Chapter 26: A Conspiracy Against the Prince of Qin's Mansion, Zheng Qian Robbed Mid-Journey

Listening to Liu Mingyuan’s words, Ye Tao sat by his desk, his expression darkening as he held the bar of soap, examining it closely.

He had not expected that such an inconspicuous object could incite such a frenzy among the various merchant firms.

"Ye Xun, oh Ye Xun..." he muttered. "Wouldn't it have been better for you to just honestly remain a deposed crown prince, to be your Prince of Qin? Your poetry club ruined my major plans, and now you’ve come up with this 'soap' to rake in a fortune. Do you actually think you can make a comeback?"

For the past few days, Ye Tao had been secretly courting the Duke of the State, Wei Wuji, and had already seen initial success. He absolutely would not allow Ye Xun to bask in any limelight at this juncture, nor would he allow Wei Wuji’s resolve to waver. Furthermore, he would never permit Ye Xun the slightest chance of recovery. Although selling forty taels worth a day was not much, Ye Tao could see that the potential of this soap was immense. He could not allow such a valuable asset to remain in Ye Xun's hands. A deposed crown prince should look the part.

Turning his gaze toward Liu Mingyuan, Ye Tao lowered his eyes and asked, "Are you certain you have investigated all of this thoroughly?"

"It is absolutely true," Liu Mingyuan nodded firmly. "For the past few days, Cao An has been buying large quantities of lard, white angelica, and other materials in the East Market. The soap must be produced within the Prince of Qin’s estate." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping. "Your Highness, we cannot hesitate any longer. While the Prince of Qin is weak, we should..."

Ignoring his suggestion, Ye Tao asked, "Have you looked into the background of that Zheng Qian?"

"I have," Liu Mingyuan replied hastily. "I have uncovered everything. Zheng Qian is Cao An’s cousin. He was once a street vendor, but he became a hopeless gambling addict, idling his days away. He is obsessed with gambling." With a cunning glint in his eyes, he produced a crumpled document. "He has gambled not only at the Changle Gambling House but also at the Xingcai Gambling House. This is a debt note for five hundred taels he owes to Xingcai, and it even has his fingerprint on it."

Although the document contained only the terms and no print yet, it mattered little. They only needed to catch Zheng Qian, force his thumbprint onto the paper, and then hand him directly over to the Shangjing Prefecture Office.

Ye Tao took the document, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Mingyuan, you have been very diligent in your work lately. I am very pleased."

Liu Mingyuan bowed respectfully, beaming. "Your subordinate is foolish, but it is all thanks to Your Highness's teaching. It is my greatest fortune to possess even a tenth of your brilliance."

Ye Tao raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening. "And what of that little eunuch and that vicious dog? Dealing with Zheng Qian alone doesn't feel satisfying enough."

"Heh..." Liu Mingyuan chuckled in agreement. "Your Highness, the little eunuch and that dog trespassed into the Shangjing Prefecture Office. That is trampling on the law and showing contempt for imperial authority. The Prefecture Office will naturally show no mercy to such a person and his beast, as they cannot afford to offend the Emperor's dignity."

"Hahaha..." Ye Tao threw the debt note onto the desk and stood up, laughing. "Good, very good. Once the Prince of Qin’s estate is left with only Ye Xun, I wonder what earth-shattering deeds he will be capable of then." He gestured dismissively. "Go and arrange it. If this is done well, I will reward you handsomely. If you can uncover the secret formula for the soap, it shall be yours as well."

Although this was a risky move, it would sever all of Ye Xun's routes of retreat, and to Ye Tao, it was worth it. Moreover, Ye Xun was already a figure universally reviled, making the situation easier to justify. After all, it was only a eunuch and a dog that would die.

"Heh-heh..." Liu Mingyuan wore a treacherous grin. "Your subordinate thanks Your Highness."

Internally, Liu Mingyuan was overjoyed. His diligence in this matter was driven partly by his desire to take revenge on Ye Xun, but primarily by the potential of the soap, which he intended to claim for himself. His father, entangled in the power plays of the court, needed more than just influence; he needed wealth.

...

For three consecutive days, Zheng Qian traveled back and forth between the Prince of Qin’s estate and the East Market, tireless and invigorated. The fame of the soap gradually spread throughout the markets. He felt his life was full of hope and purpose.

Today, Zheng Qian had sold out of soap by midday and was happily pulling his cart back toward the Prince of Qin’s estate. Halfway there, Zhao Sihu, the leader of the thugs from the Xingcai Gambling House, blocked his path with a dozen men.

Zheng Qian’s heart skipped a beat. He put down his cart and clutched his money bag tightly to his chest, glancing around before looking up at Zhao Sihu with a forced, ingratiating smile. "Brother Hu, what brings you out for a stroll today?"

"Hahaha..." Zhao Sihu strode forward, patting his protruding belly. "Brother Zheng, I don't have the luxury of leisure like you do. I heard you’ve struck it rich lately? Come, let’s go gamble a few rounds. It’s been a while since you’ve patronized our business at Xingcai. I’ve missed you dearly."

Zheng Qian’s grip on the money bag tightened. "Brother Hu, another day, I will certainly come to support you. Not today; I still have to deliver these goods to the Prince of Qin’s estate."

Zhao Sihu’s face darkened instantly, his eyes flashing with cold malice. "What? Are you using the Prince of Qin to intimidate me? Do you think I, Zhao Sihu, grew up being scared?"

"I wouldn't dare, Brother," Zheng Qian said, thinking that a wise man does not fight when the odds are against him, and prepared to slip away.

But Zhao Sihu would not allow it. The dozen thugs immediately surrounded him. Zhao Sihu stared down at Zheng Qian. "If you won't go, that's fine. I am a reasonable man. When will you repay the silver you owe the Xingcai Gambling House?"

Zheng Qian’s heart sank. "Silver? Brother Hu, please, don't joke. When have I ever owed the Xingcai Gambling House money?"

"What? Are you saying my gambling house is trying to swindle you?" Zhao Sihu shook out the crumpled debt note. "Look at this! It’s all written in black and white—do you dare say it isn't yours?"

Zheng Qian looked at the note. "Brother Hu, this doesn't even have my..."

Before he could finish, he felt a rush of air. Before he could react, a heavy fist slammed into his head.

*Bang!*

His head rang, his vision blurred, and his nose and mouth were filled with the acrid stench of blood. He collapsed heavily to the ground, yet he still clutched the money bag to his chest. This was Ye Xun’s trust in him. Even if he died, he would not let go.

"Beat him!"

"Beat him hard!"

"Anyone who dares owe money to my Xingcai Gambling House is tired of living!"

Zhao Sihu stood by with his arms crossed, watching the beating with contempt. A moment later, Zheng Qian was a mess, his clothes torn and soaked in blood, his face swollen and dripping.

Zhao Sihu ordered his men to stop. He crouched down, holding the debt note in his left hand, and grabbed Zheng Qian’s thumb with his right. He pressed the digit into the blood on the ground and then slammed it onto the document. He stood up, nodded with satisfaction, and kicked Zheng Qian. "You dog, even in this state, you still won't let go of your money."

Zheng Qian’s consciousness was fading, but he still held the bag to his chest. Protecting the money was his only conviction, more important than his own life.

At the same time, a patrol unit was fast approaching the scene.