After they sat down, the maid served them tea and then left.
Hou Zhenbing spoke first, "Brother, Mrs. Kang from Anzhou Colored Porcelain Workshop has arrived. She said that the Hou family's wharf previously refused to allow her ship to dock. Was it Duke Lu's intention?"
"Well, it was Governor Du who sent someone to tell me that Mr. Kang came to you for help?"
"No, she brought a batch of colored porcelain from Anzhou to sell and asked me if I would buy it. She also said that she had offended Duke Lu and was afraid of causing trouble for us, so she asked me to discuss it with you before making a decision."
A hint of surprise flashed across Hou Zhensheng's eyes. This Mr. Kang was quite straightforward.
He still understood his brother. "If you want to take it, then take it. After all, Governor Du didn't give you an order not to do business with the Kang family. Besides, we have already separated, so you don't need to discuss it with me."
The family division was to protect his younger brothers. Hou Zhenbing recalled the scene of the family division and couldn't help but burst into tears, "Brother, are you really going to endure this forever?"
What else can I do if I can't bear it anymore? "What's the point of being so forgiving? Be careful of the rumors. Go back quickly if you're fine. I still say the same thing, try not to come here again."
"Brother! I..."
"Okay, let's go!" Hou Zhensheng interrupted Hou Zhenbing, stood up and walked out.
After leaving the study, he couldn't help but tear up. Hou Zhenbing and he were born of the same mother, and the two brothers had a very good relationship. But the better their relationship, the more he wanted to sever ties with them.
Hou Zhenbing left in a daze. When he returned to the porcelain shop, he was asked to deliver a letter to Kang Yueran, saying that he wanted to buy the batch of colored porcelain.
Kang Yueran met the shopkeeper and quoted the price of the colored porcelain. The shopkeeper thought the price was right and nodded in agreement.
Neither party wanted to cause any trouble, so they agreed to complete the transaction in the afternoon.
After working all afternoon and having dinner, Ma Shun reported his achievements to Kang Yueran. "Mr. Zuo's timber and the brown sugar bought by the young lady have been loaded onto the ship.
"Mr. Meng's money for medicinal herbs, the Wang family's money for cloth, and the young lady's money for porcelain have all been collected. Now we just have to wait for the medicinal herbs from Black Dragon Mountain to arrive. After the handover, we can set off back to Anzhou."
Xiao Wuzi knocked on the door and walked in. "Miss, I just happened to ask about the Du Taishou and the Hou family today."
"It just so happens that Manager Ma has finished talking about this. Xiao Wuzi, you can tell me about it."
Xiao Wuzi agreed and sat opposite Kang Yueran.
"This Du Taishou has a good reputation. Once upon a time, the son of a county magistrate raped a peasant girl, who then committed suicide. Her parents eventually reported the case to Du Taishou.
After the trial, Governor Du personally sentenced the county magistrate's son to exile. As a result, the people praised him for his fairness and called him a good official.
Ma Shun added, "I've heard about this incident as well. Later, Governor Du found a fault and dismissed the county magistrate."
Kang Yueran nodded, "What about the Hou family?"
Xiao Wuzi and Ma Shun each talked about a few things about the Hou family. To sum up, among the various branches of the Hou family, some people attached themselves to Duke Lu and indeed gained benefits, while others shrank their necks and did not attach themselves to him, nor did they dare to resist.
In fact, it is also understandable. The Hou family's roots are in Ningzhou. It is not easy to leave. Since they can't leave and don't want to cling to others, they can only bury their heads in the sand like ostriches.
Kang Yueran sighed, "It seems that the Hou family can't be won over, but fortunately there is still the Black Dragon Mountain Wharf."
Xiao Wuzi was very worried. "Miss, next time we come, the governor will be on guard. Will he also issue an order to stop merchants from doing business with us?"
"No, Duke Lu has great influence in the southwest. Precisely because of this influence, he doesn't dare to expose everything. The emperor is already wary of him. If he goes too far, he will be in trouble."
Kang Yueran looked at the sky outside and said, "I'll go into the city to meet with Governor Du. Xiao Wuzi, you and Xiao Cheng will take turns keeping watch on the deck. If there's any sudden change, sail away immediately. No need to wait for me!"
Ma Shun disagreed. "Young lady, since your analysis is so thorough, why do you still want to provoke Governor Du?"
"They were the ones who provoked me first! I went there just to ask him to pass on a message to Duke Lu. Don't worry, he can't catch me!"
Kang Yueran always kept her word, so Ma Shun stopped trying to persuade her. "That girl, be careful!"
"Well, it's been a busy day, you should go and have a rest!"
After Ma Shun left, Kang Yueran entered the space. During the day, people were coming and going, and she hadn't asked Baihu about the situation yet.
As soon as he entered the space, the white tiger pounced on him, "Master, I have found out everything."
"Then tell me, pick out the important things!"
"I asked an old snake about this, and it said that the former headmaster, Hua Sheng, was killed by the third headmaster. Later, Hua Sheng returned to the stronghold with his last breath, exposed the third headmaster's crimes, and passed the position of headmaster to his only daughter, Hua Rongyue.
Master, Hua Rongyue can control snakes and is very good at making medicine and poison. Master, you must be careful of her."
This was similar to what the shop assistant said. Kang Yueran asked again, "What's the situation in the village now?"
"There are quite a few people in the village, making a living by collecting and making medicine. Old Snake said that the people of Black Dragon Mountain are very united and have great faith in Hua Rongyue, the leader."
Hua Rongyue should be able to cooperate, Kang Yueran nodded.
She entered the city smoothly, asked passers-by for directions, and soon arrived at the government office.
She easily entered the backyard using the Flying Tiger Claw. Standing at the main courtyard door, she called out, "Master Du, could you please come out and see me?"
A woman shouted, "Who are you? How did you get in?"
Kang Yueran ignored the old woman and called out again.
Just as the old woman was about to step forward, Du Jian came out of the room and asked uncertainly, "Are you Kang Yueran?"
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
