Reborn as Murong Fu: This time I am the protagonist

Chapter 554 Betraying the Master
Manager Jin said, "Over the years, we've been keeping two separate accounts, one for the master and one for the public, and we've made quite a bit of money. Master Feng is always nowhere to be seen and doesn't care about the affairs of the manor. Why did the young master come here with a group of people without prior notice? Could it be that the Murong family is planning to thoroughly investigate our messy accounts over the years? But as far as I know, our patriarch has always been just as unreliable as Master Feng, never caring about money or supplies. Why did he suddenly decide to pull this stunt?"

"Could it be that we've been too greedy all these years, and the head of the family has heard something and is coming here to give us a warning?" said another middle-aged man who looked like a steward.

Manager Jin said somewhat guiltily, "Is that possible? We always operate discreetly, and we've taken care of all the officials and underworld figures. This kind of mishap shouldn't have happened."

"Never mind, the price of grain in the market has increased tenfold due to the flood in Qingzhou, and it looks like it will continue to rise. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As long as we make this one profit, we'll stop here. The money we save is enough to last three lifetimes. In any case, let's get through this first."

The other man lowered his voice and said, "Sir, isn't this a bit too risky? After all, the patriarch has suddenly arrived. Judging from the looks of it, he's probably not here for a simple vacation. Our businesses—it's not so easy to investigate the others, but if the grain in the warehouse is missing, a few experienced clerks could find out the truth in an afternoon! Our patriarch can even kill a notorious villain like Ding Chunqiu with ease. If he finds out something, we might earn the money but not live to spend it!"

Upon hearing this, Steward Jin couldn't help but shudder. However, as the saying goes, "Man dies for wealth, birds die for food," and his greedy nature ultimately triumphed over reason. After only a moment's hesitation, his face hardened with unwavering resolve: "Don't worry. In the past, I would have carefully considered such a life-threatening matter. But now, the situation is vastly different. During the last banquet for Prefect Huang of Qingzhou, the Prefect himself promised me that he had asked his uncle, Vice Minister Huang of the Ministry of Personnel, to pull some strings. At the latest, by the end of this month, my official appointment as Assistant Prefect of Qingzhou will arrive. While the position of Assistant Prefect isn't particularly high-ranking, it's still a legitimate and officially appointed official. At that time, let's see what Murong of the South dares to do to me!"

"Besides, even if Master Feng doesn't say it, don't think everyone is a fool or blind. For so many years, Jin Feng Manor has been secretly accumulating money and grain. In peaceful times, without any disasters or calamities, what's the point of accumulating so much money and grain? Hehe, once my official appointment as a sub-prefect arrives, I will accuse him of accumulating money and grain and plotting rebellion. Hehe, at that time, I might even be able to get a share of the entire Murong family's assets."

At this moment, Manager Jin was like the farm girl in the story with a milk jug on her head, dreaming of a bright future. When she got to the part, she couldn't help but laugh wildly.

Another manager turned pale with fright: "Shut up! Be careful, the walls may be listening!"

Manager Jin laughed loudly, "Don't worry, the door to this secret room is made of fine steel, so absolutely no sound will escape. I want to see just how good this so-called Murong Nan is, whose name is so famous in the martial arts world."

Before the laughter had subsided, a loud "bang" was heard, as if a giant battering ram had slammed into the steel door, instantly deforming the seemingly indestructible steel door to the naked eye.

Manager Jin turned his head and looked in horror at the steel door that was rapidly deforming in front of him. After a few more "bangs," the seemingly indestructible steel door was kicked open, and Manager Jin saw the last person he wanted to see at that moment.

Murong Fu stood at the door with a smile, arms crossed, his eyes gleaming as he looked intently at the two treacherous servants inside plotting against their master. He said, "You two stewards are plotting in the dead of night, quite the grand scheme. I wonder if I have disturbed you both this time?"

The two stewards' faces drained of color, and they stammered incoherently, "Master, Master, you..."

Murong Fu laughed, "I dare not accept the title of patriarch. I was unaware that I had such a loyal and devoted minister under my command. However, there is one thing that Steward Jin is wrong about: exchanging my Murong family's assets for a mere Assistant Prefect is far too cheap. Half of it could be exchanged for a Privy Councilor or a Grand Councilor. Steward Jin, before you commit treacherous acts in your next life, at least consider the quality of your master. Otherwise, you won't even know how to be a proper dog." The other man's knees buckled, and he immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

Manager Jin gritted his teeth and said, "What's the use of begging for mercy now? Let me tell you the truth, Murong Fu, I already have concrete evidence that your Murong family is secretly plotting rebellion. If you know what's good for you, I might be able to cover for you sometime in the future. But if you remain obstinate, don't blame me..."

Before he could finish speaking, Murong Fu was too lazy to listen any longer—wasn't he just a low-level version of Li Gu? Did he think he was some kind of fool like Lu Junyi or Song Jiang? So he pointed a finger in mid-air and directly struck the pressure points of both of them.

He then walked up to the two of them, looked them in the eyes, and said, "Now, I have a few questions for you two to answer truthfully."

Murong Fu's eyes were like two deep, dry wells, his voice as faint as a distant song. He wielded his Soul-Shifting Technique with exquisite internal energy, its effect capable of directly altering another's memories. In just a moment, the two foolish and arrogant idiots confessed everything.

Murong Fu found it somewhat amusing: if he had even a peanut to eat with his wine, he wouldn't be this drunk.

However, things in Qingzhou Prefecture are indeed a bit complicated. But it doesn't matter. If political maneuvering can't solve the problem, then we'll solve it with our fists. One hand holds a knife, the other a seal. If we still get outmaneuvered, then we might as well just buy a block of tofu and smash our heads against it.

Murong Fu snapped his fingers, then flashed out of the secret chamber and returned to his room. After a long while, the two people in the secret chamber seemed to wake up from a dream.

Looking at the damaged gate, the two were both surprised and confused, feeling as if they had just experienced something, but they couldn't remember anything at all.

The next day, Murong Fu ordered Manager Jin to buy all of Wanyan Tribe's goods at a price five times higher than usual. Although Manager Jin felt something was wrong and wanted to object, he couldn't bring himself to disobey the head of the family's order. He could only buy all of Wanyan Tribe's horses, furs, and other goods for trade at a high price of 500 guan per horse.

Aguda initially refused to accept it, but Murong Fu said that it was the initial funding he needed to support the Jurchen tribe in their resistance against the Liao dynasty's tyranny, and only then did Aguda and the others accept it.

This transaction completely emptied the coffers of Jin Feng Manor. The foolish traitor, still dreaming of seizing his master's property, unwittingly sold himself out under the almost supernatural manipulation of the Soul Transfer Technique, and even helped count the money.

On the third day, Aguda and his party left some people behind at Jinfeng Manor, while the rest, along with about twenty imperial guards, changed their clothes and headed towards Qingzhou City with Murong Fu.