The Storm Is Brewing

Chapter 95 The Storm Is Brewing

The main branch of Qingxiahao Restaurant is located in Xique Hutong, Zhengdongfang.

After the Jin Yun ship caught fire, all sorts of troublemakers came knocking on the door.

Zhang Kun was forced to move out of his new house in Liulichang, Xuanbeifang, and into the Hegongying area.

Ning Xuan'er, Sun Shuyun, along with the maids and servants, were all sent to Zhangjiawan to be cared for by Cheng Wenqing.

Once the Jin Yun ship had established itself, Zhang Kun was sent to Southern Zhili to establish the Nanjing Jin Yun ship, a mission that lasted for several months.

During this time, Ning Xuan'er and Sun Shuyun, two unfortunate girls, lived under Cheng Wenqing's roof.

Mother-in-law plus wife, who gets to handle this?!

Fortunately, Cheng Wenqing did not mistreat them; he simply made them work for the Qingxia and Hongmei ships all day long.

They were asked to copy documents, check receipts, audit ledgers, manage employees... and they weren't paid. They were working for free!

"Haa~"

After copying the monthly accounts sent by the Nanjing branch of Hongmei, Sun Shuyun stood up, yawned, and stretched.

Looking at Ning Xuan'er, who was still copying beside him, he couldn't help but complain, "When will this ever end?"

Zhang Kun returned to the capital and was transferred to Zhangjiawan and Hexiwu a few days later, still unable to move back to his new residence in Liulichang.

Moreover, when I first arrived there, I had a lot of work to do, and after more than a month, I only saw him two or three times.

Ning Xuan'er raised her hand to rub her neck and sighed, "Let's wait a little longer. Once my husband has completely established himself in Zhangjiawan, we can move there."

The river engineering camp in Nanxiawa has already moved there, and it should be soon.

Persistence is victory! Cheng Wenqing has already been kicked out of Zhang Kun's house by his eunuch godfather, so it's impossible for him to go to Zhangjiawan with him.

"My two young masters,"

Cheng Wenqing's personal maid came over and respectfully said to the two of them, "Madam has instructed you to go to the Chuihua Gate."

The two assumed it was another new assignment and followed their personal maid to the hanging flower gate to wait.

Upon seeing Zhang Kun appear, Ning Xuan'er immediately ran over and threw herself into his arms, sobbing softly without saying a word. Sun Shuyun, who had no official status, could only walk over and look at Zhang Kun with slightly red eyes, "Master, you've come to see us."

Actually, it was Zhang Kun who came to see Cheng Wenqing. He chuckled twice, patted Ning Xuan'er on the back, and promised, "After I finish this errand, I will take you to Zhangjiawan."

Entering the main room, Zhang Kun waved for the maids inside to leave, then sat down next to Cheng Wenqing with a broad smile, "Sister..."

"Hmph, who's your sister? I'm just your housekeeper!"

Cheng Wenqing glared at Zhang Kun and said irritably, "What happened that you suddenly rushed back to the city today?"

"That's how it is..."

"1

Previously, Zhang Kun had arranged for Wei Sengteng, who held no official position, to conduct investigations outside of the official duties of the Thousand-Household Office and the Patrol and Inspection Office.

They secretly investigated the thieves in Zhangjiawan and Hexiwu, as well as the businesses, temples, and monasteries that colluded with them.

As it turns out, this covert operation yielded even greater results than the overt one:

Having traveled extensively and possessed considerable experience, Wei Sengteng helped Zhang Kun locate targets such as Guanyin Temple, and even uncovered several dens of thieves.

In recent days, Wei Sengteng noticed some unusual activity and discovered that some heretics were frequently active.

Although the news of the joint suppression campaign had not yet been made public, Zhang Kun divided the suppression areas into Zhangjiawan and Hexiwu and built simple camps.

These actions cannot be concealed. Even without powerful backers, any shrewd thief would sense that something was amiss.

At this critical juncture, if they don't lie low, they're probably planning something big!

Heretics are more difficult to deal with than thieves; the latter are after money, while the former are plotting rebellion!

They had previously colluded with even more officials and gentry, as well as many spies lurking in shops, temples, and even government offices.

If the suppression of the heretics really provokes them into launching a counterattack and inciting a rebellion, Zhang Kun will have a hard time controlling the situation.

Zhang Kun felt that more preparations needed to be made, such as having Cheng Wenqing's side move to the old river work camp in Nanxiawa.

Not all the river works camps were moved. Chen Jizong's governor's office was still in Nanxiawa, so Chen Jizong did not need to move to Zhangjiawan.

In addition, there are readily available defensive structures such as fences, watchtowers, and enclosed buildings.

...I sent Wang Chenglin with a squad of soldiers and a small battalion of able-bodied men.

Zhang Kun lowered his voice and said to Cheng Wenqing, "In critical moments, I will only listen to you."

"good,"

Cheng Wenqing nodded and said gently to Zhang Kun, "You must be careful over there too."

"9

Matoudian, located on the Grand Canal between Zhangjiawan and Hexiwu.

Matoudian is located at the junction of Tongzhou, Xianghe County, and Wuqing County, a place largely uninhabited by any of the four.

There are many charlatans and scoundrels, and among them are quite a few heretics.

Wei Sengteng and a middle-aged man walked to a tavern not far away.

The middle-aged man whispered a few words to Wei Sengteng, then walked into the tavern alone, took out a large string of copper coins, and slapped them on the counter.

"Six ounces of braised pork belly, and one pound of braised pig ears."

"...Qin Jisheng? It's been years since I've seen you." Hearing this somewhat familiar voice, the shopkeeper suddenly looked up, took the copper coins without counting them, and put them directly into the money box.

He told the waiter to fetch wine and cut meat, then smiled at the middle-aged man named Qin Jisheng and asked, "Where do you work now?"

"I took leave to visit an old friend in Zhangjiawan, where I was checking out the warehouse."

"Watching the warehouse? Only a few taels of silver a year? It's not worth it for someone with your skills to be a warehouse watchman!"

"It's nothing to be ashamed of."

It wasn't mealtime yet, and Qin Jisheng was the only customer in the tavern. "The owner provides me with two meals and a place to stay."

The waiter came out carrying a tray, but the shopkeeper stopped him and personally handed it to Qin Jisheng.

Qin Jisheng picked up a piece of braised pig's ear and threw it into his mouth, chewing and complaining, "Still so awful."

"Hmph, you ordered it even though it tastes bad? Besides, this dish sells very well. It's just that you think it tastes bad." The shopkeeper snorted and sat down opposite Qin Jisheng. He shook his head and sighed, "Old Qin, you don't even have a wife at home. When will you be able to continue your ancestors' lineage by relying on this job of watching the warehouse?"

I know a Master Zhou who's short-handed. With your skills, you could easily earn two or three taels of silver a month working for him!

"Two or three taels of silver a month, really? Wow~"

Qin Jisheng took a sip of the braised pork belly, gasped, and retorted to the shopkeeper, "But you, you left your wife and kids in your hometown of Luanzhou and came all alone here. What are you after?"

"Ha, these girls by the canal are much more radiant than my wife!"

The shopkeeper pointed to the wine pot and boasted to Qin Jisheng, "This pot of wine is brewed quite well, isn't it? I think it's because you didn't tell the waiter to add water to it."

"Have a drink too."

"No, you paid for this. Wait here, I'll go to the back and pour another pot."

Suddenly, Qin Jisheng reached out and grabbed the shopkeeper who was about to get up and leave. "This wine is for your journey home!"

Before he finished speaking, his other hand had already plunged a short knife into the shopkeeper's heart. He sighed and said, "We've known each other for many years. I couldn't bear to see you captured and tortured by those barbarians, so I came to give you a quick death."

""

The shopkeeper's eyes widened, and he opened his mouth as if to say something.

Qin Jisheng drew his short knife, and the shopkeeper trembled violently, only managing to utter a few sounds.

He clutched his chest, his other hand gripping Qin Jisheng's clothes tightly, before collapsing to the ground and dying.

The waiter behind the counter realized what was happening and turned to run to the kitchen.