"Second Master Shen, please let go of me first! Let's talk things over!" Hou Si bargained with Shen Feng.
Seeing that Hou Si showed a good attitude of admitting his mistake and thinking that he was just a small hooligan, Shen Feng didn't think it was worth arguing with him. So he let go of Hou Si's collar.
As soon as he was released, Hou Si tried to curry favor with Shen Feng. "Hey! Second Master Shen, you're a noble man. It's my great fortune that you're willing to play a few rounds with a good-for-nothing like me. You think highly of me. Now that there's a good thing, I naturally won't forget you, Second Master Shen!"
"Well, it's like this. I made a new acquaintance with a wealthy merchant who just came back from doing business in the west a few days ago. Oh! He's really loaded! He just gives away gemstones as big as this as if they're worthless!"
As he said that, Hou Si gestured with his hands to show the size of a quail egg. "These days, I've reaped quite a few benefits following him. I not only got the money to gamble but also won nearly a thousand taels of silver."
Hou Si rubbed his hands excitedly.
"Alas, Boss Qian is really generous. In the past two days, I've seen him lose no less than twenty thousand taels of silver, but he didn't even frown. He was having a great time! Alas, Second Master Shen, how come those merchants who do business make so much money and have so much silver? Tut-tut-tut, they're really heroic!"
After Hou Si finished speaking, he stroked his chin and smacked his lips enviously. But when he turned his head, he found that Shen Feng didn't react at all to what he said. Instead, he was just in a daze, and no one knew what he was thinking.
"Alas, Second Master Shen! Second Master Shen, what are you thinking about?" Hou Si pushed Shen Feng and successfully brought his attention back.
"Hou Si, is that Boss Qian you mentioned really that rich?"
"Of course. I saw it with my own eyes. The silver notes were like worthless pieces of paper in his hands. He just threw them onto the gambling table!"
Hearing this, Shen Feng was a bit tempted and showed a big smile. "Is your Boss Qian still in the capital? Can you introduce me to him?"
After hearing this, a defensive look appeared on Hou Si's face, and he directly refused. "Second Master Shen, you're a busy noble man. You'd better not worry about such a small thing!"
Hearing this, Shen Feng pulled a straight face seriously. "What? Are you afraid that I'll snatch your money tree away?"
"How could that be? You're a noble man, Second Master Shen. Anyone would be fortunate to get to know you. It's just... Boss Qian has been busy with his business these days. He may not have time to play. How about waiting for a few more days? As soon as Boss Qian has time in a few days, I'll inform you immediately!"
"Stop trying to deceive me like this. Do you think I'm so easy to fool!" Shen Feng directly kicked Hou Si on the butt. "Hurry up! Take me there right now! Otherwise... don't blame me for turning my back on you!"
"Ouch! Second Master Shen, you're cutting off my source of income! This... this, alas, forget it. Since you still think highly of me, I'll take you there. Let's all just make friends."
Hou Si had no choice but to compromise. Reluctantly, he led Shen Feng to a large courtyard in the west of the capital to introduce him to the rich man.
......
These days, Shen Li hadn't returned to the Shen Mansion. She had been staying in the Night Shade Department. She hadn't been idle either. She had collected a lot of information about the court's management of the salt industry and some news about the Panhu Stockade.
Although the Dongling Kingdom had abundant salt production, most of the salt fields were still in the south. The court had specially appointed officials and institutions to manage them.
But now that there was private salt, it meant that there were people in the court who were using their public positions for personal gain and hiding salt secretly. That was how the Panhu Stockade got the source of private salt to sell.
The matter of private salt must involve quite a few officials. From the management of the salt fields in the south to the Ministry of Revenue in the capital that managed the salt tax, no one knew who was involved and who was unaware.
These days, Shen Li had found all the officials who might be related to the court's salt affairs and analyzed them one by one.
Combined with the information about them investigated by the Night Shade Department and Shen Li's memories of them from her previous life, she made a list of all the people she suspected and sent people from the Night Shade Department to monitor them.
It was okay for those who were in the capital, but it was quite troublesome for those who were far away in the south. However, Shen Li still sent people there.
As for the Panhu Stockade, although Shen Li knew that Xuan Yuanjue must have more up-to-date information than her, she still had people keep an eye on it.
In this way, as long as there was any movement on either side, she would be able to get the news and make the fastest response.
The day set by the emperor to set off for the royal hunting ground half a month later was getting closer and closer. Families in the capital were getting more and more nervous and expectant.
Finally, that day arrived. The palace gates opened wide. The emperor's carriage led the way, followed by the carriages of the concubines in the harem. Then, the families of the various ministers followed in order according to their official ranks.
This time when the emperor left the palace, the queen stayed in the harem to maintain order. The Noble Consort Chen had the highest status among the concubines in the harem. Naturally, the selection of concubines for the princes would be arranged according to her wishes.
The royal hunting ground wasn't too far from the capital. By afternoon, everyone had arrived.
This hunting ground was a half mountain that had been enclosed. However, this time it wasn't a hunting activity, so no one would go up the mountain. Everyone stopped and rested at the foot of the mountain.
Previously, the palace servants had already set up tents at the foot of the mountain and tidied up all the sundries.
The concubines and ministers only needed to move into the tents assigned to them.
The horse - racing competition would be held on the second day, but on the very first day they arrived at the hunting ground, there was a conflict among the noble ladies.
Shen Li had been sitting in the carriage for four or five hours. Now that she had finally reached the destination, of course she got out to stretch her hands and feet and strolled slowly around the hunting ground.
Now the hunting ground was filled with the busy figures of servants. Shen Li had Jiaoyue and Mingyue, two reliable maids, to pack things up, so she could relax and take a walk.
Shen Li had only walked for less than a quarter of an hour when she heard the sound of an argument in front of her.
"Humph! She dirtied my dress, and when I just said a few words to her, she started crying and acting pitiful. Who is she trying to show it to!" Without getting closer, Shen Li could tell from the voice that it must be Princess Heyuan.
When she got closer, she found that not only was Princess Heyuan there, but also several official ladies had gathered around. At the same time, a maid was kneeling on the ground, and several boxes were scattered on the ground with their contents strewn about.
"Princess, it's this servant's fault for bumping into you! Please be magnanimous and spare this servant!"
As she said that, the kneeling maid kowtowed on the ground three times with a "thud, thud, thud" sound.
But Princess Heyuan still wasn't satisfied. "Spare you? Then what about my dress? This is a brand - new dress I just had made. There's only one such dress in the whole capital. How can you compensate me?"