Chapter 430

After Cheng De finished speaking, Su Qiao finally understood how he had managed to escape.

Afterwards, Su Qiao asked him several other questions.

Starting with the people he knew, he ordered Sun Youxu to continue making arrests.

Pulling up a radish brings out the mud; within a single day in Fuzhou City, dozens of people were arrested.

Even though the government had not announced any changes, people in the streets and alleys sensed that something was amiss.

One by one, they quickly turned back to go home, daring not to linger outside.

Before nightfall, Fuzhou City seemed to have been completely cleared of people.

Father Fleming had escaped; Su Qiao ordered Liu Minghe to issue a coastal arrest warrant, stamped with the seal representing his status as Imperial Envoy, and immediately dispatched men to investigate and capture him.

For an entire day, Su Qiao had almost been sitting on the high seat interrogating cases.

He did not even leave that chair for the noon meal.

With the matter finally reaching a conclusion, Su Qiao stood up, feeling his entire body stiff and rigid.

"It seems there are still many people spreading opium; what we caught today is only the tip of the iceberg. Some are hidden very deep, and of course, there are likely many who are out in the open. Since we have already made our move here, issue orders immediately to arrest people in the areas near Quanzhou!"

"We must act with the speed of a swift army; no one can dawdle. This is serious business and a grave matter!"

Su Qiao stepped down from the high seat and spoke to Liu Minghe, Zhao Hui, and He Yunyi who had gathered around.

Regardless of whether they belonged to the same faction, serious business comes first.

Struggles and such must be resolved by themselves without affecting stability.

Su Qiao, for his part, had no interest in managing that.

Besides, if anything goes wrong or a mistake is made, they will all bear the responsibility!

Liu Minghe and the others had been officials for over a decade and naturally understood the meaning behind Su Qiao's words.

One by one, they hurriedly nodded in agreement, almost patting their chests to guarantee it.

After exchanging greetings with them, Su Qiao and Zhu Di leisurely returned to the post station.

Knowing Su Qiao had been tired all day, Liu Rushi specially drew hot water to help him relax and rest.

Since Su Qiao had not returned all day, several family heads led by the Lu family had delivered visiting cards.

Knowing Su Qiao was not at home, the servants respectfully presented the cards and then took their leave.

While soaking Su Qiao's feet, Liu Rushi mentioned this matter.

After drying the water, Su Qiao picked up the invitation on the table.

He opened it to look.

The content was not much, just a pile of flattering phrases: that Master Su was a scholar of heaven and man, his reputation thundered in his ears, and they had long admired him, and so on.

The general meaning was that they wished to make Su Qiao's acquaintance, and then together invite him to play at a villa outside the city, where fine wine, delicious food, and beautiful women would all be available, hoping Master Su would honor them with his presence.

Below were the signatures and seals of four family heads together, verifying their joint invitation.

Looking at the invitation, Su Qiao felt somewhat amused.

He closed the invitation and intended to toss it aside.

But just as he was about to throw it, Su Qiao's action paused; he took the invitation back, placed it properly, and set it on the table.

By rights, Su Qiao had no connection with the several merchants and powerful families.

Nor did he wish to have any connection.

He simply wanted to finish the business here quickly and then return.

When this invitation was delivered, Su Qiao also felt there was no place for the two sides to intersect.

But why did Su Qiao finally take the invitation back and place it on the table?

What reason made him change his mind?

Actually, it was because of today's interrogation regarding opium and the subsequent trip to Quanzhou to handle the Maritime Trade Office.

Most of the people in Fuzhou City addicted to opium were wealthy.

Because the poor could basically not afford opium.

Only the wealthy were willing to spend tens of taels of silver, spending tens of taels of silver.

Who could help it when the cost of opium was so high now?

As for who knew the wealthy people near Fuzhou best, it was certainly the four famous families within Fuzhou.

As for the Zheng family, although they also had a reputation in Fuzhou, the main part of the Zheng family was over in Quanzhou.

The forces remaining in Fuzhou City were definitely not comparable to the four great families.

Su Qiao currently had no interest in contacting the Zheng family.

He estimated he would only deal with the Zheng family when he reached Quanzhou.

Su Qiao would go see the people of the several families, to see what kind of people they were and what they were like.

At that time, borrowing the strength of the several families would seem to make handling the opium matter and returning home more convenient.

This was the reason he suddenly changed his mind again.

After washing up as well, Liu Rushi personally brought in a plate of fruit and glanced at the invitation on the table.

Curiously, she asked Su Qiao, "Master, do you plan to attend the appointment the day after tomorrow?"

"Mm, I plan to go take a look. Regardless, they are local powers; there are some matters they might handle more conveniently than I, the Imperial Envoy,"

....... 0...

Hearing Su Qiao say this, she understood.

Afterwards, Liu Rushi asked, "Then Master, may I go with you?"

"Alright, we'll go together then."

Su Qiao hadn't originally planned to take Liu Rushi along.

But now Liu Rushi had spoken up, and she truly hadn't stepped outside in a long time.

Su Qiao himself held modern-day thoughts.

He felt it was impossible to be locked inside a grand courtyard for life.

So he agreed.

Upon hearing this, Liu Rushi's face lit up with a radiant smile, and she became utterly delighted.

The feeling of being doted upon was simply too good; she was even more grateful she had been bold back then—if she had hesitated even slightly, she might still be drifting on a painting boat in Jin Ling, performing for coins.

Of course, beneath Liu Rushi's joy and gratitude that night, she brought Su Qiao an even more pleasurable experience.

When he woke up, he felt refreshed and invigorated.

…

Ma Kui and Sun Youxu were called again to Su Qiao's study.

Outside, the apprehension and search for opium users and dealers are now handled by the Yamen Runners and Constables of Fuzhou Prefecture.

Sun Youxu no longer needed to accompany them personally; instead, he sent two Embroidered Uniform Guards to monitor progress and returned to assist Su Qiao once more.

Su Qiao's side truly did lack manpower now.

Zhu Di had somehow communicated with Zhu Yuanzhang and temporarily returned.

Ma Kui, who had been responsible for Zhu Di's safety, was finally free.

Sun Youxu had also returned; now, whenever someone was dispatched on an errand, Su Qiao finally had a replacement.

285, Attend the Banquet!

"Alright, I've called you two here for two matters: first, Sun Youxu must still occasionally visit Gaojiawan to put on a show; second, Ma Kui, you are to send people to investigate in detail the specific circumstances of these four families in Fuzhou."

Su Qiao gave the orders plainly to the two of them.

Zhao Xifang and Ma Kui both quickly agreed.

"Yes!"

"Be careful not to leave traces or expose yourselves!"

"My lord, rest assured—I won't alert the suspects."

"Hmm, go."

…

That day, the wind was gentle, the sun shone brightly, and the sky was a clear, washed blue.

At the end of October, Fuzhou remained warm as spring.

Sunlight streamed through the white window lattices, filling the room with warmth.