Chapter Twenty-Nine: Catching the Thief with the Loot

Poor Eunuch Wang Zhifa, of course, was unaware that he had become the shared target of the factions led by Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu. Fortunately, to avoid disrupting the retail price of white sugar on the market, Wang had been following Zhao Dezhao’s orders to take a few days off after returning from the Zhuxian Town wharf, allowing the market time to absorb the sugar that had been quietly sold.

During this period, the hangers-on and lackeys led by Ma Laifu were dispatched to secretly inquire about the retail prices and sales of white sugar. As Zhao Dezhao had anticipated, the white sugar refined with yellow clay water had fetched a shockingly high price, ranging from eight to ten strings of cash per catty. Sales were booming, and the myriad high-ranking officials and nobles in Kaifeng took pride in consuming such high-quality sugar as a display of their status.

Meanwhile, through the tireless efforts of Liang Zhouhan and the forces behind him, a piece of intelligence was laid before Zhao Dezhao: the He Family Southern Goods Store on Cross Street was not only thriving and well-stocked but also supplied many high-ranking government officials directly. This included the residence of the current Chief Councilor, Zhao Pu, and even the home of Zhao Dezhao’s third uncle, Zhao Tingmei.

After reviewing the information, Zhao Dezhao asked, "Is it confirmed that this is my second uncle's business?"

"Basically confirmed. Otherwise, a mere Southern Goods Store would struggle to establish relationships with so many powerful officials," Liang Zhouhan replied. "Furthermore, the shop clerks often make inquiries about the households of my relatives when delivering goods. If my hunch is correct, this shop also doubles as an intelligence-gathering post for the Second Prince."

"Then this is the one," Zhao Dezhao decided firmly. He instructed Wang Zhifa, "Zhifa, proceed according to the plan. Be careful, and prioritize your own safety."

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I hope to serve you for a lifetime, so I will be as cautious as possible."

Wang Zhifa answered with a smile. However, when he appeared in front of the Southern Goods Store on Cross Street shortly after, his expression had shifted to that of a thief. He looked around repeatedly, and only after confirming he was not being followed did he enter the shop to request an audience with the proprietor.

His efforts were not in vain. A sharp-featured, monkey-faced man soon appeared before him, fawning, "I am He Changsheng, the owner of this store. How may I assist you, sir?"

"Do you buy white sugar?" Wang Zhifa asked directly. "It's from overseas, guaranteed to be of the finest quality."

Looking at Wang’s hairless, smooth cheeks and the heavy sacks on the wheelbarrow outside, He Changsheng’s heart soared with greed. "Please, sir, come inside. Let us discuss this in the back."

Wang nodded and instructed his attendant to bring the sacks inside. Once in the back courtyard, Wang, unwilling to enter the room, said, "It’s too hot; let’s talk in the yard."

He Changsheng readily agreed, ordering his clerks to bring chairs and tea. With a beaming smile, he asked, "May I have the honor of seeing the goods first?"

Wang signaled his attendant, who opened a sack, revealing pure, snow-white granulated sugar. He Changsheng was ecstatic. He pinched a bit of the sugar, examined it carefully, and tasted a small amount. "Top quality! Truly rare! In all my years in the Southern Goods trade, I have never seen such fine sugar."

"Five taels of silver per catty," Wang Zhifa demanded, taking a sip of tea. "There are over forty-one catties here. I’ll round it down to forty. Two hundred taels of silver, and you can keep the lot."

"So expensive?" He protested. "Sir, can you lower the price? It is indeed top quality, but at this price, not only will I make no profit, I might even lose money."

"What is your offer then?" Wang retorted.

He Changsheng, knowing the market, held up three fingers. "Three taels of silver per catty. One hundred and twenty taels in total, and I'll take it."

"No, at least four taels."

Wang made a slight concession. Unaware of what other merchants were paying, He Changsheng hesitated before stomping his foot in agreement. "Four taels it is. But, sir, I don't have that much silver on hand. I’m afraid I’ll have to pay about a hundred taels in copper coins."

"A hundred strings of copper coins? Will my cart even hold that?" Wang refused flatly. "I only accept silver. Copper is too bulky and heavy; it’s inconvenient for me."

He Changsheng, having gained the time he needed, replied, "Then you must wait a moment. I need to send my clerk to the gold and silver shop to exchange the coins."

Wang hesitated but nodded. "Fine, make it quick. I have other business to attend to."

"Rest assured, sir, it will be done immediately." He Changsheng promised, ordering his clerks to exchange the money while stalling Wang with wine and snacks.

After a while, seeing the clerk had not returned, Wang told his attendant, "Go tell my friend to wait a little longer so he doesn't worry."

The attendant agreed and left. He Changsheng, fearing he might scare off the main target, did not stop him.

After waiting patiently, Wang grew restless. He stood up to stretch his legs, while He Changsheng apologized profusely. Finally, after some time, several men walked into the courtyard. Wang turned to see the leader—dressed in a light gown and square cap—was none other than Chen Congxin, Zhao Guangyi’s absolute confidant.

"Wang Zhifa, it’s you?!"

Never expecting the one selling stolen tribute goods to be Wang Zhifa, Chen Congxin was shocked, followed immediately by pure joy. He knew he had stumbled upon a major victory—Wang Zhifa, who had served Zhao Dezhao since childhood, was high on Zhao Guangyi’s blacklist.

Even more shocking was Wang’s reaction. Seeing the situation, he bolted toward a pile of debris, leaped onto the courtyard wall, and fled.

"Chase him! Catch him!" Chen ordered. His attendants were agile and quickly scaled the wall, giving Wang no chance to escape.

A footrace ensued through the streets of Kaifeng. Wang, desperate, sprinted toward the Imperial Street, overturning stalls and bumping into pedestrians, causing chaos. Chen’s men followed close behind, drawing the attention of the entire city.

Unfortunately, Wang lacked martial training and physical stamina. Half a street away, an attendant grabbed him from behind. Panicked, Wang struggled and shrieked, "Help! Help! Murder! Bandits!"

Whether by habit or mere accident, during the struggle, Wang’s trousers slipped, exposing his characteristic anatomy and causing a public stir. Wang seized the moment to cry out, "Help! I am a eunuch! A eunuch from the Prince’s household! Help me!"

The commotion naturally drew the attention of the city guards. When Chen’s men finally pinned Wang to the ground, the guards arrived and demanded, "What are you doing? Why are you detaining him?"

"Officers, help! Help!" Wang pleaded like he had found saviors. "I am a eunuch from the First Prince’s household! My name is Wang Zhifa! Save me!"

Upon learning his identity, the patrol guards hesitated to act disrespectfully. "Who are you? Why are you seizing an attendant from the Prince’s household?"

Chen Congxin stepped forward. "Do not misunderstand. These are my men. We are conducting an investigation for the Second Prince."

The guards knew Chen well and backed down. Wang struggled and yelled, "Why are you grabbing me? What crime have I committed? I did not steal tribute goods from the palace!"

"Palace tribute goods?" The crowd gasped, buzzing with gossip. Chen frowned and ordered, "Take him to the Kaifeng Prefecture."

As they forced the disheveled Wang toward the prefecture, he continued to wail, "I am innocent! I am a servant of the First Prince! I didn't steal any tribute!"

The crowd followed in droves. To everyone’s surprise, just as the group crossed the Imperial Street, Zhao Dezhao himself appeared, dressed in his official robes, rushing over from the Censorate. His face was livid as he roared, "Stop! Release my man!"

Zhao slapped Chen Congxin across the face, bellowing, "You dog! How dare you lay a finger on my people!"

Given the disparity in their status, Chen dared not retaliate. He clutched his face and said, "Your Highness, please listen. I have indeed detained your servant, but I have my reasons and evidence."

"Shut your filthy mouth! You’ve ruined my business!" Zhao cursed, striking Chen again. When the attendants tried to intervene, Zhao beat them as well, shouting, "Let him go! Do you want to lose your heads?!"

Seeing no other choice, Chen signaled his men to release Wang. Wang wept, "Your Highness, you finally arrived! If you had been a moment later, they would have killed me!"

"Don't cry. Tell me, what happened?"

Zhao wiped Wang’s tears with his own handkerchief. Wang sobbed, "I followed your orders to sell the sugar at the Southern Goods store. The owner wouldn't pay and instead called the Second Prince’s men to do this to me."

Zhao’s face darkened. He had his attendant wrap Wang in his own outer robe and turned to Chen with a sneer. "Official Chen, tell me—what law did my servant break by selling sugar at a store that warrants you arresting him yourself?"

"And furthermore!" Zhao pointed to Wang’s exposed state, growing even angrier. "You knew he was a eunuch, yet you intentionally pulled down his trousers to humiliate him in public? If you don't give me a satisfactory explanation, I will never let this go!"

Faced with Zhao’s accusations, Chen was at a loss. "Your Highness, this is not the place for such talk. Let us go to the Kaifeng Prefecture. I guarantee I will provide an explanation!"

"Spare me that!" Zhao shouted. "You lot love to deceive my second uncle with flowery words, but I won't fall for it! Speak now, right here!"

With no other choice, Chen shouted, "Very well! I detained your servant because he was caught selling tribute sugar stolen from the palace. I acted to uphold the dignity of the Imperial House!"

Zhao turned to Wang. "Zhifa, did you tell them this sugar was palace tribute?"

"No, never!" Wang cried. "I told the owner it was from overseas! Many people were there; they can testify!"

"Good." Zhao nodded, turning to his newly recruited aide, Song Qi. "Censor Song, this matter concerns my close attendant. I cannot intervene directly. Please take men to that shop and investigate why they slandered my servant with claims of stealing tribute."

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I shall go at once!"

Although the Song Dynasty did not strictly prohibit officials from trading, Zhao Guangyi certainly did not want his true financial dealings exposed. Seeing Song Qi, who held a deep grudge against him, take the lead, Chen panicked. "Your Highness, this is a civil matter. There is no need to trouble the Censorate. I will bring the owner here for questioning myself. If it was a mistake, I will apologize to your servant personally."

"Official Chen, this concerns the Prince's reputation. I will participate in the interrogation," Song Qi said coldly. "The Censorate has the authority to supervise the Kaifeng Prefecture. Surely you haven't forgotten that?"

Sensing the situation slipping away, cold sweat broke out on Chen’s forehead. Fortunately, Zhao Guangyi arrived at that moment. After hearing the situation and Chen’s claim that the shop owner had reported the crime, Zhao Guangyi did not lash out immediately. He looked calmly at Zhao Dezhao. "Dezhao, can you tell me the origin of this sugar?"

"Uncle, please forgive me, but I cannot say," Zhao Dezhao replied firmly.

"Why not?" Zhao Guangyi pressed.

"I have my reasons," Zhao answered even more decisively.

In the past, Zhao Guangyi would have slapped his nephew and taken him before Emperor Taizu to claim credit. But having seen his nephew’s cunning in recent times, he felt a rare moment of hesitation and fear. "What do I do? Should I go to the palace and see the Emperor?"

At that critical moment, Chief Councilor Zhao Pu appeared with a smile. After inquiring about the situation, he suggested, "Your Highnesses, why not go to the palace and see the Emperor? You are family; sit down and talk it over. That way, there will be no more misunderstandings."

He sneered inwardly, *Let them tear each other apart before the Emperor. Whether the nephew is setting a trap for the uncle or the uncle has caught the nephew red-handed, the louder they bite, the happier I am.*

Zhao Dezhao immediately agreed. "The Chief Councilor is right. This concerns my reputation; I should clarify everything before my father."

Hearing this, Zhao Guangyi raised an eyebrow and made his decision.