Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 109 Taking a Trip

Xie Chongjun was overjoyed; the mine pit in Sanhe Village was finally finished.
Then he thought again and his face darkened. Why didn't he do it a day earlier? That way he wouldn't have fallen for that scoundrel's trick and wasted more than five thousand strings of cash.

The steward said, "Once the mines in Sanhe Village are shut down, our family will be the only one in Daming Prefecture with the most coal mines. When that happens, you will still be the only one selling lotus root charcoal."

This idea wasn't too different from Xie Chongjun's previous scheme, except that Xie Yuyan got seven thousand strings of cash for nothing.

"Once Xie is arrested, we can also find a way to get our hands on Shuipu."

The steward continued to comfort Xie Chongjun. The master's lost face must be regained; as long as he could stand by the master through this difficult time, the master would trust him even more in the future.

“Have someone keep an eye on him,” Xie Chongjun said. “If there’s an opportunity, use some money to get the Xie family into jail today.”

Xie Chongjun breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the manager leave.

Zhou Hu, who was standing nearby, said, "Master, you can go home and rest now. Once the mine here is finished, send someone back to report."

Zhou Hu's voice was somewhat cold and hard: "Could it be that the master doesn't trust me?"

Having suffered a loss at Xie Yuyan's hands, Xie Chongjun became suspicious and insisted on digging out the coal mine right now. He had been surveying mineral deposits for so many years, how could he be wrong?

Xie Chongjun sensed the sarcasm in Zhou Hu's words and immediately said, "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that the Xie family is cunning. I don't know where they've set a trap. I won't feel at ease until I see the coal with my own eyes."

Zhou Hu sneered: "You are the patriarch of the Xie clan. You're discouraged just because you suffered a little loss? Just take it back. Besides, the border markets will be open next year. Six thousand strings of cash will be a piece of cake."

Xie Chongjun was startled, fearing that he would offend Zhou Hu: "I only did this for the sake of the border market, and I don't want He Tan's people to cause any more trouble in Daming Prefecture."

Zhou Hu was too lazy to waste words on someone like Xie Chongjun. When he returned to his master, he would persuade him to replace Xie Chongjun, as such a person was not fit for important tasks.

Zhou Hu went to inspect the mine pit, and Xie Chongjun sat down again. This time, no matter who tried to persuade him, he insisted on personally overseeing the mine until everything was settled.

……

Yong'anfang.

Grandma Li and the others packed their belongings and prepared to go to the market together.

Although the market on Yuyingqian Street has only been open for a short time, it is becoming more and more lively every day. Now most people in Daming Prefecture have heard of this morning and evening market, especially since they are dressed in the same vests and carry the banner of Yong'anfang Township Fair, making them particularly conspicuous in the crowd.

These days, some vendors also take the opportunity to set up stalls at the market. However, the people passing by recognize their attire and want to browse through their stalls first before looking at others, which makes the vendors envious.

Grandma Li was stopped several times and asked about the "village association".

Not just anyone can join the "village association." It must first be headed by members of Yong'an Ward, and Granny Li refused. Whether they can join depends on their character; everything needs to be clarified before making a decision.

Besides the same vests and utensils, the first stall at the "Yonganfang Township Fair" was reserved for "Shuntong Water Shop". At first, Grandma Li was worried that the water shop would not sell much hot water, but Xiaoshanzi sold "face washing soup", which attracted the female relatives of the officials and soldiers to buy it.

After this facial cleansing soup became popular in the market, it was sold on the streets. Guests staying at the inn especially liked it. They would wash their faces with the hot soup, drink a bowl of herbal tea, and feel completely refreshed with the aroma of herbs.

Grandma Li found it strange and inquired about it. She learned that medicinal tea was also sold in the capital, and it was especially popular among high-ranking officials and nobles. Adults would often eat some when they were busy with official duties. If too much medicine was added, some rice would be added to make it a "medicinal meal".

Xiao Shanzi would always bring the leftover herbal tea from Shuntong Water Shop to Grandma Li. Grandma Li would smack her lips, wondering how the slightly bitter herbal tea could taste so "luxurious." She never imagined that she could enjoy such a thing at her age.

Thinking of this, Granny Li glanced behind her. Everyone was bringing more and more things to the market, and Xu Shi and the other women who did needlework had become six women.

Even so, Grandma Li's offal wasn't enough to meet demand. There was no way around it; the soldiers were all well-fed, and they would buy most of it as soon as they arrived. Some people asked Grandma Li to cook another pot, but she just waved her hand, saying she couldn't handle it anymore unless she found another helper from the neighborhood, but that would be after New Year's Day.

The group was pushing carts and carrying goods forward when they saw a troop of soldiers coming towards them before they even left the neighborhood.

The person at the front stopped, and the people behind also put down their carrying poles.

Grandma Li also stopped the mule cart and jumped down to check. Everyone watched as the soldiers entered the Yang family ancestral home.

Grandma Li's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately abandoned the donkey cart and hurried on her way.

Seeing this, the others who were also preparing to go to the market followed Grandma Li.

They don't concern themselves with other matters concerning the Yang family, but if it involves Madam Xie, they will definitely ask about it.

"Scatter, all of you scatter."

Two military officers rode into Yong'an Ward, while soldiers beside them urged the crowd to clear the way: "It's an official matter, please make way."

The leading general was exceptionally imposing, much larger than the average person, and even the chestnut horse he rode was more robust than ordinary horses.

He dismounted and went straight into the gate of the Yang family ancestral home, his eyes fixed on the steward: "Where is Madam Xie, the wife of your third son and sixth son?"

Upon hearing this, the steward of the Yang family hurriedly went to report it.

The general then surveyed the Yang family's residence.

"Sir," a young woman stepped forward with courage, "what brings you to see our mistress?"

The general said with a stern face, "This is none of your business. We'll talk about it when we see Madam Xie."

The couple wanted to say something, but Granny Li pulled them away.

Grandma Li glanced at the officer holding the hilt of the knife. This group of people was clearly not ordinary patrolmen and were probably not to be trifled with. If she pressed them now, it would only be detrimental to Madam Li. It would be better to listen carefully and then think of a solution.

The general waited for a while, and then saw a young girl being surrounded by people walking over.

The girl's expression was indifferent. She glanced at him with her clear eyes and then looked away, as if that was enough to see him clearly.

The general frowned; this appearance was somewhat similar to...that person from his family.

It's something that's hard to understand and can't figure out.

Xie Yuyan stepped forward and said calmly, "Is the general the one in charge of the minting bureau?"

A clear voice rang out, and the general came to his senses: "No."

Xie Yuyan said, "Please look at the official document."

This wasn't the first time Ding Peng had displayed his official seal, but it was the first time he'd been questioned about it by such a young woman.

With so many armored soldiers standing there, she acted as if she didn't see them, her eyes remaining calm and her voice neither humble nor arrogant. When he looked down at her, she looked up to meet his gaze.

Ding Peng watched as those clear eyes gradually turned deep and unsettling, which was inexplicably frightening.

This young lady is no ordinary woman.

Ding Peng reached into his robes, took out the official seal, and handed it over.

Xie Yuyan saw the words "salt and iron" and then asked, "Where is the general heading? To Sanhe Village?"

Ding Peng replied, "Indeed, we'll trouble you, Madam, to make the trip with us."

(End of this chapter)