Chapter 232 Selected

What is going on? The proprietress didn't react for a long time. Aren't the girls in the brothel her personal property? Not to mention imprisonment and coercion, even if they were beaten to death, the government would not pursue it too much, right?

Zui Qinglou didn't do this, but other brothels had this kind of thing, and they still paid for it in the end.

After all, they have no one to rely on, either street children or orphans, who would care about their life or death?

Wait a minute - she suddenly realized that something was wrong, how did the affairs bureau know about this? "Did you take Liu Ruyan away -"

"That's right. She has signed up for the special training class of the affairs bureau, and today should have been the first day to report." Li Xing knocked on the table and said, "Liu Ruyan's absence attracted the attention of Lord Xia and Her Royal Highness the Princess, and then we learned that such a thing happened in Zui Qinglou. It seems... you confessed to everything."

The proprietress's sweat broke out immediately.

She overlooked one thing.

That is, the government is now ineffective, and the real management of this city is the Jinxia General Affairs Bureau.

Liu Ruyan is nothing, but the other party brought up the names of the Minister of the Privy Council and Princess Guangping, and the nature of the matter changed.

She didn't believe that a mere prostitute would attract the attention of these two big men whether to report or not. The other party came to the door at this time, which can only mean that the Affairs Bureau itself is eyeing Zui Qinglou, and Liu Ruyan is just an excuse for them to act!

Since it is an excuse, it doesn't matter whether it is reasonable to imprison and coerce Liu Ruyan. What matters is what the Affairs Bureau wants to do.

The proprietress immediately pushed the money to Li Xing, and at the same time smiled and flattered, "Sir, you misunderstood. I really didn't know that she was the one favored by the Affairs Bureau. In fact, as long as Lord Xia said something about this kind of thing, there is no reason for me to stop it. I can't wait to be happy for her! In addition, this time is new, and the second time is familiar. You gentlemen often come to Zui Qinglou to play, so it's not a problem to cut the expenses in half."

In an instant, she was ready to hand over Liu Ruyan to someone else.

In the business world, this is all necessary.

Although it might offend the great talent Zhou, anyone with a discerning eye knows that it is not her fault - even the Wang family can't get over it, so how could Zui Qinglou dare to disobey such a tough character.

As a madam who has been in this business for decades, she also knows one thing in her heart, that is, the Affairs Bureau has no intention of tearing its face apart, and even has some ideas of keeping it secret, otherwise it would not send only one person to negotiate, but instead bring a large group of people to seal up Zui Qinglou.

Li Xing put the silver aside, "I'll take it as your admission."

"Sir!" The proprietress said hurriedly, "This matter cannot be said to be reasonable, but it is also commonplace. The arrest team can't punish me for this, right?"

"Sir Xia did say that the law does not apply retroactively, so what you did to Miss Liu Ruyan is the last case." Li Xing took out a document and spread it in front of her, "This new policy will be announced soon. It prohibits restricting personal freedom, illegal imprisonment, and lynching. Take a look for yourself."

The proprietress leaned over and took a closer look and felt a chill on her back!

This new policy did not mention brothels at all, but the whole document hit her heart!

"Sir, this is not feasible!" The proprietress said sadly, "If there is no restriction on their movements, won't the girls be able to leave whenever they want? I have raised them for more than ten years, and I don't even have the power to beat or scold them? And what about those who sell themselves into slavery? Their freedom is not controlled by their masters? Once the new policy is released, this Jinxia City will definitely be in chaos!"

She knew very well how she made the courtesans obey her orders and earn a lot of money for her. First, they can't be locked up, and second, they can't be tortured. How many of them will stay in Zui Qinglou obediently?

Not to mention the courtesans, even the prostitutes would probably be ready to move.

Originally, the only way to restrict the latter is the ransom. What if another brothel offers a high price to buy them? Can't I break the other party's legs to set an example? Wouldn't the whole industry be in chaos?

"Don't take yourself too seriously. Even if only one out of ten brothels survive, Jinxia City will not be affected much." Li Xing imitated his boss' tone and said, "In short, this matter has been decided. Although the Prime Minister has stipulated that the law shall not be retroactive, you are required to inform every woman in the courtyard of the new regulations immediately. Neither the redemption fee nor the right to groom cannot be used as a reason to restrict freedom or threaten. If they are willing to redeem themselves in other ways, such as working to earn money, the brothel shall not interfere in any way."

"Sir, you are going to get drunk in the brothel!" the proprietress howled.

"The new regulations have been shown to you. It's up to you to decide what to do." Li Xing was indifferent - he knew that even if these people lost the brothel, they would have saved more than most of the city residents, and crying was just a bargaining gesture. "But if a similar situation happens again next time, you and I will not sit here to talk - there are still many empty dungeons in the Privy Council."

...

Led by Li, Liu Ruyan walked into the mansion in the center of the Privy Council. The little girl she saw that day came out of this big house.

After passing a lobby full of tables, they came to a side room full of candles, and Li closed the door behind her.

"Please sit down."

The man who was writing something quickly at the square table pointed to a chair opposite.

It was not until Liu Ruyan sat down that she realized that the man in simple gray cloth in front of her was probably the head of the Affairs Bureau and the Privy Council, the favorite of Princess Guangping, the Prime Minister.

And the other party's words also confirmed her guess.

"I am Xia Fan. You are Liu Ruyan, right?" He picked up a stack of papers and asked while flipping through them, "Hey, it's troublesome without electricity. It's hard to look at the list."

Electric... light? Liu Ruyan blinked, what is that?

"Master Xia, please restrain yourself." Li on the side reminded expressionlessly.

"Well, according to the content filled in the registration form..." Xia Fan's eyes stayed on a place on the paper, "You are familiar with poetry and prose, know how to paint, and can play the piano and chess?"

Liu Ruyan couldn't help but feel her cheeks a little hot - in order to increase the possibility of passing the registration, she wrote down everything she knew. Although she can be called good at it in Zui Qinglou, it is just a small square well. As the saying goes, there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens. She doesn't think these things can catch the other party's eye.

After all, this person is a child of destiny who has already grasped the power of the prefecture prime minister before he was twenty years old. He is a rare existence in the whole Daqi.

"My Lord, I only know a little bit..."

The fox demon couldn't help but chuckle.

Xia Fan also smiled.

Liu Ruyan was a little nervous for a moment. Did she answer something wrong?

"What a coincidence," Xia Fan put down the list and said, "I just happen to know a little bit of everything. But a little bit is enough. Just based on this resume, you are an excellent talent needed by the Affairs Bureau. I happen to have a job that is very short of people. Miss Liu, are you willing to give it a try?"

Excellent talent...job...?

The meaning of this sentence, could it be--

Liu Ruyan raised her head in surprise, "My Lord, you mean..."

"Well," Xia Fan nodded, "You have been selected as a candidate official."