Chapter 286: Schemes
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
After dinner, the children still had their matters to attend to.
Those who were reading had to read, those who were practicing calligraphy had to practice calligraphy, and those who were looking through some sketchbooks had to chat and make some small crafts.
Han Qiao and Heng Yi called Zeng Asan over.
Zeng Asan had been walking around the city every day since the move, playing with those hooligans from all walks of life. A few of them came together and wanted to chat and have fun.
While the children had their own world, the adults had their own things to be busy with.
When Zeng Asan arrived, Heng Yi chatted with him for a while.
Most of the time, Zeng Asan was the one talking, and Heng Yi was the one listening.
It was all the information he had gathered through the grapevine, as well as the complicated relationships between those wealthy families.
As natives of the city, his new friends knew about the in-laws of those big families. As for the secret relationships… they did not know.
After all, they were commoners at the bottom of the social ladder. How could they know the full scope of the wealthy?
It was already impressive that they knew who was in-laws with whom.
Many people could not even tell which family was from which. Not to mention in-laws, they didn’t even know which street they lived on.
Heng Yi asked about the Feng family and the Gong Prince’s residence.
“I only know a little about them. If my new friends don’t say anything further, I don’t think they know much either.” Zeng Asan whispered.
“Maybe we’ll know more after we get to know each other better in a few days.” He added.
“There’s no need to deliberately ask around. Just let nature take its course and chat.” Han Qiao interjected as she entered the room.
She was still holding Ah-Yao in her arms.
Ah-Yao was still energetic and didn’t want to sleep. As soon as Han Qiao carried him out, Heng Yi took him.
Zeng Asan quickly stood up and bowed, “Greetings, Madam.”
“Please, sit.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
Zeng Asan sat down respectfully.
He knew that his two children had been following the Eldest Young Master to the Gong Prince’s residence these past few days. In the name of accompanying the young master, he would be studying and practicing martial arts together.
His son did not have much talent in martial arts, but his daughter was extremely talented. Even a blind person could see that she had improved rapidly whenever she returned in high spirits.
His parents were also much healthier now. They ate well and were in a good mood, whenever they fell sick, a doctor would be ready to see them and prescribe them medicine.
Because of all of these, Zeng Asan was even more grateful to Han Qiao.
“You’re not allowed to learn bad habits to get close to these people. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to explain it to Qin’er,” Han Qiao said gently.
“Don’t worry, Madam. 1 won’t mindlessly poke around.”
He had long seen through these temptations.
There were many traps.
“I trust you. By the way, the Master will be working at the government office tomorrow. When that happens, there will be many constables and new colleagues…”
Han Qiao thought for a moment and turned to Heng Yi, “You have to know where they live, how many people are in their family, and how their family are,”
She then slowly walked around as she thought.
Chenzhou City was different from Puyi County, so they had to have good interpersonal relationships.
Heng Yi nodded.
Han Qiao asked Duan Yue to give Zeng Asan fifty taels of silver.
He needs to have money in his pocket to gather information outside.
Especially Zeng Asan, who was a newcomer in this big city.
“You also have to prevent those people from pulling you to gambling. You have to be careful when you drink and always bring a servant who knows martial arts with you. No matter what, you have to put your life first, understand?”
She was still afraid that Zeng Asan would put himself in danger when he saw a big opportunity and wanted to contribute to her, not even caring about his life.
She just wanted to know what kind of hooligans there were in Chenzhou City and what kind of situation their families were in. She wanted to find two people within who could be used.
Sometimes, these local ruffians had their own ways of dealing with things.
Han Qiao instructed Zeng Asan to take note of things and then let him go back to rest.
After he left, Han Qiao told Heng Yi about what he might encounter tomorrow.
“In a city like this, there must be many factions. Some people are loyal to the Gong Prince, so there will naturally be people who are loyal to the emperor. Don’t get too close to anyone, and think about what they say.”
“I’ll write it all down and tell you in detail when 1 get home.”
“Alright.”
Heng Yi wasn’t stupid.
However, Chenzhou City was a place where good people and bad people mixed together. It was definitely more complicated than Puyi County’s interpersonal relationships.
They did not have any foundation or anybody to back them up now.
However, one was capable and the other could earn money, so they were still in high demand for the time being. Some people would secretly try to rope them into their side.
Whether it was the Emperor or the Gong Prince, it was best for them not to take sides.
She had met the Gong Prince’s consort before, and she was a very perceptive person. The Crown Prince, Li Zhao, was also not a simple person.
He was born into a prestigious family, his mother was scheming, and she had the ability and means to pull those plans into fruition…
Han Qiao didn’t want Heng Yi to fight for the t.i.tle of dragon follower©.
A general’s achievements would make thousands of bones wither, let alone become an emperor. How many people’s flesh and blood would he have to step on to climb up?
The husband and wife leaned against each other and spoke softly.
Zeng Asan returned to his courtyard in the back.
Han Qiao allocated a small courtyard for the family of five and a servant girl to serve them. The old couple still watched the back door and occasionally helped sweep the floor.
When Old Father Zeng saw that his son had returned, he quickly shouted, “Come, come, let’s have a drink.”
“Father, Qin’er doesn’t allow you to drink.” Zeng Asan said.
Qin’er had been in charge of this family for a long time. No one dared to say anything against her especially when she was right.
Zeng Bao’er had always been open-minded and obedient. He would do whatever his sister asked him to do.
“Qin’er allowed it. It’s just a little bit of wine. Do you think it’ll be enough for us to get drunk?”
They entered the central room.
Zeng Asan noticed that there were a few side dishes ready on the table.
Then Zeng Qin’er entered while carrying a big bowl of meat soup.
“I’ll do it, I’ll do it.” Zeng Asan quickly took the bowl from her.
Mother Zeng entered the room with steamed buns.
Zeng Bao’er was busy pouring wine for his grandparents.
“What’s the occasion today?” Zeng Asan asked softly.
He was a little overwhelmed by the unexpected good food.
“My martial arts have improved again in the past few days. Bao’er even received praise from the prince’s master.” Zeng Qin’er smiled and scooped some meat soup for her father.
Zeng Asan smiled, “That’s indeed good news, worthy of celebration! You have to work hard and repay Madam in the future.”
The siblings nodded vigorously.
Heng Yi’s arrival at the government office didn’t seem to be a big deal, but there was a huge commotion going on behind the scenes.
After Master Feng spread the news, he was at a loss.
Madam Feng comforted him, “Heng Yi looks cold, but he is a righteous man. You don’t have to worry, dear.”
“He wanted to work in the government office. 1 wonder who he will be a.s.signed to tomorrow…”
Even a small constable in the government office had factions and people who were loyal to them.
His name would follow whoever Heng Yi would become.
How could he not worry?
He couldn’t tell Heng Yi directly that the Gong Prince wanted to rebel against the Emperor, so he had to stay away from the prince.
If Heng Yi was ambitious and joined the Gong Prince’s faction, he would be adding a strong general for the Gong Prince.
If Heng Yi really joined the Gong Prince, the latter would probably spend a huge amount of money to train him.
Master Feng was worried.
Meanwhile, in the study room in the front courtyard of the Gong Prince’s residence…
The Gong Prince and a few aides were also discussing who Heng Yi would join tomorrow.
“There are four constables in the government office. Two of them are our men. The other two are the men of the commander, Zhang Huiguang, and the magistrate.”
In other words, although these two people were loyal to different people, their ultimate master was still the Emperor.