Su Ningxin was not a boudoir lady or a deep palace concubine, and the problem in Uncle Qin's words could be heard as soon as she heard it.
Official tea is basically a strategic material in Daqi, used to store border trade horses, that is, to exchange horses with Xixia. After all, Dayong's cavalry is very strong, and Daqi has very few people who are good at riding horses, and horses are even rarer. Can be exchanged from Xixia.
Since it is such an important thing, how could soldiers be allowed to sell it privately during transportation? Da Qi would be exiled if he sold private tea. If he dared to touch the official tea, he would probably lose his head.
Su Ningxin frowned and looked at Uncle Qin, "You mean, there is something wrong within Guan Cha? Or is there something wrong with the entire Tea Transportation Department?"
Uncle Qin nodded, "That's probably it. The Qin family has strictly ordered the children of the clan not to have anything to do with private tea or official tea. They didn't even buy this year's new tea."
Uncle Qin was born in the Qin family, a wealthy family in Xingyuan Prefecture. However, because he was from a sideline, he did not have much status in the clan. In recent years, he was the abbot of the Xingyuan Prefecture's Chamber of Commerce and gradually gained prominence in the family.
The rich people in these places are the most sensitive to matters in their own territory. This matter may not be as simple as transporting private tea. It is very likely that many people will be implicated.
"Uncle Qin, be careful and don't get involved in official affairs." Su Ningxin believed in Uncle Qin's ability, but still warned that this matter might be more serious than imagined.
She thought of Ji Chu, who was Mrs. Lu's nephew. He always showed off his disguise to others. When he broke the table, his martial arts skills were at least as good as hers.
After contacting Uncle Qin, it was not difficult for Su Ningxin to guess the purpose of his coming to Xingyuan Mansion. He was definitely here for the tea shipment, but he didn't know whether he was from the emperor or a retainer of some royal minister.
Although Su Ningxin had followed the emperor since he was young, she did not understand all the forces in his hands. After all, he was only a prince at that time, and most of the forces would not be exposed openly.
She won't understand the forces that have nothing to do with her, and she will be in trouble if she gets into trouble.
It is estimated that others are the same as her, just like her as a concubine, she can guarantee that the emperor's people can be counted on ten fingers if they know that she is a secret guard.
Su Ningxin tapped her fingers on the table unconsciously. This was her habitual action when thinking. After tapping a few times, her fingers suddenly stopped.
"Uncle Qin, do you still have Junshan Silver Needle here? If not, just get some other good tea."
"Don't worry, young master, there are still some silver needles in Junshan." Uncle Qin thought for a while and replied.
Although Junshan Silver Needle is a tribute tea, not all of it has to be sent to the palace. As a merchant guild that monopolizes the whole government, it is not difficult to find some.
Su Ning thought for a moment. The Lu family has always been upright. Even in the process of seizing the heir, they never took sides and were only loyal to the emperor. Regardless of whether Ji Chu is a real Lu family member, he can appear as a Lu family member, at least. Prove that you are not your own enemy.
In this case, it is fair that he can really help as much as he can, and then get a few calligraphy paintings from Mr. Lu to please his master.
—
After arranging for people to investigate along the clues from the tea house, Chu Jihan led Lian Kill back to the Lu Mansion. As soon as he arrived at the door, he saw many people gathered around the door.
"What's going on? The master finally got angry and was beaten to the house?" Chu Jihan said with gloating.
"Young man, go over and ask." Lian Sheng said with a dull face. Based on his years of experience, the young master would never be able to escape from this matter.
Soon Lian Sheng came back, still looking numb, "Sir, it was you who said in the teahouse that Mr. Lu likes to drink tea. It was spread. These people came to visit with tea."
Chu Jihan's expression was stiff and his smile gradually disappeared, "The doors are blocked, let's find another way."
"Climb over the wall?" Lian Sheng asked bluntly, and received a slap on the back of the head from Chu Jihan.
As soon as Chu Jihan jumped off the wall, he saw Mr. Lu tapping his palm with a ruler in the distance. Chu Jihan immediately pretended to be stupid, "Hey, master, are you looking at the scenery here?"
"You little bastard, you still know how to come back? How did you arrange for me outside again?" Mr. Lu said and hit Chu Jihan.
After a moment of turmoil, the one-sided beating ended due to old age and lack of physical strength.
Taking a deep breath, Chu Jihan went over to support the panting Mr. Lu, "Master, I know you don't taste tea, but there is no harm in others giving you some good tea."
"Hmph, if people come here because of his reputation in the future, I can't even taste the quality of the tea, and your master's reputation will be completely ruined in your hands." Mr. Lu became more and more angry as he spoke, and raised his hand to Chu Ji again. A chill on the back of the head.
Chu Jihan always drank tea like a cow, and couldn't taste it at all. This was also influenced by Mr. Lu, so Mr. Lu was no better than Chu Jihan in tea ceremony.
"By the way, master, what do you think of the previous rosin Huimo?" Chu Jihan asked suddenly, remembering the news he got from Shen Qing.
Arriving at a field he was familiar with, Mr. Lu became more energetic, "Of course it goes without saying. The rosin Hui ink from the previous dynasty is a treasure that is hard to find. The ink is greenish-purple, with a hint of rosin, and the right shade. It is the best I have ever seen. of ink."
Mr. Lu said, still thinking about it with some reminiscence.
Chu Jihan didn't care that Mr. Lu was immersed in memories, "Master, do you have it in your hand?"
As expected, Chu Jihan was hit again, "Where can I have it? The rosin Huimo of the previous dynasty has been lost long ago. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is hard to find a lot of money. I have been impoverished all my life, and you, Uncle Lu, also have the wind in your sleeves. Even if he sells him, he can’t afford it.”
Uncle Lu refers to Mr. Lu's only son, who is now the prefect of Daming Prefecture. Depending on Mr. Lu's intentions, if he can exchange for ingots by selling Mr. Lu, he might do so.
Listening to Mr. Lu's words, Chu Jihan became a little confused. He heard Shen Qing say that he had exchanged the rosin ink from the previous dynasty for the master's calligraphy treasure, but the master did not agree.
Is Shen Qing lying? But that was the voice in his heart. What was the point of lying to himself
Or did the master refuse? Impossible. If his son could be exchanged for it, how could his disciple, let alone his temperament, refuse
In order to prevent being beaten, Chu Jihan asked a little carefully this time, "Master, how come I heard that someone once gave a piece of rosin Hui ink from the previous dynasty."
"Oh, I confiscated it." From Mr. Lu's tone, Chu Jihan could hear that his heart was bleeding.
"Why was it confiscated?" Chu Jihan answered subconsciously. After speaking, he immediately held his head and received another slap.
"Where did you hear that?" Mr. Lu asked doubtfully.
"I heard someone say this in the teahouse today. What's going on? You actually confiscated it. It's not like your character."
"It happened a few years ago. At that time, the late emperor was still alive but his body was getting weaker and weaker. Several princes were also ready to take action. At this time, someone under the prince sent something to the Lu Mansion. How could I dare to accept it."
"The person who gave you the ink ingot is named Shen?" Chu Jihan was eager to verify Shen Qing's identity.
(End of chapter)