Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 153

The drizzle was like silk, slowly covering the river.

The Eastern Palace guards rode their iron hooves across the slippery streets, rushing towards the canal dock like an arrow from a bow, with water splashing everywhere on the bluestone slabs.

"The Crown Prince has ordered the investigation of smuggled salt. Everyone stay out of the way!"

"Retreat quickly!"

Thunder on the ground.

The vendors on both sides hurriedly dodged, not even bothering to pack up their goods. The boatmen were even more flustered, each of them looking terrified, filled with fear of the unknown.

Li Zhao leaned lazily on a bamboo chair by the window in the teahouse by the river.

He watched Yu Qianshan and his men rush into the salt warehouse, then his gaze slowly moved farther away, passing over the cargo ships coming and going on the river. His dark blue eyelashes cast a layer of light shadow under his eyes.

"Your Highness, does the Ministry of Revenue really dare to smuggle private salt on the grain ship bound for Jiangzhou?"

Mei Ruhui looked at the river surface worriedly, and the goat beard under his chin was fluttering in the river breeze.

"Luo Huan is a well-known old fox. He shouldn't act so carelessly..."

Li Zhao pursed his lips slightly, his expression unable to tell whether he was happy or angry, and stroked the curled corner of the Ministry of Revenue's yellow book with his fingertips, and spoke softly.

"If she says yes, then yes."

Mei Ru smiled bitterly to herself.

He was Li Zhao's most trusted aide and knew a little about his dealings with Xue Sui.

Before today, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was filled with anger towards Miss Xue Liu. The tea sets in the East Palace study were replaced with three sets. The Crown Prince also did not sneak into Prince Duan's Mansion as usual, acting as if he had no intention of having anything to do with her forever.

Last night, a pigeon suddenly flew into the East Palace and landed on the window frame, as if it was returning to its own nest.

Mei Ruhui didn't know what was written on the letter brought by the pigeon, and he had never seen it, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince held the letter and read it under the lamp for a full half a quarter of an hour. Then the corners of his tightly pursed lips relaxed and he smiled brightly.

The gloom that had been lingering in the East Palace for days was also swept away.

Li Zhaolin ordered Yu Qianshan to select elite personnel at night and come to check the dock early in the morning to stop the canal boats that were about to leave the port...

Salt and grain are the lifeblood of a country.

Luo Huan started as the treasurer of the Ministry of Revenue and rose step by step to the position of Shangshu. He had a solid foundation and extensive network of contacts in the capital.

He knew that things were tense recently and the emperor had sent the crown prince to assist the Ministry of Revenue. Even if he had the guts, he wouldn't dare to smuggle salt out of the capital for a little profit...

Mei Ru pondered over this matter secretly and felt that it was very inappropriate.

If no solid evidence is found by mobilizing such a large army and dispatching guards, people will find evidence against them. By then, the Purple Palace will be flooded with memorials impeaching the crown prince.

Mei Ruhui looked solemn, leaning forward slightly to remind him, "Recently, memorials impeaching Your Highness have been flying to the Purple Palace like snowflakes, and there has been a lot of discussion in the court... Your Highness, you must be cautious in your actions and must not give others a chance to criticize you..."

Li Zhao: "I know."

His voice was calm.

The emperor had disliked him for many years, and he was accustomed to being impeached and did not take it seriously.

Mei Ruhui pondered for a moment, then stepped forward and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Highness, salt merchants from various places have recently sent many people to the capital to make arrangements and make activities. The visiting cards are piled up three feet high. They all want to establish some relationship with the Eastern Palace and ask for your care."

It is self-evident what the salt merchants are thinking.

The emperor asked him to assist the Ministry of Revenue, which was also in charge of the salt affairs, so these people came up to him because they smelled something.

Li Zhao chuckled, and brushed the wet mist on the railing with his wide sleeves. "Tell them that I don't like money. If they really want to please me, they can try some other methods."

Mei Ruhui frowned, his face showing deep worry.

I can't persuade or talk to him, so I can only wait.

There was a dead silence that lasted for a long time.

Until Yu Qianshan hurried in.

"Your Highness, the official salt on the grain transport ships matches the amount in the inspection permit, and no private salt was found hidden..."

Li Zhao's fingertips suddenly tightened and he pursed his lips slightly. He felt a burning pain in his chest and the love Gu seemed to be surging in his blood... Xue Sui's poisonous smile kept appearing in his mind.

What a great Xue Liu!
Li Zhao looked towards the direction of Shangjing City and smiled softly.

"You are asking for death! You tricked me into taking risks again."

Yu Qianshan saw that Li Zhao had a cold expression and there seemed to be a cold knife in his eyes. He swallowed and bowed again.

"It's just that the number of people escorting is slightly different. I checked the list and found that the extra people on the boat were traveling to Jiangzhou to seek refuge with relatives... I was afraid of returning empty-handed and causing gossip, so I simply detained them and interrogated them later, and then randomly charged them with a crime, so as to avoid Minister Luo making things difficult..."

I have to say that Yu Qianshan is very meticulous in his work.

Not only did they search for smuggled salt, but they also discovered these minor anomalies.

"A job well done!"

Li Zhao walked out with a cold face and big strides.

The first rays of sunlight after the rain illuminated half of the river.

Li Zhao stepped onto the shaky wooden board swiftly and neatly.

The damp wooden boards were soaked with salt.

He used the tip of his sword to push aside the damp oilcloth.

A salty smell hit me in the face.

Every bag of official salt was stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Revenue.

Yu Qianshan counted the amount and thought there would be no problem.

Then why did Xue Liu ask him to send troops to search?

Just to tease him?

Li Zhao slowly side-glanced at the people detained by Yu Qianshan, who were standing on the deck uncomfortably. They were dressed like ordinary people, with their heads lowered, as if they were very scared and didn't know what to do with their hands and feet.

Yu Qianshan stepped forward and asked sternly, "Why are you going to Jiangzhou?"

A thin man clasped his hands and whispered, "Your Excellency, we are going to visit relatives." Yu Qianshan asked again, "How did you get on the Ministry of Revenue's grain ship? Who did you get acquainted with..."

The man was very nervous and timid, and his voice was as soft as a mosquito: "We don't know the officials of the Ministry of Revenue, but we were delayed on the way and missed the merchant ship. When we boarded the ship, we gave some silver."

As he spoke, he secretly observed Li Zhao's expression, and his body trembled more and more violently.

Li Zhao suddenly walked over, drew out his sword, and slowly placed the tip of the sword against the man's neck.

"You all, raise your heads!"

The cold sword made the man tremble all over.

He was very hesitant.

It took him a long while to finally lift it up.

Li Zhao noticed that the tall man at the end of the line was half a beat slower than the others.

Li Zhao smiled and walked towards the man.

His cold sword slowly supported the man's jaw.

"What a daring fugitive!"

This man was in disguise, but Li Zhao still recognized him - he was Xiao Jing, who was supposed to be exiled to Lingnan.
-
Today is the day that Xue Sui invited Madam Luo and Guo Yunrong to go to Puji Temple to listen to Master Jingkong's Zen lecture. She got up early and made arrangements in an orderly manner.

When I walked out of the yard, I saw Feicui supporting Xue Yuechen and coming over with a smile.

Feicui said, "Madam, the carriage and incense for the trip to Puji Temple are all ready..."

Xue Sui looked at Xue Yuechen's leisurely expression and smiled knowingly.

"Princess, are you free? Would you like to go to Puji Temple with me?"

Xue Yuechen said, "It's been quiet in the mansion recently, and the weather is hot, so why not go out to avoid the heat? Go with Sixth Sister, and we'll have someone to talk to on the way, so it won't be too boring."

Xue Sui smiled gently.

"That's daring."

Xue Sui knew the purpose of Xue Yuechen's going with him.

Because this time she went there to persuade Madam Luo and Miss Guo San to help Xue Yueman and Mr. Guo Si get married.

If the marriage was successful, the old lady would not know how to hold her in her hands. But if Xue Yuechen was present, the first part of the credit would naturally belong to her, the princess...

After all, the princess has much more face than Mrs. Ping'an.

Xue Yuechen boarded the carriage first, then turned back to ask Xue Sui, "Should we go directly to Puji Temple, or what?"

Xue Sui said, "Miss Guo San and I agreed to meet outside the gate of Duke Zheng's mansion..."

The two houses were not far apart. Going from Prince Duan's Mansion to Puji Temple happened to pass by Duke Zheng's Mansion, so there was no need to take a detour.

Xue Yuechen nodded in agreement, "Then let's set off."

Xue Sui bowed slightly and sat opposite her.

Xue Yuechen smiled gently, raised her head and asked her, "Sixth sister, you have an appointment with Madam Luo and Miss Guo San. Would it be rude for me to go with them rashly?"

Xue Sui said: "Sisters, why should we be polite? It is because of the princess's kindness that I have a place to stay in the palace. The princess is willing to condescend to accompany me and give me some confidence. I can't thank you enough..."

The two people smiled at each other, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

When the carriage stopped at the gate of Duke Zheng's mansion, they happened to see Madam Luo and Guo Yunrong coming out together. Both of them were dressed very simply today, but their manners were elegant, and their every frown and smile were dignified and graceful, and there was a calmness in their steps.

Seeing Xue Sui, Guo Yunrong became enthusiastic and waved his arms hurriedly.

"Mrs. Ping An..."

Xue Sui lifted the curtain and saluted in response.

After a few pleasantries, a tall man walked out of the mansion. He wore a jade crown and a dark green brocade robe. He was followed by a long attendant and looked very arrogant.

Xue Sui glanced over.

Coincidentally, that person's gaze also turned over.

Guo Yunrong smiled and said, "Madam Ping'an, this is my brother. He works in the Ministry of Rites."

The girl was innocent and naive, and she did not notice the strangeness on Xue Sui's face, nor did she notice the arrogance and disdain that her brother showed when he saw Xue Sui.

On that snowy day ten years ago, Guo Zhaohuai also smiled condescendingly and said to her:

"The Xue family's stray dog ​​is worthy of playing with us?"

Xue Sui has a good memory.

Guo Zhaohuai's expression, tone, sarcastic eyes and contemptuous smile at that time are all vivid in my mind.

So much so that when she looked at the adult Guo Zhaohuai, she wanted to draw out the short blade in her sleeve and cut off his neck - of course, he shouldn't die so easily, his death must be meaningful.

She smiled slowly, "Meetings, Mr. Guo."

Relying on the protection of his ancestors, Guo Zhaohuai is now doing very well in his position and his style of doing things has always been the same.

Hearing the sound, he raised his eyebrows, took the reins handed to him by the servant, mounted the horse and rode away.

Guo Yunrong made a face at him, "Bad temper. Madam Ping'an, please don't bother with my brother. He is such a heartless and boring guy..."

Xue Sui shook his head and smiled, "Third Miss, are we ready to set off?"

Guo Yunrong said: "Let's go."

A group of people in two cars set off slowly.

Xue Yuechen handed over the handkerchief with concern, "Sixth sister, why do you look so bad? Is it because of Mr. Guo's neglect just now?"

"How could that be?" Xue Sui smiled softly and shook his head, "Maybe I didn't sleep well last night."

Not far away, Guo Zhaohuai, riding on a horse, looked back at the receding carriage and raised his eyebrows slightly.

When Xue Liu grew up, he was quite handsome.