vrcanaries Chapter 382 Behind the Scenes
Chapter 382 Behind the Scenes
Chapter 382 Behind the Scenes
The tobacco shop business plummeted.
When these businessmen were at a loss, someone got advice from an expert and bought several farms, preparing to grow opium on a large scale.
When the supply increases, the price can be brought down!
Unexpectedly, the imperial court issued a series of decrees prohibiting private cultivation of opium!
Opium was listed as one of the medicinal herbs under government monitoring, and only medicinal gardens approved by the government were allowed to grow and sell opium.
At the same time, heavy taxes were also imposed on opium imported from overseas, blocking all the ways for those merchants who wanted to engage in speculation!
Opium dens in the Jiangnan area closed down one after another.
The first people to take Xiaoyao Paste began to experience various adverse symptoms.
When the urge to smoke comes, drooling, tears and sneezing come out, he feels anxious and anxious. For a puff of water pipe mixed with Xiaoyao paste, he is willing to do anything!
Many people sold their children and lost everything they had.
The number of vicious incidents such as burglary and street robbery has also increased significantly.
As a result, many officials wrote letters to impeach Prince Jing'an, believing that she had suggested imposing heavy taxes on Xiaoyao Cream, which had caused social unrest and made people's lives miserable. They demanded the lifting of restrictions on tobacco and opium.
When Nangong Qinghe received the memorial, he was so angry at these officials that he almost laughed.
"Ridiculous! Is it Prince Jing'an who caused these problems? It's the Xiaoyao Cream!"
"Fortunately, Prince Jing'an foresaw the dangers of Xiaoyao Cream and took countermeasures in advance, thus preventing the spread of Xiaoyao Cream in Da Chu!"
He secretly felt lucky that Jiang Li discovered it early and took appropriate measures. If he had allowed this substance to flow into the army, when the nicotine addiction struck, not only would the army lose its combat effectiveness, but they might even betray their country and surrender to the enemy just for a sip of Xiaoyao ointment!
"You are so foolish and you confuse right and wrong. What is your intention?"
He immediately issued an order prohibiting the sale of Xiaoyao Cream within the territory of Da Chu.
All existing Xiaoyao ointments will be confiscated and destroyed!
Although Nangong Qinghe had ascended the throne not long ago, he had conquered the Southern Barbarians, recovered the southern border, and successfully resolved the drought and rebellion of the victims. His achievements had already far surpassed those of his father's generation, and he was deeply loved by the people, and his prestige as an emperor grew day by day.
Now when the emperor is angry, it is like thunder, and all the ministers in the court are trembling with fear.
Liang Shoufu stepped out and said, "I think the person who developed Xiaoyao Cream is the main culprit. Please order your Majesty to arrest him!"
Nangong Qinghe turned to Liao Wuyong and asked: "Did the East Factory, Lotus Tower, and Peony Tower find anything?"
He knew that Jiang Li had already issued a secret order, asking Qiao Xiaoyue and Li Chen to investigate the behind-the-scenes boss of Xiaoyao Cream.
Liao Wuyong apologized, "I am ashamed. The East Factory, Lotus Tower, and Peony Tower have not yet found the person behind the scenes. Your Majesty, please punish me!"
At this time, Shen Muchun stepped forward and said, "I would like to go to Jiangnan with the people from Longmen Medical Bureau to develop a drug to help people quit smoking and to help Governor Liao catch the person behind the scenes."
Liao Wuyong agreed, "With the help of Mr. Ryan and all the colleagues in the Medical Bureau, we will be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Nangong Qinghe nodded: "Yes."
After the court was dismissed, Shen Muchun went to see Jiang Li and Xie Changan again.
Jiang Li had heard that he was going to Jiangnan to assist the East Factory in arresting the person behind the scenes, and could not help but look at him suspiciously.
"Brother Shen, is there anyone who suspects you?"
Shen Muchun's face was heavy: "I discovered that the method used to extract opium from Xiaoyao Cream... is unique to Ghost Doctor Valley!"
Xie Changan was surprised: "Brother Shen, you are suspicious..."
Shen Muchun said in a deep voice: "My master, the master of Ghost Doctor Valley, Chu Linfeng!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li and the others could not help but feel both astonished and sympathetic.
Shen Muchun’s guess is very likely to be true!
Ever since Chu Linfeng attempted to kill Shen Muchun in Shushan, he disappeared without a trace.
It is very likely that he went to Southern Xinjiang and joined Chu Feixue. Now, like Chu Feixue, he is always kept by Nangong Xihe!
If Xiaoyao Cream was developed by Chu Linfeng, then...
"In that case, the person behind the scenes is the rebel king Nangong Xihe!" Xie Changan said in a deep voice.
Jiang Li nodded in agreement: "It's very likely! The secret door was almost wiped out by the court. He has no way to make money, so he naturally has to find another way to make money."
Xie Changan said worriedly: "Brother Shen, it might be dangerous to go to Jiangnan."
Shen Muchun was brought up by Chu Linfeng, and his master was like a father to him.
What if Chu Linfeng takes advantage of their past friendship and attacks Shen Muchun again?
Jiang Li also said: "Brother Shen, Valley Master Chu is no longer the former Ghost Doctor Valley Master."
Shen Muchun smiled bitterly: "How could I not know? Master has been so kind to me, how could I stay out of this matter?"
"If we can persuade Master to turn back from his wrong path and atone for his sins, that would be the best."
Shen Muchun gritted his teeth and said, "If he refuses to change his ways, I...I will clean up the mess on behalf of my master!"
Xie Changan sighed: "Okay, I will send a group of elite soldiers to accompany you to Jiangnan."
Shen Muchun smiled and said, "Why would I need elite soldiers? Governor Liao has already sent brothers from the East Factory to go with me. Besides, when we get to Jiangnan, we will have brothers from the Lotus Tower, Peony Tower, and the Wulin League."
"Okay, be careful." Xie Changan said, "I'll let Jifeng follow you. If there's anything, have Jifeng send a letter back anytime."
Jiang Li took out another jade talisman: "Brother Shen, you should wear this with you."
Shen Muchun smiled and said, "Last time my jade talisman broke, didn't you give me another one?"
He took out a jade talisman from his chest and said, "Here, I always carry it with me."
Jiang Li smiled and said, "Mine is an upgraded version."
She explained, "In addition to the defense symbol, I also added a positioning symbol to this jade symbol. No matter where you are, I can find you based on the positioning symbol."
She made this specifically for the twins. If they got lost one day, she could follow the locator and quickly locate the children.
Shen Muchun was overjoyed: "In that case, thank you so much, Sister Sixteen!"
He took the jade talisman with great joy and kept it close to his body with great care.
"There is one more thing, I have to trouble Sister Sixteen again."
Shen Muchun blushed slightly, "Your sister-in-law is pregnant. During the time I am away from Beijing, can I let her move to your house to keep Aunt Lian company?"
Jiang Li said happily: "Sister-in-law has a baby? Congratulations! When will she come over? I'll ask my aunt to clean up the yard."
Xie Changan also smiled and said, "Brother Shen is finally going to be a father! Congratulations!"
Shen Muchun sighed, "I hope I can resolve the matter in Jiangnan as soon as possible and try to return to the capital before she gives birth."
Jiang Li nodded heavily: "Brother Shen will personally take action, so how can it not be done? Don't worry, we will take good care of my sister-in-law."
"In that case, thank you both for your help."
The next day, Shen Muchun said goodbye to Cui Ai, who was crying with red eyes, and led everyone from Longmen Medical Bureau, escorted by a group of East Factory guards, boarded a ship from Tongzhou Wharf and sailed towards Jiangnan.
Shen Muchun stood at the bow of the boat with mixed feelings.
It is hard to predict whether this journey will be good or bad. The master who has been poisoned by witchcraft is no longer the kind and gentle master he was before!
He only hoped that he could wake up his master and make him stop and return to the right path.