Chapter 67

When Wang Huazhen came, he had already said that to save people, it would be best to alert the Emperor. Zhang Ke still had no confidence, after all, Hong Qingquan had only given him a string of prayer beads. Whether he could help was still uncertain.

But now with this waist tag, Zhang Ke suddenly felt confident.

Think about it, if the people inside the palace were smuggling supplies to the enemy, and then turned around to frame their own people, how would the emperor save face? How would the soldiers on the front lines feel, defending the江山 for the old Zhu family, only to have the emperor's servants aid the enemy? The common people wouldn't know if it was the emperor's intention, but in any case, the eunuchs must have been acting on the emperor's orders!

If it really came to that, without a bloodbath, how could they explain it to the people? Without a thorough investigation, how could the emperor have the face to rule?

Zhang Ke briefly explained the reasons, and Zhang Feng immediately felt hopeful.

"Second brother, is there really a way out? Ha ha, go tell Lord Hong and the others quickly!"

"Big brother, we can't tell them. Only the two of us should know. If a word leaks out, not only will we be in trouble, but we might even implicate them."

Zhang Feng hurriedly nodded, and the two brothers returned to the main hall.

When Hong Fugao saw Zhang Ke return, he smiled and said, "Yongzhen, I just discussed with General He. I think there are two aspects to investigate. First is the military. Jin Sheng wouldn't help switch the goods for no reason; there must be some clues. The other is that the goods are military rations, and because of the rations, there was a mutiny. The rations must have records, and they can't be fabricated. I will immediately check the records."

Zhang Ke said, "My teacher is sharp. I just discussed with my big brother. The merchant caravan transporting the supplies is also suspicious. I will go investigate immediately."

Hong Fugao listened and said, "Alright, let's divide into three groups. We'll meet every evening to summarize our findings!"

After everyone agreed, they immediately split up. He Shixian began to investigate his subordinates. Old He was a rough man, which is why the goods were switched without his knowledge. But he was open to suggestions, and with Hong Fugao's guidance, He Shixian investigated thoroughly, arresting five people on the first day and subjecting them to severe torture.

Hong Fugao, upon arriving at the government office, immediately gathered materials and worked hard to find loopholes.

They were all extremely busy, but Zhang Ke, who should have been the most concerned, was relaxed and carefree, taking Qiao Fu and Yang Long to a teahouse to drink tea and enjoy the scenery.

"This tea is really good, it's from this year's harvest. It's not easy to drink such good tea in Liaodong!"

Zhang Ke said this while sipping the tea, letting the aroma linger on his tongue, thoroughly enjoying it.

"You guys, stop staring and drink quickly. It won't be good if it gets cold."

Qiao Fu glared at Zhang Ke, not knowing what to say. Your big brother is in trouble, and you still have the leisure to drink tea! Qiao Fu was so angry he didn't know what to say, and he drank the tea in one gulp.

"Hmph, what's so good about it? Some people are so engrossed in drinking tea that they forget their duties!"

Zhang Ke, of course, heard Qiao Fu's dissatisfaction but said nothing.

At this moment, a young waiter came to refill their water, holding an iron pot and smiling, "You really know your tea. This 'sparrow tongue' is picked early in the morning by young girls, who hold it in their mouths. One liang of tea costs one liang of silver. In Shenyang, no other teahouse has this except ours."

Zhang Ke smiled, "Little brother, your teahouse really doesn't have the style of the north. It's delicate and elegant, with a touch of the south."

"Ha ha ha, sir, you have a good eye. To be honest, the opposite building, Tianrui Xuan, is owned by the richest merchant in Liaodong, Jin Wanguan. Many merchants from the south come to meet Jin Wanguan, and our teahouse is specially prepared for them. Without the southern flavor, it wouldn't be right!"

"Jin Wanguan must have a big business. Is he often here?"

"Sir, you want to meet Jin Wanguan? Let me tell you, Jin Wanguan rarely comes here. The one who often comes to Tianrui Xuan is Zhu Jinshui. Meeting Zhu Jinshui is the same. They have a good relationship."

The young waiter said this and turned to serve other customers. Zhang Ke continued to drink tea and look at the street.

Yang Long could no longer bear it. He stood up abruptly and bowed to Zhang Ke.

"Second master, you are Master Zhang Feng's brother. According to reason, I shouldn't speak out of turn, but we've been in the teahouse for two days, not doing any real work. Are you just waiting for Master Zhang Feng to be executed?"

Zhang Ke looked at Yang Long and smiled, "Brother Yang, how do you know I'm not doing real work?"

"Hmph, drinking tea every day and chatting with waiters and customers, what kind of real work is that?"

"Ha ha ha, Brother Yang, just watch. I'll save people by drinking tea!" Zhang Ke said, standing up and walking to the window with a smile.

Yang Long looked at Qiao Fu and puffed out his cheeks, "Is he really capable, or just a big eater and a coward?"

Qiao Fu immediately widened his eyes, "Don't talk nonsense. Brother Ke is capable. When we went to Guangning, he found a group of little beggars to help find the fraudsters!"

"Then what's the secret about coming to drink tea?"

Qiao Fu immediately spread his hands and smiled bitterly, "If I could see it, I wouldn't be worried here!"

The two looked at each other, while Zhang Ke stood at the window, looking out at the street. He saw a merchant caravan come out of Tianrui Xuan, with small flags on each cart, embroidered with golden characters.

"See that? There are about thirty carts. Jin Wanguan is about to make a fortune!"

Zhang Ke listened to the others' comments and smiled, "Not necessarily. Thirty carts, it depends on what they're carrying. If it's grain, it might not be worth much."

A fat merchant next to Zhang Ke sneered, "Young man, you're too arrogant. Do you think Jin Wanguan's flags are placed randomly? With this flag, no official in Liaodong would dare to interfere. They only carry valuable goods. Rice and flour wouldn't be worthy of the golden flag!"

"Yes, yes, young man, work hard. If you had a fraction of Jin Wanguan's ability, you'd be rich too."

As they chatted, Zhang Ke quietly left, taking Qiao Fu and Yang Long down from the teahouse.

"Brother Ke, did you find any clues?"

Zhang Ke's face was particularly serious, "I did find a clue. Follow me to find Lord Hong immediately!"

Yang Long and Qiao Fu widened their eyes. They couldn't see anything, but with Zhang Ke's words, they were elated!

Zhang Ke hurried to Hong Fugao's temporary residence, entered the study, and saw piles of documents everywhere. Hong Fugao was staring at them with bloodshot eyes.

"Teacher, your disciple is here."

"Ah, they didn't give me the military rations records at first. After much effort, they finally gave them to me, but they even included records from twenty years ago! They think I can't find anything, but I'll search thoroughly!"

"Ha ha ha, Teacher, you will definitely find it. But I have something important. I want to go pay respects to Zhu Jinhai. Can you help me?"

"Zhu Jinhai? The merchant who hanged himself?"

"Yes!"

"What do you want to see him for?" Hong Fugao frowned, thinking, "Yongzhen, it might actually be a good idea. If Zhu Jinhai's family withdraws the complaint, there might be a chance for a reversal!"

Zhang Ke quickly stopped Hong Fugao's wild thoughts.

"Teacher, I just feel a bit guilty. I just want to see him."

Hong Fugao looked at Zhang Ke with a knowing glance, clearly not believing him.

"Alright, I'll go with you."

They immediately took a dozen soldiers, carrying incense and yellow paper, and went to the Zhu family.

At this time, the Zhu family had a high mourning tent, with white paper hanging, and the courtyard was filled with cries.

"I am Hong Fugao, here to offer incense. Please show me the way!" Hong Fugao shouted loudly.

"It's you, you dog official, who didn't let them kill Zhang Feng. You still have the nerve to come pay respects to my husband? I'll fight you to the death!"

A woman lunged forward, but a young man next to her pulled her back.

"Mother, Lord Hong is an official of the court. You must not be impolite." The young man finally pulled the woman back and said to Hong Fugao, "Lord Hong, my father is already dead. Please do not disturb him!"

"Ha ha ha, Lord Zhu, I didn't let them kill Zhang Feng for the sake of the law. I am here to pay respects to the deceased. Please allow me to do so."

Lord Zhu thought for a moment and finally nodded, "Alright, Lord Hong, please come in."

Hong Fugao led Zhang Ke and the others into the mourning hall, burned incense, and bowed before the coffin. As they were paying respects, the women of the Zhu family also came, shouting insults outside the hall, saying things like "crying over a rat" and "bullying the weak" and "a nest of snakes and rats"...

Hong Fugao had never been insulted so much in his life. He was so angry his face turned green, but Zhang Ke didn't leave, lingering for a full quarter of an hour before returning to their residence. The angry Hong Fugao, with a painful stomach, sat down and said, "Yongzhen, tell me, did you find anything? If not, I'll beat you!"

"Of course I did! Teacher, you'll be happy to hear it."

"Quickly, I'm so angry I don't know where to vent!"

"Ha ha ha, Teacher, Zhu Jinhai is not dead. My big brother did not force the merchant to commit suicide!"