Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 148 Inspection Station
Should we verify her identity?

Tan Huai Ke was taken aback at first, then said respectfully and politely, "We have had all the documents submitted to the Prefect of the Capital reviewed. Perhaps there is something unclear? Please come with me to the private room to rest for a while, and I will retrieve them for your inspection." As she spoke, she deliberately ordered loudly, "Pei'er, go and prepare tea, snacks and food for all the officials, and take good care of them."

The soldiers had come looking for trouble, intending to cause a ruckus in the restaurant's main hall, but their words were suddenly cut off, their earlier imposing entrance abruptly halted. Pei'er, having been taught to be much more clever, immediately brought out a variety of delicious-looking roasted meats, flatbreads, and pastries from the kitchen, along with a refreshing and palatable tea, and had a dancer dressed in Western attire lead them to a private room.

A fragrant breeze wafted through the air, and silver bells jingled. Before the soldiers could even react, they were already seated at the table, enjoying their meal.

Tan Huai Ke dared not take the difficulty deliberately chosen for the opening day lightly. While showing them the relevant documents, he gave his servants a wink, signaling them to call for reinforcements.

Sure enough, the leading officer glanced at her document registration and casually tossed it aside, blowing on his tea smoke as he said, "Your paperwork looks complete, but is the identity on this document registration genuine?"

Tan Huaike looked astonished: "Of course it's true, sir. Why do you say that?"

This astonishment wasn't entirely feigned. She couldn't understand why the officials of Andu were suddenly paying attention to her background and household registration when her shop was doing so well. Could someone have accused her of being the daughter of a merchant from the Western Regions? But only a handful of people connected to the marriage alliance truly knew this. Even if they wanted to use this opportunity to cause trouble, it would be most effective when she was a "princess." Was it really necessary to go to such lengths just to ruin her restaurant?

The Tan family kept this matter very secret. To obtain concrete evidence, one would either have to dig up graves like Shen Tu Zhuo did, or force the Tan family in Zhangye County to admit to buying a slave as a substitute bride. Knowing the Tan family as she did, she knew they wouldn't do something that would bring them no benefit. Otherwise, they would completely fall out with the Shen Tu family, and all her efforts would be in vain.

Besides, Hexi is far away and the sky is high. What can be found out in just a few days? We haven't heard anything about any trouble from the Tan family before, so it's probably not that the news leaked from there.

So, what exactly brought these officials here?

The officer said, "Since you say this place is real, then let me ask you, when and why did you enter Andu? Why is there a nearly half-month difference between the date you left Fengyi County and the date you entered Andu? Where did you get lost during those two short days of travel? Or did you secretly do some kind of business?"

It turns out the problem lies here.

That's because they hadn't expected to receive an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager ordering the marriage procession to stay in Fengyi County for several days. Therefore, they had prepared documents to leave Fengyi County beforehand, but actually stayed much longer under the pretext of the Princess's serious illness before heading to Andu. Tan Huai Ke's current residence permit is naturally not the one belonging to the Princess of Qin, but the procedures were completed almost simultaneously, and he didn't expect to be criticized here.

Tan Huaike presented his prepared explanation: "Your Honor, I was merely staying in Fengyi County for about ten days longer than the deadline set by the authorities. I cleared out all the goods I had brought from Hexi and exchanged them all for cash, which is why I was delayed. I was afraid that once I entered Andu, I would need to rent a house and provide for my food, clothing, and other necessities, and I wouldn't have enough capital to do business."

"Based solely on your word, who can tell if it's true or false?" The officers were unconvinced. "You said you were doing business in Fengyi County, but can anyone vouch for that? You left right on the last day of the deadline, but did you pay any taxes there?"

"Oh, sir, this is putting me in a difficult position," Tan Huai Ke said neither humbly nor arrogantly. "If you really want to investigate this thoroughly, you can only ask Prefect Fengyi to testify for me. But I am just a small merchant, how can I have the face to trouble the Prefect?"

It wouldn't be impossible to invite them; with just a word from the King of Qin, there would be no problem. But Tan Huaike always felt that there was something fishy going on, and he couldn't easily fall into their trap.

The officers then asked, "Let's talk about your shop. I heard you have a main store in Hexi and a branch in Andu? Where do you report and calculate the amount of money owed?"

Tan Huaike replied, "According to the current laws of Da Xuan, merchants with fixed business locations should report the location of their shops. The head office should report in Hexi, and the branches should report in Andu."

Seeing that her answer was impeccable, the officers continued to nitpick: "According to the household registration, you are a widow from the Tan family who married into the Shentu family? Then, does the property you own belong to the Tan family or the Shentu family?"

This is just making trouble out of nothing. Tan Huai Ke suppressed his anger and said, "Sir, I don't know what this matter has to do with my past?"

The officers pressed aggressively: "How can you say it's no problem? The imperial court is now re-registering the origins of all merchants. If you don't explain clearly, who will take responsibility if something goes wrong?" Just then, a clear voice broke in: "Sir, your words are strange. What could possibly go wrong?"

Tan Huaike turned around and saw Shen Tu Zhuo rushing over, still catching his breath.
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The leading officer seemed to recognize him. He had been sitting there with an air of authority, but when he saw him enter, he instinctively stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Young Master Shentu, please don't be offended. We are just doing our duty."

Tan Huaike thought to himself, "He hasn't even passed the recommendation process yet, how is my uncle so popular in Andu?"
Shen Tu Zhuo said, "Although my sister-in-law is a daughter of the Tan family and a new bride of the Shen Tu family, all the businesses under her name are managed by herself and have nothing to do with the Tan family or the Shen Tu family."

“But she did marry into the Shentu family after all, and even though her husband is dead, these properties should belong to her husband’s family.”

“I am the head of the Shentu family, and I say I will not return, and that means I will not return.”

"Young Master Shentu, you should think this through. Your father once held a high position, and the Shentu family's household registration in Andu has not been cancelled. If it were to be registered under the Shentu family's name, it would be considered an Andu merchant, which is far more useful than any merchant from the borderlands or barbarian lands." The official's tone was arrogant, with a hidden meaning in his words. "You should know that interests far away cannot open doors that are right in front of you."

"Thank you for the reminder. Although Hexi is remote, it is also a good place for self-cultivation." Shentu Zhuo remained unmoved. "We have been away from the capital for a long time. Coming to Andu can only be considered as a newcomer. There are some troublesome waters we dare not wade into."

Shen Tu Zhuo glanced at Tan Huai Ke, who already understood.

The other party's intentions are unclear. They seem to be looking out for them, but in reality, they are setting a trap for them. If the shops are truly brought under the Shentu family's name, or registered as merchants in Andu, it might seem to offer some immediate benefits, and even facilitate Shentu Zhuo's path to officialdom. However, it could lead to endless troubles in the long run.

Although Tan Huaike was still unaware of the intricacies involved, she believed that Shen Tu Zhuo would not harm her.

Moreover, she herself was determined to retain the name of the Hexi merchants, so that she would have a chance to compete for the imperial merchant quota.

Just as the stalemate was reaching its conclusion, a commotion was heard from outside.

Prince Mohe appeared in a glittering gold outfit, revealing his chest and belly, and exclaimed, "Finally, Andu has some decent Western food."

The waiter hurried over: "What would you like to order, sir?"

Aisha glanced at him disdainfully and said lazily, "I have very picky tastes, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Call your boss over to order for me."

Then another young lady rang her bell, urging, "Where is the master? I ordered it a long time ago. My lady wants to eat some fresh and hot food, but she can't wait that long."

Tan Huaike looked in the direction of the sound and was taken aback. When did Lady White Snake arrive?

The officers and soldiers, who had intended to show off their power and interrogate people, were left speechless. "..." What's going on?

Let's not even mention Prince Shentu; I'd long heard that the restaurant owner was the widowed sister-in-law of this retainer of the King of Qin.

Why is the envoy from Mohe, who has recently been planning the western trade route with the Grand Minister of Works, also getting involved? And that palace lady... could the empress she's talking about be Her Majesty the Empress?
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Next chapter: What kind of terrible job did he take on?