If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d never believe this is the Emperor! What is the Emperor supposed to be like? I know all too well. A noble and elegant temperament, skilled in horseback archery, his every move demonstrating the exalted dignity of The King. This... Emperor, I am truly in awe!
Prefectural Magistrate Hou did not like Third Master Huang, but as the saying goes, you don’t slap a smiling face.
At this moment, he could only force a dry chuckle.
"You’re too kind. We’re drinking together at the same table today, and from now on... we’re all in the same boat!"
When Prefectural Magistrate Hou said this, he was frankly speaking against his conscience.
After all, my disabled son is still lying at home, and now I... Alas, but if I were to refuse Governor Chen... He would definitely make trouble once back in the Capital City. If just one or two reports of what I’ve done reached his superiors, my official position would be gone! Even if I knew that Governor Chen was also a habitual embezzler, so what? The heavens are high and the Emperor is far away; could I really run to the Capital City to file a complaint? So, all things considered, the one who loses out by not cooperating is still me. Then... we should all be in the same boat. My son is already ruined; I can’t afford to lose any more benefits!
Having thought it through, the smile on Prefectural Magistrate Hou’s face became less stiff.
"Come, let’s drink, let’s eat!"
Zhao Junyao observed all these changes. He sneered. Even a vicious tiger doesn’t eat its own cubs. This Prefectural Magistrate Hou is simply worse than a beast! For the sake of profit, he can actually abandon his own son! Such a man, can he be good to his people? That’s a joke.
Once they reached an understanding, the atmosphere became lively. They enjoyed the food and wine, listened to tunes, and told all sorts of risqué jokes; it was quite a merry scene.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou, having drunk too much, his face glowing, banged on the table and said to Zhao Junyao, "Brother, if you... have any matter, just say it!"
Zhao Junyao drained his cup and said, "For this batch of goods, I’m relying on Your Excellency. This is my first time proposing a venture with you, Magistrate Hou. How about a fifty-fifty profit split?"
Prefectural Magistrate Hou grinned from ear to ear in delight.
"Good lad, you’re really generous in your dealings!"
"Those before, at most, only sent gifts to this old master. This fifty-fifty split is truly the first I’ve heard of!"
Prefectural Magistrate Hou said proudly and took another drink.
"That’s the spirit! It seems this old master was right to befriend you!"
This was the so-called collusion between officials and merchants: I help you secure territory, and you share the profits with me! A win-win cooperation where nobody loses!
Zhao Junyao glanced at Chen Juzheng. The man had used the pretext of going to the lavatory to meticulously record every detail of these matters!
Zhao Junyao’s lips curved into a satisfied smirk.
Now that the matter of the goods was settled, the first charge of collusion between officials and merchants was as good as nailed down.
Zhao Junyao then changed the subject.
After taking a few bites of his food, his eyes fell on the girls singing tunes.
Prefectural Magistrate Hou understood that look all too well and asked, "What’s the matter? Took a fancy to one of the girls? Today, it’s my treat! Feel free to pick any Lady Hong!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Junyao looked disgusted.
"HMPH!"
"What? You don’t like them? The girls of Wanchun Tower are the most exquisite in Jinling City. This old master likes them the best!"
Zhao Junyao twitched the corners of his mouth.
Chen Juzheng felt even more embarrassed.
They were two very different men: one was the Emperor, who had three thousand beauties in his Harem and never lacked for beautiful women. The other was an old traditionalist, his mind occupied solely with the common people, devoid of interest in feminine charms. Visiting brothels? Out of the question. On this issue, they were in complete agreement: this place is filthy!
Zhao Junyao flapped open his folding fan with a WHOOSH and slumped into his chair, speaking leisurely, "There’s a saying: ’A pair of jade arms, a pillow for a thousand men; a touch of crimson lips, tasted by ten thousand.’ Magistrate Hou, since you enjoy sleeping with the women here, I can only say you are indeed a man of broad tastes!" Sleeping with women here... isn’t he afraid of being cuckolded?
Having said that, he added, "Compared to these women, I much prefer girls from respectable families. With proper training, they can learn anything, be it singing or playing instruments!"
Prefectural Magistrate Hou felt the subtle sting of the insult and was somewhat disgraced.
He immediately retorted defiantly, his tongue thick with drink, "Girls from respectable families? This old master has plenty of those!"
After speaking, he patted his chest, boasting, "In this Jinling City, there isn’t a woman this old master fancies that I can’t obtain!"
His lechery was well-known throughout the city. Like father, like son. One only needed to look at Hou Tianbao’s stallion-like behavior to understand.
Zhao Junyao pressed further, "Truly? As far as I know, abducting women from good families... if word got out... it’s an offense punishable by imprisonment!"