Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 51: Fishing in troubled waters
"Sixth Master!"

"Did you come to see me yesterday?"

"Yes, Sixth Master, I have something I want to tell you..." Kang Youfu looked around and spoke to Zhu Shenzhui in a low voice.

"About what?"

"Liu's!"

"How about this, it's not convenient to chat here, how about the teahouse in front? I'll go sit over there, and you can come and see me directly when you're done here." Zhu Shenzhui said as he took out three copper coins and placed them on the table, then stood up and walked out without even looking at Kang Youfu.

Kang Youfu behind him thanked him as usual, took the money, cleaned up the dishes, and wiped the table carefully with a rag.

When they arrived at the teahouse, Zhu Shenzui walked in. The waiter came forward attentively, and Zhu Shenzui asked him for a private seat on the second floor.

He went upstairs and sat by the window. There were not many people drinking tea at this time, and Zhu Shenzhu was the only customer on the entire second floor.

He ordered a pot of tea and drank it slowly while waiting. After about half an hour, he heard footsteps on the stairs. He turned sideways and saw Kang Youfu coming in after changing his clothes.

"Sixth Master!"

"sit down."

Waving his hand and asking Kang Youfu to sit down, Zhu Shenzui picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea. Kang Youfu thanked Zhu Shenzui, looked around, and after making sure that there was no one around, he started to talk about business.

Kang Youfu did not hide anything from Zhu Shenzui. He told Zhu Shenzui frankly that he wanted to take revenge on the Kang family, who was almost destroyed by the Liu family.

These days, Kang Youfu has been thinking about this matter and has quietly put it into action, taking the opportunity of delivering tofu to the Liu family to inquire about some secrets of the Liu family.

However, facing the Liu family, Kang Youfu himself was not at all confident. After all, the Kang family was just a small family, which was completely on a different level compared to the wealthy and powerful Liu family. Once he did this, let alone whether he could avenge himself, with the Liu family's status and connections, Kang Youfu would be like throwing an egg against a stone.

Kang Youfu couldn't do this by himself, he needed help from someone with influence. Kang Youfu knew such a person, and he was trustworthy. So after thinking about it, he could only save Zhu Shenzhui from the Kang family.

But this is no small matter. The Kang family and the Liu family have been dealing with each other for so many years. Kang Youfu knows very well how powerful the Liu family is and how deep their network of relationships is.

This matter is risky to do. Although Zhu Shenzhui promised him that he could come to him directly if he needed help, Kang Youfu really didn't want to trouble Zhu Shenzhui, such a benefactor, because of this matter. But apart from Zhu Shenzhui, he couldn't think of anyone else to ask for help. After thinking it over, he had no choice but to go to Zhu Shenzhui. Who would have thought that Zhu Shenzhui was not at home when he visited him yesterday. Although he was disappointed, Kang Youfu was relieved in his heart.

Unexpectedly, just one night later, Zhu Shencui came to Kang's tofu workshop early in the morning. When Kang Youfu saw Zhu Shencui coming, he was surprised and more moved.

"Sixth Master, after thinking about it, I decided not to trouble you with this matter. Although you are a member of the royal family, I also understand the rules of the imperial court. The Liu family is rich and powerful and it is not easy to mess with them. If I cause you some trouble, I will feel really bad..." After saying this, Kang Youfu said this nervously, glanced at Zhu Shenzhui, and lowered his head in shame.

"You, a real man, repay favors when there is favor, and take revenge when there is revenge! Isn't this natural? Besides, do you think I am the kind of person who is afraid of trouble?" Zhu Shenzhu smiled and shook his head. He said to Kang Youfu: "The imperial court is strict with the royal family, but there are some situations that you can't know. The royal family is still the royal family after all, and this world belongs to our Zhu family. As long as I don't do anything excessive, generally speaking, no one can do anything to me."

"Since you've asked for this matter, Master Liu has to help no matter what. Liu family? Haha, they're just a merchant family. Do you think that Master Liu is afraid of them?"

With a sneer, Zhu Shenzhui put on an arrogant look and continued, "Of course, it's not easy to move the Liu family. If you don't have any evidence, it won't work just by thinking. If you want to deal with the Liu family, you have to beat them so hard that they can't turn over. If you can't do this and make them a half-cooked rice, it's fine for me, but you, the Kang family..."

Although Zhu Shenzhui did not say the next words, Kang Youfu understood what he meant. For a moment, Kang Youfu's expression was a little tangled, and he didn't know whether he should make this decision. After thinking about it, Kang Youfu finally gritted his teeth and spoke to Zhu Shenzhui. "Sixth Master, I, Kang Youfu, am a person who knows how to repay kindness. If you can avenge me and let go of this anger, I am willing to work like a cow or a horse for you!"

Zhu Shenzhu waved his hands. He had heard this before. Zhu Shenzhu had his own way of judging and employing people. Zhu Shenzhu understood Kang Youfu's determination, and he also concluded that Kang Youfu's words were absolutely true, but the key point was to target the Liu family. This was Zhu Shenzhu's focus.

Immediately, Zhu Shenzui asked Kang Youfu to tell him in detail about the Liu family. He first wanted to hear what kind of evidence Kang Youfu had on the Liu family, or what secrets he had found out about the Liu family. Only by knowing this could Zhu Shenzui determine whether he could use this matter to target the Liu family and achieve his own goal.

Faced with Zhu Shenzui's questions, Kang Youfu no longer hesitated and began to talk about the Liu family.

Previously, Zhu Shenzhui and Kang Youfu had talked about the Liu family, but at that time nothing had happened to the Kang family. When Kang Youfu talked about the Liu family, he only said things that everyone knew, and did not say much about the internal situation of the Liu family.

But this time was different. Because of the "tofu incident", the Kang family was almost torn apart. Now Kang Youfu was full of hatred for the Liu family, especially Liu Shancheng. He wished that the Liu family would be in trouble. In order to avenge the Liu family, Kang Youfu had been acting normal these days. He was respectful to the Liu family as before, and even went to thank Liu Shancheng for the "help" of the Kang family.

But privately, Kang Youfu was cautious and secretly figured out the situation of the Liu family. Hard work pays off, and he had been sending tofu to the Liu family for more than ten years, so he already knew something about the Liu family. After intentional or unintentional inquiries, he finally found some evidence against the Liu family, and then he thought of taking revenge on the Liu family.

Facing Zhu Shenzui, Kang Youfu did not hide anything and told Zhu Shenzui everything he knew about the Liu family.

Zhu Shenzhui listened carefully. His expression was normal at first, but as Kang Youfu spoke, his face gradually became moved, and he felt a little happy in his heart.

This conversation lasted for more than half an hour. After Kang Youfu finished speaking, Zhu Shenzhui did not speak immediately, but sat there thinking quietly. After a long time, he nodded slightly.

"I didn't expect that the Liu family would have such a thing." Zhu Shenzhui concentrated and asked Kang Youfu seriously: "Is what you just said true?"

"Sixth Master! What I said is absolutely true!" Kang Youfu patted his chest and said firmly.

Zhu Shenzhui nodded, thought for a moment and said, "Even if what you said is true, we need real evidence to accomplish this, and I'm afraid it's not enough for you and me alone. So, come closer and I'll give you an idea..."

Kang Youfu put his ear close to listen carefully to what Zhu Shencui said to him, and his eyes suddenly lit up. After Zhu Shencui finished speaking, he slapped his thigh excitedly and nodded repeatedly, saying that this method was good and should work.

Zhu Shenzhui smiled and said that the matter was settled for the time being, and asked Kang Youfu to prepare first. After the news from the Liu family spread, they could proceed to the next step.

To bring down the Liu family, it is not enough to just use external forces. You must first create chaos within the Liu family. Since the Liu family already has internal conflicts, it would be a pity if they don't make good use of them. When the conflicts break out, they will push hard from the outside, and the matter will ferment thoroughly. At that time, the Liu family's affairs will not only be the Liu family's own affairs.

It is easier to fish in muddy waters and you can only use the force of your opponent to your advantage.

When it comes to the Liu family, either don’t do anything at all, or do it thoroughly!

Kang Youfu left the teahouse excitedly and did as Zhu Shenzhui instructed. Looking at Kang Youfu's figure heading toward Kang's tofu workshop outside the window, Zhu Shenzhui smiled.

After planning for so long, it has finally arrived at the most critical moment. The real show is about to begin, and he is now extremely looking forward to future developments.

Pingyang Liu family, haha, what a great reputation! What a pity, the Liu family's wealth and glory are like passing clouds and smoke, and are about to disappear.

(End of this chapter)