Chapter 63

Shen Qingyan had once said that her cousin Jin Wangguan was the most famous and powerful merchant in Liaodong, with connections that could reach the heavens and the ability to do anything. Zhang Ke had only imagined him as someone who would wear gold and silver, exude authority, and be unrivaled.

Who knew that Jin Wangguan was actually dressed in coarse clothes, eating hard bread, and his appearance was not at all pretentious. After finishing a piece, he even poured the crumbs in his hand into his mouth, not wasting a bit.

This was not the richest man in Liaodong; he was clearly just a cart driver!

Jin Wangguan smiled and stood up, approaching Hong Fuchao and respectfully bowing.

"Lord Hong, I manage the mines for the court and work for the court and the palace. Every coin in my hands is a sign of the court's trust, not my personal property. If I were to misuse it, I would be putting my neck on the chopping block. I am not that foolish!"

Hong Fuchao smiled and said, "Mr. Jin, your cautious approach is truly a model for merchants. However, I have heard in the capital that Jin Wangguan controls over 90% of the gold and silver mines in Liaodong, with mountains of gold and silver at home. If that is the case, being too frugal is not wise. What do you think, Mr. Jin?"

"Lord Hong, your advice is well taken. However, I feel that this is already very good. Clothes should be warm enough, and food should be enough to fill the stomach. When my father started his business, he traveled for two days without any food, and when he was hungry, he could only drink water. I started traveling with my father at the age of fifteen, and for the first three years, I slept in stables, lying on a pile of horse manure. Today's life is already in heaven, and I dare not have any more desires!"

Listening to Jin Wangguan's words, Hong Fuchao was deeply moved and could not help but say, "Mr. Jin, you are truly a model for merchants. Nowadays, the风气of luxury is growing, especially among those wealthy merchants who spend money like water, completely unaware of the difficulties of the state!"

Jin Wangguan smiled and said, "Lord Hong, your concern for the country and the people is admirable. I cannot control other powerful merchants, but I rely on the court for my livelihood, and I walk on thin ice every day, never daring to be negligent!"

Listening to their conversation, Zhang Ke was secretly calculating in his heart.

If one only looks at Jin Wangguan's demeanor, he is absolutely the most conscientious merchant in the world, a model of a Confucian merchant.

But fate played a trick on him. When Zhang Ke went to Guangning, he saw Jin Wangguan's private residence, and he could say for sure that Jin Wangguan was not as gentle and modest as he appeared!

A fox cannot be without its stench!

The more you act, the more I can see through your lies!

The more you lie, the more suspicious you become!

The breakthrough to clear my brother's name might be in him.

Thinking of this, Zhang Ke stood up and walked to Jin Wangguan's opposite side with a smile.

"Mr. Jin, I also do some business and have some questions to ask."

Jin Wangguan quickly turned his head and saw a young man of about seventeen or eighteen standing opposite, with clear features and a fair complexion. However, his high nose and sharp eyes carried a hint of killing intent, making people dare not underestimate him.

"Ha ha ha, if I am not mistaken, you are not a merchant but a military general! You probably have nothing to do with business, right?"

Hong Fuchao immediately burst into laughter, "Yongzhen, Mr. Jin's eyesight is quite good!"

"Master, Mr. Jin's eyesight is indeed good, but his mind may not be as sharp."

Jin Wangguan immediately laughed and looked at Zhang Ke with interest.

"I have never heard anyone say that my mind is not sharp. Where did I go wrong? Please enlighten me, friend."

Zhang Ke chuckled, "Mr. Jin, let's be straightforward. I am about to take up the position of defense officer at Dacheng Fort. However, my soldiers are fleeing, the fields are barren, and the grain and salaries cannot be collected. The court's silver is also insufficient. After much thought, I can only rely on business to make some extra money to support the military."

Jin Wangguan nodded and said, "You are indeed a good official. Most military officers think about embezzling money and salaries, but you want to support the military, which is rare. If I remember correctly, Dacheng Fort is in Yizhou Wei, not far from Guangning. If you want to do business, it's best to go to the horse market in Guangning!"

This Jin Wangguan indeed has some skills, immediately pointing out the way to make money.

Zhang Ke smiled, "Mr. Jin is indeed impressive, but long-distance trade is not easy. I just saw Mr. Jin's convoy, with sturdy carts and the Jin family's flag. I wonder if Mr. Jin has any spare vehicles, even for rent?"

Jin Wangguan smiled slightly and said, "You have a keen eye. Normally, with Lord Hong here, I cannot refuse you. However, this convoy is exclusively for the Jin family. Only our business partners can use it, not outsiders!"

"Oh!"

Zhang Ke smiled, "In business, rules are the most important. I understand."

They talked a bit more, and everyone was exhausted, lying down and soon snoring loudly, the sound almost shaking the roof.

Zhang Ke could not sleep and had no intention of sleeping, his black eyes gazing up at the ceiling.

From their conversation, he had already obtained the information he wanted. If his brother really detained the Jin family's convoy, and the Jin family's carts are not lent out, then Jin Wangguan is very likely to be smuggling to the Tartars, making him the most unscrupulous merchant in Liaodong!

Thinking back to what Shen Qingyan had said, Jin Wangguan had the ability to obtain medicinal herbs from the old slave, and considering his inconsistent behavior, his suspicion grew.

How to make him reveal his true nature, and how to take down the backing behind Jin Wangguan...

Even if Jin Wangguan is extremely intelligent, he would never imagine that someone under the same roof is determined to oppose him!

...

At the beginning of the second watch, Zhang Ke immediately got up. Everyone rubbed their sleepy eyes, packed their things, and prepared to set off. On the other side, Jin Wangguan's convoy was already almost ready, faster than Zhang Ke's group.

The two groups set off almost simultaneously. Zhang Ke's group headed straight for Shenyang, while Jin Wangguan went to Liaoyang.

They parted ways at the fork in the road and had not gone more than ten miles when Zhang Ke suddenly stopped, waved his hand, and called over Ma Biao, whispering a few words. Ma Biao nodded hurriedly and turned to chase Jin Wangguan's convoy.

Zhang Ke's group continued on their way, and Hong Fuchao poked his head out of the carriage.

"Yongzhen, are you suspicious of Jin Wangguan?"

"Master, your keen eyes see everything."

Hong Fuchao was not entirely convinced and said, "Yongzhen, I talked with Jin Wangguan last night and found him to be cautious, hardworking, and frugal, not like a madman. Take me, for example, I said I would quit drinking, but after passing the imperial examination, I couldn't control myself. Jin Wangguan has been successful for over ten years and can still wear coarse clothes and eat dry bread, which is not easy!"

Zhang Ke smiled slightly, "Master, if this were the first time I met Jin Wangguan, I wouldn't suspect him, but unfortunately, I was almost cheated by his servants."

Zhang Ke immediately recounted the incident in Guangning, of course, omitting the part about setting fire and robbing the silver.

"Master, Jin Wangguan's private residence is magnificent and unique, with decorations worth a fortune. I dare not say more, but at least Jin Wangguan is inconsistent!"

Hong Fuchao could not help but shake his head in disbelief, but he also knew that Zhang Ke would not lie to him. However, Jin Wangguan's act was too convincing, even fooling him.

"Ah, if this person is not genuine, he must be a great villain! If the top merchant of Liaodong colludes with the Tartars, it would involve many people!"

Both teacher and student were not at ease, feeling both the joy of seeing the truth and the fear in their hearts. Jin Wangguan was supported by the inner court and directly reported to the eunuch supervisor of the Liaodong mines, involving the emperor himself!

With a full heart of suspicion, they traveled for more than a day and finally arrived in Shenyang.

As the front line against the Tartars, the city gates of Shenyang were filled with soldiers, and all merchants and travelers entering the city were strictly checked. Any issues would result in immediate imprisonment and severe interrogation.

On the wooden stakes by the city wall, five or six men with bare torsos were being whipped, their skin torn and bleeding. They were said to be spies sent by the Tartars.

Zhang Ke and his group had no worries. Hong Fuchao showed his credentials, and the guards, upon hearing that a military inspector was arriving, were terrified and respectfully escorted Hong Fuchao into the city.

"Sir, the governor and several generals are currently overseeing an execution. Would you like to rest at the inn first?" the small official asked nervously.

"Execution? Who is being executed, and why does the governor need to be present?"

"Sir, you don't know. They are executing a battalion commander named Zhang Feng, who forced a merchant to death, causing public outrage. General He insisted on protecting him, so Governor Zhou personally oversaw the execution..."

"What!"

Hearing this, Zhang Ke rushed forward, his eyes red, and grabbed the man by the collar.

"Take me to the execution ground now!"

"Sir... this..." he wanted to ask Hong Fuchao's opinion.

Hong Fuchao also glared and said sternly, "What are you waiting for? Take us there now!"

They ran as fast as they could. After running a few hundred meters, they suddenly heard a loud bang!

The soul-snatching cannon!

Zhang Ke's soul almost left his body. He had thought of countless ways to save the person, but he had not considered what to do if the head was already cut off! The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. If his brother really had a crime, it should be reported to the court for approval, and it would not be so quick. The faster they acted, the more suspicious it became.

"Brother, you must not die! I will save you!"

Zhang Ke whipped his horse furiously, with Yang Long and Qiao Fu chasing closely behind. They knocked over countless stalls along the way, and Zhang Ke paid no attention to the curses behind him. Even Hong Fuchao was furious, as it was not yet noon, and such haste in execution suggested an attempt to silence someone!

...

"The time has come, execute!"

"Execute!"

The two words echoed over the execution ground. The executioner, holding a large executioner's sword, took a swig of wine and sprayed it on the sharp blade.

"Sir Zhang, I am the one executing you. Don't blame me when you reach the underworld!"

Sitting on the execution block was a young man in his early twenties, his clothes stained with blood, his muscles exposed, his face bearded, his eyes burning with anger and a hint of helplessness.

"Do it, don't make me suffer, or I'll chase your soul!"

The executioner raised the executioner's sword high, and all the soldiers and civilians present focused their eyes on the blade.

A general in full armor approached the execution block and sneered, "Still not executing?"

The executioner gritted his teeth, and the blade was about to fall.

"Stay the execution!"

The shout was like a thunderclap, and the executioner jumped back in fright. The general glared and drew his saber.

"If you don't execute, I will do it myself!"

He raised his saber, but at that moment, an arrow shot through the air.

"Corrupt official, die