Du Gaosheng, originally named Du Mancang, later disliked his name for being too rustic, so after entering officialdom, he changed his name to Du Gaosheng, which means to rise step by step and have a smooth official career.
At this moment, inside Du Gaosheng's government office, a yamen runner was respectfully reporting something to him.
Du Gaosheng had a large belly, a thick gold chain around his neck, and several large gemstone rings on his hands. Every step he took reeked of money.
His clothes were fancy yet vulgar, and his manners were crude. It was hard to believe that someone dressed like this was a respectable high-ranking official of the imperial court.
Du Gaosheng sat in the armchair, leaning back slightly, and gently tapped the armrest with one hand.
His tone carried a hint of disdain: "Oh? How rich?"
The subordinate hurriedly and respectfully replied, "It is said that after the money boxes were unloaded, the ship rose much higher."
Du Gaosheng raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "What kind of wealthy businessman could bring so much money to Yongzhou?"
"It's said that he came from the north and stayed at the Yuelai Inn. He booked the entire inn as soon as he checked in, showing his generosity."
Du Gaosheng frowned, deep in thought. "From the north? That place is rich in minerals, and the pigs they raise are richer than the average person, so it's reasonable for them to be generous."
Seeing that Du Gaosheng seemed interested in the wealthy merchant, his subordinate immediately flattered him, saying, "Sir, the north is the most in need of salt. If we sell salt to him at a high price, wouldn't we make a fortune!"
Du Gaosheng's eyes lit up when he heard his subordinate's words, and he secretly began to make plans.
Although the northern states are rich in minerals, they are also very poor in salt resources due to their location in the north and the cold climate.
Yongzhou, where he was located, was rich in salt. If he could sell the salt to that wealthy merchant from the north at a high price and then use the money to buy up the minerals in the north at a low price, it would undoubtedly be a huge profit.
Thinking of this, a smug smile appeared on Du Gaosheng's face.
He nodded and gave his subordinate an approving look.
“That’s a good idea, but we need to think it over carefully. We have to be careful. Go and send a team to keep an eye on him and see what he does next. Report back to me as soon as possible.”
After saying that, he waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.
He leaned back in his armchair, closed his eyes, and began to think about how to implement the plan.
If handled properly, this transaction is sure to be very profitable, and the money could even help him get a promotion.
At that time, he will be the "local emperor" of Yongzhou!
---
Outside the Yuelai Inn, a group of strangers quietly appeared, some dressed as merchants and others as pedestrians.
Almost at the same time they appeared, someone immediately reported the news: "Sir, Du Gaosheng has begun his operation."
A cold glint flashed in Lu Jingze's eyes: "Pass the word down, we'll begin our operation."
"Yes, sir!" the subordinate replied and left.
Another subordinate stepped forward and whispered a reminder: "Sir, our recent frequent contact with the salt officials has already attracted the attention of Du Gaosheng."
Lu Jingze nodded expressionlessly: "Mm."
"Sir, Du Gaosheng hasn't sent anyone to contact us yet, but instead has sent people to monitor us. Should we take the initiative to make contact?" the subordinate suggested.
Lu Jingze resolutely refused: "No, everything will proceed as originally planned."
"Yes," the subordinate replied, but seemed to have more to say.
"Is there anything else?"
The subordinate hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Sir, Du Gaosheng's son, Du Rengou, has recently been searching for a woman."
Lu Jingze frowned. "A woman?"
“Yes, after the Du family gained power, Du Rengou became even more unrestrained and acted very eccentrically, even mobilizing government officials to help him find people,” the subordinate explained.
Lu Jingze pondered for a moment and said calmly, "Don't worry about that for now. Focus on Du Gaosheng."
"yes."
---
Wang Xiuxiu has been having a tough time lately.
Because some strange people always come to the alley.
Although she wasn't sure if these people were related to Du Rengou, her sixth sense told her that things weren't simple.
Even though Wang Xiuxiu hid so much that she didn't dare to leave her home, misfortune still didn't let her go.
That day, there was a sudden, urgent knocking at the door.
"Open the door! Open the door! If you don't open the door, I'll kick it down!"
Wang Xiuxiu's heart tightened. She ran to the stove, smeared ashes on her hands and face, grabbed a stove hook, and only then dared to open the door.
"Sir? What can I do for you?" she asked, feigning composure.
"What are you doing? Why haven't you opened the door yet!" the head officer shouted impatiently.
"The stove pit is clogged, and we're clearing it now. I'm sorry, sir."
Are you the only one in this family?
"It's just me."
"Hmm, let me see your household registration."
Wang Xiuxiu didn't dare to delay and quickly fetched the things from the house for him.
The officer looked her up and down and asked, "Are you from Meizhou?"
"Yes, yes, officer, what's wrong with that?"
“This is very wrong! You came to settle in Yongzhou, why didn’t you report to the government? If you do this, it’s only right that I put you in jail.”
The official's words were clearly a fabricated charge, but Wang Xiuxiu dared not argue with him.
"You're right. I'm new here and haven't had a chance yet. I'll go in a few days, I'll go in a few days." Wang Xiuxiu said with a smile, and casually took out a small silver ingot from her pocket and stuffed it into the official's hand.
The official stared at Wang Xiuxiu's hand for a long time, weighed the silver in his hand, and then turned and left with his men.
Wang Xiuxiu was secretly delighted, thinking she had escaped a calamity.
However, she did not know that the official who had accepted the money immediately sent someone to report the news.
At that time, Du Rengou was drinking on a pleasure boat.
The messenger, unable to find him, instead found his trusted confidant who had been left on the shore.
"Brother, we've found the girl that Young Master Du asked us to find. Our boss sent me to inform you."
"Found it? Are you sure? If it turns out to be a false alarm, you won't be spared!"
The messenger shrank back and chuckled awkwardly, "It's confirmed, this time it's definitely not wrong!"
"That's good. The young master won't be down for a while, so make sure your people keep a close eye on him. If he runs away, you'll all be in deep trouble!"
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes!"
As soon as the messenger returned, he relayed the entire story to the leader.
Upon hearing this, the head constable couldn't help but swear.
"That son of a bitch Du Rengou! He really thinks I'm his lackey!"
"Brother, brother, don't be angry! His father is currently very powerful. If we back down, we'll see a brighter future!"
After calming down for a long time, the head constable said, "Go back to the yamen and find more brothers to guard this courtyard firmly!"
"yes!"
---
As night fell, Wang Xiuxiu, seeing that no one was around, quietly got up and prepared to escape from Nanshu Lane.
She opened the door and tiptoed out of the room.
However, unbeknownst to her, a crisis was quietly approaching...
When Wang Xiuxiu woke up again, she had already been tied up and taken back to her own house.
What's there to be confused about? They must have discovered something, and those lackeys were lying in wait.
Wang Xiuxiu flexed her wrists and then her ankles.
Excellent! It's tied very securely!
Fortunately, those people didn't gag her too.
Wang Xiuxiu whistled softly, and a moment later, Songsong crawled in from behind the window.
"Songsong, untie the rope for Mom," Wang Xiuxiu whispered.
Songsong was obedient and started chewing on the rope.
Although the rope had been untied, there were people guarding the windows and the house, so Wang Xiuxiu really had no way to escape.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com