Chapter 15: First Hearing of Chaos

The two guests of the Treasure Tower who were chatting were not fond of Yu Xian's sudden arrival and even felt he was being disrespectful.

"What's it to you what we're talking about? Must I answer just because you ask?"

The younger guest frowned.

Yu Xian cupped his hands apologetically, with a very polite demeanor.

"I'm sorry; it's just that a friend of mine was once involved in a military arms case, so when I heard you discussing it just now, I got a bit excited."

"It's fine, it's not some big secret. The news should probably spread around in the next few days anyway."

Another older and more mature guest held back his companion's hand, stopping him from continuing, and smiled cautiously at Yu Xian, "This military case must be mentioned together with the Soucan rebellion.

It was probably about five months ago when a rebellion broke out in Soucan County in the south, and a group of civilians were instigated by the rebels to attack the government office and quickly occupied several county towns."

This incident angered the court, and soon an imperial envoy was sent.

According to later investigations, the weapons and siege equipment used by the rebels were the same ones stolen from the Norblue County warehouse two years ago."

Later, when each county checked their own warehouses, they found many of their military equipment missing, so the court sealed off all major ports, saying they wanted to find out who was smuggling arms to the rebels."

For us small merchants who rely on water transport for our livelihood, we have suffered a lot as a result."

It was initially rumored that the rebellion had been suppressed."

But just half a month ago, the court-appointed imperial envoy and the Prefecture Magistrate who were stationed in Soucan County were both assassinated by the rebels in the mansion, and now, Soucan County is in chaos with even the prefecture city occupied."

We just happen to have some connections in the south, so we knew about it earlier and decided not to continue south after selling all our goods in Prosper City."

"So that's what happened; thank you for clarifying."

Yu Xian cupped his hands in gratitude once more, but there was a shudder in his heart.

Damn, rebels!

Sure enough, anything involving arms is trouble, and Sun Family Pharmacy can't claim to have nothing to do with the rebels in the south, or he'd have to write his name backward."

No, I have to report it!

Without any hesitation, Yu Xian sold out the Sun Family Pharmacy.

After all, the Yue Kingdom doesn't look like it's about to be destroyed, and the little unrest should soon subside. By the time things are sorted out, he won't be able to avoid getting caught up in the trouble."

It turns out that the ten thousand taels of silver were not so easy to collect.

Fortunately, he was only getting paid to do the job, and with his current display of Middle-stage Innate strength and his extremely upright demeanor, he believed that even if Duke Fu found out, he wouldn't say much."

It wasn't until Yu Xian left, thanking the guests, that the younger man who was being held by the older man spoke up:

"Brother, this information didn't come easily, and you just shared it. What if the news gets out and our goods' prices get suppressed instead?"

The older man said solemnly, "Xiao An, we're out there in society doing business, and making money is secondary. What's most important is that we've got to see things clearly.

Otherwise, what's at stake is not money but our lives."

"Do you know where that guy just came out from? The VIP room of the Treasure Tower, and it was that Steward Liu that sent him out personally, I saw him bending his waist so much that he was hunching."

"He has manners, and he doesn't bother with you. Do you believe that if you dared to go against him for a few more words, he would give an order that we would have to stop selling our goods and go straight to jail?"

"Besides, do you think the Treasure Tower doesn't know about this information since we know about it? Don't worry, with what I just said, we probably won't lose out."

As expected, it didn't take long for Steward Liu to invite the two brothers into the VIP room and purchase the goods in their hands at a normal market price without bargaining at all.

All of this happened just because they had an extended conversation with Yu Xian and appeared to be getting along nicely.

Steward Liu was very willing to sell favors within his own job scope, even if Yu Xian knew nothing about it.

After leaving the Treasure Tower.

"Brother, you're amazing!"

The admiration in the younger brother's eyes as he looked at his older brother was almost overflowing.

"That man is a true big shot, showing no signs of his depth. We happened to talk with him for a while, and he helped us solve a big problem."

The older brother took a deep breath, patted the silver note in his bosom, and sighed:

"We didn't make much money this time, but fortunately we didn't suffer any loss. I wonder how many people will bankrupt their families as a result of continuing south."

Small merchants have poor risk resistance, and almost every shipment must be insured with more than half of their assets. Some even have to borrow money, and in case of any accidents, it's a complete loss."

Of course, high risk comes with high returns, and those who successfully return home will make a fortune."

"Brother, I want to stay here for a few more days. I heard that the Treasure Tower is going to have a jade appreciation soon."

"Alright, it won't reach here in a short while anyway."

The older brother leaned on his younger brother's shoulder and laughed affectionately, "I've been worried about this for days and it's nice to finally relax."

...

Duke Fu's Mansion.

This was the second time Yu Xian met Duke Fu since he came to the Royal Mansion.

Compared to their first encounter, Duke Fu's complexion had clearly improved a lot.

As far as he knew, Chen Xiao would try to suppress the poison in Duke Fu's body every three days, after which the Duke could eat a chicken leg meal.

Obviously, Chen Xiao understood his situation well. He wouldn't completely remove the poison from Duke Fu, or else his life would be in danger, even if Duke Fu threatened him with his nominal sister.

Fortunately, Yu Xian was there to protect him; otherwise, Chen Yi would have had to go on acting and suffer a few beatings in front of Chen Xiao.

"Tributor Yu, this matter involves the rebels and is not a trivial matter. The Sun Family Pharmacy has a good reputation for offering medicine and providing medical care to the people and has been well-received by them.

If we take action against them without evidence, I'm afraid that I will face criticism."

Duke Fu shook his head and sighed, as if it were a difficult situation.

Yu Xian spread his hands, looking quite relaxed.

"If that's the case, then let's forget about it. Your Highness, take a rest. I will take my leave now."

Anyway, he had already handed over the report letter in person. If Duke Fu didn't believe it, he would have no choice but to let Yu Xian and the rebels off the hook. There would be no reason to wrong them anymore.

Duke Fu was stunned on the spot, caught off guard by Yu Xian's straightforwardness.

Wait, why didn't you try to persuade me any further?

"Wait a moment, Tributor Yu!"

Duke Fu couldn't pretend anymore and hurriedly said, "Since the Sun Family Pharmacy is suspicious, let's arrest them for interrogation first. If they are not guilty, we can release them later."

He knew more about the unrest in Soucan than the ordinary businessmen did.

It wasn't just an ordinary riot, but a well-organized and premeditated rebellion in which cultivators might have participated.

Considering the military equipment thefts in various counties, it wasn't hard to imagine that a secret organization had already extended its reach into various regions, and perhaps even local officials were involved.

If it were an ordinary warrior, it wouldn't matter how powerful they were; they couldn't compete with the court.

However, the involvement of cultivators made it even more uncertain what kind of existence was behind them.

Duke Fu felt helpless and a little fearful about this.

Ever since his imperial brother became obsessed with Cultivation, it was clear that the court had been keeping the regional kings on a loose leash. So far, they hadn't even made a statement about the assassination attempt on him.

Perhaps he could use the Sun Family Pharmacy incident to flex his muscles and show his power.

As for what if they were wronged.

Well, that's just their bad luck. Was he, a prince, supposed to apologize to them?

"But Your Highness, we don't have any evidence," Yu Xian replied.

"Your words are evidence, Tributor Yu. I'll let you handle this matter completely, and I'll make sure that others cooperate with you."

Duke Fu decided to let Yu Xian take the lead in this matter.

As for Yu Xian, a man of unknown origin, unclear background, who had joined the Royal Mansion halfway and was quite powerful, Duke Fu was actually quite conflicted and didn't know how to deal with him.

Having an Innate Master in the mansion was a great help, especially after Yu Xian announced his breakthrough to the Middle-stage Innate. The Mansion couldn't bear to see him leave.

This time, the Sun Family Pharmacy case was just the right opportunity to strengthen the bond between him and the mansion.

Unexpectedly, Yu Xian refused naturally: "No."

Duke Fu: "..."

"Tributor Yu, you personally reported the Sun Family Pharmacy to me. Isn't it inappropriate for you not to take action?"

Duke Fu suppressed his anger.

It was one thing to make excuses in ordinary times, but to do so in front of him, did he not respect him, a prince?

Did he still want to clear his name?

Yu Xian, however, appeared torn between loyalty and righteousness, and said with difficulty:

"I didn't want to hide it from Your Highness, but the old shopkeeper of the Sun Family and I hit it off at once and considered each other close friends. Reporting him this time already made me feel terrible.

If I personally went to arrest him, I really wouldn't know what to do with myself.

Please, Your Highness, find someone else who is more capable. For example, Tributor Ding is skilled in martial arts and has rich experience in society. I think he is the ideal candidate.

Of course, if Your Highness insists on me doing it and wants to put me in an unjust situation, I can go. However, I won't be able to stay in the mansion anymore, and I'll have to roam society and find another place to go."

Seeing that Yu Xian had said so much, Duke Fu couldn't force him anymore, and doing so would put him in an unjust situation, driving him away. He had nothing more to say.

Damn it, if it weren't for your breakthrough to the Middle-stage Innate!

In the end, Duke Fu couldn't bear to lose an Innate Middle-stage Martial Arts Master who could stay in the Royal Mansion permanently, so he reluctantly suppressed his anger and squeezed out a smile:

"I am not that kind of person. If Tributor Yu does not wish to go, then don't go. Let Tributor Ding handle this matter."

Yu Xian expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."

Ding Le, who was healing his injuries in the third guesthouse of the Heavenly Court, suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose and then impatiently told the disciples of the Everjoy Sword Sect in front of him:

"Send the silver to someone with the surname Yu. Remember, don't say anything."