Jiapingguan Chronicle

Chapter 2720 Still Vigorous in Old Age 104.0
"They're involved in the Sleeping Matter incident, and they're also colluding with Project Tanuki?" Seeing Xiao Fengqi nod, Shen Cha sneered and said, "They really have big ambitions."

“If it weren’t for their enormous appetite, we wouldn’t have been able to find any solid evidence against the raccoon plan.” Chu Han smiled. “After the Liao and Jin envoys left, we continued to be stationed in Jiangnan. In order not to alert them, we disguised ourselves as wealthy merchants and entered Yangzhou.”

"Yangzhou? My master's territory."

“That’s right.” Chu Han nodded. “When we were in Jiangnan for more than half a year, the place we stayed was provided by His Highness the Eagle King.”

“If it’s Yangzhou,” Shen Cha looked at Chu Han, “isn’t the Prince of Jing’s residence in Yangzhou?”

"The Prince Jing's Mansion is indeed in Yangzhou, but it's impossible for me to actually bring anyone to live there. In name, the Prince Jing's Mansion is sealed off. Although the people of the Inner Court have been doing their best to maintain the Prince Jing's Mansion for so many years, keeping it looking like it can be occupied at any time, as you know, those who framed us can't go out into the open until they are caught, and the Prince Jing's Mansion will continue to remain sealed off. However, during my time in Yangzhou, I would occasionally sneak back to the Prince Jing's Mansion under the cover of the Eagle King's men."

"Is it because of the Jingwang Mansion's archives?" Seeing Chu Han nod, Shen Haolin showed a hint of longing, but it quickly disappeared. "My master said that the Jingwang Mansion's archives are probably the most complete and comprehensive archives in the entire Great Xia Dynasty, and there are also many rare historical records that you can't even find on a bowl of rice."

"No problem, no problem. It's all because I love watching other people's dramas," Chu Han smiled, "this is all my doing. I went to great lengths to find it."

“That’s really impressive, I heard from my master.” Shen Haolin glanced at Chu Han, thought for a moment, and decided it would be better to ask directly, “If we need it, can we lend it out?”

"Of course!" Chu Han answered decisively. "Although these things are not easy to find, they are still tools to help us find the truth and sort things out. If they have no use and are just sitting there for decoration, then they are meaningless, right?" He looked at Shen Haolin and Shen Cha. "If you need them, just tell Xiao He. He knows how to do it."

“Alright, we will seek help from Manager He if needed.” Shen Cha nodded. “Speaking of which, since you’ve moved into the manor provided by your Imperial Uncle, hasn’t anyone suspected anything? If there’s anyone in this world that those aristocratic families fear most, it’s probably your Imperial Uncle. Jiangnan may seem like their territory, and they may have the final say, but in reality, the control has always been in your Imperial Uncle’s hands. Once a stranger enters your Imperial Uncle’s territory, they…”

“Your royal uncle also thought of this, so that manor is not actually under the Eagle King’s name, nor under the Prince of Dai’s name, but rather,” Chu Han looked at Shen Haolin and smiled, “it is under your name.”

"Me?" Shen Haolin was taken aback, but quickly realized, "Oh, the one by the lake, right?"

“That’s right!” Chu Han nodded. “It’s a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle, a place where you can observe many things, and life is very convenient.”

“I know that place.” Shen Cha nodded. “I lived there for a while when I was a child. Although it’s in the city center, it’s still very quiet.”

“That’s right.” Chu Han smiled and looked at Jin Miaomiao. “The story of a bowl of custard cheese begins here.” “Yes! A bowl of custard cheese!” Jin Miaomiao suddenly remembered and looked at Chu Han. “You’ve been rambling on for so long, and you still haven’t explained what this custard cheese is all about. I’m getting impatient!”

"Don't rush, isn't this what we're about to talk about?" Chu Han took a sip of tea and said slowly, "After we checked into the manor, we found out some information. We stayed for about half a month before the Liao and Jin envoys returned. We sorted out the clues about the little prince, locked onto some special places, and then split into several different groups, wandering around these places under various pretexts."

"What are your identities to the outside world?"

“The Xia family’s in-laws are in the business of silk, silverware and porcelain.” Chu Han looked at Shen Cha and smiled. “There’s no other way. His Highness the Eagle King told us before that he wanted to use Hao Lin’s manor as our place of stay, so we had to consider our public identity. It had to be related to Hao Lin.”

"The Xia family?" Xia Chen and Xia Jiu, who was halfway through a yawn, exchanged a glance. "Our family?"

“That’s right!” Chu Han nodded. “They said that the Xia family has a relative who specializes in doing business in the Western Regions, selling silk, silverware and porcelain to the Hu people, and then transporting spices and other things from the Western Regions.”

“Hmm,” Xia Chen thought for a moment, “It should be my aunt’s family. Her family is a very famous merchant family. They have more than a dozen caravans that specialize in this business.” He stroked his chin. “This identity is very suitable. It will make it easier for you to wander around Yangzhou City, inspect and purchase goods. The most basic thing is to know what kind of people you are doing business with. Anyway, asking around like this will not arouse suspicion.”

“That’s right.” Chu Han smiled. “Before leaving Xijing City, His Highness the Eagle King specifically asked the Qin family’s merchant caravan to explain some rules to us and even gave us a practice run-through in Xijing City. Although the Qin family also deals in silk, they are well-known in Jiangnan. The powerful families probably know most of the people related to them, so it’s not easy to impersonate them. But the Xia family’s in-laws don’t often go to Jiangnan. They only know that some of the Xia family’s relatives are in this business, but they don’t know who they are. So, this identity is relatively easier to use.”

“What my great-uncle said is right. My aunt’s family’s caravan changes its personnel every now and then, and the turnover is quite fast.” Xia Chen sighed. “It’s not that they want to do it this way. Going to the Western Regions to trade is just as dangerous as developing maritime trade. When I was about to go to sea, my aunt specially asked several leaders of her family’s caravan to share some experience with me. I listened to some of their experiences going to the Western Regions.”

"To get to the Western Regions from here, you have to cross a desert," Xiao Fengqi sighed, glancing at Xia Chen. "My family's caravan also goes to the Western Regions; some of our members..."

"Once you go, you can't come back."

“Yes!” Xiao Fengqi looked at the smiling Madam Ning, Ning Cheng, and Sister Ning not far away. “So, I can’t imagine that they actually had the idea of ​​going to live in the Western Regions.”

“That’s why we strongly oppose their decision.” Jin Miaomiao looked at Xiao Fengqi. “Because none of us know whether they will be able to reach their destination alive and safely.”