"Chief Clerk Wang, this seems somewhat improper..." Zhu Qi frowned, putting it rather tactfully.
"You do not know the full circumstances, Seventh Master." Wang Yan shook his head and explained, "The provincial authorities will not let us buy grain, nor will they let others sell it to us. The River Transport Office has sealed off the grain market. Not a single grain of rice may be sold to Chun'an or Jiande Counties. Just yesterday, the men our county's wealthy households sent to Hangzhou to buy grain were arrested by the River Transport Office.
"Seventh Master, think about it. What good intentions could these people have, coming here on their own to sell grain? They are taking advantage of the common folk's ignorance, knowing they are unaware of the situation. They want to sell them grain of unknown origin, then use that as a pretext afterward to deal with Chun'an County.
"Since Seventh Master is here today, I will have the matter thoroughly investigated. Seventh Master can report it to His Majesty and let him see how these officials are ruining his venerable dragon majesty and saintly virtue."
Zhu Qi stroked his beard, the grease on his hand making it shine brightly.
"Since that is the case, why not let us brothers conduct the interrogation?" Zhu Qi's words carried the absolute confidence of a true professional.
Of course he was a professional. The Northern Garrison specialized in such matters. Investigation, arrest, interrogation—they were masters of it all.
Wang Yan smiled and cupped his hands. "Seventh Master specializes in this field. In that case, I will not stand on ceremony. Once we finish eating, we shall get to work."
"I finished long ago. Let's go."
"Seventh Master truly cares for the suffering of Chun'an's people. What a blessing, what a blessing. This