In ancient times, I just wanted to be a salted fish

Chapter 98 Make a Plan

Zhen Yu thought of two possibilities: one was that Wan Baocai had already transported the treasure away; the other was that Qiao Zien and Chen Ruotong had come and moved the treasure away. It was very likely that Chen Ruotong could make the treasure disappear out of thin air and take it away, just as he had seen before. He thought that Chen Ruotong was that kind of extraordinary person. If she could be used by the court, then it would be much easier to resist foreign enemies.

Zhen Yu guessed that the latter possibility was more likely, because Wan Baocai escaped after Qiao Zien visited Wan's house at night. So, where did Wan Baocai get the treasures?

He knew that even if he went to Chen Ruotong to talk about this, Chen Ruotong would pretend not to know and would not tell him a word. So he would start with Wan Baocai's family. Since Wan Baocai was able to sneak into Concubine Yang's house, then Wan Baocai's family must be not far from the capital. He must search the surrounding areas of the capital carefully, and he must do it secretly without making any noise.

The next day, Zhen Yu bid farewell to Chen Ruotong and Qiao Zien, and went to Zhang Zhifu to investigate Wan Baocai's files. He only found out the number of people in the family, but no other valuable information. So Zhen Yu hurried back to the capital.

He sent dozens of capable assistants, disguised as beggars or small vendors, to roam around the suburbs of Beijing.

Finally, he found a clue. After his men investigated, they found that a group of new tenant farmers had come to a farm outside Beijing. Judging from their attire, they looked like tenant farmers, but upon closer inspection, they were all skinny and tender, and they did not look like people who could do farm work.

So Zhen Yu went to investigate personally, and his efforts paid off, and he finally found out that the family was Wan Baocai's family. He did not alert the enemy, but arranged people to guard and monitor outside the manor, and if anyone went out, they would follow immediately.

One day, a man in his forties, leading a handsome boy of fifteen or sixteen, left the manor in a carriage and headed south, looking like they were going on a long journey. Zhen Yu arranged five subordinates to follow them and send back news from time to time.

Zhen Yu guessed: the young man was Wan Baocai's eldest son, and the man should be the housekeeper. The two of them must have an urgent matter to go on a long journey. Otherwise, in such a dangerous situation, staying put is the best choice.

As for Chen Ruotong and Qiao Zien, after Zhen Yu said goodbye, Qiao Zien said, "It seems that Master Zhen has entered the Chen residence last night and must have sneaked into the first secret passage. If you don't believe me, let's go in and take a look. It must be a hidden arrow."

Chen Ruotong shook her head helplessly and said, "It's just futile and meaningless. He must have returned to the capital without gaining anything. I think it's best for him to keep a close eye on Liang Yachi. Without his weapons, he might be forced to rebel early."

Qiao Zien nodded to show her agreement.

Qiao Zien won the first place in the case and was successfully promoted to the scholar class. He continued to study hard and strive to get a good score in the provincial examination next year. He was getting closer and closer to his dream and more and more motivated.

The glassware and porcelain in Zhenpin Pavilion had been taken off the shelves long ago, because there were not many left in Chen Ruotong's space, and she wanted to keep them for her own use or as gifts in the future.

However, Zhenpin Pavilion always has new and expensive cosmetics, and the business is as prosperous as ever, but the money earned is not that much. Unlike glass products, which can make more than 20,000 taels a month; the enamel craftsmanship of Huicui Lou is also becoming more and more mature. At first, enamel was used on gold jewelry, and now even silver jewelry has enamel, so the business is also booming, earning more than 30,000 taels a month.

Chen Ruotong said she was very content with this. She was no longer short of money, so it didn't matter how much she earned. She just wanted to find some business for her second and third brothers.

The hot pot base and dipping sauce in Chen Ruotong's space are almost sold out. The weather is getting warmer, and Wangchunlou's hot pot business is not as popular as in winter, and the demand for hot pot base is not much. This is exactly what she wants. When the peppers are harvested in autumn, she can make her own hot pot base, and then she will have to open a processing workshop.

It would be better to prepare to build a factory now. She would have to ask Old Man Chen where is the most suitable place to build the factory and when the spring plowing will be over. Once the tenant farmers have finished planting the land, she would have to start recruiting workers to build the factory.

Chen Ruotong got up early and took a carriage to the farm. Old Man Chen and Old Lady Chen got up early and were picking duck and goose eggs by the river. Picking eggs was a kind of fun, and Chen Ruotong also took a basket and joined in, picking with the two old people.

Old Man Chen smiled and said, "My grandson, you came so early today. It must be something important, right?"

"Yes, Grandpa, I plan to build a workshop to produce hot pot base. I want to ask you, which farm is suitable for building it?"

"Of course it is most suitable to build it in Xinzhuangzi. There is a large open space behind the Xinzhuangzi house, where you can build a workshop. Then dig a few large wells in the workshop, and it will be much more convenient to use water. You don't have to worry about this. Your second brother knows the most about building a house. Let him come over and watch the construction."

"Grandpa's words make sense. Then I have to ask Zhang Yishun to help me find a craftsman to build the house."

"What are you busy with? It won't be too late to look for it after you finish planting the land. Just make a plan first. In ten days, the land will be planted. The seedlings in your greenhouse have grown quite big. When will you plant them in the land?"

"It won't be too late to plant after everyone has finished planting their fields. By then the weather will be warmer and the seedlings will grow faster."

Old man Chen sighed, sat on the ground and said: "Alas! Your eldest brother is already 19 years old, and the matchmaker has come to the door several times. But your eldest brother is not in a hurry and said to wait. This October, your second brother got married, but your eldest brother is still not settled. I am also anxious as an old man!"

Chen Ruotong thought: The last time I saw my elder brother, he was very anxious, why is he not anxious now? Could it be that he has a lover? Then why doesn't he tell me? No, I have to ask my elder brother.

Chen Ruotong said: "Grandpa and grandma, is it because eldest brother has a lover that he is not in a hurry? Why don't we just ask him and find out? I'll go next door to find eldest brother." After saying that, she ran to a small village far away from here.

Chen Dahai and the tenant farmers were just about to leave the field after harnessing the old ox when they saw Chen Ruotong running over. They said, "Fourth brother, run slower. What's the hurry?"

Chen Ruotong exhaled deeply, "Brother, Grandpa wants to see you, come with me quickly."

Chen Dahai thought something big had happened at home, so he didn't care about Chen Ruotong and ran back to the farm.

He saw his grandparents sitting on the river bank chatting, and nothing happened, so he was relieved, "Grandpa, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Old Man Chen got straight to the point and said, "Your fourth brother said that you have a lover, right?"

Chen Dahai scratched his head, blushed, and said shyly: "Grandpa, don't listen to Fourth Brother's nonsense, it's not true!"

Old Lady Chen, who was standing by, saw Chen Dahai's embarrassment and knew that this child was a taciturn person who was too embarrassed to speak out because he had something on his mind. So she said, "Big Brother, can't I see what's on your mind? Tell me what's on your mind. If you like a girl from a certain family, as long as she has good character, I'll propose marriage to her for you."

Chen Dahai looked at the three of them, scratched his head, and grinned foolishly.