He changed Tiwat

"Then let me ask you, do you know if there are any other impoverished merchants in Liyue besides Master Chang who have acquired Shi Po?" Han Fulai asked unhurriedly.

“This…I truly cannot know everything,” Xingqiu replied.

"Then Maocai Gong will simply find another Li Jiuye to bully and then silence him. Young Master Xingqiu, can you and the Feiyun Merchant Guild protect every vulnerable person in Liyue?" Han Fulai asked again.

“…No.” Xingqiu’s voice was low. “But at least I must protect Master Chang.”

"So, in your opinion, is protecting him more important, or is recovering the books more important to Master Chang?" Han Fulai asked.

Although Xingqiu didn't know why Han Fulai asked this question, he still answered honestly, "Of course I'm more important."

"Think about it again?" Han Fulai asked with a smile.

"It can't be a book, can it?" Xingqiu raised her eyebrows slightly.

"For Master Chang, neither the book nor you are important. What's important is the absence of Maocai Gong."

Chapter Ninety-Nine: One may not do good deeds, but one can eradicate organized crime.

Xingqiu's eyes sharpened, and his lips pursed. "Brother Han means..."

Han Fulai smiled and said, "You can only be a thief for a thousand days, how can you guard against a thief for a thousand days? You can protect Master Chang for a while, but you can't protect him forever. Besides, Master Chang is not the type to enjoy receiving favors from others, you can tell from his attitude."

"As long as Master Maocai is still alive, he can continue to act arrogantly and bully the next Master Zhang and Master Li. Are you going to protect them one by one?"

“But…” Xingqiu clenched his fist. “The fact that Maocai Gong intended to bankrupt and silence Master Chang is just our deduction and cannot be considered evidence. The only concrete evidence of Maocai Gong’s current actions is his forced purchase of Shibo at a low price. Even if this matter is brought before Qixing, at most he can cancel the transaction and apologize, but it cannot bring him down.”

"This is the disguise that Maocai Gong has put on," Han Fulai said. "Everything he is doing now may involve forced buying and selling, oppressing the good and kind, fighting and brawling, but in any case, it will not be murder, nor will it be—traitorous."

"Traitor?!" Xingqiu was taken aback; this was a serious charge. In fact, this charge had almost never been used in Liyue. Since the Geo Archon created the Mora system, the seven kingdoms of Teyvat had always been at peace. Even if there were frictions between the seven kingdoms, they would be resolved through diplomatic channels, and they would never become enemies.

"Young Master Xingqiu should know that the farewell ceremony for the immortals was just completed a few days ago on the Jade Capital Terrace, and the Rock King has already passed away. This also means that Liyue has temporarily become the only country among the seven kingdoms of Teyvat without the protection of a god," Han Fulai said.

“This… could it be that the Winter Kingdom and Liyue…” Xingqiu thought of a terrible possibility.

"Not yet." Han Fulai shook his head. "However, the trade war has already begun behind the scenes. As the second young master of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, Young Master Xingqiu should have already seen through the signs."

“Indeed, the commodity market in Liyue has been fluctuating to varying degrees recently.” Xingqiu nodded.

"And at times like these, there will naturally be people like Lord Maocai who are pessimistic about Liyue's future and bet on the Kingdom of Winter," Han Fulai said with a smile. "If the Kingdom of Winter really goes to war with Liyue one day, I'm afraid Lord Maocai would be very willing to help the Fools' advance team lead the way to Jade Capital Terrace."

"According to the relevant clauses in the Liyue Penal Code, Maocai and others colluded with and cooperated with the Fools of Winterland to endanger the national security of Liyue, sell Liyue's strategic materials, and steal and spy on Liyue's secrets and intelligence. They can be considered agents of the Fools, this diplomatic, no, spy organization. Their actions are fully punishable by death and confiscation of all their property."

“Although these clauses are remnants from the Liyue Wars, they still have legal force.” Han Fulai stroked his chin. “From ‘treason’ all the way up to ‘illegally providing state secrets,’ with multiple crimes punished together, no one should be able to protect Maocai Gong.”

"...Arrangements?" Xingqiu's eyes widened.

“Ahem, what I mean is, he committed all of these crimes,” Han Fulai said righteously.

Xingqiu looked puzzled.

"Although it is said that Maocai Gong colluded with the Fools and purchased amber for them, it is not illegal to trade with the Fools, and amber does not seem to be an important item. Speaking of which, Brother Han has not yet told me why the Fools cannot openly purchase amber. What new laws has Ningguang promulgated?"

"Amber is a crystal formed from extremely pure rock element. It often occurs alongside other minerals and is a specialty of Liyue, known locally as the 'Heart of Rock.' Young hero Xingqiu, do you know what amber is generally used for?"

Xingqiu nodded. "Besides being used for mineral casting and smelting, it also has applications in carving and crafts. Furthermore, because amber is rich in rock elemental power, it also has alchemical uses and can be used for casting... Ah!"

"It seems that Young Hero Xingqiu is indeed very familiar with minerals. The Dust Rock Staffs carried by the Rock Envoy guerrillas of the Fools' vanguard are mainly made of amber. If the amber supply is cut off, the Fools' vanguard will probably lose a type of soldier," Han Fulai said with a smile.

"So, amber is controlled as a strategic material, which is why the Fools can't acquire it?" Xingqiu frowned. "But... to my shame, even with the intelligence network of my Flying Cloud Merchant Guild, we haven't heard of any new laws regulating amber."

“That’s normal.” Han Fulai smiled. “Because this decree is still being discussed by the Seven Stars on the Jade Capital Platform, and it may be announced in the next few days—but it is currently only a draft, and in principle only the Seven Stars and the Moonsea Office know about it. The name of the decree is the ‘Liyue Strategic Materials Embargo Law’.”

"Before this decree was promulgated, the Fools seemed to have received the news and stepped up their purchases of amber as a strategic resource reserve. However, the amber of the Winter Kingdom is usually transported back to the country by the Winter Kingdom traveling merchant Ivanovich, and there is a fixed quota every year. If the Fools suddenly start buying up amber on a large scale, even a blind person would know that there may be a huge change in the amber market, and the Seven Stars, especially Lord Ningguang who is in charge of intelligence, will definitely be able to detect the information leak."

"That's why the Fools wanted to acquire Shi Po through Mao Cai Gong!" Xing Qiu clapped his hands, having already understood everything. "Since only the Seven Stars and Yue Hai Ting knew about this, it was obviously leaked from within the Seven Stars Council and Yue Hai Ting. The network of forces behind Mao Cai Gong learned of this and had him inform the Fools!"

Xingqiu was speaking when he suddenly paused—

"In that case, not only Master Chang, but also Brother Han and I are probably in danger!" Xingqiu looked at Han Fulai with a serious expression. "The Thousand Rock Army previously captured Lü Hu, his servants, and the Fools and brought them back to the Liyue Harbor General Affairs Department. With Lord Maocai's power, it would be easy for him to see Lü Hu or even release him. If Lü Hu tells Lord Maocai what happened today, I'm afraid he will add the two of us to his list of people to be silenced!"

“That’s right, and next time he’ll persuade the Fools to send out even stronger assassins, such as the Fools’ elite debt collectors.” Han Fulai had a confident expression on his face.

"Huh? Since Brother Han has already thought of that, why did you let the Thousand Rock Army take them back to Liyue Harbor..." Xingqiu was slightly confused.

Han Fulai grinned and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, handing it to Xingqiu.

"Do you remember when I handed that Chiiwa Army officer a business card? I said it was Miss Yanfei's business card, but I actually showed him this."

Xingqiu took the piece of paper and discovered that it was not Miss Yanfei's business card, but Yuehaiting's work ID, which indicated Han Fulai's identity and position. There was also a small note pasted in the blank space below the work ID, with a line of small print on it: "Command from Lord Tianquan Ningguang: Hand over these criminals to Baixiao, the Executive Vice Minister of Dali Hall, for interrogation."

"...So everything was within Brother Han's calculations." Xingqiu couldn't help but sigh.

"No, there's one more thing that wasn't part of my calculations," Han Fulai said with a smile. "That's you."

"Me?" Xingqiu's eyes widened. "What happened to me?"

"I didn't expect you, Xingqiu, to be so chivalrous. I remember you said, 'Even if it really causes a huge mess in Liyue, I want to give Master Chang Jiu justice!' Do you still stand by those words?" Han Fulai asked.

“Of course it counts,” Xingqiu said without hesitation.

"To give justice to someone like Master Chang, it's not enough to just take down Mao Cai Gong," Han Fulai said seriously. "The reason Master Chang is oppressed by Mao Cai Gong is because the laws of Liyue are difficult to enforce and maintain in places like Qingce Manor. In such places, the cost of breaking the law for criminal gangs like Lü Hu is also particularly low. If a contract cannot be upheld by strength, it is nothing but empty talk."

Xingqiu pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said, "I am indeed willing to follow the path of chivalry and uphold justice for the people of Liyue, but I am afraid that I am not capable enough on my own. The Flying Cloud Merchant Guild will not be of much help to me in this matter either."

Han Fulai blinked. "What if we add the entire Guhua Sect as well?"

“But Brother Han just told me that the Liyue Seven Stars government does not welcome our Guhua faction’s chivalrous acts, and may even regard us as traitors who have usurped public power. Moreover, the Guhua faction has already lost its heritage, so how easy is it to revive it?”

“Indeed. Young Master Xingqiu should remember that I also said, ‘The government is not concerned with good or evil, but only with order or chaos,’” Han Fulai said.

Xingqiu nodded. "Of course I remember."

"What if our Guhua Sect wasn't acting as a chivalrous hero, but instead helping the Seven Stars Government quell the chaos?" Han Fulai asked.

"Help the Seven Stars government quell the chaos?" Xingqiu raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, although it has nothing to do with good or evil, it does have something to do with order and chaos!” Han Fulai waved his hand, paced back and forth a few times, and put on a sorrowful and painful expression. “The Liyue Seven Stars want to govern remote areas, but they are short of manpower, whether it is civil servants or the Thousand Rock Army. This makes it difficult to implement the Liyue Seven Stars’ governing principles in remote areas like Qingce Village!”

"For Liyue to enjoy long-term peace and stability, we need a large number of people stationed in remote areas such as Qiaoying Village and Qingce Village to help maintain order! Eliminating the forces that harm the people and eradicating the bullies who are entrenched in places like Qingce Village and Qiaoying Village is the top priority for Liyue to maintain social stability!"

Han Fulai suddenly reached out and grasped Xingqiu's shoulders, his expression serious and solemn, as if entrusting him with a sacred mission.

"Young Master Xingqiu, would you be willing to revitalize our Guhua Sect, equip its disciples with standardized training manuals and uniform equipment, and help Liyue eradicate the dark forces and restore a bright and clear world to the people of Liyue?"

Xingqiu was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile.

"I see... Brother Han, just tell me how much the Flying Cloud Chamber of Commerce needs to pay?"

Chapter 100: A Second Blossom, the Young Master Offers His Head

"As expected of my brother Xingqiu, a true hero, serving the country and its people!"

Han Fulai patted Xingqiu's shoulder hard, then took his hand.

Xingqiu turned her face away shyly.

"Brother Han, you flatter me. Since my Feiyun Merchant Guild is a family of merchants, we naturally understand the principle of benefiting from the support of a powerful patron. Since you were willing to reveal such important information as the 'Liyue Strategic Materials Embargo Law' to me, you must not simply trust my character, right?"

"Brother Xingqiu is indeed clever, he understands immediately!" Han Fulai laughed. "I will promote the bidding process for the exclusive rights of the stone amber at Yuehai Pavilion, and the only one who can win the bid is Feiyun Chamber of Commerce."

"Our Feiyun Chamber of Commerce has obtained the exclusive right to operate strategic materials and monopolizes the profits gained from Shibo. It is only right and proper for us to contribute some of these profits to the Seven Stars Government of Liyue to help them promote the construction of the rule of law at the grassroots level and give back to society," Xingqiu said.

"Truly, heroes emerge from among the young!"

Han Fulai felt quite gratified.

"Young Master Xingqiu's ideological awareness and political stance are so impressive. If it weren't for the fact that you would be inheriting the main family business of the Liyue Yun Clan in the future, I would have wanted to recruit you into the Moonsea Pavilion as a civil servant!"

"Huh?" This time it was Xingqiu's turn to be surprised. "Our Yun Clan has been living in seclusion behind the scenes for many years, with most of our businesses being inherited by branches. The Flying Cloud Merchant Guild is a matter for the Yun Clan's main branch, and even among the Seven Stars of Liyue, few know about it. Brother Han, you actually know about this? Could it be Ningguang..."

Han Fulai shook his head. "This wasn't told to me by Lady Ningguang, but after spending some time with you, how could I not see it? Silk is a specialty of Liyue, extracted from the Rainbow Flower. As one of the top merchant guilds in Liyue, the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild's main business is silk trading, and I haven't heard of them being involved in the mining industry."

"But in your previous plan, you unhesitatingly proposed using the financial power of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild to monopolize Liyue's amber resources and then sell them to Maocai Gong at a high price. The Flying Cloud Merchant Guild, a merchant guild that deals in silk, is already a major taboo in the business world to monopolize the mineral industry. But you seemed very confident, believing that the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild would definitely support this proposal, which shows that the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild has actually cultivated a deep understanding of the mining industry."

"Mao Cai Gong is clearly a wealthy mining merchant, yet you are so certain that he wouldn't dare to confront the Fei Yun Chamber of Commerce directly. This further illustrates the point—the Fei Yun Chamber of Commerce's influence in the mining industry is even greater than Mao Cai Gong's!"

"Furthermore, your familiarity with the amber market near Liyue Harbor, and even your knowledge of Shi Zhuang, the foreman of the Blackrock Mines, who resells amber, is not something a young master in the silk industry should possess. And Blackrock Mines is where the Yun family, a forging clan in Liyue, originated. If the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild controls Blackrock Mines and holds the lifeline of most of Liyue's mining industry, then everything makes sense."

"Finally," Han Fulai looked Xingqiu up and down, "I've wanted to ask this for a while now. Xingqiu, all your clothes, shoes, and socks have delicate cloud patterns. It's not because you only like cloud patterns, is it? I suspect it's one of the symbols of the Liyue Yun Clan."

"...Nothing can be hidden from Brother Han." Xingqiu sighed.

Han Fulai took Xingqiu's hand and started walking away.

"There's no time to lose, Second Young Master Yun, let's hurry back to Liyue Harbor to crack down on organized crime!"

"The title 'Second Young Master of the Yun Family' sounds awful... Brother Han, please just call me Xingqiu..."

On the carriage back to the city, Han Fulai explained the plans for the trip to Xingqiu in detail.

"Lu Hu and his servants, along with that Thunderfire sorcerer from the Fools, should still be on their way back to the city. They will soon be under the control of Bai Xiao, one of Lord Ningguang's men. Once they confess, the evidence for arresting Lord Maocai will be complete."

"The important thing is that Lord Maocai should not know about what happened at Qingce Manor this afternoon. We must capture him before he notices, not only to prevent him from fleeing with his assets to winter, but also to prevent him from destroying the evidence of his collusion with the Fools in his manor."

"Furthermore, we currently do not know which faction within Liyue Harbor is behind Lord Maocai. In other words, we cannot mobilize the General Affairs Department and the Thousand Rock Army within Liyue Harbor to capture Lord Maocai, in order to prevent anyone from leaking information. Therefore, we need to capture him using our own strength. Forcibly breaking into Lord Maocai's residence would be too commotion and impractical; the best approach would be to take him down quietly from outside."

"At the same time, Bai Xiao will cooperate with our operation. Once we obtain a confession, Lord Ning Guang will personally lead the team to seal off Mao Cai Gong's mansion and search for physical evidence. And we will arrest Mao Cai Gong at the same time."

Xingqiu nodded and said, "So what we need now is to seize the time difference between Baixiao and the others obtaining a confession and sealing off the mansion. If we arrest him too early, without any evidence, we will only alert him, and the forces behind him will quickly move to protect him. If we arrest him too late, he will escape, leaving only some small fry behind."

“That’s right,” Han Fulai said. “Our next objective is to find Maocai Gong, ensure he is under our control, and then seize him when the time is right. As for when to seize him…”

"The servants of Lord Maocai will naturally come to inform us," Xingqiu said with a smile. "Such a big thing as the confiscation of the family property, how could they not inform the master?"

When Xingqiu and Han Fulai returned to Liyue Harbor, the city lights were already on.

As far as Xingqiu knew, Maocai Gong enjoyed watching plays and listening to storytelling at Heyu Teahouse. When he went to the back hall of Heyu Teahouse to visit his cousin, Yun Jin, the leading actress of "Yunhan Society", he could often see Maocai Gong drinking tea and listening to storytelling.

In particular, the storytelling performance of "The Sound of Rain" by tea master Liu Su was a favorite of Mao Cai Gong, who seemed to enjoy it so much that he performed it almost every evening.

The He Yu Tea House was clearly much more grand than "Three Bowls Before Crossing the Harbor." Han Fu had been in Liyue for a month, and this was his first time entering the He Yu Tea House. As soon as he entered, Han Fu could clearly feel that the place was of a very high standard—the prices were very high.

The two of them just sat down and ordered a pot of tea, and the tea fee alone was five thousand mora, not even including the cost of the tea!

At the table next to the two men sat a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes with a goatee, who was none other than Maocai Gong.

At that moment, Mao Cai Gong was yelling at Liu Su, the famous commentator of Liyue, "Give us another one!" and did not notice the arrival of the two.

The tea server, Liu Su, was dressed in a mandarin jacket, wore glasses, and had his hair parted, making him look like a cultured man. However, his voice sounded somewhat obsequious: "May I ask which passage the esteemed scholar would like to hear?"

Mao Cai Gong shook his head, mimicking Liu Su's storytelling style, and began: "Just now, we were talking about how the Gu Hua Sect was in decline, with challengers coming in droves, while disciples kept leaving. The remaining disciples were willing to protect the sect, but powerless to reverse its decline; even the Gu Hua Sect's reputation was smashed! Just when the Gu Hua Sect leader was disheartened and prepared to dismiss his disciples and retire into seclusion, a young man entered the sect, his swordsmanship unparalleled in the world..."

Liu Su bowed and said, "Please be ready!" Then he coughed lightly and began his signature storytelling, "The Sound of Rain".

"...Just look at the sword in the hand of that young swordsman from the Ancient Hua School. It is as fast as a whistling wind in the forest and as skillful as autumn rain on a pond. A single, cold glint of light quietly pierces the wind and dredges the entire mountain."

The swordsman opposite felt a sharp pain in his hand as the young swordsman deftly deflected his sword. However, the swordsman, resentful at being so easily defeated, refused to give up. Seizing the moment when the young swordsman had just unleashed his Seven Peerless Swords technique, his strength exhausted and new energy yet to be generated, a glint of eerie green flashed in his hand as he flicked his wrist, sending three gleaming weapons hurtling towards the young swordsman's face!

"Why was this person so ruthless? What will become of that young swordsman? And what will become of the Guhua Sect...? Ladies and gentlemen, to find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment!"

"Hahaha... Great! Dr. Liu Su truly lives up to his reputation as a master orator in Liyue, especially the part about the Guhua faction getting its signboard smashed, that really cracked me up..."

Mao Cai Gong laughed heartily, clearly pleased with what he had heard, and even struck up a conversation with someone.

"Hey, you two over there, you don't look familiar. Don't you come here often?"

Han Fulai was sitting with his back to Maocai Gong and did not speak, but Xingqiu spoke to him in a generous and natural manner.

"Haha, I don't come here often indeed. I heard that Liu Su is a famous orator in Liyue, so I came here because of her reputation."

"Hehe, you guys are really lucky. With me here to support him, he'll definitely show off his best skills!" Mao Cai Gong said loudly, wanting to show off. "Speaking of the Gu Hua School, I used to have a follower who came from the Gu Hua School. He didn't learn much about swords and spears, but he did develop a knack for legwork. He once told me that his legs could travel a thousand miles a day and chase the clouds and the moon!"

"That must be a secret movement technique passed down by the Ancient Hua Sect," Xingqiu said with a smile.

"It just so happens that my youngest son has been causing me a headache every day at home. I said, 'Alright, you can follow the young master's orders and carry him around the streets.' And guess what? The young master made him run around for three days and three nights straight, eating, drinking and sleeping without stopping him."

"So how's this sidekick doing now?" Xingqiu seemed completely unmoved, dutifully playing the role of the straight man.

"Hey, after he went back to the manor, he just sat there and couldn't get up, just like the statue of their Guhua Sect's founder, he's become a cripple... Hahahaha..."

The laughter of the scholar suddenly stopped, because a young man in a blue robe rushed up and shouted, "Father, something terrible has happened!"

"Jin Yong, what's going on...?"

Before Mao Caigong could utter the word "matter," a fist blocked his mouth and knocked him to the ground.

Several of Mao Cai Gong's teeth flew out of his mouth, and he was still unaware of what had happened.

Xingqiu stepped on his face, startling Maocai Gong: "That punch just now was to teach you a lesson on behalf of my senior brother from the Guhua Sect."

At the same time, Han Fulai shook his robes, stood up, and threw out a bag of sand and stones—the ancient Chinese secret technique, "Flying Sand and Stones." The young master Sheng was instantly disoriented, unable to tell which way was which.

"Sheng Maocai betrayed the country for personal gain, colluding with the Fools to sell Liyue's secrets! We are ordered to arrest the suspect; the rest of you, retreat!" Han Fulai's voice was imposing.

Before Sheng Jinyong could react, Han Fulai stepped forward and stomped on his toes with all his might. Sheng Jinyong cried out in pain and hopped on one leg, clutching his right foot.

Han Fulai showed no mercy, using the force of a soccer kick to deliver a powerful kick to his left shin.