Fenghou

Xiao Wanmu nodded, and said with a pun in his words: "I have been stationed in Linhuang Mansion for 20 years, and I have some contacts. I can get whatever goods I want!"

Zhang Lu heard the clue, and said with a smile: "If the cooperation is successful, what price does General Xiao want?"

Xiao Wanmu said lightly: "I have a deep affection for Linhuang Mansion. If possible, I would like to continue this business with Zhang Proprietor in Linhuang Mansion."

Zhang Lu nodded, "If General Xiao wants the price of Datong Mansion, it's totally fine, I can make the decision!"

"To get the price of Datong, I have no regrets in this life!"

……

Xiao Wanmu said goodbye and left. When Xiao Dan sent him out, he asked in a low voice: "What does he mean by Datong price?"

Xiao Wanmu smiled slightly and said, "The magistrate of Datong is Yelu Qiyan from Khitan. What he means is, let me be the magistrate of Linhuang. He said he can make the decision. It seems that his status in the Jingzhao court is not low."

Xiao Dan was taken aback, and immediately filled with anticipation, "Prefect Linhuang, can big brother do it?"

"He said that if the cooperation can be successful, that is to say, I will help them seize the Linhuang Mansion. I think this is really an opportunity given to me by God. The Kingdom of Jin closed the door for me to be promoted, but the Kingdom of Yong closed another door. Open it up for me."

The first thousand and 460 chapters and nine major cases

A heavy snow fell one after another, and the entire Jingzhao City was covered with silver. Looking around, it was covered with white snow, and the whole land became a world of ice and snow.

Although the battle preparations were still going on, Chen Qing was extremely annoyed by another matter these few days.

The Privy Council ordered to transfer 40 sheepskins from the Taiyuan warehouse to Yanshan Road to keep the soldiers warm. Unexpectedly, the account of the Privy Council did not match the actual warehouse. There were 50 sheepskins in the account of the Privy Council, but there were only 30 sheepskins in the warehouse. 20 sheets.

This news made Chen Qing extremely annoyed, and immediately ordered the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, Yushitai, and Privy Council to form a four-party joint investigation team and rushed to Taiyuan to investigate this matter. Chen Qing suspected that not only the lack of sheepskins, but also other supplies and food did not match the accounts. .

But what makes Chen Qing a little tricky is that the Ministry of War should also be involved in this matter, but Cao De, the Minister of the Ministry of War, is the former prefect of Taiyuan. The warehouse where the sheepskin is located is a warehouse jointly managed by the military and the government. Will Cao De be involved in the case?

Chen Qing was pacing back and forth in the official room with his hands behind his hands. At this moment, Pei Wenjin's voice came from the stairs, "Your Highness, Minister Cao please see me!"

Just when he was thinking of Cao De, he came, and Chen Qing ordered: "Let him come to see me!"

After a while, Chen Qing went downstairs, Cao De stood up and saluted, "My humble minister, see Your Highness!"

Chen Qing waved his hand, "Cao Shilang, please sit down!"

The two sat down, and Cao De said urgently: "Go to Taiyuan to investigate military resources, the Ministry of War is also duty-bound, please Your Highness arrange it!"

The soldiers brought tea in, Chen Qing took a sip from the teacup, and asked calmly: "Cao Shilang has been working in Taiyuan for nearly two years, didn't you notice it?"

A trace of shame flashed in Cao De's eyes and he said: "The humble official really doesn't know anything, and this is also the dereliction of duty of the humble official. In the past two years in Taiyuan, he didn't even take stock of the warehouse."

Chen Qing nodded, "I can understand that the warehouse is jointly managed. Cao Shilang thought there would be an inventory by the military, and the military thought that the government would do an inventory, so both sides ignored it."

"It is indeed for this reason that the humble official does not want to interfere with the military affairs."

"Then how do you see the wrong number of sheepskins? Who do you think did it?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, it may be done by the military, but it may also be done by someone in the government. The high-ranking official in charge of the warehouse is Dou Huang. He served as the Sima of Taiyuan Mansion. He has worked in Taiyuan for ten years. He has many contacts and connections. If It was discovered that it was done by the government, so he is the most suspected."

"Then what do you mean?"

"I hope the Ministry of War will also participate in the investigation!"

"Actually, it is enough to have a joint investigation by the Ministry of Criminal Justice, Dali Temple, Yushitai and the Privy Council. If there is more than one party, it will not make much sense!"

Cao De sighed, "Actually, I want to lead a team to investigate in person. It's too uncomfortable that such a big case happened in my job. I really can't shirk the blame. I just want to personally catch the culprit. I'll feel better."

Chen Qing nodded, "Actually, it doesn't necessarily have to be something that happened to you, but you can investigate if you really want to. I allow the Ministry of War to participate!"

"Thank you, Your Highness, for fulfilling the task!"

Cao De resigned and left. Chen Qing looked at the calligraphy and paintings on the wall for a while, then turned to Pei Wenjin and asked, "Wen Jin, do you think Cao De will be involved in the case?"

Pei Wenjin bowed and said, "His Royal Highness, I think the possibility is unlikely."

Chen Qing asked with a smile: "Why are you so decisive?"

"Your Highness, firstly, the Cao family does not lack this little money, and secondly, the reputation of the Cao family is more important than money."

Chen Qing nodded, "You are right, I should be worrying too much!"

At this time, one of his subordinates came to report, "Your Highness, King Neiwei has ordered them to come!"

"Let them in!"

Not long after, Wang Hao and Zhong Huan hurried into the official room, knelt down on one knee and saluted, "See Your Highness!"

"Get up!"

The two stood aside, Chen Qing sat down and asked Zhong Huan, "How long have you been back?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, it has been almost a month."

Chen Qing pondered for a while and asked again: "Has that Zou Shuan been dealt with?"

Zhong Huan bowed and said: "Report to His Highness, it was dealt with at that time, and he gave his parents 1000 taels of silver afterwards."

Chen Qing nodded, and then said to Wang Hao: "There is a big case in Taiyuan, have you heard about it?"

Wang Hao hurriedly said: "I have heard about it from the humble position, and the inner guard can intervene at any time!"

Chen Qing went to the window with his hands behind his back, pondered for a moment and said: "We have arranged five departments to form a joint investigation team, but it is not possible for ordinary people to steal 20 sheepskins. The inner guard immediately sent five hundred elites to Taiyuan Secret investigation."

"Follow the order!" Wang Hao bowed and agreed.

At this time, Chen Qing saw that Zhong Huan was about to say something, so he asked, "What does General Xiao Zhong want to say?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, I have a small idea about this case!"

"you say!"

"I heard about this incident yesterday afternoon. I have been thinking about whether I can check back from the sale of stolen goods. It happened that my uncle opened a leather goods store in Jingzhao. I went to consult him last night in the afternoon. He told me that the military Fang's sheepskins are all old sheepskins, which are very popular in the market, and the price of old sheepskins has always been the highest in Jingzhao, which is [-]% higher than other places, followed by Bashu. The winter in Bashu is relatively cold, and many people have rheumatism in their legs. Lao Yangpi is the most suitable, and I was thinking, if we start the investigation from Jingzhao, will we be able to find more clues."

Wang Hao also said: "Your Highness, what General Xiaozhong said is very reasonable. In fact, this case is no longer a secret. How can the principal culprit wait to be killed? He will definitely destroy all kinds of evidence, and even some key people, such as the person in charge of the warehouse, will disappear or even be killed." After being silenced, go to Taiyuan to investigate, at most to investigate, and other things have been stolen, etc., but it is probably not easy to find the main culprit, and it is indeed a good way to investigate from the sale of stolen goods!"

Chen Qing nodded, "Then the internal guards will be divided into two groups. One will go to Taiyuan for secret investigations, and the other will go to Jingzhao to investigate and sell stolen goods. General Xiaozhong will be in charge of Jingzhao."

Zhong Huan hurriedly bowed and said, "I obey my orders!"

……

Coming out of Taiji Palace, Wang Hao asked, "General Zhong, how do you plan to investigate?"

Zhong Huan thought for a while and said: "My uncle also told me a piece of news, which I think is worth paying attention to. He said that in March this year, the price of Jingzhao's sheepskins suddenly fell sharply, and it fell by nearly half. Months are slowly recovering."

"Could it be because after winter, merchants go to inventory and sell goods?"

"If it is off-season destocking, it should be the same every year, but there was no such thing in previous years, and it happened this year."

Wang Hao nodded, "So you suspect that someone shipped a large number of products at a low price and lowered the price?"

"Exactly!"

"Then does your uncle know why?"

Chong Huan shook his head, "He's not specialized in the sheepskin business, he's in the leather business, and only sells some sheepskins at the same time. You need to find a big merchant who specializes in sheepskins."

Wang Hao asked, "Do you have a goal?"

Zhong Huan nodded, "My uncle told me about a big fur dealer, and I'm going to buy from him!"

Chapter 470 Shun Teng

After the rise of Yong State, Jingzhao has become the largest city in the world, with a population of more than one million. It is not only the political and military center of Yong State, but also the economic center. It has many of the largest markets in the world, such as medicinal materials market and cloth market. , food market, oil market and so on.

Among them, the fur market is also the best in the world, and fur and leather from all over the world are traded in this market.

The leather goods market is located outside the south city, covering an area of ​​several hundred acres, with two to three hundred shops, large and small, almost all of which are wholesales of all kinds of fur goods, fur goods from all over the world are transported here, and then sold from here to all over the world.

Jin Binghui is a well-known fur merchant who specializes in the sheepskin business. Two generations have been in the business for decades and have rich connections in this industry. Jin Binghui is also the first batch of big businessmen to enter the market. His shop is called Jin's Leather Goods. It is located near the entrance, covering an area of ​​about three acres, with the Cao River behind it, and his shop also has a private dock on the Cao River.

Jin Binghui is the target that Zhong Huan is looking for. He is also one of the instigators of the price drop of sheepskin in March. He must be an insider.

Zhong Huan led a few men to the fur market, and saw Jin's fur shop at a glance. The signboard was shining golden in the sun, which was very eye-catching.

Several of his subordinates waited at the door, and Zhong Huan walked into the shop. The shop was very large and powerful, and there were piles of leathers as tall as a person everywhere.

"Excuse me, what do you want to buy?" A waiter came up to greet him warmly.

"Just look!"

Zhong Huan walked up to a stack of thick sheepskin, and lightly twisted it, it was old sheepskin.

The clerk quickly introduced: "This is an authentic five-year-old sheepskin. It is definitely a rare high-end product in the market. It is a baby with cold legs. You will know it in winter. If you have old people and children at home, you must buy it!"

"How much is this leather?"

"Five sticks cost a piece, and it can be cheaper if the quantity is large."

"Where did it come from?" Zhong Huan asked again.

"It must be the grassland! This leather can be seen as a Zhangye product at a glance."

Zhong Huan said calmly: "I think it looks like a Taiyuan product!"

"The guest was joking, where does Taiyuan produce sheepskin?"

"Acheng!"

Suddenly a sharp voice came from the back room, "Don't talk nonsense!"

The guy shuddered in fright, "Shopkeeper, I know!"

He hurriedly retreated, looked into the back room, and saw a middle-aged man walking out of the back room. He was not tall, and he was very strong. Very vicious.

"Is my friend here to find trouble?" The middle-aged man stared at Zhong Huan viciously.

How could Chong Huan be intimidated by his gaze, he looked at this person calmly, and asked lightly, "Are you Jin Binghui?"

"Who am I has nothing to do with you, get out if you don't buy anything!"

He strode forward, trying to push Zhong Huan out, but Zhong Huan dodged and pulled him, and the man fell to the ground.

"asshole!"

The middle-aged man was furious, and drew out the dagger at his waist. Before he could stand up, several inner guards rushed forward and held him down.

"Let go of me, you bastards, who are you?"

Zhong Huan squatted down and flashed the inner guard's silver medal in front of his eyes. The middle-aged man was terrified immediately, he lowered his head and stopped cursing.

"Take him to the back room!"

Two inner guards dragged the middle-aged man into the back room. At this moment, seven or eight warriors came running, "What happened?"

Seeing that the situation was not good, this guy ran to inform the security of the fur market, a group of professional warriors.

The inner guard soldier at the door held up the bronze medal and said coldly: "The inner guard handles the case!"

A group of samurai stopped, turned around and left without looking at it, and the leader of the samurai who reached the end gave the guy a hard slap, knocking him into a daze.

This bastard is harmful and wants them to provoke the inner guard...

The inner guard is an organization that everyone fears in Jingzhao, especially those outside groups like businessmen and warriors, who absolutely dare not provoke the inner guard.

Of course, if there is nothing wrong, the inner guards will not arrest people randomly. It is completely different from the plum blossom guards in Lin'an, and ordinary people at the bottom basically cannot feel their existence.

Especially for big businessmen like Jin Binghui, their road to wealth will definitely not be law-abiding, and there will be disgraceful things, so they are also very afraid of the appearance of inner guards.

In the room, Jin Binghui crouched in a corner, without any initial arrogance at all, and he honestly admitted that he was Jin Binghui.

Zhong Huan was sitting on a large chair, playing with a porcelain teacup on the table, which was not an official kiln, but a fine product of folk kiln.

"I don't have much patience to fight wits and courage with you. If you don't want to go to the internal guard's office and don't want to cause trouble for yourself, then you can tell me what I ask. Don't hide anything. If I find out that you have concealed it afterwards, I will definitely To convict you as an accomplice will cost you your head, understand?"

"Little man understands!"

Jin Binghui lowered his head and couldn't help trembling all over. He only looked fierce on the outside, but in fact he was very timid, especially afraid of death.

"Tell me first, where did your old sheepskin come from?"

"It was just imported from Zhangye more than a month ago, and it's less than five years old, only three years old."

Zhong Huan is not interested in his shoddy profiteering behavior, he only cares about the supply of goods.

"How long will it take you to sell a batch of goods here?"

"Up to three months!"

Zhong Huan was right when he thought about it, this kind of well-known big leather merchant doesn't have to worry about the sale of goods, it is impossible for the goods from the beginning of the year to be still stockpiled until now.