In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 735 Unparalleled Power: The World's Longest-Running Business

Dongchang Street in Beiping City is very close to the three offices of Beiping and is where many adults in the city live.

No. 2 Dongchang Street was the residence of Qu Jiarui, the Right Provincial Governor of Beiping.

Compared to the bustling crowds of the past,
It looks much quieter here now.

Even the guards at the mansion's gate seemed uneasy and absent-minded.
At this moment, a luxurious yet understated carriage slowly drove up from West Street and came to a stop in front of the mansion.

Qu Jiarui's aged figure was revealed.

He left the carriage with the help of his servants.

"Master, it's windy today, please come inside quickly."

The steward beside him kindly offered a reminder, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

Qu Jiarui ignored him and instead looked at a mansion not far away.

People come and go there, and carriages come and go in a constant stream at the entrance.
Many people dressed in luxurious robes waited at the entrance, craning their necks to look at the gate ahead.

Seeing this, Qu Jiarui's eyes grew even colder, and he clenched his fists tightly!

The steward beside him noticed the change in the master's expression and said softly:
"Master, please don't be angry. It's all the fault of petty people who have gotten their way."

The rumors circulating in the city are nothing to believe.

What's being said in the city?

Qu Jiarui asked in a cold, indifferent voice.

The manager's face stiffened, and he looked troubled; he didn't know how to answer that question.
"Just say it directly."

"This...this is all the talk in the city,"

Lord Dai will succeed you in your official position and become the new Provincial Governor.

As soon as the news spread, my doorstep was packed with people, all seeking favors.

Qu Jiarui's breathing became slightly rapid. He gritted his teeth and let out a sound through the gaps between them:
"I haven't even left yet, and you're already starting to collude with me?"

"Please calm down, sir."

The steward immediately lowered his head, his face showing respect, and the guards beside him dared not speak.

As he watched the people coming and going, Qu Jiarui's guilt about colluding with those traitors gradually dissipated.

He asked himself honestly, was he prepared for things to turn sour after he left?

But when it actually happens...
He still couldn't quite accept it.
They can't even face it.

As her breathing became more and more rapid, Qu Jiarui's resolve grew stronger and stronger!

He silently warned himself.

No matter what, I must keep my current official position.

Show these snobbish people what happens when they change their tune with the wind!

"Humph"

Qu Jiarui gave a heavy snort and stepped into the mansion.

Upon arriving at the residence, he did not, as usual, accept the hot towel from the servant to wipe his face.
Instead, he walked quickly to the back hall.
They entered a house that they didn't usually use!

Inside the house, at least a dozen tables were crammed together.
A group of shrewd-looking men sat behind the table, flipping through the documents in front of them.

They didn't even look up when they heard the door open.

Instead, Tang Xingbang, who had been dozing in the corner, suddenly sat up.

"Lord Qu, what have you found?"

Qu Jiarui's expression softened slightly. Instead of replying immediately, he sat down.

"Lord Tang, please don't be in a hurry."
My men have already inspected all the escort agencies and post stations in the city.

Some trading companies and retail outlets have also begun their investigations, and we believe results will be available soon.

Upon hearing that there was still no result, a hint of disappointment flashed in Tang Xingbang's eyes, and he sighed softly.

"Lord Qu, the person has been missing for almost ten days. Is it really possible to find them?"

Qu Jiarui appeared much more composed, nodding slightly:
“As long as people have been to Beiping, they will leave traces, and I will be able to find them.”

As for the Grand Canal transport office, I have already sent people to investigate.
As long as there is news, it will be relayed back.

Tang Xingbang had no better ideas either, so he asked instead:
"My lord, have my entry and exit records for the city been completed?"

"Rest assured, Lord Tang left the city through the south gate this morning."

I have also made arrangements for the various post stations along the way.

At least ten people who looked and were similar in build to Lord Tang lingered there.

If someone were to investigate, there would be absolutely no chance of anything going wrong!

"call"

Tang Xingbang breathed a sigh of relief, but a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes.

The power of a right-wing provincial governor who was about to fall was truly astounding.

He found it hard to imagine how the powerful provincial governor could control Beiping.

"Have it!"

A middle-aged man suddenly looked up, holding a document in his hand, his face showing excitement.

The two immediately turned their gazes toward it, a glint of shrewdness flashing in their eyes!

"Quick, let me see it!"

Qu Jiarui took the document, which contained a record of his entry into the city on May 25th:
On the 25th, at the beginning of the morning, the carriages and horses of the Luohua Merchants arrived at the East Gate of Beiping.

Its entourage was magnificent, consisting of eight large carts, all covered with thick cloth.

Judging from their shape, the items carried on the ship are all large.

The merchant entourage consisted of twenty-three people, all dressed in tight-fitting short clothes, with solemn expressions.

The soldiers guarding the city checked the documents as usual and, seeing that the documents were complete and the seals were clear, allowed the person to enter the city.

The document states: The Fallen Flower Trading Company came from Daning.

The items being transported were precious goods such as furs and porcelain from Daning.

They intend to sell them in Beiping (Beijing) to facilitate trade.
Qu Jiarui frowned:
"What's wrong with that?"

The middle-aged man handed over another document.
"Sir, please look at this."

On the 25th, at 3:45 PM, the Luohua Merchants arrived at the south gate of Beiping, intending to leave the city.

The carriages and horses remained the same, with eight large carts carrying heavy loads, tightly bound with thick ropes. Upon inspection, the loads consisted entirely of porcelain and furs.

The soldiers guarding the city re-examined his exit documents and found that they matched those he had submitted upon entering the city.
Furthermore, it was said that the large goods being transported were all surplus stock from previous sales, intended for Shandong.

After inspection and finding nothing amiss, he was allowed to leave the city.
After reading the document, Qu Jiarui also sensed that something was wrong.

"Leaving in just one day? And selling porcelain from Da Ning?"

"Does Daning have large porcelain pieces?"

Qu Jiarui looked at Tang Xingbang beside him and asked a question, pointing to the life-sized blue and white porcelain vase standing there.

Tang Xingbang's expression was extremely strange, but his voice couldn't suppress his excitement:

"My lord, it's not easy to find even a piece of porcelain in Da Ning, how could you possibly have such a vase?"

"it is good!"

Qu Jiarui's face lit up with excitement, and he clenched his fist tightly:

"Somebody come!"

"My lord!" The door opened, and a guard walked in.

"You will personally lead a team out of the city to investigate the whereabouts of the Fallen Flower Merchant Guild."
No matter the cost, we must find him.

As she spoke, Qu Jiarui stood up.
He walked quickly to the desk and began to write rapidly.

Before long, a document appeared on the paper.

He pulled a small seal from his pocket and stamped it firmly:
"Distribute this document to all post stations under the jurisdiction of the Beiping Provincial Administration Commission."

However, anyone who spots the Luohua Merchant Guild's convoy should immediately stop them!

The guard stepped forward, took the document, quickly glanced at it, and then looked up:
"Sir, on what reason?"

"Selling contraband salt and reselling scarce military supplies in Beiping"

No matter the reason, stop them!

"Yes!"

The guard jogged away in a hurry.
After he left, Qu Jiarui revealed a genuine smile:
"Lord Tang, now that the person has been found, it's your turn to act."

Tang Xingbang suddenly became murderous, his eyes sharp!

"Don't worry, as long as we know where they are, we'll definitely succeed!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Qu Jiarui's eyes. Not understanding why he was so certain, he tentatively asked:

"What does Lord Tang intend to do?"

Please speak with me first.
In order to avoid being caught off guard and unable to react in time after an incident occurs.

Tang Xingbang revealed a cold smile and said in a deep voice:
"Lord Qu, I have already dispatched someone to send the goods to the capital by express courier. Even if the important figures in the capital don't intervene..."
"My forces are sufficient to intercept and annihilate this caravan of a hundred people, but the aftermath will be more troublesome."

"Besides, this matter is of great importance, how could the marquises in the capital not lend a hand?"

Qu Jiarui's eyes widened slightly, and he began to speculate about their power.
They also learned that they wanted to kill to silence witnesses in order to maintain the current situation.

just
Qu Jiarui looked somewhat hesitant and reminded him:
"Lord Tang, you previously said that Huang Yingzhi arrested the person without authorization in a moment of panic."
However, after much deliberation, I believe that arresting them might lead to a lose-lose situation.
But sending someone to the capital afterwards was probably not a spur-of-the-moment decision; it might have been intentional.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly fell silent.

Some of the people who were looking through the documents paused slightly.

Tang Xingbang noticed this, glanced at them indifferently, his eyes somewhat cold, as if he were looking at a group of dead people.

He then looked at Qu Jiarui and nodded thoughtfully:

"I also have my suspicions about this matter."
Since Lu Yunyi dared to send people back to the capital without authorization,

He must have the support of someone behind him, otherwise, how could he have been so bold?

A hint of admiration flashed in Qu Jiarui's eyes.
Only people with brains can cooperate better.

"In that case, if Lord Tang can gain the support of the officials in the capital, so can Lu Yunyi."

In this operation, Lord Tang not only needs to be wary of the deliveryman resorting to desperate measures,
"You might even have to fight other reinforcements, so you'd better be prepared."

Tang Xingbang pursed his lips, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, and nodded heavily.
"This time, it's all or nothing."
We must rescue them no matter what, or we will all die.

Qu Jiarui sighed deeply, feeling as if he had aged considerably.
"This time, I will do my utmost to help."

I will send people to investigate the whereabouts of the Fallen Flower Merchant Guild in the city for a day.

But please, Lord Tang, don't forget.
After this incident, my son was rescued.

A ruthless glint flashed in Qu Jiarui's eyes as he continued:

"I am willing to resign and return to my hometown in exchange for my son's safety."

"I hope Lord Tang can put in a good word for us with the marquises."

Tang Xingbang glanced at him and chuckled softly:
"Don't worry, Lord Qu. Once this storm passes, everything will be different."
Not only will your son be safe and sound, but Lord Qu's official position will even be promoted!

"hope"

Qu Jiarui's voice was heavy, and after he finished speaking, he stood up:
"I will arrange for men to investigate. If Lord Tang intends to leave the city..."
"Speak to me first, and I will make the necessary arrangements."

He looked at the dozen or so people still busy at work and said:

"The investigation here must continue. Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows, let alone something so important."

Tang Xingbang nodded solemnly:

"Don't worry, Lord Qu, I will not leave the city today. I will wait until the news is completely confirmed before I leave."

"Um"

With a slight nod, Qu Jiarui left the dull room.

Upon entering the courtyard, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed everything in its light.

The bluestone pavement on the ground is highlighted with its sharp edges and corners, and the tiny pebbles on it are covered with a golden sheen.
Qu Jiarui stared at all of this in a daze.

After an unknown amount of time, he looked at the steward beside him and said in a deep voice:

"Old Tian, ​​go and investigate the exact whereabouts of the Fallen Flower Merchant Guild that entered the city on the 25th."
The General of the City Defense Army is from my hometown; we can ask him to handle it.

The old servant beside him stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Yes, sir, I hope you can put your mind at ease."

"Sir, you will surely be able to overcome this hurdle."

"Ugh"

Qu Jiarui sighed deeply and pursed her lips slightly.
In the past, his enemies were mostly political adversaries.
They were all of similar rank and position, and he enjoyed fighting them.

but now.
Facing the people of Yingtian Imperial City, he not only felt uncertain but also harbored a hidden fear.

After all, countless past experiences have proven that His Majesty and the Crown Prince always win.

"Hopefully, hurry up and go."

"Yes!"

Night Fragrance Trading Company was located in the southern part of the city, closest to the city gate.

The trading company occupied a vast area, encompassing half a street.
The street where it was located was almost deserted.
It's not that this place isn't bustling enough, but rather that the business that Night Fragrance Trading Company engages in is too terrifying.

The two night-scented perfume merchants, one in the north and one in the south, controlled 80% of the night-scented perfume business in the entire city of Beiping.
Every evening and morning, countless carts loaded with black wooden barrels would arrive at the two trading companies in an endless stream, causing people to avoid them.

At this moment, on the wide road in front of Nan Yexiang Trading Company...

A line of large trucks were parked, their black wooden barrels emitting a repulsive stench.

The brown liquid, especially around the edge of the cap, is even more off-putting.

Therefore,
The entire street was deserted!

A young man dressed in white stood at the door, his hair slicked back and his face powdered, his entire body covered in face powder.

Holding a folding fan in his hand, he looked at the scene before him with satisfaction.

Beside him stood a shopkeeper dressed in black, looking extremely uneasy.

The young man fanned himself as he laughed:
Everyone says this business is dirty.
But who knew that this business of excrement and urine was actually a real money-maker?

Manager He, I used to lose money no matter what I did.
Restaurants, brothels, cloth, silk, dyeing workshops,
Everyone treats me like a sucker, trying every possible way to rip me off.

As for me, I have a leisurely nature, and in the end, I always ended up making a fortune.

But as the saying goes, perseverance pays off, and I finally found this sure-fire way to make money.

Manager He, don't you agree?

"Young Master Xu, you're absolutely right. With you backing it up, it would be difficult for the business to go bankrupt!"

Manager He, standing to the side, wore a respectful expression and a fawning smile.

He also smelled wonderfully fragrant.

As the leader of the Beiping dung gang, he had considerable wealth.

But because of his business, he is looked down upon by many people.

Now that they've found a new backer,

He's now a wealthy landowner, and he's got the title too.

Whenever they went out, they held their heads high and chests out, and no one dared to ignore them.

Therefore, he had to be extremely respectful to the young people around him!
He has countless amounts of money.

But this respect is unique to Beiping!
"Hahahaha"

Young Master Xu burst into laughter:
"I earned nearly a thousand taels in just ten days."

I told others about it, but they didn't believe me.
They open restaurants and brothels, bragging about how much they earn in a month—it's all bullshit.

Our business is truly stable; we have money every day and every month.

As long as my brother-in-law is still in town, this business will never end.

"The Prince of Yan is His Majesty's eldest son. He is stationed in Dadu, the capital of Yuan, and his position is so prestigious that it will probably remain unchanged for a hundred years."

Manager He stood to the side, beaming with joy.

As a businessman.
He knew the business of merchants all too well.

A hero is not defined by how much money one makes in a short time, but by how long one lives, how much one earns, and how well one holds onto it.

"Alright, we've looked at the accounts and bragged about it, let's get down to business."

Having said that, Young Master Xu took out a document from his pocket and handed it over:

"Take this and go to every house in the city, one by one, until you find the person mentioned above."

Manager He took the document, opened it, and read...
A rough-looking man in his thirties appeared on the paper.
His hooked nose, in particular, was very noticeable.

"Young master, what is this?"

"Don't worry about who they are, just find them."
Don't blame me for not warning you, the order came from your cousin.
If I can't find the person, I can't explain myself.

Shopkeeper He trembled and knelt down with a thud, staring blankly at the man in the painting:

"The Queen Consort gave the order?"

Young Master Xu pulled him up in one swift motion:
"Look at your ambition! Your cousin only protects you because she sees your ability to get into any household."

Now that it's your first time using it, don't embarrass yourself.

If they can't find the person, then the leader of the dung gang might have to be replaced.

Suddenly, Manager He's sense of crisis surged, and he quickly agreed:

"Don't worry, Young Master Xu, I will definitely find the person!!"

Young Master Xu smiled and nodded:

"Old He, you've always been efficient in getting things done."

"After I leave, I still need to go to the carriage shop."

Manager He bowed deeply, already guessing who this person was and planning how to find him.

"Respectfully seeing off Young Master Xu"

(End of this chapter)