The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 218 Behind the Scenes

When he heard that he was ordered to get the banknotes and take him to Prince Zhongshun's Palace, no matter how stupid Xue Pan was, he understood that there was another hidden story.

Although he acts impulsively and has bad habits that are hard to change, he is also a straightforward person.

Thinking of what he just said, he couldn't help scratching his head and said embarrassedly: "Could it be that Brother Zhen wronged you? He kept saying that you said it yourself..."

"It's a long story, let's talk about it slowly in the car!"

Zhang Yun逸 was not in a hurry to explain. He waited until Youshi arrived and handed over the silver note before he and Xue Pan got into the car.

Xue Pan had been holding it in for a long time. As soon as he got in the car, he couldn't wait to say, "It was all my fault just now. If there is any misunderstanding, I will explain it to my mother when I get back!"

"Seeing is believing, hearing is not. Wenlong will be able to tell the truth in a moment."

Zhang Yunyi changed the subject and said, "But I'm wondering why he would tell you these irrelevant things."

Xue Pan did not hide anything and told the whole story.

"Then why does Auntie suspect my brother? Did she also hear it from my cousin?"

Xue Pan thought for a while before muttering, "That doesn't seem like it. Whose idea was it that my mother asked me for money..."

Zhang Yun逸 asked about the details of what happened and had a rough idea in his mind.

I guess Aunt Xue became suspicious because I suddenly came up with this excuse and didn't let the Xue family participate in the gift-giving.

He couldn't help but sneer in his heart, thinking that the Xue family was ignorant of the current situation.

Originally, because I was relying on the Xue family's connections, I didn't mind taking them for a share of the profits, but I didn't expect that I would end up with a grudge for a favor.

He pondered for a while, but Xue Pan could no longer bear it.

"I've been talking for so long, what's going on? If Brother Zhen is lying and accusing you, I'm going to go and argue with him right now!"

Zhang Yun逸 naturally knew Xue Pan's character. Once he found out that he was wronged, he would probably go to confront Jia Zhen.

However, he had already prepared a countermeasure so as not to expose his suspicion.

"My cousin didn't lie, but you know that things in the mansion are not the same as before. He has always spent money like water. I did it for his own good, to prevent him from getting used to spending lavishly and spending more than he earned. I made up an excuse, but I didn't expect it to cause such a misunderstanding. I didn't think it through, and I have to trouble Wenlong to help cover it up."

This is not entirely false, it just changes the original intention.

After hearing this, Xue Pan suddenly realized what was going on and felt even more ashamed: "It's my fault. I shouldn't have believed everything I heard and doubted my brother."

"I said it myself, no wonder you misunderstood!"

Zhang Yunyi said this, but then he changed the subject and said, "However, when doing business together, we should trust each other. Now that my concubine is suspicious, there is no need to continue this business cooperation. From now on, we should just go our separate ways and make things clear."

"This..." Xue Pan's face turned pale and blue. He raised his hand and slapped himself twice, saying, "I shouldn't have doubted my brother's character..."

Zhang Yunyi was unmoved and continued to insist, "I'll have to trouble Wenlong to go back and tell his concubine. I won't get involved in the profits of sugar anymore. But to avoid suspicion, there is no need for us to be partners in the caustic soda business."

After all, the Xue family helped to open up the trade route. Although it is dispensable to him now, he has no intention of demolishing the bridge after it has crossed.

However, since he is so ignorant of the current situation, there is no need to indulge him. It is a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation and monopolize the profits of caustic soda.

The production of white sugar is simple. Although the imperial court has a monopoly on it, it cannot resist the temptation of profits.

Just like the smuggling of salt, some people have secretly set up black workshops, which are no longer as profitable as before. The profit in a year is less than the income in a quarter of caustic soda.

I took the opportunity to exchange these two businesses.

He controlled the sales channels, and Zhang Hua was familiar with the routes, so there was really no need to bring the Xue family along and dilute his own profits.

As for Zhang Dehui, if he was willing to serve, Zhang Yunyi would not mind taking him in. Xue Pan was filled with shame, and he was not serious about business, so he would not have any objections.

Of course, the Xue family has no say in this matter.

If Zhang Yunyi did not want to be criticized, and the profit from sugar was becoming increasingly slim, even if he still occupied the land, the Xue family would not have the right to object.

As they were talking, the carriage had already arrived at Prince Zhongshun's palace.

Zhang Yun逸 led Xue Pan out of the car and met the Chief Secretary Zhao Lianggong in the side hall.

The relationship with the King of Qin was originally arranged by him.

"Something happened in the palace recently, which delayed last season's harvest. I would like to trouble Zhao Changshi to pass it on to His Majesty."

As he handed over the banknote, he said, "This is the young master of the Xue family who was originally our partner. Now that we have split up, he also got a share of the money from the past. We should bring him here. Otherwise, it would seem like I am the only one who has taken advantage of this favor."

Although Xue Pan misunderstood him, his evaluation of him saying one thing in front of him and another behind his back was not wrong.

He originally hoped that since he was in the inner court, he would be able to get the upper hand and then win over the Xue family by taking advantage of their own problems.

So that the Xue family would be willing to be driven at will by him.

Since the Xue family is ignorant of the current situation and insists on forcing him to resort to some means, he can only do as they wish.

He couldn't help but sigh in his heart. If everyone was like Jia She, with a simple mind, and could solve the problem as long as the money was in place, why would he have to go to so much trouble?

Therefore, although he did not take it as an offense on the surface, he secretly gave the Xue family some eye drops from time to time.

If soft tactics don't work, try hard tactics. Since they refuse to accept my toast, how can I make them submit to me if I don't drink some penalty wine?
Give him a chance to attack from behind with all his strength.

Zhao Lianggong was the chief historian of Prince Zhongshun's palace. He was entrusted with important tasks by Prince Zhongshun and all the affairs of Prince Qin were handed over to him to arrange. Naturally, he would not be a stupid person.

Zhao Lianggong was involved in arranging the review for the Xue family. This was also the reason why the Xue family was able to enjoy preferential treatment in terms of glass share.

Now, Zhang Yun逸 suddenly came with the Xue family, and mentioned with some hidden meaning that the caustic soda business had been broken up. Seeing Xue Pan's look as if he wanted to find a hole to hide in the ground, he knew clearly what the problem was.

He cupped his hands towards Zhang Yunyi and said knowingly, "Okay, okay! Don't worry, Master Zhang, I will tell the prince!"

Although he also called himself "Prince", he was not the same as Zhang Yun逸's "Prince".

Naturally, Zhang Yun逸 couldn't mention the King of Qin in front of Xue Pan, so he covered it up by saying the prince, while Zhao Lianggong hinted that he would tell King Zhongshun.

They are all foxes with a thousand-year history, so they know the tricks to each other tacitly.

Only Xue Pan, the dull bully, thought that Zhang Yunyi was trying to win favors for his family, and felt increasingly ashamed.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Zhao!"

There were many things that were difficult to say in front of Xue Pan, so Zhang Yun逸 just went through the motions and after finishing his business, he stood up and said goodbye.

"I'll see you off, sir!"

Zhao Lianggong escorted him all the way to the door.

Zhang Yun逸 did his best and taught Xue Pan a set of white lies in the carriage so as to avoid being exposed in front of Jia Zhen.

After arriving at the inner palace, he asked Xier to send Xue Pan back to Rongfu.

……

(End of this chapter)