Songjia Village.
Under the yellow horn tree outside the exquisite courtyard.
Naturally, Li Chenan didn't know that Wang Zhenghaoxuan used his tiger skin to make a big flag in front of the Youzhou magistrate.
He is eating watermelon.
Don't tell me, this watermelon chilled in well water does taste good.
But not cold enough.
When I went to Youzhou City, I had to buy some materials to make some ice and get some real iced watermelon to eat.
He raised his eyes and looked at the four Song Dou people who were kneeling outside in the sun, and walked over with a piece of watermelon.
He squatted in front of Song Dou, "Are you thirsty?"
"Would you like to try it?"
Song Dou was sweating profusely, and his whole body was soaked with sweat.
His lips were chapped. He stuck out his tongue and licked them, swallowed, but turned his head away.
"You don't want to know anything from my mouth!"
Li Chenan grinned:
"Tsk, tsk, tsk...!"
"Look at you, you're not a tough guy per se. Your mouth is so dry that it's on fire, but you still pretend to be indifferent to death!"
He took a bite of watermelon, slurred in his mouth, and said slowly:
"Actually, selling illicit salt... I really don't object to it, but your fault is that you colluded with the government to raise the price of this salt!"
He came to the tall and thin man again and squatted down. He took another mouthful of watermelon in front of the tall and thin man, wiped his mouth and said:
"Do you think that after you die, those behind you will look after your family?"
"You are dead wrong!"
"As for the people behind you, I don't care if they are some big salt merchants or some officials of the government. I firmly believe that you are just a tool for them to make more money through this private salt!"
"If you die, they will know that you fell into my hands. In order to silence you... no one in your family will survive!"
As soon as Li Chenan finished speaking, the tall and thin man suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of fear:
"Regent, Prince Regent... if we all speak out, can you, can you save the lives of our whole family?"
When Song Dou heard this, he turned around and shouted sharply: "Zhang Laosan, how dare you say even a word!"
Li Chenan curled his lips and said, "Look, he is already a grasshopper after the fall, but he still dares to threaten you."
"I am the regent of Ningguo!"
"Three of you, whoever wants to speak can come here on your knees. I won't listen to Song Dou even if he says it."
Li Chenan turned around and walked towards the yellow horn tree: "The opportunity is given to you. Before sunset, if you still don't say..."
He sat on the stool, took out the cattail leaf fan and shook it: "There are many private salt dealers in Youzhou, but there are only three or two big salt dealers in Youzhou!"
"It's easy to check this little thing, so when I decide to leave here, you, and your family, are doomed to die!"
His expression turned solemn:
"Do you really think I'm a scholar?"
"I don't care if I kill ten thousand deserters, let alone the four of you!"
Li Chenan stopped talking.
The atmosphere here suddenly became solemn.
The other two people kneeling on the ground looked at Zhang Laosan without saying anything, but the uneasiness in their eyes made Song Dou who was kneeling beside him extremely uneasy!
"You have to think carefully. It's true that he is the regent, but there is no way he can stay in Youzhou for long!"
"If the old man finds out that you betrayed your brothers... do you know the consequences?"
These two words frightened Zhang Laosan and the other three people away from what they said. Li Chenan looked at it and frowned:
"Well, it seems you are more afraid of that old man."
He stood up and looked at the sun.
"Then I will kill the four of you first, and then investigate the case of illegal salt sales in Youzhou."
"Let's go... kill them!"
Li Chenan walked forward.
Xia Hua drew out her sword with a loud sound.
Li Chenan took a step forward, and with one strike of her sword, Song Dou's head suddenly flew up!
A cloud of blood spurted out from his neck and splashed on the faces of the other three.
Zhang Laosan collapsed at that moment.
The yellow and white stuff immediately flowed out!
He fell to the ground with a bang and shouted with tears in his eyes: "Prince Regent, spare your life...!"
"Little man, little man, I will tell you everything I know!"
"I just beg, I just beg the regent to let the villain and his family go!"
Li Chenan turned around with a smile on his face.
"Why bother?"
"You really don't have to say anything!"
"No, the villain must say it!"
"Then...speak further away!"
The other two people also kowtowed together: "I am also willing to confess to the regent!"
Li Chenan sat down again.
"Okay, please speak slowly and tell me everything you know, and I will let you live!"
The three of them were overjoyed and hurriedly walked over on their knees, scrambling to tell Li Chenan everything about the Youzhou Salt Gang!
A full hour later.
Li Chenan frowned.
"Old man, you don't know who he is?"
Zhang Laosan said quickly: "Back to the Regent, we have only heard of the name of the old man, but who exactly is he, the little people really don't know!"
"When the little people get salt, they always get it from the salt guide, Mr. Zhang. Even Mr. Zhang doesn't know who the old man is. He only knows that his hands can reach the sky!"
Li Chenan thought for a moment.
This so-called Yan Yin Guan is not a high official.
The salt in this world is all under the control of the government, because the sales volume of salt is huge and the tax revenue is also huge.
Therefore, Ningguo had the Salt and Iron Department.
The person who manages salt is called Yanguan.
According to the official positions of Ning State, the salt officials, from lowest to highest, are Yan Yin, Yan Zu, Yan Zheng, Yan Shi, Salt Supervisor, Yan Dao and Yan Yunshi.
The official Yanyin does not have the privilege of issuing Yanyin. In fact, it does not even have a grade. It is only responsible for the transportation and storage of salt.
But it just so happens that such a low-ranking official is, in the eyes of these private salt dealers, their God of Wealth, and the Lord Zhang in their mouths!
This kind of person also has no access to the real upper echelons.
But as long as we catch Zhang Jiayi, we can naturally sort out the layers of characters above him.
"Where does Zhang Jiayi live?"
"Back to the regent, he lives in a small courtyard at the west end of Dishui Bridge... Opposite the courtyard is Yuping Tower, the largest brothel in Youzhou City. It's easy to find!"
"I see,"
Li Chenan stood up again, Zhang Laosan and the other three were extremely nervous at the moment!
They dare not look up.
They thought they too would be beheaded.
But he never expected that Li Chenan said softly: "You guys go!"
"Don't go back for now. From now on... I'll do some other things first, and don't sell salt for now."
The three of them were startled and looked up. Li Chenan had already walked away with four fairy-like girls.
"Aren't you worried about them going back to inform?" Zhongli Ruoshui looked at Li Chenan and asked.
"There's nothing to worry about... They're just here for a bite to eat, so there's no point in killing them. Besides... there's no way they can run faster than you."
Zhongli Ruoshui was stunned, and Li Chenan smiled slightly: "Who will go to Youzhou City first?"
"Find Zhangjiayi's yard and just keep an eye on him. Don't try to scare him!"
Xia Hua raised her head: "I'll go!"
"...Okay, be careful, it might be a little dark in Youzhou City!"
