The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 123 Demands an Explanation

"Are you sure this person is in contact with the Shang family and has stored the goods in the warehouse of the Shang family's dock?" Since receiving the evidence presented by Shi Houqiong, Prefect He has been keeping a close watch on the matter, adhering to the principle of erring on the side of caution.

The letter mentioned a person who was an old friend of Shang Jinliang. This person had become an outlaw several years ago and an inside agent for the Japanese pirates. Coincidentally, his nephew came to visit, and after discussing the matter with Xu Tianxing, Xu Tianxing found out the person clearly.

"Reporting to you, sir, I have been keeping a close eye on them. They first used the seafood as a cover, and it was the physician from Xiangmingzhai who came to take inventory. This physician is someone whom Master Shang has taken in as an orphan and trusts very much. There are rumors in the streets that Master Shang intends to take a son-in-law..." The subordinate replied respectfully, "Last night, Young Master Du accompanied Han Ang to secretly replace the gunpowder. Now the warehouses at the Shang family's docks are full of gunpowder."

Gunpowder was a prohibited item by the imperial court, and possessing gunpowder privately was a serious crime, let alone colluding with Japanese pirates.

Prefect He waved his hand: "Take your men and keep an eye on things, but don't alert them."

After dismissing his subordinates, Prefect He turned and returned to the inner courtyard. Xu Tianxing had not yet left. He had official business to attend to and was just passing through this place. He should have returned to Shaoxing as soon as possible. The next day, he learned that Shang Mingshu had set off alone, which was within his expectations.

Although he had only met Shang Mingshu a few times, he knew that she was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, decisive and sharp. He believed that with Shang Mingshu's departure, her connection with Cheng Mian would be completely severed, and he only needed to wait for good news.

Before he could even set off, his uncle sent word that Japanese pirates had infiltrated Huizhou Prefecture. This was a matter of great importance, and he stayed behind to investigate thoroughly. It cannot be denied that he harbored some personal motives.

"Uncle, what troubles you?" Xu Tianxing asked, stepping forward to greet the prefect, who had a furrowed brow.

"The Han Ang I asked you to investigate earlier..." Prefect He needed someone to discuss this with, and he trusted Xu Tianxing, and this was also within Xu Tianxing's duties, which is why he came to find him late at night.

"Uncle suspects the Shang family?" Xu Tianxing's expression hardened slightly upon hearing this. "This matter is strange. According to what you told my nephew before, the Shi family is not clean. It's possible that he's setting a trap to harm the Shang family, using you as a pawn. However..."

It's true that Xu Tianxing is infatuated with Shang Mingshu, but he won't let personal feelings hold him back when it comes to important matters: "Uncle admires Master Shang, but we can't be careless. It's better to wait and see who is the real person and who is the culprit."

Prefect He nodded repeatedly, as Xu Tianxing's words coincided with his own: "That's exactly right. I'm telling you this so that you can secretly lend me a hand. They've managed to transport so much gunpowder so quietly; I'm afraid there are quite a few people involved."

At this moment, Prefect He was extremely fortunate. Xu Tianxing happened to be here incognito. Since it was for private business, his official boat had already returned to Shaoxing. Only he and the merchants knew about it, but the merchants probably wouldn't guess that Xu Tianxing was still in Huizhou Prefecture.

Prefect He has already been implicated. Whether it is Shi Houqiong or Shang Jinliang who colluded with the Japanese pirates, his every word and action is being secretly watched. When he sensed something was wrong, it was too late for him to ask Xu Tianxing for help.

“Uncle, your nephew shouldn’t be here,” Xu Tianxing reminded him.

Prefect He realized that even if he did nothing, it would arouse suspicion.

"I only hope that the Shang family was framed..." Prefect He looked at his nephew, who had become famous at a young age, held great power, and was deeply trusted by the emperor and loved by the people. Only a girl like Shang Mingshu was worthy of him.

Xu Tianxing smiled without saying a word. He didn't believe that the Shang family colluded with the Japanese pirates, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to raise a woman like Shang Mingshu. Moreover, when he first met Shang Mingshu, he could see the hatred for the Japanese pirates in her eyes.

He had no intention of using his trust to warn the merchants. Selfishness was one thing, but he stood on the cliff, with the bottomless abyss in front of him filled with Japanese pirates and the flat road behind him filled with ordinary people.

He must guard this boundary; businesses can only rely on their own vigilance, and he will lend a helping hand when necessary.

The merchant was not entirely oblivious; Du Zhong quickly noticed the warehouse key was incorrect and immediately went to find Shang Jinliang. "Master, there's clay sealing the key," Du Zhong said, handing it over.

Shang Jinliang examined it carefully but couldn't find any sealant. Du Zhong took out a silver needle from his pocket and gently slid it along the crack, causing bits of sealant to fall off.

Shang Jinliang reached out and carefully took the mud fragments from Du Zhong's arms. He rubbed them gently with his thumb, brought them close to his nose, and his eyes turned cold: "As expected, he still has the heart to steal!"

They used clay to make a rubbing of the key, then made another one. While they weren't looking, they hid something in the storeroom!
"Fortunately, you are meticulous." Shang Jinliang liked Du Zhong's meticulousness.

"Master, what should we do now?" Du Zhong asked.

Shang Jinliang vigorously rubbed the dirt off his hands: "They have probably succeeded by now. There must be people watching the warehouse. Although I don't know what they have hidden, I can guess that it must be something prohibited by the court. If I go there with my men in a big way, I might get into trouble. It would be better to play along and see what kind of schemes they have!"

"You may leave now; I have my own arrangements." Shang Jinliang dismissed Du Zhong and got up to go to the inner courtyard.

The next day, Shang Wenshu went to visit Old Madam Yao. The Shang family was afraid of being targeted, so Shang Jinliang couldn't go to see Prefect He himself and could only ask Madam Yao for help.

Since Shang Wenshu helped Grandma Yao sort out the accounts, she has won the old lady's favor, and it is common for her to visit her from time to time, which has not aroused any suspicion.

"The Shang family has not exposed the matter of the warehouse." Shi Houqiong and the others waited for Shang Jinliang's response.

Shi Houqiong wiped a jade thumb ring with silk: "Given his personality, he will surely inform the prefect in secret. Since the prefect trusts him, he will be even more suspicious of me... Tomorrow night, order someone to blow up the warehouse..."

He had no intention of letting Prefect He go. If it weren't for Prefect He's sudden appreciation for Shang Jinliang, would Shang Jinliang even be worthy of fighting him?

On the other side, Shang Mingshu, who had been traveling day and night, arrived in Shuntian Prefecture on the ninth day of her journey. She went straight to the Cheng family business and inquired about the Cheng family's residence before visiting.

When Cheng Mian heard that Shang Mingshu had arrived, he froze. The emotions he had finally managed to calm down surged up again, causing his vision to go black and his steps to falter. He had to brace himself against the table to avoid falling.

Cheng She knew that Shang Mingshu had arrived, and he sighed deeply, deciding not to show himself.

Shang Mingshu waited for a long time in the garden of the Cheng family's mansion in the capital. The capital was cold, and even though she was dressed in thick clothes, she still felt the chill. The cold light in her eyes deepened before she finally saw Cheng Mian, who had arrived late.

The once spirited young man, who couldn't wait to rush towards her, now walked with firm and heavy steps, his gaze towards her no longer burning with passion, but only deep and somber.

He stood at the foot of the pavilion, while Shang Mingshu stood inside the Flying Horn Pavilion. The two looked at each other, their gazes cold and distant.

Cheng Mian was the first to lose, but he calmly stepped up the stairs as if nothing had happened: "What brings you here, Third Madam?"

"We've come to demand an explanation."

I was away for a while and will resume updates soon.