Chapter 2190: The Matter in Hangzhou City

“This man is utterly contemptible! Father, even if we must let Shao Yunduan slip through our fingers, we cannot afford to overlook him!”

General Sun cast a glance at his youngest son. “Do you have a solution in mind?”

Sun Pu’s lips curved into a sinister smile. “Father, couldn’t you arrange for a visit from your benefactor? Shao Yunduan denies his ambition, correct? If that’s the case, both he and Zheng Sangge are subjects of the Emperor. What reason would Shao Yunduan have to refuse Zheng Sangge’s transfer to Wuchang City?”

General Sun nodded approvingly. “You’re showing improvement from before. This is indeed a clever plan. Let’s proceed with it.”

Sun Pu beamed with satisfaction. “We shouldn’t delay this matter. Father, why don’t you dispatch someone immediately?”

“Agreed.”

As Lord Yang and his companions departed, there was no uproar from Wuchang City. The province of Huaixi continued to function smoothly and orderly.

With the current disposition of Huaixi, unless Wuchang City rallied its entire army against them, there was little cause for concern.

On that very day, a weary group arrived in Huaixi province and made their way to the rear of the government office, seeking an audience with Madam Shao.

They identified themselves as representatives of Young Master Zhao’s household.

Upon receiving the report, Qiao Xuan promptly ushered them in and arranged a courtyard for their rest, before convening a meeting with the three managers and the accountant.

Uncle Li Jiu wore a bitter smile as he recounted their recent ordeal.

All of them hailed from Hangzhou.

After Zhao Shu’s departure from Hangzhou alongside Taotao, while he did take some personnel with him, others were either dismissed or reassigned to different locations, leaving many still rooted in Hangzhou.

Uncle Li Jiu, Uncle Mo, and their ilk fell into this category.

Considering Zhao Shu’s extensive business interests in and around Hangzhou, abruptly shuttering all operations was out of the question.

Even the brother-in-law of the Hangzhou City Prefect wouldn’t dare encroach upon the Zhao Family’s assets, lest he invite the wrath of the city’s merchants.

Furthermore, numerous resources needed to be procured and transported from Hangzhou and Jiangnan, necessitating a presence there to oversee these affairs.

Initially, all seemed well. However, the Hangzhou Prefect’s audacity swelled over time, particularly after absorbing two neighboring factions.

His brother-in-law’s avarice knew no bounds.

Almost every merchant in Hangzhou had fallen victim to the extortion tactics of the prefect’s brother-in-law.

Yet, his blackmailing remained within tolerable limits for most families, who begrudgingly acquiesced rather than risk confrontation.

After all, who possessed the power to challenge him?

The prefectural magistrate’s brother-in-law reveled in his own smugness. Reflecting on his minor setback at the hands of Zhao Shu, he simmered with both satisfaction and resentment.

Thus, he began stirring up trouble.

Uncle Li Jiu was aware of Young Master Zhao’s procurement activities for Lord Shao, a crucial undertaking. While the prefect’s brother-in-law was repugnant, they had no choice but to endure his presence. If they could leverage his position for their own benefit, they would.

However, the prefectural magistrate’s brother-in-law escalated his audacity, pushing boundaries further. Uncle Li Jiu and his compatriots struggled to cope, finding themselves at an impasse.

The Hangzhou Prefect’s brother-in-law dispatched agents to probe into every aspect of Zhao Shu’s ventures in the city. When faced with the extensive ledger of Zhao Shu’s holdings, his eyes widened in disbelief!

Zhao Shu was wealthier than he could have ever imagined!

The revelation left him seething with indignation.

Therefore, mere fault-finding and extortion were no longer sufficient for him. He now sought outright plunder, albeit at a slightly discounted rate. His demands extended to shops, houses, fertile lands, teahouses… In one fell swoop, he nearly seized half of Zhao Shu’s assets in Hangzhou.

And they were all of the highest quality.