Volume 2: Eagle vs. Dragon Chapter 72: Which is more important?
When searching the families of Pan, Lu and Cai, Zhou Yijin was brought along by Cai Qinghua. The search and arrest work was done very carefully, and a small episode occurred in the process.
Cai Qinghua searched the warehouses of Pan and Lu, and inquired about all the suspicious items one by one. He was knowledgeable and recognized most of the things in the two warehouses. Even if he didn't recognize them with his own eyes, he had heard of them. Only the things in each of the two small warehouses were unknown. When they were pried open, they were black. Even the old friend sent by the Cai family didn't know what they were.
When Zhou Yijin saw this thing, his brows furrowed and his expression became solemn.
Cai Qinghua noticed his expression and became alert. He asked the two shopkeepers who followed him to search the warehouse. Both shopkeepers said it was a new Western medicine called Fushou Paste, which was sent by the East India Company for trial sale.
The expressions and tones of the two shopkeepers when they talked about the longevity paste clearly showed that they just treated this thing as a new product that was nothing special. However, Cai Qinghua was worried because Zhou Yijin's expression made him suspicious.
Zhou Yijin said: "This substance is called Fu Shou Gao, also known as opium, and it is a scourge to the country and the people. Master Cai, please report this to the Governor-General immediately and strictly ban this substance. Do not allow even a box or a cage to enter the country."
Cai Qinghua frowned and asked, "What kind of law is this that brings disaster to the country and the people?"
Zhou Yijin then told Cai Qinghua the description of opium he had heard from Wu Chengjian, but Cai Qinghua was unmoved and said, "It turns out to be a new drug. Even if it is addictive, it is just like a stronger alcohol. I'm afraid your statement is a bit alarmist."
Zhou Yijin said: "This thing is extremely harmful. If it is allowed to flow into the country, it will be a hundred times more serious than the theft of the treasure in the palace. Master, please put aside your prejudice and take this matter seriously."
Cai Qinghua asked: "I have never seen this thing before. How do you know its harmfulness?"
Zhou Yijin said: "This is what Hao Guan told me."
Cai Qinghua was still a little concerned at first, but after hearing this, he threw the opium in his hand back into the box with a sigh: "Alright, don't try to divert my attention with other things. The first priority is to search for contraband. Don't think of disturbing me with this thing."
When Zhou Yijin wanted to say more, Cai Qinghua was no longer interested in listening. Suddenly, Zhou Yijin guessed: Apparently Milton changed his strategy after hitting a big snag with Wu Chengjian. He no longer promoted this opium as a key product, but as an ordinary "new model". He used an "insignificant" attitude to let major insurance dealers "test sell" it. The insurance dealers did not know the serious harm of this product, so they were naturally willing to try the new product. And if opium really had the terrible characteristics described by Wu Chengjian, as soon as it landed in China, it would create the first batch of addicts and let the middlemen taste the sweetness. It would be extremely difficult to ban it in the future.
Although this was clearly a strategic commodity, it was sold in an insignificant manner. Milton's attitude confused the Qing officials and businessmen, and it did not immediately attract the attention of the Qing government and the merchants.
Zhou Yijin watched Cai Qinghua throw away the opium and then hurried off to search for other things. He sighed and thought, "The theft of the imperial treasures in the palace only involves the life and death of one family. If it is involved further, it will only be a temporary political struggle in the court. If what Hao Guan said is true, then the harm of opium is a hundred times more serious than this political struggle. It is self-evident which is more important. However, for Master, the difference in importance is the opposite. How to help Governor Zhu deal with Heshen should be the most important thing in his mind!"
However, he knew that Cai Qinghua had become wary of him, so he realized that it would be futile to persuade him further, and it might even backfire.
The Guangdong-Guangxi Governor's Office dispatched troops to seal off the warehouses of the Thirteen Hongs, causing all trade in Guangzhou to come to a standstill. This incident had already caused a sensation in the entire Xiguan Street. People in the market were talking about it, and rumors were spreading among the uninformed crowd. Some people who knew a little about the situation guessed that this incident was aimed at Yihehang.
Cai Shiqun's family also heard the news at night. The couple discussed it for a long time, and Cai's mother said, "I'll go see my daughter."
In the morning, she took a sedan chair out of the city to Xiguan. Seeing that the Wu family's old house was not blocked, she felt a little relieved and came to look for her daughter. Since Cai Shiqun defected, the relationship between Wu and Cai has warmed up, and there is no longer any rift between them.
After chatting with her daughter for a few words about family matters, Cai's mother got straight to the point. She found an excuse to send the maids and old women away and asked in a low voice, "My dear daughter, is this incident targeting the Wu family again?"
Cai Qiaozhu originally guessed that her mother must have come here for no reason, but she said without comment: "I never pay attention to these things outside. Why are you asking again, mother?"
"Stop trying to be so timid," said Cai's mother. "The Ministry of Internal Affairs stole the palace treasures and sold them. This was done by Hei Caitou before. Your father also helped to arrange a deal five or six years ago. So your father knew what was going on as soon as he heard about this."
Cai Qiaozhu was surprised when she heard this: "Mother, you knew about this? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Cai's mother said hurriedly, "Don't doubt your father. We really don't know what happened this time. Although your father knew about this, how could we know about it at the beginning? We only heard the news last night and thought of some clues from the past to guess a little bit."
Cai Qiaozhu nodded and believed it. She also guessed that this time Cai Shiwen wanted to take the opportunity to attack the Wu family. Such an action must be kept confidential and it is unlikely to leak to Cai Shiqun who has already defected.
Cai's mother said, "It was Cai Shiwen and Xie Yuanli who handled this task for the Ministry of Internal Affairs before. Now, I think this task has fallen on Hao Guan."
Wu Chengjian did not tell his family about this incident in detail, so Cai Qiaoju could only guess. But after listening to her mother's detailed analysis, she couldn't help but nod.
Cai's mother said, "This matter can be big or small, it can be ignored or not. The palace has been reselling stolen goods, some of which are sold to Jiangnan and some to Guangzhou. This has been going on for years. As long as it is not exposed, many people from Beijing to Guangzhou will turn a blind eye. But once it is exposed, it will be a disaster! A capital crime... It's a pity that this black cabbage head actually came to trick the Wu family in this matter!"
When Cai Qiaozhu heard the word "beheaded", her heart couldn't help but beat wildly and her face was full of anxiety.
Cai's mother then said, "However, according to your father's thinking, beheading Hao Guan may not be enough to impress people like the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi. The most worrying thing is that those officials do not want to behead Hao Guan, but want to use this matter to implicate others. In that case, not only Hao Guan himself will suffer, but the entire Wu family, and even the relatives and friends of the Wu family will be implicated."
Cai Qiaozhu said: "Mother, I have thought of all this, but now that things have come to this, there is nothing we can do."
Cai's mother said, "Why not? There is still a way. It depends on... whether the Wu family has the heart to cut off their own arms."
Cai Qiaozhu frowned and said, "Mother, what are you talking about?"
Cai's mother said, "At this point, the only way is to find a way to let Officer Hao take charge of this case."
Cai Qiaozhu's face changed and she said, "Mother! What are you talking about?"
Cai's mother said, "Qiaozhu, if we weren't mother and daughter, I wouldn't say this. But I'm being a bad guy not only for you, but also for the Wu family and Guang'er."
"That's enough!" Cai Qiaozhu said, "Mother, if what you said today gets to my father-in-law's ears, our Wu and Cai families will no longer be relatives."
Mother Cai wanted to persuade her again, but was interrupted by Cai Qiaoju.
"Mother, let me tell you straight." Cai Qiaozhu said, "In fact, last night, Hao Guan had already made this intention. He wanted to take it all on himself!"
Mother Cai was stunned for a moment, somewhat surprised.
The words that Wu Chengjian said last night and what Cai's mother said just now were actually the same. However, when Wu Chengjian said it, it became completely different from when Cai's mother said it.
Although Cai Qiaozhu cared about her son, her husband, and her family, she could not push Wu Chengjian into the fire pit in order to protect herself. Even if Wu Chengjian had to take the responsibility himself, it would be a painful thing for her.
Cai Qiaozhu said: "Mother, please don't interfere in the affairs of the Wu family anymore. Some words are better left unsaid. If you say them, you are unworthy of being a villain!"
Cai's mother also felt a little embarrassed. Cai Qiaozhu thought she felt guilty, but unexpectedly, Cai's mother suddenly said, "This is not enough."
Cai Qiaozhu asked: "What?"
Cai's mother said, "In the current situation, your father guessed that the Guangdong-Guangxi Governor's Office must have some leverage. It's just a matter of how to find the leverage, right?"
Cai Qiaozhu said: "So what?"
Cai's mother said, "The best way now is not to wait until the evidence is exposed and then have Hao Guan take the blame, but to have you expose Hao Guan before the evidence is exposed. This is the only way to get rid of you and the eldest branch of the Wu family."
Cai Qiaozhu was shocked: "Mother! How could you say such a thing?"
Cai's mother said, "Although what I said is unpleasant, it is the only solution. You can discuss this idea with Hao Guan. Since he has made preparations, maybe he will agree to it. Who knows."
"Alright, alright! I won't listen to you!" Cai Qiaozhu said, "Mother, I won't keep you here today. Go home ."
"My dear daughter, why are you so stupid?" Cai's mother said, "Although what A-niang said was unpleasant, it was all done with all her heart. If it were someone else, they might not think so for you. Aren't they all thinking about themselves? Just wait and see. There is no need to wait for the people in the Governor's Office to search for it. I think the person who has the evidence will give it up himself."
Cai Qiaozhu didn't want to listen to these words anymore, so she stood up and called Bitao.
"Okay, okay, since you don't want to hear this, I won't say it." Seeing that Cai Qiaozhu was about to drive her away again, Cai's mother said, "But your father has another plan. Maybe... not only can he save the Wu family, but he can even save Haoguan. Do you want to listen?"
