Chapter 209

Shao Qing burst into hearty laughter, returning to his sprightly and genial teenage demeanor.

Song Jiyun breathed a sigh of relief.

Dai Sishi hurried over, his expression awkward as he said, "Owner, the Inspection Division people want fifty taels of silver, claiming it's for the boat trackers' wages."

If it really were the boat trackers' wages, why weren't the trackers themselves asking for the money instead of someone from the Inspection Division?

This was clearly extortion.

Such deeds were commonly done by Inspection Divisions everywhere, and this was still one of the better cases—they at least had a pretext. Some didn't even bother with a pretense, demanding money outright and rudely.

Song Jiyun had been psychologically prepared for this.

To the merchants, this was considered a normal loss.

She instructed Zhou Zheng to give the money to Dai Sishi.

Then she observed Shao Qing's expression.