Yinzhen stared at the backs of Liu Er and others for a while, and then looked at the officials who were maintaining order around them.

But everyone looked away as if nothing had happened, ignoring their conflict.

A chill gradually spread in Yinzhen's heart.

Is this collusion between officials and the people, or between officials and bandits?

It takes nearly three years to build a port, but now it's only been a year, and the place has already deteriorated to this extent?

At the age of fifteen, Yinzhen witnessed for the first time the darkness of the lower-level bureaucracy.

Deng Yunlin quietly tugged at his sleeve.

Yinzhen squatted down and ate two steamed buns and a bowl of tasteless salted vegetables with no taste at all.

On the other hand, after Yinreng left the small fishing village, he split up into small groups and entered the county town in batches the next day.

There is a saying that goes, "It's darkest under the lamp."

During this year, there were many merchants in the county town, all of whom came here to do business. After all, a port was to be built here, and a lot of labor service was to be collected, and a lot of supplies were needed.

Moreover, the dignitaries who came here from the capital must not be used to eating simple meals. After a few visits, wouldn’t this be an opportunity to do business?

Therefore, the county town, which was somewhat deserted before, is now much more lively than before, with many people entering and leaving the city gate every day.

Yinreng was only accompanied by a hundred or so people, and he was not conspicuous among them.

but……

When Yinreng entered the city, he saw clearly that there were still many people disguised as beggars at the city gate, observing the merchants coming and going.

The people of the Qing Dynasty did not need a pass to enter the city, so even if there were soldiers guarding the gate, it only served as a deterrent to prevent people from causing trouble.

After all, Yinreng had stayed here for a few months, so he disguised himself as a local fisherman, and the beggars didn't notice anything.

After successfully entering the city, Yinreng and seven or eight people around him pushed a cart full of seafood and walked towards the market.

Every few meters along the way, there would be beggars lying on the roadside. Yinreng could easily tell the difference between beggars.

Although they were all similarly dirty, in the early spring when the temperature was still cold, some beggars huddled together and looked extremely weak, while others could hold their bowls and chat with their companions.

Sure enough, winter clothing is the time when the gap between the rich and the poor is most evident.

After they walked to the market and shouted a few times, no one was paying attention to Yinreng and the others anymore.

After part of the seafood was sold, the guard Dou Guangren found a few small vendors to take over the carts, and Yinreng and others successfully escaped.

"Have you found a place to live?"

"I found it. Chen Fei rented a small courtyard in the East Market where merchants gather."

"Um."

The county town is divided into four areas: east, west, south and north. The people living in the two southeastern areas are either rich or noble, while the two northwestern areas are inhabited by poor people.

"Shedding Street" is located in the north.

On the way to his residence, Yinreng saw a familiar figure.

Is that - Lingpu?

Why is he here?

Seeing Ling Pu being happily welcomed into a restaurant by a middle-aged man in gorgeous clothes, Yinreng narrowed his eyes.

Didn't he write a letter to Soetu, asking him to assign Lingpu a job that was dirty, tiring, and prone to mistakes?

Could it be that Soetu arranged him at the port?

Yinreng had the urge to hold his forehead.

But on second thought, if it was discovered that Ling Pu was related to the corruption at the port, he would never let Ling Pu off easily.

I just don't know whether this guy, who looks so smug, is actually cheating people under his name.

A week ago, he went to inspect the port, but this guy hid and didn't dare to come out to see him. Could it be that he was feeling guilty?

Yinreng pondered as he walked.

But it’s a good thing to have this guy around. He was worried about not being able to find a breakthrough.

In the next two or three days, the rest of the guards also successfully settled in the county town.

Yinreng began to investigate Ling Pu.

He knew Ling Pu's personality very well.

This person is a typical villain.

Arrogant, eager for quick success, greedy, and extremely flattering.

The phrase "bullying the weak and fearing the strong" is fully demonstrated in him.

Even if Fuerguo Chong was an imperial envoy sent by the court, Ling Pu would not buy his account because he was the prince's brother-in-law.

Yinreng only kept a few guards around him and hid in the yard, rarely going out.

He sent the rest out.

Three days later, Yinreng looked at the secret letter in his hand and suddenly smiled.

"This Ling Pu... really doesn't know how to live or die!"

It turned out that the people Ling Pu had been in contact with these days were all wealthy businessmen and officials in the city.

The corruption and bribery were secondary; the most important thing was that he had the audacity to agree to mix inferior products into the building materials with the official surnamed Zhou.

Seawater corrosion is already serious above the port. If the materials used are not strong enough to resist erosion, even if the port is completed safely, it will still require minor repairs every three years and major repairs every five years, and the manpower and materials consumed will be absolutely enormous.

Moreover, port maintenance is bound to affect the efficiency of receiving merchant ships. Over time, in order to avoid wandering outside the port and reduce time costs, merchants will choose other ports to enter the Qing Dynasty.

So what is the significance of him building Tianjin Port today?

Yinreng really couldn't understand how a bondservant could be so suicidal...

Wouldn't it be nice to live a good life and be a happy playboy?

Considering the sins Ling Pu committed today, it would not be excessive to confiscate his property and exterminate his entire clan.

To Yinreng's disappointment, no transaction was found between Lingpu and Fuluguo Chong this time.

Thinking that Yinzhen had been in the port for several days, Yinreng couldn't help feeling a little anxious.

The longer Yinzhen stayed in there, the more danger he would face.

At this moment, Yinreng regretted bringing Yinzhen with him to do the job.

"Go keep an eye on that Zhou family. They dare to cut corners on a project planned and built by the imperial court. I want to see what confidence this family has!"

“Hey!”

The guard disguised as a spy quickly left the room.

Yinreng put away the secret letter in his hand and wrote down the people and families involved in the case on paper.

After drawing a few arrows with a brush, Yinreng fell into deep thought.

On the surface, these clues seem disorganized. What kind of hidden thread ties them all together?

…

After only watching the Zhou family for one afternoon, Dou Guangren reported to Yinreng.

"Your Highness, the area around the Zhou residence is heavily guarded. It seems sparsely populated, but once we get close, we brothers all feel like we're being watched. Furthermore, the mansions surrounding the Zhou residence all seem to have some issues..."

Upon hearing this, Yinreng's eyes suddenly lit up.

"A small family like Yuanwailang is actually harder to approach than Lingpu?"

"Yes!"

"It seems that the real culprit has been found..."

A dangerous aura gradually emanated from Yinreng.

"Keep a close eye on me. If you can go into the Zhou Mansion and investigate, that would be great. If not, then follow every person who leaves the Zhou Mansion. I want to know everything, no matter how big or small!"

"Ah! I'll take my leave!"

Dou Guangren bowed and then stepped out.