Feng Zhiwen pouted in dissatisfaction: "How did I fool around? Don't look down on me!"
"Then tell me, what have you been doing these days?! You come home every night reeking of alcohol, do you really think your father didn't notice?!"
Feng Zhiwen looked embarrassed and took a few steps forward, forcing a smile as he explained, "Dad, don't be angry! I didn't do anything reckless. I've been busy with a big business deal lately!"
After hearing his account of the whole incident, Feng Yuan looked suspicious: "Just for helping to transport a batch of goods, you can get such a generous reward? If there's such a good deal, why would they let an outsider like you take advantage of them instead of their own people?"
Feng Zhiwen knew he wouldn't believe him, so he patiently explained, "Brother Huo's ancestors were in the shipping business, but they fell on hard times and sold off a lot of their assets in recent years, but they still have connections."
He pulled up a stool and sat down, earnestly persuading, "Besides, it's just helping to transport some silk and jade. These are rare items, a highly profitable business. Isn't it normal to offer generous compensation?"
As the saying goes, experience counts, and Feng Yuan remained skeptical. He kept a watchful eye: "Alright, when will you take your dad to meet your friend?"
...
Feng Zhiwen met with Huo Cheng with his father, and under Huo Cheng's heartfelt persuasion, Feng Yuan's originally firm attitude began to waver.
Huo Cheng's eyes flickered slightly as he went along with it: "If you don't trust me, old man, I can take you to see the goods first."
Feng Yuan followed, and Huo Cheng showed him boxes of jade and silk: "These are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more goods piled up outside that can't be brought in. If it weren't for the shipping merchants we cooperated with before raising prices, they wouldn't be willing to change people at the last minute."
Feng Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, and he seemed to have been persuaded, but his attitude was still somewhat hesitant.
Huo Cheng's face turned cold: "It seems that Master Feng does not trust me. Very well, I am not the kind of person to force a sale. Then let's call it a day!"
Realizing he had offended someone, Feng Zhiwen was extremely anxious and quickly stepped forward to pull the man away: "Brother Huo, don't be angry! This is a big matter, my father will definitely have to consider it carefully..."
As he spoke, he turned to his father and winked, "Dad, what are you still hesitating about?"
Huo Cheng brushed his hand away and coldly snorted: "I only considered helping you make money because of our friendship. Since your father is unwilling, what else is there to say? There are plenty of people who want to make money. Do you expect me to beg your family?"
Seeing his resolute attitude, Feng Yuan gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, the Feng family will take this business!"
Huo Cheng raised an eyebrow and looked over: "Old Master, have you thought it through?"
Feng Yuan nodded and patted his chest: "Thank you for thinking so highly of us, allowing us to have a taste of the soup too."
"What are you saying?" Huo Cheng raised an eyebrow. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
Feng Yuan smiled, but his gaze deepened imperceptibly.
——
"It does contain jade and silk items, so there's nothing wrong with it."
Yuan Zhao relayed Feng Yuan's words to Shen Tangning. She smiled slightly and said, "Before boarding the ship, it was jade and silk. After boarding, who knows what it will become? There's no such thing as a free lunch. Why would they specifically target the Feng family for such a good deal?"
Chi Yan, who was listening nearby, quickly grasped Shen Tangning's implication and his expression hardened: "Are you saying that the other party wants to use the Feng family's merchant ships to engage in smuggling?"
Shen Tangning remained noncommittal: "The smuggled goods are not necessarily ordinary goods, otherwise it wouldn't be worth them devising such an exit strategy."
She suddenly realized what kind of crime could bring the entire wealthy Feng family to justice.
It could be a tax issue, but the Feng family is cautious and wouldn't make a mistake on something so important.
Or they might be transporting goods they shouldn't be transporting. Tampering with merchant ships is much easier than manipulating taxes.
Chi Yan's eyes widened suddenly: "Smuggling salt and iron!"
That could cost you your head!
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