Zhong Niangzi Wanfu

Chapter 43
一
Wen Shu took people to Xiliang before she was born in July. Zhong Lan was worried and wanted Shen Feng to help pay attention to the origin of this batch of iron ore.

"Are you afraid that the whereabouts of these mines are unknown, and it's not a simple private transaction?" Shen Yan put down the teacup in his hand and asked softly.

"I told you about Princess Li's warning in Yuzhou." A trace of worry flashed in Zhong Lan's eyes, "My eyelids have been twitching these past two days, and I always feel that there is some connection between the two."

Seeing that Shen Feng didn't speak, Zhong Lan forced a smile and said a little discouraged: "Maybe I'm overthinking, but I'd better find someone with a clear eye to check it out for me."

"I believe you." Shen Feng's expression softened slightly, and he looked up at Zhong Lan seriously, "I believe every word of your words."

"I will send someone to Yuzhou to inquire about the origin of that batch of private railways." Shen Feng added some tea to Zhong Lan, "Having said this, drink some tea to moisten it."

Zhong Lan was in a daze when he heard Shen Feng say that he believed in himself.

"What's wrong?" Seeing that Zhong Lan was absent-minded, Shen Feng stretched out his hand and waved it in front of her eyes.

Zhong Lan came back to his senses and smiled sheepishly: "It's nothing, it's just that few people pay attention to my unreasonable thoughts, which is a bit surprising."

"Your worries are not without reason." Shen Feng said solemnly, "Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of the unexpected. When Sister Shu comes back from Xiliang, you will go to Yuzhou together. First, find out the origin of those private railways. I can rest assured when the time comes.”

"But what if that batch of private iron is really related to the missing scrap iron case?" Zhong Lan was afraid of involving Shen Feng.

"Acting from the heart is the right thing to do." Shen Feng's eyes flashed slightly, and his eyes were clear and clear.

two

Shen Feng sent Jiang Chuan to Yuzhou to inquire about the news, and in January a secret letter came back with the news.

Zhong Lan laid out three letters in front of him: "The initial news is that this batch of private iron was produced by a private mine in Tianzhu Mountain, Yuzhou. The mine owner's surname is Kong. It has been stagnant in the iron warehouse since it was produced last year."

"But you made Jiang Chuan pay attention. When you continued to investigate, you found that the mine owner Kong had sold the private mine long ago, but the name registered with the government has not been changed." Zhong Lan pointed out the key points in the letter. Show it to Shen Feng.

"So after the mining ban, mine owner Kong went to the government to register and moved his family to Daizhou. The private mine in Tianzhu Mountain was registered as closed, but in fact he dug another mine and continued to mine privately." Shen Feng Wei Wei answered with a fixed gaze.

"So the fact is not that there is surplus iron ore for urgent distribution as Boss Guo and Wen Shu said, but that there is a steady stream of private iron ore that needs to be distributed later." Zhong Lan frowned.

Shen Feng's eyes were filled with surprise: "But next to Tianzhu Mountain is the Yuzhou Iron Smelting Division governed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Shangshu Province. Even if the people behind it are powerful, they cannot ignore the laws of the country."

Zhong Lan murmured: "It is run by the government, the mine, and privately."

Shen Feng and Zhong Lan looked at each other, and they were slightly startled.

Seeing that Shen Yan was a little puzzled, Zhong Yan explained: "It's the way of the official mine, and the order of the private mine."

"When Wuding was collecting grain a few years ago, the nephew of the magistrate of Lu County sold the official grain privately in his name. There was a lot of trouble at that time." Zhong Lan held his chin and murmured in memory, "Now that I think about it, , which is roughly similar to this.”

"This matter is very fishy. Are you still planning to go to Yuzhou?" Shen Feng asked.

"Wen Shu wrote a letter saying that she can come back from Xiliang in the twelfth lunar month. Since she has made up her mind, I cannot let her go to Yuzhou alone. I will go with her in a few days." Zhong Lan is afraid that Shen Feng will not agree. , getting embarrassed.

Shen Feng thought for a long time and curled his lips: "I don't want you to be in trouble. If you decide to go, I won't stop you."

"Last time, I was busy with the affairs of Qinlin and Taiming counties, so you went to Yuzhou alone to redress your grievances. I feel ashamed now thinking about it. I will go with you this time. If anything happens, I will never let you go. People bear it alone.”

Shen Feng's eyebrows were gentle, and his words were like a trickle that moistened Zhong Lan's heart.

Although moved, Zhong Lan still shook his head with a smile and said: "How can you keep away when the county affairs are busy at the end of the year?"

"If I'm too busy to finish, you can take Jiang Liu one step ahead. I'll chase you after I finish what I'm doing."

On the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Wen Shu returned to Qin Lin and rushed to Yuzhou with Zhong Lan.

At the end of the year, Tan Lin had to pay taxes, money and food, so Shen Feng had no choice but to let Zhong Lan and Wen Shu go ahead, while Jiang Liu accompanied them to protect them.

Zhong Lan and Wen Shu arrived in Yuzhou and were arranged to stay in an inn together with Guo Bing, the owner of Guo's caravan.

In the first three days, people came to pick up Guo Bing every day, but Zhong Lan and Wen Shu were ignored.

On the fourth day, Guo Bing brought back two carts of gold and silver and handed them to Wen Shu: "This is the reward promised earlier, Boss Wen, please go ahead."

On the way to Xiliang, Guo Bing promised Wen Shu to recommend him, but now he reneged on his promise, which made Wen Shu very puzzled.

Wen Shu stepped forward to stop Guo Bing: "I led the caravan to help the Guo family's caravan against the mine ban in Beizhao, but when I came back, Boss Guo didn't even let me see the face of that adult. What’s the reason? Is it possible that Boss Guo doesn’t like the Wen family caravan and doesn’t plan to interact with them in the future?”

Guo Bing felt guilty: "It's not that I don't let Boss Wen meet that gentleman, it's that that gentleman doesn't want to meet Boss Wen."

"Why?" Wen Shu and Zhong Yan looked at each other suspiciously, "What did I do wrong to offend that lord? Why can't that lord even see me face to face? Even if there is, it's better to explain it in person."

Facing Wen Shu's aggressive questioning, Guo Bing's eyes wandered, and he simply pointed to the entourage guarding the carriage outside the door: "Those people came out of that lord's house, and the leader was that lord's confidant Mao Xun. Master Mao, if Boss Ruowen wants to find out, he can ask those people. Don’t embarrass me anymore."

Wen Shu thanked her and walked out with Zhong Lan.

The leader, whom Guo Bing called Master Mao, was dressed in black attire, with a sword at his waist. His whole body was clean and neat, and he looked as cold as ice.

Wen Shu paused, a little timid, but still stepped forward and saluted: "Sir, I am the boss of the Wen family caravan that is transporting ore and iron to Xiliang this time. The more I meet the owner of this business, Could you please make a recommendation to me?"

Mao Xun glanced at Wen Shu and said without any warmth in his words: "No, Boss Wen collected the gold and silver and left quickly."

Wen Shu was even more confused: "I dare to ask, sir, but did the Wen family's caravan do anything to offend the noble man during this trip?"

"I don't know." Mao Xun cherished words like gold.

Zhong Lan pulled Wen Shu over and winked: "See, this person is not easy to get along with. Let's pretend to accept the gold and silver first."

The two hit it off immediately, and Wen Shu stepped forward and said, "My boss must have a reason for not wanting to see me, so I will take the reward and take him away. Thank you Sir Mao, Sir Mao, please say hello to my boss for me."

Mao Xun snorted lightly, ordered the people to unload the gold and silver and lead them away.

Zhong Lan and Wen Shu immediately followed Jiang Liu carefully.

Two groups of people turned into a small alley, one behind the other.

Mao Xun stepped forward and knocked on the door three times, then led the people inside.

Wen Shu patted Zhong Lai and said softly: "It will be dark in less than an hour, so we will stay here. If no one comes in or out of the house before dark, we will go up to the eaves after dark to see what is inside. , try your luck.”

Zhong Lan understood and ordered Jiang Liu to check if there were other exits from the house.The two quietly left the alley and found a tea stall. While staring at the door of the house, they gave the stall owner more money and asked about the news about the house.

The stall owner happily stuffed the money into his arms: "You two ladies don't know that this house was originally the house of Mr. Wu Yan, the previous salt transport envoy of Yuzhou. After Mr. Wu was dismissed because of the scrap iron case, this house was sold. Yes, I heard that it is now under the name of a nobleman named Kong."

"How many people does this noble man have in his family?" Zhong Lan asked next.

"I don't know." The stall owner smiled sheepishly and shook his head. "This family has been living in seclusion since they moved in at the beginning of the year. When traveling, they have to be carried out of the house in a sedan. I have never seen this person before. Noble man."

Zhong Lan and Wen Shu knew they couldn't get anything out of the stall owner, so they had no choice but to give up.

(End of this chapter)