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Zhuo Zishi was already terrified to the point of breaking down. After those people left, he collapsed onto the ground.
"Please spare me, it was General Lin who made me do this! If I didn't comply, General Lin would have taken the lives of my entire family!" He knelt on the ground, repeatedly bowing to Jiang Han.
"I am just a small person brought in by General Lin to watch over you. When she first found me, she instructed me to keep an eye on Shopkeeper and report any unusual movements to her. Besides myself, I also have an elderly relative who was taken to the Lin family by General Lin. I truly dare not defy her orders!" The sound of his forehead hitting the ground echoed loudly.
Su Qianxue was somewhat worried that Jiang Han might feel pity for him. When she glanced over at Jiang Han, she found him expressionless, making it impossible to discern his current feelings.
Jiang Han stroked his chin and asked, "Your relative is at Lin Manor?"
Zhuo Zishi nodded vigorously while continuing to bow. "Yes, I wouldn't dare to hide anything. I've realized today that it's better to tell the truth than to offend you or even this Imperial Merchant. It's far better than consuming these poisonous substances and leaving my elderly relative without care."
Jiang Han inquired, "Have you seen your relative recently?"
This question left Zhuo Zishi momentarily stunned. He had been following Jiang Han closely during this time, especially after Lin Qingyue returned; he had been busy relaying information about Jiang Han to her. It had been a long time since he last saw his elderly relative.
However, Lin Qingyue had assured him that as long as Jiang Han was alive, he would be able to reunite with his relative.
Before he could respond, Jiang Han bluntly stated, "They said that when I die, they will give you and your relative a large sum of money so that your relative can enjoy their old age in peace."
Zhuo Zishi nodded blankly. "Right."
Jiang Han scoffed at him and said, "Go see how your relative is doing lately. Remember to meet them in person. If Lin Qingyue doesn't agree, just tell her you have important news from me. Use that important news as a bargaining chip for a meeting with your relative. Even if Lin Qingyue refuses, Langya Wangfu won't turn you down."
Zhuo Zishi had no idea what kind of medicine Jiang Han was selling in that gourd. As long as he could keep his life this time, that was all that mattered. "If I do as you say, will you let me go?" he asked.
Jiang Han nodded. "I keep my word. After being by my side for so long, you should know what kind of person I am."
Jiang Han had nothing to say to these servants. Even when Lin Qingyue almost burned down Jiang Han's shop a while back, Jiang Han did not hold Zhuo Zishi accountable. This made Zhuo Zishi feel deeply ashamed.
He knelt on the ground and bowed his head several times. "Thank you, Shopkeeper Jiang, for sparing my life! I will do as you say!"
After Zhuo Zishi left, Su Qianxue's admiration for Jiang Han was impossible to hide. Was Shopkeeper Jiang trying to turn the enemy's spies into his own?
Jiang Han smiled. "Yes." He did not avoid Su Qianxue while saying this; he wanted to test whether she and Langya Prince were on the same side. However, this test seemed somewhat unnecessary. With Su Qianxue standing up for him today, it was clear that she was a person of integrity and not one of those treacherous individuals who sold out their country.
Su Qianxue admired him greatly. " Shopkeeper Jiang's methods are remarkable; without losing a single soldier, he has turned the enemy's people to his advantage."
Then she tried to ask, "With such courage, what do you think of the current situation in the Great Zhou?"
Her gaze was sincere; it seemed like a test, but in reality, she wanted to hear Jiang Han's thoughts on Great Zhou's current predicament. If it weren't for today's events, Jiang Han would certainly not have discussed such matters with her.
Fortunately, Jiang Han had no intention of hiding his thoughts and spoke candidly: "The Great Zhou is plagued by frequent wars. Not only are foreign nations eyeing our territory, but even our own people are watching closely. The internal strife and external threats are severe."
"You must have noticed as well," he continued. "The Langya Wangfu is so aggressive that they don't even regard the Royal Law."
"The magistrate's people are even more arbitrary; within a short period, over a dozen officials have come just to capture a small merchant like me."
This clearly showed that the Langya Wangfu was the deepest thorn in Great Zhou’s side.
Jiang Han saw through these matters so clearly; could it be that he already knew his identity? The thought made him feel a bit flustered.
She immediately probed, "Is there indeed a significant issue with Langya Wangfu? What does Shopkeeper Jiang think of His Majesty?"
His Majesty?
Jiang Han clicked his tongue, pondering whether this young lady was genuinely broad-minded or if her relationship with the current emperor was rather inappropriate. How could she casually discuss the emperor with someone else?
After a moment of thought, he tried to phrase his response as delicately as possible. "His Majesty must be quite troubled as well."
Not long ago, he had heard that the emperor was seeking talented individuals, but it seemed that those efforts had been thwarted by his subordinates. Even if they did bring in someone, it was likely that they would end up serving Langya Wangfu.
Su Qianxue nodded repeatedly. " Shopkeeper Jiang makes a valid point. But Miss, what do you think of His Majesty?"
Jiang Han sighed.
There was no avoiding this topic, was there? However, looking at her, it didn’t seem like she was trying to test him; surely she wouldn’t relay anything he said to the emperor that could be deemed treasonous?
He spoke earnestly, "The mess left by the previous dynasty hasn’t been dealt with, and the current emperor is busy with his ascension and managing the court. While the situation in the court appears stable, those unresolved issues are already beginning to spread and rot in secret."
After saying this, he leaned in closer to Su Qianxue and whispered, "But don’t tell the Empress this; I feel quite sorry for her."
Su Qianxue was taken aback.
Not to mention that Jiang Han hadn’t recognized her identity, she was indeed one of the highest-ranking individuals in Da Zhou as the Empress. Others claimed she had everything one could desire, yet Jiang Han pitied her.
She tried to calm her trembling heart. "What makes you think the Current Emperor is pitiable?"
With just a casual remark, she could have Shopkeeper Jiang's head rolling.
Jiang Han chuckled lightly. "His Majesty has no trustworthy people around him; more than half of those in the court have been swayed by Langya Wangfu. Even among his personal maids, can you guarantee that they don’t harbor ulterior motives?"
Jiang Han's words were straightforward.
It was lonely at the top. Aside from herself and the Shadow Guards she had personally selected, Su Qianxue had no one else she could rely on.
A sense of loneliness surged within her as she looked at Jiang Han with a complex expression.
Did Shopkeeper Jiang believe that Langya Wangfu would oppose the court?
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