After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

Chen Futu spent a day having An Jingsi lead a team to investigate Liu Wendong, and at least they got some information.

“Brother, Liu Wendong has a very bad reputation in Chuzhou. It is said that he will try every means to get anything he sets his sights on. For example, the owner of Bai's Cloth Shop and his entire family were killed. The investigation later said it was a gangland feud, but all of Bai's assets were transferred to Liu Wendong’s hands.”

"In addition, Liu Wendong's son is a complete wastrel. It is said that one day, the young master went hunting in the countryside with his hunting dogs. When he saw a woman carrying a child passing by, he snatched the baby from her swaddling clothes and fed it to his hunting dogs."

As An Jingsi reported one absurd piece of news after another, Chen Futu's expression grew increasingly gloomy.

"What a pair of beasts, father and son! I should thank that dog emperor for having such officials in the Great Qian Dynasty."

"Brother, what should we do next?"

An Jingsi doesn't understand cunning schemes; all he knows is killing. As long as Chen Futu gives the order, he will go and take the heads off that corrupt official and his son.

Chen Futu stood up and said, "The people of Chuzhou have suffered under Liu Wendong for too long. They have been patient because no one has guided them. I need a trigger to ignite this storm."

After much deliberation, Chen Futu said to An Jingsi, "Contact the merchants in Chuzhou and tell them that I am a merchant from Longcheng and have a good relationship with the head of the Ministry of Commerce. I can give them an opportunity to participate in the development zone. I think they will be interested."

"My sworn brother's idea is to use the merchant family to stir up trouble in Chuzhou."

"Go ahead and do it. I'll put some pressure on Liu Wendong tonight."

Chen Futu made up his mind, and An Jingsi didn't delay any longer, immediately leading his men away from the inn.

Hongyuelou was the most luxurious restaurant in Chuzhou. Chen Futu booked the entire restaurant and invited dozens of actors from Baihuafang to perform. He then secretly spread the news to the outside world.

While the rich wine and meat smell, the road with frozen bone.

As expected, with Chen Futu deliberately stirring things up, the people outside the city were enraged.

"Are these rich people even human?!"

“Our homes and fields were flooded, and we had no way to survive, yet they still had the mood to hold a grand banquet and even booked the entire Red Moon Tower.”

"Not only that, it's said that they hired dozens of girls from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion alone."

"Oh God, who will save us?"

"Heaven is unjust! Heaven is unjust!"

The vagrants bribed by the imperial guards were quite good actors, and their rants and rants against the corrupt officials were staged in various places around Chuzhou.

More and more people gathered, each one wanting nothing more than to skin Liu Wendong alive.

That evening, Chen Futu personally attended the banquet. More than a dozen merchants from Chuzhou were present. As expected, they had long coveted the business in the Beijiang Development Zone and regretted not having gone there earlier to make connections. Now that they heard there was a way, they all rushed over.

During the banquet, Chen Futu was a refined scholar, and his every move exuded the authority of a superior. His words and actions were like a gentle breeze to those in need.

Such a young gentleman makes one even more convinced of his identity.

"The Prince of Zhenbei intends to establish development zones in various important towns. The businesses and raw material collection involved are very lucrative. If you trust me, let's set off together for the northern frontier another day."

"Young Master Qin, this is a matter of great importance. Do you really have any connections?"

A beautiful woman frowned and asked.

She was in her early twenties, with a graceful figure, a plump body, and fair skin, clearly someone of great wealth and status.

The guard knelt down beside her and whispered, "Your Highness, this woman is the famous Widow Yan from Chuzhou. Her husband's family were originally tea merchants, but they died unexpectedly, and she took over the family business. Because her husband died not long after their marriage, she has no children, and many people are watching her."

"Is it?"

Chen Futu became somewhat interested in Yan Qing and replied, "If Madam doesn't believe me, she can spend some time sending someone to Longcheng to inquire whether my young master Qin has such connections."

"Alright, I'll send someone to Longcheng right away. I don't expect it to take too long for them to come and go."

Yan Qing was a pragmatist, and she actually summoned her subordinates to go to Longcheng immediately.

Seeing the others whispering, Chen Futu chuckled and said, "The others can also send people to inquire."

As a result, many people left Chuzhou City that very night.

The news reached the Liu residence.

Liu Wendong was having sex with his tenth concubine when he heard the noise outside the door and angrily cursed, "If it's not something extremely serious, you'll be in big trouble!"

"Master, something really important has happened."

The housekeeper was extremely anxious outside.

Liu Wendong reluctantly got dressed and came out, and the butler quickly explained what had happened.

"A merchant from Longcheng, surnamed Qin? Could he be Qin Liangyu's younger brother?"

"I don't know. Judging from his speech and demeanor, he seems like a person of importance. Moreover, each family has sent people to Longcheng to investigate. If it's true, who knows if the Chuzhou merchants who go to Longcheng will ever return?"

The housekeeper looked worried.

Liu Wendong's brows gradually furrowed.

He had just seized control of the Bai family's cloth shop, and the merchants were already alienated from him and wanted to leave. Now, with this young man surnamed Qin instigating them, they might actually move away with their entire families.

Seeing his master remain silent with a gloomy face, the butler made a throat-slitting gesture in a low voice, "How about we go all the way and kill them?"

"No."

Liu Wendong shook his head.

It's normal for merchants to do business in different countries. In fact, Daqian even opened a trade market with Beiwu. Even if we were to take action against these merchants, we couldn't go too far.

"We can't just stand by and watch them leave, can we? Or should we kill that guy surnamed Qin!"

"If that kid really has an extraordinary background, or is even Qin Liangyu's younger brother, killing him will surely provoke Qin Liangyu to send troops to attack. Chuzhou is currently beset by internal and external troubles, and the morale of the northern frontier is high. How can we withstand the advance of the northern frontier troops?"

Liu Wendong is still very cautious.

Some people can be touched, some people cannot.

Even if the enemy was right under his nose, he didn't dare to touch them because they were of such high status.

Everyone knows that Qin Liangyu is the beloved of the Prince of Zhenbei's son. If he makes a mistake, he doesn't even know how he will die.

"Change your clothes. I will personally go to the Red Moon Pavilion to meet this young master Qin and see who he really is."

"That's not appropriate, sir. Why don't you let the young master go instead?"

The housekeeper made a suggestion.

After much deliberation, Liu Wendong nodded. As an official, it would indeed be inappropriate for him to go. His beloved son's presence represented him.

Next, Liu Wendong sent a message to Liu Wei.

Liu Wei, surrounded by women in the brothel, heard the news and gave a wicked smile. "Interesting. A young master from Longcheng is hosting a banquet for merchants from Chuzhou. He completely disregards me and my father. I'll go and meet that Young Master Qin."

As dusk settles over Hongyue Tower, the hall is filled with distinguished guests, and the atmosphere is one of singing and dancing.

An Jingsi approached Chen Futu and whispered, "Brother, that scoundrel Liu Wei has come out of the brothel."

"I heard he's taken a liking to Yan Qing?"

"Yes, but Yan Qing is different from Bai's Cloth Shop. Yan Qing has a very good relationship with local merchants, and her tea is very popular with the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital. So Liu Wei can only watch and dare not touch her."

"I'll give Liu Wei a chance later. How are the people I asked you to arrange coming along?"

"Ready."

After finishing speaking, An Jingsi stepped aside and waited quietly for Liu Wei to arrive.