Before Lu Xunguang could answer, Li Ying smiled and presented the thin stack of portraits.
"Master Lu, take a look. Do you notice anything unusual about these portraits?"
Lu Xunguang examined them carefully for a moment, then slowly shook his head, a look of confusion on his face.
Li Ying didn't beat around the bush. She said softly, "There's a medicinal smell on these papers, but it's masked by the scent of ink. Master Lu, why don't you take a good sniff?"
Before her words faded, her eyes casually glanced at the unremarkable shadows in the back mountain, and she continued slowly and steadily.
"At first glance, the technique of sending messages by arrow is exactly the same as Uncle Zheng's. But if you look closely, it's not hard to see that the person shooting the arrow lacks Uncle Zheng's powerful force. Presumably, they've only just started learning."
"Because of the glue - making business, Deji Hall has always had a close relationship with Uncle Zheng. It would be no difficult task to ask him for advice. Moreover, since the purpose of learning was to fulfill the important task secretly assigned by the major shareholder, to conduct investigations and find this group of heinous water bandits from the river - transport gang, Uncle Zheng naturally wouldn't object..."
She spoke methodically. At the end, she asked softly, "Shihu, am I right?"
There was a rustling sound from behind the bushes. After a long while, a tall and thin figure carefully emerged, scratching his head rather sheepishly.
"Boss Li, you're truly amazing!"
He bowed respectfully to Lu Xunguang. "Greetings, young master! Please forgive this subordinate!"
"Shihu didn't mean to deceive you. It's just that the major shareholder gave the order that we should only secretly protect you and Boss Li and mustn't let out the slightest hint. Shihu saw that the leader of the Xikang tribe was hesitating, so he revealed the evidence, hoping to give you a hand."
Lu Xunguang remained expressionless. It was extremely difficult to tell what he was thinking from his face.
Shihu lowered his head honestly. He could clearly sense the delicate relationship between the young master and the major shareholder. At this moment, he couldn't help but mutter to himself.
After Lu Xunguang waved his hand, Shihu finally let out a sigh of relief. He quickly bowed and was about to leave.
After running a few steps, he seemed to remember something. He carefully took out an exquisite wooden box from his bosom.
"Boss Li, the land of the Hu people is dry and cold, not as moist and nourishing as the fishing village. I... I'm afraid Miss A Man won't get used to it. I specially brought some snow frog cream. Could you please pass it on to her? It'll be good for rubbing on her hands and feet."
Li Ying took the box and said with a smile, "I'll surely convey your good intentions. But Shihu, have you ever thought that since Miss A Man is from Xikang herself, how could she not be used to it?"
Shihu was stunned for a moment, then blushed deeply and stammered, unable to say a word.
Li Ying stopped teasing him. She took the snow frog cream. After Shihu left, seeing that Lu Xunguang still had a deep frown on his face, she softly asked, "Master Lu, you don't seem surprised to see Shihu. Are you still brooding over the major shareholder?"
Lu Xunguang let out a bitter laugh. "There's really nothing that can be hidden from you."
When he was a teenager, whenever he failed to meet the major shareholder's expectations, he would be scolded.
Now, although he had already taken over the Ping'an Bank, the major shareholder still secretly instructed Shihu to lead the group to follow and help him in secret. What else could it be but a lack of trust in his ability!
After all, his father had never truly recognized him!
These thoughts were not something he could share with Li Ying.
But how could she, with her quick - witted and adaptable nature, not see through his feelings?
"Master Lu, I know what's on your mind."
"Based on my understanding of the major shareholder, things may not be as you think."
Li Ying placed the portraits of the water bandits in front of him again and gently advised, "Master Lu, look. It's clearly written on these portraits when and what crimes this group of bandits committed. The portraits are old paintings from many years ago. It's obvious that the major shareholder noticed something strange long ago and secretly ordered an investigation for many years."
"He handed all these pieces of evidence to you, which means he believes that you will surely find out the truth of the private salt case back then. As for ordering Shihu to follow you secretly, it's just because he knows that you're stubborn and won't accept his help, so he had no choice but to do this. The major shareholder has put a lot of effort into you, Master Lu. You're just too close to the situation to see clearly."
Li Ying spoke earnestly. Lu Xunguang stared at her intently. After a long while, he finally took a deep breath and nodded. "A Ying, if it's really as you said, when we get back, I'll definitely ask him in person to get a clear answer."
Li Ying smiled and gently held his hand.
Thanks to her repeated mediation, the long - standing knot between the father and son was finally loosening.
Since Shihu had revealed his identity, he no longer hid. He generously introduced the members of the caravan to the leader of the Xikang tribe and explained their purpose. Several apprentices from Deji Hall rolled up their sleeves and immediately fetched mountain spring water skillfully. Following Li Ying's recipe, they started to boil the basin - covered glue.
After the red sand in the spring water was clarified, only various trace elements and minerals were left. The water was cold, sweet, and clear. Just in the first boiling, the amount of glue produced was twice as much as usual in Deji Hall.
Shihu was overjoyed. He believed every word Li Ying said. He quickly told the apprentices to work more efficiently and must boil the first batch of "Nine - Dynasty Tribute Glue" as soon as possible to nourish the major shareholder's body.
Li Ying gave some occasional instructions. The apprentices were carefully selected from Deji Hall, and they were all highly skilled, so she didn't really need to worry much.
Taking advantage of this time, she calmly discussed another business with A Man's father.
The Ping'an Bank had a large amount of broken tea every year. After being made into tea bags, besides supplying students taking imperial examinations, the Xikang tribe was also an important milk - tea market that couldn't be ignored.
When she was still in Yunjia Village, she picked some green tangerines, scooped out the sour pulp, and filled them with broken tea. Time gave the green tangerine Pu'er tea a special flavor. When drinking it, there was a strong fruit aroma and a sweet aftertaste in every sip. It could also remove dampness and regulate qi, making it most suitable for the Hu people who had a greasy diet.
If they wanted something more flavorful, they could try milk tea.
Boiling milk tea with loose black tea produced a rich and strong aroma. When paired with the chewy konjac jelly and the tough highland barley, and finally drizzled with a layer of caramel, the sweet milk tea was warm and comforting. It was always popular among girls no matter where it was.
Li Ying generously shared all the tea - drinking combinations during the stove - side tea - brewing and promoted all kinds of tea products from the Ping'an Bank to A Man's father.
The Hu tribe leader was dumbfounded. Even though he didn't like sweet food, he couldn't help but drink two cups to warm himself up.
Seeing some dried beef hanging outside the felt tent, Li Ying had a new idea.
With roasted rice, milk skin, and dried meat all available, she might as well make a bowl of salty milk tea. By using both sweet and salty milk tea, she was sure to win over the taste buds of these Hu people!