Chapter 341: Counterattack

Upon seeing Chu Chuyan and her entourage, Xie Yi’s face immediately transformed into a smile. “My dear niece, I just heard you were looking for me after I returned. I was quite annoyed, thinking I had missed you.”

Zu An thought to himself, these people are more devious than the next. They were clearly home the whole time, deliberately avoiding her, but now they were acting as if nothing had happened.

Chu Chuyan had evidently grown accustomed to such situations, showing no reaction whatsoever. She smiled faintly and said, “Chuyan greets Uncle Xie.”

“Ah, it’s not easy being this uncle,” Xie Yi sighed. The fact that she called him ‘uncle’ instead of ‘City Lord’ clearly indicated her intention to appeal to their families’ long-standing relationship. “My niece, I can largely guess your purpose in coming today. However, the Chu family’s transgression this time is truly immense.”

“I remember you’ve always been very calm. Chuzhongtian made a foolish mistake this time, but why did you follow suit?”

Chu Chuyan said wistfully, “Many things are easier said than done. Over the years, the rampant private salt trade, combined with other expenses, has meant the Chu family has long been operating at a deficit. With the salt permits also stolen, we were helpless. Moreover, all the families have operated this way for so many years that it has become an unwritten rule. Who knew Prefect Sang would suddenly be so… so serious about it?”

Anyone in the salt trade inevitably encountered situations where salt permits were insufficient. If they followed the tax laws stipulated by the imperial court, salt merchants’ costs would double, and ordinary people wouldn’t be able to afford salt.

Thus, the various families gradually formed an understanding. If they encountered such a situation, they would pay a small portion of advance silver as a formality, but most of the money would not be paid.

Because the Salt Administration had always maintained good relations with the Chu family, and with Chuzhongtian in charge, everyone had always been peaceful. Who knew Sang Hong would pull such a move?

“Although it’s an unwritten rule, it conflicts with imperial law after all. If they seize on this point, there’s nothing we can do,” Xie Yi sighed.

Chu Chuyan said gravely, “We know this matter is troublesome, which is why we came to ask for your help, Uncle Xie.”

Xie Yi gave a wry smile. “My niece, you must know that I am merely a city lord. Prefect Sang is my superior and carries an imperial decree. I wish to help, but I lack the ability.”

Chu Chuyan’s face was frosty. She fell completely silent.

Xie Yi continued, “Although I don’t have the ability, there is someone who can help the Chu family.”

Chu Chuyan remained silent, while Xie Yi smiled. The atmosphere in the room grew peculiar.

Zu An was utterly bewildered. “What riddle are they speaking in? Who are you talking about?”

Xie Yi did not explain. “My niece should be clear on that.”

Chu Chuyan finally spoke. “Esteemed Uncle, you should know the Chu family’s long-standing principles.”

Xie Yi gave her a meaningful look. “Many times, it’s not so easy to remain neutral; it often comes at a great cost.”

Chu Chuyan stood up and said, “I apologize for disturbing you today, and I hope you won’t take offense, Esteemed Uncle.”

Xie Yi hastily stood to detain her. “Child, why are you leaving so suddenly?”

“Alright then, since we’re not strangers, I’ll be direct.” Xie Yi paused, seemingly contemplating his words. “I won’t persuade you to fully align with that person anymore. However, if you’re willing to hand over a certain item, someone will naturally help you resolve all these current issues.”

Chu Chuyan’s expression fluctuated between hesitation and clarity. After a long silence, she said, “I need to go back and consider this carefully.”

“Of course, that’s entirely appropriate. You should also discuss it with your family; it’s not a small matter after all.” Seeing that she hadn’t refused outright, Xie Yi’s eyes lit up.

After the two left the Xie residence, Zu An couldn’t contain his curiosity. “What exactly was City Lord Xie talking about?”

From their conversation, he understood that Xie Yi had initially been trying to persuade the Chu family to side with Prince Qi. After Chu Chuyan refused, he offered another condition.

However, he couldn’t figure out what that was.

Chu Chuyan showed hesitation, but still said, “Ah Zu, you’re not an outsider anymore. There are some things you should know. City Lord Xie was referring to an account book…”

She then briefly explained the origins and details of the account book to him.

Hearing this, Zu An’s anger flared. “Isn’t Xie Yi just taking advantage of the situation then!”

He suddenly remembered the account book Pei Mianman had asked him to find previously. At the time, she had told him it contained details of the Chu family’s arms, salt, and iron transactions with various factions. Now, it seemed she hadn’t told him the truth.

Ah, this world is truly terrifying. On the surface, she was still Chu Chuyan’s best friend, yet secretly she was seeking something that could utterly destroy her.

The thought made him uncomfortable. However, he then reconsidered: although Pei Mianman was somewhat deceptive towards the Chu family, she had been genuinely good to him.

For a moment, he didn’t know what to do.

At that moment, Chu Chuyan sighed. “Now we are the fish on the chopping block, and they are the butchers. What can we do when they take advantage of our misfortune?”

Zu An snapped back to reality. “You’re not actually planning to give him the account book, are you?”

“Of course not. It’s just to save face for everyone involved,” Chu Chuyan replied.

Zu An couldn’t help but say, “Honestly, I don’t quite understand. You have such a powerful weapon in your hands, why don’t you make good use of it?”

“Use it?” Chu Chuyan was taken aback. “How?”

Zu An said, “This thing is like a nuclear weapon… Uh, don’t worry about what a nuclear weapon is for now. My point is, you have leverage over so many important officials; you can completely use it to threaten them.”

“But if we do that, we’ll completely fall out with them,” Chu Chuyan frowned.

“The Chu family is on the verge of ruin, and you’re still worried about that?” Zu An said.

“But our relationship was originally quite good. Perhaps out of past friendship, they might secretly help us. What if we completely provoke them and they just stand by and do nothing?” Chu Chuyan said worriedly.

“You’re overthinking things because you’re worried,” Zu An said. “Then let me ask you: the Chu family has been in trouble for so long, has anyone among those people helped?”

Chu Chuyan parted her lips, but ultimately said nothing.

Zu An sighed. “If I were those people, I’d be hoping the Chu family would be ruined sooner rather than later, so that no one would have leverage over them. How do you think these people could possibly step in to save you?”

“No wonder…” Chu Chuyan wasn’t foolish; she had simply been too immersed in the situation to see clearly. Now, enlightened, she immediately reacted. “Then what should we do?”

“Go directly to those people and threaten them: if they don’t help, everyone goes down together!” Zu An said. “According to what you said, those people are scattered throughout various government departments. That’s an extremely formidable force.”

“The reason the Chu family has been having one problem after another recently is ultimately because Sang Qian has been secretly targeting you.”

“Even if you resolve this advance salt permit issue, Sang Hong will find something else to target the Chu family next time. Eventually, something will slip through your defenses.”

“So, to solve the problem fundamentally, you not only need to resolve the Chu family’s current crisis, but also get rid of Sang Hong once and for all. If your description is accurate, the people listed in that account book definitely have the power to help you eliminate Sang Hong as a problem. But the prerequisite is that you must force them!”

Chu Chuyan pondered for a long time. Finally, her gaze became resolute. “Alright, I’ll make a trip to the capital. Those people were so corrupt back then, and the Chu family has been covering for them all these years. It’s time they did something for the Chu family!”