Chapter 153
Yan Shujin's expression was grim as she said, "You saved him, but you must have made a lot of money off him, right?"
These words were spoken bluntly and without any consideration for others.
After confirming Liu Family Village's location, Yan Shujin had already inquired about what the village had been doing during this period: "Judging from the timeline, since you rescued Han Jing, you've intermittently bought a lot of things back to the village: grain, enough medicinal herbs for dozens of people, coarse cloth, cotton, salt..."
As Yan Shujin pointed out each and every one of his issues, Chief Liu felt uneasy, and his expression became somewhat awkward.
Yan Shujin said, "Don't you have any idea where the money for these things came from?"
“But we saved him, and he used those things.”
Yan Shujin looked at the person who spoke. In fact, she had seen many people like this before. She wouldn't be angry, but now she just found it ridiculous: "I know Han Jing. He was saved by you, and he wanted to do everything he could to repay you. How much did you take away without his knowledge? And how much of it was given to you voluntarily?"
"Did he mention anything, as long as you let him leave?" Yan Shujin's expression was calm, her attitude even quite peaceful, but this only made them seem more like they were being unreasonable: "He would repay you? But did you let him leave?"
Yan Shujin knew Han Jing well enough that even without meeting him, she could guess what he would say and do.
Han Jing is a soft-hearted and grateful person. Yan Shujin doesn't believe that the people of Liu Family Village didn't see through this. It is precisely because they saw through it that they took advantage of the situation.
Yan Shujin looked at the people from Liujia Village: "What about you? I acknowledge your gratitude for saving Han Jing's life, but you were the ones who distorted the meaning of that life-saving grace. Now that you've put a price tag on it, stop thinking you're being selfless and doing a good deed."
These words may sound harsh, but they are undeniably true.
Sun Qiao, who had initially found the Liu family village people's words awkward, now understood why they were awkward after hearing Princess Yongfu's words.
Yan Shujin said, "Alright, I'll repay Han Jing's life-saving grace. I promise to take good care of everyone in the village. Is that enough?"
Chief Liu clenched his fist and said, "Do we have any other choice?"
Yan Shujin tilted her head slightly and looked at Chief Liu: "Of course you can. You can choose to take the entire village to your death."
Those who came with Chief Liu discovered that Princess Yongfu was not what they had imagined. Was she spoiled? Not really. She seemed to see right through them.
Yan Shujin asked, "What has Chief Liu thought?"
Chief Liu had already considered the pros and cons; they really had no other choice: "Okay."
Yan Shujin looked at Sun Qiao and said, "Make arrangements to bring Han Jing back as soon as possible."
Sun Qiao respectfully agreed. He also hoped that Han Jing could return to the princess's side as soon as possible, which might improve the princess's temper.
Yan Shujin put her hood back on, just as she had come, and turned to leave.
It wasn't that she didn't want to see Han Jing sooner, but she knew in her heart that if she wasn't here, Han Jing could be rescued more quickly. If she went with him, Sun Qiao would only send people to protect her, and if something really happened, these guards would protect her first, not Han Jing.
Yan Shujin returned to the villa where she was temporarily staying. She first went to visit Yan Zhili and asked the imperial physician about his condition. She was relieved to learn that his injuries were improving. She then told Yan Zhili about the events at Liu Family Village.
Yan Zhili was interested in the fire oil and gunpowder of Liujiazhai: "As long as it is confirmed that the old people and children do not know about the fire oil and gunpowder, you can arrange it as you wish."
Yan Shujin said, "I understand."
"However, we should keep an eye on them from the beginning." After Yan Zhili was injured this time, his attitude towards his daughter changed after seeing her arrive with her people. He became more equal to her and explained many things to her in detail. Now he realized that life is unpredictable, and he might not be able to protect his son until he came of age and took on the responsibilities of the Xuanwang Mansion. Just as Mr. Du said, it is better to be the butcher than the fish: "Besides, there is one more thing. After rescuing Han Jing and delivering the imperial edict and rewards to the border army, you should take Xu Qian and the others back to the capital first."
Yan Shujin looked at her father and asked, "Is the Northwest more dangerous than I know?"
Yan Zhili sighed and said, "It's not that it's dangerous, it's that I'm afraid there might be unrest."
Yan Shujin lowered her eyes slightly and pondered for a moment: "Grain prices? And those people who do business with the barbarians?"
The price of grain has affected the interests of those merchants. Don't be fooled by their current eagerness to curry favor with Yan Shujin; it's only because Yan Shujin's actions don't threaten them. Moreover, doing business with barbarians is a different story. If they are found out, their property will be confiscated and their entire family wiped out, which would be considered lenient. They might even face the extermination of their entire clan.
Moreover, Yan Shujin suspected that even if some businessmen were not involved, they knew something about the situation. However, whether for self-preservation or other reasons, they did not say anything. Not only businessmen, but also officials were probably involved.
Only General Qian has been exposed; there are probably many more who haven't been exposed.
General Qian not only abandoned his family in the capital, but he also left his family in the Northwest behind, including his son. However, after interrogation, it was found that General Qian did take one of his concubines with him. That concubine was a new concubine who was brought into the mansion after General Qian arrived in the Northwest.
It is said that she was beautiful and was greatly favored by General Qian. After taking this concubine, General Qian no longer visited the rooms of his other concubines and had everyone in the mansion call her Madam.
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