Chapter 242: This Strategy Is Extremely Malicious! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 242 This Scheme Is Poisonous! (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Apart from the Jìzhou Commercial House, which deserves attention, Lin Huai'an's trade with King Lan of Lán also left Chen Yì in the dust.

Ten thousand sheng of refined iron, approximately seven hundred tons.

To the eye, it seems modest, but it would account for roughly a tenth of the annual refined iron output of the Dàwǎi dynasty.

Yet one must consider that a single blade or sword weighs only three or five jīn.

Seven hundred tons of refined iron blocks would suffice to forge weapons for two hundred thousand soldiers.

Though Chen Yì, with his understanding of the Páoshì Suōguó's smelting techniques, knew them to be far inferior to those of the Dàwǎi dynasty, these iron blocks could be used for other purposes—armor or everyday implements—thereby greatly enhancing the Páoshì Suōguó's strength.

Not to mention the extra two thousand sets of heavy horse armor and two thousand refined iron swords?

It is easy to imagine that once these items fell into King Lan's hands, he could immediately equip two thousand heavy cavalry soldiers.

If one were to factor in the previous two transactions, whose contents were unknown...

Chen Yì pondered this point, turning his head to ask Wang Jì: "How much do you know about the Jìzhou Commercial House?"

He only knew that Jìzhou lay in the northeastern reaches of Shúzhōu, separated by Yǒuzhōu and Jīngzhōu, yet he had never heard of the Jìzhou Commercial House before.

Wang Jì hesitated before saying, "Your Grace, forgive me, but I've only heard rumors about it and don't know the specifics."

Chen Yì nodded once, not pressing further.

After a moment's thought, he commanded, "You should find a way to find out, see if that Mr. Jiǎ boss knows anything."

He paused, then reminded him, "If they ask, you should say that the Báicǎo Hall is considering seeking cooperation beyond Shúzhōu."

Wang Jì quickly nodded in agreement.

He didn't know what his lord was planning, but the contents of the letter had left him trembling with fear.

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Jì said, "Your Grace, there's a saying I'm not sure whether to share..."

Chen Yì looked back at him without raising his head.

"Your Grace, that Jìzhou Commercial House dares to trade with the Páoshì Suōguó, and even involves refined iron and weapons—items under imperial control—must be well-connected and powerful."

"If they realize we know about this, what then, what then..."

Wang Jì bit his teeth. "Wouldn't that bring disaster upon us?"

Chen Yì shot him a glance. "Afraid?"

"No, not exactly..."

"Afraid is natural, a man's nature."

Chen Yì said, then folded the two letters and tapped them with his hand onto the stack of thick papers on the table.

In an instant, papers fluttered into the air.

"Yet often, the more one fears something, the more likely it is to come."

"What do you think we should do in such a situation?"

Wang Jì bowed slightly, then raised his head to meet Chen Yì's gaze, his face a mix of uncertainty.

In the next moment, he suddenly clenched his teeth and declared, "Regardless of who they are, they must all die!"

As Chen Yì had said, fear is human nature.

Especially since, in his recent days, his Báicǎo Hall had flourished with business and he had built a life, he feared losing these hard-won gains.

Yet he was equally clear that everything he now had was given by Chen Yì.

Fortune and disaster go hand in hand.

So whatever Chen Yì decided to do, whatever he ordered, he only needed to obey and do his utmost.

"Your Grace, I'll certainly find out the truth about the Jìzhou Commercial House."

Chen Yì stared at him, then laughed hollowly, shaking his head. "For such wicked scoundrels, you'd only uncover the surface details."

"To uncover their true nature, only the Lin family's grain business might know."

"The Lin family's grain business, Lin Huai'an?"

"Yes, him."

"Though he doesn't need your worry. For now, you should focus on expanding the Báicǎo Hall beyond Shúzhōu."

"Once you receive a letter from Yan Hai, you can begin."

Wang Jì felt a slight relief, bowed, and said, "I'll remember your commands."

After a moment, Chen Yì completed his disguise, then put on a rain cloak and a bamboo hat.

He looked out the window at the weather, then turned to Zhang Dabao, who was standing nearby, and asked thoughtfully, "When you studied under 'One Finger,' didn't you know some folks in Shúzhōu's circles?"

Zhang Dabao nodded, his eyes burning with intensity. "Your Grace, what do you command?"

Chen Yì smiled, then ordered, "Also help me keep an eye on the people from the Páoshì Suōguó in Shúzhōu's circles."

"See where they're staying, what they're up to."

He was quite satisfied with Zhang Dabao's bold, greenhorn energy.

After all, he needed someone more spirited than Wang Jì, who was more of a cautious medicine shopkeeper.

Once Zhang Dabao agreed, Chen Yì reminded him, "Among those Páoshì Suōguó people, there are masters—be careful."

"Your Grace, I don't have much skill, but this shouldn't be difficult."

Chen Yì patted his shoulder, then gave Wang Jì a few more instructions before departing the mansion.

Wang Jì and Zhang Dabao escorted him to a distance.

"Dabao, from now on, you must serve your lord with dedication."

"Yes, Master."

"Don't call me Master anymore, we'll just call each other brothers."

"Brother Wang..."

Wang Jì smiled, chatted with him for a while, then followed him away.

After this, he finally understood his place beside Chen Yì.

As Chen Yì's steps grew larger, the challenges ahead would only grow more severe and perilous.

Many of them were beyond what a simple Báicǎo Hall shopkeeper could handle.

So all he needed to do was protect what was before him, expand the Báicǎo Hall across Shúzhōu, and even to the nine prefectures and three circuits of Dàwǎi, and he could achieve greatness and retire with honor.

Chen Yì paid no heed to the thoughts of Wang Jì and Zhang Dabao.

To him, the Bai Caotang was still an optional move, a leisurely game. Only if it truly expanded to the three prefectures of the nine provinces under Dawei would it begin to aid him. For now, it could at most bring him some wealth to ease the hardships of the Xiao family.

After leaving Chuanxi Street, Chen Yi slipped through the night’s cover, bypassing the Duke of Ding Yuan’s residence to reach Zhen Nan Street. The sky had grown dark.

In the storm, the number of travelers had diminished compared to before. Even the patrol officials and the execution officers had vanished. Only the shops and government offices on either side of Zhen Nan Street remained occupied.

The yellow lanterns swayed, casting light on the surroundings, their glow barely illuminating the rain streaking through the air. Seizing the moment of emptiness, Chen Yi slipped toward the residence of Liu, near the Chief Controller’s office.

He scanned the area. No trace of Liu Rong. He withdrew the concealment technique, letting his inner energy flow freely. Then, with a single palm, he shattered a chunk of rubble, vanishing into the shadows.

Not long after, a shadow crept toward him. The figure approached, glancing around. Finding no one, he let out a sigh.

“No one here?”

Chen Yi heard the voice, recognized it as Liu Rong, and coughed softly, stepping from the shadows.

“Here.”

Liu Rong paused, “Boss?”

Chen Yi nodded slightly, gestured for him to follow, “This isn’t a place for conversation.” They left the residence in silence, heading south toward the Flower and Fireworks Alley.

Only when they were far enough away, in a secluded corner, did Chen Yi stop.

Liu Rong trailed behind, smiling, “Boss, why did you come tonight?”

“I’d have sought you out tomorrow anyway.”

Chen Yi asked calmly, “Any discoveries?”

Seeing his question, Liu Rong’s face brightened slightly: “Indeed, some findings.”

“Do you recall the grain depot fire in the East Market?”

Chen Yi arched an eyebrow, his mind already forming a hypothesis: “What did you hear there?”

“Unsurprisingly, the man who burned the three cities’ summer grain—Lin Hua’an—was killed by him, the one who collaborated with your second son, Lin Hua’an.”

When Liu Rong finished speaking, Chen Yi’s expression shifted subtly. “You’re saying he had Lin Hua’an killed? You heard this with your own ears?”

Liu Rong nodded emphatically, pointing to his ears: “That night, after I trailed Liu Er back to the scene, that little fellow waited at the door.”

“As soon as they met, he didn’t waste words, whipped out a stick and beat Liu Er mercilessly.”

“Only then did he explain things. I stood there, listening until it all made sense.”

Chen Yi frowned instinctively, his heart quickening.

Lin Hua’an’s death had been witnessed by him firsthand—poisoned by someone. He’d assumed it was that greedy lady, but now realized there were deeper layers.

Could it be Liu Hong?

As he pondered, Chen Yi asked, “Tell me exactly what you heard.”

Liu Rong recounted the events without embellishment: how Liu Tao and Lin Hua’an conspired to burn the summer grain in three cities, then drove up prices in Shuzhou to sell their stored reserves. They framed the Xiao family, blaming the old patriarch’s grain purchases for the price surge. Also, Lin Hua’an hailed from the Ji Zhou trading house.

“…Finally, that little fellow ordered his younger brother to stay put, warning that anyone asking about Lin Hua’an must deny it outright.”

After hearing this, Chen Yi’s brow furrowed deeper. Liu Hong not only knew Lin Hua’an’s origins in Ji Zhou but also their smuggling operations in the north—salt, iron, weapons.

If Liu Hong knew all this, why kill Lin Hua’an? Was it merely Liu Tao’s involvement?

Chen Yi mused, finding the motive too simple. Liu Hong, a man of deep cunning and meticulous thought, wouldn’t act on such a surface reason. Especially after Liu Rong learned of Liu Hong’s suspicion regarding Liu Wen and Xiao Dongchen’s deaths.

He’d already realized Liu Hong was a man of profound strategy. Such actions must carry hidden intent.

Another question arose in his mind: How did Liu Hong learn of the conspiracy between Liu Tao and Lin Hua’an in advance?

The answer was clear—someone had leaked the information. Either someone close to Liu Tao or Lin Hua’an. Given Liu Hong’s ability to order the hit, the latter seemed more likely.

Chen Yi’s face hardened. He’d underestimated this Chief Controller.

Liu Rong, unaware of these thoughts, noticed his silence and asked, “Boss, what should I do next? Should I keep watching that little fellow?”

Chen Yi regained his composure, taking a deep breath: “Keep watching him for a few more days.”

“I need to clarify a few things first, then decide.”

The revelations from Liu Rong forced him to reassess Liu Hong. He’d need to adjust his plans.

Thankfully, he’d already devised a strategy against the Liu family and Liu Hong, delaying action to send Liu Rong as a scout. Time remained on his side. Had he rushed, he might’ve misjudged Liu Hong’s strength and made a fatal error.

Liu Rong, intrigued, said, “That little fellow hides well. I’m curious what he’s planning.”

Chen Yi nodded, then asked, “Who has he seen lately? What’s he been doing?”

Most of the time, he was occupied with official business at the prefecture.

He would not return to the capital before nine in the morning, and it was not until the hour of dusk that he came back from the Bureau of Public Works, rarely receiving visitors.

When he came to this, Liu Rong paused and said, "Actually, there was a man named Ma who came twice."

"Each time he came alone, and he and Liu Hong were secretly discussing matters in the study."

Yi Chen suddenly looked up and asked, "Ma Shuhuan?"

"Yes, that was his name."

"Though I never paid much attention to their conversations—they were always talking about merits, annual exams, and imperial examinations."

"Did they mention Mr. Yue Ming, or anyone else from Chuzhou?"

Liu Rong, seeing Yi Chen's concern, carefully recalled the details.

"Mr. Yue Ming... yes, there were also many others—Mr. Zhuo Ying, Mr. Ling Chuan, and so on."

"Oh right, and the second commissioner of public works, Yang Zhe, as well as the Tangs and Wans."

"Tang Zixin?"

"No, a man named Tang Ye."

"That Ma fellow claims to be a meritorious official with a degree. If he failed the annual exam, he would surely cause trouble for his family."

"Then Liu Hong said—'If that were the case, I wouldn't have gone to such trouble,' and they both laughed."

Liu Rong grinned and said, "Seems like they're plotting something. But the annual exam isn't held every few years, is it?"

When Yi Chen heard this, he raised his hand to signal him to be quiet, a sudden clarity flashing through his mind.

He seemed to understand Liu Hong and Ma Shuhuan's plan—using the annual exam to eliminate rivals.

In simple terms, they would cultivate those they needed and remove those they didn't.

"So that's how it is."

"No wonder Ma Shuhuan wanted to petition to revise the punishments for the sixth-class offenders."

"Only then could he cooperate with Liu Hong in blackmailing the talented youths from influential families."

Take Tang Ye, for instance.

His father was a censor in the Circuit of Affairs.

If, after this exam, Tang Ye only achieved third place or was stripped of his degree for being below third, it would tarnish the Tang family's reputation.

Not only would it directly ruin Tang Ye's prospects for years, but it would also affect Tang Zixin, the censor.

Conversely, if Tang Zixin was in agreement with Liu Hong, Tang Ye's exam results would surely be excellent.

Even in subsequent exams, Tang Ye might come out on top.

As for a man like this Xiao family's son-in-law, even a fourth-place result would cause his previously accumulated reputation to plummet.

Most importantly, all these schemes had Ma Shuhuan at the forefront, making it hard for others to suspect Liu Hong was behind it all.

"Perhaps Ma Shuhuan's purpose in inviting Mr. Yue Ming to be a deputy examiner was to pin the blame for Chuzhou's poor exam results on Mr. Yue Ming?"

"Not to mention, this plan is truly poisonous."

"Truly a plan that achieves three goals at once!"

Yi Chen looked out at the rain falling around him and mused silently: "It seems Liu Hong's ambitions are considerable."

No wonder he could establish himself in Chuzhou under the identity of the third son of the Liu family in Jingzhou.

Such a scheme, leveraging opportunities like this, is not easily accomplished by just anyone.

Liu Rong noticed and raised an eyebrow: "Boss, any questions?"

"No, you go back and keep a close watch on him—especially when that Ma Shuhuan comes around..."

(The chapter ends)