Chapter 293: Let It Drop

"Tuan Tuan," Xiao Ningxun stroked his sister's little head, "When we deal with the Qian family, the most important thing is to capture both the criminals and the loot. Can you tell brother where their hidden private‑salt warehouse is?"

Tuan Tuan blinked her big eyes: "But they have so many storerooms, I don't know which one you want."

Xiao Ningxun was startled: "Sure enough, it's Cunning Rabbit Three Burrows. No problem, just tell your sister Luo all the locations of their storerooms, she'll be able to figure it out."

He looked up at Lu Qi: "Lu Qi, go to Pinming Xuan and ask Shopkeeper Liu whether he knows where this year's canal‑transport spring gathering will be held."

"Yes." Lu Qi turned and left.

Xiao Ningxun left the guest room, called Xiao Er over, slipped him a piece of broken silver: "Please, brother, hurry to the bridgehead to assist the headquarters, invite the young master here, saying there's an urgent matter to discuss."

Xiao Er took the silver, grinned: "Alright! I'll be right there!" With that, he darted off.

Soon, Luo Hongli arrived, and Xiao Ningxun had Tuan Tuan tell her the locations of the Qian family's storerooms.

Tuan Tuan opened her mouth: "One is in a big house next to a ditch, another is beside a house with a red roof, there's also one where a big black dog sits at the doorway, and the last one…"

Luo Hongli: "…"

Luo Hongli looked at Xiao Ningxun, her face full of confusion: "How am I supposed to find them!"

Xiao Ningxun smiled: "Young master, don't worry."

He turned to Tuan Tuan, guiding patiently: "Tuan Tuan, that ditch—is it near the huge stone bridge? The red‑roofed house, is it on the bustling main street we visited that day?"

Tuan Tuan nodded vigorously: "Yes! That's the place! Third Brother is really clever!"

Xiao Ningxun laughed: "As for the big black dog… young master, you'll have to trouble yourself with it."

Luo Hongli clasped her fists and said: "Fine, that makes it much easier to find. Young master, rest assured, within the Jiangzhou jurisdiction there's no place the Bridgehead Gang can't locate; I'll handle it myself."

She looked at Tuan Tuan, couldn't help laughing, patted her little head, "Thank you, little girl, your way of giving directions is truly one of a kind in the world."

Xiao Ningxun said seriously: "Young master, immediately send a few absolutely reliable brothers to keep watch on these places, in case they suddenly move elsewhere. Remember, you may observe from a distance, but never stir up the grass and startle the snake."

"Don't worry." Luo Hongli said as she took her leave.

Two days later, Canal Transport Governor Han Chengzong, dressed in ordinary clothes, silently followed Xiao Er into the inn, and held a private discussion with Xiao Ran and Xiao Ningxun for nearly an hour before leaving.

The next day, at Wangjiang Hall, the largest tavern in Jiangzhou, the canal‑transport spring gathering opened as scheduled.

Wangjiang Hall, three stories tall, with soaring eaves and upturned corners, stood by the river.

Outside, colorful flags fluttered, and a constant stream of carriages and horses passed.

Distinguished officials, salt merchants, and grain traders of Jiangzhou Prefecture arrived one after another.

Inside, the hall was lavishly decorated, red carpet covering the floor, dozens of tables, countless delicacies and fine wines, and the sound of silk and bamboo instruments drifted endlessly.

In the elegant room on the top floor, doors and windows were wide open, offering a full view of the banquet below.

Behind an exquisite screen, Han Chengzong sat at the head of the table.

Nearly fifty years old, his eyes bright, he personally handled the teapot, pouring tea for Xiao Ran seated at the lower seat.

"Ninth Prince, please."

Xiao Ran slightly bowed his head: "Lord Han, no need for formalities. Today, you are the host, I am the guest."

From outside came the clamor of the lower floor, and Tuan Tuan looked up from the snack plate: "There are so many people! I'll go down and play later!"

Xiao Ningxun adjusted the pearl hairpin on her head: "Alright, after we finish the important business, I'll go with you."

Below, the banquet was in full swing.

Qian Guangyuan, dressed in a crimson‑purple brocade robe with circular patterns, his face flushed, was surrounded by a crowd at the main table.

He was about forty‑something, slightly plump, smiling broadly: "Everyone! Today's canal‑transport spring gathering, Governor Han personally attending, is truly a blessing for our Jiangzhou business community!"

He raised his cup and pointed to the third floor: "I propose, this cup, first toast Governor Han, may your official career be prosperous, may our Jiangzhou canal transport be smooth year after year, and may peace prevail each year!"

"To Governor Han!" the whole hall echoed, goblets clashing.

Han Chengzong listened silently, expression unchanged.

A lean middle‑aged merchant, cup in hand, leaned toward Qian Guangyuan: "Old Master Qian, I heard your family's young lady is about to have a marriage with the young master of the Jinghai Marquis's residence in Jingcheng? Truly delightful!"

His voice was loud enough that several nearby tables heard, and people turned to look.

Qian Guangyuan stroked his mustache and smiled, feigning modesty: "Well, Shopkeeper Wang is indeed well‑informed. My little daughter only has a modest knowledge of the classics; thanks to the Jinghai Marquis's residence not discarding us, we could form this good match."

"I often say, we merchants must do our utmost to serve the Imperial Court. By forming ties with the Marquis's household, we can hear more of the capital's trends, and also help relieve the emperor's worries, right?"

Around them, a chorus of flattery rose instantly.

"Qian Guangyuan is noble!"

"Indeed! Merchants can also serve the country!"

"Miss Qian is both beautiful and talented, and Young Master Zhou is a perfect match!"

"Actually, this marriage alliance is about family reputation and perspective. It should be between families that can support each other and pursue great undertakings—that is the proper principle!"

At that moment, a man looking like a foreman, drenched in sweat, timidly pushed through the crowd to Qian Guangyuan's side and whispered: "Sir, I have something to report…"

Qian Guangyuan was in the middle of his speech when he was interrupted, his brows furrowing: "What business brings you here?"

The foreman lowered his voice: "Last night, among the cargo at Ximen Dock, several of our brothers were injured; one had his leg smashed and is seriously hurt. I felt it was bad, and if it weren't a matter of life and death, I wouldn't dare disturb you now. As for compensation…"

"Extortion!" Qian Guangyuan's face darkened, he snapped sharply, "You bring me such a trivial matter? Has anyone died?"

The foreman trembled: "Not yet…"

"If they're not dead, move them away! Today Lord Han is present, and you dare bring such an inauspicious matter to report? Have you the nerve to disturb a noble?"

He paused, then raised his voice: "The canal transport is a matter of national policy and people's livelihood! How can we delay for a few minor injuries? If everyone were this delicate, who would transport the Imperial Court's grain? What would the frontier soldiers eat?"

"Delaying the Imperial Court's canal transport is a grave sin! Convey my order: the workers' wages for the injured shall be halved as a warning! Let them learn a lesson and handle future tasks more carefully!"

The foreman's face turned ashen, and he bowed and withdrew.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

A few seasoned gentry furrowed their brows, clearly disapproving of his actions yet daring not to speak further.

Qian Guangyuan turned to the colleague sitting beside him and smiled: "Lord Liu, would you agree? Everything must prioritize the Imperial Court's major affairs."

The clerk Liu quickly forced a smile: "Your words are absolutely correct, Sir Qian! Safeguarding the overall situation is the right path."

Qian Guangyuan nodded with satisfaction, looked around the western side, and his gaze fell on the table edge in the corner where a taciturn middle-aged grain merchant stood.

"Boss Zhao," Qian Guangyuan suddenly said, his smile unchanged, "I heard that the grain shipment you were transporting to Ning'an last month was delayed for three days on the river? That's not good. In grain transport, timeliness is paramount; this delay of yours, if it holds up the military grain..."

Boss Zhao's face changed, he hurriedly rose: "Old Man Qian, that, that was because the river channel suddenly silted up; it's not my fault..."

"Eh—" Qian Guangyuan drew out his voice, cutting him off, "Everyone can find excuses. I see that you have the will but lack the ability."

"How about this: you temporarily yield the grain transport quota of those few ships of yours, and hand it over to someone more reliable to handle."

"Though spoken lightly, it actually snatched away Boss Zhao's most vital livelihood."

Boss Zhao's face turned ashen, his fingers trembled, yet he dared not retort.

The onlookers, seeing this, fell silent like cicadas in winter.

Qian Guangyuan watched his expression, feeling immensely pleased, thinking his authority today far surpassed that of previous years.

He, feeling proud and satisfied, gazed toward the direction of the third floor; although he couldn't see Han Chengzong, he seemed to sense that the important figure valued and appreciated him.

He cleared his throat, decided to add another log to the fire.

"Everyone! Lately, private salt smuggling has run rampant, seriously disrupting the salt regulations and eroding the court's tax base. I have already drafted the regulations; soon I will submit them to Lord Han, earnestly requesting that he make a decision!"

"Old Man Qian, far-sighted!"

"Too much hard work!"

"This great ship of Jiangzhou, thanks to Old Man Qian at the helm, we can stay safe!"

Third floor, private room.

Han Chengzong set down his tea cup, looked toward Xiao Ran and Xiao Ningxun, and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, Third Young Master, can we take action now?"

Xiao Ran played with the empty cup in his hand: "Wait a bit longer. Let him finish his performance."

Xiao Ningxun's gaze fell on Qian Guangyuan, and he nodded slightly.

Tuan Tuan stared at the pompous fat man in purple robes, her lips pressed tightly together.

She stretched out her little hand, pointing at the splendid glass chandelier above Qian Guangyuan's head, and quietly asked, "Third Brother, that lamp looks like it's about to fall."

Xiao Ningxun lowered his head, meeting his sister's sparkling eyes.

He gave a slight smile, leaned in to her ear, and said, "Then let it fall."