Chapter 511: Chapter 423: Bounty

「In the study.」

Chen Li pressed, "What exactly happened?"

"It’s about Master Bao, one of your men, Patriarch. He’s in trouble."

Qian Laibao spoke quickly, "The Four Seas Association has put out the word, offering a bounty of one hundred thousand taels of silver to find him."

’The Four Seas Association has put a bounty on Gossip? Where did they come from?’

’And how could Gossip have gotten mixed up with them?’

Chen Li was completely baffled. "Start from the beginning, and tell me everything in detail."

"Patriarch, here’s what happened. After the Cao Family discreetly spread the news that they were selling thirty thousand mu of mulberry fields, many of the Noble Families and merchants in Jiangnan, and even some Jianghu powers, were intrigued. They all started sending people to inquire."

"The Su Family, the Li Family, and even a few major clans from as far as Wuzhou all sent people to negotiate. But whether it was because the Cao Family’s asking price was too high or for some other reason, none of them could reach an agreement, and they all gave up one by one."

"As you instructed, Patriarch, I’ve been trying to make contact with the Cao Family. But with my limited standing, they rather looked down their noses at me. Their attitude was dismissive, and they wouldn’t budge an inch on the price. I had no choice but to stay in Lishui County and continue gathering intelligence."

"Five days ago, the Four Seas Association approached the Cao Family. I don’t know what terms they discussed in private. Afterward, the Cao Family let it be known that the thirty thousand mu of land had been promised to the Four Seas Association. And the Four Seas Association, they went even further, putting out the word directly in Lishui County Town and the surrounding areas."

Qian Laibao looked at Chen Li and lowered his voice. "They’ve offered a bounty of one hundred thousand taels of silver for a man named Gossip, and they’ve distributed a portrait of him. Anyone who can capture him alive and deliver him to the Four Seas Association will immediately be paid the one hundred thousand taels. If you can provide a solid lead that helps them find him, there’s also a reward of ten to thirty thousand taels of silver."

Chen Li frowned. "The Four Seas Association... what’s their story?"

"Strictly speaking, it’s not a typical Jianghu sect. It’s more of a coalition, jointly funded and staffed by the Four Great Merchants from Jiangzhou, Wuzhou, and Xiangzhou."

"These Four Great Merchants are, respectively: the Longde Porcelain Merchant, whose wares are said to be supreme, second only to those from the Official Kilns; the Pingchuan Tea Merchant, controlling nearly thirty percent of the tea trade across the three prefectures; the Jiangyou Ship Merchant, who holds a monopoly over the Grand River; and the Erqiao Ticket Merchant, with pawnshops in every corner of the three prefectures."

Qian Laibao continued to explain, "Any one of these four is a titan in its industry—the kind that makes the ground shake when they stomp their feet. They’ve always stuck to their businesses and rarely get involved in land deals. I have no idea why they’re so interested in the Cao Family’s thirty thousand mu of mulberry fields this time."

He hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice. "As for why they’ve suddenly put a bounty on Master Bao... I suspect it’s connected to the Cao Family. I just can’t find out the specific reason why. Right now, everyone in Lishui is in an uproar, from the constables at the Government Office to every rogue and wanderer in the Jianghu.

"From the looks of it, they won’t stop until they’ve turned Lishui, and maybe all of Liyang, upside down. I was worried something would happen, so I rushed back to report."

Chen Li listened in silence.

Qian Laibao was in the dark about the details, but Chen Li understood everything perfectly.

’When I framed Cao Danying back in Jiangkou and pinned the blame on the Celestial Sword Sect, I was certain I’d done it secretly enough. The Cao Family should have had no way of finding any proof.’

’But clearly, they hadn’t given up the investigation.’

’Since they couldn’t find any direct clues in Jiangkou, they must have backtracked to trace Cao Danying’s movements before she disappeared.’

’Gossip was living in seclusion in Lishui, but he had taken on apprentices and left traces behind.’

’With the Cao Family’s resources, it wouldn’t be impossible for them to follow the trail and uncover his identity. It would take some effort, but it could be done.’

’So, his exposure was to be expected.’

"So the Cao Family’s thirty thousand mu of land... has it already been sold to the Four Seas Association?" Chen Li asked, changing the subject.

"That appears to be the case."

Qian Laibao said with regret, "I asked my contacts at the County Magistrate’s Office to check. The official paperwork for the deed transfer hasn’t been filed with the Government Office yet, but I fear the private contract they signed has already sealed the deal. It’s such a shame! If we could have secured those thirty thousand mu of prime mulberry fields, we wouldn’t have to worry about the raw silk supply for the Textile Workshop ever again!"

’But Chen Li was unconcerned.’

’If an ordinary family were selling those thirty thousand mu, he might have considered it.’

’But coming from the Cao Family, and at such a sensitive time? How could he dare to take it? God knows how many traps were hidden in that deal.’

"Where exactly are these thirty thousand mu located in Lishui?"

"In the southeastern part of Lishui, near the border with Qingshui. The land there is relatively low-lying, all of it arable and with easy access to irrigation."

A map of Liyang County flashed through Chen Li’s mind. ’Southeast Lishui, bordering Qingshui...’

He sighed inwardly. ’Just as I thought.’

The pieces of the puzzle were incomplete, but he was already beginning to form a theory.

’I’m afraid someone has decided that forcing the conversion of rice paddies to mulberry fields in just Mirror Mountain and Lishui counties isn’t enough. Now they’ve set their sights on Qingshui County, and perhaps other parts of Liyang as well.’

’And when this policy was forced on Mirror Mountain and Lishui counties years ago, it led to a series of disasters, including the assassination of officials and outright rebellion.’

’This time, I fear some people want a permanent solution. They’re planning to artificially create a ’natural’ disaster to completely eliminate any potential resistance and prevent future trouble...’

Seeing Chen Li lost in thought, Qian Laibao reminded him, "Patriarch, the Four Seas Association is immensely powerful and resourceful. Across the three prefectures, countless traveling merchants, porters, and peddlers depend on their Commerce Associations to make a living.

"If they truly want to find someone, there’s practically nowhere to hide in Jiangnan unless that person flees to the barbaric borderlands. Patriarch, you must be extremely careful!"

Chen Li nodded, then asked, "Are there any formidable Martial Dao masters in the Four Seas Association? What’s their level of strength?"

Qian Laibao shook his head. "I’m not too clear on that. I’ve only heard that the association has recruited many extraordinary individuals and that they have quite a few powerful Tributors as well."

Chen Li didn’t press further. "I’ll handle this. You should head back for now. And be careful these next few days."

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