Glory

Watching Qi Ji rush off again in a flurry, Ye Yaming gazed at his retreating figure with a meaningful smile. Ye Chongming’s heart stirred, and he asked in a low voice, “Are you planning to let Qi Zhifu handle this matter first?”

Ye Yaming nodded.

“Initially, I thought this was aimed at us, so I didn’t intend to push it to Qi Zhifu. But now, although it’s directed at us, it’s clearly Wang Kuan’s doing. As for whether that young eunuch was overly eager for merit and got fooled by Wang Kuan or had some other motive, we don’t know. In any case, on the surface, this matter isn’t difficult to handle, but if higher-ups find out, it’s no wonder they’d take it out on Qi Zhifu.”

“Regardless, letting Qi Zhifu explain the situation to them now is a way to do him a favor. Our Ye Family has lived in Lin’an for generations, and who the chief official is matters greatly. If Qi Zhifu leaves after his three-year term and is replaced by someone who dislikes us or, worse, a troublemaker, it would be troublesome. We have some backing, so they wouldn’t dare to truly harm us, but if they cause trouble from time to time or demand tribute from us, it would still be annoying.”

“If Qi Zhifu privately warns the young eunuch, he’ll not only earn the Third Prince’s favor but also gain a small merit in front of the Crown Prince, which would benefit his reappointment. Our current development is crucial. If he stays for another three years, and our cooperation with the court is finalized while we establish a foothold in Huizhou and Minzhou, it won’t be easy for anyone in Lin’an to control us.”

Cooperation with the court couldn’t be confirmed just by sending over a dozen tea bricks. The court still needed to assess the Ye Family’s production capacity and the stability of the tea bricks’ quality. Like Tribute Tea, this matter wouldn’t be settled in less than a year or so.

If Qi Zhipei were transferred by the end of the year and replaced by another prefect who harbored ulterior motives and obstructed the Ye Family, there could still be setbacks.

Thus, Qi Zhipei’s reappointment was crucial.

Ye Chongming didn’t see any issue with Qi Zhifu staying on.

He said, “Since we’re cooperating with Qi Gongzi and Young Master Lu, wouldn’t both sides try their best to ensure Qi Zhifu’s reappointment? Aren’t their backers the Crown Prince? Now that the Fourth Prince has fallen, who would dare not give the Crown Prince face? If the Crown Prince speaks, wouldn’t Qi Zhifu’s reappointment be straightforward?”

Ye Yaming shook her head. “Lin’an is a prosperous region, and many are eyeing Qi Zhifu’s position. Xuanwu Hou is a frontier military general, while the prefect is a local civil official. The Lu Family would find it difficult to exert influence.”

“From what I’ve gathered from Qi Gongzi, the Qi Family seems to be neutral, not siding with anyone. Since Qi Zhifu isn’t the Crown Prince’s man, why would the Crown Prince use an outsider instead of his own?”

“With this matter falling into his hands now, if Qi Zhifu handles it well, he’ll have a chance to show his face and earn a small merit in front of the Crown Prince. Ultimately, it depends on what the Crown Prince thinks.”

Ye Chongming had never considered this issue. Now, reminded by Ye Yaming, he had one more thing to worry about.

Could Qi Zhifu really be transferred?

Seeing his brows furrowed deeply, Ye Yaming quickly reassured him, “If our Dark Tea can truly be sold to the court and transported to the Great Jin, then no matter who becomes the prefect, we have nothing to fear. The court wouldn’t dare to let anything happen to us.”Ye Chongming thought it over and found it reasonable, his furrowed brow smoothing as he said to Ye Yaming with relief, "Fortunately, you introduced the Dark Tea, otherwise I truly wouldn't know what to do."

The main issue was that the Ye family's tea had gained significant fame, and their profits were visibly increasing year by year. This was a glaringly obvious piece of fat meat, and everyone wanted a bite. In Lin'an, people still hesitated due to the Ye family's so-called "background," but those in the capital wouldn't show such restraint—after all, they themselves were the "background."

However, leaning against the court as a sturdy tree would eliminate such fears.

As for the Crown Prince, after Ye Yaming's analysis of Qi Zhifu's affairs, Ye Chongming suddenly felt he might not be entirely reliable. The interests involved were too complex, and the Crown Prince didn't seem to be participating in their business. Since he hadn't earned a single coin from it, why would he help with everything? Therefore, it was essential to establish a business relationship with the court.

"Miss..." Zan'er's voice came from outside the door.

Ye Yaming called out, "Come in."

Zan'er entered, bowed, and then reported the information he had gathered to Ye Chongming and Ye Yaming.

To his surprise, Ye Chongming found that the details Zan'er uncovered were quite similar to what Qi Ji had said. Moreover, Zan'er had even uncovered some information that Qi Ji hadn't mentioned.

"...They only arrived in Lin'an yesterday afternoon and even met with Qi Zhifu. Exhausted from the journey, everyone rested at the courier station, but the eunuch named Xiao Lizi took a guard out to stroll around the city. They went to a restaurant and happened to sit next to Wang Kuan, overhearing his complaints about our family. Xiao Lizi seemed very interested, revealed his identity, and Wang Kuan immediately hit it off with him. Today, Wang Kuan brought him to the teahouse to find Old Master Ye."

"How did you find out such detailed information?" Ye Chongming asked.

It was as if Zan'er had witnessed their meeting firsthand.

Zan'er replied, "By giving some money to the beggars at the restaurant's entrance and bribing the waiter inside, I managed to gather the details."

This statement was half-truth and half-fabrication. Money was indeed given, and beggars and waiters were involved. However, it wasn't a spontaneous inquiry—Zan'er had cultivated them as long-term informants. The waiter, in particular, was a clever young beggar whom Zan'er had taken in, taught to read and calculate, and then placed in the restaurant as an employee.

Ye Chongming couldn't help but praise Ye Yaming, "Zan'er is quite capable."

Ye Yaming smiled and said, "Go to the accounts office later and collect ten taels of silver."

Zan'er quickly bowed in gratitude for the reward.

Ye Yaming asked, "So you suspect that Xiao Lizi intentionally arranged to 'coincidentally' meet Wang Kuan to set up what followed?"

Zan'er nodded, "This humble one indeed has such suspicions."

"Moreover..." Ye Yaming narrowed her eyes, "Xiao Lizi must have shown hostility toward us. Otherwise, Wang Kuan wouldn't have acted as a go-between. He wouldn't want us to connect with the Third Prince and gain even more influence."

Both Ye Chongming and Zan'er nodded, "That is indeed the case."

"So, all the people from the capital are staying at the courier station? After Xiao Lizi and Wang Kuan left the Gathering Fragrance Pavilion today, did they go anywhere else together?"

Zan'er shook his head, "No. After leaving the Gathering Fragrance Pavilion, they parted ways. Xiao Lizi hurried back to the courier station to meet with the officials from the Imperial Household Department and go shopping for supplies together. Wang Kuan returned to his shop."

Ye Chongming added, "I've been going to the teahouse quite early recently. I had just arrived when they showed up at the teahouse."As the Ye family's operations continued to expand and affairs multiplied, Ye Chongming found himself brimming with energy. Combined with his reduced need for sleep due to advancing age, he would head directly to the teahouse after finishing breakfast if he had no other matters to attend to.

Previously, he would arrive at the teahouse well after it had opened; now he appeared before the establishment even began receiving customers.

Author's Note:

Lately I've been suffering from severe insomnia, lying awake through entire nights. The sleepless nights leave my mind feeling like it's stuffed with paste during the day—unable to concentrate, barely aware of what I'm even writing. Just one chapter today, my apologies.

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