Before entering, Chi Zimo saw Feng Jinlin, and beside him stood Yang Zhao and Xu Lin.
Xu Lin rarely appeared in public, so it was normal for Chi Zimo not to recognize him. However, Yang Zhao, who was disguised, was also difficult to identify, so Chi Zimo did not guess that the person inside would be Xiao Tingyi at first.
"My master has been waiting for Patriarch Chi here for a long time. Please go to the appointment alone."
As Xu Lin spoke, he glanced at the two guards following Chi Zimo.
Both were people with deep qi and extraordinary martial arts.
"Naturally, I, the patriarch, will go to the banquet myself. You two stay here."
"Yes!"
He slowly walked up to the third floor and pushed the door open to see Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi, sitting there calmly, with a woman of heavenly beauty beside him.
He was surprised that the person behind Feng Jinlin was the Prince Ding, who had been ill for many years, and even more surprised that he, who never approached women, was accompanied by such a stunning woman.
The three looked at each other, and Feng Jinyao was also a little surprised.
She knew that the Patriarch of the Chi family was not old, but she never knew that this person also had a face of unparalleled handsomeness.
Standing tall, although of merchant background, he exuded an aura of dominance, and did not flinch under the gaze of Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi.
This demeanor was indeed worthy of the Chi family!
Sensing Feng Jinyao's gaze, Xiao Tingyi's eyes on Chi Zimo became colder.
He hated A Yao paying attention to anyone other than him, and his jealousy was unconcealed. He deliberately overlapped the hem of his robe with Feng Jinyao's skirt to show intimacy.
Chi Zimo, with his sharp eyes, quickly understood Prince Ding's meaning. It seemed this woman was of great significance to him.
"Chi never knew that the renowned Prince Ding would feign illness for many years and manipulate Liang Quanbin to break ties with the Zhu family from behind the scenes. I presume my cousin was also a member of Prince Ding's mansion long ago."
The cousin he mentioned was naturally Chi Lingyou.
The affairs of the Zhu family were all related to his arrangements, and when, where, and who would appear were all within his calculations.
Hearing this, Prince Ding did not conceal it.
"Patriarch Chi is not stupid, to have guessed it so quickly."
"Chi is incompetent, but I still have to manage the affairs of this small family. Naturally, I have to be vigilant, otherwise, if my home is taken away, I will still be counting money for them without knowing it."
While speaking, he walked closer to Prince Ding.
The two looked at each other for a long time, as if testing each other's bottom line. After a moment, Feng Jinyao broke the silence.
"Since Patriarch Chi has come alone, I presume you have also made plans for the disposal of the Zhu family."
"Who is this?"
Before Feng Jinyao could speak, Prince Ding said first, "This is my betrothed. You can call her Princess Consort."
Feng Jinyao maintained her usual composure, but her hands in her sleeves were almost purple from pinching.
This man was truly capable of talking nonsense, but it was a negotiation, and it was not appropriate to refute him on the spot. She could only suppress her anger and settle the score later.
Chi Zimo was surprised, "I have never heard that the Prince had a beloved."
"It will be announced to the world later. Patriarch Chi can wait to drink the wedding wine."
At this point, Chi Zimo paused and then replied.
"Then Chi will not refuse. However, regarding what Princess Consort just said, Chi does not quite understand. The one who plotted against the Zhu family was clearly the Prince, so why are you putting the blame on me?"
Feng Jinyao smiled, "The power of the Zhu family is a coveted prize in anyone's eyes. If the Chi family swallows it, it will be like adding wings to a tiger. I believe Patriarch Chi will not refuse such a beneficial matter, will you?"
"What you said is true, but we merchants also have our principles. The Zhu family has already married into our Chi family. It would be inappropriate to attack the Qin family at this time."
"Patriarch Chi is joking. If it were inappropriate, you would not be here today."
Feng Jinyao's sharp words made Chi Zimo laugh heartily.
"Princess Consort is indeed formidable."
"Let's be frank. Since you and I both intend to deal with the Zhu family, let's cooperate wholeheartedly."
"Oh? How does Princess Consort wish to cooperate?"
"The Zhu family's power will be yours, but we want the evidence of corruption and the official grain."
When the word "corruption" was mentioned, Chi Zimo fell silent.
The Chi family had been entrenched in Jinling City for many years. How could they not know that the Zhu family was involved in the corruption case of the Canal Transport Office?
However, over the past few decades, the connections were intricate, and the collusion between officials and merchants was severe. Therefore, although the Chi family did not participate, they never inquired.
"It seems that the Prince's feigned illness this time was also to clean up this corruption case of the Canal Transport Office."
"Taking from the people, but pocketing it for oneself. Preying on the common people and oppressing them. Patriarch Chi should know what it means to be greedy and insatiable, and it is time to kill the poisonous snake of the Canal Transport Office, isn't it?"
Xiao Tingyi did not hide his disgust for the Canal Transport Office, and Chi Zimo was not a fool.
After thinking for a moment, he asked.
"Was the Supervisor Cao killed by the Prince's men?"
"That's right."
After hearing this decisive answer, Chi Zimo felt that even if he refused now, he would still get into trouble.
Otherwise, Prince Ding would not have let him know so many secrets.
This person before him was a few years younger than him, but his methods were brilliant and precise, giving him no room to breathe.
If he were a merchant, he would be the biggest threat to the Chi family!
"The Chi family's current influence is already unshakable in Jinling City. If the Zhu family is destroyed, it will only be a matter of time before we swallow it. Since Princess Consort wishes to cooperate with Chi, shouldn't you show some sincerity in your cooperation?"
Chi Zimo, being a businessman, naturally wanted to secure the greatest benefit for himself.
One Zhu family was clearly not enough.
Feng Jinyao and Xiao Tingyi exchanged a glance. They had already discussed this on the way. There was indeed something that required the Chi family to handle more appropriately.
So Xiao Tingyi slowly said.
"Does Patriarch Chi know about the Min family hoarding grain?"
"I've heard a little."
"My maternal grandfather hoarded grain at my suggestion. If Patriarch Chi also intends to make a fortune in the future, you might as well take action."
Make a fortune?
Chi Zimo was not very interested in hoarding grain. Compared to the huge profits from maritime trade, this was mere peanuts.
Therefore, after knowing that the Min family was secretly hoarding grain, he did not pay much attention to it.
Now, hearing it from Prince Ding's mouth, he had some thoughts.
"Could it be that the Great Jin is going to war again?"
The biggest consumers of grain were usually natural disasters or man-made calamities. But at present, there were no reports of any disasters or chaos in any region. Coupled with Prince Ding's identity, he had such a bold guess.
"I will only reveal one aspect. Patriarch Chi can guess the rest yourself."
It was a trivial matter, but it was also a test of his ability. If Chi Zimo could not figure out the underlying reasons, the subsequent cooperation would become difficult.