Setting Off for Haiyuan City

Xie Xian hesitantly looked at Du Lingfeng, momentarily speechless.

Du Lingfeng wasn't in a hurry, sitting comfortably in his place waiting for Xie Xian to speak.

Next door was in complete chaos.

Three or five people were in a scuffle, with two beating Qian Desheng while others tried to break it up.

Zhao Lie berated him angrily. "You bastard! Recording is one thing, but adding embellishments?!"

Another person chimed in. "Tattletales aren't decent people! Outsiders just can't be trusted!"

"Brother Zhao, just cripple him!"

Zhou Tie stood by with folded arms, chuckling gleefully.

"Hit him! Kick him in the groin!"

Qian Desheng wailed. "You dare hit me! How dare you hit me! My young mistress is the Master's wife! None of you will get away with this!"

Zhao Lie looked at Zhou Tie, who nodded. "Possibly, but with me and Zhang Biao protecting you, you don't need to fear him!"

"Keep hitting!"

...

The chaotic sounds from next door faintly reached Xie Xian's room.

Du Lingfeng narrowed his eyes, looking toward the wall. "Brother Xie, there aren't eavesdroppers on the other side, are there?"

Have these idiots started fighting? What happened, why is it so chaotic?

Xie Xian replied with a helpless expression. "Brother Du, these are all themed rooms. Next door might be engaged in... amorous activities..."

"Hmm... makes sense. I was overthinking. Brother Xie, have you decided?"

"Let me think about it more. How about I give you my answer tomorrow? What do you think?"

Du Lingfeng stood and bowed. "This isn't a small matter. Please make your decision soon, Brother Xie. I'll leave Jianjiang tomorrow. I'll come by in the morning. If you agree, be ready, and we'll leave together for Haiyuan City."

"Alright."

Xie Xian also stood and escorted Du Lingfeng to the door, advising. "Brother Du, be extremely careful."

Du Lingfeng looked at Xie Xian, feeling quite moved. "Thank you, Brother Xie. See you tomorrow!"

After seeing Du Lingfeng off.

Xie Xian hurriedly returned to the second floor and pushed open the door, shocked by what he saw.

Qian Desheng was tied to a chair, with several people glaring at him menacingly.

Zhou Tie was mercilessly poking his sensitive ribs with a brush handle.

"What are you doing?! I was discussing business while you were fighting?"

Zhou Tie handed over the letter Qian Desheng had written. "Look, this old bastard has bad intentions. I think we shouldn't bring him along anymore."

Xie Xian glanced at it, not taking it seriously. "Quickly untie him!"

After being untied, Qian Desheng gratefully looked at Xie Xian, then quietly retreated to a corner.

"Old Xie, I heard everything you said quite clearly. Since Du Lingfeng has already revealed the Lu family, why don't we just tie him up and send him back, then let the imperial court send people to investigate?" Zhou Tie suggested.

Qian Desheng, huddled in the corner, suddenly snorted coldly. "It's not that simple! Salt merchants and private salt dealers are mortal enemies on the surface. Who would believe Du Lingfeng, a private salt dealer, claiming to work for salt merchants?!"

"If the imperial court could dispatch people for a large-scale investigation based solely on his testimony, wouldn't that cause chaos? What would other salt merchants think? They're all extremely wealthy and already fear the imperial court. If the Lu family were destroyed because of this, wouldn't that be forcing others into rebellion? Heh, you brute!"

Zhou Tie threatened fiercely. "Rebellion? Are you stupid? Mere salt merchants wouldn't dare rebel!"

"Two of the four major salt merchants are from the Great Qian. Since we are already the meat on the chopping block, we might as well fight to the death! Do you think everyone is as cowardly as you? Deserter!"

"I'll kill you!"

"Brother Tie, let it go, don't stoop to his level!" Several people rushed to restrain Zhou Tie.

"Stop fighting!" Xie Xian halted everyone. "Steward Qian is right. Since Du Lingfeng is willing to let me help him sell salt, I'll agree."

"According to him, the private salt organization seems very sophisticated. Plus, we haven't found any connection to Liu Xun's case yet. I need to gather more evidence."

"Get ready. We might be leaving tomorrow."

...

Early the next morning, Du Lingfeng arrived punctually.

He smiled when he saw Xie Xian with dark circles under his eyes.

Clearly, he hadn't slept all night, apparently having given serious thought to the matter.

"Brother Xie, you... didn't rest well? Have you decided?"

To make it more convincing, Xie Xian had actually stayed up all night.

Looking dazed, he said, "Brother Du, I thought all night. You're right. If I can't rise to high office, I might as well seek wealth!"

"My path to wealth has been cut off by Fang Zheng, so I might as well seek new opportunities with you!"

Du Lingfeng was immediately delighted!

Having Xie Xian willing to work with him was excellent.

His abilities were unquestionable. He had proven himself by running Fenghua Tower successfully and conversing easily with other merchants.

Such a capable person had proven himself; his current downfall was merely due to others' schemes.

Moreover, he shared Du Lingfeng's interests, making him a rare kindred spirit.

Having such a partner was truly a blessing.

"Good! Good! Brother Xie, go back and prepare briefly. We'll depart this afternoon. I'm just taking you to Haiyuan City to go through the process. You don't need to bring too much."

Xie Xian nodded. "Then Brother Du, please wait here briefly. This matter should be handled sooner rather than later. I'll go give some instructions, and we can leave right away!"

The preparations had already been made. Before long, Xie Xian gathered more than twenty people at the entrance of Fenghua Tower.

Du Lingfeng laughed when he saw this. "Brother Xie, didn't I say you could prepare simply?"

"Why bring so many people?"

"Forgive me, Brother Du. These are all my servants, trusted people. The journey is long, and I fear complications, so I've brought extra supplies."

Du Lingfeng considered for a moment. "Very well, if you want to bring them, go ahead. I have enough people, and you needn't worry about supplies."

"Shall we set off now?"

"Let's go!"

...

The large group set off grandly.

Chen Siwu sat at a tea stall, energetically soliciting customers.

Seeing Xie Xian ride past on horseback, he was about to raise his hand and call out loudly.

Xie Xian raised a finger to his lips, and Chen Siwu immediately understood, closing his mouth and smiling as he watched them leave.

An attendant at the tea stall saw this and quickly approached, curious. "Boss, you seem quite familiar with Manager Xie from Fenghua Tower now!"

Chen Siwu smiled proudly. "That's nothing! I even eat at Fenghua Tower and find women there!"

Hearing this, the attendant immediately looked contemptuous.

You, a penny-pincher, going to Fenghua Tower? A year's work wouldn't be enough for one visit!

What a boast! Manager Xie just had tea here once!

Thinking of Fenghua Tower, Chen Siwu narrowed his eyes, recalling his wonderful experience there.

That night, he'd been awake all night.

Just had a meal and a pot of tea, how could that make him so energetic?

Their tea must be exceptional...

Suddenly, Chen Siwu had a flash of inspiration!

He called to his attendant. "Quick! Go to Cheng's Pharmacy and buy two doses of aphrodisiac medicine!"

"Tsk, it seems our tea stall needs to relocate... We need to find a brothel first!"