Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

"Huo Qingshan's people are here!" Someone in the hall suddenly whispered.

Lu Anren's face darkened a little, but he quickly regained his composure. He stood up, walked towards the middle-aged man in the lead, and said with a fake smile: "Boss Huo, what can I do for you today?"

The middle-aged man snorted coldly, cupped his hands and said, "Master Lu, how are you? Our Qingshan Gang recently lost a few boxes of goods at the dock, and I heard that some merchants are selling them under your family's name. Is this true?"

Lu Anren's face changed slightly, and he said in a cold voice: "What do you mean by this, Boss Huo? I have never done such a thing. If it is just empty talk, I'm sorry I can't accompany you!"

Huo Qingshan's men dominated the situation in Lu Anren's tavern. The air was filled with gunpowder and everyone's eyes were fixed on the leaders of the two parties.

Huo Qingshan's deputy, a tall, thin, sinister-looking young man, stood up and sneered, "Master Lu, our leader came to visit you today with sincerity. Your Lu family has always been rampant in Bei'an Town, and today I just want you to explain and not be so angry."

Lu Anren's face was gloomy, but he remained calm. He narrowed his eyes and said tentatively, "Boss Huo, since you mentioned the issue of the cargo at the dock, why don't you explain it more clearly? What cargo was lost? How do you determine that it is related to the Lu family?"

Huo Qingshan smiled and said slowly: "Master Lu, since you asked, I will tell you directly. They are several boxes of porcelain from the south, which are very valuable. Someone saw that this batch of goods was delivered to your warehouse. If you have done nothing wrong, why don't you ask someone to check it out?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the tavern showed complicated expressions. Some people whispered: "Is the Lu family really involved with the Qingshan Gang?" Others whispered: "I'm afraid Huo Qingshan is taking advantage of the situation to force the Lu family to bow down."

Zhu Han glanced at Zhu Biao and whispered, "Huo Qingshan came here to provoke me on purpose. His goal is not the goods."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, with a thoughtful look in his eyes, then stood up and interrupted, pretending to be a foreign businessman who didn't know what was going on: "My Lords, please allow me to say a few words. Would it be more appropriate to ask the Garrison Department to intervene and investigate the matter at the dock?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place fell silent. Huo Qingshan turned his gaze to Zhu Biao, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes: "Zhensuo Division? Oh, those officials who hide in the government office and eat idle meals, what qualifications do they have to manage the affairs of our Qingshan Gang?"

Lu Anren also glanced at Zhu Biao, seeming a little surprised that he dared to speak, but then he said: "Boss Huo, this Mr. Xu is a salt merchant from the south, not a local. Why are you making things difficult for him?"

Huo Qingshan snorted coldly: "Mr. Lu is quite active in protecting outsiders. But I'm leaving it at that. Hand over the goods within three days, otherwise--"

He paused, glanced at everyone's faces, and said in a cold tone: "Otherwise, don't blame me, the Qingshan Gang, for not giving you face."

After saying that, he waved his hand and left with his men. The tavern was silent, and everyone looked at each other. Many people shook their heads secretly, showing some concern about the situation of the Lu family.

As night fell, Lu Anren invited Zhu Biao and Zhu Han to a private room and said solemnly, "My two distinguished guests, I'm sorry to have embarrassed you today. The situation in Bei'an Town is more complicated than you imagined."

Zhu Han picked up the teacup and said slowly, "Master Lu, Huo Qingshan is here with ill intentions and is obviously targeting you. But in my opinion, the issue of this batch of goods may not be a unilateral problem on his part."

Lu Anren was startled, and looked at Zhu Han sharply: "What does Mr. Xu mean?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and said calmly, "Have you offended anyone? Or, has anyone in this town secretly contacted the Qingshan Gang and wanted to use them to deal with you?"

Lu Anren frowned, thought for a moment and said, "There are many people in this town who compete with our Lu family. But I can't think of anyone who can make Huo Qingshan do what he wants."

Zhu Biao said, "Master Lu, Huo Qingshan's move may not be just for a few boxes of goods. He is testing your reaction. If he finds any signs of weakness in you, I'm afraid it's not just a few boxes of goods."

Lu Anren was silent for a long time, then suddenly slapped the table and said in a cold voice: "Mr. Xu is absolutely right. This matter cannot be delayed. I must find out who is behind this."

Zhu Han nodded: "Master Lu, if you trust us, we are willing to help. After all, we have just arrived in Bei'an Town and hope to make reliable friends."

Lu Anren looked at the two of them with complicated eyes, and finally sighed: "Since you two are so righteous, I won't hide it. I will send people to the dock to conduct a thorough investigation tomorrow, but I hope you two can help me stabilize the situation secretly."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly and raised his teacup: "Okay, then I wish Mr. Lu a bright future."

The next morning, Zhu Biao and Zhu Han changed into ordinary boatman's clothes and blended into the busy crowd at the dock. They noticed that the atmosphere at the dock was obviously tense, and the workers were working cautiously and looking around from time to time.

"It seems that the Qingshan Gang has considerable deterrent power," Zhu Biao said in a low voice.

Zhu Han nodded slightly, and looked around. Suddenly, he found a few carriages parked in front of a warehouse not far away, piled with boxes covered with coarse cloth. Several men in tight clothes were directing the transportation, and their expressions were a bit hurried.

"Biao'er, look over there." Zhu Han reminded in a low voice.

Zhu Biao followed his gaze and had an idea: "The warehouse is in a remote location. Those boxes are likely the goods that Huo Qingshan mentioned."

The two looked at each other and quietly approached the perimeter of the warehouse, waiting for an opportunity to observe the movement. Suddenly, a man who looked like a boatman spotted them and shouted with a vigilant look: "What are you two doing here?"

Zhu Biao responded calmly with a simple smile: "Brother, we are new boatmen and we got lost accidentally."

The man looked at them and waved his hand: "Don't run around, this is not a place for you to come."

Zhu Han took the opportunity to glance at the bottom of the box with the corner of his eye. He vaguely saw a blue and white pattern in the corner of a piece of cloth, and secretly confirmed his guess in his heart.

After the two left the warehouse, Zhu Biao whispered, "There is indeed something wrong with these boxes. Huo Qingshan's intention is definitely not simple."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, with a certainty in his tone: "Next, we just need to wait and see what Lu Anren does and how this storm unfolds."

At night, the atmosphere at the dock becomes increasingly deserted. The occasional river breeze brings up sporadic sounds of water. The swaying of the boat accompanies the tranquility of the night, but it hides undercurrents.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Han quietly returned to Lu Anren's residence. As soon as they entered the house, they saw Lu Anren pacing in the hall, his expression unable to hide his anxiety. When he saw the two of them coming back, he immediately stepped forward and asked, "Did you two find anything?"

Zhu Han nodded and said slowly, "Master Lu, there is indeed something wrong with the warehouse you sent people to monitor. We saw several carriages carrying a batch of goods to the ship, and the workers were acting suspiciously. And the logo of Southern Porcelain was revealed in those boxes."

Lu Anren's face changed, and he said in a deep voice: "It is indeed the Qingshan Gang's doing! It seems that they not only framed us, but also intended to quickly transport this batch of goods away!" Zhu Biao took over the conversation and said calmly: "Master Lu, this batch of goods is the key, we can't let them leave the dock. If we lose the physical evidence, it will be difficult to track down further."

Lu Anren slammed the table, his face showing a fierce look: "Okay! I will send someone to intercept the goods! Huo Qingshan is blatantly provoking, does he really think that there is no one in the Lu family?"

Zhu Han shook his head and reminded softly, "Master Lu, we should not act rashly. Since Huo Qingshan dared to act so brazenly, he must have laid many traps for you to fall into. We must find a way to expose his flaws so that we can strike back."

Lu Anren frowned, obviously thinking about countermeasures. Seeing this, Zhu Biao said slowly: "Master Lu, I have a plan, I wonder if you are willing to try it?"

Lu Anren asked anxiously: "Mr. Xu, please speak."

Zhu Biao's eyes were steady, and his tone was neither hurried nor slow: "We can have your men pretend to compromise, claiming that they are willing to cooperate with the Qingshan Gang, and hinting that they will provide cover for them during transportation. In this way, they will definitely let down their guard, and then we will be able to intercept the goods without anyone noticing, and catch them in the act at the same time."

Lu Anren's eyes lit up when he heard this, but he was a little hesitant: "Although this plan is brilliant, if Huo Qingshan finds out something is wrong, he might bite back. By then, won't my Lu family be even more passive?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "That's why we need double insurance. Master Lu's men are only responsible for delivering the message, and the actual action will be left to our people. In this way, even if the plan fails, Master Lu can retreat unscathed."

Lu Anren thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay, let's do as you two wish! I will arrange for reliable personnel to contact Huo Qingshan right away."

The next morning, the sun shone through the mist onto the streets of Bei'an Town. The people in the town were busy as usual, unaware that a secret battle at the dock had quietly begun.

The steward of the Lu family came to Huo Qingshan's territory with several followers and handed over the invitation in a humbly manner: "Boss Huo, after deep thought, our master feels that it is better to resolve the misunderstanding and is willing to sit down and discuss cooperation with you in detail."

Huo Qingshan half-lay on the chair, squinting at the steward, a sneer on his face: "Oh, Master Lu finally figured it out? If he had known this, why would he have created so much trouble?"

The steward bowed his head and smiled apologetically: "Master, please be magnanimous. Please don't take the previous misunderstanding to heart. This time we are willing to provide the dock's ships and manpower to help you transport the goods to Jinling. There will be no delay."

Huo Qingshan's eyes flashed with suspicion, and he snorted coldly: "You Lu family are not easy to deal with. You suddenly changed your attitude. What tricks are you planning to play?"

The manager waved his hands quickly: "Don't misunderstand, Boss. We in the Lu family also have our own difficulties. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to supervise the whole process. We have no second thoughts."

Huo Qingshan pondered for a moment, and finally waved his hand: "Okay, I'll give Mr. Lu a favor this time. But you'd better know your place and don't let me find out anything fishy."

"Yes, yes, boss, don't worry!" The manager responded repeatedly, a layer of cold sweat on his forehead.

The fleet moved forward steadily on the river, with the river breeze blowing and the water rippling. Zhu Biao and Zhu Han quietly hid in the shadow of the stern, carefully observing the movements around them. The night concealed their actions, but it also concealed the danger of the undercurrent.

"Uncle, although these boat workers appear normal on the surface, each of their movements is unusually alert, as if they are on guard against something." Zhu Biao said in a low voice, his eyes sweeping over the several crew members who were busy on the deck.

Zhu Han nodded and whispered back, "Most of Huo Qingshan's men are desperate criminals. They will be very careful when transporting this kind of goods. We must find the right time and must not act rashly."

As the two were talking, they suddenly heard a low conversation coming from the front deck.

"The captain said that only the crew members are allowed to move around tonight, and no outsiders are allowed to approach the cargo hold."

"Humph, these goods are not ordinary things. If something goes wrong, no one will be able to escape with the consequences!"

"Why do those new boatmen over there look unfamiliar? Keep an eye on them and don't let them mess around."

Zhu Biao's heart tightened, and he whispered, "Uncle, they are beginning to notice us."

Zhu Han snorted, his eyes showing a hint of coldness: "It doesn't matter. The more this happens, the more it shows that they are guilty. As long as we don't reveal any flaws on the road ahead, they won't easily take action."

The two continued to pretend to be busy boatmen, using the river breeze as a cover to quietly approach the cargo area. The crew on the deck patrolled back and forth, looking around from time to time, and were on high alert.

Late at night, the fleet stopped at the shore for a short period of time to replenish water and supplies. Zhu Biao and Zhu Han took advantage of this moment of confusion and quietly approached the warehouse door.

"Your Highness, there are guards here." Zhu Han reminded in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the two burly men leaning against the warehouse door.

Zhu Biao responded softly: "If we act rashly, I'm afraid it will alarm everyone on the ship."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, then took out a small bottle of powder from his arms and said softly: "This is a little incense. Use it in their tea to make them temporarily unconscious. You attract their attention, and I will do it."

Zhu Biao nodded, and then pretended to be a boatman, carrying a bucket of water and slowly approaching the two guards. He pretended to be respectful and asked in a low voice: "Two brothers, it's late at night, drink some water to relieve your fatigue?"

A guard looked up at Zhu Biao and frowned, "Where are you from? I don't know you."

Zhu Biao smiled and evaded the question, "I was just sent here by the captain. The brothers all said that you two are heroes on night duty, so I specially brought some water to honor you."

Another guard looked at him for a moment, took the bucket and took a sip, then said coldly, "You are such a sweet talker. Next time, don't get close to the warehouse. This is not a place you can come to."

Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly: "Understood, please enjoy your meal."

The guard relaxed his vigilance, and soon after drinking the water he began to feel dizzy, then fell to the ground silently.

Zhu Han walked out from the shadows and gave Zhu Biao a thumbs up: "Well done, let's go in and take a look at the goods."

The warehouse was filled with neatly stacked wooden boxes, each of which was sealed tightly. (End of this chapter)