Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Gusu, Tielingguan Wharf.

The setting sun is blood-red, and the river waves are golden.

A merchant ship was approaching the dock, carrying a batch of goods from Jinling.

They are all perfumes, toothpastes, scented soaps and other products produced by Xinchunhao.

The owners of this batch of goods were two new businesses in Gusu City that had been open for less than a year.

Rumor has it that the boss behind these two businesses is named Lin...

These novel products developed by Xinchunhao are not only affordable, but also very practical for people's lives.

After more than half a year of promotion, these new products were quickly accepted by the public in places like Jiangnan where the people are enlightened.

In the wealthy ancient city of Gusu in the south of the Yangtze River, these things are extremely popular and in short supply. Well-off families and wealthy merchants are flocking to them.

The bosses of these two newly opened shops in Suzhou were very powerful. I don't know what ingenious means they used, but they actually persuaded Mr. Qu, the manager of Jinling Xinchun Head Office.

Xinchunhao, which had never engaged in large-scale distribution, felt relieved in front of these two businesses.

Relying on the distribution of goods by Xinchunhao, these two businesses became large and eye-catching businesses in Gusu City in just one year.

This attracted the covetousness of some powerful people in Gusu City, but news soon spread within the industry that the major shareholder behind these two businesses was the Lin family, a prominent local family in Gusu.

Some even revealed that the major shareholder behind the scenes was Lin Ruhai of the Gusu Lin family.

Lin Ruhai is a prominent figure in the Lin family of Suzhou. He was the top scholar in the first year of Jiazhao and now is the Imperial Censor in charge of the Lianghuai Salt Administration. He holds a high position and has great power and influence in Lianghuai.

Moreover, Lin Ruhai had a close relationship with the Jia family of Rongguo in Shenjing. Lin Ruhai's wife was the eldest daughter of Jia Daishan, Duke of Rongguo.

Although Mrs. Lin had passed away for many years, Lin Ruhai still had a close relationship with the Rongguo Jia family, and his only daughter was raised by Mrs. Rongguo.

Moreover, there are rumors that Jia Cong, the famous Weiyuan Earl of Rongguo Mansion, is very respectful to his uncle Lin Ruhai.

Every time he went to the south of the Yangtze River on business, he would visit the Yangzhou Salt Administration Office.

Lin Ruhai alone is enough to make people feel fearful, not to mention that behind him are the top noble family of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Rongguo Jia family, and the famous Weiyuan Earl.

These valuable background information immediately caused those who coveted the two businesses to give up their ambitions and completely abandon the idea.

……

In addition to the cargo of the Xinchun, there were more than a dozen sailors on board this merchant ship. All of them were strong and agile, no different from the sailors on ordinary ships on the river.

When the ship just docked, two sailors dragged the rope to stabilize the ship, and the rest of the sailors, under the command of a manager-like man, were busy carrying cargo ashore.

At this time, one of the sailors walked up to the steward and whispered: Captain Wei, there are still a dozen or so brothers left on another ship, and it will take half an hour to dock.

When they arrive, we will have all the manpower available.”

The steward said in a serious tone, "Okay! After we get ashore, you will take people to various places in the city to pass on the information and let everyone be prepared. Once they receive the order from the Lord, they will act immediately!"

By the time all of Xinchun's goods were moved to the dock, shop assistants from the two businesses in Gusu had already come to take over.

The manager, along with a dozen sailors, shuttled back and forth among the crowds shouting and coming at the dock, slowly walked out of Tielingguan Wharf, and disappeared into the bustling streets of Gusu.

……

Suzhou, Bolan Street, the small courtyard where Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu settled.

Ever since Jiang Xiaoliu accidentally discovered the logo of CRRC Corporation Limited at Geng Dafu’s residence the day before yesterday.

This caught Zhang Wu's attention. In his opinion, the only possibility for this situation was that in addition to him, the Central Vehicle Department of Gusu might have sent other people.

But Zhang Wu's position in the Jinling Chariot Department was not high, and he was below Xu Qinniang in the Yao's Wine Shop in Xinghua Lane.

CRRC Corporation Limited has a strict internal structure, with different levels of responsibility having different levels of control over the information they can handle.

Even if the Jinling Zhongchesi had other secret sects, it might not be within Zhang Wu's authority to know about them.

So, yesterday he wrote a letter and asked someone to take it to Nanjing to inquire about Xu Qiniang.

However, according to the schedule, it will take about two days to receive the news.

Seeing the CRRC logo at Geng Dafu's house was like being pointed in the right direction by an immortal.

Let Zhang Wu shift the focus of the investigation from Wei commander Tongzhi He Tong to Suzhou wealthy businessman Geng Dafu.

However, the outer courtyard of Geng's mansion was easy to enter, but the inner courtyard of Geng's mansion was extremely heavily guarded, and outsiders could not even set foot in.

Wu Maiqiao, a woman under Zhang Wu's command, tried many ways but failed to get into the inner courtyard.

This brought the matter to a certain stalemate, but based on the strict security of the inner courtyard of the Geng Mansion, it cannot be simply concluded that Zhou Zhengyang is hiding in the inner courtyard.

Because, unlike ordinary people, rich families have inner courtyards where their families live and are difficult for outsiders to enter, which is not surprising.

Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu's men were sent to Gusu by Jia Cong and the Imperial Chariot Division to gather information. Without official documents, it was impossible for them to directly enter other people's backyards to search.

Zhang Wu is an old man in the Jinling Railway Company. He is meticulous and efficient.

But faced with the current situation, I couldn’t think of a proper solution for the moment.

……

Just when they were at a loss, they suddenly heard someone knocking on the courtyard door. Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu looked at each other.

The knock on the door was not the signal agreed upon by his men, indicating that the person coming was a stranger.

However, they settled in Gusu and gathered information without doing anything out of the ordinary and were not afraid of trouble.

Jiang Xiaoliu opened the gate and saw the person coming. He was overjoyed and said, "Third Master, why is it you? Why did you come here alone?"

Zhang Wu also came out when he heard the voice. When he led his men out of Jinling, he met Jia Cong at the Du family farm in the east of the city.

Everyone was also surprised that he suddenly came to Suzhou alone.

The three of them entered the courtyard, and Jia Cong said, "Two days ago, I left Jinling with 300 musketeers to escort artillery to Gusu and Songjiang. I left the team halfway and sneaked into Gusu.

I have already sent an urgent memorial to the capital several days ago. The emperor's reply should be on the way and will probably reach Nanjing within five days. However, I have learned the contents of the reply in advance."

Jia Cong briefly explained the contents of the imperial edict to Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu, and both of them looked solemn after hearing it.

Jia Cong said: "I sneaked into Gusu in advance, because once the imperial edict is issued to Jinling, the real intention will be revealed, and it is difficult to predict how Jinling and Gusu will react.

Luo Xiong might take a desperate risk and even kill Zhou Zhengyang to eliminate the evidence.

Therefore, it is imperative to arrest Zhou Zhengyang and bring him to justice before the imperial edict reaches Nanjing to eliminate any worries and enable us to fully implement the edict.

I sent you a message last time. I wonder what the results of your investigation were?"

……

Zhang Wu described to Jia Cong in detail the recent process of searching for Zhou Zhengyang, and then said: "The appearance of the logo of the China Railway Corporation at Geng Dafu's residence is very strange. I have sent people back to Jinling to investigate.

But I haven’t received a response yet.”

Jia Cong remembered that after Zou Min'er faked her death, she told him all the information she had about the China Railway Company.

The most crucial content is that she controls the backbone of the CRRC Corporation Limited in Jinling, a total of six people.

The five people, including Xu Qinnan, are engaged in various industries in Jinling and have their own cover identities. Now they all have their own duties in Jinling.

Only the identity of the sixth person is somewhat special. His name is Chen Kuishan. He is a centurion of Jinling Guard and a secret agent of the Central Chariot Division in the guard army. He is also regarded as a confidant by Zhou Zhengyang.

After Zhou Zhengyang escaped, Chen Kuishan also disappeared. It is possible that for some reason he followed Zhou Zhengyang in the escape.

Jia Cong said: "When I left the capital, the emperor gave me the token of the commander of the Imperial Chariot Department. I know that Chen Kuishan, a centurion who is close to Zhou Zhengyang, is a spy planted by the Imperial Chariot Department.

The person who left the mark at Geng’s house might be this person.”

Zhang Wu's expression brightened when he heard this, and he said, "Master Jia, if it is true that Chen Kuishan left a mark in Geng's mansion, he is sending a message to the outside world, and Zhou Zhengyang is very likely hiding in Geng's mansion.

Or maybe his hiding is related to Geng Dafu!"

Jia Cong said: "Haven't you checked the outer courtyard of Geng's mansion? There are no suspicious signs, but you can't enter the inner courtyard of Geng's mansion. In fact, if you want to know whether Zhou Zhengyang is hiding in the inner courtyard of Geng's mansion, there are ways."

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu looked at each other happily. Just now they were still worried about how to sneak into the inner courtyard of Geng's mansion to investigate.

Jia Cong said: "I myself come from a wealthy and powerful family. In such a family, the inner courtyard is where the women live, and there have always been strict rules.

Not only are outsiders not allowed to enter, even the male servants and boys in the house are not allowed to enter the inner courtyard.

If Geng Dafu had any respectability, he would not have gone against common sense and hidden his women and Zhou Zhengyang in the inner courtyard.

So it’s not a problem that we can’t enter the inner courtyard. We just need to find out whether the women of the Geng family live in the inner courtyard.”

Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu both felt as if they had suddenly seen something enlightening. The problem that had been bothering them for a long time was solved by Jia Cong in just a few words.

In fact, this situation occurred because Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu both came from poor families and had never experienced the rules of the inner courtyard of an aristocratic family.

I don't have much intuitive concept of the strict precautions taken against men and women in wealthy families, and the strict rules in the inner courtyard.

Just like Wu Maiqiao, an officer of CRRC Corporation Limited, although she is a woman, she acts the same as men in her daily life, going in and out with them.

In the eyes of Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu, it was not considered too strange, but in the eyes of the aristocratic families it was considered heresy.

So although Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiaoliu are both smart and capable, a person's past often determines that they have certain blind spots in thinking.

What seems easy to others may be invisible to them.

……

Jia Cong said: "By observing the daily activities of eating, washing clothes, and shopping in and out of the inner courtyard, we can judge whether there are female relatives living in the inner courtyard.

In addition, Geng Dafu was a wealthy businessman in Suzhou. He probably had more than one house in the city, and his female family members might live in another house.

Since someone left the logo of the China Railway Corporation at Geng’s house, it has pointed us in the direction.

As long as we can find out one of these things, we can infer Zhou Zhengyang's hiding place.

Time is not abundant right now, so you should dispatch your men to investigate in different areas. Make sure to locate the Geng family's women before noon tomorrow.

Only by figuring out where Zhou Zhengyang is can we find a way to capture him!"

……

Jinling, Fenglefang.

In the inconspicuous three-courtyard house in the alley, through the corridor and through the house, there is a study room filled with books and antiques, and filled with a refreshing atmosphere.

The middle-aged man who used to be dignified and imposing has recently lost his usual warmth and composure on his face, with a gloomy expression as he listens to his young subordinates replying to messages.

"Sir, our people followed Jia Cong's escort team and sent someone to report this morning that Jia Cong's speed was not fast along the way. When he just entered Changzhou, his speed was much slower than expected.

Your Excellency originally expected that he would bring 300 musketeers with him, and was worried that he might have some intentions, but now it seems unlikely."

The middle-aged man asked in a serious tone, "Did Jia Cong behave in any unusual way along the way?"

The young man replied, "According to the report from the messenger, Jia Cong caught a cold a few days ago and stayed in the carriage during the day without showing up. He only came out to inspect the area when we set up camp at night.

It looked like he was a bit casual. He didn't seem to be in a hurry, and he never urged the team to speed up. He just let things flow and walked a little slower than normal."

The middle-aged man looked a little confused: "Am I worrying too much? Is he really just transporting artillery and has no other intentions?"

The young man continued, "Our people have also sent a message to Luo Xiong, asking him to be more vigilant against Jia Cong and his party. I think Luo Xiong will definitely take countermeasures.

With so many of us keeping a close eye on him, we don't have to worry about Jia Cong causing any trouble."

The middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Even so, we can't let our guard down. News from the capital hasn't come yet, and the current situation is unclear.

Have our people keep a close eye on Jia Cong along the way. If there is any unusual movement, have them send a message to Luo Xiong immediately so that we can take timely countermeasures."

……

He then asked, "Also, what's the latest news about the batch of Ottoman fine iron from the Buyun Pavilion of the Zhen family?"

The young man's eyes flickered as he said, "The secret agents that the Jinyiwei had arranged near the store have been lax these past few days. Maybe there has been no movement, so the Jinyiwei have lowered their vigilance."

The middle-aged man said, "I don't want to get involved in the matter of muskets. It has never been my intention. Besides, the third son of the Zhen family is impetuous and reckless, and he is a person who can't accomplish anything.

Let the people here take this batch of fine iron away as soon as possible, and what happens next will have nothing to do with us!"

The young man bowed his head and replied, "I understand. I will contact the other party as soon as possible to settle this matter."

The middle-aged man gave a few more instructions, and the young man responded respectfully one by one, then bowed and left the study.

The afternoon sun was bright and soft on the cobblestone path in the yard, but when it shone on the mutilated little finger of the young man's left hand, it looked somewhat eerie and terrifying.

The young man paused, turned his head and looked towards the study, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, revealing a sinister and cold look of sarcasm.

But that expression was so fleeting that it was impossible to capture it. In the next moment, his face returned to its respectful and solemn expression, and he strode out of the house.

……

Suzhou, Yanhua Street.

There is an inconspicuous teahouse on the street, but its business is not very prosperous.

There were five or six tea drinkers sitting sparsely in the shop. The tea doctor was walking back and forth with a bored look on his face, making tea and refilling water for several tables of tea drinkers.

There were two tea drinkers sitting at one of the tables. One was a man in his thirties, wearing a short grey coat, with a thin build and ordinary facial features.

The other was a boy of fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing coarse cloth clothes and a felt hat with his sleeves rolled up. He had one leg on a stool, like a groceries vendor in the market.

The thirty-year-old man, although much older, looked more mature and steady than the young man. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he sat below the young man.

The two of them exchanged a few words from time to time, and their eyes often glanced towards the mansion across the street.

These two people were Jia Cong and Zhang Wu, and the magnificent mansion across the street was Geng Dafu's mansion.

Zhang Wu said: "I sent someone to check Geng Dafu's background. He was just a small trader in Gusu City a few years ago.

Later, he suddenly started a maritime trading business. It was said that he had dealings with major maritime merchants in Jinling and was able to obtain large quantities of foreign goods every year.

With these business connections, he became a famous wealthy man in Gusu City within a few years. He made friends with local officials in Gusu and was a prominent figure in the city.

In addition, he was very close to Luo Xiong, the commander of Suzhou Guard, and they had a good relationship. Two months ago, Geng Dafu even gave Luo Xiong two beautiful concubines.

Therefore, it is very likely that Geng Dafu helped Luo Xiong hide Zhou Zhengyang.

According to the master's instructions, I have sent several people to check Geng Dafu's villa. Xiaoliu took Wu Maiqiao to check the news in Geng's inner courtyard. There will definitely be a response before noon today."

As there was still a long time before noon, Zhang Wu asked the tea doctor to refill the teapot with water, and the two of them waited patiently for the people they had sent out to bring back news.

……

While drinking tea, Jia Cong's eyes would occasionally pass over the gate of Geng's mansion, observing the people coming in and out of the mansion.

Every time he would see a sallow-faced woman selling two baskets of Gusu rice cakes on the roadside near the gate of Geng's mansion.

Yanhua Street was home to many wealthy families in Gusu City, all of whom were wealthy people. This attracted many vendors to solicit business, but it was a common thing, so Jia Cong did not care.

When he came in the morning, he saw the woman selling rice cakes there and had been there for a long time.

Perhaps because business was bad, Jia Cong saw the woman packing up her goods and it seemed that she was going to close the stall and leave.

Just as the woman stood up and carried the two baskets of rice cakes on her shoulders, Jia Cong's eyes lit up slightly.

The woman just now was sitting on the ground and her figure could not be seen.

Now that she stood up and carried the load, Jia Cong discovered that this woman had a tall and graceful figure, and her temperament was quite different from that of an ordinary woman in the market.

Nowadays, girls from poor families do not have enough food and shelter for daily living. Unless they are from wealthy families, it is rare for girls to grow up to be so strong and tall.

Moreover, Gusu rice cakes are made of glutinous rice. The weight of the two baskets of rice cakes was unclear, but the woman seemed to carry them without much effort, and her shoulders didn't even feel heavy.

Jia Cong's heart suddenly jumped. Looking at the woman's back as she left, his tall and graceful figure gave him a strong sense of familiarity! (End of this chapter)