The Prodigal Son

Ningzhou, Yunhuai.

There are many counties along the Grand Canal, but the one with the best geographical location is undoubtedly Yunhuai.

When the Grand Canal reaches Yunhuai, the terrain becomes more varied.

To solve the navigation problem, many water control gates were built here.

However, while the water diversion gates solved the navigation problem, they did not allow for rapid navigation.

Many passing ships queue up here, waiting for passage.

Many ships also choose to unload their cargo at downstream docks and then transport it by land to upstream docks.

This led to Yunhuai becoming a distribution center for all kinds of goods, with merchants coming and going in an endless stream.

This indirectly led to the emergence of the largest brothel industry in Daning.

Here you'll find thatched huts and brothels that dockworkers can afford, as well as elegant and luxurious residences with courtyards and pavilions.

Some prostitutes can make you feel clear-headed for just a few dozen coins, while other women can make wealthy businessmen and celebrities spend thousands of dollars for them.

Shuyu Pavilion was one of the most famous brothels in Yunhuai.

The news that the imperial court was going to thoroughly rectify the salt administration in the Liangjiang region and the Hai and Yuan prefectures had already spread like wildfire to the ears of all the major salt merchants.

The Shuyu Pavilion was warm and cozy, and the beautiful courtesans were a feast for the eyes.

However, the four salt merchants had no interest in appreciating the charm of these courtesans.

The four sat on pins and needles in the luxurious room, each face etched with unease and anger.

"It's all that madman Liu Donglai's fault! In all these years, I've never heard of anyone daring to have such audacity!"

"Exactly! Forty percent of the salt permit quota is for smuggled salt; that's practically suicide!"

"That bastard, he not only asked for his own death, but he also dragged us down with him!"

"What's the use of saying all this now? Besides, I received news from the capital that His Majesty originally gave Shi Yi a chance to investigate himself, but Shi Yi repeatedly refused, insisting that the court send an imperial envoy to investigate!"

"Shi Yi is no good either! When something goes wrong, he tries to absolve himself first, never thinking about us!"

"Who can argue with that? This is what they call 'when disaster strikes, everyone flies away'..."

The group discussed their strategy while grumbling and cursing.

Liu Donglai is hateful, and Shi Yi is just as hateful!

Shi Yi could have saved them!

At worst, they could each contribute some money, and Shi Yi could give it to the imperial court to settle the matter.

As a result, Shi Yifei claimed to have a clear conscience, which led the imperial court to send an imperial envoy to investigate.

This is absolutely treasonous!

"Alright, everyone, say less! Master Shi should be here soon. Let's not let him hear us. Let's see what he has to say first!"

Amidst the cursing and swearing, someone else came out to offer advice.

Upon hearing this, the group fell silent, pondering countermeasures while anxiously waiting.

After an agonizing wait, they finally saw Shi Wang.

Shi Wang, also known as Third Master Shi.

He is Shi Yi's younger brother, and he also manages the Shi family's official salt business.

"Third Master, you've finally arrived!"

"Greetings, Third Master!"

"Third Master, please take a seat..."

The four of them hurriedly stood up, their faces full of flattery as they invited Shi Wang to sit down, and then carefully poured him the finest tea.

This is a world of difference compared to when he criticized Shi Yi before.

"I know why you've come. Please, have a seat!"

Shi Wang raised his hand and gestured for the four of them to sit down.

"Thank you, Third Master!"

The four sat down uneasily.

As soon as he sat down, Ge Songtao, a salt merchant from Taozhou, asked in a trembling voice, "Third Master, it seems the imperial court is serious this time! What should we do?"

"yes!"

Jia Dequan, a salt merchant from Fangzhou, wiped the sweat from his brow and said, his face pale, "I've heard that Qin Yu is the grandson of the Duke of Wei. Not only is he highly regarded by His Majesty, but he's also a ruthless killer. In Min, he routed an enemy army of 100,000! His Majesty has sent someone like this; I'm afraid we'll have a tough time dealing with him this time!"

The imperial court did send people to inspect the salt administration.

However, those who used to inspect salt affairs have all been won over by them and become part of their chain of interests.

But they really had no confidence in dealing with Qin Yu.

They weren't afraid of the civil officials or the officials in the Ministry of Justice; they were afraid of people who had fought their way out of the battlefield.

Moreover, I heard that Qin Yu even brought the Emperor's Sword with him!

Officials below the third rank can be executed first and reported later!

Looking across the entire Liangjiang region and the Hai and Yuan prefectures, the number of officials Qin Yu couldn't execute could be counted on two hands.

Those usually imposing governors could be beheaded by Qin Yu with a single stroke of his sword!

If officials are like this, what about them!

"What's the panic!"

Shi Wang slowly picked up the teacup and took a sip.

As soon as the tea entered his mouth, Shi Wang sensed that something was wrong with the taste.

Shi Wang immediately spat the tea back into the teacup, took out a long-staple cotton handkerchief from his sleeve to wipe his mouth, and said, "This tea is outdated!"

"Please forgive me, Third Master."

Ge Songtao said with a forced smile, "We were so flustered that we didn't have the mind to brew tea properly. We're really sorry for offending Third Master's words."

Upon hearing this, the other three also apologized profusely.

"Look at you all!"

Shi Wang looked at the four of them with displeasure. "You're scared out of your wits at the slightest disturbance? Where did your usual arrogance go?"

"We're just a bunch of lowly people, how can we compare to Third Master!" a salt merchant said with a fawning smile.

"Yeah yeah……"

The others chimed in.

Although this was against my conscience, it was still the truth.

The historian was the greatest merchant in the land!

The plaque inscribed with "Forever Imperial Merchant" bestowed by Emperor Gao is still hanging in the Shi family's collection!

"I've always told you not to get too cocky, but you all ignored me. Now that something's happened, you're all panicking?"

Shi Wang's face fell, and he scolded the four men impatiently, "Before I give you any advice, tell me what you've been doing. Also, what percentage of the salt permits you have are actually smuggled salt?"

Faced with Shi Wang's question, the group immediately fell silent.

They certainly knew what they had done.

Bullying men and women, and monopolizing markets, are all minor matters.

They have also engaged in bribery of local officials, land grabbing, murder, and arson.

Some people do things more discreetly.

Some people are too arrogant, so they act rather ostentatiously.

Shi Wang's face darkened, and he was about to explode when Jia Dequan quickly smiled obsequiously, "What can we do? At most, we can only bully others by abusing our power! As for the smuggled salt business, we've always followed the rules. This is a business that can cost you your head; who would dare to mess around like this!"

"Yes, yes, we always follow the rules!"

The other three echoed his sentiment.

There are some things that everyone knows, but you can't say them out loud.

Especially in front of outsiders.

Everyone here can be considered an outsider.

Act according to the rules.

This rule could be a rule set by the imperial court, or it could be a general rule within the industry.

Hearing what the others said, Shi Wang couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Hmm, not too stupid!

He thought these people would be foolish enough to reveal their secrets!

There's still hope!

"Just follow the rules!"

Shi Wang glanced at the four of them. "This time, the Liu family is definitely doomed; no one can save them! But you, there is still hope!"