The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 138 Infernal Affairs: Difficult to Distinguish Between Truth and Falsehood

After Su Xuanbao personally led people to the Lu family, Lin Ruhai and Quan Wenwei were quickly brought back under protection.

Aside from the few assassins who were caught, Lu Yinghui was not among those who came with them.

After they arrived, Lin Ruhai first went to the backyard to see Lin Daiyu, and then ran back to the study in the front yard to see Tu Chengyu.

The study was still occupied by Tu Chengyu, Quan Wenwei, and Lin Ruhai.

Tu Chengyu, who already knew about the attack, did not ask about it, but instead asked about his conversation with Lu Yinghui.

"What did Lu Yinghui say?"

Lin Ruhai replied, "Lu Yinghui agreed to the prince's request and agreed to give half of the Lu family's salt business to the prince."

Tu Chengyu asked, "What conditions did he propose?"

Lin Ruhai: "Lu Yinghui's conditions are that, firstly, they can no longer pursue the matter of their family selling smuggled salt, and secondly, the business handed over to the prince can be managed by someone else, but it must be registered under the Lu family's name."

Lu Yinghui's first request was inevitable, and it was something Tu Chengyu had already anticipated.

However, this second requirement is rather intriguing.

Tu Chengyu thought about it for a while and vaguely thought of some of the reasons, but he couldn't figure it out for the time being.

He asked Lin Ruhai, "Is there any hidden meaning in Lu Yinghui's second request?"

Lin Ruhai replied, "Looking back, perhaps Lu Yinghui wanted to protect himself."

Tu Chengyu asked curiously, "What do you mean?"

Lin Ruhai replied, "Lu Yinghui demanded that the salt trading business remain under his name. In this way, although he lost half of his business, he could maintain his full title as a salt merchant on the surface."

"This way, he might be able to give the other salt merchants an explanation and continue to maintain his position among them."

Tu Chengyu agreed with Lin Ruhai's statement, but he also had his own opinions.

He said, "I also have a question. Could it be that Lu Yinghui wants us to do business under his name because he wants to use my name to swindle and cheat people?"

As soon as Tu Chengyu finished speaking, Lin Ruhai and Quan Wenwei both felt that what Tu Chengyu said was very likely true.

After all, being able to establish a connection with a prince of the current dynasty is extremely advantageous for a businessman.

Even losing half of their business would be worthwhile for them.

No wonder Lu Yinghui did not continue to beg his former salt merchant partners for help after discovering the danger.

Instead, they sided with Tu Chengyu without hesitation; it turns out they had this in mind.

Thinking of this possibility, Quan Wenwei asked, "Your Highness, now that we've discovered he has such intentions, shouldn't we take precautions in advance?"

Tu Chengyu smiled and shook his head, saying, "My ultimate goal is to thoroughly rectify the salt administration. Lu Yinghui's petty schemes will not affect the overall situation, so we don't need to pay attention to them for now."

"Besides, what we need most right now is to secure half of the business and infiltrate the salt merchants' ranks."

Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness is indeed very thoughtful."

Tu Chengyu accepted Quan Wenwei's compliment in his heart, but did not show it on his face.

He changed the subject and asked, "Have you found out who sent the people who attacked you today?"

Lin Ruhai was aware of this matter, and he replied, "These people are salt workers and boatmen who transport salt. If nothing unexpected happens, the salt merchants are definitely involved."

"Salt workers and boatmen?" Tu Chengyu's face was full of disbelief.

He had always assumed that the attackers were thugs hired by the salt merchants, but he never expected them to be ordinary people like them.

But why did these people come to assassinate Lin Ruhai, and why did they act so recklessly during the assassination attempt?

Was it because the salt merchants paid too much money, or was there some other hidden reason?

Thinking of this, Tu Chengyu asked, "Have you found out why they wanted to assassinate you?"

Lin Ruhai said, "I have also inquired about this matter. They said they were afraid that I would shut down the saltworks and cut off their escape route, so they wanted to assassinate me."

"You want to close the saltworks? Where did this lie come from?" Tu Chengyu asked, his face full of doubt.

Lin Ruhai said, "It's probably a false rumor deliberately spread by salt merchants, which is why they instigated these people to take such a risk."

It seems that the salt merchants have already taken action.

However, judging from the fact that the salt merchants only instigated these salt workers to carry out an assassination that started strong but ended weakly.

The salt merchants only issued a warning and currently have no intention of confronting Tu Chengyu head-on.

Tu Chengyu couldn't help but ask, "If the salt merchants knew that I had already reached an agreement with Lu Yinghui and would send people to interfere in the salt trade, would they react even more violently?"

Tu Chengyu hoped that the salt merchants would do something even more outrageous, such as impulsively sending someone to assassinate him.

If they do that, Tu Chengyu will have the opportunity to find incriminating evidence against them and take down one or two more salt merchants.

But Lin Ruhai shook his head and said, "The salt merchants may take countermeasures, but they will never resort to drastic measures."

Tu Chengyu asked curiously, "What methods will they use?"

Lin Ruhai said, "As I mentioned before, their most likely method is to incite the salt workers to strike, reduce salt production, and use the inability to supply salt to force the prince to back down."

This is the salt merchants' trump card, and also Tu Chengyu's biggest weakness at present.

If the salt workers go on strike, the salt supply in the Huaihe River Basin will be disrupted, and many places in the north will face the risk of salt shortage.

Tu Chengyu could not bear such consequences, and the imperial court was unwilling to see them either.

Therefore, Tu Chengyu would not have pushed the salt merchants to this point without making thorough preparations.

Therefore, negotiating with the salt merchants to resolve the issue is still the best approach at present.

Lu Yinghui's suggestion to put the salt-selling business under his name is currently the best breakthrough in the negotiations.

Because of this operation, these salt merchants might not react so strongly, allowing Tu Chengyu to smoothly intervene in the salt affairs.

This method is worth trying, but the people negotiating with the salt merchants must be carefully selected.

Thinking of this, Tu Chengyu suddenly asked, "Where is Lu Yinghui now?"

Lin Ruhai replied, "Your Highness, I have imprisoned him in the Salt Administration's jail."

Tu Chengyu then said, "You all say that I have now agreed to Lu Yinghui's request and sent him to negotiate with the other salt merchants. Is it possible to temporarily appease the salt merchants?"

Lin Ruhai thought for a moment and said, "The request was made by Lu Yinghui, so he must have a way to persuade the other salt merchants. Let him negotiate with them; we can give it a try."

Upon hearing Lin Ruhai agree with his point of view, Tu Chengyu said, "In that case, let's send someone to escort Lu Yinghui to see Han Bocai and see their attitude first."

After saying that, Tu Chengyu continued, "What do you think is lacking in doing this?"

Lin Ruhai didn't answer this question, but Quan Wenwei chimed in:

"Your Highness, I think that while arranging for Lu Yinghui to go to the negotiations, we can also do some things to put some pressure on the salt merchants."

"After all, Lord Lin has just been attacked. If we do nothing, we can just send Lu Yinghui to negotiate."

“The salt merchants will think that the prince is cowardly and backing down, and they will probably take advantage of this and make even more demands.”

Quan Wenwei's reminder was very timely; this was indeed something Tu Chengyu had overlooked.

Tu Chengyu asked, "What should I do to get these salt merchants to obediently agree to my demands?"

Without a second thought, Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness only needs to send someone to the Yangzhou Prefectural Government to report the case, inform the Prefect about Lord Lin's assassination attempt tonight, and ask him to find out the truth within a specified time."

"With the prince exerting pressure, the prefect of Yangzhou needs to put on a show for the prince, whether he likes it or not."

"In this way, the salt merchants naturally knew that the prince was not someone who would back down easily, and they dared not make unreasonable demands during the negotiations."

Tu Chengyu nodded in agreement with Quan Wenwei's method and said, "Mr. Quan, since you came up with the method, you can arrange this matter."

Quan Wenwei went out to arrange things, and Tu Chengyu spoke to Lin Ruhai about Xue Xu. "Are you aware that Xue Xu was poisoned?"

Lin Ruhai seemed to know that Tu Chengyu would bring up Xue Xu's matter, and he didn't seem surprised at all when he heard the question.

He said, "I heard it from my servants."

Tu Chengyu then asked, "How much do you know about Xue Xu?"

He replied, "I often interact with him because of my wife's family, but I don't know much about him."

Then Tu Chengyu asked the question that had been on his mind: "Do you think Xue Xu was really poisoned, or is he just acting?"

"Acting?" Lin Ruhai looked at Tu Chengyu in surprise. He didn't understand why Tu Chengyu would have such a thought, so he asked, "Why would Your Highness ask such a question?"

Tu Chengyu said, "I'm just guessing. I just want to ask you if Xue Xu is trying to escape by feigning illness because the salt merchants are too powerful and he doesn't want to get involved in this mess with us."

Upon hearing Tu Chengyu's words, Lin Ruhai was at a loss for words.

Firstly, he felt that Tu Chengyu's conjecture was too far-fetched, and secondly, he felt that Xue Xu might actually do it.

After thinking for a long time, he finally said, "Your Highness, I have no way of judging whether Xue Xu would do such a thing."

Tu Chengyu said, "Since we can't determine it, let's try to find out."

"Send someone to Xue Xu right now and tell him that I have already taken over half of the Lu family's salt business."

"Now I want to hand this business over to Xue Xu and see if he dares to take it."

This test was very direct. If Xue Xu really didn't want to get involved in this vortex, he would definitely find a way to refuse, and then Tu Chengyu could remove this person from his plan.

If he agrees despite the current uncertain situation surrounding Pu Shu, regardless of his previous thoughts, at least he dared to take a chance after hearing Tu Chengyu's call, and Tu Chengyu would include him in the list of available candidates.

With Quan Wenwei absent, the task of sending someone to probe Xue Xu naturally fell to Lin Ruhai.

At the Lin residence, today's events have finally come to an end, and Tu Chengyu can finally relax.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Yangzhou, at the home of Han Bocai, the head of the salt merchants' association.

Aside from the Lu family, the other eleven salt merchants were currently engaged in heated discussions about countermeasures.

Just then, the steward of the Han family reported that Lu Yinghui had come to request an audience.

Upon hearing that Lu Yinghui had arrived, the previously noisy room fell into complete silence, so quiet that one could hear the falling leaves.

Everyone looked at each other, exchanging bewildered glances.

After a while, Han Bocai asked towards the door, "Did he come alone?"

The Han family steward answered through the door, "Master Lu came with several unfamiliar guards."

Everyone in the room knew that Lu Yinghui had gone to see Prince Su today, so the unfamiliar guards he brought must be Prince Su's men.

Thinking of this, Han Bocai said to everyone in the room, "You all wait here, I'll go see what Lu Yinghui is up to?"

After saying that, he pushed open the door and followed the butler to see Lu Yinghui.

After seeing Lu Yinghui, she was probably angered by his betrayal.

Han Bocai was at a loss for words for a moment, and could only stare at him with his eyes.

Lu Yinghui had come to negotiate on orders and didn't want to waste time here.

He said, "Brother Han, could we find a quiet place? I'd like to talk to you."

Upon hearing this, Han Bocai did not speak, but instead glanced at the guards behind him.

Lu Yinghui naturally saw Han Bocai's actions as well. He said, "These are people sent by Prince Su to protect my safety. They won't interfere with our conversation."

Upon hearing this, Han Bocai immediately instructed his steward to take the guards away and treat them well.

Then they took Lu Yinghui back the way they came.

Instead of taking Lu Yinghui elsewhere for a private talk, he took him directly to the room where the salt merchants had just gathered.

Perhaps they already knew Lu Yinghui was coming, because the salt merchants remained calm after he entered the room.

Even Wei Yuncai, who didn't get along with Lu Yinghui, didn't say a word.

After entering, close the doors and windows.

Han Bocai then asked Lu Yinghui, "Why did you come here?"

Lu Yinghui said helplessly, "I didn't want to come either, but they insisted that I come. What could I do?"

Han Bocai said, "Aren't they afraid that if they send you here, we'll deal with you?"

Lu Yinghui smiled dismissively and said, "Do you think they care about my life or death!"

Seeing Lu Yinghui's expression, Han Bo asked, "What do they want you to do?"

Lu Yinghui said, "It's naturally suitable for you to negotiate."

Han Bocai asked, "What are we talking about?"

Lu Yinghui replied, "Naturally, we'll discuss how to hand over half of my business to them."

Han Bocai asked again, "Did they agree to the conditions you proposed?"

Lu Yinghui replied, "I agreed, which is why I was sent here to talk to you and test your opinion."

Han Bocai frowned and asked, "They agreed so quickly without making any other demands?"

Lu Yinghui shook his head and said, "No."

Han Bocai then asked, "Did you figure out whether this Prince Su was truly after the silver from the salt trade, or if he had other motives?"

Lu Yinghui once again laughed at himself, saying, "I haven't even met their faces, how could I possibly have the chance to help you probe their true intentions?"

Before Han Bocai could speak, Wei Yuncai spoke first.

"Hey Lu, stop with the sarcastic remarks. Wouldn't it be good for you to find out Prince Su's attitude?"

Lu Yinghui immediately responded, "It's good for me, but what about the half of the business my Lu family lost?"

Wei Yuncai sneered and said, "Didn't your Lu family lose your business because of your own carelessness?"

"Besides, we've already promised you compensation after this matter is over. What more do you want?"

Unable to argue with Wei Yuncai, Lu Yinghui turned his head away, muttering to himself.

"I'm carrying the stigma of a traitor, risking everything to help everyone find out their attitudes, can't I even grumble a little?"

Hearing his words, and considering his conversation with Han Bocai since he came in...

It is clear that Lu Yinghui's defection to Tu Chengyu was a sham.

His real purpose in doing this was to get closer to Prince Su and find out his true thoughts.

Tu Chengyu believed that his scheme had succeeded, which forced Lu Yinghui to betray the salt merchants.

In reality, they turned the tables on him and pulled off a surprise attack.

Fortunately, Tu Chengyu did not summon him at the Lin residence today.

Otherwise, if you're not careful and say something inappropriate, and this guy notices something amiss, wouldn't all your efforts be wasted?

Although he didn't succeed this time, this guy has already switched sides, and there will definitely be opportunities to meet Tu Chengyu in the future.

If Tu Chengyu is not wary of him, he might leak crucial information at any time.

(End of this chapter)