Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 202 The Crown Prince's Secret Order
Taking advantage of her stay in Dunhuang, Cai Zhuer carefully selected several shops, intending to expand her Salan trading company there, and at the same time, to bring over the Guangli Chamber of Commerce's business in colored minerals and colored soil.

Although the caves at Mingsha Mountain are not yet very large-scale, she vaguely sensed a business opportunity—such creations are so exquisite and unique that they may become a trend, attracting more ordinary people and nobles to participate. At that time, materials, tools, craftsmen, and painters will all be linked together to form a complete industry.

Only by getting in early can you earn more; Cai Zhu'er knew this principle well.

While waiting for news from the Crown Prince, Shen Tu Zhuo was not idle. Taking advantage of the opening of the new trade route, he had already begun to investigate the caravans that had close ties with the Kingdom of Ti Nu.

As the most powerful and domineering nation in the Western Regions, many caravans do business with Tinu. Small countries like Wuxu and Yangma are almost entirely under Tinu's control, and trade occurring in these places is subject to Tinu's imposition of taxes.

To gain a clearer understanding, Shen Tu Zhuo ventured deep into the western desert with the Zhenxi Army, establishing trade routes, post stations, and patrols. Along the way, he visited caravans of all sizes and refugees from various countries. His efforts paid off; he managed to identify five caravans that had engaged in suspicious transactions with Ti Nu.

Zhou Wenzong disagreed: "It's too dangerous. Why not wait for the Crown Prince's decree before taking action? That way, you could at least get some guards. You're not a general, and those old hands in the Zhenxi Army won't really take you seriously."

Shen Tu Zhuo had just returned from Wuxu, and said wearily, "Instead of waiting here, we might as well go wander around and try our luck. As the Grand Chancellor of Rites, I bear the heavy responsibility of opening up new trade routes. It is only natural for me to talk to various merchant caravans and ask them questions. No one will suspect anything. Waiting for the Crown Prince to issue an order to send people will only alert them."

"Alright, it's good that you're back safe and sound." Zhou Wenzong sighed. "I know you've been waiting anxiously, but don't be too reckless. It would be too much of a waste to ruin yourself in order to avenge your father and brothers."

"Hmm, I know what I'm doing," Shen Tu Zhuo replied vaguely.

Actually, he wasn't entirely alone on this trip. Shen Tu Heng was also secretly traveling with him. As a former general of the Zhenxi Army, Shen Tu Heng also gave him many suggestions regarding post stations and patrols.

However, Shen Tu Zhuo had long ago discovered that the King of Qin seemed unaware of his elder brother's miraculous survival, knowing only that the Crown Prince had a highly skilled bodyguard. This showed how well the Eastern Palace had concealed this move; no wonder Shen Tu Heng had always been cautious, never revealing his true identity, and naturally, he wouldn't want to cause trouble for his brother.

Cai Zhu'er calmed down from her resentment of revenge and asked, "So the caravan that traded in refined iron weapons back then still exists, and it's very likely that it's one of those five suspicious caravans?"

Shen Tu Zhuo said, "We encountered a crossbow-wielding army on this trip. Although we did not fight, I saw a soldier splitting animal bones and skinning flesh. He was not using the curved swords left by the Zhenxi Army, but a short sword. Judging from the luster and curvature of the blade, it was very similar to the forging techniques used in Da Xuan. Those five caravans were hiding something. As for whether it was them, we cannot be sure yet."

Cai Zhu thought for a moment and said, "The case of Lord Shentu back then caused such a big stir that the other party couldn't have been completely unprepared. I guess this business may have been interrupted at times, but it hasn't completely stopped. Especially after His Highness Prince Qin married Princess Mohe, the power of the Eastern Palace has grown stronger day by day. They may be even more eager to win over Ti Nu, and there may be some big moves in the near future."

“You’re absolutely right. After Lord Shentu was demoted, the court investigated the western trade routes, but unfortunately, they found nothing unusual. Now, the opening of the new trade routes also poses new risks for them. That’s why some people in the Zhenxi Army were instructed to try to stir up a conflict between the old and new trade routes.” Zhou Wenzong praised, “Caizhu, who says you don’t understand the intrigues of the court? If you ask me, you clearly see things more clearly than many officials.”

“I really don’t understand the court, but I do understand the ways of business,” Cai Zhu’er said modestly. “No matter what those people who transported the fine iron weapons originally did, they were running this business. Some were after power, some after money, and some after plunder. With such a huge profit to be tempted, they couldn’t resist and couldn’t stop.”

"As long as they're still doing this business, we'll definitely be able to find something to use against them," Shen Tu Zhuo said confidently.
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Finally, news came from the Eastern Palace. Tracing back along the five volumes of travelogues that Shen Tu Jianzhi had obtained, even though the evidence from that year had been completely lost and was insufficient to convict Qi Zhengchu of treason, it could at least serve as a basis for planning their next direction of investigation.

The Crown Prince shared the same view, believing that the recent turmoil in the court would inevitably lead to unsettling actions by the Grand Minister of Works. He instructed them to keep a close eye on the caravans in Hexi that were closely connected with the Ti Nu, so as to obtain the freshest and clearest evidence.

For this reason, the Crown Prince even gave Shentu Zhuo a secret order.

This secret order came two days later than the previous message and was delivered directly to Shen Tu Zhuo without being passed on by the King of Qin.

After reading the secret order, Shen Tu Zhuo burned the silk scroll on a fire.

Unaware that he had received a secret order, Cai Zhu'er made another trip to Mingsha Mountain to ask the two cousins ​​from the Li family about many details regarding the construction of the cave, including the quality of the colored minerals and soil used, the refining methods, and so on.

When she finally had some free time, she asked Shen Tu Zhuo how he planned to find the evidence.

Shen Tu Zhuo leaned back on the couch, a glass of chilled grapes beside him, and said casually, "That's easy. First, I'll find the caravan that's most likely to do weapons business with Ti Nu. Then I'll sneak in, do odd jobs for them, and when they're off guard, I'll steal a knife, a letter, an account book, or something, and then make a clean getaway!"

"Aren't you planning to bring the guards sent by the Crown Prince? Or you could ask the Prince of Qin for a contingent of elite troops from the Zhenxi Army," Caizhu said worriedly. "Otherwise, if they find out, will you even be able to come back alive?"

"The guards of the Eastern Palace are too conspicuous with their noble air brought from Andu. As I said before, they are likely to alert the enemy. As for Song Shu's side... the forces within the Zhenxi Army are already complex and cannot be fully trusted. They might set a trap for us somewhere. So it's better to go with a light load. At worst, I can have him pick two personal guards to accompany me."

Cai Zhu frowned at him: "I always feel like you're hiding something."

Shen Tu Zhuo got up and brought her a bowl of peeled grapes: "What could be hiding? Don't worry, this time is different from the time my grandfather did. We have made full preparations, there is no big risk."

"Really?" For some reason, Cai Zhu'er felt uneasy.

"Of course, why would I risk my own life just to bring down a Grand Minister?" Shentu Zhuo changed the subject. "By the way, I'll need to trouble you, sister-in-law, to put on a show for me to gain the trust of the other caravans."

"What kind of play? Where is it performed?"
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Next chapter: Sister, trust me, I'll make sure you're well taken care of.