Zhang Yanling didn't dare to stay for a long time, so he followed the original route and got out through the ventilation window. But after hard work of diving in, he was not willing to go out like this.
Moreover, after seeing such a large number of goods worth tens of millions, Zhang Yanling was even more curious as to who had the financial resources, strength and courage to run and control such a huge smuggling business.
Who is that Mr. Lu? If this Mr. Lu is in charge of everything, why have I never heard of the existence of such a character?
Zhang Yanling and Chen Shiyi discussed in low voices, planning to go to the lighted small building and residence not far away. Maybe Mr. Lu lives in this manor, and maybe they can see his true face in Lushan.
The two agreed to duck back to the small pier, because to reach the small building with lights on, they needed to cross the river from the stone bridge next to the pier. It was much safer to swim across the water.
Just when the two were about to enter the water, suddenly, a lantern came out from behind the tree shadow across the stone bridge, and several figures walked slowly along the path opposite the stone bridge, talking in a low voice.
.
Zhang Yanling and Chen Shi hurriedly ducked to the side of the wooden stacks under the pier to hide. However, they saw those people walking directly towards the small pier under the light of the lanterns.
"Manager Qin, be careful. There are a lot of goods here and it's not easy to walk. Don't bump into each other. I'll guide you." A voice sounded, which was particularly clear in the quiet night.
"Well, Lao Feng, don't worry. I'm not going down. I just want to take a look at the goods that will be sent out tomorrow morning. Are these the goods that are going to Nanchang? Are they all here?" said a hoarse voice.
"When I return to the Qin Dynasty, these are ordinary goods. Fifty ivory tusks, five hundred kilograms of various spices and fragrant woods, and one hundred pieces each of Siamese red yarn and linen cloth. There are also some other goods, all according to the Nanchang General Trading Company
The order opened has been matched.
There are also one hundred and twenty gems, fifteen red coral trees, ivory Buddhas and three sets of rosary beads. These things are too valuable and are temporarily stored in the villain's residence. When the boat gets on board tomorrow, the villain will order others to carry them on board.
, the villain will personally take care of the transportation."
"Very good. The arrangements are very proper. We must ensure that everything is perfect. No mistakes can be made." Manager Qin said solemnly with a hoarse voice.
"Don't worry, Manager Qin. We will load the ship tomorrow, cover it with reed mats, and pile some rice and flour goods on top, and there will be no flaws. The water and land checkpoints along the way have been taken care of long ago, and they won't cause us any trouble. Please put one hundred and twenty
Ten hearts." Old Feng's voice said.
"Well, you must be careful. Butler Lu told me a few days ago that someone wrote a note to the court, which may involve the business here, so I have to be extra cautious. This is the prince's big business, you
You also know that hundreds of thousands of taels of silver are circulating here, so we can't take it lightly. Otherwise, you and I will both lose our heads." Manager Qin said solemnly.
"I understand, I understand, I understand. I will be more careful. Do you want Manager Qin to inspect the goods? Count the quantities?" Old Feng said.
"That's not necessary. I can rest assured that you will do the work. Just load it and ship it as planned tomorrow morning. By the way, you have specially prepared a few pieces of goods and will ship them to Nanchang tomorrow. You can pick them up from the warehouse later.
"One white tiger, two golden leopard skins, and twenty rhinoceros horns." Manager Qin said.
"Manager Qin, these goods are not on the main trading house's list. These are extremely valuable things." Old Feng said hurriedly.
"Nonsense, of course not. This is what the prince wants. The prince will go to Beijing in October and bring some good things to those in the inner court. Some officials in the court also need to take care of them. These things are brought to them. In addition to
In addition to gold and silver, these guys have to use these good things to support them." Manager Qin said.
"That's it. I'll go and get it now. Hey, these are rare and good things. A piece of white tiger skin is worth tens of thousands of taels of silver. A rhinoceros horn is worth 500 taels. When carved into a cup, it costs even more.
Double it three to five times and just give it to those guys in the court. The prince is really willing to give it up." Old Feng smacked his lips.
"What do you know? The prince has his own plan. Just follow it. What are you worrying about? This is the receipt. These things are included in the accounts of the prince. Don't get them mixed up. When the time comes to check, one thing is missing and you can't afford to pay for it.
." Manager Qin shouted.
"Yes, yes, a villain shouldn't talk too much. Haha, these things are not up to par. Even if the villain smashes the bones, he can't afford to pay for it. Don't worry about the management. I will take care of it now." Old Feng said with an apologetic smile.
The two people talked for a few words and then left.
Zhang Yanling and Chen Shiyi listened to all the conversation they just had. Although Chen Shiyi was confused, Zhang Yanling was also extremely confused.
Although the identities of these two people are unknown, it can be basically guessed that they are the people in charge of the manor. The titles of 'Steward Lu' and 'Prince' appeared in the mouth of Steward Qin. Another one named Lu, and that
Mr. Lu should be the same person.
But who is the prince? Is Butler Lu the prince’s butler? Nanchang Prefecture General Trading Company? Could it be the prince of Nanchang Prefecture? Could it be Prince Ning Zhu Chenhao? How could Zhu Chenhao get involved in this huge smuggling interest network? He
What is the relationship with local officials in Guangzhou Prefecture?
Zhang Yanling seemed to have touched something, but he couldn't figure it out for a while. The more this matter was investigated, the more people were involved, and the background of the people involved became bigger. Businessmen, officials, princes, and people from Folangji.
It's getting more and more complex and terrifying.
But at this moment, we could no longer stay here for long. After those people left with lanterns, Zhang Yanling and Chen Shiyi immediately turned back along the waterway and returned to the city in the early morning.
…
In the afternoon, on Dustpan Street in Fudong City, Guangzhou, Zhang Yanling and Chen Shiyi pretended to be shopping masters and servants, strolling along this ordinary street.
This street is a market where civilians live. The houses on both sides are dilapidated and the streets are narrow and uneven. Several children are playing in the street, dirty and noisy. The people here look nervous and look at people with eyes.
With a wary expression.
Zhang Yanling visited several shops, and when she was shopping, the shopkeepers greeted her with smiles and were attentive, but once Zhang Yanling asked that question, they immediately turned against her.
"I heard... someone went missing on our street the night before. But has he been found?" Zhang Yanling tried to ask in a gentle tone.
"If you don't know this, don't ask us."
"I don't know about this matter. If you want to ask, please ask the government. We ordinary people don't know about this matter."
"Do you want to buy something? If you don't want to buy something, please do it yourself. We ordinary people don't know these things."
The people's reaction was very frightened. It was obvious that they didn't know, but they just didn't dare to talk about it and didn't want to answer. Zhang Yanling guessed that these people were either afraid of causing trouble or were under pressure.
However, Zhang Yanling quickly used a few candy figures to get clues from the mouths of two seven- and eight-year-old children. No matter what the pressure, the two seven- and eight-year-old children would tell them what they knew if they had candy.
"I know, I know, it's Brother Dongxin from Father Tian's house. Father Tian and his wife's eyes were swollen from crying. There were people in the Yamen this morning."
"I know it too. It is indeed brother Dongxin from the Tian family. Yesterday he bought sweet cookies for me to eat. The night before yesterday, he went to pick up medicine for Mrs. Tian when she went out. He was just at the corner of the street. He disappeared. The medicine bag was scattered
All over the place...are you here to help find someone? I'll take you there."
The two children actively led the way and led Zhang Yanling and the two to the closed door of a dilapidated house in the alley. Zhang Yanling rewarded each of them with a tael of silver and told them not to tell anyone about this matter, otherwise the money would be taken back.
.
The two children raised their hands and swore, clutched the money tightly, and ran away.
The wooden door of the small courtyard was tightly closed, and vines were wrapped around the gatehouse that was about to collapse, giving it a dilapidated scene.
Zhang Yanling and Chen Shi climbed over the wall and entered the yard. A dog barked in the yard, and then the door opened in the main room. A burly, ordinary-dressed young man came out and saw two strangers standing there.
The yard suddenly changed color.
"Who are you? How did you break into someone's house?" shouted the young man.
Zhang Yanling was surprised. How could a young descendant appear out of nowhere? Could it be that the descendant of the Tian family has not disappeared? Is he back again?
"Tian Dongxin?" Zhang Yanling asked.
The young man looked at the two of them in astonishment and asked loudly: "Who are you? Do you know the whereabouts of my cousin?"
"Ah, Shijian, who is it? Who knows the whereabouts of Dongxin?" Two gray-haired old men and women poked their heads out from behind Hou Sheng, their faces full of anxiety and expectation.