Chapter 77: Giving a Big Favor
Xie Ji stood frozen in place. The three words "Cui Yanwu" were like three burnt stones hitting his brain, making a loud buzzing sound.
His uncle, Cui Yanwu, was the military governor of Huainan.
Not only did he hold military power in the entire Huainan region, but he also controlled the vital waterway transport system of Daliang.
Such a person is far from being associated with "collusion between officials and businessmen".
If someone gets too close to someone, someone in the capital has to keep an eye on them.
Now, Lu Fanghui's casual remark clearly implies that Cui Yanwu is involved with the Wang family and is plotting to seize the Xu family's assets.
This is pushing the entire Cui family of Qinghe into a fire pit!
After a long while, Xie Ji seemed to realize what was happening, and suddenly jumped up and grabbed his collar.
His hands were trembling with anger, and his voice changed tone: "What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Are you framing my uncle for collusion between officials and businessmen?
"Plotting to murder Xu Fengyan? Do you know how many people would be ruined if that got out?!"
Pei Zhiwei remained standing to the side.
Cui Yanwu's position is too sensitive.
Military power and control of the Grand Canal were two things that monarchs throughout history cared about most.
If we were to get entangled in the case of the "richest man in Yangzhou," even if it were just a rumor, it would be enough to arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Xie Ji's reaction was perfectly normal.
Xiao Yunzhan didn't stop him, but simply moved half a step to the side to block Xie Ji's hand that might swing out. His eyes darkened, but he didn't say anything.
He knew Xie Ji needed to vent, otherwise keeping it bottled up would only make things worse, and he wouldn't be able to listen to Lu Fanghui's words for a while.
Lu Fanghui was being grabbed by the collar, but he didn't seem flustered at all.
His face still held that kind of elder's affection as he gently patted Xie Ji's hand.
The pressure was light, but the tone was very reassuring, and the voice was slow and gentle: "Thank you, young marquis, please loosen your grip first."
My old bones can't take this kind of prickling.
Speak slowly and deliberately; there's no need to rush.
Xie Ji glared at him, her eyes reddening.
He tightened his grip on his collar, then loosened it, and finally slowly let go, uttering a vicious snort:
"You old geezer, if you don't explain yourself clearly, I guarantee you won't see the sun rise tomorrow!"
Lu Fanghui didn't care about Xie Ji's words. He straightened his wrinkled collar, sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
"When you investigated the Xu family case, did you also find out that Xu Ren's change of heart was a recent event, occurring within the last two years?"
Pei Zhiwei thought to herself, "Oh?" and then asked aloud, "So, Mr. Lu, you've planted a spy in the Xu residence?"
Lu Fanghui smiled upon hearing this, tapping his teacup lightly on the table: "Young lady, you're being too polite."
Which powerful family doesn't have a few spies or informants on the outside?
Otherwise, how would we know what's going on in the area?
"Speaking of which, if I were to investigate further, I might even find members of your Pei family residing in my Lu family mansion."
Pei Zhiwei quickly waved her hand, "Please don't say that. Our Pei family is about a thousand miles away from the Lu family in Yangzhou."
Although my uncle is quite capable in managing things at home, his reach isn't that far.
"Oh?" Lu Fang raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Young lady, you underestimate your uncle."
Pei Zhiwei wanted to argue a bit more, but Xie Ji, who was standing nearby, couldn't hold back any longer.
He reached out and interrupted them, "Stop talking nonsense!"
"Speaking of my uncle! You just said he has a relationship with the Wang family, what exactly happened?"
Lu Fanghui slowly put down his teacup and sighed: "Young Master Xie, please don't be in such a hurry. I must explain the whole story clearly."
Lord Cui was transferred to Yangzhou, and it has been less than two and a half years at most.
Soon after he took office, Wang Heng of the Xu family began to make moves.
Xie Ji immediately retorted, raising his voice: "What does this have to do with my uncle?"
Wang Heng is causing trouble. Could it be that my uncle ordered him to do it?
My uncle has just taken office and is busy familiarizing himself with military power and the canal transport system; he has no time to meddle in the Xu family's affairs!
“I didn’t say that Lord Cui ordered him to do it,” Lu Fanghui said, shrugging his shoulders, his tone still leisurely.
"But later, I overheard some news and realized that there might be more to this than meets the eye."
He paused here, picked up his teacup and took another sip, as if recalling something, or perhaps deliberately whetting people's appetites.
Xie Ji was so angry he almost rushed forward again.
Xiao Yunzhan reached out and grabbed his arm with considerable force, then whispered in his ear, "Let him finish speaking first."
If you make a scene now, it will only give him a reason to stop talking.
Xie Ji tried to shake off Lu Fanghui with his arms but failed. He could only grit his teeth and glare at him, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists, his cheeks puffed out, but he didn't rush forward again.
Lu Fanghui then continued, "Later, I was chatting with Xu Li once, and he mentioned it briefly."
He went to inspect the Xu family's shops in other places, but encountered bandits on the way and was trapped in the forest. He almost didn't make it back.
It was quite a coincidence that at the time, Lord Cui was not yet the military governor of Huainan; he was merely on an inspection tour of Huainan and happened to be passing by. He and his men rescued Xu Li.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Then, less than two months later, the imperial decree came down."
Lord Cui has been officially transferred to the post of Military Governor of Huainan.
Pei Zhiwei frowned as she pondered.
This sounds like a coincidence.
Lord Cui's patrol route was fixed. If the shops Xu Li went to also had to pass through that road, it would be logical for one to encounter bandits and the other to encounter someone being rescued.
The subsequent transfer was arranged by the imperial court. What does it have to do with saving Xu Lineng?
She couldn't help but ask, "This...sounds like a coincidence, doesn't it?"
Lu Fanghui didn't answer directly, but just smiled and continued, "About a year ago, Zhang Xuren celebrated his birthday and invited many people to a banquet at his residence. Xu Fengyan also went with Wang Shi."
During the meal, Zhang Xiao's vicious dog, which had once killed someone, suddenly rushed out and headed straight for Xu Fengyan.
After being opened by the servants, he turned around and rushed towards Wang.
Wang was so frightened she couldn't move. Just as she was about to be bitten, Lord Cui intervened again, killing the dog with a single sword stroke.
Xie Ji was stunned. "What's wrong now? It's just saving someone!"
My uncle saw it; he couldn't just ignore it, could he?
Pei Zhiwei remained silent, staring at Lu Fanghui, her mind a jumble of thoughts.
I thought it was a coincidence at first, but the more I listen, the more something seems off.
The Xu family encountered danger twice, and Lord Cui happened to be present both times. Moreover, after each incident, Lord Cui's relationship with the Xu family grew closer.
She leaned forward and pressed, "Please continue, are there any other details?"
Lu Fang looked at her, his eyes filled with even more admiration, and nodded: "The Xu family did indeed prepare a grand gift to thank Lord Cui later, including gold, silver, jewelry, and rare calligraphy and paintings."
But Lord Cui refused to accept it, choosing only the most ordinary piece of calligraphy, a work by an unknown painter from the previous dynasty, saying, "I appreciate the sentiment, but I cannot accept anything too precious."
After that, there was no news of Lady Wang meeting Lord Cui alone. Xu Fengyan's interactions with Lord Cui were all public pleasantries, with no private contact whatsoever.
Pei Zhiwei twirled the empty wine glass between her fingers.
Suddenly, it was as if she had found a thread in her previously tangled thoughts!
She stopped swirling her wine glass, her eyes brightened, and she looked at Lu Fanghui: "Are you trying to tell us that all of this was designed by the Wang family?"
The position of Jiedushi (military governor) of Huainan was coveted by many eyes.
Which powerful family doesn't know who will succeed them long ago?
Therefore, Lady Wang also knew long ago that Lord Cui would be the next military governor of Huainan.
Xu Li's encounter with the bandits was arranged by her.
She knew all along that Lord Cui would be passing by that day, which is why she did it this way.
It's done. Xu Li is dead.
Xu Ren is very likely to take over the Xu family business in the future, and she has long known about Xu Ren's feelings for her.
"No, Lord Cui saved someone, and given Xu Fengyan's high regard for Xu Li, the Xu family naturally owes him a tremendous favor."
Lu Fanghui didn't say anything, but just stroked his beard and looked at her with a smile.
Pei Zhiwei carefully observed his expression and then said, "Zhang Xiao's vicious dog biting people should also be Wang's doing."
If successful, Xu Fengyan will either die or be injured, and Xu Li, who already regards Lord Cui as his savior, will take over the Xu family.
No, since Lord Cui saved her in public, the Xu family should be even more grateful to him.
So, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, Lord Cui will be the biggest beneficiary…
She unconsciously turned the empty wine glass in her hand upside down and stared straight at Lu Fanghui.
"You've been keeping a close eye on our movements, and knowing we've gotten close to the Wang family, you came all this way to tell us in person..."
It certainly wasn't to make Young Master Xie uphold justice and kill his own family..."
Her eyes lit up, and she smiled, saying, "You're giving us a clue."
This will allow us to quickly find evidence of Wang's misconduct.
Otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives makes this a reality, they might report it to the capital.
At that time, not only Lord Cui, but the entire Cui clan of Qinghe will be implicated.
"You're doing the Cui family and the Xie family a favor!"
After listening, Lu Fanghui suddenly burst into laughter and slapped the table: "Hahahaha! Girls are so thoughtful!"
I knew I hadn't misjudged you!
Xie Ji, who was listening nearby, was stunned for a while before he realized what was happening. He was so angry that he jumped up and down, pointing at Lu Fang and saying, "You should have said so earlier!"
What a roundabout way to go!
It almost made me think my uncle had done something really stupid!
If we had guessed wrong, wouldn't my uncle have been unjustly killed?
Lu Fanghui shrugged, looking completely innocent: "I didn't say anything. From beginning to end, it was all your own guessing."
"You..." Xie Ji was so angry that he reached out to pluck his beard, but he was pulled back by Xiao Yunzhan after only touching a few hairs.
Xiao Yunzhan cupped his hands to Lu Fanghui: "Grandpa Lu, thank you for the clues you provided today."
If this matter is truly as we suspect, then I, on behalf of the Xie family and Lord Cui, will accept the favor from the Lu family.”
Lu Fang waved his hand and stood up: "Alright, it's getting late."
The old man is getting on in years and can't keep going any longer; he should go back and rest.
"You young people, take your time investigating."
After saying that, he slowly walked out. Zhang Cheng had been waiting outside. He helped him into the carriage and soon disappeared from sight.
The private room fell silent, except for Xie Ji's complaints: "These damn old men!"
Can't you just speak frankly and directly?
They have to beat around the bush and make people guess!
If I guess wrong, it could be fatal!
As he spoke, he tugged at his collar in a hurry, grabbed Xiao Yunzhan with one hand, and asked urgently, "Do you believe my uncle?"
He would never do anything improper with another man's wife.
It's even more impossible that they conspired with the Wang family to murder Xu Fengyan and seize the Xu family's property!
Xiao Yunzhan patted his shoulder, his tone steady: "If others don't believe me, how can I not believe them?"
We were both raised under his guidance since childhood.
Who in the court doesn't know Lord Cui's character?
He was upright and incorruptible, and even the emperor praised him as "capable of handling great matters".
However, this matter is too complicated, so I have to ask Lord Cui in person.
Let's see what he has to say.
Xie Ji sighed and slumped his shoulders: "But my uncle went to inspect the military camp a few days ago, which is far away from Yangzhou."
Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to run around so freely for so long, with no one bothering me.
Pei Zhiwei walked over, patted Xie Ji's arm, and said firmly, "No matter what, the most important thing now is to contact Lord Cui."
According to the line of thought given by Old Master Lu, the key to this matter lies entirely with Lord Cui.
It would be best if he knew something; maybe then we could find evidence faster.
Xiao Yunzhan nodded, his eyes turning serious: "That's right."
If Wang really had such audacity, wanting to use the Xu family's case to bring down Lord Cui and thus shake the Qinghe Cui clan.
Then we probably don't have much time left.
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