Chapter 329: Everyone Thinks He's in the Way
Young Master Han, who has traveled extensively over the years and has gained a lot of experience, finally encountered something that made him happy. He was thinking about how to roast the meat in front of him to make it smell delicious!
"What do those doctors want from Xiong Jiushan?"
Xie Yuchuan lowered his head to add firewood, gathered his cold-weather blanket, and said calmly, "I've been eyeing the fever-reducing medicine given by the family god."
"Wow, that's quite courageous."
Xie Yuchuan nodded.
Han Qiguang knew him quite well, and after hearing that he didn't react much, he couldn't help but sprinkle salt on his face and turned to look at him.
"Somewhere?"
After Xie Yuchuan finished adding firewood, he rested his arms on his legs, clasped his hands together, and looked up at Han Qiguang. "Is there anyone with the surname Yu in Yucheng?"
"Yes!" Han Qiguang said without thinking, turned around and reached out to "steal" a dagger from the bandage on Xie Yuchuan's ankle, cut the pork on the fire rack a few times, wiped it casually and hid it behind his back, which earned him a cold look from Xie Yuchuan, and he reluctantly stuffed it back to him. Only then did Xie Yuchuan's eyes become kind.
Han Qiguang stared at the sizzling roast pork. "The Yu family in the east of the city is the leader of Yucheng's commerce. Publicly, they run the grain, restaurant, and silk business, but secretly, they help the government manage the salt and iron trade in several places in Qingzhou. The man who's been promoted in Qingzhou is his uncle, the head of the Yu family. He's a low-key person, like an old fox, simple-minded on the outside but shrewd on the inside. He doesn't offend anyone, and he only bullies those who stand in his way of making money."
Xie Yuchuan took a handful of spices from his hand, sprinkled them on the pork, clapped his hands, and asked again.
"The Yu family has a clinic?"
"Maybe, he has a wide business."
Han Qiguang straightened his back and chatted casually, "There are four families in Yucheng that are relatively prestigious. The Yu family has connections in the palace and at the court, both civil and military officials. They all have some connections. As for their positions, I've had people check, and they're not too high, but they have a large family and a large number of people!"
Xie Yuchuan sneered, "What's the use of having more people? Talent is the most important thing."
Han Qiguang rolled his eyes at him and said, "Do you think everyone is like the Xie family, who only needs to struggle to give birth to a child and expect him to become a successful person?"
He sniffed something new and unfamiliar and asked, "What is this red thing?"
"chili."
"Can you release it?"
"Yes, it's delicious."
Han Qiguang couldn't stand hearing the word "delicious". As long as he heard that it was delicious, he would get more of it from Xie Yuchuan in the future.
He sprinkled some chili pepper on it, and the smoke blew towards him and covered his face.
But it didn't take long for the fragrance to come out!
"Oh my, it smells so good!"
He happily fanned the smoke in front of him, and when it cleared, he continued chatting, "Don't worry about how many talents they have. In Yucheng, if the Yu family claims to be second, the other three families wouldn't dare claim to be first."
"Well, go on."
Han Qiguang pointed to the ground and said, "I've been to Yucheng before. At that time, you were staying with this family. The Tian family? They were also a well-known family in Yucheng."
"Oh?" Xie Yuchuan looked up at him.
Han Qiguang said, "It was a few years ago. It should have been in trouble in the past two years. I came back this time and wandered around the city under the pseudonym Boss Qi. First, I came to purchase supplies so that we can look more stylish on the road later. Second, I also wanted to find out the truth. The Tian family is in trouble and has offended Qinglong Village."
"Because you won't give in?"
"Those are just superficial contradictions. Qinglongzhai is a gang of bandits. If any family dares to surrender openly, the government will be displeased and will confiscate their property for the serious crime of colluding with the bandits. The Tian family has been holding on to the reputation of being enemies of Wanlichun and his gang, and only then has they managed to survive until now."
"Why is that?"
"For the Tian family's mountain."
Xie Yuchuan reacted quickly, "Is there something in the Tian family's mountain?"
“Yes, there are mines.”
Xie Yuchuan pondered for a moment, then said in sudden realization, "No wonder."
Han Qiguang looked at the lighted house of Xiong Jiushan in the distance and said, "From what I see from Old Xiong, the eldest daughter of the Tian family hasn't told him the truth at all."
"What mine?"
Han Qiguang shook his head. "Maybe it's iron ore."
Xie Yuchuan frowned, "The Tian family can't keep this thing."
"I think so too." He kicked a piece of wood into the fire and said, "The Tian family definitely can't hold it, and the Yu family can't hold it either, but..." He looked up at Xie Yuchuan and smiled, "If someone in the palace wants to hold it, then it's hard to say. It's a turbulent time now."
Xie Yuchuan frowned even deeper.
Han Qiguang leaned over and turned the grill, then sat back down.
"The eldest son of the Tian family is away, and Tian Su'e is supporting the family. The former magistrate of Yucheng County came from a prominent family in Tanzhou and had some support in the court. The Tian family originally wanted to use the former magistrate as a channel to pass on this hot potato, but they never expected that the man had already been bribed by the Yu family, almost destroying the family. In a fit of rage, they took on the responsibility."
"The Tian family doesn't want to pay anymore."
"At this critical moment, how could they dare to hand it over? The land deed is like a life-saving talisman, just like the tablet of the gods in your family. It is a life-saving thing in critical moments."
"But keeping it in your hands for too long is not okay either. Failing to report it is also a serious crime."
Han Qiguang was amused. "So, the Yu family is keeping a close eye on them, suppressing their business, and setting traps several times in succession. I think the Tian family's wealth is almost gone, and even reporting it to the county magistrate won't work."
"Originally, according to the Yu family, the Tian family should have been taken down long ago, but at that time, the eldest young master of the Tian family saved someone while selling goods outside."
"Maybe. The Tian family's luck hasn't run out yet. When they were in the most dangerous time, the people who saved them brought their troops to thank the Tian family. Suddenly, Yucheng became much quieter."
Seeing that the pork was almost cooked, Han Qiguang happily walked forward, pulled off a piece to taste it, and then made a satisfied sound.
"Hmm - really good! Just this smell, the fragrance is so fragrant that it makes me dizzy!"
Xie Yuchuan thought for a moment and said, "The Yu family dare not act rashly."
"That's not true! He became obedient all of a sudden. We had people investigate his background for a long time, but before we could find out, he was appointed to Qingzhou Prefecture. Look, he's the Qingzhou Commander, just like Wang Chong, in charge of a region."
Xie Yuchuan was stunned for a moment when he heard this, but quickly nodded, "No wonder the Qingzhou bandit suppression has been delayed."
Han Qiguang chewed on the fragrant barbecue and nodded, "Everyone is arguing fiercely in the palace. No one below dares to act rashly. They are all arguing with each other. It depends on which trend will prevail."
Xie Yuchuan nodded.
"The original Yucheng County Magistrate was transferred and should have been sent to prison, but the Yu family was strong and saved him. He was demoted and sent back safely, and died of illness on the way."
These words sounded particularly ordinary coming from Han Qiguang's mouth.
But Xie Yuchuan could understand the meaning.
"This new guy?"
Han Qiguang was amused. "Speaking of this county magistrate, he's quite interesting. He came from a humble family, with no support behind him, yet he happens to have a beautiful handwriting and is well-known under Xiahou Jie. He's a young man with a naive mind, devoted to the imperial court. You know what I mean? He's just that kind of single-minded scholar."
"Um."
Han Qiguang sighed, "The Emperor of Daliang himself isn't a good man. He just likes to look down on scholarly ministers like Feng Chen. Amidst a den of foxes, a little white rabbit suddenly appears. Isn't he just watching for fun?"
"The Yu family won't move on him?"
"Don't move. There's a princess who's almost reached marriageable age, and Xiahou Jie is raising a son-in-law in advance. The palace has passed on the word, so who can really touch him? It's disgusting at best."
"They all think he's in the way. He's ambitious."
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