Having returned to Hou Mansion, Old Master Hou visited Aunt Mei’s quarters again.
Aunt Mei was naturally delighted, serving tea and water with great attentiveness.
"Old Master, was it the Inspector General from the Capital City who came? He didn’t give Old Master a hard time, did he?" she asked in a gentle tone, while massaging Prefectural Magistrate Hou’s shoulders with just the right amount of strength.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou sipped his cool tea comfortably and closed his eyes.
"Of course not. Do you take me for someone who isn’t sure of himself?"
Prefectural Magistrate Hou thought to himself, Hmph, with so much silver sent upwards every year, I have backers and achievements. Even if ten Inspector Generals came, they couldn’t touch me.
To keep his official position, Prefectural Magistrate Hou meticulously polished his public image. If one were to ask around on the streets, the people would unanimously praise him as a good official. (After all, those who spoke ill of him had all been secretly dealt with; nobody dared speak the truth!)
Moreover, under his post as Prefect of Jiangning, there had been virtually no disasters. The yearly taxes, grains, fabrics, porcelain, and even various exquisite handicrafts contributed to the Imperial Court were countless. The wealth of Jiangnan was no mere boast. In some places, local officials might work themselves half to death and still not be able to provide the common folk with an extra steamed bun for their meals. But Jiangnan? With its favorable climate, advantageous geography, and harmonious populace, one could accrue achievements without lifting a finger. It couldn’t be helped; one had to acknowledge it, willingly or not.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou had spent an unknown amount of silver to keep this position. Heh, in my view, no matter how much it costs, it’s worth it!
He was like an old loach that had slithered through mud for years, slippery and elusive. Everyone knew he was corrupt, knew he was right there, but they just couldn’t catch him—not even a fraction of his misdeeds.
This gave Chen Juzheng quite a headache. As the Imperial Censor of the Metropolitan Censorate, he had stayed in a separate residence for two days yet hadn’t found a single clue. The accounts are likely fake... His reputation? The common people are unwilling to tell the truth. Find evidence? The most I could find is that he keeps many concubines in his backyard. But what use is that? A lustful nature is, at most, a sign of poor conduct. It’s hardly enough to make him lose his black gauze cap, let alone his life.
Of course, these were all matters for later and not to be dwelled upon for the moment.
Old Master Hou spent the night at Aunt Mei’s, but he was not entirely heartless. He had found out who crippled his son at Jingtai Tower. (To be precise, the Emperor had deliberately let the information slip to him!)
"Old Master, according to my inquiries, those people are indeed from the Capital City. Judging by their attire, they seem to be merchants heading our way!" an aide reported.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou became interested. "Merchants?"
Merchants are good; there’s silver to be made, he thought.
"Have you confirmed their background?"
"Confirmed!" The aide was very certain. "I’ve discovered that they brought a large batch of furs and are selling them everywhere!"
Prefectural Magistrate Hou stroked his beard and let out a crafty laugh. "So they deal in furs, eh? I’ve seen plenty of that sort of thing!"
Many merchants traveled extensively, bringing medicinal herbs and furs from the north to sell in Jiangnan. On their return trips, they would carry Jiangnan’s silk, tea, and jewelry to the north. As the Prefect of Jiangning, he had seen far too many such merchants.
"Hmph! Just a mere merchant, yet you dare to run wild on my turf! I, this official, will make sure you learn what it means to bite off more than you can chew!"
"Old Master, if you have any orders, I will surely perform them with utmost loyalty!" the aide said, his face revealing a fawning smile.
Dealing with merchants is what I love most; they’re always full of perks! It’s like bandits robbing someone; sometimes one hit can sustain you for a year, no problem! Greedy light shone in the aide’s shifty, rat-like eyes. HAHA, once this job’s done, I’ll definitely show some extra affection to Yihong Brothel’s Xiao Cuicui, Xiao Hong, oh right, and Willow Leaf Lady too!
While the aide was lost in these thoughts, Prefectural Magistrate Hou spoke.
"Go and do something for this Old Master!"
The aide hurriedly approached. "What is it, Old Master?"
Prefectural Magistrate Hou whispered into his ear for a long while. By the end, the aide’s eyes were shining with a golden light.
He then said with pride, "Old Master, rest assured, leave this matter to me!"
Prefectural Magistrate Hou waved his hand in satisfaction.
"Go on!"
"Aye!"
...
「At that time, in Lady Hou’s courtyard.」
Hou Tianbao had woken up. His dislocated arm had been set back in place, and the wounds in his groin had been bandaged. Both his testicles were smashed to bits, leaving behind only a floppy thing resembling a soft noodle.
Hou Tianbao wept incessantly. "Mother, your son hasn’t even reached his coming of age! I haven’t even taken a wife yet, oh Mother!"
Lady Hou was so heartbroken she could only shed tears. "Son, don’t cry. The doctor said it will heal given enough time!"