Chapter 135: Management

Women need to be coaxed. Has nobody ever coaxed you before?

Such a simple question, yet it earned Liu Liwa a fierce glare from Wu Liniang. Her teeth ground like she wanted to bite him. Clearly, this was a woman who had never been soothed by anyone! Her hormones were out of whack!

“Hah,” Liu Liwa smirked sarcastically. “The greatest happiness in a woman’s life is being coaxed and cherished. If she hasn’t experienced that, can we even call her a true woman?” Feeling the icy aura intensifying around him, he quickly changed gears. “The Pleasure House girls? They’re women too. Unfortunate women with tragic lives. Their lives are hardship enough. Still, Madams bully them, Brothel Servants torment them, and guests view them as toys. Of course their hearts are troubled! They feel bitterness. They dream of rebelling! Now, against this bleakness, imagine someone appearing. This person doesn’t scorn them. Instead, they treat them like sisters, like family! Compared to this someone and the wicked Madam? Tell me, who do you think the girls prefer?”

“Every other Pleasure House treats their girls the same,” Wu Liniang said helplessly. “I’m just following the norm.”

“Others do it, so you must too?” Liu Liwa shook his head. “Look around. Top courtesans are constantly poached from other establishments. If you cling blindly to tradition? Well… naturally, Intoxication Pavilion won’t be spared the same fate.”

“Enough snide remarks!” Wu Liniang snapped. “If my girls get stolen, Intoxication Pavilion’s business plummets. Less business? Your salary shrinks. Slowly, Intoxication Pavilion shuts its doors. Shut down meaning we fail! If we fail, you get dismissed. Dismissed… you’ll sleep in the streets…”

“Alright, alright!” Liu Liwa cut her off, eyeing her sidelong. “Who knew you were Intoxication Pavilion’s champion arguer? My point is, there’s no need to blindly follow others or stick rigidly to rules! If others are harsh with their girls? You can be kind. The goal is making them obedient, isn’t it?”

“It’s easy for you to say!” Wu Liniang retorted with an air like a decisive general. “These girls? They’ll take advantage of kindness! Give them an inch; they take a mile! Indulge them? They’ll think you’re a fool! Show them strength! Crush their resistance! Make them fear you! That’s the only way they’ll obey!”

Liu Liwa naturally favored gentle leadership. Arguing further felt pointless. He turned to leave.

Wu Liniang stopped him. “How I manage the girls isn’t your concern. Your job is to get close to Miss Zhao. Prevent her from poaching anyone. Uncover her real intentions. Also,” she stressed, “Secure an invitation to the Zhao Family’s New Year’s Eve banquet.”

“Invitation?” Liu Liwa scoffed. “I’m not their son-in-law! I can’t just stroll in! Besides, I’m just a humble Brothel Steward! A content little Steward! Why stick my neck out for this?”

A sly glint entered Wu Liniang’s eyes. “Forgotten our wager already?” The words slipped out. Instantly, she looked ill at ease, a faint flush coloring her cheeks.

Liu Liwa immediately craned his neck, gaze drifting towards her shapely, full behind. Wu Liniang swiftly retreated, adopting a cold mask. “I will fulfill the wager if you complete the task.”

Liu Liwa wrinkled his nose. “Feels like you’re treating me as your pawn. Bossing me around! Just for slapping your butt? I must work myself to the bone? Not worth it! Besides, hitting you hurts my hand!”

Wu Liniang seemed not to hear his complaint. Her tone became unexpectedly calm. “Backing out? I won’t force you. Remain your ‘happy little Steward.’ In fact… in a few days,” she added airily, “I plan to assign you a new duty – managing a few courtesans. Paragons of beauty! How about Liuyun and Qin Wan’er?”

Hearing those names slammed into him like thunder. He stared at Wu Liniang’s knowing smirk. Furious, he ground his teeth. “Is that a threat?”

“This threat?” Wu Liniang sneered. “Liuyun belongs to Intoxication Pavilion. Signed contract! As for Qin Wan’er? The government sent her here. She’s officially under my control. Servant or bondmaid… it’s my decree.”

A dramatic shift swept over Liu Liwa. He beamed like a love-struck fool. “Perhaps we should revisit that wager…” He understood. While the Command Token from Wen Jun could protect Qin Wan’er and Liuyun from dire trouble, he couldn’t flaunt it recklessly. Save it for true emergencies. For now… survival meant rolling with the punches. “Fine! Three things! First! Attend the border army’s Lunar New Year reward ceremony.” He counted off on his fingers. “Second! Join Young Master Ye’s family banquet. Third!” He jabbed a finger. “Make that Zhao Family New Year’s party! I promise to try my best. But if I pull all this off… oh, I’ll slap your butt so hard!”

Liu Liwa growled the words. It wasn’t pure lechery; he needed a morale victory. Being bulldozed by Wu Liniang was unacceptable.

Wu Liniang remained unimpressed. She dismissed his bluster. “Not three tasks. Four.”

“What?!” Liu Liwa spluttered. “Sneaking in another demand? Fine! Then I get extra slaps later!”

“Enough foolish talk!” Wu Liniang cut him off coldly. “Since you’ve developed a protective streak for Qin Wan’er and Liuyun… prove your loyalty. Help me first. The fourth task is simple. I want to know,” she leaned in slightly, “Besides my method of control… and your suggestion of pandering… is there another way? Something that keeps the girls obedient… but also makes them fond of me? Fond of Intoxication Pavilion?”

Pfft! Liu Liwa sneered internally. Classic boss attitude! No paid leave or bonuses! Yet you want overtime staff singing your praises? Dream on! He rolled his eyes, ready to ignore her. Then Wu Liniang’s deliberately casual murmur stopped him:

“Ahh… Liuyun truly remains my most obedient girl.”

Liu Liwa knew the Command Token offered significant protection, but within Intoxication Pavilion’s walls, he couldn’t guard them against Wu Liniang’s sly schemes every minute. Forced into submission, he spat through gritted teeth. “No oppression. No groveling. Yet you want them obedient and… loyal? Possible. Brainwashing.”

“Brainwashing?” Wu Liniang recoiled at the unfamiliar term. Eyes wide with dread, she cautiously probed, “You’re… terrifying.”

What?! Liu Liwa nearly choked. She thinks I mean literally scrubbing brains? Like a butcher? He hastily explained, exasperated. “Brainwashing! It’s… it’s mind control! Psychological conditioning! Step-by-step! Constant repetition! Plant your ideas in them. Tear down what they believe. Change their core values… their worldview! Until they adore your ideas! Idolize them! Become devoted! Then? Obedience is the least of it! They might die for you if asked!”

“What?!” Wu Liniang sprang back as if scalded, alarm flashing across her face. She stared at him, utterly vigilant. “Training loyal assassins! How do you know this?”

Liu Liwa waved dismissively. “Assassins? Die-hard disciples? Doesn’t matter! Turning anyone loyal needs brainwashing. Trust? Obedience? That’s the end game.”

Wu Liniang viewed Liu Liwa in a brand new, wary light. To him, it was basic psychology. To her? In an era where only armies held oath-taking rallies? Where citizens gathering daily to chant doctrines smelled strongly of conspiracy or outright rebellion? This was terrifyingly radical.

She edged closer, whispering cautiously, “It can’t be obvious! No need to rob them of all free will! Just… compliance. Obedience. For Intoxication Pavilion… a sense of belonging? Loyalty? Is there a way?” The thought of being accused of treason clearly rattled her.

Liu Liwa grinned suddenly and snapped his fingers. “Even simpler! Want them compliant? Obedient? Filled with loyalty?” His eyes gleamed mischievously. “Just make them watch the daily news reports! Problem solved!”