The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

"The Celestial Master is investigating a case... This is a good opportunity."

A slight smile appeared on Qiao Yelan's lips.

He had already figured out how to muddy the waters.

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"Greetings, Your Excellency, the Director of the Imperial Household Department. It is truly an honor for our humble abode that Lord Qiao has come in person."

"Manager Wang, you're too kind. But when working for His Majesty, one must always do things personally to ensure His Majesty's satisfaction."

Qiao Yelan's face still wore that friendly smile.

"Manager Wang is aware of my purpose. His Majesty intends to expand the Imperial Household Department, but he lacks manpower. Coincidentally, Manager Wang is planning to retire from the business and is considering selling his staff. So, I am naturally eyeing the people you have."

"This...it's not that I'm unwilling to sell, it's just that you've just been promoted to the position of Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Household Department, so you may not be aware that behind my business is actually Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue. The reason I said I wanted to retire and sell the business was simply because the Vice Minister wanted to make room for new talent and was deliberately transferring assets from one hand to the other."

Manager Wang looked troubled, leaned down and whispered in Qiao Yelan's ear.

“If you want to buy a few shops or carriages, I can make the decision. But if you want to buy the people I have—these people are no longer mine, Lord Qiao. I am not qualified to sell them.”

"I see... Then I'm sorry to trouble Manager Wang."

"Oh, sir, you flatter me by saying that. The capital is so big, there must be someone willing to sell a shop assistant. Consider this money as some charcoal for Lord Qiao, it's freezing cold here."

Manager Wang discreetly slipped a silver note into Qiao Yelan's hand.

"In that case, I'll take my leave now, Manager Wang, as I've already disturbed you."

"Oh, no, no, I'll see you off, sir."

Watching the other party leave, Manager Wang suppressed the smile on his face.

"This matter needs to be reported to the head of the family."

"Yes, boss."

Manager Wang sighed and scratched his head. Why did this have to happen at the exact moment he was about to retire from his business? The person opposite him was a favorite of the emperor recently. Hopefully, his silver note would satisfy the other party.

"Go, send men to slaughter the entire Wang family, leave no one alive."

Qiao Yelan handed the silver notes to the taciturn guard standing beside him, his tone as friendly as when he had spoken with Manager Wang earlier.

"Yes, my lord."

Chapter 83 Stirring Up Trouble

"It must be clean. Not a single person can be left alive, not a single piece of property can be touched, and not a single trace can be left unnoticed."

"clear."

Without any hesitation, the other party took the silver note and turned to make arrangements.

This man named Zhu Ronghui was appointed by the emperor as the captain of the Imperial Guard—he was not in charge of the other side of the Imperial Guard, but rather a good tool handed to Qiao Yelan by the emperor.

Therefore, he doesn't ask questions; he only executes orders.

"Sir, why this house?"

The person in charge of establishing the Imperial Household Department's secret intelligence bureau raised a question.

It's no secret that Qiao Yelan is expanding the Imperial Household Department by imperial decree and is currently buying shop assistants, accountants, and managers from various merchants. He had visited several shops before, and some were willing to sell while others were not.

"Because the banknotes he gave me were the largest among the few that were unwilling to sell to, two whole grades higher—which means that his family had the biggest hidden problems."

Qiao Yelan said it casually.

"Since this is the biggest problem, let's kill his whole family."

"The biggest problem...shouldn't it be investigated?"

"Eunuch Wang, if the investigation can yield results, would His Majesty still be hampered by these factional civil officials in the court?"

Disguised as a servant, Wang Zhi, who was pushing Qiao Yelan, seemed to be deep in thought.

"The investigation yielded no results, and he claimed that his family's backer was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was trying to settle old debts in order to open a new business—making him a perfect target."

"So, what's next..."

"Next, we'll continue to buy employees from other businesses."

Qiao Yelan remained as composed as ever.

"After all, we must do our best to prove our innocence in the upcoming investigation—this is also a test for you, Eunuch Wang. The reason His Majesty asked you to come with me is because you have no experience outside the palace, so you will have to endure this hardship for a while."

"What are you saying, Lord Qiao? Both my master and my godfather have told me that there is no harm in following you. I am already extremely grateful that you are willing to teach me."

Wang Zhi quickly said.

His words at that moment were sincere.

When he learned of his mission from the emperor, he knew it was a tremendous achievement, but if he failed, he might die before his godfather, Eunuch Li.

Therefore, he wished Qiao Yelan could stay in front for a few more days so he could learn more and imitate her in the future, hoping to avoid making mistakes.

“Eunuch Wang, you must understand that His Majesty summoned you out to seek change. Only if your performance is outstanding enough can His Majesty make changes and have the opportunity to break through the court. If you only seek to avoid mistakes, that will be the biggest mistake.”

One sentence made Wang Zhi break out in a cold sweat.

"Thank you for your advice, sir."

"Alright, His Majesty values ​​you, and Eunuch Li has a past relationship with me, so I won't leave you unattended—but remember one thing, Eunuch Wang: unless you learn my methods, never imitate me."

Qiao Yelan warned.

"Otherwise—you'll die."

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The next day, when Qiao Yelan went to the shops to inquire according to the list in the market, she was met with a shopkeeper who looked terrified. He readily agreed to whatever she wanted to buy and even told her to name her own price.

And so, Qiao Yelan happily bought four shop assistants. When he returned to the Shao Mansion, he found that the shopkeepers he had visited the day before were all waiting for him in front of the mansion with fear on their faces.

"Lord Qiao—these are the names of all the employees and accountants in my business. Please do me the honor of accepting them."

"Lord Qiao, this is a list of all the employees and accountants of my business. Please be sure to accept it."

Looking at the shopkeepers who had greeted him politely yesterday and then refused him, but today were now eager to give him help for free, Qiao Yelan asked with a bewildered expression.

"Excuse me, esteemed managers, what has happened?"

The scene immediately fell silent.

The shopkeepers looked at each other, seemingly at a loss for words.

"My lord—my lord!"

The gatekeeper rushed out at that moment.

"My lord—something terrible has happened! You went to the market early this morning, so I didn't have time to tell you. We received word from the yamen that the entire family of Manager Wang of the Wang Family Trading Company, whom you visited yesterday, was murdered last night!"

"What did you say!"

The person in the wheelchair looked shocked, bracing himself on the armrests as if trying to stand up, but then wobbled and fell back down.

"Lord Qiao—"

Wang Zhi, disguised as a servant, tried to help Qiao Yelan, but was pushed away.

"Quickly—quickly go and inform the palace! Send this message in! Go now! Go now!"

"Yes!"

Wang Zhi quickly ran away.

Only then did Qiao Yelan turn around and look at the various shopkeepers.

"Gentlemen, you may return now. Whether you are willing to sell or not, my Shaofu will not accept any goods today. Rest assured, Shaofu is His Majesty's property and represents His Majesty's reputation. Before the case of Manager Wang's entire family being wiped out is thoroughly investigated, Shaofu will not acquire anything else!"

After speaking, he waved his hand.

"Go back—return all the shops and personnel we received today, one by one, and leave now!"

The shopkeepers exchanged bewildered glances as they watched Qiao Yelan get into the carriage and speed off to return the contract.

Those who can become the head manager of a trading company in the capital are all shrewd and capable.

"Could it be that this matter truly has nothing to do with Heavenly Might, but rather something else...?"

Someone blurted out something without thinking, but was immediately covered up by someone else.

"Be careful!"

The person who was speaking immediately covered their mouth, their face filled with terror.

But everyone knows one thing—

The weather in Beijing seems to be changing.

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In the pavilion of the palace, a brazier was placed beside it, with Wang Zhi serving him. The emperor was admiring a plum blossom, while Qiao Yelan was warming himself by the fire.

“Your choice of method is quite ingenious. These business managers have always been accomplices in the trade of information. By making such a statement in public and then returning all the things they have bought, they let others guess and talk. This is more effective in spreading the news than throwing money at them.”

"Your Majesty flatters me. My humble skills are ultimately unworthy of being considered refined."