Robe Agents
There are two great joys in life: the wedding night and passing the imperial examination.
Fang Yu not only consummated his marriage, but also passed the imperial examination with flying colors.
Becoming a "Robe Agent Embroidered Robe Bureau" is equivalent to passing the imperial examination with flying colors; you've been listed with the King of Hell, and sooner or later you'll have to meet him.
However, it's not without its advantages.
As an office directly under the "sage," it had ample funding and could feast to its heart's content during case handling. Even though the lion's share went to the higher-ups, those below still managed to get a considerable cut.
The 'ten taels of silver' congratulatory gift given by Xu Ning was the resettlement allowance for the ' Robe Agent '.
The next day.
Fang Yu got up early for his morning exercise as usual. By the time he finished, Jiang Yue had already prepared the meal.
After he finished eating, he leisurely went out to do his job.
The Embroidered Robe Bureau's "Robe Agent" are divided into seven levels: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. These correspond to the Ninth Grade to Third Grade of martial arts. He is currently at the lowest level, "Scarlet Robe," belonging to the outermost periphery.
The Embroidered Robe Bureau is essentially a secret service agency, so his current public identity is still that of Xu Ning's lackey, only his status has been elevated to that of a 'gang member,' meaning he has become the nominal second-in-command among those dozen or so lackeys.
As a hanger-on, one's job is basically to call on others when needed and otherwise go about one's own business. Unlike the official clerks of the government office, one doesn't need to clock in. However, to do well under Xu Ning, one still needs to show up more often.
Therefore, when Fang Yu arrived at the west courtyard of the yamen, Zhou Daqing, Sun Laizi, and other idle men had already arrived in the courtyard.
They didn't have anything important to do; they just gathered together to brag and chat.
There were quite a few people like them gathered in groups of three or five, and each group had a 'catcher' above them, who, like Xu Ning, had the official status of a constable in the yamen.
Therefore, the west courtyard of the yamen became a gathering place for idlers every morning, and all sorts of rumors naturally spread there.
"A few days ago, the ' Exquisite Jade ' at Jinzhi Lane was put up for sale. Sixth Master Sun paid three thousand taels of silver for her virginity, and I heard that she will be officially listed tonight."
"Three thousand taels? Then Exquisite Jade will be the new top courtesan!"
"Who says otherwise!"
"Oh! Isn't this Master Fang? I heard you have great news, congratulations!"
"Master Hu, are you making fun of me?"
"Yesterday I heard from a merchant that a major case occurred in ' Long City ': an official from the capital and his entire family were beheaded; they died a horrific death. I heard it was done by the Embroidered Robe Bureau Robe Agent!"
"Hey, dogs fighting, all this squabbling! This whole Long City is full of corrupt officials, it would be better if they were all dead!"
"How was Widow Wang's experience?"
"..."
"Master Fang is here, please have a seat here!"
When Zhou Daqing, Sun Laizi, and the others saw Fang Yu arrive, they immediately greeted him. Sun Laizi even wiped the stool next to him with his arm, his face full of fawning smiles.
What are they all talking about?
Fang Yu sat down and casually said something.
"Speaking of Exquisite Jade, I've heard she's as beautiful as a fairy. We brothers are planning to pool our money and go to the Golden Branch Pavilion to see her for ourselves!"
"Why bother pooling money? I'll treat you, brother. Everyone who comes tonight, please."
As soon as Fang Yu finished speaking, the eyes of the many ruffians lit up with delight.
"Is what Master Fang said true?"
"How could it be fake!"
"Master Fang, you went to the Golden Branch Pavilion right after your wedding. Do you think your sister-in-law will forgive you?"
"Do I need her permission to go anywhere!"
"Master Fang is awesome!"
"..."
As they were having a lively conversation, the side door of the west courtyard opened, and several 'catchers' dressed in black emerged, one of whom was Xu Ning.
Xu Ning glanced at Fang Yu with a smile, then stepped closer. "From today onwards, Xu Fang is a 'helper,' so you guys all have to put up a good fight with her!"
Zhou Daqing immediately replied, "Don't worry, we will definitely help you!"
Sun Laizi quickly added, "Don't worry, Master Ning, from now on, whatever Master Fang says is your word!"
Fang Yu cupped his hands in thanks, "Thanks, brothers!"
Having confirmed Fang Yu's status as a "gang member," Xu Ning gestured for him to go aside to talk. Once they reached a secluded spot, Xu Ning took three portraits from his document pouch and handed them to Fang Yu, saying:
"Take a closer look at these three; these are the people the higher-ups are looking for!"
Fang Yu took the portraits and glanced at them, noticing that the people in the three portraits had somewhat wide-set eyes and brows, clearly not from the Great Wilderness.
"Barbarians?"
Xu Ning nodded and said, "That's right, barbarians from the northern Hui Kingdom."
Fang Yu examined the portraits closely and said with difficulty, "The Hui Kingdom all look quite similar, and there are many Hui Kingdom among the merchants who come and go. This is a bit difficult to find!"
Xu Ning nodded and said, "That's right, I think these Hui Kingdom are all the same, but there's nothing we can do about it. The higher-ups are looking for people from the Hui Kingdom, so naturally there are people specifically watching over the passing Hui Kingdom caravans."
"You and I, just focus on the streets. If we spot Hui Kingdom, we must carefully examine them. If we can find these people in the portraits, there will be a generous reward from above!"
"Understood, I'll make sure the brothers' eyes are wide open!"
Fang Yu put the portrait into his pocket as he spoke, "I heard from the brothers that the new top courtesan at the Golden Branch Pavilion, ' Exquisite Jade,' is going to open her shop tonight. I'm planning to invite the brothers to take a look. Is Master Ning free tonight?"
"You're really willing to do that!"
Xu Ning smiled and shook his head, saying, "Since you're treating, I won't go. Someone died in the East City, and I have to go with Chief Wu to investigate the case."
"Someone died? Do you need any help, brothers?" Fang Yu asked casually.
"There are no leads yet. I'll let you know when I need the brothers. Right now, your most important task is dealing with the Fiends!" Xu Ning added.
"Alright, then I'll go out with the brothers to patrol the streets!"
Fang Yu turned and beckoned the group of ruffians to leave. Once outside the west courtyard of the yamen, he called to Sun Laizi, "Go see if Scholar Zhang has set up his stall today."
"Hey!" Sun Laizi called out, then trotted away. A moment later, he returned, saying, "That poor scholar is dozing off at his stall!"
"Let's go!" Fang Yu said, leading the group to the entrance of a small alley next to a bookstore on North Peace Avenue.
At that moment, a scholar who looked to be in his early twenties was fast asleep on the stall.
"Wake up, hurry up!"
A few shouts immediately startled the scholar awake. He looked up at the crowd of ruffians surrounding the stall and, still half-asleep, yelled:
"What are you doing? Trying to extort money from me? Go ahead and sue me! I'm a 'student of the Imperial Academy'! Try touching me and you'll regret it!"
"Who's trying to extort money from me!"
Fang Yu stepped forward, took out three images from his pocket, and slapped them onto Scholar Zhang's desk. "Make me twenty copies of each, exactly the same. I'll give you six hundred coins, at your listed price of ten coins per copy."
Upon hearing this, Scholar Zhang immediately became alert. "Six hundred coins!"
He reached out and spread out the three pictures to examine them, glanced at Fang Yu, and held out his hand. "Pay first!"