Jianghu Qimen Lu

Chapter 24 A Series of Major Cases

Bai Shandian drew his imperial sword, furious, and said, "Let's go! We'll find the madam in the front yard and ask Hong Yueliang about her identity and background!" The crowd rushed to the front yard, where they found it brightly lit, bustling with activity, and a scene of thriving business. Several pimps, startled by their sudden appearance from the back yard, but seeing the weapons, including foreign guns, dared not question them and quietly went to inform the madam. A short while later, a flurry of footsteps sounded as the madam, adorned in gold and silver and glittering with jewels, hurriedly arrived, surrounded by several famous courtesans.

"Oh, it's Governor Zhang. I didn't know you'd grace my humble abode with your presence so late at night. What brings you here?" The madam was, after all, a figure of some standing. Despite her arrogant attire of night, she recognized the most influential person in the local community at a glance.

"Greetings, Lord Bai!" Zhang Kuang, not daring to be presumptuous in front of Bai Shandian, hurriedly introduced him to the madam, "This is an imperial envoy from the capital, of very high status!" Upon hearing this, the madam dared not be negligent and quickly ushered everyone into the hall, placing Bai Shandian and Zhang Kuang in the seats of honor, while she herself sat below them to keep them company. Maids then served tea and snacks. Bai Shandian, whose face had been cold and pale, raised his sword, held it horizontally in front of him, blew on the gleaming blade, and suddenly looked up, shouting menacingly, "I have a few questions for you now, and I hope you will answer truthfully, without giving me any evasive answers! Otherwise, you will be no different from this corner of the table!" Before he finished speaking, with a snap and a flash of cold light, a corner of the eight-immortal table in the hall was sliced ​​off by his sharp sword and fell to the ground! The madam was terrified, her face pale and her whole body trembling, nodding hastily in agreement.

"Is Red Moon the most beautiful courtesan here?"

"Yes."

"Where does she live? Where is she from?"

"Well... I don't know."

"You'd better tell the truth!" White Lightning's eyes flashed like lightning, as if trying to pierce through her internal organs.

"This humble woman truly does not know. Red Moon was neither sold to us by her impoverished family nor tricked into coming to our brothel by street thugs. Rather, she volunteered herself and came here willingly. I remember three years ago, our brothel was holding a beauty pageant. The girls in our brothel were all dressed to the nines, taking turns on stage, acting coquettishly and seductively, displaying their flirtatious and wanton nature. The patrons below screamed and laughed, creating chaos. Just then, a handsome young man dressed in fashionable attire walked out from among the patrons, smiling slightly as he walked straight onto the stage." She came, surrounded by fragrant greenery, and began dancing the most fashionable striptease… When her cascading long hair and exquisite figure, with her prominent breasts and curvaceous hips, were revealed, people realized: she was actually a charming and alluring woman! The clients went wild, vying to choose her. As her mother, I was terrified and immediately asked her what she meant. Unexpectedly, she smiled and said she had come voluntarily seeking refuge and hoped I would take care of her. I was overjoyed, of course, and quickly arranged for her to stay… Little did I know that she was now a wanted criminal!

"Are you aware that Red Moon has secretly set up a tunnel to harbor the wanted Japanese pirate Black Sun?" Bai Shandian asked coldly. The madam trembled, not daring to look him in the eye, and lowered her head, saying, "This... I really don't know! Considering Red Moon's status as the top courtesan, and how well she pleases me, I usually treat her with great care, so I generally turn a blind eye to her private life and rarely inquire." Bai Shandian asked coldly again, "It's said that Red Moon and Black Sun have a secret stash of money, are you aware of that?" The madam shook her head vigorously, saying she knew nothing about it.

"Damn it, you're asking for it!" Bai Shandian suddenly leaped up, grabbed the madam, and slammed her to the ground. A flash of cold light appeared, and the gleaming white tip of the Shangfang Sword was already pressed against her throat. A murderous intent surged within him as he roared, "You old pig, you won't tell the truth! I'll cut your dog's head off—" He pretended to strike. This terrified the madam. Her face paled, cold sweat beaded on her pale forehead, and she trembled, crying, "Master...please calm down! Please don't kill me! I...I confess everything!" Bai Shandian smiled coldly and rebuked, "Speak! If you utter another lie, my Shangfang Sword will not tolerate it!" He stood up, sword in hand, and returned to his seat.

Upon hearing the words "Imperial Sword," the madam turned ashen-faced with terror. She thought, "I've heard this Imperial Sword can execute corrupt emperors and treacherous officials. I'm just a commoner; I could be killed without consequence, and there's nowhere to seek justice!" She dared not conceal anything further, prostrating herself on the ground like a docile puppy, and recounted the whole story. It turned out that Red Moon was no ordinary woman; she was the biological daughter of General Hong Chen of Hangzhou! She had hidden herself here not to prostitute herself, but specifically to get close to Black Sun. Black Sun had always frequented this brothel, as the Misty Rain Brothel in Hangzhou was one of the most famous and prestigious brothels. It was said that even Emperor Qianlong had stayed there during his southern tours. After Red Moon became the top courtesan, she quickly captivated Black Sun, making him a regular customer. Gradually, the two became sworn enemies, inseparable. Black Sun was completely obedient to her, entrusting all the gold and silver he had plundered throughout his life to Red Moon for safekeeping. To be on the safe side, Red Moon, with the madam's permission, had a secret cave dug and built in her room specifically to store the treasure. A few days earlier, Black Sun had stolen a copy of the "Complete Guide to the Martial World" from White Lightning, and the two often spent time in the secret cave studying this extraordinary book. Later, seeing the city under martial law and Black Sun being searched house to house by the government troops, they worried about the situation and secretly moved the treasure to the madam's room for safekeeping. For a reward of ten thousand taels of gold, the madam took the risk, defying the law, and readily agreed…

Bai Shandian sternly ordered the madam to stand up and lead the group to her room to verify the treasure. The madam led them to the most secluded and luxurious room in the inner sanctum. Ten burly men stood at the door, clearly her hired thugs. Seeing the group escorting the madam, they swarmed around her, asking in unison, "Madam, what happened?" The madam simply lowered her head in despair, waving her hands nervously, as if to say: Forget it, don't ask anything, get out of the way! If you're too late, you'll lose your lives! The ten thugs, sensing the danger, quickly moved aside, watching the group anxiously as they followed the madam to the small vault where the gold and silver were hidden. The door was made of solid iron, and it was tightly closed, without any locks, suggesting a hidden mechanism. The madam stretched out her slender hand and gently tapped five times on a protruding blue brick to the right of the door. A melody, like that of a zither, filled the air, playing a piece called "High Mountains and Flowing Water." The sound shifted, sometimes clear and melodious like a gentle stream in a secluded valley, sometimes flowing and graceful like drifting clouds and water, and suddenly soaring and passionate, like being on a lone boat crossing a mighty river, experiencing the dizzying, overwhelming feeling of towering waves. Finally, the melody calmed, like crossing the river and gazing into the distance, feeling a sense of vastness and exhilaration… Just as everyone was immersed in this famous zither piece, suddenly, with a creaking sound, the heavy iron door swung open, and everyone's eyes widened in surprise! The madam honestly told Bai Shandian that the blue brick shouldn't be tapped carelessly. If you tapped it five times without incident, tapping it one to four times, or more, would likely lead to a trap or hidden weapon! That's incredibly vicious!

As Bai Shandian and his group entered the vault, they were utterly stunned, completely taken aback! The room was a dazzling display of jewels and gold. Cabinets were filled with antiques, jade artifacts, and countless jars and bottles. Tables were piled high with pearls and agates, round and square, of every kind. Even the floor was covered with piles of gold and silver, gold bricks and silver ingots—a vast quantity indeed.

"So this damned Japanese pirate has plundered countless things on our Qing territory, committing numerous heinous crimes. He truly deserves to die!" Xiang Quan said angrily to Bai Shandian. Bai Shandian immediately ordered Zhang Kuang's personal guard, "Quickly go and summon General Hongchen. Have him bring several carriages over and take all these treasures away to fill the national treasury!" The guard obeyed and left. The madam hurriedly knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, pitifully pleading, "Your Honor, this contains my hidden wealth accumulated over many years! You can't just take it all!" Bai Shandian coldly smiled and angrily rebuked, "You colluded with foreign barbarians and Japanese pirates, causing chaos in the court and the country, a capital offense! Even facing death, you still claim to want to protect your family's wealth. You're truly blinded by greed and unrepentant to the death! Guards, lock her up and throw her into the Hangzhou prison. We'll wait for the two criminals, Black and Red, to be arrested together and escorted to the capital so that the Emperor can personally punish them!" Two Green Standard Army soldiers came forward, took out chains and shackles from their waists, quickly put them on the madam, and dragged her away!