Chapter 512: Throwing Money Like Dirt

Looking at the arrogant rich second-generation, Zhu Youxiao had no intention whatsoever of slapping him down.

In this world, was there a second-generation more arrogant than himself? Was there a second-generation with more power than himself?

Of course, there might be second-generations richer than him. Thinking about it was rather pitiful—the dignified Emperor wasn't even as wealthy as they were.

Zhu Youxiao put on a stern face and said coldly: "This maidservant beside me is one I am extremely fond of—she absolutely cannot be measured in terms of money. No matter how much you offer, I won't trade her."

Looking at Zhu Youxiao, who wore an expression of righteous indignation, the people around him were at a loss for words.

What was His Majesty trying to do? Was he going to keep playing with this rich young master? Did someone like that even deserve it? Honestly.

Zhu Youxiao didn't care at all, wearing an air of "I absolutely will not trade."

Han Guotai didn't think so, however. He had seen plenty of people like Zhu Youxiao who looked righteous on the outside but were inwardly greedy and insatiable. The only reason he wasn't agreeing was simply that the money wasn't enough. As for whether he would actually agree in the end—there was no suspense at all.

Judging by Zhu Youxiao's appearance, his circumstances should be decent, but that didn't matter—the better one's circumstances, the more one valued money. Many things had a price in one's heart.

Han Guotai let out a scornful laugh, extremely contemptuous, and with a tone that carried a hint of seeing through people's hearts, said: "I'll give you one hundred thousand taels of silver. How about that?"

Everyone around was stunned.

They had heard of throwing money around like dirt, but they had never seen anyone throw it around like this. Was he just tossing away one hundred thousand taels of silver like that?

It was practically a joke! Truly treating money as if it weren't money.

Especially Qi Yuanfu, standing beside Zhu Youxiao—his whole body trembled, feeling that they should make their move. Take his men and do a job, rob all of Han Guotai's family money and bring it into their own hands. Even if it were used as military funds, that would be fine—it would save the Imperial Guard Corps from always being short on money.

Wei Chao was pitying this fellow before him. Did he know what it meant that "an innocent man may be guilty if he possesses a coveted treasure"?

Someone like you, showing off in front of His Majesty? Never mind that your family is already up to their necks in shit—even if your family were completely clean, being this wealthy right now is like yellow mud falling into your pants—not shit, but still shit.

With His Majesty being as petty as he is, could he tolerate you having this much money?

You have all this money while His Majesty is so poor—can his heart be balanced?

And you're still strutting, still prancing? Watch His Majesty slap you dead with one hand and haul all your family's money into the treasury!

But such muttering could only stay in his heart—Wei Chao didn't dare let any of it show.

Wei Chao bowed his body, wearing an appearance of utmost deference, the expression on his face nothing short of fawning.

Only, no one was looking at Wei Chao at all—they completely failed to notice his performance.

Wei Chao didn't mind, though. What if His Majesty happened to glance over and see him? He had to maintain this posture at all times—if His Majesty saw it even once, his hard work would not have been in vain.

"A paltry one hundred thousand taels and you want to buy my beloved possession?" Zhu Youxiao curled his lip, wearing an expression of utter disdain, and said with a mocking tone: "I had long heard that the great merchants of Jiangnan were all such big spenders. I never imagined that seeing one in person today, it would be completely undeserving of the reputation."

"What is this? So stingy and petty—one hundred thousand taels of silver, and you have the nerve to offer it? Those twin girls beside you—I'll give you three hundred thousand taels of silver to sell them to me, how about that?" After speaking, Zhu Youxiao snapped open the folding fan in his hand with a swish.

This price was naturally not low—even the finest Yangzhou sing-song girls weren't worth this much. But this wasn't a matter of money at all; it involved face.

Especially since this person before him had also stepped on the merchants of Jiangnan—Han Guotai couldn't tolerate that. He said: "A toad yawning—what a big breath you have."

"How about five hundred thousand taels of silver? To buy this maidservant of yours." Han Guotai also snapped open his folding fan as he spoke.

Looking at Han Guotai's arrogant manner, Zhu Youxiao suddenly lost interest.

How boring—he had actually been sparring with this brainless rich second-generation for half the day.

This was utterly tedious! So boring!

If this rich second-generation had just gone along with the flow and sold those twins to him, he really would have been stuck. He couldn't actually buy two women for three hundred thousand, could he?

He wasn't crazy—if he wanted women, did he need to spend money? Honestly, if word got out, it would be embarrassing enough.

And in the end, this fellow had even offered five hundred thousand—utterly nonsensical.

Zhu Youxiao closed his folding fan and said: "Arrest him and take him away."

After speaking, Zhu Youxiao walked straight ahead without giving Han Guotai another glance.

And the men who had been prepared long ago pounced forward at this moment.

The two men came up—covering the mouth, pressing down the shoulders, kicking the legs—the movements executed in one smooth flow.

Before Han Guotai could even react, he had already been pressed face-down onto the ground.

The two twin women were the same—these men showed not the slightest mercy in their actions, doing things however they needed to be done.

The two page boys were also subdued and directly escorted out toward the door.

Zhu Youxiao no longer had any intention of continuing his stroll—he turned and left with his men.

Han Guotai being bound was naturally seen by the people around them. Only, no one had figured out what was going on.

Some people wanted to come forward to intervene, but they found that they simply couldn't get close. Amid everyone's shocked gazes, Han Guotai was taken away just like that.

No one knew why His Majesty had done this—especially Wei Changsheng, whose expression at this moment was quite a sight to behold.

Why had His Majesty arrested Han Guotai? What was he trying to do?

Zhu Youxiao couldn't be bothered to explain, and there was no one who could make him explain.

After bringing the people back to the Lichun Courtyard, Zhu Youxiao received a report from Chen Hong.

Xu Xianchun had arrived—it seemed there was a result on Chen Zhenglin's side.

After tidying himself up briefly and changing into a more comfortable set of clothes, Zhu Youxiao said: "Then let him come in."

After receiving the summons, Xu Xianchun let out a sigh of relief and carried what he had brought with him up the stairs.

Ever since Zhu Youxiao had taken up residence here, the entire building beside the Lichun Courtyard in Yangzhou had been given over to Zhu Youxiao.

Xu Xianchun walked forward cautiously and was led into a spacious room.

At this moment, Zhu Youxiao was lying on a daybed, his head pillowed on Chen Yu'er's thigh; beside him was a small table laden with all sorts of pastries, along with a pot of freshly brewed tea.

Chen Yu'er gently rubbed Zhu Youxiao's forehead, slowly massaging him.

Zhu Youxiao hadn't expected that Chen Yu'er had this skill—this craft of hers was truly excellent.

Later, upon asking Chen Yu'er, he learned that these Yangzhou sing-song girls were no simple figures. Besides learning how to seduce men, they also had to learn how to serve men—massage was merely a basic technique. They even knew more things, such as caring for the health of the elderly, or mastering the culinary arts.

In short, having such a woman by your side truly meant being served in the most comfortable manner possible.

At this moment, Zhu Youxiao was enjoying exactly that—lying on Chen Yu'er's thigh, being massaged.

Chen Yu'er would also, at appropriate moments, pick up a fresh fruit and place it into Zhu Youxiao's mouth. The two got along harmoniously.

In truth, the "Yangzhou mares" were quite fine, but they were a deformed product. Though such things were unavoidable in this era, Zhu Youxiao would not allow anyone to manipulate these matters.

He would have to reform the Ming's entertainment industry later. Brothels could exist—he couldn't eradicate them overnight anyway.

Even in later ages with strict legal provisions, many girls still plied this trade. Of course, in those times most were not sold by their parents, nor because they were starving to death. More often it was merely for the sake of a vain lifestyle.

Though Zhu Youxiao felt that some portion of them truly came from family hardship, the proportion was probably not that high.

Xu Xianchun, naturally, had no idea what His Majesty was thinking. He walked in from outside, keeping his head low the entire time, not daring to raise his eyes to look at Zhu Youxiao and Chen Yu'er.

That was not something he ought to see. The expression on his face was one of utmost caution and care.

"Speak, then." Zhu Youxiao said slowly with his eyes closed.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xu Xianchun acknowledged, then recounted the entire affair from beginning to end.

Finally, Xu Xianchun placed the documents on the table and said, "Your Majesty, everything is here."

Chen Yu'er had long since learned of Zhu Youxiao's identity, and so she appeared composed enough at this moment.

Yet she also understood that her fate was no longer hers to decide—she simply did not know whether this was for good or for ill.

Being at the Emperor's side—many would think of soaring to prominence, but more often than not it meant a withered bloom and a fallen fragrance.

After thinking it over, Zhu Youxiao said, "I have an interesting person here. Take him with you when you leave. Once you have him back, put him to good use—you may reap unexpected rewards, and who knows, he might even drag out some other figures. As for the Restoration and how to handle it, use your own judgment. Alright, you may withdraw."

Having said this, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and added, "Once you're back, do the job well."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xu Xianchun acknowledged, then hastily bowed and backed out of the room.

Xu Xianchun knew that His Majesty was entrusting this matter to him. And this was hardly the first time Xu Xianchun had handled such affairs—he was long since adept at it. No problem.

As for Zhu Youxiao himself, he had not come to handle matters personally; the specific work was left to the people below.

This time when Zhu Youxiao came to Yangzhou, he had brought not only men of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but also civil officials and men from the Purification Bureau.

If they could not even deal with these people in Yangzhou, then they were of no use and might as well be discarded.

But Zhu Youxiao believed these men would certainly have no problem. After all, the one leading the Purification Bureau's team was Chen Sihai.

In recent years, Chen Sihai had risen to great renown throughout the Ming—he was practically another blade in the Emperor's hand.

A vanguard against corruption and graft—in later ages, he would be called an iron-fisted anti-corruption crusader. Working alongside Chen Sihai was the Ministry of Justice, specifically a Vice Minister named Zhou Cang, a steadfast adherent of legal principle.

One arrested, the other sentenced—like twin-faced Yamas of iron. Both men were utterly ruthless.