The refugees were unaware that princes without permits were not allowed to enter the capital, and even less aware that the Chu prince, whom the soldiers claimed had left Jiangzhou, was currently sleeping in the prince's residence.
Li Yanping scrambled into Jiangzhou City. Only after the city gates closed did his heart finally settle down. Trembling, he grabbed the soldier who had dragged him into the city and said, "I am the manager of Li's Trading Company. Take me to the Prince's Mansion quickly!"
The soldier rolled his eyes without any politeness. How dare a mere merchant order him around?
The soldier yanked his arm back hard: "Since you're the prince's confidant, you should know the location of the prince's residence. Go there yourself!"
Li Yanping was dumbfounded.
What is this called?
A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs!
When has Manager Li ever suffered such a loss!
Li Yanping's hands and feet went weak. He turned to look at the city gate and listened to the wailing outside the city. He couldn't help but shiver. His horse and carriage were all outside. Judging from the situation, he probably couldn't save them!
If we can't save him, so be it; his life is more important.
Li Yanping and his confidant helped each other as they headed towards the Prince's Mansion. By the time they arrived, it was already dawn.
When Li Yanping finally saw the Prince of Chu, the breath he had been holding back finally dissipated. His knees buckled, and he knelt down with a thud, tears and snot flying everywhere: "Your Highness, I almost didn't get to see you again..."
He lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, heartbroken.
While crying, he recounted the harrowing experience outside the city walls the previous night. When he got emotional, he couldn't help but flatter the King of Chu: "Thanks to Your Highness's foresight, I was instructed to carry a signal flare with me at all times."
The King of Chu watched as Li Yanping wiped his face with his sleeve, his brows furrowed. He felt that this man reeked of a foul stench, and wondered which servant had allowed Li Yanping to enter. He wanted the steward to kick him out of the mansion immediately.
After sending Li Yanping away to wash up, the servants in the mansion quickly came in and rinsed the council hall inside and out with water, and also lit incense.
After Li Yanping finished tidying up and saw the newly renovated council hall, Li Yanping...
He was too hasty; he had completely forgotten His Highness's obsessive cleanliness.
Fortunately, he calmed down by then: "Your Highness, I came to Jiangzhou to tell you about the situation in the northern desert."
He quickly recounted the rise of the Wen family business, the interception of the escort agency, the use of the snow disaster to win over the people, and the disputes at the medical clinic. Then, with a hint of grievance, he said, "Your Highness, I have sent you messages by carrier pigeon several times, but I have not received a reply."
The King of Chu gave an "oh" and said nonchalantly, "They might have been eaten by refugees. Since you suffered yesterday, you should know that the area south of Jiangzhou has been affected by floods for more than three months."
In the Jiangnan region, refugees are everywhere, so it's no wonder they wouldn't let live creatures like carrier pigeons go.
"You mean, Xiao Liu is behind the Wen family?"
Li Yanping nodded repeatedly: "Yes. The Sixth Prince was granted the title of Prince Wen and then exiled to the northern desert. It was a coincidence that the Wen family appeared in the northern desert. In addition, the attitude of Qi Wenhan, the prefect of Changzhou, towards the Wen family was very unusual. I think the Wen family should be the Sixth Prince's residence in Changzhou."
The King of Chu responded with an "oh," clearly not taking the King of Wen seriously.
Since ancient times, the titles of princes have been based on the names of the dynasties, and his titles were especially prestigious.
In addition, the emperor disliked Xiao Liu when he was alive, and he was only reminded by the officials to name him when he was three years old.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, news of Xiao Liu being granted the title of Prince Wen and being exiled to the northern desert quickly spread throughout the land. Apart from having his men condemn the new emperor, the King of Chu did nothing else.
Xiao Liu, who has no powerful family backing, can't offer him any help. Besides, if Xiao Liu goes to the northern desert, he might not even survive the New Year.
But now Li Yanping is telling him that Xiao Liu is not only alive and well, but has also established a business?
The King of Chu quickly had someone bring over the information on the King of Wen's entourage. Apart from Qi Chenglang, the others were not particularly noticeable. After inquiring in detail about the escort agency, the King threw the notebook at Li Yanping: "Idiot! Just open an escort agency directly. Why are you trying to undermine the Longchang Escort Agency?"
These people who live in the underworld value loyalty the most.
If it weren't for the Wen family's interference, he was certain that once Li's Trading Company's escort agency opened, it would have faced a constant stream of troubles.
The manager of the escort agency was absolutely right. The people in the escort agency relied on more than just their martial arts skills to carry out their missions.
Li Yanping's eyes were filled with sorrow. His Highness spoke so lightly. Did they think they could just open a security escort agency whenever they wanted?
There isn't enough space in Changzhou City for them to open another escort agency. Besides, the Longchang Escort Agency is so well-equipped; they could take it over at a low price, so why bother with all that trouble themselves?
Li Yanping felt wronged, but he dared not say anything, since the matter with the escort agency was indeed due to their poor planning.
He was about to mention the clinic when the King of Chu continued, "And Huang Fu of the clinic..."
Upon hearing the mention of Huang Fu by the King of Chu, Li Yanping immediately knelt down again, kowtowed several times, and then said, "Huang Fu knew he had caused such great trouble and betrayed Your Highness's trust. After the incident came to light, he committed suicide out of fear of punishment."
Li Yanping lay on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
The reason is simple: Huang Fu's sister was one of the earliest concubines to serve the King of Chu. Over the years, she has been highly favored. Huang Fu's visit to Li's Trading Company was also due to the influence of this concubine.
Li Yanping had actually reported Huang Fuli's scheme to make money through Li Ji Medical Clinic to the Prince of Chu long ago, but the Prince of Chu had not made a decision, which only fueled Huang Fuli's arrogance. Huang Fuli even said more than once while drunk that he would become the head manager of Li Ji Trading Company in the future.
Huang Fu wanted to take over, and Li Yanping naturally wouldn't sit idly by. Was he really caught off guard by the Li Family Clinic incident?
He chose to go to Jiangzhou quickly after the Huang residence and Li's medical clinic were raided. The real reason was not just because he could not contact the King of Chu, but because he wanted to personally sue Huang Fu.
Huang Fu is a brainless idiot. He abuses his position as the younger sister to bully others in the business, without ever considering why the business is called Li's...
As Li Yanping spoke, he took out an account book: "Your Highness, this account book is evidence of Huang Fu's corruption and bribery over the years, including accepting kickbacks through Li's Medical Clinic and selling inferior goods as superior ones."
"After the incident at Li's Medical Clinic, Qi Wenhan swiftly shut it down. Huang Fu, knowing he was guilty and could not escape, handed over the evidence to me."
The King of Chu glanced through the account book briefly, then waved his hand. The steward took the account book away to destroy it. He then quietly watched Li Yanping. Just as Li Yanping's knees were numb and aching, he finally spoke: "Alright, you may leave. The concubine heard you've arrived; go and see her."
Li Yanping secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Huang Fu's matter had been considered over by His Highness.
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