Chapter 459: A Royal Decree 4
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“This servant has no proof, so I dare not…” speculate with no context.
Jiang Yeqian responded, “I’m not asking you to jump to a verdict, I’m only asking you to think about it briefly. Is there anyone in Qingzhou City who knows an expert forger that can craft these tablets in such large quant.i.ties?”
Bai Mei had a feeling that the Head already had a few guesses in his mind. She gave it a careful thought and promptly answered, “This subordinate thinks that if they’re in Qingzhou City and are able to make so many jade tablets only to create confusion, this forgery project had to have begun more than half a month ago. If we consider the timeline, it definitely cannot be Mo Yang. It is also not likely someone from Eastern Ling. So, the only remaining possibility is Yulong Gang — but the Ghost Organization has placed many informants in the Yulong Gang. If this was the case, he would have long ago gotten the information. However, there are a few aristocratic families in Qingzhou City who could be responsible, or even the Senluo Chamber of Commerce.”
Jiang Yeqian stated his deduction. “Only the Yulong Gang and the Senluo Chamber of Commerce are capable of this. The Senluo Chamber of Commerce is the top chamber of commerce in Northern Liang, and they only employ the very best, most capable people in Northern Liang—it would be easy for them to find a jade carving master.” That would be a breeze for Lu Yan, but why would he make so many counterfeits? Why use the trick of fis.h.i.+ng in troubled waters? This suggested that Lu Yan and the other party hardly knew each other—they just wanted to reach their goal through Northern Liang’s top chamber of commerce.
Bai Mei said, “Does Master mean that we should investigate the Senluo Chamber of Commerce now?”
“There’s no rush,” Jiang Yeqian said nonchalantly.
Bai Mei, “…”
Jiang Yeqian glanced at the nephrite-made jade tablet and said, “I believe that even if it was the Senluo Chamber of Commerce that produced the counterfeits, the person behind this who possesses the jade tablet likely doesn’t want the Senluo Chamber of Commerce to be aware either. That’s why they made so many to fish in troubled waters.”
“Master Lu doesn’t know?” How could that be possible? Bai Mei could not believe it.
“If this other party gave the Senluo Chamber of Commerce blueprints, and only asked for a bunch of nephrites to create the counterfeits, then the Senluo Chamber of Commerce is just labor. So, I don’t think he is aware of what’s going on either.” As for the reason behind making the counterfeits, one would be a fool not to want to use it to earn money.
Jiang Yeqian thought and said as much.
Bai Mei thought the Head’s speculation made sense.
“But, Master, then wouldn’t it also be difficult for us to identify the person who possesses the real jade tablet?”
Jiang Yeqian shook his head and said, “I think the reason behind the other party using this trick of fis.h.i.+ng in troubled waters was to deliberately test the waters. If you begin worrying and panicking over this matter now, you’ll likely tip them off.”
“What do you mean?” Bai Mei widened her eyes and waited for a command.
Jiang Yeqian said leisurely, “I’m thinking, if the other party only wants to test the waters, how would they respond if we were to ignore it? Will they give themselves away in a moment of haste? Would they then dispose of the original keepsake?”
Upon hearing this, Bai Mei praised immediately, “Master always has the most brilliant ideas!”
The other party had made it clear that they made the counterfeits with the intent of testing the waters. If the Zhaixing Administration and the w.a.n.gyue Administration became agitated by the situation, would it not expose the fact that this jade tablet was important to the Ghost Organization?
They now had to do the opposite.
They just had to wait for the person behind this, who possessed the keepsake, to panic.
…
…
That night, Dong Jing reported all the important clues to a beautiful man cradling a white cat.
“A total of seven jade tablets were sold today, and each buyer’s reaction was different.”