Chapter 597: Arsonist

Just when everyone was confused and didn’t understand what was going on.

Zhu Yuanzhang grinned, looked up and down at Li Wu who was running over, and nodded repeatedly:

“I heard that a big business had opened in Yingtian, so I came all the way from Jiangnan to take a look.

You look like you’ve made a fortune, are you still pulling a cart?”

Li Wu was so excited that his face turned red. He was at a loss as to what to do. He nodded quickly:

“I’m still pulling, Master Li, I haven’t seen you for many years, are you in good health?”

“Hahaha, I’m stronger than you, don’t worry.” Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily.

Li Wu was delighted from the bottom of his heart and nodded:
“That’s good, God has eyes, good people will be rewarded.

If it weren’t for your kindness in helping me, Master Li, I would have returned to the capital in disgrace.”

“It’s a small matter. It’s just a cart. Why are you pulling it in the small parade ground?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

“Now I mainly help people transport goods at Jubaomen. These are my two nephews.

Mr. Li, I now have three cars. “

Li Wu moved closer, his voice filled with uncontrollable pride.

“Really? Then you are quite capable. You have earned enough to buy three cars in just a few years.”

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and was very pleased.

Li Wu scratched his head in embarrassment: “It’s a coincidence that I can eat well and wear warm clothes in the capital now, all thanks to your help.”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked him up and down and said with a smile:
“Is there another noble person helping you?”

Li Wu’s eyes lit up and he nodded quickly:

“I originally wanted to open my own car dealership, but after some calculations, I realized I would have to invest all my assets in it.

Later, the nobleman gave me an idea and asked me to call my relatives from my hometown.

Let’s pool our money together to buy a car and expand the business step by step. Don’t think of getting rich overnight.”

“Well, that’s a good idea.

Road must be taken step by step, and meal must be eaten bite by bite.

God helps those who help themselves.
You are a hard-working person. There are so many rickshaw drivers in the capital, why are you the only one so lucky?
Don’t underestimate yourself, work hard.

I hope you will have five cars next time I come to Beijing!”

Li Wu laughed:

“Thank you, Mr. Li, where is your house?
My husband is very good at making insoles. I’ll send you some. They are all handmade.”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed:
“Hahaha, forget about the insoles. I’m also good at making shoes and insoles.

I make all the shoes for my whole family myself.”

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang lifted his feet, showing off the pair of ordinary yet sturdy cloth shoes on his feet.

“Okay, let me see what you bought.”

“They are all rice, flour, grain and oil. Buy more while they are cheap.

By the way, I also bought some sugar. Sugar is so cheap now.
I plan to ask my husband to make some candied haws and sell them, which should make some money.”

“Okay, Li Wu, you were still dumb when I saw you a few years ago.

People are smarter now, and their brains are more flexible. You will become rich sooner or later.”

Li Wu was overjoyed: “Thank you for your kind words, Master Li. In the end, I should thank Master Hongwu.”

“Oh?” Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows, feeling extremely happy, and asked calmly:

“What does it have to do with the old emperor?”

“There is a community school in the city, where my two nephews learn to read and reason.

I also learned a lot from them and understood a lot of principles.

Those gentlemen are right. People still need to learn more literacy and read more.

To be honest, because I can read a little, some shopkeepers trust me with their goods.
Because I can count the goods and read the manifest.”

“Hahahahahaha, good good good.”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily without any scruples, which attracted many people’s attention. However, seeing that he had an extraordinary demeanor, they did not say anything.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stood aside with a strange look on his face. It was rare for him to see his father so happy.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the two children and encouraged them:
“You should learn from Li Wu and learn how to be a good person and do things.”

Although the two children didn’t know who the person in front of them was, they said respectfully, “I know, Master Li.”

“Okay, you guys go and pay the bill. I still need to go shopping on the second floor.” Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

Li Wu nodded with emotion and bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang’s departing figure.
Only after they disappeared at the end of the stairs did Li Wu come back to his senses and said, “Let’s go.”

“Second uncle, who is that person?” Bi Yun asked softly.

“Mr. Li, Mr. Li.

When I came to the capital to work as a rickshaw driver, I met Mr. Li at the small parade ground, and he bought me my first rickshaw. “

“The one that Uncle Er is pulling now?”

“No, that car was burned out when we were fighting a fire last time.”

The two children nodded in sudden enlightenment; they understood the logic.

Mr. Li means to Second Uncle just as Second Uncle means to them, they are both his savior and adoptive parent.

“Father, who was that person just now?” Crown Prince Zhu Biao asked in a low voice.

“A rickshaw driver used to pull a rickshaw in the small parade ground. I saw that he was diligent, so I gave him a rickshaw. I didn’t expect to meet him today.”

Zhu Yuanzhang walked slowly, feeling very happy.

The praise from the people made him feel more comfortable than the eulogies from the civil and military officials in the court.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao nodded in sudden realization.

Whenever my father made important decisions over the years, he always liked to go out and look around to see how people reacted.
He didn’t pay much attention to it and turned to talk about the business:

“Father, you are right. The second floor is full of rare and precious objects. It seems that the company really wants to make money from the rich people in Yingtian.”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded gently:

“Come on, take a look around. Any item in here is worth more than a lot of stuff downstairs.”

In the warehouse on the first floor of Yingtian Commercial Bank, Lu Yunyi came hurriedly with a gloomy face and hurried steps.

The armor of the guards behind him collided, making a crisp clinking sound.

Soon, he led his men to the corner and saw Zhang Yu, who looked a little disheveled and covered in dust.

In the corner, three more people were lying in a pool of blood, their wounds still bleeding.

“What’s going on?” Lu Yunyi looked at Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu pursed his lips and said in a heavy voice:
“Sir, these three people attempted to set a fire and were discovered by my subordinates while on patrol.”

“Set fire?” Lu Yunyi’s face was extremely solemn, and a murderous aura emanated from his whole body.
“What evidence is there?”

Zhang Yu handed over an oil-paper bag and opened it carefully, revealing the dark gunpowder with a pungent smell inside.

“Sir, we also found fire starters on them.
When my subordinates chased them, they tried to ignite the gunpowder, so I had no choice but to shoot them. “

“Son of a bitch!!”

Lu Yunyi put his hands on his hips, his face full of disbelief. Someone actually dared to make trouble at this time.

At this time, Feng Kezhao, the prefect of the capital, hurried over with his bailiffs, his forehead covered with beads of sweat.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Lu Yunyi pointed at the gunpowder in Zhang Yu’s hand:
“Lord Feng, someone wants to set a fire and use gunpowder.”

“what?”

Feng Kezhao’s face suddenly changed and turned pale in an instant.

He hurriedly took a step forward, pulled Lu Yunyi aside without saying anything, and whispered:
“Lord Lu, His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are in the business right now.”

Lu Yunyi was stunned for a moment, “What did you say?”

Feng Kezhao’s pupils trembled violently:
“Just now, when the prefect, the Prince of Jin, and the Prince of Yan were on duty at the entrance,
I saw His Majesty and the Crown Prince with their eunuchs and guards. I guess they haven’t left yet.”

Lu Yunyi felt his scalp tingling, and he suddenly felt confused about who the arson was targeting.

“Sir Feng, tell His Majesty and the Crown Prince about this immediately and ask them to leave the company.

Now that we have found three people, there may be some hidden dangers. We have to start investigating!”

“Yes, yes. I will take people to find His Majesty right away.” Feng Kezhao’s face was full of panic.

“Don’t make a big fuss, don’t cause a commotion, just do it quietly.
There are too many people in the company now, we can’t let chaos happen, or something big will happen! ” “I, your humble official, understands.” Feng Kezhao left in a hurry.

At this time, Liu Heiying, dressed in armor, also hurried over, his face as dark as ink.
Lu Yunyi looked at him and Zhang Yu and ordered in a deep voice:
“Spread your people out from here, search every warehouse, check every person in the warehouse,

All boxes, barrels, wooden frames, anything that can hide something, don’t miss it.”

“Yes!”

Lu Yunyi looked at Zhang Huaian and said:

“Go report this to Lord Zhang and ask him to transfer all the hunting dogs from the firearms workshop of the Governor’s Office. The more the better, and act quickly.”

Zhang Huaian’s lips turned pale. It was the first time he encountered such a thing. He was stunned for a moment and quickly replied:
“Yes!”

“Yunfang, you go with him and make sure nothing goes wrong.” Lu Yunyi looked at Feng Yunfang and ordered.

“Yes!”

As the order was given, groups of soldiers marched in orderly steps into the huge warehouse on the first floor of the trading company.

When everyone saw the mountains of goods and the employees busy stocking them, they were all shocked and quickly realized the seriousness of the matter.

If a fire breaks out here, the consequences will be disastrous!

In the corner, Lu Yunyi stood beside the three bodies, quietly watching Chen Jingyi, wearing leather gloves and holding a knife, carefully performing the autopsy.

Not long after, Chen Jingyi stood up and said in a deep voice:
“Sir, the situation of the three bodies has been clarified.

Judging from the marks and physical signs left on them, they must have been from the military, there is no doubt about that. “Chen Jingyi frowned slightly and said solemnly.

“Yeah.” Lu Yunyi’s face was solemn.

Chen Jingyi continued:
“They smelled strongly of pork blood and their palms were covered with calluses.

This kind of callus is not formed by ordinary labor, but is left by holding weapons for a long time.

As for the smell of blood, it is speculated that they may have worked in the army kitchen.

Responsible for slaughtering livestock and preparing meals for the soldiers, that’s why they have such a strong smell.”

“Also, sir, I found some tiny crumbs in the seams of their clothes.”

Chen Jingyi said as he took out a paper bag from his sleeve and gently opened it.

Inside were a few strands of very fine sawdust and some dark red powder.

“The wood chips are hard and fine-grained, like some kind of precious wood, and may be related to what they came into contact with during their lifetime.

After preliminary inspection by my subordinates, this dark red powder
It seems like a special spice that is hard to find in ordinary markets.

As long as we can find a place where sawdust and this powder appear together, we can determine their origin.”

Lu Yunyi nodded:
“Got it. Now take your men to the entrance of the business and keep an eye on the people coming and going with Xu Zengshou.

If you find anything suspicious, don’t hesitate, arrest it first! “

“Yes!”

After everything is arranged,

Lu Yunyi picked up a long knife, put it on his waist, and walked quickly towards the gate.

At this moment, Yingtian Commercial Bank, which was originally filled with a lazy and noisy atmosphere, suddenly became tense.

The depressing atmosphere began to spread quietly.
The soldiers, who were originally in civilian clothes and scattered everywhere, took action after receiving the order.
He searched every corner of the business carefully, his eyes scanning every citizen and merchant.

In less than a quarter of an hour, silent fights suddenly broke out in various places in the business.
It came suddenly and ended quickly.

Suspicious persons in the store were arrested one after another, and many people were stopped outside the store. The noise was drowned out by the cheers of the people and seemed insignificant.

Lu Yunyi came to the back of the lottery table with a long knife in hand, looked at Guo Quan who was busy here, and asked: “Has the grand prize been announced?”

Guo Quan glanced at the clerk beside him and shook his head: “Not yet.”

“not yet?”

Even though the situation was extremely urgent at the moment, Lu Yunyi still remembered the ridiculous thing that happened in the morning when he randomly drew the special prize.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Yunyi said, “Since we can’t pull it out, let’s release one manually.
Give out a third prize to attract the people’s attention, so that they stay in front of the lottery table and don’t run around.”

Guo Quan nodded and then asked:

“My Lord, has something happened?”

“Someone wants to cause trouble, so you should be more careful here.
If someone causes trouble, don’t hesitate, just take him down.”

Guo Quan’s expression suddenly became serious:

“Yes! I will arrange to give out a third prize right away.”

“it is good.”

Lu Yunyi came to another exit of the business with a long knife in hand.
Here I met Guo Ying, Marquis of Wuding. The imperial guards were in charge of the defense here.

They are not as polite as the officials in the capital.
He speaks directly and firmly, so the people here are very honest and queue up obediently.

“Has His Majesty come out?” Guo Ying asked first when he saw Lu Yunyi coming.

“Someone has been sent to notify them. They should be coming out soon.”

Hearing him say this, Guo Ying breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head helplessly:
“What kind of thing is this? It’s such a happy day, but it turned out like this. How many people have been arrested?”

Lu Yunyi looked solemn:
“There were more than a hundred suspicious persons. After investigation, more than thirty were detained.”

A hint of surprise flashed across Guo Ying’s eyes: “So fast?”

Lu Yunyi looked helpless and shook his head gently:

“The company has arranged 500 soldiers to be dispersed in various places in advance, just in case.

I didn’t expect it to come in handy, how strange.”

At this moment, a guard came running over in a panic, “Sir, there has been a murder at the gate of the government office.”

“What?” Lu Yunyi was shocked and rushed over quickly.

Soon, he arrived at the gate of the capital.
The crowd was still moving slowly forward, but the atmosphere was a little panicked, but there was no large-scale chaos.

Seeing this scene, Lu Yunyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The street in front of him was so spacious.
If a stampede occurs, I don’t know how many people will die.

Soon, he saw the murderer and the deceased in the awning at the gate of the government office, as well as a group of officials surrounding there.

Seeing him coming, Feng Kezhao spoke with lingering fear:
“Master Lu, you are really foresighted. If there is no isolation belt, the scene will be in chaos in an instant.”

Lu Yunyi waved his hand to stop him from speaking: “Carry the person into the government office first and place him here so that the people can see him.”

The clerks of the yamen came forward and carried the two men inside.

Lu Yunyi looked at the solemn-looking Prince Jin and Prince Yan:
“My Lords, when the murder just happened, were there any suspicious people who deliberately created chaos?”

Prince of Yan Zhu Di frowned and said in a deep voice:
“There was only shouting and yelling at the time. I don’t know if anyone was trying to take advantage of the situation.”

Lu Yunyi’s face was solemn.
In his opinion, this was considered creating a riot.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Yunyi looked at Feng Kezhao:

“Sir Feng, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. It is getting late now.
How about temporarily blocking Fudong Street and stopping people from entering the business?”

“pause?”

Feng Kezhao looked at the huge crowd ahead of him in a daze, then nodded after a moment:

“That’s right..There are too many people now. It’s beyond the company’s capacity.”

At this point, Feng Kezhao’s eyes flashed with ruthlessness: “Then seal it off! The people who have already entered the quarantine zone are no longer allowed to enter!”

“Lord Feng, you still have to appease those disappointed people and tell them that the store will continue to offer discounts tomorrow and ask them to come back tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry, Lord Lu, I’ll go right away.”

After saying this, Feng Kezhao led the clerks from the yamen and hurried to the end of Fudong Street.

Lu Yunyi turned to look at King Yan and King Jin, and said in a deep voice:

“My Lords, please use the guards who have stopped us to maintain order.
Disperse them to the corners of the isolation zone, and if a riot occurs, stop it immediately! “

King Jin knew the seriousness of the matter and nodded slightly:

“I understand, my king. Leave this to us.”

“Then I’ll have to trouble you two princes.”

Lu Yunyi hurried to the door of the trading company and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang and Crown Prince Zhu Biao coming out surrounded by guards.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s face looked very grim. He already knew what happened. He looked at Lu Yunyi and said in a deep voice:

“Handle the matter properly. Anyone who causes trouble will not be forgiven easily. If they resist the law, they can be executed first and reported later.”

“Yes!” Lu Yunyi bowed and said:

“Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, please return to the palace first so that we can deal with the traitors.”

(End of this chapter)