Zhang Tingyu's side.
"Young master, didn't you tell me to send someone to keep an eye on Miss Qiu? I've discovered that she's causing trouble at the bookstore."
Zhang Tingyu asked, "Who's causing trouble?"
"He is the son of a wealthy merchant. Logically speaking, he shouldn't be so brainless, but he did send people to cause trouble at the bookstore. As for why, this servant is still investigating."
Zhang Tingyu: "Investigate quickly, the bookstore can't be delayed."
"Yes, young master."
Qiu Yun soon learned that it was a wealthy young master who was causing trouble. Qiu Wen thought it was really strange that the person was causing trouble, so she sent someone to investigate why.
With Zhang Tingyu's help, Qiu Wen's people soon found out the reason, and Qiu Wen was completely bewildered after learning it.
"Your Highness, that man is a wealthy young master from Cangzhou. He hasn't settled down in the capital yet. I've found out that he knew our bookstore was a profitable business in Cangzhou and got his eye on it. Back in Cangzhou, we had the governor's wife protecting us, and that wealthy merchant now has a backer in the capital. So, when his son learned that Wensi Bookstore had opened in the capital, he set his sights on it."
Qiu Wen understood: "Have you found out who that person's backer is?"
Luo Xue said, "He is a secretary from the Ministry of Rites, surnamed Cheng, named Cheng Du."
Qiu Wen had never heard of this name.
It's no wonder she hadn't heard of it. The capital city is never short of high-ranking officials and nobles. The banquets that Hesheli took her to had certain thresholds, and they were basically all people of the same social class. A doctor, especially a doctor who had only recently taken office, was truly "unknown" in the capital city.
"Investigate that Lord Cheng. If possible, send him a message to tell him to keep a close eye on his subordinates."
Qiu Wen only wanted to do business and didn't want to make enemies, even if it was just a doctor. If they knew when to back down and were sensible, then everyone would be happy.
Of course, the bookstore must compensate for its losses. Otherwise, if anyone gets upset and comes to cause trouble at her bookstore, she'll have to apologize in the end, and she'll lose a fortune.
Luo Xue was quite efficient; it didn't take long for Cheng Du to find out what his favored concubine's brother-in-law had done.
His concubine was named Liu Xiuer, and his brother was named Liu Bing. Liu Bing could not be called a playboy, but he was certainly not a good person in the true sense of the word.
Liu Bing was also a money lover, but he wasn't exactly a gentleman; in short, his methods weren't exactly honorable.
Similar things have been done to Wensi Bookstore before.
However, this time they really hadn't done their homework. After all, there were many speculations about Qiu Wen's identity in the upper-class circles of Beijing, but none of them had a concrete conclusion, let alone Liu Bing, an outsider merchant.
Even his powerful backers probably didn't know about the Niohuru Mansion, so it was even less likely that Liu Bing would know.
There's a reason why Liu Bing has been able to be so arrogant for so long. He's not brainless; as a merchant, he knows how to find a powerful backer.
Before coming to the capital, Cheng Du could not serve as an official in Cangzhou, and the place where he was to serve was quite far from Cangzhou. However, he managed to find a way to send his younger sister there and kept sending her money to help her gain a foothold. He even gave Cheng Du a lot of financial assistance.
This is also why Cheng Du was able to be promoted to the capital; Liu Bing's money helped him a lot.
The relationship between Cheng Du and Liu Bing can be considered mutually beneficial.
However, when real problems arise, the degree of influence will not affect Liu Bing's career.
"Lord Cheng wants to summon me?" Liu Bing was a little surprised. The two of them usually kept their affairs to themselves. He had been in the capital for some time and had only met Cheng Du once.
"Yes, young master."
Although Liu Bing didn't know the reason, he said, "Find out that painting we just got and that Tang Dynasty porcelain, wrap them up, and take them with us when we go over later."
"Yes, young master."
Liu Bing took the things and went there.
"See Madam Cheng."
Cheng Du looked at Liu Bing. He knew what Liu Bing was going to do, but he was also a beneficiary. The eldest brother didn't talk about the second brother. He used to turn a blind eye to it, and the two of them tacitly understood each other.
"Young Master Liu, you're too kind. Please sit down and let's talk!"
Liu Bing said, "I wonder if my sister is alright after coming in."
A few days ago, Liu Xiuer gave birth to a son for Chengdu. Chengdu himself didn't have many children, so he was quite happy.
"It's all right, don't worry about Xiuer."
Liu Bing: That's good. I just recently acquired two nice items, and I hope Lord Cheng can take a look at them.
This kind of thing happened often in the past, but this time Cheng Du refused: "Don't rush to appreciate something, I have something to ask you."
When Liu Bing heard that Cheng Du had refused his gift, his heart skipped a beat, and he had a bad feeling.
"Please speak, Lord Cheng."
Du Cheng didn't mince words with Liu Bing, since, according to the food chain, Liu Bing was at the bottom of his food chain.
"Have you done anything to Wensi Bookstore lately?"
Liu Bing was well aware of what he had done.
Liu Bing hesitated for a moment before saying, "Lord Cheng, that bookstore used to be in Cangzhou. I thought we couldn't let it have a monopoly, so I gave them a heads-up."
Cheng Du's expression was not good as he asked, "So you really did something?"
Liu Bing wasn't stupid; he probably knew he had done something wrong: "Lord Cheng, is there some explanation for this bookstore?"
Cheng Du looked at Liu Bing and asked, "Have you inquired about the background of Wensi Bookstore?"
Liu Bing had naturally inquired about this, but what he found out was the background of Wensi Bookstore in Cangzhou. It was protected by the prefect's wife, which was why he was envious but did not have the surgery back then. After all, at that time, the prefect could not protect him from doing whatever he wanted in Cangzhou.
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