Chapter 113: Inciting Servants to Commit Violence

The practice of officials consorting with courtesans has existed since ancient times. Before the Tang Dynasty, the aristocracy held firm control over the government, and such conduct was prevalent among the elite, high-ranking officials, and the nobility. After the Sui and Tang periods, particularly during the Song Dynasty, the imperial court adopted a policy of "valuing the literati" and greatly expanded the civil service examination system. As this system matured, the power of the old noble clans waned, shattering their monopoly on governance and making scholar-officials the primary patrons of the courtesan trade.

Feasting and summoning courtesans for entertainment became a staple of the daily lives of the scholar-official class. The Song Dynasty’s expansion of the examination system led to a degree of "bureaucratic redundancy," and an increase in the number of officials naturally meant an increase in the number of government-sanctioned courtesans serving them. As the saying went, "Everywhere has become a workshop of mist and moon; such is the vulgarity of the customs that the houses selling flesh in the capital now number in the tens of thousands." It was precisely this quantitative change in supply and demand, driven by the bloated Song bureaucracy, that caused the number of courtesans in the Eastern Capital alone to soar into the thousands.

Although the Song Dynasty had long established an "Edict Against Consorting with Courtesans"—with the *Song Penal Code* strictly prohibiting officials from consorting with or keeping courtesans, and repeated injunctions issued to prevent official corruption and moral decay—the court essentially adopted an attitude of tacit approval. The court and even the emperors themselves were indulgent; ministers, nobles, and emperors alike were often mired in lust. With officials following the example set by their superiors and the Song inheriting the laxer social norms of the Tang, the practice was impossible to eradicate. In time, the court simply turned a blind eye.

For scholars, especially those from humble backgrounds, the only path to improving their station was to master the Confucian classics and participate in the imperial examinations to attain the title of *Jinshi*. These scholars, well-versed in the teachings of the sages, were ostensibly taught to curb their desires and strive for moral perfection. Yet, despite strict laws and moral constraints, they could not resist using courtesans to satisfy their inner and physical cravings. A unique, subtle bond formed between these courtesans and the literati—the women admired the scholars, and through their social exchanges, a mutual appreciation often blossomed, a sense of "two souls adrift in the world" meeting too late. Thus, the officials and courtesans of the Song enacted countless tales of joy and heartbreak.

However, this was merely a tacit tolerance; the "Edict Against Consorting with Courtesans" was never officially repealed. When officials could find no other leverage against their political rivals, they would often use the accusation of consorting with or keeping courtesans as a pretext to strike.

This was precisely why Li Sanjian used the accusation against Master Hong, leaving the man speechless and breaking into a cold sweat. If the imperial censors were to learn of this and submit a report, Master Hong’s potential transfer to a new post might vanish, leaving him in an indefinite state of waiting for a vacancy. Of course, this assumed the matter had political utility; the censors were not idle, and a minor official waiting for a post was hardly worth their effort.

"I... I... how have I consorted with... or kept... a courtesan? She is... she is my wife!" Master Hong stammered, still grasping at straws. "Jinzhi, isn't that so?"

"That is right, I have long been his... his wife," Lin Jinzhi replied, naturally taking his side.

"Ha!" Li Sanjian laughed heartily at this. "A wife? Do you take us for three-year-olds? If she is your wife, why is she here? Why is she performing for entertainment? And if she is your wife, do you have the official documents to prove it?"

"This... this..." Master Hong was rendered speechless again, stuttering in his inability to answer. How could he produce such documents? Lin Jinzhi had not yet been redeemed from her contract; no such papers existed.

Li Sanjian had no desire to involve himself in this mess, but two things compelled him: first, Gao Er was in a difficult spot; second, Li Sanjian had been enjoying the *Cleansing Heart Mantra* and had nearly reached a state of inner peace when he was rudely interrupted, which greatly annoyed him. Finally, as a protégé of Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, he could not allow the Prince to be embarrassed.

"Heh," Zhao Ji, seeing that Li Sanjian had gained the upper hand, finally laughed aloud. "As an official of the court, to consort with a courtesan, keep her, and then cause such a scene—why do you not withdraw at once?"

The constant repetition of the word "courtesan" by Zhao Ji and Li Sanjian was deeply humiliating for Lin Jinzhi. Seeing her lover in such an awkward position, she spoke up: "The gentlemen are being too harsh. The official only came to visit me; why describe it in such terms? Furthermore, you yourselves are here at the Fengle Pavilion to listen to music and enjoy yourselves. Does that mean you are also consorting with or keeping courtesans? Is that not a bit of a stretch? People come and go at the Fengle Pavilion every day; are all of them consorting with courtesans?"

Lin Jinzhi then pursed her lips and smiled seductively, adding, "Are you not here at my Fengle Pavilion today for the very same reason?"

The number of people who came to the Fengle Pavilion for pleasure was vast, including many high-ranking officials and nobles. If the standard for consorting with or keeping courtesans were applied strictly, not one of them could escape the "Edict." In this light, a minor official like Master Hong was of little consequence. Moreover, Zhao Ji was dressed in opulent attire, clearly of extraordinary status, and Li Sanjian and Gao Er were dressed far above the common folk—likely from noble houses themselves. Li Sanjian, in particular, was dressed as a scholar, and for a scholar to seek pleasure at the Fengle Pavilion was also a breach of virtue and a violation of Confucian teaching. Lin Jinzhi had already begun to dimly suspect their identities.

Her words left Li Sanjian silent; they were too difficult to refute. If they did not admit to consorting with courtesans, then Master Hong could not be accused either. If Master Hong were guilty, then Li Sanjian and Zhao Ji were equally culpable. Especially regarding Zhao Ji—Li Sanjian knew the Prince's identity well, and with his own conscience pricking him, he could not maintain a righteous stance.

Lin Jinzhi’s words also served as a reminder to Master Hong.

"You... who are you?" Master Hong asked, looking at Zhao Ji and stammering. "I feel as if I have seen you somewhere before."

"Nonsense! How... how would I know you?" Zhao Ji was secretly alarmed and quickly denied it, then turned to Li Sanjian and whispered, "Let's leave, quickly!"

Though it was fashionable for Song scholars and literati to consort with and keep courtesans, and many nobles and royals did the same, it was done in the shadows. To have such matters brought into the light was entirely inappropriate. As a member of the royal family, Zhao Ji was expected to be a model for the realm. If he were caught frequenting such places, it would be a source of great shame, and if the matter escalated, he might face punishment, such as a reduction in his stipend. Moreover, Zhao Ji was at a critical juncture in his life; if he were caught in a scandal now, all would be lost. Furthermore, he had snuck out on his wedding night to seek pleasure; if this were known, he would be disgraced, the royal family would lose face, and the Empress Dowager Xiang would not let him off lightly.

Li Sanjian nodded, exchanged a look with Gao Er, and stepped in front of Zhao Ji. Gao Er took two quick steps, intending to escort the Prince out through the back door. They could not use the main entrance; to do so would be to walk right into a trap.

"You... you are Prince Duan... I saw you at the Great Court Assembly." Master Hong had finally realized that the noble young man before him was indeed Prince Duan, Zhao Ji.

At this point, Master Hong would not let them leave. He was filled with anger, and he realized that if he held leverage over the Prince, he would have a bargaining chip. Exposing a royal scandal might even earn him a reputation for uprightness, potentially smoothing the path for his future career. He stepped forward to block their way.

"Take him!" Li Sanjian, sensing the danger, shouted decisively and threw a punch at Master Hong’s face.

This was no time for debate; the longer they tangled, the more complicated things would become. They had to act decisively and resolve the trouble quickly. Though Li Sanjian was a scholar without formal martial training, years of physical exercise and his own youthful strength made his punch quite heavy. He struck Master Hong squarely, drawing blood from his nose and causing him to wail in agony. Through his long-standing "sparring" with the Princess, Li Sanjian had unconsciously picked up some of her ferocity.

Seeing the urgency, Gao Er did not hold back either. He kicked Master Hong, sending him sprawling over ten feet away. Unlike Li Sanjian, Gao Er had some martial ability and was a skilled *cuju* player; his kick was fierce, sending Master Hong to the floor, where his howling became even louder.

"Get out of the way!" Li Sanjian pushed aside the terrified Lin Jinzhi and, together with Gao Er, shielded Zhao Ji as they rushed through a small door to exit.

The sudden turn of events left everyone in the Fengle Pavilion in a state of shock, not knowing what to do.

"Prince Duan is summoning courtesans... and he’s assaulting people! Someone help! Prince Duan is using his retainers to commit violence!" Master Hong cried out from the floor, his robes stained with blood from his nose.

Coincidentally, an imperial censor surnamed Wu was drinking and making merry with friends in the pavilion. He heard the commotion, and being a subordinate of the Chancellor Zhang Dun, he took note of the name.

"Let's go," Censor Wu signaled his two attendants to leave the pavilion, then immediately circled back through another entrance. This allowed him to claim he was merely passing by and had stumbled upon the incident.

However, this caused a delay. By the time Censor Wu and his group of onlookers arrived, only Master Hong and Lin Jinzhi remained in the room, which was in complete disarray.

"Where is Prince Duan? Did you see clearly? Was it truly Prince Duan?" Censor Wu grabbed Master Hong and demanded.

"It was him... they just left through the back door," Master Hong replied.

"After them!" Censor Wu commanded.