Chapter 553: Details

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Chen Liner nodded solemnly. A very, very high-ranking official.

Frowning, Qin Zhenzhen sought clarification, That prominent official?

Without hesitation, Chen Liner whispered to Qin Zhenzhen, Its the Public House!

Shock registered on Qin Zhenzhens face. How did you discover this?

Chen Liner explained, I accidentally learned it from w.a.n.g Nian. I initially vowed to bring down w.a.n.g Nians family completely!

But upon learning this secret, I realized that no one can aid me. My only recourse is to use a certain method to take down one of them.

Qin Zhenzhen didnt doubt Chen Liner; she was merely astonished.

The revelation that the mountain bandits were colluding with the Public House implied that these seemingly ruthless bandits were, in fact, under the control of a powerful government organization.

Questions flooded Qin Zhenzhens mind. Why would the Public House covertly nurture individuals in a bandits lair? Didnt they have enough manpower on the surface? The capital outskirts reportedly housed several secret training bases. Yet, even in a remote location like Shanglin, their influence persisted.

Understanding dawned on Qin Zhenzhen. The audacity of the Shanglin bandits, left unchecked by imperial troops, was attributed to the covert operations of the Public House.

Shanglin Prefecture, perceived as economically modest, had minimal tax revenues. Its size was relatively small, making the bandits disruptions seemingly inconsequential. The perilous mountain terrain provided a natural defense, rendering the bandits challenging to subdue. Rather than deploying a substantial force to encircle and annihilate thema costly and time-consuming endeavorthe imperial court had chosen to overlook them.

The Emperors trust in the Public House raised questions in Qin Zhenzhens mind. Was the Public House plotting rebellion?

Carefully reflecting on the plot from the book, she couldnt recall any mention of the Public House harboring rebellious intentions. The narrative hinted that the Eighth Imperial Uncle, with support from the Jiang family, swiftly dismantled the Public House and its forces through forceful methods and poison.

Another possibility emerged: the Public House might have recently taken control of these bandits.

Seeking more clarity, Qin Zhenzhen asked, Can you provide more details?

Her intent was to relay these specifics to Su Bin for his a.s.sessment of Chen Liners credibility.

Based on information gathered by the Dragon Phoenix Hall, the mountain bandits were divided into two major factions, each occupying a separate mountain. One group had confirmed ties to remnants of the previous dynasty, while the other, larger faction remained unidentified.

Chen Liner agreed, saying, Certainly.

She began narrating the tragic fate of her family. Originally residing in a small mountain village, her husbands family had migrated to the city when her father-in-law, an apprentice, garnered appreciation from his employer. Chen Liners mother-in-law proved to be industrious. Upon entering the city, she extended her a.s.sistance to affluent families. Despite residing in a modest s.p.a.ce within the city, their outlook remained optimistic, markedly improved compared to their small village life.

Subsequently, they welcomed the birth of a son and, through diligent savings, managed to acquire a small house at the streets end. Chen Liner then became the bride of their son.

Blessed with a husband astute beyond his years, they heeded Chen Liners counsel, initiating a small business venture. Over time, their efforts bore fruit as they acc.u.mulated wealth, purchasing two shops. Their familys circ.u.mstances flourished.

The bandits surrounding Shanglin Prefecture, known for their audacity, demanded protection fees from merchants. Chen Liners family, conscious of their safety, dutifully paid these fees without acc.u.mulating debt.

Initially, the mountain bandits adhered to a sense of reason. After receiving the protection fee, they refrained from troubling the paying merchants for a year.

However, adversity arose when Ms. Zhang, w.a.n.g Nians wife, set her sights on Chen Liners shop..