Chapter 275: Le's Declaration of Emperorship (2)
Twelve thousand miles southeast of Haojing, on the shore of a large lake, is Lezhou.
Of course, nineteen years ago, Lezhou was not called Lezhou.
But since Le became the empress dowager, Le Wu became the general, and the entire Le family became the top-level relatives of Dayin, this place became Lezhou, and Lezhou City gradually evolved into the core of the surrounding six states.
Lezhou has an abnormal prosperity.
In Haojing, many things followed regulations and complied with various etiquette and rituals. There were strict rules on how much land the mansions of high-ranking officials occupied, which way the doors faced, where things should be built, and how the streets were divided into military roads, official roads, civilian roads, and streets for daily travel by the general public.
Even in Wuyinfang and Kunpengfang, as well as the four major blocks of Guotai, Min'an, Fengdiao and Yushun, the number of brothels was strictly restricted.
As for Lezhou...
In the core location of Lezhou City, on the third floor , Lu Yi sat at a large table by the window, looking at the street outside with a silly look on his face.
As far as he could see, on both sides of the short three-mile-long street, there were nine brothels, eight casinos, and four large bathhouses...
The streets were bustling with people, the density of people was at least three times that of the capital city of Hao. In many places, carriages and pedestrians were crowded together, shouting and yelling at each other, causing complete chaos.
In broad daylight, brothels are open for business, with many girls jumping, laughing and playing on the high platform built in front of the door, inadvertently revealing their charming and graceful looks.
As a result, many men who were already high in the daytime, whether they were young masters or peddlers, crowded together, laughing, scolding and shouting at the girl on the platform, making the whole street even more smoky and congested.
Lu Yi, who had just entered the city, had not yet seen enough of the customs and people of this street when, on the roof of a tall building on the side of the road, several men in gray night clothes with veils on their faces were already hopping and flying past like fleas in broad daylight.
On the street, a group of constables with martial-like figures, each with a round belly and fat on their chests and bellies shaking when they ran, were holding swords of various colors and running breathlessly on the street.
As they ran, the police chiefs screamed at the top of their lungs: "Catch the thief, catch the thief... catch the flying thief... one thousand guan, one thousand guan... a clear reward , this time, we won't take kickbacks!"
Lu Yu's face twitched violently.
Are you saying this so openly?
'No kickbacks this time'?
In other words, if you helped the government office in Lezhou City to arrest people, the reward would still be deducted?
With a loud bang, the windows on the top floor of a restaurant called Zuilianyi, which was diagonally opposite Tianrenju, were shattered. Seven or eight burly figures rushed out, waving weapons and chasing after the fleeing figure in front.
As they chased, these burly figures were still yelling, "Sir, we won't take kickbacks this time... It's a deal!"
The man running in front had very good martial arts skills, his steps were light and his speed was very fast. He stepped on the roof tiles as lightly as a flea, without breaking a single tile.
As for the fighting power of this group of brave and righteous people behind, it is unclear.
But their method of lightening the body and leaping high... Lu Yi felt extremely embarrassed watching it. It was just like a group of bears jumping on the roof. Wherever they passed, they would crush a large piece of roof tiles with one foot, causing the owners of various shops along the street to curse in unison.
"I've learned a lot!" Lu Yi picked up a chicken leg and stuffed it into the pocket of Da Huang who was squatting beside him.
He picked up another boiled egg and stuffed it into his sleeve. The green snake opened its mouth and swallowed the boiled egg in one gulp.
The caracal squatting on the table grabbed a piece of juicy stewed beef with one claw and ate it happily in two or three bites.
The big parrot, which had long been full and satisfied, lay on the window frame, looking at the group of men chasing and fighting each other, and suddenly sneered: "A bunch of stupid birds."
Except for the alligator snapping turtle that was too large and too slow in movement and was left in the Gaojing residence, four of the five uncles around Lu Yi were brought out this time.
This was a good job given by Master Langyue of Shuiyue Zen Temple, allowing him to observe the "evil demon from outer space" up close!
How do I describe this assignment?
Lu Yu touched his cheek and laughed.
The job wasn't very good, but the benefits were really good - Lu Yu now looked like a 10-foot-tall, burly, bearded man with a heroic look.
This is the magical effect of a 'Dream Bubble Pearl' given by Zen Master Langyue. After the pearl is refined, it will naturally merge with Lu Yi's body. It can change its appearance and conceal its breath according to his wishes. It can be said to have infinite uses.
After a hearty meal, when the caracal was so full that he lay on the table too lazy to move, Lu Yi waved to the waiter who was standing nearby and glancing at him from time to time.
The waiter hurried over and looked at Da Huang, who was squatting beside Lu Yi but was almost as tall as an ordinary person. He bowed to Lu Yi with both respect and fear: "Master, what can I do for you?"
Lu Yi took out a small silver ingot and threw it to the waiter: "This is a reward for you... Look at how scared you are. Da Huang doesn't bite people!"
Lu Yi patted Dahuang's head gently. Dahuang lowered his head and spit out a bone that he had licked clean.
The waiter smiled awkwardly, "I was wrong... This beast of mine is truly extraordinary. Many young masters from Lezhou City come to our Tianren Residence with their beloved pets... But, I am not well-informed, and I have never seen such a tall and strong beast!"
Dahuang turned his head and nodded to Xiao Er in a very humane way.
Well, you compliment my tall and handsome figure, which shows that you, the waiter, have good taste.
Lu Yi smiled, waved his hand, and threw away the gossip. He coughed lightly and said, "Waiter, I want to ask, I want to buy some property in Lezhou, but I don't know where is the best location?"
These waiters were all cunning ghosts. When they heard Lu Yi asking about this and had just received Lu Yi's reward, they immediately became interested.
He quickly described to Lu Yi the advantages and disadvantages of each location in Lezhou City.
Lu Yi listened carefully and remembered everything the waiter said.
The truth is, this Lezhou City, and even the six surrounding states that are completely controlled by the Le family, the Dayin court is completely out of control.
In the six states, including all the counties, prefectures, towns, villages, etc. under its jurisdiction, there was not a single secret spy of the Palace Guard, and there was not even a single base of the Palace Guard. Lu Yi wanted to find out the news, but he could not find a way.
Le was the empress dowager for nineteen years, and Le Wu was the general for nineteen years. All the court forces in Lezhou City, including the six surrounding states, had long been purged.
How could Yinyuan and Yu Changle risk angering the empress dowager and the general by placing spies in these six states?
So, there is a blank here.
Since Lu Yi was sent here, he could only ask these little brats from the market for information.
The waiter spoke very frankly.
The entire city of Lezhou is extremely prosperous, and there is no obvious distinction between the upper and lower classes between the markets. No matter where you go, all you see is extreme wealth, luxury and enjoyment.
But if we have to say the best location, there is no doubt that the closer to the market town of Yuefu, the more expensive the land price and the higher the class of the residents.
Especially the City Lord's Mansion of Lezhou City, which is the power center of the Le family in Lezhou, as well as the Yuefu behind the City Lord's Mansion, and the "Qingping Leyuan" built on the east side of Yuefu relying on the "Qingping Mountain" and "Qingping Lake", and the surrounding "Qingpingfang", are the richest areas in Lezhou City.
A large number of Le clan members, as well as civil and military officials of Lezhou, Le clan’s in-laws, etc., all lived in that area.
"But, sir, don't blame me for being nosy." The waiter blinked and lowered his voice: "As for Qingpingfang, unless you have a relationship with the Le family, otherwise... Lezhou City is so big, every place is a good location. There is no need for you to go there!"
Lu Yu looked at the waiter curiously: "Oh? Is there any other explanation?"
The waiter just smiled and said nothing.
Lu Yi took out a small gold ingot and shook it in front of the waiter.
The waiter just shook his head and took two steps back. "Lezhou City is very big, and there are good locations everywhere. You are an outsider and want to buy property. There are places like 'Huanshafang', 'Waiyuefang', and 'Chenyufang'. They are all first-class locations. Whether it is a house, a shop, or other property, we have everything."
"I've said too much. Seeing your extraordinary demeanor, I think you are also a knowledgeable person... Just make your own decision!"
As the waiter was talking, there was a sudden 'bang bang' sound of a gong outside.
When Lu Yi looked back, he saw several yamen runners in red clothes, carrying a large copper gong with a diameter of three feet and parading through the city. They struck the gong vigorously as they walked.
"According to the order of the general, the Qingpingfang City Lord's Mansion has issued a notice to recruit talents!"
"Anyone who has a skill and is willing to serve the general can apply for the position."
"According to the order of the general, the Qingpingfang City Lord's Mansion has issued a notice to recruit talents!"
"Heroes, heroes from all over the world, wise and knowledgeable people, the Qingpingfang City Lord's Mansion is issuing a notice to recruit talents!"
Not long after this group of yamen runners passed by, a group of soldiers in helmets and armor came slowly towards them, escorting two wooden carts.
On the wooden cart, the bloody heads were extremely eye-catching.
On the street, pedestrians avoided the sight and looked at the neatly piled heads in horror.
"What's going on?" someone asked in the crowd.
"Hello, General, kill the traitor!" someone responded loudly.
"Traitor? Where did the traitor come from?" someone immediately responded.
"The treacherous ministers from Gaojing... The emperor is immoral and incompetent, and wants to exploit the people of Lezhou. He sent a group of corrupt and lawless bastards to mess with Lezhou, hoping to exploit the people."
"Fortunately, we have a great general in Lezhou... The great general was furious and directly ordered the execution of all the treacherous ministers sent by the tyrant monarch. Tsk tsk..."
Lu Yi looked at the heads and remained silent.
All the officials sent by Yinzhen to liquidate and inventory the six states of the Le family are finished!
When Lu Yi set out from Haojing, he had already prepared himself mentally - the Blood God Old Man would rescue Le Wu and take them back to Lezhou, and the officials sent by Yinzhen would not have a good end.
But no one expected that Le Wu would be so ruthless. He killed them all and even paraded their heads through the streets for public display!
"Qingpingfang, what a great location!" Lu Yi laughed, threw a large piece of gold on the table, and walked downstairs slowly with his hands behind his back.
Dahuang and Manul followed quickly.
The big parrot flapped its wings and soared into the sky.
