Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

As one of the advocates of frugality and strict implementation of the old system, Huang Daozhou was undoubtedly appointed as the head of a district.

He was sent to Huanghuafang to try to implement the crown and clothing system stipulated by the court.

After hearing the name, some officials who had put him in a position of power felt that something bad was going to happen.

Because Goulan Hutong is located in Huanghuafang, which is the red-light district of the capital.

Next to it are Bensi Hutong and Yanle Hutong, which are gathering places for performing artists in Beijing.

In order to attract customers and audiences, you can imagine how many prohibited things these people wear in their clothing.

If the court's system were strictly enforced, at least half of the people would be punished.

So after the court meeting, someone secretly hinted to Huang Daozhou and explained to him the pros and cons of the matter.

Huang Daozhou was not afraid, pretending not to understand what the other party said, and said loudly:

"I have been ordered to try out the old system, so I must strictly enforce the court system."

"If we don't enforce it because it's difficult, then what's the point of having a system in the imperial court?"

"Duke Wenzhong once said: What do we learn from reading the books of sages? From now on, we will have no regrets!"

"Huang only wants to have a clear conscience and live up to the sage books he has read!"

Such a high tone made the people who tried to persuade him unable to say anything else. They could only bow and leave with their sleeves covering their faces.

Xie Xuelong, the Junior Minister of the Honglu Temple, appreciated these words and stepped forward and said:
"As expected of a talent praised by His Majesty, Editor Huang is truly a man of character."

"If there is anyone in the Ming Dynasty who can rectify the atmosphere in Huanghuafang, it must be Huang Bianxiu."

As he spoke, he invited him to have a drink and talk about the affairs of Huanghuafang.

After Huang Daozhou came to the capital this time, he found that the capital was completely different from what he had imagined.

It was not only because the streets became cleaner, but also because patrol police and newspaper boys could often be seen on the streets, as well as rickshaws, cement roads...all new things he had never seen before.

Therefore, he also needed someone who was familiar with the changes in the capital to explain and accept Xuelong's invitation.

As both were members of the Donglin Party, they had heard of each other's reputation and soon became familiar with each other.

Xie Xuelong introduced to Huang Daozhou the process of setting up the red-light district and lamented:

"The establishment of the red-light district is to house those who have fallen into depravity. I also agreed with it at the beginning. The Ministry of Rites will educate them."

“Who would have thought that in just over a year, this place would become an important tax collection location for the Ministry of Revenue.”

"The Ministry of Rites wants to educate now, but will be obstructed by the Ministry of Revenue."

"Those people will do anything to collect taxes!"

Speaking bitterly about this, Xie Xuelong pointed out the first difficulty in rectifying the red-light district:
This place is now protected by people from the Ministry of Revenue.

It is said that the Ministry of Revenue planned to expand the red-light district to several nearby alleys because of the tax revenue provided by Goulan Hutong, or to set up two more red-light districts in Xicheng and Nancheng.

Huang Daozhou was also filled with anger when he heard this, and slammed the table and said:

"How can the Ministry of Revenue be so outrageous?"

"The officials of the court don't care!"

Xie Xuelong sighed and said:
"How do the officials in the court manage it?"

"Minister Bi of the Ministry of Revenue is now the head of the Nine Ministers."

"An ordinary university scholar is not as powerful as him, let alone the Ministry of Rites, which is a humble office."

"The three accounting departments, namely, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Finance, have more power than the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Rites."

This is the current situation. A minister with real power has a higher status than an ordinary university scholar. In addition, the court is short of money and grain, so the status of the minister of the Ministry of Revenue is even higher. The emperor has always attached great importance to Bi Ziyan.

With the support of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites would be constrained even if it wanted to implement education.

What is even more distressing is that because the Ministry of Rites can get a share of the corruption tax for education, many officials are not enthusiastic about educational activities that affect taxation.

As a result, the Ministry of Rites' efforts to educate the degenerates have always remained superficial. There are more and more degenerates in the red-light district, but only a few have left and become good people.

When Xie Xuelong thought of this, he hated himself for not thinking it through at the beginning, so that the Ministry of Rites was now somewhat corrupted by the corruption tax.

Of course, he didn't say these in front of Huang Daozhou and put all the blame on the Ministry of Revenue.

After Huang Daozhou heard this, he immediately said:

"Huang has been ordered to implement the old system this time. If the officials of the Ministry of Revenue dare to stop me, I will report them."

"Look at the court, who will support them in doing evil?"

With a passion in our hearts, we want to tidy up the red light district so that people won't think that it is a decadent place that violates laws and regulations.

Xie Xuelong clapped his hands and reminded him:
"Huanghuafang is not only a red-light district, but also the Baoyuan Bureau."

"There are metal exchanges and stock exchanges there. Most of the people who trade there are very wealthy, and their clothing often violates the law."

"These people are just like the customers in the red light district. They are not from Huang Hua Fang. You don't have to worry about them unless it is necessary."

Huang Daozhou was puzzled and thought Xie Xuelong was testing him, so he said:

"Don't worry, brother Jie. I understand."

"I will take care of it when it's necessary. Huang is not someone who is afraid of trouble."

Xie Xuelong laughed, thinking that he understood the seriousness of this matter. He stopped talking and talked about other things.

The two had similar views on government affairs and shared similar interests. After a long conversation, they both felt that they had made a good friend.
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The next day, Huang Daozhou received the official imperial decree and went to Huanghuafang to take up his post with a group of law enforcement officers.

The first place we went to was the famous red-light district in Beijing.

Seeing that the prostitutes inside did not wear the black crown and black jacket as required, but instead wore gorgeous clothes to solicit customers, he immediately ordered the accompanying patrolman:

"Catch those who disrespect the rules and regulations and give them ten lashes on the cangue as a warning to the public."

The patrolman was a little embarrassed and said:
"Ten lashes is fine. We have the power to lash less than ten times."

"But any punishment higher than that will require the signatures of three judicial officials."

"Does Huang Hanlin have any officials he knows well who can approve the order?"

Huang Daozhou was a little surprised. He didn't expect that these officials, who he thought were no different from constables, had to abide by so many rules.

However, such regulations can prevent them from disturbing the public at will. Huang Daozhou nodded approvingly and said:

"It's good that you guys follow the rules."

"I will write to the East City District Patrol Censor and ask him to approve the order."

He wrote a handwritten document and sent a patrolman to ask the city inspector to sign it.

Under his command, other patrolmen arrested all the prostitutes and pimps who did not dress according to regulations.

Some of those who resisted during the arrest have already been flogged and are waiting to be put in the shackles for public display.

The brothel alley suddenly became noisy. Some of the disturbed guests shouted and cursed, while others just watched in wonder without any care.

Everyone wants to see how things will end. (End of this chapter)