Chapter 11: Sweeping the Ashes (Part 2)

On the way to the destination, Qi Xuansu was somewhat emotional.

They were both fourth-grade Taoist priests. Yao Pei caught Taoist priests on Difei Mountain, Zhang Yuelu caught evil cult demons in various places, and he caught brothels in the Imperial Capital. The gap was indeed quite large. It is conceivable that if nothing unexpected happens, the gap will become larger and larger in the future. However, Qi Xuansu was not completely without opportunities. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that something big might happen in the Imperial Capital. This was his opportunity. As long as he could seize this opportunity, he might be able to move up a level.

It is true that the Taoist sect has a year-off system, but the Taoist sect has long considered this point. For some special cases, there is also a temporary grade, or a job grade.

The so-called job grade is not the actual grade. To give a simple example, if someone is awarded the second-grade deputy palace master, it means that he is only regarded as a second-grade Taiyi Taoist priest when he is the deputy palace master. Once he leaves the job, he will no longer have this grade and return to the original Taoist grade. But the real second-grade Taiyi Taoist priests, regardless of whether they have relevant positions or not, are all second-grade Taiyi Taoist priests, even if they are demoted to the position of chief official.

Another point is that the promotion and demotion of positions is always relatively easy. Under sufficient reasons, the deputy palace master and deputy hall master can be arranged as the first-level deacon, the hall master, the palace master, and the palace master can be arranged as the first-level chief official, the deputy head of the sect can be arranged as the deputy palace master, the deputy hall master, and the assistant, and the grand master or the rotating grand master can be arranged as the hall master, the palace master, and the palace master.

The promotion and demotion of ranks is very serious. The third-grade Youyi Taoist priests were previously under the jurisdiction of Ziwei Hall, and the real masters and above must pass the review of Jinque. To give a simple example, Zhang Yuelu can promote Qi Xuansu to a deacon, but she cannot promote him from a seventh-grade Taoist priest to a sixth-grade Taoist priest. All she can do is report Qi Xuansu's merits.

This is the difference.

Temporary ranks are generally used in wartime. As the saying goes, heroes emerge in troubled times, and a large number of outstanding young people will emerge and jump to high positions. However, the suspension system will seriously hinder their promotion. It is not good enough for a fourth-rank priest to be the deputy palace master. If a fourth-rank priest is directly promoted to the second place, the chief, or even the master of a palace, it will be even worse. The subordinates have a higher rank than their superiors, which will undoubtedly cause chaos and cause many unnecessary troubles for the superiors to lead their subordinates.

Therefore, the job rank system came into being. It is not usually granted. Even Zhang Yuelu was not granted the position of the third-rank deputy palace master, but served as the deputy palace master with the rank of the fourth-rank priest.

If the Daoist sect is in chaos and begins to break the convention to use job ranks, and Qi Xuansu has made great contributions, then Donghua Zhenren, who controls Ziwei Hall, can grant Qi Xuansu a job rank. That is, Qi Xuansu's own rank is still a fourth-rank priest, enjoying the treatment of a fourth-rank priest, and at the same time he is a third-rank deputy palace master or a third-rank deputy hall master. As long as he is still in office, he is a third-rank Youyi Taoist priest, which is convenient for him to exercise the power of the deputy palace master and intimidate his subordinates in terms of rank.

Wait until the years of experience are enough, and then grant the official rank. Another thing is to make meritorious contributions. Generally, the higher the position, the easier it is to make meritorious contributions. Take Qi Xuansu for example. If he can crack a major case of fraud in the name of Wanxiang Taoist Palace, Shi Bingyun, as his direct superior, will naturally get a credit for good leadership, and advance to a higher position in advance, which will also greatly benefit his future prospects.

However, as Qi Xuansu himself said, you have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Let's start with sweeping the dust in front of you.

In a blink of an eye, the business of the "half-opened door" was in sight. Qi Xuansu waved his hand and said, "Don't let anyone go."

The spiritual officials acted quickly and soon surrounded the place.

Zhou Lingguan took the lead and broke into the door, while Qi Xuansu walked in slowly.

It is true that Qi Xuansu has never eaten pork, but has seen pigs run. It is true that this is the first time for Qi Xuansu to be the real power leader, but he has come into contact with many high-quality Taoist priests and roughly understands what the superior should be like. He just follows suit.

In the past, "half-opened door" referred to the lowest-class brothel. After going there, there was no tea party or music, but they did that thing directly. Nowadays, "half-closed door" refers to a brothel without books, but in fact, the specifications are not low. For example, the green and green place where Qi Xuansu came is not inferior to Chunfeng Tower. Not to mention the decoration inside, just the eaves, lanterns, gatehouses, screen walls, and glass windows outside can already show it. The yard is very large, and the ground is paved with neat blue bricks. Because it is already autumn, there are chrysanthemums of various colors, and there is a pot every few steps. Not to mention the bright lights in the building, even the yard is brightly lit.

However, Qi Xuansu has been to Zifu and seen the world, so he is not blinded. He just glanced at it casually with a calm attitude.

At this time, the people in the yard have been alarmed. Many disheveled prostitutes want to escape, but they are controlled by the spirit officials who are squatting, and they squat on the ground with their heads in their hands. In addition, if you look up, you can see the windows on the second and third floors. Many women are looking out. Their hair is messy and their expressions are panic. However, their clothes are half-covered, and their snow-white skin is faintly visible. Some sensitive parts are even more unspeakable. It is really dazzling.

As soon as Qi Xuansu entered the door, he smelled a strong smell of powder. It didn't make him dizzy, but it was pungent. There was no need to tell him. A spiritual officer had already brought a chair to Qi Xuansu and put it behind him.

Qi Xuansu sighed at the benefits of power for the nth time. He didn't refuse in a pretentious manner and sat down slowly.

After a while, the local brothel owner, surrounded by two spiritual officials, came to Qi Xuansu. She was quite calm and took the initiative to bow to Qi Xuansu: "Greetings to the Master."

People in this business have sharp eyes and rich experience. Qi Xuansu doesn't need to announce his name. Just from the attitude of the spiritual officials around him, they can guess Qi Xuansu's approximate status.

As for why he is called the Master, there are also rules. If Qi Xuansu is just a fifth-rank Taoist priest, calling him the Master will not offend him, but flatter him, just like ordinary people will call any black-clad officer a general. The core concept is that the more courtesy, the less blame. The reason why he is not called the High Master is from common sense. How can the High Master come to such a place in person?

Therefore, there is an old saying that it is difficult to become a man without poverty, and it is naive without being hit. Many high-ranking Taoist priests who have spent their whole lives in the study are far inferior to these low-class people in dealing with people. However, the big men of the Taoist sect highly admire this kind of "old innocence", calling it a pure heart. Therefore, there are many Taoist priests in the flower garden. It is not the problem of the Taoist priests in the flower garden, but the problem of deliberate guidance from the top.

Qi Xuansu said: "I am Qi Xuansu, the newly appointed Taoist priest in charge of the Imperial Capital Daofu. I am ordered by the second deputy lord of the palace to rectify the atmosphere of the Imperial Capital. You should understand what it means. I will not talk nonsense. Let your people put on their clothes and come to the yard. Otherwise, my people will invite them one by one, which will be rude to the beauties."

The madam was the most tactful. With a backer, she did not dare to confront them head-on at this time. She hurriedly said: "Please sit for a while, Master. I will go and call them now." After saying that, seeing that the two spiritual officials beside her did not mean to stop her, she bowed again, stepped back a few steps, called a few trusted stewards, and asked them to quickly call all the girls.

Another very tactful woman presented Qi Xuansu with this year's Mingqian Maojian.

Qi Xuansu didn't even look at him, and the spiritual officer standing beside him stretched out his hand to stop him.

The woman smiled: "It's just a cup of tea, the way to entertain guests."

The spiritual officer said expressionlessly: "It's against the rules."

The woman showed a bit of admiration just right, as if she saw the great master of the sky.

Unfortunately, she threw her seductive eyes to the blind man, and Qi Xuansu didn't even look at him from beginning to end.

A moment later, the girls put on their clothes and came out of the building to the yard one after another, which was very lively.

In fact, they were not afraid of being checked, because operating without a license was not a capital crime. At most, they would do hard labor for a period of time, and then when the storm was over, they could go back to their old business. As for why these women didn't have a license, the key was that the application form also cost Taiping money, and a business with a license was certainly not as good as a business without a license.

The women also saw Qi Xuansu, the only one who could sit in the room. If it were normal, they would have looked at him more and displayed their charming skills. However, at this time, Qi Xuansu was surrounded by spiritual officials wearing black armor, and there was a cold and murderous aura, which made them lower their heads and dare not look directly at him.

Lingguan Zhou came to Qi Xuansu with a sword on his waist, and held two thick books in his hands, one was an account book and the other was a list.

Qi Xuansu ordered: "Call the names according to the list."

Lingguan Zhou replied: "Yes."

Half an hour later, the roll call was completed, and there was no one more or less.

Qi Xuansu was not panicked, and asked again: "Have you found a dark room or dungeon?"

That day in Jinling Prefecture, he accidentally entered the dungeon of a brothel.

Soon, a spiritual official came to report that he had found a very secret dungeon entrance.

After all, these brothels are not secret societies that have been fighting wits and courage with the Taoist sect for many years. How can some tricks be hidden from the Taoist spiritual officials?

Hearing this, the already nervous madam was suddenly struck by lightning, and her face was pale and she almost collapsed to the ground.

Qi Xuansu said: "Go, check carefully."

Some spiritual officials went to support him.

He is a celestial being. Even Zhao Fuan is not his opponent. Why does he need guards? Can the beauties in this yard eat him?

In fact, these women are very sensible. They know that something big has happened. Those women who sell their bodies are okay. They have some intention of watching the fun. After all, they are often exploited by brothels on weekdays, and the managers involved are already at a loss.

About an incense stick of time later, Zhou Lingguan led another group of women out. Strictly speaking, they are all half-grown girls. Compared with those prostitutes who have already learned to be charming and charming, these young ones are still in a state of ignorance.

Qi Xuansu said calmly: "You run a business without books, and you kidnap women and force them into prostitution. Your crime is even more serious."

The brothel owner couldn't stand the pressure and knelt on the ground: "Master, it's unjust, it's unjust, how could I kidnap women, these, these are all bought."

Qi Xuansu finally smiled and leaned forward slightly: "Where did you buy them from?"