Chapter 553: Details

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Chen Lin’er nodded solemnly. “A very, very high-ranking official.”

Frowning, Qin Zhenzhen sought clarification, “That prominent official?”

Without hesitation, Chen Lin’er whispered to Qin Zhenzhen, “It’s the Public House!”

Shock registered on Qin Zhenzhen’s face. “How did you discover this?”

Chen Lin’er explained, “I accidentally learned it from Wang Nian.” “I initially vowed to bring down Wang Nian’s family completely!”

“But upon learning this secret, I realized that no one can aid me. My only recourse is to use a certain method to take down one of them.’

Qin Zhenzhen didn’t doubt Chen Lin’er; she was merely astonished.

The revelation that the mountain bandits were colluding with the Public House implied that these seemingly ruthless bandits were, in fact, under the control of a powerful government organization.

Questions flooded Qin Zhenzhen’s mind. Why would the Public House covertly nurture individuals in a bandit’s lair? Didn’t they have enough manpower on the surface? The capital outskirts reportedly housed several secret training bases. Yet, even in a remote location like Shanglin, their influence persisted.

Understanding dawned on Qin Zhenzhen. The audacity of the Shanglin bandits, left unchecked by imperial troops, was attributed to the covert operations of the Public House.

Shanglin Prefecture, perceived as economically modest, had minimal tax revenues. Its size was relatively small, making the bandits’ disruptions seemingly inconsequential. The perilous mountain terrain provided a natural defense, rendering the bandits challenging to subdue. Rather than deploying a substantial force to encircle and annihilate them—a costly and time-consuming endeavor—the imperial court had chosen to overlook them.

The Emperor’s trust in the Public House raised questions in Qin Zhenzhen’s mind. Was the Public House plotting rebellion?

Carefully reflecting on the plot from the book, she couldn’t recall any mention of the Public House harboring rebellious intentions. The narrative hinted that the Eighth Imperial Uncle, with support from the Jiang family, swiftly dismantled the Public House and its forces through forceful methods and poison.

Another possibility emerged: the Public House might have recently taken control of these bandits.

Seeking more clarity, Qin Zhenzhen asked, “Can you provide more details?”

Her intent was to relay these specifics to Su Bin for his assessment of Chen Lin’er’s credibility.

Based on information gathered by the Dragon Phoenix Hall, the mountain bandits were divided into two major factions, each occupying a separate mountain. One group had confirmed ties to remnants of the previous dynasty, while the other, larger faction remained unidentified.

Chen Lin’er agreed, saying, “Certainly.”

She began narrating the tragic fate of her family. Originally residing in a small mountain village, her husband’s family had migrated to the city when her father-in-law, an apprentice, garnered appreciation from his employer. Chen Lin’er’s mother-in-law proved to be industrious. Upon entering the city, she extended her assistance to affluent families. Despite residing in a modest space within the city, their outlook remained optimistic, markedly improved compared to their small village life.

Subsequently, they welcomed the birth of a son and, through diligent savings, managed to acquire a small house at the street’s end. Chen Lin’er then became the bride of their son.

Blessed with a husband astute beyond his years, they heeded Chen Lin’er’s counsel, initiating a small business venture. Over time, their efforts bore fruit as they accumulated wealth, purchasing two shops. Their family’s circumstances flourished.

The bandits surrounding Shanglin Prefecture, known for their audacity, demanded protection fees from merchants. Chen Lin’er’s family, conscious of their safety, dutifully paid these fees without accumulating debt.

Initially, the mountain bandits adhered to a sense of reason. After receiving the protection fee, they refrained from troubling the paying merchants for a year.

However, adversity arose when Ms. Zhang, Wang Nian’s wife, set her sights on Chen Lin’er’s shop..

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