CHAPTER 431: CHAPTER 428 PROTECTING

In the past, Liu Xi would buy some tea, porcelain, silk, and cloth to sell to the sea merchants, who were particularly fond of these exquisite items.

Since last year, the thread tassels from Chen Family Village have sold exceptionally well in Daqi. Merchants only sell what everyone likes, and things that are extremely popular naturally catch their eye. Thread tassels are lightweight and easy to carry, and being novel and never sold before, those who sell them early are sure to get a high price.

Thus, Xie Liangchen thought that those people might buy thread tassels to sell.

Even if they did not buy them last year, this year with more production in Dai State and Xinzhou, the number of thread tassels is higher than last year, and the price is also cheaper, making it the perfect time to earn silver. Those people should take action.

Before Xie Shao Yuan could say anything, Liu Xi’s apprentice Xu Qian said, "They... they should be selling them. My master once said that those thread tassels would definitely sell well at sea, but we all know the thread tassels come from Chen Family Village. We cannot create trouble at this time."

Liu Xi had saved Xie Shao Yuan and naturally knew about Chen Family Village, so he intentionally avoided it, but those people would not be so considerate.

Xie Shao Yuan nodded: "We should secretly investigate who is buying those thread tassels. Maybe we can get some information."

A feeling of hope surged in Liu Ji’s heart. Although there were many buyers of thread tassels, there was at least a direction, and those people would deal with sea merchants, so the quantity would definitely be significant.

It might not be found out immediately, but continued investigation would definitely yield results.

Xie Liangchen said, "Actually, I have another way to try. If we can find any clues, it’s much better than just investigating like this."

Xie Shao Yuan and Liu Ji listened carefully as Xie Liangchen looked at Chen Zigeng and Xu Qian beside her.

Xu Qian, about the same age as Chen Zigeng, had just lost his master. Although he was grieving, he remained calm. He said in a low voice, "Commandery Princess, rest assured, I won’t tell anyone."

Xie Liangchen spoke: "The thread tassels we sell are all wound around a thin bamboo pole. Only when the thread tassel is used up, or another item is found to rewind the thread, can that bamboo pole be taken out."

Chen Zigeng asked, "Big sister, are you thinking of collecting those bamboo poles?"

Xie Liangchen nodded: "The inside of the bamboo poles we use is dyed, which makes them different from others. We offer fifteen bamboo poles for one wen of silver coin. If someone wants to forge them intentionally, they have to buy materials to dye them, which is quite a hassle and not worth the effort."

"Unless they create a large number of bamboo poles, but the shop keeps records of large sales of thread tassels, and when collecting many bamboo poles, they also have to check against these records. This can to some extent prevent such things from happening."

"The embroidery shop buys the most thread tassels. Although the bamboo poles are not valuable, keeping them is not troublesome, and they will definitely trade them for silver coins at the shop. Those who buy thread tassels to sell at sea naturally won’t be able to produce bamboo poles. Us suddenly collecting bamboo poles would leave them unaware of our intentions, so they wouldn’t bother to cover it up or hide it."

"Every time, our goods are sent to the warehouse first, and then distributed to various states and counties. The sales of thread tassels have accounts to check, and by then, we can compare the number of bamboo poles collected."

Xie Shao Yuan said, "Even though there may be some discrepancies, the larger the difference, the more suspicious it is. By focusing on a few selected locations, we should gain some insights."

Xie Liangchen said, "This is indeed a clumsy method, but it doesn’t spend much silver and can be worth trying."

Xie Shao Yuan found it reasonable, as keeping an eye on the sea wouldn’t work, and the coastal garrisons weren’t under Song Xian’s control. Prince Lu had his ways to conceal matters.

Let Song Xian keep an eye on the sea while employing some means during the sale of thread tassels and investigating together; results could be achieved quicker.

Although the matter seemed difficult, it was simple. The bamboo poles were merely a pretext to help the shopkeeper find those who purchased large quantities of thread tassels.

After everyone discussed, Xie Shao Yuan prepared to personally go to the Xingzhou warehouse and let Chu Er go to Mingzhou.

Liu Ji looked at Xu Qian: "It’s inconvenient to bring you along. You should stay here with Zigeng."

Xu Qian wanted to go but was afraid of causing trouble, so he nodded in agreement.

After Xie Shao Yuan and Liu Ji left, Xie Liangchen looked at Xu Qian. In fact, when she saw Xu Qian, she was certain that she had met Xu Qian in a previous life, only at that time Xu Qian had changed his name to Zhou Ming.

In the previous life, Zhou Ming accompanied her younger brother at sea. The compass in her younger brother’s hand was most likely made by Zhou Ming. In the previous life, her younger brother and Zhou Ming both died at Ji Yuan’s hands.

How many burdens did these two children bear in their previous life? Especially her younger brother, who not only had to seek revenge for his father and mother but also had to contend with Prince Lu, Ji Yuan, and others.

In this life, she had Song Xian to help, whereas in the past life, her younger brother had to rely on himself, regardless of whether it was her younger brother or Xu Qian. They were both so young back then...

Xie Liangchen was about to speak to Xu Qian, but Xu Qian spoke first: "Commandery Princess, how much silver is needed to collect the bamboo poles? I have some here, and if it’s not enough, I will return more later. You are doing this to find the murderer who killed my master and seek justice for him, so this silver shouldn’t come from you."

Xie Liangchen smiled and said, "I am doing this to offer some profit to those who buy a lot, planning for the long term."

Xu Qian understood, but he still saluted to Xie Liangchen, his gaze becoming more resolute: "I must complete my master’s compass as soon as possible and take it to sea to catch those people."

Xie Liangchen knew Xu Qian could succeed, but she did not know when in the previous life it had been completed. However, looking at Xu Qian’s confident face, he must have already come up with a plan and wouldn’t take long.

"If you need help with anything, just come to me," Xie Liangchen said, "There are some craftsmen here. They might be able to assist you."

Xu Qian replied, "I understand."

Xie Liangchen didn’t need to remind Chen Zigeng. Her younger brother has always been meticulous and would take good care of Xu Qian.

These two children would no longer be isolated and helpless; in this lifetime, there would be someone to protect them.

Xie Liangchen called Chen Zigeng over: "What have you seen while at the government office these days?"

Chen Zigeng said, "The government office keeps clear records of our trade of thread tassels and the establishment of the paper workshop."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Chen Zigeng understood that the court didn’t trust his brother-in-law, hence sending so many people to keep an eye, but his brother-in-law did not interfere; as long as they recorded truthfully, it was all up to them.

After all, keeping detailed records wasn’t a bad thing. This way, the Emperor in the Capital City would trust his brother-in-law.

As the siblings were talking, Chang Yue said, "Old Mrs. Chen is here, and the carriage is about to enter the city."

Xie Liangchen looked at Chen Zigeng: "Let’s go welcome our grandmother."

...

Old Mrs. Chen lifted the curtain of the carriage to look outside.

Mrs. Gao beside her said, "This Dai State is so big; it seems larger than Zhenzhou."

Mrs. Gao thought about the account books in Old Mrs. Chen’s bag. The eldest aunt was eager to come to help with the accounts, but others couldn’t understand her account books...

"Eldest aunt," Mrs. Gao said, "I think you should not take out those account books. Let’s just stay in Dai State for a few days, see Liangchen, and not worry about anything else."

Old Mrs. Chen’s eyes widened: "What, just because you’ve been in charge of a few people now, you look down on the old woman?"