Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 7 Who says visiting brothels isn't a proper business?

After leaving the accounting room, Lin Chen did not leave the manor directly, but instead turned a corner and went to his sister-in-law Liu Ruyan's courtyard.

In the courtyard, Liu Ruyan was practicing her swordplay.

She was dressed in a red outfit, holding a three-foot-long sword that gleamed like snow, her movements lithe and agile.

Although she was a woman, her swordsmanship carried the spirit of a battlefield, with wide, sweeping, and extremely sharp movements.

Lin Chen stood at the courtyard gate and watched quietly for a while.

Liu Ruyan's swordsmanship is indeed excellent, having reached the second rank.

But in the eyes of a master like him, there were still many flaws.

After finishing a set of sword techniques, Liu Ruyan sheathed her sword and stood up, slightly out of breath.

Turning her head and seeing Lin Chen, she frowned: "What brings you here?"

"I came to watch my sister-in-law practice her swordplay." Lin Chen said with a smile as he walked into the courtyard. "And I'd like to ask you a question."

"What's the problem?"

"If I want to open a private club exclusively for high-ranking officials and dignitaries, what safety precautions should I take?"

Liu Ruyan was taken aback: "A club? What are you up to now?"

"It's a legitimate business," Lin Chen said seriously. "Fifth Sister-in-law is short of money, so I need to find a way to earn some."

Liu Ruyan snorted coldly: "What legitimate business could you possibly have? Don't tell me it's some kind of brothel or gambling den again."

"Sister-in-law, those words were hurtful," Lin Chen said, feeling aggrieved. "Am I that kind of person?"

"You are," Liu Ruyan said bluntly.

Lin Chen touched his nose, not angry at all:

"Then, sister-in-law, tell me, if we really opened a place like this, how would we handle security? After all, these are all important people coming here; what if something happens..."

Although Liu Ruyan was dissatisfied with Lin Chen, she was serious when it came to business. She pondered for a moment and said:

"First, the location should be in a safe area within the city, preferably near the Imperial City Guard or the Jingzhao Yin's office."

Secondly, the guards must be highly skilled, with at least several martial artists of the fifth rank or above stationed there.

Third, entry and exit must be strictly checked; weapons are not allowed inside. Fourth…

She rattled off seven or eight points in one breath, her words clear and logical, a testament to the upbringing she received as a daughter of a military family.

Lin Chen listened and nodded:

"Thank you for your guidance, sister-in-law, but... fifth-grade martial artists are hard to find, and they're expensive too."

"Aren't there guards in the manor?" Liu Ruyan asked. "Although their cultivation level isn't high, their loyalty is their greatest asset."

"Those people aren't enough," Lin Chen shook his head. "I need real experts."

Liu Ruyan stared at him: "What exactly do you want to do?"

"Let's do some small business, and while we're at it..." Lin Chen leaned closer and lowered his voice, "to investigate certain people's backgrounds."

Liu Ruyan's eyes narrowed: "What are you investigating?"

"For example, who was in charge of allocating military supplies during the war in the North three years ago?" Lin Chen asked, looking at her.

"For example, did Father receive any unusual intelligence before he went to war?"

Liu Ruyan's expression changed drastically: "You suspect..."

"I doubt everything." Lin Chen took a half step back, his nonchalant smile returning.

"So, sister-in-law, can you do me a favor? You know better than I do about the training of the guards in the manor."

"Help me pick a few reliable people. I'll provide the money, you provide the labor, and we'll get the club up and running together."

After a long silence, Liu Ruyan finally said, "I need time to think about it."

"No rush," Lin Chen said. "Just give me an answer in three days."

Lin Chen was in a good mood after leaving Liu Ruyan's courtyard.

Today's trip was very fruitful.

The goal wasn't to recruit people, but to build a closer relationship with my sister-in-law.

Fifth Sister-in-law secured the start-up capital, and Eldest Sister-in-law also expressed interest in cooperation.

Next, it was time to "investigate the market".

He returned to the West Garden, changed into an inconspicuous blue cloth robe, and put on the disguise mask awarded by the system.

The mask felt cool against my face.

Lin Chen looked at himself in the bronze mirror. The face in the mirror was that of an ordinary middle-aged man, someone who would be hard to spot in a crowd.

"Good stuff," he exclaimed, and quietly scaled the wall to leave the mansion.

……

Baihualou, one of the largest brothels in the capital, was located on the most bustling street in the south of the city.

As dusk settles, the place is already bustling with people, and the sounds of string and wind instruments fill the air.

Lin Chen slipped in through the back door.

This was the route the original owner usually took, which the madam had specially arranged for him.

However, he was disguised today, and no one recognized him.

"Sir, you don't look familiar," a pimp greeted him.

Lin Chen tossed over a silver ingot: "Find a private room, something quiet. Also, call a few girls, they need to be discreet and well-informed."

The pimp weighed the silver in his hand, beaming, "Alright! This way, please!"

The private room was in a corner on the second floor, and it was indeed quiet.

Before long, three young women pushed open the door and came in. They were all old ladies from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. One was named Hongxiu, another Cuiyan, and the third Yunshang.

"Would you like to listen to music or drink wine, sir?" Hongxiu was the oldest, about twenty-five or twenty-six, and still retained her charm.

"Listening to music and drinking are both fine," Lin Chen gestured for them to sit down, "I mainly want to chat."

He then took out a few silver ingots and placed them on the table: "This is for the wine. If we have a good chat, there will be an additional reward."

The three girls' eyes lit up.

"What would you like to talk about, Master?" Cuiyan, being the quickest of the bunch, immediately sat down next to Lin Chen.

"Let's chat about the latest happenings in the capital," Lin Chen said, pouring them wine.

"For example, which important figures have been frequenting this place lately? What do they like? What peculiar habits do they have?"

Yunshang covered her mouth and laughed, "Is Master trying to curry favor and climb the social ladder?"

"Smart." Lin Chen didn't deny it. "He's starting a small business and wants to find some backers."

The three girls exchanged glances, and Hongxiu spoke first:

"Speaking of regular customers, Vice Minister Liu from the Ministry of War is one of them. He comes every ten days without fail, specifically requesting girls who play the pipa, and he likes to listen to stirring pieces like 'Ambush from Ten Sides'."

"Liu Kun?" Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat.

"Yes, it's him," Cuiyan replied.

"However, this man has a strange personality. He doesn't let girls get close when he listens to music; he just drinks by himself."

Once, when he was drunk, he muttered something like, "The snow in the North is so cold."

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

"And there's Principal Wang from the Ministry of Rites," Yunshang said. "He's a distant nephew of Minister Wang, and he likes to play the refined game. Every time he comes, he wants you to accompany him in composing poems. But his skill level... hehe."

"The Wang family?" Lin Chen asked.

"Absolutely," Hongxiu said in a low voice.

"Master, be careful. Those young masters of the Wang family are not easy to deal with."

Especially the Third Young Master Wang Sheng, who was throwing a tantrum here just a few days ago, saying that he had been humiliated by some Eighth Young Master Lin and was looking for a chance to get revenge.

Lin Chen remained expressionless: "Eighth Young Master Lin? The one from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

"It's him," Cuiyan said.

"But speaking of which, Young Master Lin hasn't come for a while."

He used to be a regular here, generous with his money and quite funny..."

"You like him?" Yunshang teased.

"Get lost!" Cuiyan blushed. "I just think that although Young Master Lin is a playboy, he never bullies girls. He's much better than those hypocritical gentlemen."

Lin Chen chuckled inwardly; the original owner of this body did have some redeeming qualities.

The three of them talked for almost half an hour, one after the other.

Lin Chen subtly guided the conversation, gaining a fairly good understanding of the preferences and interpersonal relationships of the high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital.

Finally, he asked again:

"By the way, I heard that Zuiyuexuan in the east of the city is going to be sold. Do you know anything about it?"

Hongxiu's expression changed: "Why are you asking this, sir?"

"I'd like to take it over and start a business."

"I advise you, sir, not to get involved." Hongxiu shook her head.

"Old Master Zhao of Zuiyuexuan owed gambling debts and sold his daughter to the steward of the Second Prince's residence as a concubine."

The manager promised to help him pay off his debts, but then reneged on his promise.

Now Boss Zhao is driven to the brink of desperation; that piece of land... has long been coveted by the Second Prince's residence.

Cuiyan added, "Yes, last month someone even caused trouble at Zuiyue Pavilion, scaring away all the customers."

Boss Zhao reported it to the authorities, but the yamen (government office) completely ignored it. Anyone with eyes to see knew that the Second Prince was trying to force him to sell his property at a low price.

Lin Chen seemed to be deep in thought.

It seems that the waters of Zuiyue Pavilion are even deeper than Wen Ruoxi described.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the door.

"Get out of the way! This is the private room I want, who dares to take it!"

It was Wang Sheng's voice.

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow; it really was a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road.