Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 146 Brothel

“Very good. Wilderness survival is a complex subject. Everyone should summarize their experiences after this trip and ideally, compile a summary report to create an archive,” Gu Qingyue reminded Wen Qinghong after a moment’s thought.

"Yes, Pavilion Master!" Wen Qinghong looked at Gu Qingyue as if she were a gold ingot.

He just couldn't understand why Qingyue, who was about the same age as him, always had an endless supply of brilliant ideas. No wonder she was their leader; he felt incredibly proud!

Thinking of this, he looked at Gu Qingyue with even more admiration.

Gu Qingyue looked at Wen Qinghong, who seemed a little dazed, and patted his arm encouragingly: "Keep up the good work, practice your martial arts well, study hard, and you'll have a bright future."

As they spoke, the group had already reached the edge of the training ground in the backyard.

This is a large back garden that extends from the hanging flower gate in the backyard.

There are artificial hills and pavilions, as well as flower nurseries and seedling nurseries.

What's remarkable is that a large, gentle slope was planted with all sorts of unidentified shrubs. Did the ancients already have ornamental small trees and shrubs at this time? And they were even pruned very beautifully.

The shrubs of varying shades divided this large, gentle slope into several areas, and it looked like a large section was originally used for horse racing, making it a small racecourse.

These rich people really know how to have fun!

Gu Qingyue sighed.

Now, for practical purposes, this large gentle slope will be transformed into a large training ground for the disciples of the pavilion to practice martial arts.

In terms of size, it is at least three times larger than the current martial arts arena at the Gu residence.

Gu Qingyue led Wen Qinghong and Yueming on a tour of the area surrounding the martial arts arena, carefully inquiring about the division of areas and offering suggestions for improvement on any unreasonable aspects.

Finally, Gu Qingyue had explored the entire five-courtyard house, and she felt her legs were so thin from all the walking.

Who would have thought that someone who owned a villa and a large apartment in modern times could afford a house in ancient times that rivals the grand gardens of her previous life? Compared to this, the large apartments of the past are simply rubbish!

The frustration of being betrayed and nearly killed by a knife had lessened slightly at this moment, Gu Qingyue thought to herself.

Back in Lizhou City, it was already noon. Gu Qingyue went straight to Wenxiang Tower.

Upon entering the private room, they immediately called Manager Wang inside.

Gu Qingyue leaned back in her chair, enjoying a rare cup of milk tea and a piece of long-missed strawberry cake. To be honest, she hadn't had these treats in quite a while since Wenxianglou introduced them.

The main problem is that it's inconvenient and there's no time for it in the military camp.

"Master," Steward Wang greeted respectfully with a cupped hand as he entered.

"How are the shops in Jiangnan doing?"

"It's under renovation. The manager has made all the arrangements. Our people and the new manager are overseeing it together. It should be open for business soon."

Manager Wang is meticulous and thorough in his work, as well as worldly and sophisticated; he is a rare talent.

Gu Qingyue doesn't mind if her subordinates are shrewd and calculating, as long as they can bring her profits, manage the shop well, and have no disloyal intentions, they are useful people.

On the contrary, she didn't want someone in charge of the shop to be easily influenced and just a pushover.

Gu Qingyue pondered for a moment before asking, "What is Manager Xie from Songzhou doing now?"

Manager Wang was taken aback. Was his master referring to Manager Xie, who had previously run a brothel?

Didn't we just say we were preparing to open the Fragrance Pavilion? Does the owner have some new plans?

"Have someone notify her to come to Lizhou. I will find someone here to manage the shop in Songzhou again. Also, you personally go and choose a shop so that Manager Xie can continue running the brothel in Lizhou. As for the decoration style, I will draw it for you after the shop is purchased. Also, tell her that the purchasing staff must be carefully trained before they can be used. Do you understand?"

"Also, remember to tell Manager Xie that I've given her three months to get the brothel up and running. You know what its real purpose is. You can tell her that quietly. I'll have Liu Feng talk to her about the specifics."

Manager Wang understood that the Pavilion Master intended to obtain and sell information through the brothel. He bowed respectfully and then withdrew.

Gu Qingyue watched Manager Wang leave, put down her milk tea, put a piece of cake in her mouth, and said, "Mmm, delicious."

She leaned back in her chair, against the window, watching people come and go outside.

Lizhou City is located on the southwestern border and is the most important border city between the Great Chu and the Nanzhao Kingdom.

Therefore, Lizhou, as the prefectural capital, still had a significant advantage in gathering information related to Nanzhao. She wanted to open up another channel to collect more useful information.

Therefore, it was inevitable that merchants traveling between the Great Chu and the Nanzhao would take Lizhou as a necessary stop. Coincidentally, brothels, being a mixed bag of people, made it easier to obtain intelligence than brothels.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Qingyue," just as Steward Wang left, Rong Qingqing came in carrying a pile of account books.

Gu Qingyue: ......

Can't we just have some fun anymore? Is it so hard to find some time to relax?

Gu Qingyue spent the entire afternoon discussing the accounts with Rong Qingqing.

She had originally planned to go to Songxiang Garden after this, but Rong Qingqing's words made her change her mind and return to the Gu residence.

Rong Qingqing said that the man who came back with Linlang and the others last time is much better and wants to see her.

Well, Gu Qingyue was quite curious about this person.

After all, he was barely able to protect himself at the time, yet he still stood up for a few poor children, which at least shows that he was a kind and righteous person.

Back at the Gu residence, the man followed Liu Yong to the front hall.

Upon seeing Gu Qingyue, he was so excited that he immediately wanted to kneel down and kowtow.

Gu Qingyue wanted to stop her, but she wasn't used to this kind of etiquette.

But the man insisted, so Gu Qingyue had no choice but to give up.

The man respectfully kowtowed once, then stood up and performed a deep bow again.

"Thank you for saving my life, young master. I have nothing of value, and this is all I can do to express my gratitude. From now on, I will obey your every command," Jin Weizhou said, bowing his head respectfully as he waited for Gu Qingyue to speak.

What a wonderful gift!

Gu Qingyue felt a little uncomfortable with such politeness.

Judging from his build and demeanor, you could tell he came from a prestigious family. It's just a mystery why he ended up in such a miserable state, reduced to begging.

Gu Qingyue cleared her throat and waved her hand, gesturing for the other person to sit down.

Jin Weizhou respectfully sat down to the left.

"May I ask about Young Master Jin's background?" Gu Qingyue still wanted to know about this person's background first. If it would cause trouble, she would have to think it over again. Not just anyone is suitable to work here.

After listening to Jin Weizhou speak, Gu Qingyue felt that she was starting to speak in a literary style, which made her feel a little uncomfortable. Although she was not an uncultured brute, she just felt uncomfortable speaking like this.

Upon hearing this, Jin Weizhou remained silent for only a moment before speaking: "I am from Songzhou Prefecture in Jiangnan, born out of wedlock to the second branch of the Jin family."

The Jin family? The use of the word "family" implies that someone in the family must hold an official position, a fact that Gu Qingyue was quite aware of.

In other words, no matter how rich she is or how big her house is, it can only be called the Gu Residence, and cannot be called the Gu Mansion.

According to the regulations of the Great Chu, only residences with members holding official titles or positions can use the character "府" (fu, meaning mansion). Therefore, Jin Weizhou must be the descendant of an official or a member of his family.

Gu Qingyue pondered this in her heart and did not interrupt him.

After listening to his story for half an hour, Gu Qingyue was also deeply moved.