199: Chapter 199 Promoting

Ordinary Martial Artists might not receive the same treatment as a team leader like Qi Lianshan, but as long as they joined the Yuanhang Trade Caravan, their compensation was significantly higher than that of regular jobs.

It was for this very reason that the Yuanhang Trade Caravan never had trouble finding people. Even some collateral descendants of Great Families would choose to join the Yuanhang Trade Caravan.

The impact of this surprise inspection by the government was not limited to Qi Lianshan's team, but affected the entire Jinhuai Branch.

Inside the main hall of the Jinhuai Branch.

Pei Tianquan's face was long, his expression frighteningly dark. This search by the Bailiffs had come all too suddenly; he hadn't even received any prior word.

For the Jinhuai Branch, this was definitely not a good signal.

Despite the Wuyang Pei Clan having no Foundation in the prefecture capital, the various Great Families that held shares in the caravan all had more or less some connection with the magistrate's office.

If something like this were to happen, someone would have surely notified Pei Tianquan in advance.

Suddenly.

A figure hurried in from outside the hall.

Seeing the newcomer, Pei Tianquan slowly raised his head. "How are things?"

"Just now, the people from the magistrate's office have all withdrawn. They inspected all fifty-two Escort Teams and found Contraband hidden in the goods of three of them."

The newcomer explained in a heavy voice.

Pei Tianquan roared in fury, "How could there be Contraband in the goods! I gave strict instructions time and again that no matter whose goods they are, they must be inspected thoroughly. No prohibited items are allowed in the Yuanhang Trade Caravan's cargo! Why didn't you listen? Tell me, why!"

The man did not defend himself; he only lowered his head, burying his face even deeper.

He knew very well that Pei Tianquan was in a fit of rage.

Any explanation he gave would only be adding fuel to the fire.

For a moment, the hall became frighteningly quiet.

After a long while, Pei Tianquan's emotions eased slightly. As soon as he spoke, he pointed to the heart of the matter. "What exactly is going on? Which Escort Teams had the issues, and what is the specific quantity of the Contraband?"

The man took a deep breath before slowly explaining, "I have already looked into these matters. The Bailiffs found Contraband in the fifth, twelfth, and twenty-fourth Escort Teams. The amount of Contraband in the three teams isn't much; combined, it's less than half a cartload."

"I also questioned the leaders of these three Escort Teams beforehand. All the goods they escorted had been inspected, and no Contraband was found at all. However, I have still kept all personnel from these three teams in the Storage Warehouse; they are not to leave until the matter is clearly investigated. Do you want to go there personally?"

Pei Tianquan said without hesitation, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go now."

...

Good news stays indoors, but bad news travels a thousand miles.

The next day.

The news of the government Bailiffs searching the Jinhuai Branch of the Yuanhang Trade Caravan and discovering Contraband spread like wildfire.

In just one day, rumors began to circulate not only on Mingshui Street where the Jinhuai Branch was located, but even across the various major districts of the prefecture capital.

In particular, the ordinary citizens and merchants who had business dealings with the Yuanhang Trade Caravan turned pale at the news, fearing this matter would affect their business or even implicate them.

The word 'Contraband' was a taboo in the eyes of ordinary citizens and common merchants.

But in reality, the Great Families of the Great Jing Dynasty were all more or less involved in such things.

The so-called laws of the Imperial Court were mostly meant to restrain commoners.

If everyone followed the laws of the Imperial Court, how could Great Families even exist?

It was just that these types of illegal activities were conducted within the Family and would not be done in the name of a trade caravan.

Caravans had too many people and eyes; leaks were inevitable.

Of course, nothing could ever be completely seamless.

The Imperial Court turned a blind eye to such things; as long as a Great Family wasn't too excessive, they generally wouldn't be punished.

Less than half a cart of Contraband really wasn't much for an entity as large as the Yuanhang Trade Caravan.

However.

This matter had been brought out into the open, and in such a short time, the news had spread so widely.

Any observant person among the Great Families could sense that there was a power pushing this from behind.

Which power was pushing this matter?

The various Great Families of Jinhuai Prefecture all had their suspicions.

There were only a few families capable of shaking the Yuanhang Trade Caravan.

For a time, the city was filled with rumors and much discussion. The main topic among ordinary people was how the magistrate's office would handle the Yuanhang Trade Caravan.

Meanwhile, what the people of the Great Families discussed was the underlying meaning revealed by this incident.

Wuyang City, Pei Clan Estate.

Early in the morning, Pei Qingyun heard this news from Jiu.

"You're saying that yesterday the government searched the Jinhuai Branch and found half a cart of Contraband?" Pei Qingyun said in a heavy voice.

"Yes, it happened yesterday afternoon. As soon as I received the news, I rushed back to report it to you," Jiu's raspy voice came from his throat.

Traveling through the night had left him looking slightly exhausted.

Hearing this, Pei Qingyun fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

When the Jinhuai Branch was first established, he had set a rule that no private Contraband was to be escorted.

He naturally wouldn't do something that openly violated the laws of the Imperial Court, an act that would be like intentionally handing over a handle to his enemies.

He believed that even Pei Tianquan, the general manager of the Jinhuai Branch, wouldn't dare do such a thing behind his back.

Yet, such a thing had happened anyway.

He absolutely did not believe that there wasn't something fishy behind this.

Whether it was the Qian Clan's doing, he couldn't reach a conclusion based on this information alone.

"It seems I can only wait for Tianquan's reply," Pei Qingyun thought to himself.

"I'm aware of the matter now. You may go back. Report to me again when there is fresh news." Pei Qingyun glanced at the slightly exhausted Jiu and lost the desire for further conversation.

"Yes."

The next moment, Jiu's figure flashed and disappeared from Pei Qingyun's sight.

The second day.

Pei Qingyun received Pei Tianquan's reply; this reply came much later than he had expected.

But considering that Pei Tianquan needed to investigate the beginning and end of the matter, it was perfectly normal for the message to be a bit late.

After reading Pei Tianquan's reply and combining it with the results of Jiu's investigation, Pei Qingyun had a basic judgment in his heart.

"In the end, the Qian Clan still couldn't hold back. This play they've put on is truly brilliant. These prohibited items were likely arranged by the Qian Clan. The Yuanhang Trade Caravan's business is complex, which gave the Qian Clan an opportunity to strike." Closing the letter, Pei Qingyun gave a cold laugh.

It was then that Pei Qingyun thought of a puzzling matter. "However, the attitude of the Prefecture Governor seems a bit unusual."

...