The Prodigal Son

Hearing Jiang Ci's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but secretly admire her.

This woman is quite clever.

If these salt merchants had paved the way, the Jiang family's porcelain business would surely have experienced explosive growth.

After a moment's thought, Qin Yu nodded slightly, "As long as you and your friend can meet the court's requirements for salt merchants, everything else is negotiable!"

He had also been considering Jiang Ci.

As long as they meet the requirements, it's not unreasonable to do them a favor.

"Thank you very much, Lord Qin!"

Jiang Ci was overjoyed upon hearing this, and said with a smile, "My friend has long admired Lord Qin and would like to get to know you. Would it be convenient for you to have a casual meal with me?"

Qin Yu smiled. "Is your friend male or female?"

"woman!"

Jiang Ci winked at Qin Yu, "And she's a great beauty!"

"Then let's forget about it!"

Qin Yu waved his hand, "I'm greedy and lustful, and I can't resist the temptation of beauty!"

Jiang Ci's face stiffened slightly.

She originally thought Qin Yu would readily agree.

Unexpectedly, Qin Yu refused?

Little did she know that even if she said her friend was a man, Qin Yu would refuse with a completely different excuse.

His mind is completely occupied with the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince years ago; he has no interest in socializing.

When she came to her senses, Jiang Ci couldn't help but smile. "Lord Qin is joking. With beauties like Sister Que'er and Sister Qingyi by your side, ordinary women probably wouldn't catch your eye."

"It's not that bad."

Qin Yu chuckled, "Alright, she'll have plenty of opportunities to get to know me! I have some things to take care of, so I won't chat with you any longer. Once I'm done with things here, I'll treat you to a casual meal sometime."

"Then I'll be waiting!" Jiang Ci stood up with a smile. "Since Lord Qin has other matters to attend to, I'll take my leave now!"

She couldn't possibly miss such an obvious order to leave.

"Let me see you off!"

Nan Que'er stood up as well.

"No need for you, little sparrow sister."

Jiang Ci gently patted Nan Que'er's hand, "Once you and I are both done with our work, let's take a good look around together."

"Um."

Nan Que'er nodded gently.

After a simple bow, Jiang Ci took her leave.

As soon as she got into the carriage, the smile on Jiang Ci's face vanished.

For a fleeting moment, she even began to deeply doubt her own looks.

Qin Yu is notoriously lecherous!

She had made advances towards Qin Yu several times, but Qin Yu had rejected her time and time again.

She believed that her looks were no less than those of Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi, but so far, Qin Yu had never shown any covetousness towards her.

Was it because she wasn't proactive enough, or was Qin Yu already completely infatuated with Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi, and no longer interested in other women?

How about taking the initiative next time?

But she had never had a chance to be alone with Qin Yu. She couldn't very well start flirting with Qin Yu in front of Nan Que'er, could she?

Hmm, I need to find an opportunity to spend time alone with Qin Yu!

……

February 18th has arrived in the blink of an eye.

Qin Yu finally ordered that all the major salt merchants, salt officials, and potential salt merchants be summoned to the governor's mansion.

He was supposed to do this on February 16th.

However, he wanted to leave those people hanging for a couple more days, and also wait for the alternative salt merchants who had not yet arrived in Jiangning Prefecture after receiving Shi Yi's urgent notice.

In addition, he was also waiting for news from Ding Che and Pei Du.

His plan was that if what they found was related to some of the people who came this time, they would deal with it all at once.

But even now, he still hasn't received any news from the other side.

Before long, people with different thoughts and feelings arrived at the governor's mansion one after another.

As Qin Yu led Lü Si into the front hall, he saw a bright and beautiful woman standing with Jiang Ci.

The woman appeared to be slightly older than Jiang Ci, but she didn't look old; instead, she possessed a mature and captivating charm.

Just like a perfectly ripe apple!

She really is a beauty!

Unfortunately, he had no interest in having a proper conversation with this beauty right now; he just wanted to finish dealing with the salt affairs as soon as possible so he could focus on bigger matters.

Upon seeing Lü Si suddenly appear, Shi Yi's eyelids twitched.

What the hell is that bastard doing here?

Shi Yi saw Lü Si, and Lü Si naturally saw him as well.

Lu Si gave Shi Yi a strange smile, clearly not with good intentions.

"Greetings, Lord Qin!"

As Qin Yu arrived, everyone bowed in greeting.

"No need for formalities!"

Qin Yu walked to the main seat and sat down. He then pointed to Lü Si and introduced him to everyone: "This is Lü Si, the son of Minister Lü of the Ministry of Justice, and also the newly appointed Deputy Salt Commissioner by the court! I should have summoned you all a couple of days ago, but I was delayed for two days because I was waiting for him."

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed to Lü Si again, saying, "Greetings, Lord Lü."

Lu Si was pleased with everyone's attitude, and then pretended to gesture with his hand, saying, "No need for formalities, please sit down!"

Upon hearing this, everyone took their seats.

Lu Si sat next to Qin Yu, while Fu Mingzhu, Shi Yi, and others sat in the front row below.

Qin Yu glanced at everyone, then looked at Shi Yi, "Lord Shi, please introduce everyone to me."

"yes!"

Shi Yi accepted the order and introduced these people to Qin Yu one by one.

When he introduced Ge Songtao, a salt merchant from Taozhou, Qin Yu suddenly raised his hand to stop him, his cold gaze abruptly falling on Ge Songtao. "You're Ge Songtao?"

Meeting Qin Yu's gaze, Ge Songtao's heart trembled. He quickly stood up and said with a forced smile, "Your Excellency, I am Ge Songtao, a salt merchant from Taozhou."

"Take it down!"

Qin Yu gave the order without giving any further explanation.

"yes!"

Di Rong accepted the order and immediately stepped forward to capture Ge Songtao.

Ge Songtao's face changed, and he cried out in panic, "Lord Qin, I'm innocent!"

"Injustice?"

Qin Yu glared coldly at Ge Songtao, "Do you think I'm unaware of your private army, your disregard for human life, and your illegal salt mining?"

As Qin Yu finished speaking, Ge Songtao trembled violently, his face turning deathly gray, and he looked at Shi Yi with a desperate gaze.

Seeing Ge Songtao's performance, everyone was immediately horrified.

Really!

What Qin Yu said is true!

Keeping a private army?

Are you crazy?

Does a salt merchant like him think he can rebel?

"Ge Songtao! How dare you!"

Shi Yi glared at him, his eyes blazing with fury, wishing he could tear this bastard to pieces.

How could you not even know about this yourself?

Those bastards!

They want to die, don't hurt yourselves!

"You scoundrel, you scoundrel..."

Ge Songtao stammered, but after a long time, he couldn't utter a single complete sentence.

"Chop it up!"

Qin Yu didn't bother with interrogation and simply gave the order.

Di Rong faithfully carried out Qin Yu's orders.

brush!

A flash of light, and Ge Songtao's head flew into the air.

As blood gushed forth, a strong stench of blood filled the scene...