Looking north towards the rivers and mountains

Chapter 147 Earning Him to Join Us

Nothing much is happening in Kunshan Prefecture.

As far as Qi Le knew, the biggest thing lately was collecting arrears, and even a minor official like himself had been sent out to assist Yu Zheng in collecting money. That was all.

Qi Erlang said they've been catching petty thieves lately.

Once, Inspector Yan received a report from a salt merchant and wanted to arrest the salt smugglers. The entire patrol almost knelt down before him, begging him not to take action—"You didn't even accept the salt merchant's bribe, what are you after?"

In the end, the plan was abandoned.

Cheng Ji didn't have much to say, only replying with "Nothing happened."

When Shao Shuyi heard this response, he almost burst out laughing. Old Cheng had actually been holding back the whole time; his biggest fear was that Yu Xichang's killing of the official would be exposed. Yu Chu then mentioned that after the autumn transport fleet returned, organizing the grain transport registers would be a priority.

The province, by a stroke of grace, exempted seafarers from miscellaneous corvée labor for another year. However, when they requested an increase in the seafarer's fare, the Central Secretariat rejected the request, saying only that the seafarers' arrears could be delayed and that there was no need to press them so hard.

Manager Mo didn't hear any official news, only that a relative of the Shen family had bought a boat and wanted to transport goods for Madam Shen. They had their eyes on Shao Shuyi and said it was inappropriate to hand over the cargo transport business to an outsider for no reason.

In addition, after gaining experience in Huzhou, Lu Zhonghe felt that his ability to manage affairs had been greatly improved. Therefore, he suggested that the couple invest in buying a boat and hiring sailors so that they could transport goods themselves and save the money.

After hearing all this news, Shao Shuyi felt relieved, as if everything was alright, until he appeared at the Qingqi Shop and met Liu Huipeng and Bian Yuanheng.

"Shao, you scoundrel! Your crimes have been exposed. Come with us." This image involuntarily popped into Shao Shuyi's mind.

"Shao She," Liu and Bian said, rising to greet him.

After returning the greeting, Shao Shuyi asked, "Do you two know each other?"

"No, we met at the inn," Liu Huipeng said with a smile. "After learning that we were all looking for you, we decided to travel together."

Shao Shuyi smiled and invited the two to the kitchen, where he asked the cook, Huang, to brew tea.

Huang's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Shao Shuyi understood, came to the outside of the kitchen, and asked in a low voice, "What is it?"

"A few days ago, the fourth son of the second branch of the Zheng family came over and said that you were neglecting your duties, that you were rarely seen, and that you were managing the inn in a terrible state. After reporting to the third branch, he brought the accountant over to audit the accounts and said... that some expenses had been overspent. If you bring people back in the future, you can't spend money recklessly," Huang said.

Shao Shuyi suddenly realized.

To be honest, he was usually very careful, trying his best not to misuse public funds, and even if he did, he would make up for it with money. But over time, there were bound to be oversights, mostly involving small amounts like a few hundred coins or a string of cash, which he forgot to record in the accounts. Huang didn't dare to remind him, which is how people caught him.

"Who is the fourth son of the second wife?" he asked.

"Zheng Sheng." Speaking of this person, Madam Huang was also somewhat indignant, saying, "He was a bad seed even as a child. He stole offerings from the ancestral hall, got into fights, was a liar, framed others, and spied on people."

"Alright, alright," Shao Shuyi said, unable to suppress a laugh. "Did Zheng Sheng say anything?"

"He said the porcelain shop will soon have a manager, and the accountant will also need to be replaced." Madam Huang glanced at Shao Shuyi furtively and said, "You...you might be sent to another inn."

[Remember the fastest online novel website: 20 ...

"Huh?" Shao Shuyi was somewhat surprised. It wasn't a direct dismissal, but a job transfer.

He thought Zheng Sheng was making such a fuss, finding fault with him, to get leverage to fire him, but it turned out he was just transferred to another shop. However, this was quite in line with Zheng Guozhen's style. He was ruthless and cold-hearted, yet overly shrewd, wanting to squeeze every last drop of value from others—just like his former boss.

"Thank you for telling me," Shao Shuyi said. "It's alright, they can't do anything to me."

Huang nodded repeatedly, like a chicken pecking at rice. After a moment, perhaps remembering something, her face paled, and she stammered, "Accountant, you...you won't...you won't do anything, will you?"

Shao Shuyi shook his head and chuckled, saying, "What nonsense are you thinking? Go brew some tea, use good tea. I'll have Yu She bring the money to the account later, so you won't be in a difficult position."

"Oh, okay." Mrs. Huang left, her mind heavy with worry.

Why does everyone think I would commit murder and arson? He sighed and returned to the kitchen to chat with Liu and Bian.

Liu Huipeng first visited friends in Suzhou, then went to the provincial capital Hangzhou, then Shaoxing and Qingyuan, and even took a boat trip to Changguo Prefecture. He traveled around for a long time before returning, saying that he had broadened his horizons and gained a lot.

"Brother Liu, what are your plans for the future? Are you going back to Jiangxi?" Shao Shuyi said, "I have a boat going to Jiangzhou in the winter, and I can give you a ride along the way." Upon hearing this, Liu Huipeng stood up to thank him, and then said, "I still have some travel money on me, and I plan to go to Yangzhou, Gaoyou, and Huai'an to see the local customs and culture."

"Huainan is not safe," Bian Yuanheng suddenly said.

Shao Shuyi looked over and felt that he was implying something.

Bian Yuanheng understood his meaning and said, "Shao She, may I speak to you in private?"

Shao Shuyi nodded, then looked at Liu Huipeng.

"It's alright, please make yourself at home, Mr. Shao," Liu Huipeng said with a smile, picking up his teacup.

Shao Shuyi then went to the courtyard with Bian Yuanheng.

Bian Yuanheng looked around to make sure no one was there before saying, "I came out to lay low. People in Yangzhou, Huai'an, and Gaoyou are all looking for me." "What for?" Shao Shuyi asked in a low voice, his expression unchanged.

Bian Yuanheng sighed and briefly recounted the recent events.

It turns out that the matter of the Yuxi Patrol Office being severely damaged and the patrol officer being killed has never been resolved and has been under investigation. However, the Yuan court is not very efficient, and the whole process has been dragging on for a long time.

So far, due to the cross-provincial nature of the case and the lack of solid evidence from Tongzhou, the Jiangsu-Zhejiang province has completely ignored the official letter from Bianliang this month and simply shelved it. You say the thief might be from Jiangsu-Zhejiang? Where's the evidence? No evidence, go cool off somewhere else. I'll talk about it when I have time.

However, Gaoyou and Huai'an are both located in Jiangbei Province of Henan Province, so there is no need to handle cases across provinces. Therefore, apart from the initial coordination taking a lot of time, the entire process did not take long.

In the middle of last month, Yancheng County found Bian Shizhen, intending to take his son Bian Yuanheng away for interrogation.

Bian Shizhen had at least served as the commander of Yudongchang, but he resigned due to the death of a parent and was currently a waiting official, not a commoner, so he couldn't make things too ugly. In addition, Bian Shizhen kept asking his former teachers, colleagues, and even former subordinates for help, so there was great resistance to taking action against their family, and the matter remained unresolved.

Bian Yuanheng fled overnight and went to Suzhou to seek refuge with his cousin Shi Nai'an.

After living there for a month, Bian Yuanheng realized that his cousin's life was also difficult, so he decided to leave. After much deliberation, he decided that since Shao Shuyi was the one who caused this incident, he should come to Liujiagang to confront him and demand an explanation.

As luck would have it, while lodging in Taicang, they encountered Liu Huipeng, who was also traveling on a shoestring budget. The two then went together to the antique shop, waiting for Shao's return. Shao Shuyi, having now understood the whole story, was quite helpless. However, he admitted that he had played a part in Bian Yuanheng's undeserved misfortune, and said, "Sixth Brother, this matter arose because of me, and I cannot stand idly by. How about this, you stay here with me for now, and return home after things have calmed down in Huai'an, what do you say?"

"Stay here..." Liu Yuanheng asked, slightly confused. "For how long?"

"Stay as long as you want," Shao Shuyi laughed. "It's just adding a set of chopsticks and a bowl, no big deal. By the way, do you need any money?" Before Bian Yuanheng could answer, he subconsciously called out "Yu She."

Yu Yuan responded from afar and jogged over, asking, "Brother, what's the matter?"

"Get five ingots of paper money for Brother Bian," Shao Shuyi said.

"No." Bian Yuanheng immediately grabbed Yu Yuan, who was about to leave.

Yu Yuan struggled, but couldn't break free.

Bian Yuanheng released his grip, looked at Shao Shuyi, and said, "I can't accept money without merit. Besides, this isn't your fault. Who would have thought that just stopping to say hello would lead to such a scoundrel taking advantage of me?"

"Of course." Shao Shuyi gestured for Yu Yuan to fetch the money while saying in a low voice, "To be honest, I did do that." Bian Yuanheng was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "Why did you say that?"

"I trust you," Shao Shuyi said with a smile. "Besides, those people from the Yuxi Patrol Office take bribes and prey on the people. They are accomplices of the dog court. What crime is there in killing them? I am merely acting on behalf of Heaven. Brother Bian seems to be a kind-hearted person as well. I was pleased to meet you and wanted to befriend you, so I dared not hide anything from you."

Bian Yuanheng was somewhat moved and sighed, "Shao She's demeanor is truly captivating. However, I cannot eat and stay for free. Is there anything I can do to help? I know a few martial arts skills and am somewhat strong. If there is anything I can do to help, just let me know."

Upon hearing this, Shao Shuyi laughed and said, "We're all brothers, so we should share both good times and bad."

As they were talking, Yu Yuan had already brought over the banknotes.

Shao Shuyi took it and stuffed it into Bian Yuanheng's hand, saying, "If there are any old scores, just settle them. You can spend the rest yourself, and come to me if you need more."

Bian Yuanheng instinctively wanted to refuse, but Shao Shuyi didn't give him the chance. In the end, he could only sigh and accept the money.

At this moment, Shao Shuyi seemed to have thought of something and said, "Since we are avoiding trouble abroad, we can't use our original names to avoid being discovered by those with ulterior motives."

Bian Yuanheng nodded and said, "It's just a matter of hiding my identity, I understand. Shao She, just arrange any identity for me." "Alright." Shao Shuyi thought for a moment and said, "Since you have the reputation of 'Tiger Slayer,' you can use the pseudonym 'Wu Song.'"

Bian Yuanheng didn't think much of it, and besides, the name wasn't bad, so he readily agreed: "Okay, from now on I'll call myself Wu Song."

Shao Shuyi thought for a moment and said, "Brother Wu, please stay at the shop for a few days. After I gather all the brothers, we will go to Honghu Tower in Taicang to welcome you back." "Oh, no, no, no!" Bian Yuanheng was startled and quickly declined.

"Of course," Shao Shuyi said with a smile; "I was also planning to gather the brothers for a meal before heading out on business."

Hearing this, Bian Yuanheng felt somewhat relieved, but couldn't help asking, "Shao She, may I ask what you need help with? Is there anything I can do to assist you?" Shao Shuyi hesitated for a moment, then finally waved his hand, saying, "No, no. This person has no grudge against you; it's not appropriate for you to help." Upon hearing this, Bian Yuanheng felt even more embarrassed. He grabbed Shao Shuyi and said earnestly, "Shao She just said you'd share both good times and bad; does that mean it's no longer true?"

Seeing Bian Yuanheng's solemn expression, Shao Shuyi chuckled to himself and said, "It seems I wasn't magnanimous enough. Oh well, we'll talk about it on the day of the banquet." "Alright." Bian Yuanheng didn't waste any words and said, "I still have luggage at the inn, I'll go get it now. You keep Ji Ming company for a while; he's very knowledgeable and eloquent, he's really broadened my horizons along the way. If you can persuade him to stay, that would be even better, as the Huainan and Huaidong areas are still a bit chaotic." After saying that, he clasped his hands in a fist and left, decisively and cleanly.