Jade Lotus Harem Club

Mei Ling, an established businesswoman and society figure, founded the Jade Lotus Harem Club on 11.VII.1717 AN in the Blackfriars district of Tiegang. The club was located in the bustling district, known for its rough and dangerous atmosphere, and offered a safe haven for those who desired a more exotic and luxurious experience. Mei Ling was, by this stage of her life, a skilled entrepreneur and ensured that her clients received the best possible experience.

Founding the establishment

Mei Ling was a woman with ambition and a desire to succeed. That ambition had been fanned by the news that her youngest daughter, Zara had been matched to Kamran al-Osman, the eldest son of Jamshid-e Osman by the N&H Future Leadership Programme. As Jamshid was presently, as of 1717 AN, the Prime Minister of Hurmu, entailed the necessity of gathering together a significant dowry, ahead of the wedding scheduled for the following year. To that end, Mei Ling was eager to offset the significant hit to the family finances with a lucrative new venture - one more immoral than anything she had been tempted to involve herself in prior to that stage in her life.

She saw the potential for a thriving business in the form of the Jade Lotus Harem Club, a place where wealthy patrons could indulge in their desires and spend their money in a lavish and exotic setting. But she needed the resources to make her dream a reality. Fortunately, she had the support of her husband, Anthony al-Osman, the landlord of the Blackfriars' Redux and the Captain-General of the Blackfriars' Regiment.

Through her husband's connections in the Society for Benevolent Investment, Mei Ling was able to secure the necessary funding to acquire the property and start her business. The Society was a fraternal organisation for corporate interests that encouraged the growth of small and medium enterprises through venture capital. By investing in Mei Ling's project, the Society would benefit from a return on their investment and Mei Ling would be expected to repay the favour by investing in future projects in their portfolio.

Mei Ling also had the backing of the Blackfriars' Regiment, a mercenary regiment that was known for their notorious methods of filling their ranks through impressment and kidnapping. The regiment was well-regarded by the Hurmu Peace Corps and had a reputation for providing effective security. With the support of the Blackfriars' Regiment, Mei Ling could be assured that the Jade Lotus Harem Club would be protected from any potential threats.

Mei Ling was not content with just financial and security support, she also wanted to make sure her business was staffed with the best personnel available. To this end, she made use of the Blackfriars' Regimental Impressment Service, which was responsible for recruitment. The service would provide her with the manpower she needed to run the club, and she was able to select only the best and most experienced staff for her business.

The regrettable expedient

Mei Ling was a mature woman with a familiarity with the harsh ways of the Blackfriars' District, and she knew that the key to success in running an establishment such as that which she had in mind, was to have a steady supply of attractive and capable young women to serve as hostesses. She also knew that finding willing participants in the traditional way could be difficult and often resulted in unreliable, trouble-causing girls.

Thus, Mei Ling decided upon the cruel expedient of utilising the Impressment Service of the Blackfriars' Regiment, a powerful organisation that had the ability to conscript people into service, particularly women and girls. This would give her access to a steady stream of young women who would be forced to work for her, whether they liked it or not.

Mei Ling approached the Blackfriars' Regiment and offered them a substantial sum of money in exchange for their services. The Regiment agreed, and soon Mei Ling was able to begin the process of recruiting girls for her establishment.

The Impressment Service would go out into the streets, often late at night, and forcibly take young women off the street. They would then be brought to the Jade Lotus Harem Club, where Mei Ling would assess their suitability as hostesses. Those who passed muster were then forced to work at the club, serving as hostesses, providing services to clients, and doing whatever else was required of them.

It was a brutal and inhumane system, but Mei Ling was not one to be deterred by moral objections. She was focused solely on making a profit, and she was willing to do whatever it took to achieve that goal. The Impressment Service provided her with a steady stream of young women, and she was able to run the Jade Lotus Harem Club with great success.

Of course, this is not a story that could be openly discussed or condoned by society, but Mei Ling knew that there was a demand for this kind of service, and she was willing to take advantage of it. The Impressment Service of the Blackfriars' Regiment may have been a cruel and ruthless tool, but for Mei Ling, it was a necessary evil that allowed her to build a thriving and successful enterprise.

Establishing the front-of-house

In contrast to the oldest profession, which would provide the meat of the enterprise, Mei Ling was strident in her insistence that the garnish, by which she meant the front-of-house entertainments for the club's patrons, would be of an unrivaled splendour, and like nothing else available in the Blackfriars' District.

She understood that the success of this aspect of her business was heavily reliant on the talent and skill of her employees. To that end she only hired the finest individuals for the front of house, gambling, private concerts, and fine dining services.

For the front of house, Mei Ling selected individuals who were not only well-groomed and articulate but also had a genuine passion for customer service. She believed that a friendly and attentive staff could make all the difference in creating a positive experience for guests. To ensure that her employees met her high standards, she conducted rigorous interviews and background checks before offering them a job.

Mei Ling's gambling services were soon to become renowned for their professionalism and fairness. She made sure that all dealers and croupiers had a solid understanding of the various games they were responsible for, as well as a knowledge of the rules and regulations. To maintain the quality of her services, she frequently trained and tested her employees to make sure that they were always performing at their best.

Her private concerts were a highlight of the entertainment venue and attracted some of the most prominent names in the music industry. To ensure that her guests had an unforgettable experience, Mei Ling made sure that her sound technicians and lighting engineers were the best in the business. These individuals were selected for their expertise, attention to detail, and ability to create an immersive environment that perfectly complemented the performance.

Finally, Mei Ling's fine dining services were second to none. She recruited only the most talented chefs and sommeliers, who were knowledgeable about a wide variety of cuisines and wine pairings. Her guests could expect the finest food, expertly prepared and beautifully presented. Additionally, her wait staff was well-trained in the art of hospitality and able to provide an excellent dining experience.

The club prospers

The club quickly gained a reputation for its lavish decorations, beautiful and skilled courtesans, and its discrete and confidential services. Mei Ling and her staff were strict about maintaining the privacy and satisfaction of their clients, which only served to increase the club's popularity. The Jade Lotus Harem Club became one of the most exclusive and sought-after establishments in the district, attracting wealthy and powerful individuals from all over Apollonia.

Mei Ling would subsequently expand her business, eventually acquiring several other establishments in the Blackfriars' District, making her one of the most influential figures in the area.

Known associates of the Jade Lotus Harem Club

• Mei Ling, proprietor;
• Luciana Malfi, procuress;
• Khoga Maral, security officer seconded from the Regiment of the Blackfriars'.