Chapter 231: The Corrupt Merchant’s Victory
The two were watching from the opposite bank, when their subordinates reported what had happened inside and outside the tunnel.
Zhu Xiuyi was immediately stunned there, unable to speak for a long time. On the contrary, Xiahou Bupo, as an onlooker, said in a deep voice: “It’s good and bad, but in any case, the trouble is big.”
“Yes…” Hearing this, Zhu Xiuyi nodded with mixed feelings: “The situation is about to lose control.”
“Mm.” Xiahou Bupo nodded in agreement.
What the two said was easy to understand. Now all the grandmasters of the various clans had been rounded up and trapped in the cave, with only the Xiahou Clan’s grandmaster unscathed, making the Xiahou Clan’s advantage over the various clans even more disparate. Moreover, with Zhou Huang and Huan Daoji taking the blame, there was no need to worry about the various clans pointing fingers at the Xiahou Clan, which was naturally a good thing.
But in the original plan, Xiahou Bubai should have brought Cui Dingzhi and Xie Ding out, first to clear the Xiahou Clan of suspicion, and second, to balance the strength of the Pei Clan, Cui Clan, and Xie Clan, while establishing ruling dominance over the Imperial Family and other various clans.
But Cui Dingzhi and Xie Ding did not escape, which was a bit overdoing it. Although on the surface the Xiahou Clan’s advantage was greater, this would surely arouse some suspicion from the Cui Clan and Xie Clan toward the Xiahou Clan.
As the saying goes, a fence needs three stakes, a good man needs three helpers. Relying solely on the Xiahou Clan alone, it was impossible to seize under heaven; there needed to be loyal left and right arms to help! Once even the Cui Clan and Xie Clan became suspicious, the Xiahou Clan’s advantage would shrink far more than on paper…
“What worries me most is,” Zhu Xiuyi said with a worried expression: “Whether Zhou Huang and Huan Daoji’s actions were orchestrated by someone behind the scenes, or just a pure accident.”
“The latter possibility doesn’t exist.” Xiahou Bupo said indifferently.
“Yes.” Zhu Xiuyi gave a self-mocking smile: “Our prior arrangements were so meticulous, how could they have been a pure accident?” His face then darkened as he said: “Exactly who is one step ahead, using others to kill?”
“Mm. Cough cough, that’s the most troublesome part.” In the cold wind, Xiahou Bupo’s coughing was exceptionally clear as he said: “Being able to use others to kill means they have seen through our every move.” He said with shock and anger: “Exactly who could toy with my Xiahou Clan in the palm of their hand?”
“…” Zhu Xiuyi pondered with a grim face for a moment, then slowly said: “That person from ten years ago.”
“Him!” Xiahou Bupo’s expression changed, involuntarily recalling that mysterious person from back then who had single-handedly ignited the great clash between the Qianming Emperor and the noble clans. Even more unacceptable was that the Xiahou Clan had investigated openly and secretly for ten years, yet still didn’t know that person’s identity! “If it’s him, then he indeed has that capability.”
“Very likely it’s him.” Zhu Xiuyi said in a deep voice: “The same methods, the same timing, and the same insidious vileness!” He gnashed his teeth: “This time, we can’t let him escape again!”
“Yes,” Xiahou Bupo deeply agreed: “If we don’t drag this person out, we’ll surely suffer from him again in the future!”
.
“Achoo!” On an unremarkable merchant ship on the Luo River, Shang Yun sneezed repeatedly, wiping his nose with a handkerchief while cursing: “Damn it, even a good person like me has someone cursing him?!”
His words made Zhou Huang and Huan Daoji, who had just boarded after several transfers, roll their eyes. This fat man who had just buried over a dozen grandmasters actually called himself a good person…
“Boss Shang, we’ve completed what you asked us to do.” But Zhou Huang couldn’t be bothered to mock Shang Yun, and asked the fat man in a deep voice: “When will you go save my clan members?!”
“Don’t be hasty…” Shang Yun said leisurely.
“How can I not be hasty?!” Seeing him unhurried, Zhou Huang instantly flew into a rage, grabbing Shang Yun’s collar: “They already know my identity, do you understand? They could implicate my clan members at any time, got it?!”
“Cough cough, let go first, let go…” Shang Yun was choked until his face turned pale, his face swelling a size larger.
“Village Master Zhou, calm down.” The man who had initially led the two to meet Shang Yun suddenly grabbed Zhou Huang’s wrist. Zhou Huang involuntarily let go. He turned out to be a Heavenly Rank Grandmaster too! “My boss never cheats anyone, young or old; he won’t let you lose out.”
“Yes, Old Zhou, Boss Shang must have already arranged your clan members properly,” Huan Daoji also smiled from the side: “Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so composed.”
“Is that so?!” Zhou Huang didn’t believe the man, but trusted Huan Daoji completely. He couldn’t help but look coldly at Shang Yun.
“Cough cough, yes, that’s how it is.” Shang Yun depressedly rubbed his throat and said irritably: “Right when you made your move, your family was already sent to Qiongzhou and shipped out to sea. In a few days, there will be news of a shipwreck. Hope you don’t get agitated then, because the so-called shipwreck is just a cover for your clan members’ escape.”
“Is that so?!” Zhou Huang was overjoyed and apologetically said to Shang Yun: “I’m so sorry, Boss, I was too impulsive!” In his speech, he had already changed his address for Shang Yun to Boss, the implication clear.
“I was at fault too; this is a lesson learned. I definitely won’t keep a grandmaster in suspense again.” Shang Yun shook his head with a bitter smile and said: “In a month or so, Village Master Zhou’s clan members will send you a letter, and then you’ll know if I’m telling the truth.”
“Mm. Where will they go?” Zhou Huang asked eagerly. Back then, with the village surrounded airtight, under his old father’s threat of death, he had no choice but to break out alone. But the shame of abandoning his clan members to save himself had tormented him day and night, making him suffer endlessly. Only now did Zhou Huang feel a sense of relief…
“Hehe, in any case, they’ll have no worries about food or clothing, and be very safe.” But Shang Yun teasingly kept it vague again: “Village Master Zhou, please believe me; you will reunite one day.”
“…” This time Zhou Huang didn’t retort, but nodded with a bitter smile: “I understand.” He knew his clan members would become hostages ensuring his loyalty to the Han Society—or rather, to Shang Yun.
“And Brother Huan?” Shang Yun nodded in satisfaction and turned to Huan Daoji.
“Don’t worry, I’ve always kept my word.” Huan Daoji smiled faintly, looking at Shang Yun: “However, Boss Shang, I’m very curious—how did you know about the Xiahou Clan’s scheme?”
“How did Brother Huan know it was the Xiahou Clan behind it?” A flash of admiration passed through Shang Yun’s eyes as he smiled and asked in return.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Huan Daoji rolled his eyes: “If Xiahou Bubai wasn’t in the know beforehand, why would he rush to the hub room like he was attending a funeral, and attack with killing intent the moment he saw someone?”
“True enough.” Shang Yun nodded with a smile: “But some things, once explained, don’t seem so clever, so I’ve always been unwilling to spell them out.”
“Just this once, how about it?” Huan Daoji was truly curious and smiled: “Look, I’ve already submitted my token of allegiance; won’t you give me a welcome gift?”
“True enough.” Shang Yun smiled in deep agreement, nodding lightly, and said softly to Huan Daoji: “It’s actually very simple. You also know that my merchant family’s business covers all industries, all prefectures and counties.”
“Yes, so what?” Huan Daoji nodded.
“A little over a month ago, our brokerages in Bianzhou and other places received a commission to recruit a batch of miners.” Shang Yun said indifferently: “At the same time, the ironware shops in Liang Prefecture were commissioned to produce a batch of mining tools.”
“Commissioned by the Xiahou Clan?” Huan Daoji pressed.
“No, it was under someone else’s name, looking completely unrelated to the Xiahou Clan.” Shang Yun confessed.
Huan Daoji grew even more puzzled: “Your merchant family handles thousands of deals every day; how did this lead you to think of the Xiahou Clan?”
“This isn’t a small matter; it’s a huge deal,” Shang Yun’s fat face trembled with excitement: “To you great aristocratic families, industry and commerce are trivial. But to us merchants, this is someone mining behind our backs—what gall?!” Fearing Huan Daoji wouldn’t understand, Shang Yun explained further: “Under heaven’s mines belong to Great Xuan, but are operated by our merchant family.”
“Someone touched your taboo.” Huan Daoji now understood.
“That’s the idea…” Shang Yun said a bit embarrassed: “So my merchant family was very tense about this and immediately had people track those miners and tools, who knew they all went to Mount Mang…”
