Chapter 438: Slender Shoulders and Graceful Body

Gu Su, Tieling Pass Wharf.

The setting sun is like blood, and the river waves are leaping with gold.

A merchant ship is approaching the wharf, carrying a batch of goods from Jin Ling.

They are all manufactured goods produced by Xin Chun Hao, such as perfume, toothpaste, and scented soap.

The owner of this batch of goods is two new merchant houses that have been open in Gu Su City for less than a year.

Market rumors say that the boss behind these two merchant houses is surnamed Lin...

These new and strange manufactured goods developed by Xin Chun Hao are not only affordable but also very close to the actual livelihood of the people.

After more than half a year of promotion, in a place like Jiang Nan where the people's wisdom is open, these new manufactured goods were quickly accepted by the people.

In an ancient Jiang Nan city like Gu Su, which is rich and prosperous, these things are even more popular and in short supply, and well-to-do families and wealthy merchants are flocking to them.

These two new merchant houses in Gu Su have very capable bosses who don't know what high-level means they used to convince Qu, the Chief Manager of the Jin Ling Xin Chun headquarters.

Letting Xin Chun Hao, which has always not done large-scale distribution to the outside world, loosen its mouth in front of these two merchant houses.

And these two merchant houses, relying on the distributed goods of Xin Chun Hao, became large merchant houses that attracted attention in Gu Su City in just one year.

This once attracted the covetousness of some powerful people in Gu Su City, but news soon spread in the industry that the major shareholder behind these two merchant houses was the local Gu Su noble Lin family.

Some even revealed that this major shareholder behind the scenes was Lin Ruhai of the Gu Su Lin family.

Lin Ruhai was the outstanding figure of the Gu Su Lin family, the third-place scholar in the first year of Jia Zhao, and is now the Imperial Censor in charge of the salt administration of the two Huai, with high power and deep influence in the two Huai.

Moreover, Lin Ruhai has a close relationship with the Rongguo Jia family in Shen Jing, and Lin Ruhai's legitimate wife was the eldest legitimate daughter of Duke Rongguo Jia Daishan.

Although Lady Lin passed away many years ago, Lin Ruhai still has a deep kinship with the Rongguo Jia family, and his only beloved daughter was raised by the Rongguo Grand Empress Dowager.

Moreover, it is rumored in the streets that Jia Cong, the famous Count Weiyuan of the Rongguo Mansion, is very respectful to his uncle Lin Ruhai.

Every time he goes down to Jiang Nan to handle official business, he must visit the Salt Administration Office in Yang Zhou.

Just a Lin Ruhai is enough to make people feel fearful, not to mention the Rongguo Jia family, a top noble family in the Great Zhou, and that famous Count Weiyuan behind him.

These quite heavy background information made those who had covetousness for the two merchant houses immediately stop, and completely died of that little thought.

……

On this merchant ship, in addition to the goods of Xin Chun Hao, there were more than a dozen sailors, all of whom were strong and flexible, no different from the sailors who usually walk the Yangtze River.

When the ship just approached the shore, two sailors dragged the cables to fix the ship, and the rest of the sailors were busy moving goods to the shore under the command of a steward-like person.

At this time, one of the sailors walked to the steward and said in a low voice: "Commander Wei, there are more than a dozen brothers left on the other ship, and they will approach the shore in half an hour."

"After they arrive, our manpower will be complete."

The steward said in a deep voice: "Good! After going ashore, you take people to pass information to all parts of the city, let everyone be prepared, and once you receive the Count's order, act immediately!"

After the goods of Xin Chun Hao were all moved to the wharf, clerks from the two merchant houses in Gu Su came over to take over.

The steward took more than a dozen sailors, shuttling back and forth in the crowd coming and going at the wharf, walked slowly out of the Tieling Pass wharf, and disappeared into the bustling and prosperous streets of Gu Su.

……

Gu Su, Bolan Street, the single-entry small courtyard of Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu.

Ever since Jiang Xiao Liu discovered the emblem of the Central Vehicle Department in Geng Physician's mansion the day before yesterday.

It attracted Zhang Wu's attention. In his view, the only possibility for this situation to occur was that the Central Vehicle Department might have sent other manpower to Gu Su besides him.

But Zhang Wu's position in the Jin Ling Central Vehicle Department was not high, under Xu Qiniang of the Yao family wine shop in Xinghua Lane.

The internal structure of the Central Vehicle Department was strict, and the scale of information that different levels of positions could control was different.

Even if the Jin Ling Central Vehicle Department had other secret dispatches, it might not be something Zhang Wu's authority could know.

Therefore, yesterday he wrote a letter and asked someone to take it to Jin Ling to ask Xu Qiniang.

But according to the itinerary, it would take about two days to receive news.

The discovery of the Central Vehicle Department emblem in Geng Physician's mansion was like being pointed by an immortal.

It turned Zhang Wu's focus of investigation from the Assistant Regional Commander He Tong to the wealthy merchant Geng Physician in Gu Su.

But the outer courtyard of the Geng Mansion was easy to enter, but the inner courtyard of the Geng Mansion was guarded unusually strictly, and outsiders could not take a step inside.

Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu's men were secretly sent to Gu Su by Jia Cong and the Central Vehicle Department to investigate news, without official documents, and could not enter other people's back houses to search.

Zhang Wu was an old man of the Jin Ling Central Vehicle Department, meticulous and decisive.

But facing the current situation, he couldn't think of a proper solution for a while.

But just the fact that the inner courtyard of the Geng Mansion was heavily guarded could not simply conclude that Zhou Zheng was hidden in the inner courtyard.

Zhang Wu is an old hand at the Jin Ling Zhongche Office; he is meticulous in his thinking and efficient in his work.

And Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu's men were secretly sent to Gu Su by Jia Cong and the Central Vehicle Department to investigate news, without official documents, and could not enter other people's back houses to search.

……

Just as he was at a loss, he suddenly heard the courtyard gate being knocked. Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu looked at each other.

The sound of knocking was not the secret code agreed upon by his subordinates, indicating that the visitor was a stranger.

However, they were staying in Gu Su to investigate news, but they didn't have any excessive actions, so they weren't afraid of people looking for trouble.

Jiang Xiao Liu opened the courtyard gate and saw the visitor's appearance, his heart was overjoyed, and he said: "Third Master, why is it you? How did you come alone?"

Zhang Wu heard the voice and greeted him. When he led his men out of Jin Ling, he had met Jia Cong once at the Du family farm east of the city.

He was also very surprised that he had suddenly come to Gu Su alone.

The three entered the small courtyard, and Jia Cong said: "Two days ago, I led three hundred musketeers to leave Jin Ling, escorted the cannons to Gu Su and Songjiang, and halfway through, I broke away from the team and snuck into Gu Su."

"I sent a memorial to Shen Jing urgently many days ago, and the Emperor's reply should have been on the way. It is estimated that it will be delivered to Jin Ling within five days, but I have already learned the content of the reply in advance."

Jia Cong briefly told Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu the content of the imperial edict, and both of them looked solemn.

Jia Cong said: "I snuck into Gu Su in advance because as long as the imperial edict is issued to Jin Ling, it will be the day when the map is revealed and the dagger is revealed. How Jin Ling and Gu Su will react is unpredictable."

"Luo Xiong may take a risk, or even kill Zhou Zheng to eliminate the evidence."

"So we must capture Zhou Zheng before the imperial edict reaches Jin Ling, to eliminate future worries, so that we can handle matters according to the edict with all our strength."

"I sent a letter to you last time, I don't know what the result of your investigation is?"

……

Zhang Wu detailed the process of searching for Zhou Zheng recently to Jia Cong, and said: "The Central Vehicle Department emblem appeared in Geng Physician's mansion, which is strange. I have sent someone back to Jin Ling to investigate."

"It's just that I haven't received a reply yet."

Jia Cong remembered that after Zou Min'er faked her death, she had told him in detail about the information of the Central Vehicle Department she had mastered.

Among them, the most critical content was that she controlled six backbone members of the Central Vehicle Department in Jin Ling.

Including Xu Qiniang, five people were engaged in various industries in Jin Ling, had their own cover identities, and were now performing their duties in Jin Ling.

Only the identity of the sixth person was somewhat special. This person's name was Chen Kuishan, a company commander in the Jin Ling Guard, who was a secret stake planted by the Central Vehicle Department in the guard troops, and was regarded as a confidant by Zhou Zheng.

After Zhou Zheng escaped, Chen Kuishan also disappeared, possibly following Zhou Zheng to escape for some reason.

Jia Cong said: "When I left the capital, the Emperor gave me the token of the Central Vehicle Department's Chief Supervisor. I know that Chen Kuishan, the confidant company commander beside Zhou Zheng, is an eye-line planted by the Central Vehicle Department."

"The emblem left in the Geng Mansion might be this person."

Zhang Wu's spirit was lifted when he heard this, and he said: "Lord Jia, if it is really Chen Kuishan who left the Central Vehicle Department emblem in the Geng Mansion, he is sending a message to the outside world that Zhou Zheng is very likely hidden in the Geng Mansion."

"Or his hiding matter has something to do with Geng Physician!"

Jia Cong said: "You haven't investigated the outer courtyard of the Geng Mansion, and there are no suspicious signs, but you can't enter the inner courtyard of the Geng Mansion."

"Actually, wanting to know if Zhou Zheng is hidden in the inner courtyard of the Geng Mansion is not without a way."

Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu looked at each other happily when they heard this. Just now they were still having a headache about how to mix into the inner courtyard of the Geng Mansion to investigate.

Jia Cong said: "I was born in a wealthy family, but for such a family, the inner courtyard is the residence of women, and the rules have always been strict."

"Not to mention that men are not allowed to enter, even the male servants and pages in the family are absolutely not allowed to enter the inner courtyard."

"This Geng Physician, as long as he still wants dignity, will not violate common sense and hide his women and Zhou Zheng in the inner courtyard."

"So not being able to enter the inner courtyard is not a problem, as long as you find out whether the Geng family women live in the inner courtyard."

Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu both felt enlightened. The problem they had been struggling with was solved by Jia Cong in a few words.

In fact, the reason for this situation is nothing more than that Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu were both born in poor families and had not experienced the rules of the inner courtyard of noble families.

They didn't have much intuitive concept of the strictness of the inner courtyard rules and the precautions against men and women of wealthy families.

Just like Wu Maiqiao, who was a member of the Central Vehicle Department, although she was a woman, her daily actions were the same as men, coming and going together.

In the eyes of Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu, it didn't feel too strange, but in the eyes of noble families, it was rebellious.

So Zhang Wu and Jiang Xiao Liu, although they had their own shrewdness and capability, a person's background and past often determine their blind spots in thinking.

Things that are simple and obvious in the eyes of others may be ignored in their eyes.

……

Jia Cong said: "Through the daily affairs of the inner courtyard such as eating, washing clothes, and purchasing items, one can judge whether there are women living in the inner courtyard."

"In addition, this Geng Physician is a wealthy merchant in Gu Su, and he probably has more than one residence in Gu Su City. His women might live in a villa."

"Since someone left the Central Vehicle Department emblem in the Geng Mansion, it is pointing us in the direction."

"As long as you find out one of these things, you can infer Zhou Zheng's hiding place."

"The time is not generous, you distribute your men, investigate separately, and be sure to determine the location of the Geng family women before noon tomorrow."

"Only by inferring Zhou Zheng's location can we find a way to capture him!"

……

Jin Ling, Fengle Fang.

In the three-entry residence with white walls and red doors, the atmosphere of deep silence in the past has changed.

The middle-aged man who was usually grand in bearing recently had less of his usual warmth and composure, and the gloom on his face could not be dissipated. He was listening to the reply of his young subordinate.

"My lord, according to your instructions, I have arranged for men to follow Jia Cong's escort team. This morning, someone reported back that Jia Cong's marching speed is not fast, and he has just entered the Changzhou boundary, which is much slower than the expected speed."

"My lord originally expected that he would have three hundred musketeers with him, worrying that he had other schemes."

The middle-aged man asked in a deep voice: "Are there any abnormalities in Jia Cong's behavior along the way?"

The young man replied: "According to the report, Jia Cong caught a cold a few days ago and has been staying in the carriage during the day without showing his face. Only when camping at night will he come out to patrol."

"It looks very scattered. He doesn't seem to be in a hurry, and he has never urged the team to speed up. He has been following the flow all the way, slightly slower than the normal speed."

The middle-aged man's face was a bit confused: "Could it be that I am overthinking? Is he really just transporting cannons and has no other schemes?"

The young man said again: "We also sent news to Luo Xiong, asking him to strengthen his guard against Jia Cong. I think Luo Xiong will definitely take countermeasures."

"With so many of us watching him, I'm not afraid of Jia Cong playing any tricks."

The middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Even so, we cannot take it lightly. The news from Shen Jing has not yet arrived, and the situation is unclear."

"Let our men continue to watch Jia Cong closely along the way. Once there is any unusual movement, let them send news to Luo Xiong immediately so that he can counter it in time."

……

He asked again: "In addition, what is the movement of that batch of Ottoman refined iron in the Zhen family's Buyun Pavilion recently?"

The young man's eyes flickered and said: "In the past few days, the secret stakes arranged by the Embroidered Uniform Guard near the shop have relaxed. It may be because there has been no movement, making the Embroidered Uniform Guard lower their vigilance."

The middle-aged man said: "I don't want to get involved in the matter of muskets. I have never been interested in that. Moreover, that Third Young Master of the Zhen family is impetuous and is a goods that cannot accomplish anything."

"Let the visitor take this batch of refined iron away as soon as possible, and the subsequent matters will have nothing to do with us!"

The young man bowed his head and replied: "The subordinate understands and will contact the other party as soon as possible to settle this matter."

The middle-aged man gave a few more instructions, and the young man bowed respectfully and left the study.

On the pebble path in the courtyard, the afternoon sun was bright and gentle, but shining on the missing little finger of the young man's left hand, it looked a bit gloomy and terrifying.

The young man's steps paused, he looked back at the study, and a trace of gloomy and cold sarcasm appeared at the corner of his mouth.

It was just that the expression flashed away, and it was impossible to capture at all. Only in the next moment, the respectful and solemn expression returned to his face, and he walked out of the residence with big strides.

……

Gu Su, Yan Huajie.

There is an inconspicuous tea house on the street, and the business is not prosperous.

There were five or six tea guests sitting sparsely in the shop, and the tea doctor was shuttling back and forth, pouring tea and adding water for several tables of tea guests.

One table sat two tea guests, one was a man in his thirties, wearing a gray short jacket, thin, with ordinary features.

The other was a teenager of fifteen or sixteen, wearing coarse cloth clothes, wearing a felt hat, sleeves rolled up, one leg on the stool, like a page boy in the city.

The man in his thirties, although much older, looked more mature than the teenager, but he sat in the lower seat of the teenager, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

The two talked from time to time, and their eyes often drifted to the mansion across the street.

These two were Jia Cong and Zhang Wu, and the mansion across the street with a grand style was Geng Physician's mansion.

Zhang Wu said: "I sent someone to check Geng Physician's background. A few years ago, this person was just a small merchant in Gu Su City."

"Later, he suddenly started the sea merchant business. It is said that he had dealings with sea merchants in Jin Ling and could get a large source of foreign goods every year."

"Relying on these business routes, he became a famous wealthy household in Gu Su City in just a few years. He usually makes friends with local officials in Gu Su and is a person with a face in Gu Su City."

"In addition, he is very close to the Su Zhou Guard Commander Luo Xiong, and the two have an unusual relationship. Two months ago, Geng Physician also sent Luo Xiong two beautiful concubines."

"So it is highly likely that Geng Physician helped Luo Xiong hide Zhou Zheng."

"I followed the master's instructions and sent several groups of people to check Geng Physician's villa. Jiang Xiao Liu took Wu Maiqiao to check the news of the Geng Mansion inner courtyard, and there will definitely be a reply before noon today."

Because there was still a lot of time before noon, Zhang Wu asked the tea doctor to add water to the teapot, and the two waited for the men sent out to bring back news.

……

Jia Cong drank tea while his gaze drifted across the gate of the Geng Mansion from time to time, observing the people entering and leaving the Geng Mansion.

Every time, he would see a woman with a sallow face selling two baskets of Gu Su rice cakes by the roadside near the gate of the Geng Mansion.

Yan Huajie lived with many wealthy households in Gu Su City, all of whom were people with wealth, attracting many vendors to solicit business, but it was just an ordinary matter, so Jia Cong didn't care.

He saw this woman selling rice cakes there when he came in the morning, and she had been in that position for a long time.

Perhaps because the business was not good, Jia Cong saw the woman packing up her goods, looking like she was about to close the stall and leave.

Just as the woman stood up and carried the two baskets of rice cakes on her shoulders, Jia Cong's gaze lit up slightly.

Just now the woman was sitting on the ground, and one couldn't see the shape of her body.

Now that she stood up and carried the load, Jia Cong found that the woman had a graceful and tall figure, and the hidden temperament was quite different from ordinary city women.

At this time, women from poor families, due to lack of food and upbringing, rarely grow up to be so strong and tall, unless they are from wealthy families.

And Gu Su rice cakes are made of glutinous rice, and the weight of the two baskets of rice cakes is not light. The woman seemed to carry it without much effort, and even her shoulders didn't sink.

Jia Cong's heart jumped, looking at the back of the woman leaving, the tall and graceful figure actually gave him a strong sense of familiarity! (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 439 =====