Chapter 105: Reclaiming the Copper Mine

This is truly ridiculous. All of these shops have been implicated. Even if he didn't want to get involved, he couldn't afford to let himself be dragged into the trouble. Young Master Zhu has been scouring the city for clues these past few days, but no one seems to know anything.

"Brother Han, this is a massive disaster. No one knows who kidnapped that imperial official. The audacity is staggering, and it is a capital offense!" Young Master Zhu had run from pillar to post, yet he hadn't gained a single advantage. "Furthermore, the Zhou family probably didn't know about the kidnapping, but those rumors were definitely spread by Old Master Zhou's men."

So, he even fanned the flames? That old man is quite devious.

"What do you intend to do?" Because there were no leads, everyone else had turned their suspicions toward Han Qing. He had initially found it absurd, but now he was beginning to see things clearly.

"Wait a little longer. If they could snatch an official, he surely isn't the only one they've taken," Han Qing said calmly. The Zhou family might not have been directly involved in the kidnapping, but Old Master Zhou would certainly have to pay for his other transgressions. The constant meddling and the destruction of such a significant business project were unforgivable. The Zhou family simply believed Blue City was their personal fiefdom, one that no one could shake.

"But Official Chen is pressing us day and night. If we do nothing, won't something terrible happen?"

Han Qing shook his head. There was no need to rush; the more anxious they became, the less likely they were to catch the perpetrator making a mistake. However, he hadn't expected the second young master of the Zhou family to pay a personal visit. Was he here to cause trouble?

"What brings you here?" Han Qing asked coldly.

"Young Master Han, some of the things my father has done were indeed unscrupulous. I have always admired you, and this time, he has gone too far. I simply cannot stand it anymore."

What? Anyone listening would be shocked. Hadn't the second young master always been close to the old man? Coming here at such a critical moment was strange.

"Spare me the pleasantries. Why are you here?"

"I am not here to ask for your help; I am here to tell you that the rumors circulating throughout Blue City these past few days were orchestrated by my father. I do not agree with his methods at all." He spoke slowly, and as if fearing the other man might not believe him, he produced letters from the people who had been coerced.

"So, what do you want me to do?" Han Qing remained exceptionally calm. Since the other party had brought these items, he must want to trade them for something.

"I want to take control of the Zhou family."

Quite ambitious. "Why be in such a hurry? The old master was grooming you to be his successor anyway. In three to five years, wouldn't the Zhou family's assets be yours?" This reason wasn't enough to convince Han Qing; he wanted the truth.

"It is because I have recently learned the truth about my mother's death. After he used my mother's family to build his fortune, he sent assassins to cruelly destroy them all..." The man spoke righteously, as if detailing matters that had nothing to do with him.

"But he is your father."

"He is no longer. He is now obsessed with leaving his wealth to the son of his concubine." That was the real reason for his coup. It was framed as revenge, but what he truly craved was the power of the entire Zhou family.

"What you want me to do is not worth what you have brought me," Han Qing said steadily.

"Those were just a gesture of my sincerity. If you are willing to help me oust my father, the Zhou family will never again interfere with any merchants in the east or west districts of Blue City."

That was a tempting offer. "Agreed."

A deal was struck. Young Master Zhu, having overheard snippets of the conversation, couldn't quite grasp it. "Why would you agree to help someone like him? Who knows if he'll turn ungrateful later?"

"It is merely mutual exploitation. Besides, wouldn't it be better if we could pursue other industries in those two districts simultaneously?" Han Qing said with composure. Young Master Zhu remained skeptical—could Han Qing really help the second young master secure his position, or was this just a verbal promise?

Han Qing handed all the evidence to Chen Tianwei, which would also clear his own name. "See for yourself: the rumors and the malicious deeds behind them were all orchestrated by Old Master Zhou."

Upon seeing the whistleblower's report and the confession, Chen Tianwei was stunned. "How did you uncover all of this?"

"I certainly couldn't find the missing imperial official you mentioned. But I can definitely clear my own name; you need not worry about that."

After this, Old Master Zhou’s reputation was completely ruined. Even the projects he had hoped to pursue were abandoned by potential partners. He became a lonely, helpless old man. The second young master immediately seized control of all the spinning operations. Even if the old man wanted to intervene, he no longer had the chance.

"You unfilial son! I raised you for over twenty years, and you turn around and hand the business over to someone else?" Old Master Zhou wheezed, filled with regret.

"Father, you might have forgotten how you built your fortune. As for your claim that I gave the business to someone else, I fear that is not me, but you..."

The head of the Zhou family had changed. Though the new master was young, he had achieved great success in the spinning industry. He had made the local textiles the finest in the country, and even royals from the capital, Luojing, were willing to travel great distances to place orders. This further increased his power.

The promise between the two had been fulfilled. However, two weeks had passed, and there was still no news of the missing official. No one had spread any information about him, and investigations revealed he had no known enemies. It was highly likely he wasn't dead, just abducted.

Finally, Chen Tianwei received a mysterious letter. It explicitly demanded a thousand bars of gold in exchange for the official's safe return. Was this truly just a matter of greed?