Chapter 15 What is the name of the escort?
Halfway through the flower-viewing banquet, Cheng Xianzhi was waiting in Gongsun Yin's study, discussing the progress of the recent property tax investigation with the Minister of the Central Secretariat.
"Is there anyone watching you on the Queen Mother's side?"
Cheng Xianzhi bowed, "There are quite a few Jiang family members in the Ministry of Revenue. If I say there aren't any, I'd be lying. It's just that when I went out to investigate, no one followed me. I arrested a few of the guards and brought them back to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation. They got some information out of them, and now some people must be anxious."
"Fang Ya is insignificant. The people behind the scenes are probably alarmed. They are staring at suspicious people. As long as they show their true colors, it will be your chance to take action. Once they are put in the Ministry of Justice's prison, with your skills, even a dead person can spit out things." Gongsun Yin said this in a joking tone.
Although what he said was true, Cheng Xianzhi's ruthlessness and determination, which he did not show to outsiders, could not escape the eyes of this gentleman.
"Sir, you're right. Kyoto has been restless lately. While investigating a case, Xianzhi discovered something fishy going on within the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce. I'm afraid it's connected to the property tax. I've got an idea. I'm going to publicly let people know I'm investigating the property tax, while secretly investigating the Chamber of Commerce. I'm trying to divert attention and keep the situation under wraps."
"This is an important task entrusted to you by the Queen Mother. You can just go for it. If necessary, the imperial guards can also be mobilized." Gongsun Yin seemed to have some meaning.
Cheng Xianzhi understood what was going on and walked out.
The banquet was not over for a while, and he sent someone to tell Gongsun Xue that he had official business to attend to and could not go back home with her. Gongsun Xue, who was talking to someone, looked lonely.
Then, a friend gave her a bottle of rejuvenating cream, but she was busy socializing and had no time to worry about it.
Thanks to Lu Tingwan, the flower viewing banquet ended up with no one appreciating the flowers and it became a party to discuss the rejuvenating cream.
Lu Tingwan handed the custom-made box from Zhichunli to Lu Tingwu. The rouge jewelry inside was exquisite and unique in style. The ladies were tired of seeing the styles they saw every day. It didn't matter if it was special. As long as it was made by a famous artist and made of high-quality materials, it would bring honor to wear it out.
Zhichunli’s custom-made sets are niche, with surprising styles that can capture people’s hearts. The matching rouge and jewelry can save you a lot of trouble in matching, which is quite convenient.
Lu Tingwu had been huddled in the crowd all day, her mouth dry and her tongue parched. She didn't leave the Zhongshuling Mansion until the evening hour. Although Lu Tingwu was the one who negotiated, the words were all taught by Lu Tingwan, who kept a distance and kept a watchful eye.
After this incident, Zhichunli’s customized box sets no longer have to worry about having a market. If they can gain a foothold in the official family circle of Jingzhong, the level of Zhichunli store will be raised to a higher level and comparable to the Yanyu Tower on Weiyang Street.
She wanted Zhichunli's products to be famous in Kyoto. By then, others would come to her, Lu Tingwan, to buy things and negotiate business, rather than her coming to them.
After that, every day in Zhichunli, different officials' wives or maids from officials' houses would come to the shop. Over time, she got to know many powerful people, and even Luo Yunchu benefited from it. The 30% profit increased tenfold, and more and more people in Kyoto came to him to rent a shop.
The relationship between the two was also quietly changing, but Lu Tingwan didn't notice it. Her trust in Luo Yunchu increased. Luo Yunchu would occasionally bring snacks from outside and send them to Zhichunli. He would also accompany her to the study to settle accounts until late at night, and only go home when the lights in Zhichunli were dim.
He suggested several times to send Lu Tingwan back home, but Lu Tingwan didn't dare let him know where he lived, so he found a random excuse to get rid of him. Each time the excuse was different, it would inevitably arouse suspicion over time, and Lu Tingwan was worried.
While interrogating the guards, Cheng Xianzhi revealed a name, and he led his men to Changqing Street to find Luo Yunchu and bring him back to the Ministry of Justice for questioning! Unexpectedly, Luo Yunchu wasn't in Changqing Street. After asking around, they discovered he was in Zhichunli, and that he was the owner of Zhichunli.
Following on both sides were the imperial guards, about ten people. The guests in Zhichunli had never seen such a scene before, so they had no time to dodge.
"Lord Han?" Lu Tingwan, who was talking to a guest, was startled. He went to greet him after comforting the guest.
I originally thought he came to ask her for information, but he had always broken into her through the window at night before, and we hadn't seen each other for many days. Why did he come today?
"Master Han has come to our shop with such a large crowd. Is he here to buy something or to take someone away?"
"If we're arresting someone, our store is just a small business and we haven't committed any crime."
Cheng Xianzhi stood with his hands behind his back, his brows and eyes stern. "Whether I have committed a crime or not is not up to you to decide. I am not here to arrest anyone today, I am here to ask for help."
"Who?" Lu Tingwan breathed a sigh of relief.
"Luo Yunchu."
The situation became even more tense. Is Luo Yunchu still in contact with the imperial guards?
Not long after Luo Yunchu left, he missed again.
"Master Han, Young Master Luo is not in Zhichunli at the moment. Please send someone to the Luo Mansion. Such a big fuss is disturbing the guests of our inn."
Cheng Xianzhi drew his sword, but missed twice in a row. His face was grim. "The Imperial Guards are on duty and don't like to be disturbed. If I don't see anyone after one stick of incense, I won't be doing business in Zhichunli anymore and will close the shop."
Lu Tingwan was secretly shocked. He was really a bully relying on the power of others.
As a last resort, Lu Tingwan sent a servant to the Luo Mansion and the shop that Luo Yunchu often went to look for him. When they came out of Fenglin Lane, they met Luo Yunchu who had returned. The servant told Luo Yunchu about the situation in Zhichunli, and the carriage turned around and went to Zhichunli.
As Luo Yunchu entered Zhichunli, he spotted a seven-foot-tall figure wearing the black armor of the Imperial Guards and a green jade token at his waist. The current Dalan Imperial Guards were under the command of Minister Cheng Xianzhi, who served as their Governor-General. From the official uniform and the token at his waist, it was clear to anyone who saw it, it was Han Jinzhang, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards.
The man was facing the gate, with two rows of black-armored imperial guards standing behind him, like a black wall, with an imposing aura. Cheng Xianzhi was holding the teacup leisurely, his movements casual. Even though he was dressed in black armor, it was difficult to conceal the coldness in him, and the arrogance between his brows was even more pronounced.
Lu Tingwan was very small and was surrounded by black walls. He seemed to be bullied. He leaned against the counter with grievance, his eyes full of resentment.
If the Imperial Guards hadn't caused such a commotion, all the flowers would have been sold out today. Fortunately, the rouge and rejuvenating cream had been ordered early in the morning. They were originally intended to be sent to the ladies of several families, but who would have thought that they couldn't get away now.
Luo Yunchu walked in calmly and greeted first: "Is this Commander Han of the Imperial Guards?"
After walking closer and bowing to Cheng Xianzhi, he stood beside Lu Tingwan and gave her a comforting look, telling her not to worry.
Lu Tingwan breathed a sigh of relief.
The two of them behaved appropriately, but Cheng Xianzhi could vaguely sense something else.
Suddenly, his expression returned to normal and he examined the man: "Is this Mr. Luo from Maple Forest Lane?"
"Exactly."
Cheng Xianzhi stood up and walked towards the two of them. Luo Yunchu naturally stood in front of Lu Tingwan, raised his arm slightly and pushed the person back, holding the folding fan tightly in his hand.
Cheng Xianzhi found it interesting, and with a smile on his face, he said only two words: "Take it away."
Without waiting for resistance, Cheng Xian's men had already left. The imperial guards behind him drew their swords, their armor rustling, and Lu Tingwan worriedly grabbed his sleeve.
Luo Yunchu turned around and said in an extremely gentle voice: "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Wait for me to come back."
This was the first time he said such words to Lu Tingwan.
Lu Tingwan's heart tightened. The imperial guards arrested people indiscriminately. Even though Luo Yunchu said that he was fine, it was difficult to dispel her doubts.
Originally, she thought she had some friendship with Han Jinzhang. At the very least, he had broken into her study twice at night and even gathered information for him. At least they were allies.
Sure enough, the subordinates of Cheng Xianzhi, the living devil, are all the Black and White Impermanence.
After the people left, the business in Zhichunli seemed unaffected. The imperial guards did not come for Zhichunli, but only took Luo Yunchu away.
After a long while, Lu Tingwan couldn't calm down, thinking about Luo Yunchu's words "Wait for me to come back."
The words sounded ambiguous, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong. Thinking of this, she put down the abacus, took out the token given by her father from the wooden box in the drawer again, and told Feng Xin to take good care of the business in the store. She left Zhichunli and went to the Ministry of Justice prison.
However, people were waiting outside the prison and she couldn't get in. After thinking about it, she still couldn't take out the token, for fear of alarming Lu Mingqian and the Queen Mother. Now she would have no chance of opening the shop.
It was not until the hour of You that Luo Yunchu was released from the prison. When he came out, he started talking to the man in black armor and green belt. Seeing this, Lu Tingwan outside was a little puzzled.
When Luo Yunchu looked up, he saw Lu Tingwan waiting outside the door, pacing rapidly. Soon their eyes met. Luo Yunchu smiled first, and then Lu Tingwan felt relieved.
Cheng Xianzhi stood at a distance and did not move forward.
Lu Ting searched him thoroughly at night and only stopped after confirming that he had not tortured him.
Luo Yunchu said, "The Ministry of Justice Prison isn't the Eighteenth Level of Hell. Lord Han simply asked me to inquire about the rental issues on Fenglin Lane and Changqing Street. As long as you cooperate, nothing will happen. Didn't he tell you to wait in the shop? Why are you here?"
Lu Tingwan's eyes passed over his shoulder and looked at Cheng Xianzhi behind him with his hands folded on his chest, as if waiting.
Her voice was hoarse. "The Imperial Guards arrested someone for no reason. I felt uneasy, so I thought I'd come and see you."
"It's okay," Luo Yunchu said, "If they want to torture someone or accuse someone of some crime in this prison, your presence won't help."
"Then, Lord Han, are you really just here to ask you a question?" Lu Tingwan felt that this behavior was a bit too ostentatious.
"Otherwise, how can I stand here intact at this moment."
Cheng Xianzhi interrupted them from behind, "We've finished discussing Young Master Luo's affairs. Since Shopkeeper Jiang is here too, I have something I'd like to ask you. Would it be convenient for you, Shopkeeper Jiang?"
Cheng Xianzhi was quite polite at this moment, and Lu Tingwan was at a loss as to what to do. He hid half of his face behind Luo Yunchu, guarding against Cheng Xianzhi.
"It's okay if it's inconvenient. At worst, I can go to Zhichunli and ask for another one tomorrow."
The corners of Lu Tingwan's lips twitched as he hurriedly asked, "Your Excellency said please, but are you going with the Imperial Guards like you did today?"
Cheng Xianzhi stood there, as unmovable as a green pine tree. He said nothing, but his eyes seemed to speak volumes.
Lu Tingwan couldn't help but shudder. "It's not that I'm asking for advice. If you have any instructions, please tell me. I will tell you everything I know."
Only then did Cheng Xianzhi smile slightly.
"Manager Jiang is smart and knows that doing unnecessary things is useless."
He asked someone to go to the front yard of the Ministry of Justice, but it was not the prison. After the person came to serve tea, there were only two people left in the room.
Lu Tingwan could almost hear her own heartbeat. The man waited for a long time, sipping his tea, before he spoke, "What's your name?"
Lu Tingwan was surprised, and then he said his name to the handsome man in front of him, "I am Jiang Yanli."
"Manager Jiang," he raised his eyebrows, "I hope you are well."
The question was creepy, but he clearly didn't do anything.
"What are your instructions, sir? I have done what I promised to do for you. You also released the farmers from the Jingzhao Prefecture's Criminal Justice Department back home as promised. I should thank you."
"I called you here today because of this."
Lu Tingwan was puzzled and lowered his head, not daring to look him in the face. "What do you mean, sir?"
A dispute between a flower farmer and a merchant led to his arrest in the Criminal Justice Department. The reason for the dispute was that the merchant was trying to profit by undercutting the farmer's price. Cheng Xianzhi sent someone to investigate, and the reason was consistent with Lu Tingwan's initial suspicion: the Chamber of Commerce was behind it.
The clues pointed to the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, Sun Gui.
This person not only manipulated the flower market, but also joined forces with Kyoto Fangya to raise prices. Because the majority of house rentals in Fenglin Lane and Changqing Street have always been traded by Luo Yunchu, Luo Yunchu has the support of the Ministry of Revenue, and the Chamber of Commerce cannot intervene, so he was spared.
Therefore, today the imperial guards are mobilizing a large force to go to Zhichunli to ask for help.
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