Chapter 711: Chapter 710: What Does Ninth Master Intend to Do
Wen Congrui’s anger was not unfounded. Ah Jiu, the son of a rchant from Beiyan, ca here rely to inspect his business ventures. Since their family dealt in dicinal herbs, what could possibly tie them to a pig-slaughtering Lu Family? Was it worth his while to play such a grand ga of chess?
He had investigated; it turned out the Lu Family was the maternal family of Wufu’s elder maternal aunt. It seed likely that all of this was because of Wufu. Consequently, Wen Congrui found himself unable to act against the Lu Family otherwise than as Ah Jiu had orchestrated, both for the sake of justice and, to so extent, to vent Wufu’s frustrations.
But Wen Congrui felt used. Did Wufu know about this? Had she also used him?
Wen Congrui grew agitated, further infuriated that Ah Jiu was gambling with the lives of Nanyue’s citizens. Did he think Nanyue belonged to him and he could do whatever he wished with it?
Fuming with anger, Wen Congrui made his way to Ah Jiu’s doorstep.
When Ah Jiu heard of his arrival, his eyebrows lifted, "You’ve arrived quite swiftly. Please, head to the Floral Hall."
Shortly after, he saw Wen Congrui, clad in an official robe, standing with his hands behind his back. He couldn’t help but smile—had he worn his official robe as a reminder of their respective statuses?
"Lord Wen graces
with his presence. I regret not having gone out to et you," said Ah Jiu with a smile as he bowed in greeting. "Please, take the seat of honor. Soone, bring the tea."
Ah Jiu seated himself in the seat of honor first, and a servant girl brought the tea.
Wen Congrui looked at the man across from him, who was about his age, and with a light snort that was half-mocking, half-amused, he said, "Ninth Master must have foreseen that this official would co knocking!"
A flicker passed through Ah Jiu’s eyes as he responded, "Lord Wen’s words seem to hold a deeper aning which, I am afraid, I do not quite understand."
"Are you truly clueless or just pretending to be? What a masterful ga you’ve played, Ninth Master, even making this official one of your chess pieces!" Wen Congrui scoffed.
There was a clear note of anger in his words.
Ah Jiu, holding his tea, took a sip and said with a smile, "You overstate it, my lord. How could a re rchant like myself have the skills to manipulate an official as a chess piece?"
"You are wrong there. As you said, the son of a re rchant indeed, yet Ninth Master has so capable people at your side, even able to create a dicine that causes swine fever. This official is curious, what are your intentions, Ninth Master?"
"Oh?"
"Swine fever can lead to an epidemic, sothing Ninth Master surely knows. If it turns into a contagious plague, it’s the citizens of my Nanyue who will suffer. In Ninth Master’s eyes, are the lives of Nanyue’s people as insignificant as ants, to be trampled at your whim?" Wen Congrui’s gaze turned fierce as he continued, "Or is it that Ninth Master has an even greater sche, hoping to incite civil unrest within Nanyue so that Beiyan might take advantage during the chaos?"
Clap, clap, clap!
Ah Jiu began to applaud, smiling, "You truly are a good official, constantly mindful of the people. If only Nanyue had more officials like you, we wouldn’t be continually ceding land!"
His words carried a tone of regret.
Wen Congrui’s political acun was indeed sharp, grasping the big picture from a small incident. Regardless of whether he was overthinking, just the fact that he considered such a possibility was comndable.
If only Nanyue had more officials like him, the imperial court wouldn’t be so corrupt and incompetent!
"You!" Wen Congrui stood up abruptly, rage burning in his eyes. Then, he cooled down suddenly and responded sarcastically, "I am far inferior to Ninth Master who, though ’just a rchant’s son,’ seems to know so much about politics. This official is really curious, what truth lies beneath Ninth Master’s guise as a rchant!"
Ah Jiu raised his head, his gaze calmly eting Wen Congrui’s.
Two n of similar age, one in a purple robe, the other in an official robe—both with different auras yet equally distinguished, were a sight to behold.
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