Chapter 66, almost certainly
Fulin Port.
Squads of yamen runners guarded the surrounding area, and the fierce sea breeze made the flags flutter. Rows of tall ships were moored at the port, but could not set sail for the time being.
Qian Zhang, the councilor of Lizhou, hurried towards the harbor, a thin layer of sweat already forming on his forehead.
Before coming, I asked around for a long time before finally finding out that Ji Jinghe had come from Lizhou to attend a funeral. Logically speaking, he should have stayed at the Shen residence. I don't know how he ended up here.
Even if this person is a handsome and ruthless ruler, someone who hates evil and cannot tolerate any wrongdoing, then one cannot help but feel terrified.
Qian Zhang spotted the figure from afar and bowed to Qian, saying, "Greetings, Censor-in-Chief. I wonder what has happened that warrants your presence?"
Ji Jinghe glanced at it and said slowly, "There's something wrong with this batch of ships."
Qian Zhang smiled apologetically, "What's the problem?"
"What does Lord Qian think it could be?"
Qian Zhang stammered, then sighed and pretended to be casual: "Lord Ji, this batch of ships is large and the cargo is heavy. It would be very easy to hide filth and dirt. It's already dark, so we might as well leave it until dawn tomorrow. That way, it will be easier for people to investigate clearly."
Ji Jinghe chuckled, "It seems that Lord Qian is quite comfortable in his position as a political advisor."
Qian Zhang chuckled, "Lord Ji, I am only thinking of you. You came here to attend a funeral without an imperial decree. If word gets out about what happened today, it will not be good for your reputation."
Ji Jinghe turned to look at him, and couldn't help but lower his voice: "If it's for the sake of the country's stability, why should I be afraid of my reputation?"
At his command, the constables boarded the boat to conduct a thorough investigation.
Qian Zhang gritted his teeth, filled with resentment, but his smile remained unchanged: "My lord, I am in charge of all affairs in Lizhou. If you insist on inspecting, you must give me an explanation. With so many goods, the inspection will take too long. Without a clear instruction, I cannot explain to those merchants."
Ji Jinghe: "What I say is an order. If they disagree, tell them to come find me."
As they were talking, a commotion suddenly broke out at one end of the port.
Amidst the chaotic lights, someone immediately shouted, "The pirates are coming!"
The harbor was thrown into chaos as pirates rampaged and rushed toward the shore in the blink of an eye. Before Qian Zhang could react, a gust of sword wind swept toward him, and a few drops of water splashed onto his face.
Ji Jinghe raised his knife and brought it down; a muffled thud followed, and the pirate collapsed to the ground.
When I went to check again, the man was already caught up in the chaos of battle.
The other side had a large number of people and were well-trained. In addition, the yamen runners were used to a leisurely life and could not gain any advantage at all. By the time the count was completed, most of them were dead.
Someone was secretly obstructing Ji Jinghe's investigation, but with so many dead and injured, he had no choice but to order a blockade and postpone the investigation until the next day.
As expected, when they checked the next morning, the cargo on the ship consisted of only some simple grains and spices.
Ji Jinghe picked a boat and went to inspect it himself. When he opened the cargo hold, the boat was indeed filled with ordinary items. He squatted down and touched the inner wall of the cabin, but his fingertips were covered with a little salt frost.
Wei Ji stood aside disguised as a servant. Ji Jinghe glanced at him indifferently, already having a good idea of what was going on.
The mole within the government was Qian Zhang.
The things he ordered sealed off were moved overnight, seemingly without any resistance. They really had powerful backing and were incredibly bold.
Ji Jinghe went ashore, and Qian Zhang stepped forward to greet him: "Sir, the yamen runners have searched everywhere but found no problems. What do you think..."
"Last night I heard someone say that there are some shady things on this ship. It's a matter of great importance, and no one would risk their life to lie about it. What do you think, Lord Qian?"
He stood with his hands behind his back, casually picking up a handkerchief from the table to wipe his hands.
Qian Zhang paused for a moment and then smiled and said, "Lizhou is not comparable to the capital. In addition, the people coming and going in this port are inevitably a mixed bag, and some troublemakers have mixed in. Usually, it is rare for merchants to cheat each other out of money. In my opinion, it would be better to just let them go."
Ji Jinghe chuckled: "Lord Qian is quite easygoing."
Qian Zhang gave a forced smile. He had heard of this Censor-in-Chief before and knew that the Yan family's relationship with him was not good, so he felt a great deal of estrangement from him.
"You jest, sir. I am merely an official who has served in Lizhou for a long time and is all too familiar with the tricks these porters have played, hence my response."
He stood aside and said, "It's normal that you, sir, are unfamiliar with the ways of this place since you're in the capital."
Ji Jinghe was too lazy to waste words with him and said directly, "Let them pass."
Having so many cargo ships stuck in the port is not a good thing. After all, it's not legitimate and doesn't have a proper reason to stay. Although I'm not afraid, I'm too lazy to let those old fogies in the imperial court impeach me.
"Whether it was reported by someone or not, I still need to investigate carefully. If there are any developments, I hope the Councilor will lend a hand."
Qian Zhang clasped his hands in a fist and said, "You flatter me, sir. I will do my utmost."
Ji Jinghe turned and left, mounting his horse and departing, followed closely by his servants and guards.
Wei Ji tightened his grip on his horse's flanks and caught up with Ji Jinghe's horse slightly. "Master, all the salt and iron from last night have been replaced. I sent someone to follow up, and just now I received news that some of them have been placed in caves outside the mountains."
Some of it flowed into the official granary, but the granary couldn't hold it all, so they had to temporarily store it outside.
Ji Jinghe: "Have someone keep a close eye on things, and remember to report any movements."
Wei Ji responded.
Apart from Fulin County, the group cracked their whips and quickened their pace, arriving at Lizhou City in less than half an hour.
As usual, Yu An spent some time with Shen Qiulan. After staying in Shen Qinyue's courtyard until it was almost time to finish her meal, she returned to her own courtyard and saw Qingque waiting at the gate. Only then did she realize that Ji Jinghe had returned.
When she opened the door and went in, Ji Jinghe was lying on the bed fully clothed.
Unwilling to disturb him, she sat down on the couch and quietly began making a handkerchief by the window.
The homespun cloth woven here in Lizhou is somewhat different from that in the capital. When you have free time, make a few extra pieces to give as gifts when you go back.
Ji Jinghe slept peacefully, and she worked diligently until it got dark and she needed to turn on the light. The sound of Baozhu quietly opening the door woke the person in bed.
"Let's serve the food," Yu'an said softly.
Ji Jinghe sat up and rested by the bedside for a while before putting on his shoes and getting down.
"Were you waiting for me?"
Yu An put down her needlework. "No."
Ji Jinghe seemed not to hear her, and sat down on the stool with an air of nonchalance, but his gaze never left her for a moment.
They've become increasingly shameless.
Yu-an: "How's the investigation going?"
He was so tired that he slept for almost two hours straight.
Ji Jinghe poured himself a glass of water, saying, "As you wish, Madam."
Once all the dishes were served and the door was tightly closed, Yu'an felt relieved enough to tell him what she had discovered that day.
Ji Jinghe nodded, served Yu An a bowl of soup, his expression unchanged.
That's why Yu'an was puzzled: "You know all this?"
"I just found out."
Ji Jinghe said calmly, "I know my uncle's abilities. When I found that suspicious cargo ship that day, I also considered it, but I didn't investigate. Now, listening to what you're saying, it's probably pretty close to the truth."
The Shen family was involved in smuggling.
Having been a merchant for over a decade, it was simply unbelievable that he could accumulate such wealth through ordinary businesses. It was precisely because the source of his wealth was unclear that he needed to be cautious. In addition, the "pirates" who attacked last night used knives similar to those of the Shen family's guards, which gave him a general idea of what was going on.
It's just that we don't know yet whether Shen Yi's involvement is significant or minor.
If he is determined to eliminate them, he will inevitably have to sacrifice his own family for the greater good.
Yu An looked at his calm expression and couldn't help but feel puzzled.
This person is like a heartless person; even when things are at their most urgent, they still act the same old way.
“It’s just speculation right now. If it really is true, what would you do?” she asked.
Ji Jinghe smiled and said, "That's a question for the law."
Okay, so you don't care.
He doesn't care, so why should she worry?
Ji Jing ate his meal quietly without saying a word. In the evening, he sat to the side reading a book, also unwilling to speak much, and went to bed early after washing up.
It seems I'm really tired these past few days.
The next day, after he visited Shen Qiulan, Shen Yi also returned.
All I heard was that Ji Jinghe went to see him, but I don't know what the uncle and nephew talked about. When he came back, he was still the same as before.
"Making clay figures?"
Yu An hummed in agreement.
Feeling bored lately, Yu'an went out a few days ago and saw someone making clay figurines. Intrigued, she bought some clay and planned to make one herself, just like the one she saw.
The vendors claimed it was a specialty of Lizhou, but since Yu'an wasn't from there, she believed them for the time being.
Ji Jinghe stood aside, watching her cautious manner, and was eager to try it himself.
Yu'an wasn't used to him standing next to her, so she deliberately asked, "What did you say?"
Ji Jinghe turned around and poured himself a cup of tea: "I didn't say anything."
He was cautious and didn't say a single probing word, only exchanging the usual greetings between uncle and nephew.
Yu An didn't care. She carefully worked out the mud in her hands, and with great effort, she managed to shape it into a human form. She didn't dare to breathe too loudly, for fear that she would damage it if she used too much force.
"Why did you suddenly start sculpting clay figures?" he laughed.
"Isn't this a specialty of your Lizhou?" she replied innocently.
Ji Jinghe sat not far away and watched for a while. Seeing her flustered and confused, he couldn't help but go over and say, "Come on, let me, a half-Lizhou native, teach you."
He had just reached out his hand when Yu An immediately dodged it, saying, "No."
Okay, he went and found another piece of mud and made a set of clothes in the style of Yu'an.
"Did you see that clearly?"
Yu An looked at him silently without saying a word.
Ji Jinghe walked over and demonstrated to her step by step. Yu An learned quickly and was able to make a similar one.
"You know how to do this kind of thing?"
“Shu’er played with it when she was little, and I helped her figure it out.”
Ji Jinghe said softly, seeing that the clay figure in her hands was beginning to take shape, he stopped participating and went to wash his hands.
Yu An thought this person was probably tired after a few days and needed to rest at home for a day or two, but unexpectedly, he stayed for four or five days.
He would see Wei Ji come in each day to report a few words, and then he would stay at home as if nothing had happened.
What Yu An is curious about now is, if the Shen family is the mastermind behind the smuggling and colludes with the Yan family, how should he, as their nephew, conduct himself?
When it really came down to the matter of putting righteousness before family, she was truly worried.
It was just getting dark, and they had just finished eating when Wei Ji arrived again.
Unlike the previous times, Ji Jinghe immediately put on his clothes and went out.
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Author's Note: Yu An: I don't believe this guy would betray his own family for the greater good [question mark]
Ji Jinghe: My lady, please understand [I beg you]!
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