Chapter 530: Damn You! Are You Trying to Get Me Killed?

The Lichun Court, located in Yangzhou, was a very famous brothel.

Recently, the Lichun Court's business had taken quite a hit. After all, there had been a lot going on in the city, quite a few people arrested, and the Han family affair had everyone on edge.

And now the city was sealed off on top of that, which made people even more anxious.

But some people didn't care. Their wealth wasn't as great as the Han family's, they normally had no dealings with the authorities, and they just had a bit of money.

Such people didn't pay much attention to what the court was doing, and whether the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrested people had nothing to do with them. Basically, they just went about their business as usual—songs still sung, dances still danced, and life went on as before.

Thanks to the patronage of such people, the Lichun Court's business was still doing alright.

When Cao Bang arrived at the Lichun Court, he found it still bustling as ever. From a long way off, one could hear the sounds of strings, flutes, and wanton music.

Cao Bang stepped down from the carriage and walked straight into the Lichun Court.

Someone was already there at the front to receive him.

The group went straight up to the second floor and entered Room Number One, Heaven Class.

Although the Lichun Court in Yangzhou was not the one in Nanjing, the building's structure was similar to Nanjing's—on the whole, it was the same.

Yangzhou's Room Number One, Heaven Class, was also the same as Nanjing's. Not only did it have eavesdropping devices and terribly poor soundproofing, it also had peeping devices.

In here, you couldn't even make meaningful glances—if someone saw you, it would be trouble.

Inside the room, Huang Changzong felt somewhat nervous, afraid that Cao Bang might say something he shouldn't.

After being led into the room, Cao Bang spotted Huang Changzong at a glance and a smile spread across his face.

Truth be told, being able to see Huang Changzong at this time gave Cao Bang a considerable sense of relief.

The reason was simple: with things having escalated to this point, many people were distancing themselves. Even the Ye family had tried that trick, but it hadn't worked out—the Ye family themselves had been arrested.

Huang Changzong was even more sensitive at a time like this. His status was not ordinary. Although what he did was the same as everyone else—doing business—he was a man who held official rank.

To put it plainly, Huang Changzong was an official merchant, someone who did business on behalf of the Emperor. Meeting him at this time actually represented a certain attitude.

If Huang Changzong wanted to wash his hands of the matter, then Cao Bang figured he had no hope, and Huang Changzong certainly wouldn't have come to see him. But Huang Changzong hadn't done that—being willing to meet him now meant it was a good sign.

With a brilliant smile on his face, Cao Bang clasped his hands toward Huang Changzong and said, "It's been many days, Brother Huang—you look as distinguished as ever."

"Brother Cao flatters me." Huang Changzong hurriedly replied with a smile, while making a gesture of invitation, saying, "Let's sit down and chat."

After the two sat down and someone served tea, Cao Bang finally spoke: "Brother Huang, to be honest with you, coming to see you now, I really have no confidence about it, but there are some things I truly need to ask you."

"Is that so?" Huang Changzong said calmly while sipping his tea. "May I ask what it is?"

"No need to rush into the matter." Cao Bang said with a smile. "Today I brought you something."

As he spoke, Cao Bang pulled a stack of banknotes from his sleeve and placed them on the table, saying, "Just some trifling worldly goods—I hope Brother Huang won't stand on ceremony."

Seeing the money Cao Bang had taken out, Huang Changzong felt nothing but regret in his heart.

If I'd known you were going to do this, I wouldn't have saved you. We've known each other for so many years and done no small amount of business together. True, I've gained plenty of benefits in that process, but those were all gains from business—I've never accepted a bribe.

On the one hand, Huang Changzong didn't dare; on the other, he didn't need to. When doing business, he could easily slip in a bit of his own private dealings on the side, which was more than enough for food and expenses. There was no need to take such a huge risk accepting bribes. Besides, Cao Bang had never sent him anything over the years, and everyone had gotten used to that.

But who could have imagined that at this very moment, Cao Bang would pull such a stunt?

He should know that people were listening all around, and the Emperor was right there. If word of this got back, did he want to lose his life?

This was practically digging his own grave!

Huang Changzong stood up directly, his face stern as he looked at Cao Bang and said, "Brother Cao, what are you doing? We've known each other for so many years, and now you're giving me money—are you looking down on me?"

"Our friendship is built entirely on mutual feeling. After all these years, when has this Huang ever taken your money? When have I ever asked you for any?"

"We've gotten along for so long, and you use these things to insult me?"

As he spoke, Huang Changzong slammed his hand on the table, looking extremely furious, and said, "If that's how it's going to be, then take your money and get out! You're defiling the bond between us!"

Seeing Huang Changzong's blazing anger, Cao Bang felt somewhat helpless. In his heart, he knew that this matter had truly angered his worthy brother.

Cao Bang smiled bitterly and pulled Huang Changzong back down to sit, then said, "Don't be angry, Brother. This foolish elder brother of yours has no other choice. Right now, Yangzhou city can be said to be in a state of panic. The affairs of the Han and Ye families—you must know about them by now. My heart truly has no confidence, which is why I wanted to get some information from you, or ask you to look into the situation."

"This money isn't for you. This foolish brother knows that getting things done requires greasing palms at every level. In officialdom, how many officials don't take money? If you want them to do things, you have to pay more, or it won't work. Even with your prestige, Brother, the money that needs to be spent still has to be spent. So this money isn't for you."

"When you encounter someone who wants money, Brother, feel free to spend it as you see fit. If it's not enough, just tell me."

Looking at the utterly sincere face of Cao Bang, Huang Changzong truly wanted to go up and kick him.

Damn you, this isn't how you usually talk. Are you trying to get someone killed here?

Don't you know that saying such things can get people killed?

Since when is it your place to comment on figures in officialdom?

Do you want people to know you've bribed officials? Or do you want people to know that officials are all corrupt money-grubbers?

Even though such situations are common, you can't just say it! I know you're not distant with me and consider us as good as family, but if you keep this up, we'll all die!

Huang Changzong looked at Cao Bang and said directly, "Elder Brother, what exactly is the matter you've come to see me about today?"

Huang Changzong truly didn't dare continue talking with Cao Bang. If they kept going, there was no telling what Cao Bang might say next.

Cut him off completely and make Cao Bang hurry up and get to the point. If he wasn't made to stop, everything after this would be ruined.

"Don't be anxious, Brother." Cao Bang said with a smile. "Actually, this foolish brother only wanted to ask—has Your Majesty come to Yangzhou?"

Upon hearing these words, Huang Changzong nearly jumped out of his seat.

Is this the kind of question you just casually ask?

Inquiring into Your Majesty's whereabouts—never mind ordinary folk like you, even officials aren't allowed to do that!

Spying on Your Majesty's movements—what are you planning to do?

Are you plotting treason? Isn't that a crime that gets you killed?

Huang Changzong truly didn't know what to say. He really wanted to grab Cao Bang and ask him, what on earth are you thinking?

Get to the point, get to the point! What are you going on about here?

In fact, for Cao Bang, this was the point. Taking out the money earlier was the point, saying those words was the point, and asking about the Emperor's whereabouts was still the point.

If the Emperor had come to Yangzhou, then Cao Bang would need to think of another way. Although Cao Bang had guessed as much, he still hadn't confirmed it. Asking Huang Changzong would settle the matter.

But would Huang Changzong dare to answer that question?

Zhu Youxiao had come to Yangzhou quietly and in secret, and his current whereabouts were being kept confidential. Although at this point, some people could guess it—like Cao Bang before him—but if they guessed it, so what? Why say it out loud? After all, this had not yet been made public.

A secret that has not been made public—even if you already know it, you must pretend you don't, and you must treat it as a secret.

Huang Changzong looked at Cao Bang with a grave expression and said, "Brother Cao, how could we, as subjects, pry into His Majesty's whereabouts? All under heaven is the king's land; all within the shores are the king's subjects. His Majesty naturally goes wherever He wishes."

Cao Bang glanced at Huang Changzong, nodded, and said, "I... I have no choice either. After all, with Yangzhou in its current state, it truly makes people uneasy."

"Brother Cao, let's get to the real matter." Huang Changzong looked at Cao Bang and said.

Huang Changzong was now on tenterhooks, terrified that Cao Bang would say he had come specifically to ask about the Emperor's whereabouts.

If Cao Bang really said such a thing, then it was over—neither of the two of them would be able to walk out of here.

Fortunately, Cao Bang had not come for that matter. He looked at Huang Changzong and said, "I came to ask—why were the Han and Ye families arrested? You know that I am fairly close to both families. If anything is going on, it would be good to know where to take cover."

Huang Changzong glanced at Cao Bang and sighed inwardly.

These people really did become reckless once they got rich. In the imperial court, who would dare act like this?

Among all officials, who didn't know how formidable His Majesty was?

Back in the day, when the Founding Emperor investigated the Hu Weiyong case, to what lengths did he exploit it? Ten years later, he still used the Hu Weiyong case to finish off Li Shanchang.

Everyone knew that was impossible—if nothing was found in ten years, evidence would appear ten years later? What a joke?

Ten years earlier, Hu Weiyong had already been investigated down to the very bottom. If Li Shanchang had truly been implicated, how could they have waited ten years?

In any case, once this kind of thing got started, there was no point asking for reasons. What reasons could there be? Wasn't a charge just something you slapped on however you pleased?

Huang Changzong looked at Cao Bang and said, "I don't actually know about this matter. After all, this is a case under the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and it wouldn't be proper for me to listen in privately. But Brother Cao, if you don't want to be implicated, why not join our Imperial Household Department?"

"We discussed this matter before, and I told you about the Imperial Household Department's benefits. I imagine it's much better than working on your own, Brother Cao. What do you think?"