Chapter 39 Cooperation

At 7:00 p.m., the sky was hazy and the first clouds were golden. The entrance of Bodhi Temple was already busy, with devout pilgrims getting up early to burn incense to the Buddha.

Ming Huashang met Jiang Ling and Ren Yao at the door. Ming Huashang asked, "Sister Ren, how is the trip to Beidu going?"

Ren Yao nodded: "I have arranged it. Today they will leave for Taiyuan Prefecture to inquire about the Wu family puppetry troupe. Don't worry, they are used to doing this kind of thing, and they will bring back news in a few days."

Ming Huashang felt relieved and said, "Okay, let's explore the Wei Mansion again and see if we can find out anything."

Ming Huashang had tried before, but no matter how gossipy the servants in the Wei Mansion were, they knew what to say and what not to say. She had tried to find out for a long time but got nothing. But now it was different. Ming Huashang found the servant guarding the back door and asked, "What have the storekeeper, the eldest son, and the third lady in your house been doing these days?"

The servant stared at them warily: "How can the master's itinerary be leaked to outsiders? What on earth do you want to do? If you continue to do this, I will report you to the police..."

Ming Huashang and the other five entered through the main gate last time. They were treated like VIPs and escorted by the shopkeeper. The servants at the back door were not qualified to see them. Even now, when they were face to face, the servants did not recognize them as the guests of the Cui family. Jiang Ling took out a bunch of money and stuffed it directly into the servant's hand without even looking at how much money was on it: "Can you tell me now?"

The servant wanted to push it back, but he subconsciously weighed the weight in his hand and hesitated. Ming Huashang saw it and struck while the iron was hot, saying: "We have no bad intentions, we just want to do business with your family and learn more about it. Don't worry, this is the emperor's feet, what can we do?"

The servant's loyalty was ultimately no match for the heavy copper money. He accepted Ming Huashang's reason, regardless of whether it was valid or not, and said, "I'm telling you this because you're good people. The shopkeeper has been making puppets in his room these days, often staying there all day, even having his meals delivered to his room. The others didn't dare to interfere with the shopkeeper's work, and they all behaved themselves. Only the eldest son went out as usual to buy things for making puppets in the South Market."

Ming Huashang asked, "I heard that Manager Wei has not been making puppets in recent years. I didn't expect that he would make puppets himself this time. Whose guest is this to have such an honor?"

The servant shrugged, "What else? The eldest master's craftsmanship is mediocre, and the third lady has been in trouble. She has been staying in her room these days to recuperate and can't even speak clearly. Apart from the shopkeeper doing it himself, who else can we rely on?"

Ming Huashang asked, "Are the materials that Dalangjun bought in the South Market for the storekeeper?"

"Yes." The servant said, "The shopkeeper trusts the eldest son the most. The important orders are all purchased by the eldest son."

Ming Huashang did see Wei Moyuan buying fabric and dyes when she followed him yesterday, which shows that the servants did not lie. The itinerary of the Wei family sounded normal, so Ming Huashang asked, "Did they do anything unusual during this period?"

"Abnormal?" The servant thought for a long time and said, "The shopkeeper is in a bad mood and has lost his temper several times. Is this abnormal?"

"Okay." Ming Huashang was very generous with other people's money. She stuffed another string of money into the servant's pocket and said with a smile, "Thank you. To be honest, we are not here to do business, but to follow the order of our husband to inquire about the ghost stories in your mansion. Our husband is well-educated and has no intention of pursuing a career in politics. He just likes to hear about strange people and strange stories. He is compiling a book of strange stories. When he heard that the puppet in the Wei Mansion came to life, he was very interested and sent us here to inquire about the details. If there is anything else related to the murder case, please tell us. As long as it is useful information, one hundred yuan per piece."

The servant did not doubt Ming Huachang's words. Nowadays, literature is flourishing, and there are many famous scholars and hermits who do not like to be officials. They are devoted to discussing metaphysics and Taoism, and compiling strange stories is also very popular among scholars.

Since it was for the purpose of making up a story, the servant had no psychological burden. One hundred yuan for one piece of information was much more than what he could earn as a gatekeeper in the Wei family.

But the servant did not believe it and asked, "What do you mean by useful news?"

Whether it is useful or not depends entirely on Ming Huashang. What if they cheat and don't give any money at all?

Ming Huashang saw this and pulled Jiang Ling over, saying, "This is our master's book boy. Look at his elegant demeanor. Are you still worried that our master has no money?"

Jiang Ling was pulled out unexpectedly, and his expression froze. But he couldn't open his bright and gorgeous clothes, so he could only force a smile and look at the servants, looking very rich.

After all, not every stupid son can be raised to be so wealthy.

The servant looked at Jiang Ling and couldn't tell that he was a book boy, but he believed that his family was very rich.

The servant's doubts were unconsciously dispelled. The master couldn't believe that the follower was so noble! How could such a family embezzle a hundred or so coins?

Ming Huashang said proudly, "Don't worry, our husband is a famous scholar. He doesn't care about money, he only cares about friends. As long as the story is good, money is not worth mentioning! If you don't have time, you can introduce a friend. As long as the information provided is valuable, I will give the other party 100 yuan and give you 20 yuan as a reward for your hard work."

The servant was so happy when he heard this. He could make money just by talking. Where could he find such a good thing? The servant agreed immediately: "No problem. I know someone in the inner house. I will ask them to find out later."

"Thank you." Ming Huashang pointed to the locust tree on the corner and said, "If you have any news, please stand under the tree and we will come to find you. Brother, please introduce more friends to us so that we can make money together!"

After leaving the back door of the Wei family, Ren Yao held back his anger all the way, and finally said, "Second Mother, you are really generous."

"Yes." Jiang Ling said faintly, "If you don't know, you would think it was your money that was spent."

Ming Huashang said solemnly: "Comrades-in-arms should trust each other and help each other. What does money mean to you? You are my most important teammates. I am willing to entrust my life to you. As long as you say a word, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Ming Huachang's words were so loud that Jiang Ling was overwhelmed with emotion when he heard such a righteous word. He didn't care about a few hundred dollars at all. He said generously: "You are right. Money has a price, but friendship is priceless. It's too tiring to stand here. There is a wine shop in front, and we can see the locust tree clearly. Let's go to the wine shop and have a few drinks!"

Ming Huashang was shaken: "What if the Wei family goes out..."

Jiang Ling waved his hand carelessly: "For things like this, let others do the running. It's too tiring to follow them yourself. Come here!"

A few beggars from the corner came over cautiously and asked, "What do you want, sir?"

Jiang Ling gave them a few copper coins and said, "Use them to buy a nice meal. After you have eaten, you will help me keep an eye on the Wei family. If someone comes out, you will follow them to see where they go and what they do. Then report to me and I will give you half of the remaining copper coins. Do you understand?"

A group of little beggars happily responded, shouted "May everything be well with you, my dear", and then rushed to buy food.

Jiang Ling sighed as he watched the group of half-grown children run away, then turned to Ming Huashang and Ren Yao and said, "These beggars have lived in the open air since they were young, and they are very good at reading people's expressions. They are very smart. Letting them follow them is better than the servants carefully trained by the Marquis' Mansion. Han Jie said that we should not alarm people, so it's a good idea to let them go, and they can also have two more full meals."

Ming Huashang finally understood Jiang Ling's intention. Yes, Luoyang was rich and prosperous, and it was a thoroughfare to the world. Walking on the street, who would not yearn for the prosperity of the capital of the gods, but many people were subconsciously ignored by them. This group of beggars was just like that. No matter where they went or what they did, I'm afraid no one would pay attention to them.

Let them follow us to be truly silent.

Ren Yao looked at the children's backs and frowned as he asked, "Why don't you give them some more money? What can a few coins buy? It's only enough for them to have a meal at most."

"That's the best way." Jiang Ling said, "The court has its own rules, and the streets have their own rules. If they take too much, they won't be able to protect themselves, and it might even cost them their lives. Only money that's just enough for a meal will make it to their mouths."

Ming Huashang and Ren Yao had never heard of such a thing, and Ren Yao was even more shocked. If Jiang Ling hadn't said that, she would have given those children enough money to keep them warm and well-fed out of kindness, and who knows, there would be a few more children's bodies in the Yinshui Ditch in Luoyang tomorrow.

Ming Huashang's eyes changed when she looked at Jiang Ling: "I never thought that you have such a considerate side."

Jiang Ling snorted and walked towards the wine shop with great strides: "This prince is wise and brave, and can see through everything. What can't he do?"

Ming Huashang smiled and followed him. Ren Yao took two steps and couldn't help but look back at the street corner.

The children bought steamed buns and scrambled to eat them. They finished them in a short while. She felt inexplicably heavy. She turned around and saw Jiang Ling's lazy and dissolute back.

She used to think that she had done nothing wrong, but was forced to watch her property fall into the hands of others, and that she was the most pitiful person in the world. Now she suddenly realized that perhaps there were many people in the world who did not even have the qualifications to be pitiful.

They have already used up all their strength just by being alive.

Jiang Ling requested a box facing the street. They sat at the second-floor window and could clearly see the locust tree on the corner. Ming Huashang was afraid of making mistakes and refused to let Jiang Ling drink. Jiang Ling had no choice but to order some snacks. He even wanted to order a troupe to come in, but was stopped by Ming Huashang.

Jiang Ling could only drink water and wait for the whole morning in boredom. By the afternoon, their financial offensive finally took effect.

No matter how powerful a person is, what he hears and sees is limited. But after mobilizing the masses, he can truly listen to all directions and see all directions.

One after another, people came to provide Ming Huashang with "valuable" information. Some said that Wei Yanqing was in a bad mood these days, often lost his temper, and seemed to be looking for something; some said that Wei Zhuyan's condition became more and more serious in the past few days, and she often looked at a blank space and was distracted, always saying that there was a ghost outside, and even ignored Wei Yanqing when he asked her to go out; some said that Da Langjun seemed to have bought the wrong materials and was scolded by the shopkeeper. It was unknown what Da Langjun said that made the shopkeeper very angry.

Ming Huashang was surprised: "How could Wei Moyuan contradict Master?"

"Yes." The maid who delivered the message also found it incredible. "The eldest son is the most filial, and he talked back to the shopkeeper and made him very angry."

Something must be wrong when things are out of the ordinary. Ming Huashang asked about the details of the quarrel. The little maid recalled carefully: "I was sweeping the backyard at that time, and saw the eldest son carrying a black cloth bag in. I didn't take it seriously, but after a while, I heard a quarrel faintly from the shopkeeper's room. I was afraid of being angry with my master, so I hurriedly took the broom and walked away. I vaguely heard the eldest son say, 'The Wei family used to be actors, and now they are merchants. They have always been the lowest class. People of high status should know their own limitations.' Then the shopkeeper smashed the cup and cursed, 'How dare you, who gave you the courage to confront me? I work so hard, isn't it for you?' Then the housekeeper came in, and I was afraid of being affected, so I hurried away."

Ming Huashang seemed to be thinking about something. Jiang Ling was not surprised by this. His father would scold him like this every ten days or half a month. Seeing Ming Huashang's stern face, he waved his hand in front of her and said, "Why are you so serious? How come you have also been scolded by your father? This is not right. You are a girl, and your father is willing to scold you?"

Ming Huashang generously gave the maid a hundred dollars and encouraged her to mobilize people around her to investigate further. After the maid left, Ming Huashang asked, "Don't you think it's strange that Wei Moyuan would talk back?"

"What's the big deal?" Jiang Ling said indifferently, "Aren't all normal people like this?"

It was common for Jiang Ling to retort to his elders, but it was unusual for Wei Moyuan. Ming Huashang summarized the information reported by the servants and said, "Do you think that Wei Moyuan buys materials too frequently?"

Jiang Ling said: "They are puppet makers. Isn't it normal to buy materials? Besides, Minghua Zhang just pretended that the Cui family placed the order. The Wei family must want to finish it as soon as possible."

Ming Huashang thought about it and shook her head, "No. They are in the puppet business. Even a prominent family like the Cui family must have seen a lot of them in the past years. Why would they mess around? Shopkeeper Wei gives me the feeling that he is too impatient. Let's go to the South City and see what Wei Moyuan bought."

It was getting late and the stalls in Nanshi had already been closed. Ming Huashang agreed with Jiang Ling and Ren Yao on a time and place to meet tomorrow and then went home.

Ming Huashang guessed that Wei Moyuan had bought the wrong materials and would definitely go out again the next day. Jiang Ling, as usual, used the money for a meal to hire beggars to help him keep watch. Those children were indeed very smart. After Wei Moyuan walked away, they ran over to inform Jiang Ling. Ming Huashang and the other two followed him into the store and asked, "What did that young man ask just now?"

The proprietress looked at the three of them calmly. She recognized that the clothes they were wearing were of good quality, so she immediately put on a smile and said, "Hello, my dear lady. We are a small business and cannot disclose the affairs of our customers..."

Jiang Ling calmly put a bag of money on the counter and asked, "What about now?"

The boss lady kept glancing at her wallet, and the smile on her face became more and more awkward. Ming Huashang said, "Boss lady, don't worry, we are not bad people. To be honest, the guy just now is going to get engaged to our cousin, and we are afraid that our cousin will suffer a loss, so we specially came to keep an eye on him. What is a man like him doing in a cloth shop? Who knows if he has a mistress?"

Ren Yao followed behind, silently watching Ming Huashang arrange identities for them again - this time they even became cousins ​​who caught someone cheating.

The lady boss was caught off guard by a family ethics drama. She was a little amused and said cheerfully, "Madam, this is what you think is wrong. The man just now was not buying clothes for the outer house. He wanted men's fabrics."

"Really?" Ming Huashang looked suspicious and aggressive, "Who knows if you colluded with him and deliberately deceived us."

The lady boss thought that there was probably no cousin at all, and guessed that this woman was the woman to be engaged. Tang women were always tough, and it was not uncommon for them to beat men to cripples after catching them cheating. The lady boss did not take it seriously, and led Ming Huashang and others inside: "Look, my lady, the man just bought this piece of cloth, and these pieces. This material is strong and durable, but the color is gray, how can it be used to make clothes for you? The man must have bought it to give to his brothers and friends."

Ming Huashang looked at the fabrics one by one, carefully memorizing the colors, and then said arrogantly: "He doesn't dare to do that. Has he been here before?"

"I've been here before." The lady boss smiled helplessly, "I bought the same material, so don't worry, ma'am."

Ming Huashang nodded slowly, and went out with Jiang Ling and Ren Yao. Jiang Ling sighed, "The day is almost over, and nothing has been accomplished."

"Who said they were not seized?" Ming Huashang said, "At least we can be sure that what has made Manager Wei anxious these past few days is not the batch of puppets ordered by Second Brother."

Jiang Ling and Ren Yao didn't understand: "Why?"

"The last time I followed Wei Moyuan, I saw him enter this fabric store. Today should be his third time here. The proprietress just said that he bought the same fabric every time. The frequent use of the same batch of fabrics in a short period of time indicates that the Wei family is making some kind of puppets, and all of them have failed."

In order to make the puppets look lifelike, the clothes on them are made of real human fabric and glued to the wood, so that the sense of layering is no less than that of a living person. But once it is damaged, all the material on it will be wasted, and the next one will have to be cut and glued again.

Jiang Ling nodded in confusion. He had not expected that Ming Huashang could guess the behavior of the storekeeper Wei just by asking about the consumption of common items. Jiang Ling sighed sincerely: "General Han was right. You are really born to do this job."

He is able to see the big picture from the small details. He is a natural born intelligence agent.

"I just thought you were exaggerating me." Ming Huashang said, "I don't know exactly what my second brother said to Manager Wei, but the puppets ordered to accompany my grandmother in her burial must be female. How could they use men's clothing materials? It shows that before my second brother, there was another important person who placed an order with Manager Wei, and it was urgent."

Jiang Ling nodded: "That makes sense."

"You think everything you say makes sense." Ren Yao said in disgust. But Ming Huashang's words also reminded her, and Ren Yao suddenly had an idea, and finally figured out where the inexplicable sense of familiarity just now came from: "Now that you mention it, I remember that the fabric that Wei Moyuan bought just now is what the imperial army usually uses."

Ming Huashang and Jiang Ling were shocked. They were not as sensitive as Ren Yao, who had been in the army for generations. The three of them looked at each other and felt that something was wrong: "Could it be that Wei Yanqing wanted to be a puppet that looked like a member of the imperial guards?"

It is well known that puppets are used for burial. Who would need to be buried with the imperial guards?