Scripture of Days Past

"However, if we use the prices of goods smuggled across the northern border, then these goods would be enough to earn the Ding Clan over two hundred thousand taels of silver a year," Chu Qiguang declared.

Hao Wen's heart immediately skipped a beat at this insinuation. "You're saying the Ding Clan is smuggling goods to the north?"

"If that's the case, then all the money they send to the capital each year is essentially their protection fee," Chu Qiguang said. "The money is being used to pay off whoever's backing and protecting them in the imperial court. Also, think about this. Right now, an iron pot could easily be sold to the fiends in the northwestern grasslands for over ten times the market price here. However, if trade relations were established with the wolf fiends, would the Ding Clan still be able to make such massive profits?"

Looks of realization appeared on Wu Wei and Hao Wen's faces. No wonder they were being targeted by the Ding Clan. Clearly, both the Ding Clan and their backer in the imperial court were opposed to establishing trade relations with the northwestern wolf fiends, while Wu Siqi was a proponent of negotiations for a truce and trade relations.

Tax and land reforms, investigating the corpse reanimation case, hunting for Immortal Dao followers... All of those are nothing more than excuses to cover up their true agenda, which is to protect the massive profits that they make from illegal trade.

Chu Qiguang knew that the Ding Clan definitely wasn't the only one doing this. There had to be many more people in Spirit Province benefiting from this illegal trade, and even the northern military bases were most likely doing the same thing. All of them were almost certainly opposed to establishing trade relations with the wolf fiends, which made Wu Siqi a public enemy in their eyes.

However, from Qiao Zhi's retelling of the future, it was clear that Wu Siqi ultimately emerged victorious from this power struggle. Not only did he become the grand secretary, he also launched a massive revolution that lasted close to ten years.

If Chu Qiguang could bring down the Ding Clan and get onto Wu Siqi's ship, then he would have an extremely powerful political backer in the future.

"So they're destroying spirit veins, and they're smuggling goods to the fiends? How dare they!" Wu Wei exclaimed. "No wonder they've all joined forces to target my father!"

"We need to report this to the provincial governor and Secretary Wu right away! The Ding Clan needs to pay!" Hao Wen declared.

"Secretary Wu certainly needs to be informed of this, but don't alert the imperial court for now," Chu Qiguang advised. "That's only going to sound the alarm and give the Ding Clan a chance to escape."

Wu Wei nodded in response. After regaining his composure, he analyzed, "There's no way that the northern border military bases aren't aware of what the Ding Clan is doing. If they're involved in this as well, then they must be receiving backing from high-ranking officials in the imperial court. There's also Li Changqing, who represents the Demon Vanquishing Department..."

Wu Wei's voice trailed off there, and both he and Hao Wen felt a chill run down their spines. With so many powerful parties involved, they were feeling completely out of their depth.

"The only problem is that this is all speculation and circumstantial evidence right now," Wu Wei sighed. "Without concrete evidence, we can't do anything to the Ding Clan."

"That's why we should be patient and bide our time for now," Chu Qiguang said. "There's a key piece of evidence that I have yet to secure. Once I have it, I'll be able to bring down the Ding Clan once and for all."

Wu Wei and Hao Wen were eager to know what that piece of evidence was, but Chu Qiguang refused to answer their questions, merely telling them to be patient and wait.

***

After returning to his courtyard, Chu Qiguang asked with a concerned expression, "Are you really planning to go, Master Qiao? At this point, I'm sure we've already done enough. Even if we don't find that key piece of evidence, I'm sure Wu Siqi already has enough to work with to bring down the Ding Clan."

"It's just a trip to the grasslands! A powerful fiend like me will be completely safe in fiend race territory!" Qiao Zhi declared proudly.

I need to make myself useful again! Recently, Chu Qiguang has become less and less dependent on me. At this rate, how am I going to lead the resurgence of the cat fiend race? I have to do something!

Upon Qiao Zhi's insistence, Chu Qiguang agreed to let him go.

"Once you get there, find out which fiends support the truce negotiations and the establishment of trade relations, then ask them for evidence of the Ding Clan's illegal trade. The grasslands have always been barren and bitterly cold, so common everyday necessities in the Great Han Empire can be sold there for massive profit margins. Hence, there must be a significant faction of fiends in support of collaborating with the Great Han Empire.

“However, make sure you don't tell them that you're working with a human. Just say that you have a vendetta against the Ding Clan, and that you plan to use this evidence to bring them down. It shouldn't be difficult for you to find what you need..."

Chu Qiguang continued giving instructions to Qiao Zhi, only stopping once the latter was getting sick of listening to him.

In return, Qiao Zhi advised Chu Qiguang to move into the Wu Manor during his absence, just in case the Ding Clan resorted to desperate measures.

"I've already spoken to Wu Wei, and I'll be moving in tonight," Chu Qiguang reassured.

"Oh, by the way, something's happening in the courtyard that Wang Cailiang rented," Qiao Zhi said. "The landlady, Granny Sun, found some scammer to help treat her grandson's condition, and he told her to put him in a steamer and steam him. What a load of nonsense!"

Chu Qiguang could only let out a resigned sigh. Even in the modern era back on Earth, there were all kinds of fraudulent treatments that did more harm than good, with some even leading to death. It wasn't surprising that something like this was happening in the Great Han Empire.

Under ignorance and superstition, people could do some truly foolish and unexplainable things.

"You want me to stop her? There's no point. That old woman is beyond saving. Even if I stop her this once, she'll keep doing this until she gets her grandson killed," Chu Qiguang said with a sigh. "That said, if her grandson dies, the Daoist temple or the Demon Vanquishing Department could be alerted, and if they find our cat and dog fiends, that could spell trouble."

"Then hurry up and go!" Qiao Zhi urged. "They're about to bring the water to a boil!"

Chu Qiguang arrived at the courtyard where Wang Cailiang was staying and saw that an altar and a banquet had been set up, along with ritualistic items like candles and paper figures. A large steamer sat in the center of the courtyard, and the desperate cries of a child were coming from inside. Wang Cailiang stood off to the side with a hesitant expression, seemingly wondering if he should intervene.

Chu Qiguang stormed into the courtyard, kicked the steamer open, and pulled out the tied-up boy inside. The boy's skin had already turned bright red, but the burns were not severe, so it seemed that Chu Qiguang had arrived just in time.

Chu Qiguang instructed Wang Cailiang to fetch some cold water, while the yellow-robed man performing the ritual on the altar and Granny Sun began scolding Chu Qiguang.

Chu Qiguang handed the boy over to Wang Cailiang to be doused in cold water, then slapped the scammer across the face as Granny Sun looked on in shock. He then kicked the scammer in the back, forcing him to his knees, and ordered him to return the silver Granny Sun had given him.

"That's it?" Chu Qiguang snapped. "What about the boy's medical fees and the compensation that you owe me for coming all the way here?"