The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 260

Chongming County is different from other counties in Suzhou Prefecture.

It's more accurate to call it Chongming Island than Chongming County. It's an island formed by the alluvial deposits of a river flowing into the sea. Although it wasn't as large as it would be in later times, it was still much larger than a typical county.

The biggest difference between Chongming Island and other counties is that it is very chaotic. The whole island is either fishermen or gangsters, all sorts of people from all walks of life.

However, since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there has been a maritime ban, so many fishermen can only go to sea secretly, and some even join pirate groups.

Zhou Chu, dressed in casual clothes, walked through the alleys of Chongming Island. Although the streets of Chongming Island were not chaotic, they were not as tidy as the streets of other places. Overall, they looked chaotic yet orderly.

The locals of Chongming Island are very comfortable here, and Zhou Chu and his group would easily get lost in the maze of alleys if they didn't have someone to guide them.

These alleyways are also a form of self-protection for the locals of Chongming Island.

"Young master, this street ahead is where the sex trade takes place. Most of the prostitutes here are clandestine prostitutes, but even they have powerful backers. On Chongming Island, anyone without connections would have been taken advantage of long ago."

Leading the way for Zhou Chu was a middle-aged man named Xu Duoyu, a manager of the Chen family on Chongming Island. Chen Chang had instructed him to be respectful to Zhou Chu and to do whatever Zhou Chu said.

Those who can survive on Chongming Island are all shrewd and capable. Upon hearing the patriarch's words, Xu Yu instantly understood that the young master in front of him was someone he could not afford to offend, or even a powerful figure whom the Chen family could not afford to offend.

"Which company does this Meng Yang you mentioned work for?"

Zhou Chu asked.

Meng Yang was the third leader of that group of Japanese pirates. He was extremely lecherous and would immediately go out for a good time once he landed. Zhou Chu's trip was specifically for Meng Yang.

After landing, the Japanese pirates scattered and went off to their own devices, leaving few guards in their stronghold.

In order to capture them all at once, Zhou Chu planned to find a pretext to arrest Meng Yang, such as a fight over a girl.

As a result, the Japanese pirates would naturally not give up easily. Not to mention gathering everyone, at least those who were having fun outside would be summoned back.

In this way, we can surround and annihilate them.

"Young master, come with me. Meng Yang's favorite place is Chunfeng Tower. His mistress there is named Hongyu, who is the top courtesan at Chunfeng Tower."

As he spoke, Yu quickened his pace, leading Zhou Chu and the others through the streets and alleys. Soon, a very luxurious brothel appeared in front of them. This brothel seemed out of place with the surrounding buildings, and the three words "Spring Breeze Pavilion" were prominently displayed on it.

"Okay, you go and do your work first."

Zhou Chu waved his hand and said.

Upon hearing this, Xu Duo bowed respectfully.

"I'll be waiting over there. If you need anything, please have someone call me."

After saying all that, he left.

Zhou Chu glanced at the Spring Breeze Pavilion in front of him, then led Shen Lian and Lin Lu inside.

To avoid alerting the enemy, Zhou Chu did not bring too many people with him. In such a place, the appearance of too many unfamiliar faces would definitely attract a lot of attention.

Of course, he wouldn't leave without anyone. Zhou Chu wouldn't put himself in danger. At this moment, there were already quite a few Imperial Guards hidden in the alley next to Chunfeng Tower. These Imperial Guards were all carefully selected, had been to Chongming Island, and even visited Chunfeng Tower. They were not unfamiliar faces.

After all, Zhou Chu could not fully trust Chen Chang at this time. If Chen Chang set a trap for him, Zhou Chu would have to have a way to retaliate.

Besides these Imperial Guards, the Tiger Army is poised to strike outside Chongming Island. Shen Lian and Lin Lu both have command tokens, and Zhou Chu will summon the Tiger Army if things go wrong.

"This young master looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting Chunfeng Pavilion?"

As soon as Zhou Chu and the others entered, the heavily made-up madam swayed over with a big smile on her face.

“It’s definitely my first time here.”

Zhou Chu did not respond to the madam's probing questions, whether intentional or not.

The madam was somewhat surprised to hear this. Normally, people would offer some explanation after hearing this, but this young man in front of her didn't even offer a single explanation, and judging from his tone of voice...

This person is no ordinary individual; he is either extremely wealthy or of high status.

The madam quickly drew a conclusion.

"Invite the three of you."

The madam instantly changed her demeanor, losing all her interrogation and becoming full of flattery.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu didn't stand on ceremony and casually walked inside.

Shen Lian and Lin Lu, who were visiting such a place for the first time, blushed as they looked at the scantily clad women in the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

"These two behind you, young master?"

The madam laughed when she saw their reaction.

"They were both virgins. I originally wanted to take them to the brothels in our area to broaden their horizons, but they were afraid that it would be bad if word got out locally, so they absolutely refused. That's why I brought them here."

Zhou Chu looked at Shen Lian and the other person with some disdain.

Upon hearing this, the madam suddenly realized what was going on.

"I've long heard that Chunfeng Tower is extraordinary. The girls there are all incredibly beautiful and skilled. I've always wanted to come here."

Zhou Chu said in a slightly frivolous tone.

"You're right about that. In the entire Suzhou Prefecture, there aren't many places that can compare to our Chunfeng Pavilion. What our Chunfeng Pavilion girls can do, those little sluts in other places can't."

As the madam spoke, she led Zhou Chu and the others into a side room.

After Zhou Chu and the others were seated, one exquisite dish after another was served.

"Does the young master know any young ladies?"

The madam looked at Zhou Chu and said.

The madam was only asking this as a routine question; new customers rarely knew any of the girls well.

But Zhou Chu insisted on ordering at the appointed time.

"I've heard from a friend that the Red Jade at your Spring Breeze Pavilion is incredibly radiant. Call her over so I can take a look."

Hongyu was the top courtesan at Chunfeng Tower, so the madam wasn't surprised to hear this, though she looked somewhat troubled.

"how?"

Zhou Chu raised an eyebrow and said.

"It's not that I don't want to call for the young master, it's just that Hongyu has guests at the moment, so it's not convenient."

The madam didn't say she couldn't call him, she just said it was inconvenient; she was simply waiting for the right price.

In brothels, there's no morality to speak of. As long as you pay enough, they'll call over any girl who's in bed right now.

Zhou Chu took out a one-hundred-tael silver note and placed it on the table. The madam's eyes widened when she saw the face value of the note.

"I won't force you. Just call her over and have a drink and chat with us brothers, and this hundred taels will be yours. Today, I'd like to see how well this Miss Hongyu is treated."

Zhou Chu spoke with the air of a spoiled young master.

"Please wait a moment, young master, I will go and fetch Hongyu for you."

The madam calmly slipped the silver notes into her bosom.