Joy of Life: Starting from Teacher Fan Xian

Chapter 164 Acting
There is nothing wrong with the saying that businessmen pursue profits. As long as the profits are big enough, it is common for them to take risks. They kill people, burn people, and trample on the law without fear or cowardice.

Sometimes businessmen have the greatest courage in the world.

Lin Ruo pondered for a moment and said, "No wonder there are so few registered businesses. This is a reasonable excuse to shirk responsibility."

"The evidence is not complete yet, and we need to continue investigating." Zong Zhui said.

Lin Ruo nodded: "There is no need to trouble our own people. Bring the news to Xia Qifei. The guys in the water fort are probably the most adept at investigating these things."

Zong Zhui responded, "Your Excellency is right. People with experience can always grasp the seriousness of things."

"Sir, if you go to the Ming family tomorrow, your identity will be exposed. When you enter Jiangnan again as an imperial envoy in the future, some people will look upon you unfavorably." Zong Zhui said worriedly.

Lin Ruo smiled and said, "Smart people know to pretend not to see anything. No one would deliberately show off their honesty."

"But there is nothing you can gain from going to the Ming family. Even if you go as an imperial envoy, the Ming family will still have a lot of trouble dealing with you, let alone a tea merchant."

Lin Ruo felt a little sleepy, and finally shook his head and explained: "I don't need to do anything. I just want to see what they will do, to see if they will bribe or do something shameful, and how they will establish a good relationship with me as a tea merchant."

"If you see too much hypocrisy, you will always see the flaws hidden in it."

Sometimes there is really no need to do too many deliberate things. If you act casually, people who are paying attention will see it, and your wandering thoughts will inevitably leave unintentional gaps.

Zong Zhui thought that this made a lot of sense. There is no one in the world who can do things perfectly.

……

The manor was quiet in the early morning. In the afternoon, the warm sun slightly dispelled some of the early spring chill.

The Ming family's carriage stopped ostentatiously outside the prosperous restaurant and inn. Ming Lanshi got off the car with great enthusiasm, but heard the bad news that the wealthy businessman from the capital and the imperial envoy from the interior had left the restaurant yesterday afternoon and moved to another residence.

After some inquiries, the shopkeeper knew nothing about anything and did not leave any information at all.

Ming Lanshi frowned, feeling uneasy, wondering if something was wrong yesterday. Maybe he had offended the imperial envoy, or maybe someone had noticed something wrong with him.

He discussed with his grandmother and father for a long time last night and finally came up with a solution. If they couldn't invite anyone back, the family's reputation that they had worked hard to build up over the years would be destroyed in an instant.

Just when he was in a panic, the servant who had been asking around came back, and Ming Lanshi learned that the people had moved to a manor by the West Lake, which was not too far from here.

Ming Lanshi breathed a sigh of relief, but was surprised again. He was quite familiar with the manor, which was built along the river and had a unique scenery. He had once planned to buy it as a leisure place.

But when he heard that he had a lot of connections with the Prime Minister in the capital, he had no choice but to give up.

Now that the Prime Minister has resigned and corruption is rampant inside and outside the capital, it is hard not to be puzzled that this imperial envoy blatantly lives in a residence that is related to the Prime Minister.

Ming Lanshi thought about it, got on the carriage and rushed to the manor.

At the same time, on the other side of Suzhou City, in the study of the Governor-General’s Mansion of Jiangnan, the legal advisor was reporting in detail the situation of the past few days.

"The official ship is still heading south and will arrive in Jiangnan tomorrow. I have already notified the officials in various places to wait for the ship to greet them tomorrow morning."

Jiangnan Governor Xue Qing sat on the armchair, closed his eyes and rested, then nodded: "How about arranging the ceremony?"

The master replied without hesitation: "Don't worry, sir, the ceremony is of the highest standard and will not cause any gossip." Xue Qing smiled and could not help but said contemptuously: "Haha, this young imperial envoy is really reckless, trying to sneak into Jiangnan. We will have to pretend to welcome him tomorrow."

"If the Ming family's information is accurate, shouldn't we also take some action?" said the lawyer.

"What nonsense! What do you want to do? Going to the Ming family and trying to please them now is tantamount to seeking death." Xue Qing scolded.

"Since he has concealed his identity, he naturally doesn't want others to see him."

The master was immediately terrified, but then calmed down and said, "Your Excellency has thought it through, but what I want to say is that we can put on a show of flattery and get closer to this imperial envoy without him even noticing."

Xue Qing understood the implication of the words and waved his hand: "You can do whatever you want."

"Also, you should have less contact with the Ming family in the future. We don't know what this imperial envoy is thinking, but the Ming family is a matter of interest after all, and we must not bring trouble upon ourselves."

The master was a little puzzled and said, "Sir, the Ming family is very powerful and I don't think an imperial envoy can shake it."

Xue Qing cursed when he heard this, and snorted coldly: "You know nothing. Whether it is a shake-up or not, we should not get involved. Even if the officials in Jiangnan are all involved with the Ming family, we are officials after all, and we eat the salary of the court."

"If your majesty is cruel and the imperial envoy is heartless, it is not a problem to forcibly demolish the Ming family. The less benefits there are, the less official hat must be kept first."

"Yes, your Excellency is wise."

Xue Qing drank a sip of tea, pondered for a while, and then said slowly: "Our imperial envoy has a great reputation in the capital. He is regarded as an honest official who is dedicated to the people. Now that he has come to Jiangnan, the way he is treated should be changed."

"Give orders to all officials to smuggle private goods when they meet the ship tomorrow. If they try to curry favor with you, they will hand over evidence to others, and I will be unable to save them."

"I'll do it right away." The lawyer received the order and left.

The Ming family's carriage stopped outside the gate of the manor. Ming Lanshi tidied her clothes and got off the carriage. When she was about to knock on the door, it was already open.

Zong Zhui came out from behind the door and bowed, "Please wait a moment, Mr. Ming. My young master will be here soon."

"It is my fault as a businessman that Mr. Ming made this trip in vain."

"No, no, no, it's Ming who didn't prepare it in advance." After Ming Lanshi said this, he felt that it was too flattering, so he immediately changed his tone and said in a deep voice, "In fact, Master Lin just left a message for the innkeeper. I think he left in a hurry, so it's easier for me to find him."

The carriage was driving on the street, and the noise was gradually rising. The servants were leading the way in front, but suddenly they were stopped by someone.

A team of patrol officers blocked the road and shouted, "This is the market road. How can you be so rude to the people and drive them away?"

The servants felt a little aggrieved, thinking how dare these officials stop the Ming family's carriage. Besides, he just yelled a few words, didn't whip, didn't send servants to push, how could it be considered a rude drive.

The carriage opened the curtain, and Ming Lanshi said with an unpleasant expression: "Be careful not to disturb the people."

The servants cheered loudly, and the inspector let them go after hearing this.

"There are quite a few patrol officers maintaining public order on the streets." Lin Ruo said, looking outside the car.

Ming Lanshi secretly felt resentful, but said with a fake smile: "Yes, yes, it's thanks to the Governor's good governance."

(End of this chapter)