The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 172 Accusing the White Lotus Sect of Collusion
"My lady, Madam Tang has left..." No sooner had Shi Qingyu left than Shang Mingshu received the news.

"Keep a close eye on the Han family. Be extremely cautious on the day they open their business," Shang Mingshu instructed in a low voice.

Shi Qingyu's departure today was decided before Shang Mingshu came to Yingtian Prefecture, so Shang Mingshu didn't think much of it. She didn't want to develop the suspicion that someone was always trying to harm her, and she still made the worst-case scenario plan for everything.

Madam Tang is no unknown figure in the business world. If she tries to obstruct things without any evidence, who will want to do business with her in the future?
She sent invitations twice, but Madam Tang refused both times. Shang Mingshu sensed that Madam Tang was intentionally avoiding her, but based on this alone, she shouldn't rashly convict Madam Tang.

Whether Madam Tang harbors ill intentions towards her will soon become clear. If she truly has malicious intentions, and manages to escape once, she won't do it again!
When the incense trade was launched, the event was a grand affair. Shang Mingshu not only hired a lion dance troupe, but also spent a lot of money to invite a local opera troupe to perform. She also booked several teahouses and ordered people to make gifts, throwing out handfuls of copper coins. In no time, countless people were drawn to the area, crowding the entire street.

Those who were curious about the owner's background were also given a chance to shout out loud by the people arranged by Shang Mingshu, so that the reputation of the Quexiang Order in Shuntian Prefecture as a place frequented by high-ranking officials and nobles, and the fact that flower tea was highly favored by noble ladies, could be spread far and wide.

The storyteller wrote a script that closely linked the scented tea of ​​the Qu Yuan (a type of incense-selling order) with status and prestige. After many people inquired about the price, the wealthy and powerful naturally did not hesitate to spend, while those with quick wit gritted their teeth and bought it as a gift or to entertain distinguished guests. Many of his fellow tea drinkers also wanted to know what kind of new tea it was...

"Official business, make way, make way—"

Amidst the clamor of voices, the constables in official robes forcefully pushed through the crowd. The eight of them, with an imposing and imposing manner, arrived at the entrance of the Incense Monopoly Office, and the surroundings instantly fell silent.

"Officer, this is..." The shopkeeper immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Who are you?" the leading officer asked sternly.

"I am the manager of the Quexiangling Tea House. Today, the tea house is open for business. Sir, please do me the honor of having a cup of tea. If there is anything I have done poorly in my service, please let me know..." The manager said, taking out a bulging money bag.

The official raised his hand to stop him: "Manager, we are here on orders. Someone has reported that the Tea House under the Seizure Order is colluding with the White Lotus Sect..."

"White Lotus!"

"The government says that the incense monopoly magistrate is colluding with the White Lotus Sect!"

"Cult henchmen, drive them out!"

It was a premeditated frame-up. Someone in the crowd shouted at the top of their lungs, trying to guide the ordinary people. Shang Mingshu stood at the highest point and had a clear view of everything. She turned her head slightly and nodded to He Sui.

Many people prepared rotten eggs, rotten vegetable leaves, and moldy cornbread to throw at the signboard of the incense monopoly order, and some even incited the people to rush up.

Que Xiangling seemed to have been prepared. Several agile people swooped down from the heights, quickly and ruthlessly grabbing a few ringleaders and pulling them out of the crowd. They were then slammed down in front of the teahouse. The guards brought by Shang Mingshu were ruthless, dislocating the arms and legs of the men. The screams quickly brought the situation under control.

"What are you doing!" The leading officer's thick, dark eyebrows furrowed.

"Don't be angry, officers!" Just as the officers were gripping their sword hilts, ready to draw their swords, Shang Mingshu's soft voice came from inside the house.

The shopkeeper's tall figure moved aside, and Shang Mingshu appeared in everyone's eyes, dressed in light purple. The pearl-embellished dress made her look noble and dignified.

"Master." The shopkeeper bowed.

"Officer, I am the owner of the Incense Monopoly Order." Shang Mingshu stood in front of the officer. She was slender and gentle, but her aura was no less imposing. Her sharp gaze swept over the people lying on the ground. "These people were the ones who started the trouble. My men gave them a light punishment. If you want to hold them accountable, I can go to court with them and ask the magistrate to judge the matter."

Several of the people lying on the ground were familiar faces. These officials knew their origins better than anyone else. The lead officer could only say, "Madam Shang, we are here on orders. Please grant us your convenience." "Officials and clerks, but the officers are not the same," Shang Mingshu said with a smile, stepping aside. "I am willing to understand you officers, but my teahouse is opening today, and you have come with such fanfare, accusing me of colluding with a cult. This is no small crime. Before searching, could you please bring the person who made the accusation? If, after the search, the incense magistrate is found to be innocent, how will the person who made the false accusation be convicted?"

"We can't let ordinary people spout nonsense and then the government mobilize a huge force. If everyone follows suit, who can make a living in peace?"

Shang Mingshu's words were reasonable and well-founded, and the officials were clearly prepared and handled the situation with ease: "The person who made the accusation is Luo Dashanren. Luo Dashanren is currently in the county government office. After we have searched the area, we will make a fair judgment. Madam Shang, you can go to the county government office to argue with Luo Dashanren."

"Shopkeeper, you will accompany the officers on the search," Shang Mingshu ordered confidently.

Her dissolute behavior was noticed by the people, who discussed it and made various guesses. More and more people gathered to watch the spectacle.

Shang Mingshu stood upright at the entrance of the teahouse, letting everyone look at her and point fingers.

About 15 minutes later, the officers came out with their men and said to the lead officer, "Sir, we didn't find anything."

"Impossible!" a young man standing at the front of the crowd shouted, drawing everyone's attention to him.

"This is the eldest son of the philanthropist Luo," the official introduced to Shang Mingshu.

Turning her head, Shang Mingshu looked Luo Dalang up and down as he strode towards her: "Is the young master questioning the officer's competence, or is he questioning whether I bribed the officer?"

Luo Dalang, who did indeed suspect that Shang Mingshu had bribed the officials, choked on his words. Under the watchful eyes of the constables, he dared not speak out: "Gentlemen, I have no such intention. It's just that the White Lotus Sect is of great importance, and the Incense Monopoly Commissioner is powerful and wealthy. If he is truly a henchman of the White Lotus Sect, Yingtian Prefecture is in danger. Officers, you might as well search more carefully. If the Incense Monopoly Commissioner is innocent, he should have nothing to fear!"

Shang Mingshu smiled slightly: "I am not afraid."

"In that case, Madam Shang, I apologize for the offense!" The constable then ordered the officers to search the area again.

Luo Dalang shouted, "I'm going too!"

Seeing that Shang Mingshu did not stop him, the taxi driver pretended not to see her.

Fifteen minutes later, Luo Dalang rushed out excitedly, his face flushed: "Found it! Found it!"

The crowd erupted in uproar. The official who had emerged, gesticulating wildly, did indeed have something in his hand. He unfolded it and showed it to the head constable, whose face turned grim upon seeing it. The head constable waved his hand and ordered, "Take it away!"

The officials stepped forward and tied Luo Dalang and a waiter in the teahouse behind their backs.

"What are you doing? You've arrested the wrong person!" Luo Dalang shouted.

"Take them away!" the policeman ordered.

Luo Dalang continued to curse wildly, leaving the people completely bewildered.

The charioteer clasped his hands in greeting to Shang Mingshu and left, while the shopkeeper accompanied him to the yamen.