the hall drum at the entrance of Lin'an Prefecture, creating a large hole. He then earnestly asked someone to find a lawyer to draft a petition, which he submitted to the officials of Lin'an Prefecture. As an ordinary commoner, he demanded that the Prefect of Lin'an handle this case impartially, insisting on the complete eradication of the gang involved in the trafficking of young girls and the rescue of those women sold into brothels.
Sister Lin brushed her damp hair back and slowly said: "Han Feng, the Privy Council has conferred a title upon the son of Lord Han Tuizhou. He is not of legitimate birth! The Han family, starting from the time of Emperor Zhenzong with Han Guohua and Han Qi, has been a prominent family in the court. However, interestingly, this young master Han Feng, born into a family of civil officials, does not enjoy reading; instead, he prefers physical training, wielding swords and staffs. While in Lin'an Prefecture, he often sought out the instructors of the Imperial Guard to learn martial arts. It is said that he possesses quite a bit of genuine skill!"
Sister Lin, leaning against the window, smiled charmingly, exuding a natural maturity and the infinite allure of womanhood. Perhaps due to the heat, a fine layer of sweat beaded on her forehead
Xiao Wu lowered her head and murmured, "Xiao Wu knows she was wrong. Please don't be angry, big sister!"
After a month of back and forth, the eight largest brothels in Lin'an Prefecture had about three or four days where they could not conduct business. However, with Han Feng's arrival, the brothels dared not close their doors to him. On one occasion, a particularly oblivious madam could no longer tolerate the situation and instructed her servant that if they spotted Han Feng approaching from a distance, they should close the main door and falsely claim that the owner was celebrating a joyous occasion, thus taking a day off. As a result, Master Han Feng performed a spectacular move known as "Divine Dragon Swings Its Tail" in the street, kicking open the brothel's door and earning the cheers of the crowd. Master Han Feng swaggered in, accompanied by a group of attendants, and spent the day indulging in food, drink, and entertainment.
Xiao Wu interjected, "Last year, Han Feng fell ill with a strange disease, and everyone in the Han residence believed that this young master would not escape this calamity. Unexpectedly, he miraculously recovered from his illness. From the onset of the disease to recovery, it was merely half a month. The Imperial Medical Bureau could not find any clues despite the efforts of numerous esteemed physicians, and this incident caused quite a stir in Lin'an Prefecture! This young master Han Feng is also quite troublesome; his illness not only affected him but also forced several elderly physicians into retirement!" The Imperial Medical Bureau could not find any clues despite the efforts of numerous esteemed physicians, and this incident caused quite a stir in Lin'an Prefecture! This young master Han Feng is also quite troublesome; his illness not only affected him but also forced several elderly physicians into retirement!
After careful calculation, it ultimately turned out to be a losing business. The owners of the brothels, feeling helpless, had no choice but to send the abducted girls out, delivering both the contracts and the girls to the Han residence. Unexpectedly, as soon as they sent the girls out, Han Feng immediately distributed a large sum of money. Not only did he compensate them according to the price the brothels paid for these young girls, but he also settled the debts incurred from dining and hiring prostitutes without payment a few days prior, although this money was given at a 20% discount
The courtyard is deep and serene, with the shadows of bamboo swaying gently
The officials of Lin'an are greatly troubled, as Lin'an is currently the location of the imperial palace of the Song Dynasty. Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince reside in Lin'an! There are so many matters to attend to here that there is hardly any time to deal with mere human traffickers.
Xiao Wu chuckled and said, "This young man with a Korean style is likely quite a remarkable person. Seeing how he takes such good care of those girls who have been trafficked, he must be a good person. His visit to our intelligence agency's reading room may not necessarily be a bad thing for the sisters!"
In fact, those who understand the situation are well aware that if there are no connections within the government, how could the traffickers of young girls conduct business in Lin'an Prefecture? However, Young Master Han Feng pays no heed to this and visits Lin'an Prefecture daily as if he were merely dropping by. This drives the Prefect of Lin'an nearly to madness! He is originally a disciple of Han Shizhou and does not dare to offend the powerful Han family. He can only angrily instruct the constables to solve the case swiftly! He is originally a disciple of Han Shizhou and does not dare to offend the powerful Han family. He can only angrily instruct the constables to solve the case swiftly!
Sister Lin's expression turned cold as she said lightly: "Xiao Wu, I have long told you that there is no difference among men in this world. Power, wealth, women... If you hope that any man can change your fate, it would be better to burn incense and pray, or marry a government official as a concubine, which is more practical!"
The woman in red nodded and then said: "It is said that Han Feng injured a certain high-ranking official's relatives in the court, and the Han family did not want to conflict with them, so they arranged for Han Feng to be appointed to the Privy Council through a favor. However, Lord Han Tongzhou is not doing too badly. He merely secured a minor official position at the rank of 8th grade for his son, allowing him to manage the affairs of our intelligence department's reading room!"
The power of the government is indeed boundless; as long as it mobilizes, even a mere group of human traffickers can be apprehended in one sweep. However, while the traffickers can be caught, the young girls sold into brothels all possess contracts of sale. The brothels are unwilling to release them, and the government cannot recklessly storm the establishments to arrest people, can it
Upon arriving at the brothel, Han Feng wasted no time and immediately summoned the courtesans, insisting on as many as he desired. Without even reserving a private room, this young master spread out a banquet right in the courtyard of the brothel. He gathered a group of servants, each embracing a courtesan, indulging in food and drink. For those girls who could not be held, they were instructed to gather around with pipa to sing and play. Today they visited the Yihong Courtyard, and tomorrow they would go to the Lichun Courtyard. The servants of the Han household truly enjoyed themselves, following the young master and reveling in the pleasures of the brothel in Lin'an for an entire month.
Indeed, Han Feng does not pay. Every time it comes to the checkout, Han Feng instructs the madam to bring a goat hair brush and awkwardly scribbles his name. He even grandly refers to it as: signing the bill
Sister Lin picked up a grape, placed it in her mouth, and her snow-white teeth and cherry-red lips moved gently as she mumbled, "In the reading room, we are all like sisters with the books, how could the elder sister be angry with you! However, it is rather strange that Han Feng has been sent to the Intelligence Department's reading room to take charge this time!"
"Dogs bite dogs, just a mouthful of fur!" Sister Lin said dismissively, "Those young masters can make such a big fuss when they fight, but if common folks were to brawl, wouldn’t they just be taken to the authorities and each receive fifty strokes? The world is as dark as crows, and I have no expectation that Han Feng is any good! Moreover, don’t be fooled by the fact that Han Feng is currently just a mere eighth-rank official; after a while, once the troubles he stirs up in Lin'an settle down, it will be a simple matter for Lord Han Tuizhou to promote his own son with just a word."
"They have arrived, they have arrived..." A woman rushed up from the small attic below, repeatedly saying, "Someone is at the door of the reading room, it is highly likely to be that Han Feng!"
The woman in red pondered for a moment and then said, "Xiao Wu, be cautious in all matters. Most of the women in the reading room of Shaoxing Prefecture are already withered and faded, only you few remain pure and untainted. If Han Feng truly intends to do something to you, you... sigh, if anything were to happen, I and my elder sister would risk our lives to protect you!"
Xiao Wu blinked her beautiful big eyes, and a naive and innocent smile appeared on her face. She said softly, "How about this: when Han Feng arrives, I will go and test him. Let's see whether he is a true gentleman who remains unperturbed in the face of beauty, or a hypocritical scoundrel who pretends to be virtuous"
Sister Lin, with a delicate frown, softly said: "Do not go too far; trying is acceptable, but caution is necessary. One must understand that Han Feng has a profound background and the Han family wields considerable power. Moreover, the county official is not as influential as the current administrator; after all, he is in charge of the teaching and reading department. If he truly wishes to oppose us, there are many ways to do so. Judging by his actions in Lin'an, he is likely not an easy opponent."