Chapter 19: Thanks to

Chao Sheng received the order and left.

Last night's scheme marked the beginning of his declaration of war against the second house.

Having endured for ten years, it was time to strike back.

The wind blew, causing the loquats to sway. Shen Juncheng gazed at the plump loquats and calmly said, "Come out, Your Highness."

Upon hearing his words, a young man in blue attire walked in from the doorway, flicking his folding fan and jokingly said, "Shen, you don't know how to cherish beauty."

That coquettish wife of yours dared to say she'd be dealt with if she didn't obey; shouldn't she at least be enjoyed first, then disposed of?

Otherwise, it's such a waste.

As he closed the fan, he shamelessly added, "Before dealing with her, you should've had your fun, otherwise, you'll be at a loss."

She's already been dragged into a second marriage.

Shen Juncheng glanced at him and ignored his teasing.

His Highness touched his nose and deliberately asked, "Could it be that Shen is truly unwell?"

Shen Juncheng shot him a glare, making the person laugh heartily—so Shen did care, after all.

He sat down and skillfully poured himself a cup of tea, gossiping, "So, Liu has left?"

"Yes."

"Tsk, I heard that on your wedding night, your dear aunt tried to spice things up by spiking the drinks with a potent aphrodisiac. Unfortunately, the groom dodged it, but the bride drank it by mistake and got poisoned. Now, everyone in the teahouses outside is talking about it with great interest."

There are various opinions, and some are fanning the flames—Liu's reputation has indeed spread far and wide.

Liu thought that intimidating those people last night would prevent the news from spreading?

When she reaches the Capital and hears the news, it will surely be a surprise.

His Highness, with a playful expression, did not inquire much about the previous night and simply remarked, "Your aunt was too hasty."

Shen Juncheng replied calmly, "She needs to be anxious."

In another year, he would come of age and inevitably return to the Marquis Mansion to claim his title as Princely Heir. She didn't want to hand over that position to him, so she must be worried, right?

His Highness shrugged, indicating Shen was planning to make a move.

Shen Juncheng ignored his expression and directly asked, "What brings you here this time, Your Highness?"

The one called Your Highness is the Seventh Prince, Prince Xian Song Xingyuan, who has been titled and moved out from the palace this year.

He raised an eyebrow, with a cunning smile, "I came to ask Shen for a favor."

He explained his request.

Shen Juncheng raised an eyebrow, "A dignified prince smuggling salt?"

How much money do you lack?

Song Xingyuan sat casually, his expression as lazy as ever, "I can't help it; this prince is very poor."

Shen Juncheng smiled faintly, Prince Xian poor?

Ha, he certainly didn't believe it. It's unlikely any prince is richer than him, yet still capable of pretending, endlessly claiming poverty.

Accumulating so much wealth is probably just to prepare for rebellion.

Seeing him silent, Song Xingyuan couldn't help but tap the table, "Hey hey, ask your Bo Yan to open a backdoor for me, we'll still tax it."

Bo Yan is a close confidant of Shen Juncheng, president of the Yudu Chamber of Commerce, but the real master behind the chamber is Leng Moyan.

Also Shen Juncheng—Leng Moyan is simply another identity he uses for convenience.

Few people know that Leng Moyan is him; this prince in front is an exception, somehow recognizing him, who knows how.

In the past two years, the Yudu Chamber of Commerce has developed rapidly. It must be said, Shen Juncheng has a keen business mind. Now, Yudu has a stance comparable to Minzhong, and there's a highly profitable business.

The canal shipping.

So, Prince Xian wanted to smuggle salt and set his eyes on Yudu's canal shipping.

Shen Juncheng paused, raising an eyebrow, "Fifty-fifty split."

Song Xingyuan jumped up, "Shen Juncheng, you're too much. I just need help with transport."

Shen Juncheng chuckled, "That's illegal, and if caught, it would ruin the reputation we've painstakingly built for the chamber, and such a high-risk endeavor, aside from Yudu, no one else would accept it either, so fifty-fifty is reasonable. Don't get agitated."

What nonsense about being illegal? Over the years, haven't you done more illegal things than this prince? Yet your credibility remains untouched.

You're just trying to profit from the situation.

Are you aware this prince is royalty, and you still dare to extort me?

Shen Juncheng's expression remained calm as he meticulously explained the potential risks—recently, the Court's investigations have indeed been stringent. The Emperor intends to supervise private salt trade, conducting a massive overhaul. Now, all those who made a fortune from this are lying low at this critical juncture, only Song Xingyuan dares to act recklessly in defiance, so not extracting more profit would be at a great loss.

Song Xingyuan squinted, "By the way, that Uncle Cui you asked this prince to find—I've found some clues."

Shen Juncheng frowned, "Really?"

"Of course, why would this prince lie to you? He's actually at…"

Song Xingyuan dragged his words, not speaking the key part.

Shen Juncheng directly stated, "Sixty-forty split."

Song Xingyuan raised an eyebrow; indeed, this information was valuable.

Every additional ten percent is good, so he dropped the pretense and said, "Early on, it seems he was pursued and had to flee to Cold Mountain for refuge, then disappeared. This prince has already sent people to investigate, but Cold Mountain is thousands of miles away, so back and forth will take months. Just wait patiently, I'll inform you the moment there's news, rest assured."

Although Shen Juncheng has his own channels, to investigate the changes in arrangements for loyal generals on his father's battlefield years ago, it requires relying on this guy Song Xingyuan; the Internal Affairs Bureau investigates much quicker.

Sure enough, what he couldn't find in two years, Song Xingyuan managed to find clues in just three months.

If that person can be found, it would be a crucial step forward in revealing the truth of his father's wrongful case!

He genuinely expressed gratitude, "Thank you."

Song Xingyuan immediately took the opportunity to negotiate, saying gratitude needs to be sincere, like your share of the profits…

What he got in response was Shen Juncheng's signature warm smile, "Then Yudu might not have the pleasure of helping Your Highness transport this batch of goods."

Song Xingyuan shut his mouth; you win.

Shen Juncheng raised his eyebrows and summoned Chaoxi, instructing her to inform Bo Yan about the exact time to move the goods and to coordinate with Bo Yan on follow-up plans.

As Song Xingyuan saw Chaoxi, his little folding fan instantly opened, tossing a flirtatious glance and calling "Xixi," provoking Chaoxi's urge to draw her sword.

Her indifferent demeanor made Song Xingyuan squint, lightly flicking the fan, and roguishly said, "Tsk, so cold, this prince likes it."

Shen Juncheng raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure you also like her Chaoyang Sword Technique."

Song Xingyuan's smile stiffened.

Chaoxi ignored him completely, saluted to her master, and with a leap, elegantly left the courtyard.

Song Xingyuan sighed, shaking his fan, and said he should also cultivate some female guards next time.

With business done, Shen Juncheng began to send the guest off.

Song Xingyuan clicked his tongue, and uncharacteristically asked seriously, "I have another matter to discuss."

"The Minzhong Chamber of Commerce plans to strike first. After all, Yudu has only emerged in the past two years and doesn't have the deep roots of Minzhong, and that Zhou Qing isn't dumb, I've heard he plans to ally with another Caiying Chamber of Commerce to suppress you; can you hold on?"