He Sheng placed the detailed intelligence on the Qian family merchants on the table. "The Qian family's business has always been managed behind the scenes by Madam Qian. Qian Shipeng is merely a dandy in Linzhou Prefecture, owning a few shops. Because Governor Zhou's governance is strict, the dandies in Linzhou Prefecture dare not act out of line."
The vast Linzhou Prefecture governed several counties. Although other prefectures considered the entire Longyou Circuit to be barren land, a place of poverty and harsh conditions that bred wicked people, Linzhou Prefecture was slightly more prosperous than other prefectures due to the business of the Qian family's merchant houses.
"The Qian family's most profitable business is the cloth shops?" Under the candlelight, Zhan Feiyu quickly flipped through the intelligence in her hands.
The Qian family's merchant houses had diverse businesses and many shops, covering all aspects of life from food and clothing to housing and transportation. Linzhou Prefecture's largest bank was a Qian family property. However, these shops primarily earned through price differences.
Madam Qian firmly controlled two of the Qian family's most profitable ventures. One was the Linglong Cloth Shop. Although the workshops were located far away in Jiangnan Circuit, Madam Qian was the owner behind the scenes.
Every year, the cloth from the workshops was transported to various shops in Longyou Circuit for sale. They also acquired some defective cloth at low prices. This cloth, cheap and undesirable in Jiangnan where cloth was abundant, became a sought-after commodity in Longyou Circuit.
In addition, the Qian family's clothing shops also sold high-end fabrics and exquisite, elegant ready-to-wear garments. The noble ladies and young ladies of Longyou Circuit flocked to them.
After all, the styles of these clothes originated from Jiangnan, and the wives of officials in the capital also wore them, thus representing status and face.
He Sheng added more charcoal to the brazier and poured tea onto the table. "Besides the cloth shops, the Qian family's horse farms are also under Madam Qian's control."
He Nuan was temporarily imprisoned, and Zhan Feiyu could handle these minor matters herself. However, with He Sheng present, Zhan Feiyu naturally did not need to pour her own tea.
The Qian family engaged in wholesale business, buying goods from other prefectures at low prices through caravans and selling them at high prices in the shops of Longyou Circuit, thus profiting from the price difference.
It was also because of the relationship with the third branch of the Qiu family that the various government offices and people from all walks of life did not cause trouble.
Some bandits, due to Madam Qian's generosity and adequate bribes, did not intercept the Qian family's caravans upon seeing their flags.
Otherwise, if ordinary caravans encountered bandits, not only would there be casualties, but the goods would be looted, and even the horses would be stolen. Without considerable connections, running a business would inevitably lead to ruin.
Zhan Feiyu pondered, her gaze fixed on the information about the Qian family's horse farms. Madam Qian indeed had foresight. In the early years, the horse farms were of moderate scale, and the horses raised were mainly for the caravans.
But over the years, the horse farms had developed. Madam Qian had acquired some high-quality stallions from the barbarians at a high price. Although they did not breed horses like the "blood-sweating horses," they were far superior to ordinary horses.
These horses, when transported to Jiangnan or the capital, were in high demand and sold out quickly. Those who could afford these fine horses were all scions of noble families. With this connection, the Qian family's business also gained an additional layer of security.
"The most profitable cloth shops and horse farms are held in Madam Qian's hands. No wonder she can firmly control the Qian family's business," Zhan Feiyu said, closing the intelligence before her.
The horse farms were closely related to the caravans, and the leaders of the caravans were all loyal to Madam Qian. This meant that the lifeline of the Qian family's business was firmly grasped.
"Can Qian Shipeng's situation be investigated in more detail?" Zhan Feiyu asked.
Qian Shipeng was born to Concubine Huang. Because Qian老爷 doted on her, Qian Shipeng, despite being a son born out of wedlock, owned a restaurant, a tea shop, and various other small businesses. With shopkeepers managing the businesses and the backing of the Qian family, he earned a substantial profit every year.
"Still investigating," He Sheng replied. They had only started investigating Qian Shipeng a few days ago. Even though the spies of the Jinlong Guard were omnipresent, the limited time meant that the information they could gather was restricted.
"Miss, Qian Shipeng is secretly in contact with Governor Zhang, possibly to seize power," He Sheng added. Previously, Madam Qian had the backing of the third branch of the Qiu family and had managed the Qian family for many years, making her position unshakeable.
But now, it was different. The third branch of the Qiu family had fallen into trouble. It would be difficult for Qian Shipeng to seize power alone. However, if he allied with Governor Zhang, his chances of success would be much greater.
He Sheng's deduction was logical, but there were still doubts. Zhan Feiyu spoke, "If Qian Shipeng has been faking it for years, would he really dare to accuse A Nuan?"
With Governor Zhang as his patron, it would be easy for Qian Shipeng to take over the Qian family. But in front of Scholar Gu and the Yang family of the General's Mansion, what was Governor Zhang, who was about to retire, considered?
Offending Zhan Feiyu, even with Governor Zhang's protection, once the Yang family of the General's Mansion intervened, Qian Shipeng would definitely suffer. If he were a true dandy with limited vision, it would be understandable.
But if Qian Shipeng had been pretending in front of Madam Qian for years, it meant he was cunning. Therefore, he would never make a disadvantageous accusation against Zhan Feiyu, thus losing one of his hands.
"The person Governor Zhang is backing comes from the palace, possibly a prince. Qian Shipeng is also focused on this," He Sheng said, his greatest concern being this very point.
He had been somewhat confused before, but compared to siding with Scholar Gu, a prince from the palace had a more promising future. The crown prince had not yet been established, and perhaps he could even gain merit by assisting the prince.
Let alone Governor Zhang and Qian Shipeng, weren't the ministers in the court also restless?
Merit by assisting the prince could lead to becoming a marquis or a prime minister, as exemplified by Scholar Gu. Once tempted, it was natural to seek fortune in danger!
"Continue to keep an eye on Governor Zhang. I will write a letter and have it delivered to Uncle Yang." Zhan Feiyu picked up her brush. Governor Zhang had allied with a prince from the palace, and Madam Zhang was still imprisoned in a secret chamber of the Zhang family. Uncle Yang should be prepared to prevent the Zhang family from turning against them in the future.
"Oh, right, send two people to keep an eye on A Nuan as well," Zhan Feiyu said without looking up. Who knew if Qian Shipeng or Governor Zhang would make a move? Zhan Feiyu dared not take any risks.
He Sheng acknowledged.
Two quarters of an hour later, He Sheng withdrew from the room and handed the letter to the person who appeared from the shadows, sending it at full speed to Yang Shoucheng at the Wei Prefecture military camp.
...
The heavy rain that had lasted for several days finally stopped. The sky cleared. Although the weather was still biting cold, walking in the sunshine was a rare dry and comfortable experience.
The sound of smashing objects echoed. The maids and servants waiting at the door exchanged glances, their eyes focused on their tasks, none daring to intervene.
After all, the young lady smashed things several times a day for the past two days. The shopkeeper of the porcelain shop, who delivered the bowls, chopsticks, cups, and plates, had a smile that reached his eyes.
Dong Yan glanced over and signaled the trembling maid behind her to follow. She then pushed open the door and walked in, as if she hadn't seen the porcelain shards scattered on the floor. "Miss, it's time for breakfast."
Getting angry and smashing things was also a strenuous activity. Despite her fiery temper, Qiu Jingyuan was only a thirteen-year-old girl and was hungry at this moment. However, her delicate face was still covered in frost.
"Clean up," Dong Yan said, carrying the food box. There were two three-tiered food boxes, containing six steaming dishes of breakfast, not including the soup that had yet to be delivered.
"Is Qian Shipeng crazy? He actually dared to go to the yamen to accuse Zhan Feiyu! He wants to die, but I want to return safely to Qianzhong Circuit!" Qiu Jingyuan questioned with a sharp voice, clearly taking her anger out on Dong Yan, who was also from the Qian family.
Dong Yan did not get angry. She placed the bowls and chopsticks properly and then said gently, "This servant has already sent a message back to Linzhou Prefecture. When the caravan arrives in a couple of days, Miss can set off to return."
The escorts hired by Qian Shipeng to protect Qiu Jingyuan were now unavailable because Qian Shipeng was tied up with the lawsuit. Dong Yan was also worried about letting these escorts protect her. However, she was still uneasy about hiring people directly from Suzhou Prefecture, so she had to transfer people from the caravan.
Although everyone knew that the third branch of the Qiu family was about to collapse, as long as the Emperor had not issued a decree, the third branch still belonged to the Qiu family. Who could guarantee that the Provincial Administration Commissioner Qiu would not intercede?
Therefore, Madam Qian still had to ensure Qiu Jingyuan's safe return to Qianzhong Circuit. Moreover, regardless of the fate of the third branch, Qiu Jingyuan was still a young lady waiting to be married. Her children were not guilty, so she could not be abandoned.
After Qiu Jingyuan had finished most of her breakfast, Dong Yan spoke, "This morning, Miss Zhan sent someone with a post. She will visit Miss at the hour of the snake."
"What?" Her voice suddenly rose. Qiu Jingyuan, who was greatly startled, turned pale. She was no longer as arrogant as she was when smashing things, filled with fear and unease.
Dong Yan looked speechlessly at Qiu Jingyuan, who was so frightened that she wanted to run away, and had to comfort her, "Miss, there is no need to panic. If Miss Zhan were to come to demand an explanation, she would not have sent a post."
Given Qiu Jingyuan's overbearing and arrogant behavior in Qianzhong Circuit, if she wanted to cause trouble for someone, she would bring people and directly confront them. Why would she follow the rules of noble families and send a post first?
"That's good," Qiu Jingyuan nodded, realizing her失态. She forced a calm expression and said, "Qian Shipeng is the one causing trouble; it has nothing to do with me."
On the day of the first conflict over rooms at the inn, Qiu Jingyuan had already fled with her people. She would not dare to offend Zhan Feiyu even if she had the courage of a leopard. However, Qiu Jingyuan did not expect Qian Shipeng to still not give up after being beaten. After connecting with the dandies in Suzhou Prefecture, he brought people to cause trouble at the inn again.
In the end, his right wrist tendons were severed. Upon hearing the news, Qiu Jingyuan simply said, "He deserved it." To know one's place was to be wise. Zhan Feiyu was so ferocious, with people and money at her disposal, and the backing of Scholar Gu. Qian Shipeng was lucky not to have been beaten to death.
But Qiu Jingyuan truly did not expect Qian Shipeng to dare to file a lawsuit in court, and the Suzhou yamen had also accepted the case. This had made Qiu Jingyuan like a startled bird for the past few days, hiding in the mansion, fearing that Zhan Feiyu would be angered and retaliate against her.
No matter how arrogant she was, Qiu Jingyuan knew in her heart that Qiu Feng had escaped, and the third branch of the Qiu family was finished. When she returned to the Qiu family in Qianzhong Circuit, she would likely no longer have the glory of a Qiu family daughter.