Chapter 26
During the Courtesan Belle Competition, the Bian River was still bustling with activity. At night, lanterns were lit on the boats. The lantern's brightness was limited. The courtesans sang and danced on the stage, but there was a different kind of beauty in the haze.
Many profligate sons were mesmerized by the scene and rewarded him without hesitation.
It was under such circumstances that Pang Yu, Bao Zheng, and the other government runners of Kaifeng came to the Bian River. At this time, the Bian River was no longer as lively as it was during the day. The poor scholar could not afford the 100 taels of silver for the boarding fee, but he could afford a few coins.
There were other ships around the ship. These ships were not luxurious and looked very ordinary. The ship was also crowded with people. They were the poor scholars. Each of them only needed to fork out ten wen to board the ship and watch the courtesans sing and dance around the ship.
"Lord Bao, Lord Marquis, we didn't find any clues along the Bian River. There were too many people here during the day, and the crowd was chaotic. Even if they wanted to find it through footprints, it was impossible.”
Ma Han and the others came to Pang Yu and Bao Zheng and said.
" No, I think it's possible."
At this moment, Pang Yu began to recall the scene during the day. The Bian River was surrounded by people. It could be said to be a sea of people. If he wanted to kidnap someone, he couldn't do it in a crowded place. He could only do it in a place with few people. The people on the ship could see further than those on the shore, and they could see the situation around the river better.
Therefore, the location of the kidnapping must be in the concave area around the Bian River. This way, they could avoid the sight of the people on the boat.
Thinking of this, he picked up the purple goldfish bag in his hand and looked at the boat in the middle of the Bian River.
"Light up, follow me ~"
Bao Zheng was a little curious as he looked at Pang Yu and said,""Lord Marquis, have you discovered something?”
"Since old man Ouyang is going to teach at the Imperial College in the afternoon, he will definitely head straight to the Imperial College after hosting the opening ceremony. Bao Hei Zi, if you were to go to the Imperial College from this ship, which route do you think is the shortest?“
Pang Yu said indifferently.
"Naturally, we'll take a boat to Bianshui."
Bao Zheng stopped halfway and suddenly realized something."It is most convenient to take a boat from here to the Imperial College. We can reach the Imperial College in less than an hour. However, Ouyang Xianggong was kidnapped by the Bian River. There must be something hidden.”
Standing on the hill, Pang Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Blackie Bao, I'm afraid you won't be able to participate in this matter for the time being.”
Pang Yu said softly.
"Hmm? What does Lord Marquis mean by this?"
Bao Zheng frowned.
"Blackie, why are you so stupid? Are you going to investigate this matter step by step? Find evidence and then arrest the suspect? When would that be? I can't wait that long. You can use other methods to investigate, but I'll use my own.
Every day, we compare the results of the two sides.”
Bao Zheng wasn't stupid. He knew that Pang Yu wasn't following the rules. However, since it was a case, he didn't care. He cupped his hands and told Pang Yu that when Zhan Zhao returned, he would temporarily listen to him and assist Pang Yu in solving the case. Then, he left with his men.
After all, Bao Zheng thought that since a literary leader like Ouyang Xiu could be kidnapped, it was obvious that the criminals did not care about status. Pang Yu was indeed a little dangerous.
After tidying up his robes, Pang Yu slowly boarded the boat again and pulled out the red-faced Gao Baoshen.
"Lord Marquis, you're too unkind. I'm having fun, and you're ruining my mood."
Gao toot shouted.
"Alright, you talk too much. Aren't you envious of my gold medal? Bring 300 Imperial Army soldiers over immediately. There's an urgent matter. When it's done, we'll share the credit with you.”
Pang Yu rolled his eyes. When he went up just now, this guy was touching the two girls beside him, but his eyes were fixed on the Courtesan Belle on the stage. Needless to say, he knew what this guy was thinking.
"What? Lord Marquis, don't tell me you want to raid a brothel in the middle of the night and steal a courtesan?”
Gao Baoshen opened his mouth.
"What are you thinking? Hurry up and go. What are you waiting for?"
Gao Baoshen smiled embarrassedly, turned around, and slipped away.
After a while, Zhan Zhao returned.
"This humble servant has heard Lord Bao's message and will temporarily obey Lord Marquis.”
Zhan Zhao cupped his fists.
"Alright, let's wait. We'll take action when they arrive.”
Pang Yu said indifferently.
"Does Lord Marquis know who did this?”
Zhan Zhao asked curiously.
"I'm not sure yet, but we'll know later.”
Pang Yu said softly. After a while, Gao Baoshen arrived with three hundred Imperial Army soldiers.
"Gao Baoshen, do you know who the boss behind all the brothels in Beijing is?”
"I don't know everything, but I know a part of it. Even if I don't know, I know that their boss is probably from there. For example, the owner of the Splendid Pavilion was said to be from Ba Shu. Many of the women in the Splendid Pavilion were also from Ba Shu.
The Wen Mo Pavilion seemed to be related to the Northwest. From time to time, women from the Northwest would be sent here. Fragrant Fragrance Yard seemed to be related to Jiangnan. There would always be girls from Jiangnan sent here. The boss of the Jade Immortal Restaurant was mysterious. He should be a son of a noble family in the capital.
The women are all from the north. Usually, the government doesn't dare to ask the Jade Immortal Tower about anything. As for the other brothel owners, they were all local gentry.”
Apart from the four major brothels, Gao Baoshen knew all the other brothel owners. However, he knew a thing or two about the Four Great Brothels. He could see some clues from the source of their women.
Rubbing his hands and rubbing his nose, Pang Yu said lightly,""Let's go, bring some people to Fragrant Fragrance Yard's flower boat. We'll go meet the boss of Fragrant Fragrance Yard.”
..........
Hua Mengyun was Fragrant Fragrance Courtyard's Courtesan Belle this year. She had a very strong classical Chinese feminine style, but at the same time, she had the beauty of a Jiangnan woman. She looked exceptionally lovable. She had just finished a dance and returned to Fragrant Fragrance Yard's flower boat when she realized that there were actually soldiers on board. There were soldiers guarding all parts of the flower boat.
In the main hall of the flower boat, a young man wearing a purple robe, a goldfish bag hanging from his waist, and a purple gold crown on his head sat on a chair with his legs crossed. He was very satisfied. The brothel madame of Fragrant Fragrance Yard was constantly complimenting this young man.
"Mengyun, you're finally back. Come quickly, this is Marquis An Le.”
The brothel madame pulled Hua Mengyun as she spoke. The smile on her face never stopped.
"Is everyone from Fragrant Fragrance Yard here to participate in the Courtesan Belle Competition?”
Pang Yu asked slowly with his legs crossed.
"Lord Marquis, look at what you're saying. Aren't there still some girls serving the guests on this ship?"
The brothel madame said with a sweet smile. The women who served those profligate young masters on the ship were the people from the various brothels. If the imperial court wanted to make money from this, so would the brothels.
The food, drinks, and even the women accompanying them were all from brothels. Brothels could also make a fortune through this Courtesan Belle Competition.
"Summon them back. Just say that I want them all."
"Oh, Lord Marquis, this won't do. If I anger the guest, I won't be able to bear the consequences ~"
The Madame said.
"Hurry up and go. If I tell you to go, then go. Cut the crap. If you don't do it, I'll seal your Fragrant Heart Courtyard tonight.”
Pang Yu looked at the Madame and cursed angrily.
" Yes, yes, yes! I'll summon them back immediately!"
The brothel madame hurriedly shook her butt and left. At this moment, Pang Yu turned his gaze towards Hua Mengyun as the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
"Why are you wearing a veil? Take off your face cloth and let me take a look.”
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