Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 321 A two-pronged approach
As the morning light began to fall on the streets and alleys of the capital, the sound of horses' hooves rang out from inside the north gate. Commander He of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was returning to the capital with his entourage after an investigation, his flying fish robes eliciting gasps of amazement from all around.

Meanwhile, another group of people mingled with the following caravans and entered the city, then dispersed into the crowd without leaving a trace.

Upon reaching the west corner gate of the Grand Commandant's mansion, the scattered group of people gathered together, took up secret sentry posts, and then climbed over the wall, heading straight towards the Bibo Pavilion!
The wolfhounds under the wall couldn't stand the heat and lay there panting early in the morning. At dawn, some water was sprinkled on them, and they, who had been lazy just moments before, suddenly jumped up and started barking wildly with their mouths wide open!

Fu Xiao was startled: "What are you yelling about? This is cold water, not boiling water!"

"Sister Lu!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a loud voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, followed by the dogs barking even more fiercely!

Fuxiao paused for a moment, then hurriedly opened the door: "Second Young Master! Guard He? You're back!"

"At dawn, are the young master and young mistress awake yet?!"

"Get up, get up!"

At dawn, he answered repeatedly, then rushed into the house and called out to the couple who were having breakfast, "Young Master, Young Madam, the Second Young Master is back!"

Lu Jia perked up her ears after hearing the dog bark, and had already heard Shen Zhui's voice. She immediately put down her chopsticks and went out the door.

"Sister Lu, we made a wasted trip. There really is no way down there!"

As soon as Shen Zhui entered, he was out of breath and began to report. Although it was early morning, they were all sweating profusely, and half of their clothes were covered in dust!
Lu Jia quickly ordered tea and water to be served.

Shen Qingzhou came out at this moment, glanced at him and said, "Don't tell me you were gone for ten days and this is all you got in return."

"Who said that!" Shen Zhui gulped down two glasses of water, wiped his mouth, and muttered, "It's not just us who didn't get any results; He Ping and the others also returned empty-handed."

"I waited secretly until they had searched the place again after the search had failed before I came back."

After saying that, he recounted his journey in detail, and finally slammed his fist on the table: "Although even the Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn't find the way, if there really is such a path leading to the bottom of the cliff, then only the Jin family knows it!"

In fact, Lu Jia and the others were not surprised by this result. Who else could they doubt but Grand Commandant Shen's abilities?

Since even Grand Commandant Shen has not obtained any clues, the chances of success on this trip are slim.

However, if an investigation is to be conducted, it makes no sense to simply leave the obvious accident site unchecked.

After listening, Shen Qingzhou looked at Lu Jia and asked, "What do you think?"

Lu Jia said, "The second brother is right."

"The fact that Jin was able to marry Yan Liang says something. Jin Huai risked his and his son's lives to earn 300,000 taels of silver for the Yan family in exchange for his granddaughter marrying into the family and becoming the eldest young mistress."

"Although the Yan family agreed and has indeed treated the Jin family as outsiders all these years, is it worth it for Jin Huai to make such a great sacrifice?"

"If the Yan family were to consider their own interests, it would be an easy matter for them to replace the eldest daughter-in-law."

"Once the Jin family loses power, the Jin family will lose the support of the Yan family. Not only will their future be bleak, but even their past sacrifices will seem like a joke."

"So, regardless of whether the second brother and his men found any clues at the bottom of the cliff, we can't bypass the Jin family."

"At the very least, we need to know all the inside stories about the marriage between the Jin family and the Yan family."

Shen Qingzhou said, "If we can't find the way to the bottom of the cliff, then we have to find someone who has been there. If we think this way, He Ping will definitely think the same way." It's not a bad thing that He Ping got the information first, but after he got the information, he won't let anyone else know.

"Moreover, once the Embroidered Uniform Guard finds the Jin family, the Yan family will definitely be on guard. At that time, they will most likely strike first and silence the Jin family."

"Only when we are kept in the dark will we be at a disadvantage."

"So we have to hurry," Lu Jia said slowly. "We can take a two-pronged approach and strike at the same time against the Jin family and the Jin Corporation."

He Tongchu: "But if we make the first move to find the Jin family, it will most likely alert them. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is quite capable. If we can get the information, that's fine, but if we can't and they discover our presence, it will be very troublesome."

The emperor was always very suspicious. He was wary of even his own crown prince and often did not see him for one or two months. How much more so would he be wary of his important ministers?

“We don’t necessarily have to go directly to them.” Shen Qingzhou frowned and held her cup. “Since He Ping will definitely go to the Jin family next, and our goal is just not to be kept in the dark, you might as well follow him and take advantage of the situation.”

"This is good!"

He Qu and Tang Yu nodded. Given the current situation, it's natural to minimize the number of enemies; there's no reason for them to become easy targets.

Having followed Shen Qingzhou on missions for so many years, it wouldn't be difficult for them to secretly gather information.

“Leave the Jin family to me.” Lu Jia looked up at them. “I set fire to the Yan family’s back courtyard that day, which was preparation for this.”

If it weren't for the fact that the Jin family helped the Yan family calculate military funds, why would she be so resentful towards the Jin family?

The Jin family lost two lives for the Yan family, and the Yan family has treated them well. Over the years, they have not given Yan Liang a concubine and have given her the dignity of a young mistress. For many years, she has followed Madam Yan to manage internal and external affairs, which shows how close the relationship between the two families is.

Under these circumstances, how easy would it be to get the Jin family to talk?

Furthermore, the Jin family, spanning three generations, dared to aid and abet evil, helping others seize the imperial court's military funds, thus delaying the battle and causing the deaths of so many soldiers. Shouldn't this debt be settled sooner or later?
Madam Yan wanted to treat Lu Jia like an ant, but Lu Jia not only refused, but also took the opportunity to give them a good beating!
“Alright.” Shen Qingzhou nodded. “I’ve already had people gather information about the Jin family these past few days. Before He Ping makes a move, you should go and make arrangements.”

After saying this, he told He Qudong, "You two go down and rest first."

The group of people turned around at the same time.

Shen Qingzhou looked at Shen Zhui and said, "Stop right there."

Shen Zhui turned around hesitantly.

Shen Qingzhou glanced at him: "What use are you if you didn't get the job done?"

"I……"

Shen Zhui opened his mouth, wanting to say something but not saying anything. In the end, his face turned red, he lowered his head, and stood there listlessly without moving.

Shen Qingzhou flicked his sleeves and sat down again: "You choose between copying the book fifty times as punishment, or continuing to lead the team to follow He Ping and gather information."

Shen Zhui suddenly raised his head: "...There's still a choice?"

Shen Qingzhou glanced at him: "You can also choose not to choose and be directly exiled to the Northwest!"

"No!" Shen Zhui jumped up. "I choose to gather information! I'm going right now!"

Before he could finish speaking, he had already rushed out and disappeared in a flash.