Chapter 280: Min City

Chapter 280: Min City

Shen Chongzhuo recoiled as if scalded, dropping his head to stare fixedly at the tips of his own shoes, without looking at Li Tiezhu a second time.

The study fell into a dead silence, broken only by the occasional crackle of the burning candle.

The light flickered across their faces, shifting between brightness and shadow.

After a long moment, seeing that Shen Chongzhuo still showed no sign of speaking, Cheng Ge said nothing more.

He slowly rose to his feet, adjusted his robes, and resumed a calm tone:

"Since that's the case, Lord Shen, just pretend that this official was never here tonight.

This brother Li is gravely wounded with nowhere to go. I hope, for my sake, Lord Shen will take him in for a while."

With that, he turned to Li Tiezhu, whose eyes were full of bewilderment and fear, and softened his voice:

"Brother Tiezhu, rest here and recover. Once I've resolved this case, I'll have your family come to take you home."

Finished speaking, Cheng Ge did not look back at Shen Chongzhuo, but turned and walked toward the door.

Just as his hand was about to touch the door, a strained voice finally came from behind:

"Wait... wait..."

Cheng Ge paused mid-step but did not turn around immediately.

"They... they... transport the iron to Min City mainly through... the Canal Gang..."

Cheng Ge's hand stopped on the doorframe, still without turning, but he tilted his head, the candlelight casting deep shadows on his sharp profile.

"The Canal Gang?" he repeated, his voice betraying no emotion.

"Yes... the Canal Gang." Shen Chongzhuo seemed drained of all strength, collapsing into his chair.

He covered his face with his hands, his voice muffled through his fingers: "They have their own people at the Wei River dock.

The goods... those iron ingots, after initial smelting at Luoying Ridge and Heishui Valley, are disguised as raw silk, medicinal herbs, or ordinary ore, and mixed into the Canal Gang's fleet for transshipment at the dock.

Beyond that, I know nothing. Those waters are too deep for me to pry into."

He lowered his hands, his face a mixture of pallor and fear: "Censor Cheng, this humble official is not completely without conscience, but I am weak and alone, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot (an impossible task).

When I first took office, they threatened me over this... they... they cut off the previous county magistrate's head and sent it to my wife!"

His voice broke as he spoke, and he lowered his head, deeply bowed: "All I want is to leave this post safely, to take Wanyun away from this place of trouble.

I... I have failed the people of Wei County... I have failed the emperor's grace..."

Cheng Ge slowly turned, looking at Shen Chongzhuo's hunched form.

The Canal Gang... Min City... the prefecture... Cheng Ge silently mulled over these pieces of information.

The next morning, at the rear gate of the county office, just after daybreak.

Su Wanyun, with her protruding belly, wore a gentle smile as she carefully smoothed out the wrinkles on Cheng Ge's collar.

She turned and took a neatly prepared blue floral bundle from a maidservant beside her, then handed it to Cheng Ge with a smile:

"Why are you leaving so suddenly? I didn't have time to prepare properly for you.

Inside are some dried provisions and pastries that keep well. Take them for the road—don't go hungry."

Then, she carefully took out a newly made arm guard from her sleeve.

It was made of sturdy dark fabric, padded with thick, soft flannel inside, with even and fine stitching.

Clearly, she had put thought into it; it would be very warm to wear on the arm. She helped Cheng Ge put it on himself, adjusting the fit.

Cheng Ge took the bundle and looked down at the finely crafted arm guard on his arm.

When he looked up again, his face broke into a bright smile, his eyes curving like crescent moons, carrying a youthful, carefree sincerity:

"Thank you, sister-in-law! Don't worry—I'll go out and make my way, and I'll be back to see you in a while!

When I make a big fortune this time, I'll definitely get a big gold pig for my future little nephew or niece!"

Su Wanyun laughed at his words, and gently tapped his head, chiding him playfully: "Nonsense! What gold pigs and silver pigs? As long as you come back safe and sound, that's all that matters."

Cheng Ge grinned, showing her a radiant smile that was almost a promise.

Then, he exchanged a glance with Wufeng, and the two of them, one after the other, melted into the chilly early-morning streets.

Su Wanyun stood where she was, her hand unconsciously went to her belly, her eyes following his retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner.

A cloak, still radiating body heat, was gently draped over her shoulders.

Shen Chongzhuo had come up beside her unnoticed, drawing the cloak tighter around her collar, and said in a low voice: "The morning wind is cold. Don't stand too long.

If you miss him, in a few days... I'll find some way to invite him back for a short stay."

Su Wanyun still gazed at the empty street corner, not immediately withdrawing her gaze.

She seemed not to have heard her husband's last words, only unconsciously pinching the edge of the cloak.

After a long while, she said in a low voice, her words even somewhat random: "His eyes... are really beautiful."

Meanwhile, Cheng Ge, along with Wufeng and Jiyue, investigated the Wei River dock in secret for several days.

But the Canal Gang's influence ran deep, and the dock was crawling with informants. Any move by these unfamiliar faces would easily tip them off.

They made little progress, and could never find solid evidence or a way in.

"Sir, we can't keep doing this," Jiyue said in a low voice, looking at the heavily guarded dock warehouses with a furrowed brow.

Cheng Ge's eyes swept over the canal boats traveling back and forth on the river, knowing they were outnumbered and making no headway.

Since that was the case, he had to find outside help. The next day, he took the jade token that Lin Nanshu had given him and went to the Lin family shop.

Following the address he'd found, he located the "Lin Family Trading House."

What an eye-opener it was! This was no ordinary shop—this was a freaking commercial empire.

Only then did Cheng Ge belatedly realize that the Lin family seemed to be quite wealthy.

When Lin Nanshu said his family had a small business, he had actually believed that...

He composed himself, walked into the trading house, and directly showed the jade token to the clerk behind the counter. The clerk, who had been wearing a polite, professional smile, his expression instantly shifted the sight of the token—his eyes turned deeply respectful and fearful, with even a hint of awe.

He almost instantly bowed and said, "Honored guest, please wait a moment!" Then he turned and hurried swiftly into the inner hall.

In no time, a middle-aged steward dressed in a brocade robe with an air of competence came out in haste, followed by several assistants.

The steward shot a sharp look at Cheng Ge and the jade token in his hand, then immediately clasped his fists and bowed, speaking with the utmost deference:

"I had no idea you were coming, so I didn't welcome you properly—sorry about that! Please, follow me to a private room upstairs to talk."

Cheng Ge was ushered by the crowd into a second-floor private room that was understated but classy.

Fine tea was served, and the steward personally attended to him, asking cautiously, "So, what can we do for you? The Lin family will do whatever it takes."