Chapter 23: Come On, Let's Head to the Brothel

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Tong decided to head into the city accompanied by his second-in-command, Xie Hu, and a sharp-witted follower nicknamed "Little Rat," to properly scout out the ropes of purchasing an official position.

Hearing this, Xie Hu scratched his head, his face filled with confusion. "Brother Xie, when we get to the city, where exactly should we go to ask about such a thing? Buying an official post is no small matter; if we approach the wrong person and word gets out, we’ll be in serious trouble."

A mysterious smile played on the corners of Chen Tong’s lips. "To the brothels. That place is a melting pot of people from all walks of life, and the flow of information there is the most fluid. Many secrets of the officialdom can likely be uncovered there."

"A brothel?" Xie Hu’s eyes widened, his face etched with astonishment. "Brother Xie, that’s a place of ill repute. Is it really appropriate for us to go there?"

Chen Tong laughed and patted Xie Hu on the shoulder. "Second-in-command, you don’t understand. The more disreputable the place, the more secrets it hides. High-ranking officials and nobles also enjoy seeking pleasure there. If we go, we might just overhear some crucial intelligence. Rest assured, as long as we act with caution, there will be no problems."

"Little Rat" chimed in from the side, unable to help himself. "That’s right, Second-in-command. Brother Xie must have thought this through carefully; let’s just follow his lead."

With that, Chen Tong exchanged some system credits for shiny silver ingots and carefully tucked them into his robe. He then carefully selected a scholarly, light-blue robe, soft in texture and embroidered with delicate cloud patterns, and donned a black square cap. The transformation made him appear quite refined. Although a bandit by trade, Chen Tong possessed a scholarly air, and in this attire, he looked every bit the educated scholar.

The three arrived in the city, with Chen Tong leading the way and Xie Hu and "Little Rat" trailing behind. The city streets were bustling and lively, filled with the intermingling sounds of hawkers calling their wares and people haggling. The moment Chen Tong appeared, some eyes turned toward him with strange expressions. In this city, there were still those who recognized Chen Tong the "Scholar," though his reputation left much to be desired. Rumor had it that despite his learning, he was wayward and kept close company with unsavory characters from the underworld.

"Look, isn't that Chen Tong? I hear he spends all his time with those riffraff. Who knows what kind of trouble he’s stirring up," one passerby whispered to his companion.

"Indeed. A scholar who refuses to study for the imperial examinations—what a waste of his education," the other agreed.

These comments reached Chen Tong’s ears, but he remained indifferent, strolling through the city with a calm and composed expression. He paused occasionally to look at street stalls, picking up trinkets to examine, or whispered a few words to Xie Hu.

"Second-in-command, look at that calligraphy and painting stall over there. We might be able to glean something from the owner," Chen Tong said, gesturing toward a small stall nearby.

The three approached, and Chen Tong spoke politely to the proprietor. "Boss, your paintings look quite good. I presume you’ve been in this city for quite a few years?"

The proprietor, a middle-aged man, looked at Chen Tong and smiled. "The gentleman has a keen eye. I’ve been selling these here for over a decade. If you like anything, feel free to pick it out; the price is negotiable."

Chen Tong smiled and continued, "Boss, I’ve heard there have been some shifts in the city’s officialdom. Do you happen to know anything about that?"

At the mention of this, the proprietor’s expression shifted slightly. He looked around warily and said, "Sir, I dare not speak carelessly of such matters. You’d best ask elsewhere."

Chen Tong realized the man knew something but was afraid to disclose it easily. He pulled a silver ingot from his robes and placed it on the stall. "Boss, a small token of my appreciation. I hope you can make things easy for me."

The proprietor eyed the silver, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately tucked it away. He leaned in and whispered, "Sir, I can only give you a rough idea. I’ve heard there are several vacancies in official posts recently, and many people are pulling strings. I don’t know the specifics, but I can recommend someone for you to meet..."

Following the lead provided by the stall owner, the three found the so-called "Versatile Intermediary" in a somewhat secluded alley. He was a lean, middle-aged man with sharp, shrewd eyes, clearly a veteran of the underworld. Seeing Chen Tong and his companions enter, his face immediately broke into a warm, welcoming smile.

"Well, if it isn't Scholar Xie! What wind has blown you here?"

Chen Tong responded with a smile. "It’s been a while. I have a matter at hand and wanted to consult you."

After some pleasantries, Chen Tong got straight to the point. "I hear you have wide connections and can handle any matter. I’d like to know how much you understand about purchasing an official post."

The intermediary’s smile faded slightly. He checked his surroundings, confirmed they were alone, and lowered his voice. "Scholar Xie, buying an official post is no small affair. Are you truly planning to get involved?"

Chen Tong nodded firmly. "I do have that intention. Just tell me the state of the market."

The intermediary sighed helplessly. "Fine. Since you asked, I’ll tell you the truth. In this day and age, even the most minor post requires tens of thousands of taels of silver. If it’s a position with any real profit, the price is astronomical—hundreds of thousands of taels might not even be enough."

Hearing this figure, Xie Hu couldn't help but gasp. "What? That much! That’s nothing short of daylight robbery!"

The intermediary glanced at Xie Hu and sneered. "Find it expensive? That is the current market rate I’m giving you. There are plenty of people who want to be officials; if you don’t pay that price, there are plenty who will."

He turned back to Chen Tong and advised, "Scholar Xie, I think you should drop the idea. You’re a man of letters; even if your reputation isn't the best, you shouldn't be walking this path. The waters of officialdom are deep—it’s not as simple as you think."

Chen Tong was not deterred. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Is there anything relatively cheaper, but still with some real authority?"

The intermediary shook his head. "Scholar Xie, that’s not realistic. Either spend the big money for a good spot, or don't bother. With the silver you have on hand, I suggest you forget it."

Unfazed, Chen Tong chuckled and said, "Boss Zhang, the truth is this: the two men behind me are from Black Wind Village, trying to make a living in the city. I went out for an excursion recently and accidentally fell into the water; it was thanks to them that I was saved. Thinking they have no good prospects in the village, I wanted to help them find a decent job."

The intermediary frowned slightly, looked Xie Hu and "Little Rat" up and down, then turned back to Chen Tong and spoke slowly.