Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“If Brother Du doesn't believe me, please take a look at this.” Xie Xian took out two pieces of paper from his sleeve and handed them over: “These are the property deed and land deed of the Wind Flower House.”

Du Lingfeng released the dagger in his sleeve, took the land deed and glanced at it, raising his eyes to say: “This thing, Brother Xie, you carry this with you?”

“No, I knew that between you and me, you would definitely ask this question, so I prepared it in advance.”

“Brother Du, do you still not admit to selling smuggled salt now?”

Du Lingfeng was silent, and looked at the land deed again.

This was guaranteed by Fang Zheng Yi, and it was also stamped with an official seal.

Few people dared to counterfeit this thing, the consequences being a hundred times more serious than smuggling salt. There was no need for Xie Xian to fool himself with this.

What he said just now was also more reasonable.

He had indeed done business with the Sun family, and this matter was undeniable.

Du Lingfeng sighed: “Brother Xie, even if I really sold smuggled salt, so what? What exactly is the matter you called me here for today?”

“I'm here to remind you! What else could it be for? You don't think I'm going to report you to the authorities, do you?!”

“Brother Xie, you....”

Xie Xian looked righteous and awe-inspiring: “You and I are both scholars, yet we have been reduced to merchants. Although we have only known each other for a few days, you and I are already as close as old friends.”

“Brother Du, although you sell smuggled salt, in my heart, this matter can also be considered a blessing to the people.”

“I won't be gossiping, but it's hard to guarantee that others won't be. That's why I wanted to remind you, with no other intention!”

Du Lingfeng stared blankly at Xie Xian, and a trace of emotion actually rose in his heart.

What he said didn't sound like a lie! Besides, there was no other reason!

If he wanted to mess with me, he could just do it directly with the evidence. Why would he bother with this charade?

“Brother Du, these past few days of getting along with you, I think you are also a person with quick wit. Why do you engage in this business?”

“I think it probably wouldn't be difficult for you to pass the imperial exam and become a 'Juren'!” Xie Xian said regretfully.

The tension and vigilance in Du Lingfeng's heart had begun to diminish a lot.

Hearing about the matter of studying, his attention was also diverted somewhat.

Who would be willing to come out and do business in hardship if they could be an official? Isn't it because they have their own difficulties?

Du Lingfeng shook his head: “Brother Xie, you don't know something.”

“Although I am a 'Xiucai', I am a 'Xiucai' of the Qian Kingdom.... With the country destroyed and the family ruined, what's the point of talking about 'Juren'?”

“All the former Qian Kingdom's candidates can also take the exam to become officials, but they can only go to the north!”

“Once they enter the officialdom, they can only be cautious and inferior to others. Even if they are lucky enough to be transferred back to their hometown, they will be given the cold shoulder.”

“Either way, they are not treated like people, so why bother to suffer?”

As he spoke, Du Lingfeng began to sigh: “As a scholar, how could I not want to become a general or a prime minister?”

“But this path has long been cut off, hopeless in this life! Since I can't go straight to the top, I might as well be rich for the rest of my life!”

“So, you went to sell smuggled salt?” Xie Xian interjected.

“Yes....” Du Lingfeng nodded bitterly.

Now that things had come to this, there was nothing to deny.

“It's fate, it's fate, fate makes fools of people! You were misled by the general trend, and I was deceived by treacherous officials... We are both fallen people in this world.” Xie Xian looked full of emotion.

Du Lingfeng smiled bitterly: “I originally had some admiration for Fang Zheng Yi, and I thought he was a good official who sincerely pleaded for the people, but I didn't expect that this person was also a beast in human clothing!”

“..........., alas! Let's not mention him for now, what are you going to do, leave Jianjiang?”

At this time, Du Lingfeng also relaxed and leaned back in his chair: “Since Brother Xie has already given me a reminder, is there any reason for me to stay here?”

“Let's not talk about me. I originally thought that Brother Xie was very wealthy relying on this Wind Flower House, but I didn't expect that it had already become a wedding dress for others. What are you going to do in the future?”

Xie Xian shook his head: “I don't know. The Wind Flower House has already exhausted my life's efforts, and now it's difficult for me to do other business.”

“Ordinary small profits are meaningless even if I do them!”

“Hey? Brother Du, since you and I have already spoken frankly, I want to ask, is selling salt profitable?”

“How could I have entered the Wind Flower House without money?” Du Lingfeng asked back.

“Heh, that's right.” Xie Xian smiled self-deprecatingly: “Outsiders all think I'm infinitely glorious, but who would have thought that I'm already penniless.”

“Fang Zheng Yi has not yet sent someone to look for me. If one day he sends someone to replace me, I'm afraid this superficial glory will no longer exist.”

Du Lingfeng carefully observed Xie Xian's expression, and suddenly opened his mouth to say: “Brother Xie, do you want to take revenge?”

“Oh? What do you mean by this?”

“Today, Brother Xie kindly gave me a reminder, and I should also repay you in some way, otherwise what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't repay kindness?”

“Please speak!” Xie Xian sat up straight.

Interesting, I haven't even opened my mouth yet, and this guy actually took the initiative to speak first!

It looks like he wants to pull me into the gang...

After pondering for a moment, Du Lingfeng spoke: “Since the Sun family is so talkative, I can't stay in Jianjiang.”

“But the salt smuggling business also has its own rules. If I leave, then this piece of profit will have to be given to others.”

“Instead of giving it to outsiders, it's better to give it to Brother Xie. I wonder... do you have the guts to do it?”

Du Lingfeng was constantly calculating in his heart.

Right now, he couldn't stay in Jianjiang. The new prefect of Jianjiang had only been in office for a short time, and it was the perfect opportunity to show off his skills.

Xie Xian already knew his identity, so the risk was a bit high.

But it was a pity to give up such a large market for nothing.

Right now, Xie Xian might be able to develop into his own person. When the time comes, sitting and waiting for a share of the profits would also be a beautiful thing!

Xie Xian initially showed horror, then nervousness, and finally pretended to be calm: “This is a business that can cost you your head! Besides, what does it have to do with revenge?”

Du Lingfeng took his expression into his eyes, and said with a smile: “Actually, it's not that dangerous.”

“You are now in the Wind Flower House, and you can connect to countless resources. You can sell salt privately.”

“If one day Fang Zheng Yi finds someone to replace you, you can push it onto that person, and then leave Jianjiang in glory. When the government investigates, won't the trouble ultimately fall on Fang Zheng Yi? In this way, Brother Xie will not only make money, but Fang Zheng Yi will also not have a good time.”

“But... how should I push it onto someone else?” Xie Xian asked.

“That depends on Brother Xie's ability. I'm just telling you the method, and the specifics depend on yourself. But I believe that with Brother Xie's knowledge, this little thing is not a problem. When the time comes, designing a plan to make Fang Zheng Yi burn himself, what difficulty is there?” Du Lingfeng had a faint smile on his face, and he had already dominated the conversation in terms of momentum.

“Now you just need to answer me, are you willing or not? If you are not willing, then it doesn't matter.”

“If you are willing, then I will help you!”

Xie Xian looked at Du Lingfeng and questioned: “Brother Du, it's not that I don't trust you, I've been deceived more than once.”

“If the profit is huge, why would you give it to me? Don't you have any benefits in it?”

Du Lingfeng became more and more calm in his heart.

Good, this shows that Xie Xian is really starting to seriously consider it. The more he worries, the more stable things will be.

“Heh, don't worry! This matter is not as simple as you think. You also need qualifications to sell smuggled salt!”

“In fact, the salt in my hand all comes from the Lu family in Haiyuan City.”

“The Lu family of the four major salt merchants?”

“That's right! When the Qian Kingdom was still around, the Lu family was a wealthy giant. Now their position is still stable. If you want to sell smuggled salt, you must go through the Lu family. If you want to get the qualifications, the Lu family will first send someone to check your background. Based on your previous relationship with Fang Zheng Yi, you are not qualified to sell salt.”

“But with me as a guarantor, this matter... will not be a problem!”