Scoundrel Chen Siwu

Since ancient times, salt and iron have been state monopolies.

Privately trafficking salt was equivalent to directly taking money from the national treasury, which was naturally a capital crime.

So finding illegal salt dealers wasn't easy.

In Taoyuan County, the earliest connection to illegal salt was discovered through information obtained from vendors selling salted fish.

Then following connections upward, they found the major salt dealers.

These salt dealers were also highly vigilant. After being worn down for a while without success, Fang Zheng even personally stepped in and "invited" them to the county office for discussions.

When the salt dealer saw that Fang Zheng, a proper county magistrate, was so skilled in this "business," cooperation was achieved.

So the difficulty of the matter was evident.

When Xie Xian returned to Fenghua Tower, countless merchants naturally came to see him.

Everyone knew that Shopkeeper Xie was now working with Fang Zheng, so they were especially enthusiastic.

Xie Xian responded to each one, bringing gifts as he visited households.

First, it was to maintain good relationships for future use.

Second, it was to openly and secretly gather information. These merchants owned lots of land and supported many farmers, so their salt consumption was also large.

Although buying official salt wasn't a financial burden for them.

In reality, price influences were everywhere. Even wealthy people were deeply affected by it, especially merchants who calculated every penny and constantly weighed costs.

Just like how many wealthy people would argue endlessly over a few yuan in parking fees.

If these merchants had cheaper options available, they definitely wouldn't want to buy expensive ones.

Moreover, most of the risk fell on the salt dealers' heads. The salt buyers faced relatively low risks, as they could resolve issues by paying some money if anything happened.

Besides Xie Xian, the others wandered around the city, openly and secretly searching everywhere for traces of salt dealers.

Thus, seven days had passed, and they still had no results.

Everyone gathered in the reception room again, inevitably feeling mentally fatigued.

However, Xie Xian looked spirited.

"Everyone, any gains today?"

Everyone shook their heads. Zhou Tie said dejectedly:

"Never expected illegal salt dealers would be this hard to find. The brothers have practically turned the city upside down, yet haven't found even a trace."

"Old Xie, I think we should just go to the salt-producing areas. Staying here indefinitely isn't getting us anywhere."

The others nodded in agreement.

But Qian Desheng remained silent.

He had also been running around these past few days. Although he was getting on in years, he had arrived in Taoyuan County late after all.

For the princess's sake, and for his own sake, he should give it his all. Useless people weren't welcome anywhere.

He had been in Taoyuan County for some time and understood Fang Zheng somewhat.

This master was someone with human feelings. As long as he could contribute this time, good days would be something to look forward to.

Seeing him silent, Xie Xian asked, "Manager Qian, what do you think?"

Qian Desheng first nodded, then organized his thoughts before speaking, "I think something's wrong."

"Although illegal salt dealers have always been a key target of court crackdowns, there have always been huge profits to be made, so they've never been completely eliminated."

"It's the same everywhere, just a matter of scale."

"Jianjiang was originally prosperous. Although it suffered disaster, many new people have poured in because of it."

"With so many impoverished common people, this should be a good time for salt dealer activity, but... how could we not find even one person?"

"That leaves only two possibilities: Jianjiang's illegal salt dealers are all under one person's management, or the source has been cut off."

"So I also agree with leaving here and going directly to the salt-producing areas."

"But we have no identity... it's really too difficult to get things done."

Xie Xian nodded, "That's right, well said."

"Actually we do have identity. Before I left, Master gave me both his official seal and personal seal, but it's best not to use them lightly."

"I did discover five suspicious people at Fenghua Tower. I've recorded information on these five people. Everyone take a look."

With that, Xie Xian picked up papers from the table and passed them around.

"These five people on the list are regular customers at Fenghua Tower."

"They're neither locals nor known for what business they do, and they never discuss business in the building."

"Aside from eating, drinking, and entertainment, the most important aspect of our Fenghua Tower is the exchange of business opportunities. These five individuals are almost the only exceptions."

"Let's observe for a few more days. If there are no gains, we'll leave immediately."

Qian Desheng carefully examined the list and asked, "The records here are quite clear."

"Two of them are from Haiyuan City, which appears to be an important salt-producing area on the map. How do the serving girls and attendants in the building know this?"

Xie Xian smiled slightly, "When Fenghua Tower was established, all the staff were carefully selected and then meticulously trained!"

"Not only are they efficient workers, they can also read and write."

"The courtesans in the building could be considered top-tier in any brothel in the city, and having seen countless people, getting this information isn't difficult."

Qian Desheng's expression suddenly became somewhat dim.

This brothel was managed so meticulously that it made him reflect on his time controlling the Eastern Depot. He had never operated with such sophistication, and the comparison was truly maddening.

"Let's give it five days. Have the brothers follow these people. If there's no news after five days, we'll leave."

"Meeting dismissed!"

.........

Three days later, at a tea stall in the city.

The tea stall was quite rudimentary, completely out of place with the surrounding environment. The banner at the entrance read 【Stomach-Cleansing Detox Tea】

Xie Xian and Zhou Tie sat in the tea stall, looking at each other speechlessly.

He had just finished visiting a wealthy household in the morning and hadn't walked far when he saw Zhou Tie wandering alone on the street.

Since they'd run into each other, they sat down together for some tea at the stall.

After the server brought the tea, Zhou Tie immediately drained a bowl.

Xie Xian looked him up and down and asked, "Why are you alone? Any gains?"

Zhou Tie shook his head, "The guy I was following is a human trafficker, lurking around schools outside the city. I just came from his house."

Xie Xian raised an eyebrow and asked, "You killed him?"

"Cut out his tongue, severed his hand and foot tendons. Tied up the others and left them in the house. That guy had two chests of silver in his house, but they were too heavy to carry. I'm going back to get the brothers to retrieve them."

"Old Xie, I think continuing to wait like this won't lead anywhere. Why don't we pack up and leave early tomorrow."

Xie Xian sighed deeply, "No rush. You've already eliminated one person, and Zhao Lie has eliminated another. Let's wait two more days."

"I never thought investigating salt dealers would be this difficult. It's truly puzzling."

"Our county didn't have this much trouble buying salt."

As the two conversed, the shopkeeper nearby was listening intently, occasionally glancing their way.

After hesitating for a long time, he worked up the courage to approach with a plate of peanuts.

Moving between the two men, he looked at Xie Xian and asked quietly, "Dare I ask if you are Xie Xian, Shopkeeper Xie?"

Xie Xian was startled and looked at the tea stall shopkeeper.

He saw his smile was somewhat sleazy, with a mouthful of big yellow teeth that was rather off-putting...

Xie Xian forced a smile and replied, "That's right. Shopkeeper, you are...?"

Hearing confirmation that it was really him, the shopkeeper quickly stepped back and respectfully bowed!

"This humble person is Chen Siwu, greeting Shopkeeper Xie!"