Chapter 909: Selling into the Brothels
Editor: Henyee Translations

Zeng Huo, “…”

After a while, Lou Ze said, “You go call out Hong Feiying, Hong Feiyun’s sister, and start the estrangement plan.”

Zeng Huo was extremely curious, “What are you planning to do?”

Lou Ze glanced at Zeng Huo with a hint of mystery, “You’ll know when the time comes, and you’ll need to take part in it too.”

Zeng Huo withdrew his gaze, his expression neutral, no longer curious, certain it was no good scheme.

After paying, the two left the small noodle stall to implement their plan.

Meanwhile, Tang Jinghong led his troops to the gates of Linzhang City, “Set up camp here.” He planned to resolve the matters in Linzhang City before moving on.

“Yes,” responded the soldiers in unison, their voices thunderous and awe-inspiring.

The officials of Linzhang City, except for the magistrate, all waited at the city gate, “We greet General Tang.”

The fake magistrate had been hidden away by him, to be used later in overthrowing the King of the eastern border. Now, Tang Jinghong had the real magistrate return among the officials.

“Everyone should know by now that your previous magistrate was an impostor. Now I’ve brought the real magistrate back. He will continue to lead you in governing Linzhang City, and you must all obey his commands.”

“Yes, General Tang,” the officials then said to the magistrate, “We greet the magistrate.”

The magistrate felt deeply ashamed, “Everyone, please, there’s no need for formalities here. Let’s not stand around, hurry back, gather people, and close down all the divine ointment dens.”

The officials did not dare hesitate and promptly responded, “Yes, sir.”

Once back in the city, they took vigorous actions.

Tang Jinghong also entered Linzhang City. Although he had never been here before, Chu Qingzhi had described it very clearly to him, but he still wanted to see for himself how ravaged the city was.

“Everyone go about your duties, don’t mind me!”

“Yes.”

On the street, a small girl about five or six years old knelt, beside her was a man thin as a ghost.

The man held a rattan cane, ready to strike the girl at any sign of movement.

“This is Xiao Zhen, she’s seven years old, agile, and easy to keep.”

“She eats little and works a lot, like an ox. Buying her is definitely a good deal.”

“Cough, cough, cough, take a look, if suitable, spend some money and take her home!”

The girl trembled from the whipping, tears filling her eyes, her expression numb and hopeless, her head lowered, obediently playing the role of a commodity.

A woman in coarse clothes rushed over, kneeling down to embrace the girl, “I’m sorry, Xiao Zhen, mother is late.”

“What are you doing here, you wretched woman?”

The man swung his whip at her several times, then began coughing violently, his muscles twitching, saliva dripping from his mouth, clearly suffering from a drug withdrawal.

The woman held the girl tightly, “Don’t be afraid, mom is here.”

Once the man recovered slightly, he shouted, “Sell this woman too, her body is good, she also works a lot and eats little. You’ll definitely profit from buying her, cough, cough, cough…”

The onlookers were indifferent, used to such sights in Linzhang City.

Selling sons, daughters, and wives to buy divine ointment was common.

The man, unable to bear his craving any longer, tears streaming from his eyes, his body staggering, said, “Both the adult and the child for just one silver tael, it’s a steal, buy them quick.”

Tang Jinghong watched this scene unfold and made a gesture; soon, two robust men approached from either side and took the man away.

As the man was led away, the crowd dispersed.

“Xiao Zhen, get up, let’s escape quickly.” The woman got up, then pulled the girl from the ground and hurried away, not even glancing in the direction where the man was taken.

The men who took the man away were Tang Jinghong’s plainclothes subordinates, stationed around to ensure his safety.

It wasn’t that he feared death, but he absolutely could not afford to be compromised. He was engaged in various strategic games with the forces in the eastern border. If he died, it would mean the failure of this mission to the eastern border and thus a defeat for the imperial court. Then the forces of the eastern border would attack cities beyond the eastern border unimpeded, putting the entire Dalin Dynasty at risk.

Tang Jinghong continued on the street, “Lock him up, wait for the prescription, cure his addiction, then send him to the mines to labor.”

“Yes, General.”

Tang Jinghong continued his inspection in the city.

Meanwhile, Lu Changyu had fetched the medicine and returned to the Lu Mansion.

A servant, visibly outraged, waited at the front gate and approached Lu Changyu as soon as he saw him, “Young Master, the doctor you invited to treat the old master was driven away by the third madam!”

Hearing this, Lu Changyu’s face darkened immediately, “Send someone to find the young master immediately, and inform me as soon as he is found.”

“Yes, Young Master,” the servant hurried out with a group of servants.

Lu Changyu, accompanied by the steward and four servants, went to the courtyard where the third madam resided, “Someone, tie her up.”

Seeing Lu Changyu like this, the third madam was a bit frightened but still very arrogant, “What are you doing? I am your elder, you dare disrespect me!”

Lu Changyu grabbed the third madam by the neck, “I’ve overlooked past issues, but now you obstruct the saving of my father, you deserve death!”

After scolding, he threw her to the ground, “Tie her up, sell her to the brothels.”

The third madam protested, “Lu Changyu, I am your elder, I am the third madam of the Lu family.”

“My elder is only my mother, what are you as a concubine?” Lu Changyu gritted his teeth, “Sell the third madam’s son as well, from now on the Lu family will have nothing to do with this mother and son.”

Her son was her only hope, the third madam went mad, “You dare sell my son, I will fight you!”

Lu Changyu grabbed the third madam’s chin, his words cold and ruthless, “I’m selling today, what can you do to me?”

Only then did the third madam realize Lu Changyu was serious and finally felt scared, “Young Master, spare my son, I’m willing to leave the Lu Mansion.”

“Take them away!” Lu Changyu no longer wanted to see this mother and son.

The third madam and her son were both sold to the brothels.

But there was also good news, “Young Master, we’ve found the young man.”

“Lead the way.” Lu Changyu patted his face to appear more gentle, then followed the servant to meet Lou Ze.

They met on the street.

Lu Changyu stepped forward to greet him, “Young Master, I’ve cleared away the unpleasant people from the mansion, they won’t bother you anymore.”

Lou Ze raised an eyebrow, not expecting this young master of the Lu family to be so decisive, “Did you get the medicine?”

Lu Changyu nodded, “Got it.”

“Let’s go then.”

Returning to the Lu Mansion, Lou Ze took the medicinal herbs to the kitchen and personally started to brew the medicine. After all, it was his first time dealing with someone with such a severe addiction, and these people were different from those in the capital; they needed a thorough experiment.