Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 485 Internal and external cooperation
Jiang Qi glanced at Xie Yuyan and Zhou Guangyuan; he had long since lost track of what they were saying.

Who could help them find the person? And how did Madam Xie make the arrangements? He had absolutely no idea.

But Zhou Guangyuan's face showed a hint of anticipation. At this moment, he breathed a sigh of relief and felt that his choice was right.

This story begins half an hour ago.

After welcoming Xie Yuyan into the house, Zhou Guangyuan finally made up his mind to tell Xie Yuyan about the Zhao family's affairs.

Now that he had spoken, Zhou Guangyuan had nothing left to hide.

Xie Yuyan had already made sure everyone knew how Zhao Dazheng died and what became of the Zhao family, so Zhou Guangyuan didn't need to elaborate.

He wanted to talk about Zhao Chuan in detail.

Zhao Chuan's real name was Zhao Zhongliang, the eldest son of Zhao Dazheng. After escaping death during his escort mission, Zhao Zhongliang changed his name to Zhao Chuan. Zhou Guangyuan guessed that he changed his name because he survived a near-death experience in the river, and even used this name to obtain a new household registration certificate.

Zhao Zhongliang was determined to avenge the Zhao family, but he wouldn't be foolish enough to assassinate the official who convicted the Zhao family. His real target was those who smuggled Xixia salt using porcelain. He knew of the Zhao family's misfortune because his father had accidentally discovered their secret of colluding with Xixia merchants to smuggle salt.

Those people who could harm the Zhao family like this must have powerful backers. Zhao Zhongliang wouldn't just come knocking on their door like that, so he came up with a plan. He first became a porter, and then when a caravan needed manpower, he would take the opportunity to join the caravan.

Zhao Zhongliang went in and out of the caravan several times, and finally managed to gather some laborers and form a team of bodyguards at an inn on his way to the Western Regions, so that the caravan could be escorted through those deep mountains and treacherous waters.

Zhao Zhongliang's militia team had clashed with local bandits many times, with many people killed or injured in the most serious incident. Even so, they still managed to deliver the goods safely, and from then on, he gained considerable fame in the area.

At this point in Zhou Guangyuan's speech, Xie Yuyan guessed why Zhao Zhongliang was able to come to Bianjing at this time.

Zhao Zhongliang joined the caravan that smuggled salt as a member of the militia. On the surface, he helped the caravan transport goods, but in secret, he collected evidence of the caravan's smuggling activities.

It must be said that Zhao Zhongliang was intelligent and knew how to be patient, which allowed him to forge his own path.

Now that they were "one of us," it became much easier for Zhao Zhongliang to figure out who was behind the caravan. As he delved deeper, just as Zhao Zhongliang had guessed, even the old master of the Bianjing porcelain business was nothing more than a pawn in their hands. But the more he understood these people, the clearer Zhao Zhongliang knew he couldn't act rashly.

Even if he had evidence, he couldn't send these people to the authorities. If he did, he would end up like his father.

Therefore, Zhao Zhongliang had no choice but to lie low and wait for an opportunity.

The turmoil in Bianjing, including Xia Mengxian's resignation, must have spread rumors among merchants, even halting the smuggling of salt. Zhao Zhongliang, who was in the midst of it all, sensed the change. Coincidentally, he was not far from Bianjing when he heard the news, so he came to Bianjing to check on the situation.

Zhao Zhongliang inquired about Madam Xie's affairs but couldn't find out any more information, which is why he sought help from Zhou Guangyuan and Jiang Qi.

After all, Zhou and Jiang were in the Bianjing porcelain business, so it was much easier for them to inquire or probe than for him.

That's all Zhou Guangyuan knew.

Xie Yuyan pondered for a moment and then said, "Did something happen at the Dengwen Prosecutor's Office? Is that why Zhao Zhongliang came to tell you that he was leaving? And he warned you that no matter what happens, you should not act rashly, and you should not tell anyone that you know him?"

When Zhou Guangyuan was at the South City Wharf, he could tell that Madam Xie was no ordinary person. This time, sitting and talking with Madam Xie, he became even more certain of one thing.

Never try to have any ulterior motives when facing this woman, because you can't hide anything from her eyes. Zhou Guangyuan nodded: "Exactly."

Xie Yuyan said, "Zhao Zhongliang knows the time has come. He wants to make his move now and obtain what he believes to be evidence that can expose those people, so that no one can escape."

"But Zhao Zhongliang wasn't entirely confident of success, so he didn't want you involved."

Zhou Guangyuan replied, "I guessed it too, but I really didn't lie to you, Madam. I don't know where Zhao Zhongliang is. Since he doesn't want us to get involved, he won't reveal the truth."

Jiang Qi understood this, so after talking for so long, he still didn't know anything and ultimately had to rely on his clumsy method of wandering around Bianjing City.

Unexpectedly, Xie Yuyan's voice rang out again: "If that's the case, I think there's at least an 80% chance we can find the person."

Zhou Guangyuan didn't understand why Madam Xie would say such things, just then Yang Hong returned to report to Xie Yuyan.

Zhou Guangyuan could tell from Xie Yuyan's expression that everything was under her control.

Before coming here, Madam Xie must have made some arrangements.

Xie Yuyan said, "The Xia family has fallen, but not all the people on this line will be found out. Those people will definitely be in a hurry to leave. If Zhao Zhongliang wants to stop them, where will he be?"

Zhou Guangyuan immediately said, "Be with those people."

Although Zhao Zhongliang was Zhao Dazheng's son, Zhao Dazheng was a very insignificant merchant. After the Zhao family members died, they forgot about the matter. No one would have thought that Zhao Zhongliang not only escaped death but also formed a militia.

Furthermore, when Zhao Dazheng was alive, Zhao Zhongliang was a well-off young man. Now, after experiencing hardships and with scars on his face, his appearance has changed drastically. Unless someone is very familiar with him, it would be difficult to recognize him.

Unless Zhao Zhongliang does something that gets discovered or reveals his identity, he is unlikely to be suspected by anyone.

Those who were eager to leave Bianjing couldn't have guessed these things, and Zhao Zhongliang was someone they could trust. So, when they left Bianjing, they would naturally use Zhao Zhongliang's bodyguard team.

Zhou Guangyuan understood all this, and his eyes lit up: "Then as long as we find out how those people left Bianjing, we can find Zhao Zhongliang and help him at a crucial moment."

"The old lady said... someone is helping us find someone, who is it?"

Xie Yuyan said, "Han Si."

If the Han family can't find Han Cong, they will definitely think that those people are using Han Cong to blackmail him into going to the yamen to take the blame.

Empress Dowager Xie was very familiar with these underhanded and shady tactics. With just a little manipulation, she had Su Man arrest Han Cong, which aroused suspicion in the Han family.

Now all that's left is for the Han family to search for those people.

Finding Zhao Zhongliang was only a small step. Xie Yuyan wanted a coordinated effort from both inside and outside the city, not only to keep those people in Bianjing, but also to uncover as many secrets as possible.

Let her see what kind of people are behind Xia Mengxian.