Wu Yuan looked at the people kneeling on the ground, found nothing unusual, but felt something was amiss, so he told them to get up.
"I will continue to investigate this case. Please be patient, fellow villagers. The salt merchants' salt was approved by me and can solve their immediate needs."
"Do you, my fellow villagers, prefer to go hungry?"
The old man closed his eyes, his heart trembled, and he saw that the villagers seemed to trust him. He didn't know where to begin.
In that inconspicuous spot, a tall figure appeared behind the trees, quietly watching the bustling area ahead.
"Heh, I never thought that lecherous little emperor would actually have this trick up his sleeve."
"Presumably, Wu Yuan is Li Yan's trusted confidant. However, getting bitten by mosquitoes here doesn't seem like a good deal, does it?"
"No, we have to go to him and beg for the best pills."
"My lord, He Yue has arrived."
In the distance, a travel-worn man could be seen rushing towards them, panting heavily. He was rather overweight.
"Lord Wu, those people are grabbing it like madmen, and we don't have enough salt either, therefore, therefore."
"So what? Tell me quickly!"
Wu Yuan glanced disdainfully at the nouveau riche-looking man and urged him to hurry up and speak.
“The salt smugglers are selling smuggled salt to them, disrupting our order! Besides, you still have some money with us.” He Yue deliberately lowered his voice when he mentioned money.
"Alright, I understand. You may all leave now. We'll deal with those salt smugglers later!"
"What kind of mess is this? Why did they leave without resolving anything?"
"Exactly, exactly! Who can argue with that? Nobody would believe he didn't embezzle salt!"
"You're here?"
Li Yan turned his back to him, holding the two Buddhist beads in his hand, and said heavily.
"Oh, it's Lord Li. I was just about to arrest those salt smugglers. Why didn't you announce your arrival?"
Wu Yuanjian had just met Li Yan a few days ago. That old man, he still had to be respectful to him for the sake of money.
"Alright, enough with the nonsense. How's the matter I asked you to do?"
"Please come with me, sir."
Wu Yuan led Li Yan to a warehouse not far from the mansion, which was a salt warehouse they had bought!
'brush'!
Upon opening the warehouse door, bags of table salt came into view. Although it was ordinary salt, it was something special to them.
But it was money; they used the government's official salt to engage in high-paying transactions and make huge profits!
Now, Wu Yuan has monopolized the salt trade in the entire Daliu Town. In reality, Li Yan is on top, Wu Yuan is below, and He Yue in the middle is the scapegoat—the one who connected them!
Li Yan slowly walked into the salt warehouse, observing the workers' operations and finding them very well-organized. He nodded with satisfaction.
"Indeed, Lord Wu is quite adept at managing his subordinates. But did you know that the Emperor recently sent a court official down to investigate this matter?"
Wu Yuan was startled.
"Minister of the imperial court?"
"Yes, I had heard about it, but I thought it was a rumor at the time, so I didn't pay much attention. What should we do now!"
"Calm down. I'm telling you, you must secretly deal with those salt smugglers before that minister arrives. Whether you drive them out or kill them!"
"Don't let the Emperor's men see them, or we'll be in serious trouble!"
"Yes, sir."
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