"Thank you for your hard work, open the door."
Wu Shuangren nodded slightly.
Open the courtyard gate, then open the warehouse door.
A dry, slightly damp scent wafted towards me, mixed with a fragrance.
The warehouse was dimly lit, with only a few rays of morning light shining obliquely through the high-rise skylight.
The warehouse was only brightened after the torches hanging on the surrounding walls were lit.
This warehouse occupies a very large area, about three or four zhang square, with thick blue bricks on all four sides and moisture-proof wooden planks on the floor. Inside the warehouse, bags of grain, rice, wheat and beans are neatly stacked, categorized and arranged in an orderly manner.
Along the canal, the grain transport ships would sell some of the 'normally lost' grain to local merchants at each dock.
Therefore, the grain business was one of the main businesses of the Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce.
Besides grain, the warehouse also contained many wooden crates.
The wooden crates varied in size, were exquisitely crafted, with tight mortise and tenon joints, and had iron plates wrapped around the corners, with numbers and markings written on them in vermilion lacquer.
"Open all these boxes."
Wu Shuangren gave the order.
The militiamen responded immediately, using iron bars to pry open the corners of the sheet metal.
As each box was pried open, its contents were revealed—
Each earthenware jar had its opening sealed tightly with oilcloth and hemp rope.
These jars are filled with the finest refined salt, with fine grains, pure white color, and very few impurities.
Such refined salt was unaffordable for ordinary people; only wealthy families could afford it.
The Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce also smuggled salt, but their clientele was completely different from that of the Mo Family.
"This is what real money-making is all about."
Mo Zhengxing grabbed a handful of salt from the earthenware jar and said self-deprecatingly.
Besides refined salt, the other boxes contained fine fabrics, spices, and exquisite porcelain.
Grain, smuggled salt, cloth, spices, and porcelain—these were the main businesses of the Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce.
If Xie Jingshan hadn't been killed, Wu Shuangren could have continued to take over these businesses and earned much more money each month.
But without Xie Jingshan, it's uncertain how long it will take to reopen trade routes.
However, Wu Shuangren did not regret it.
A startled cry suddenly came from deep within the warehouse.
Wu Shuangren strode over. "What's wrong?"
Several militiamen were gathered around an open crate, their eyes filled with shock.
Wu Shuangren stepped forward, his gaze falling on the box.
He also showed a look of shock—
Inside the box was a complete suit of iron armor!
The black iron scales were neatly arranged, each one polished smooth as a mirror, gleaming with a cold luster in the firelight.
"This is infantryman A!"
Bai Jinhuan also came over and exclaimed in surprise when he saw the armor in the box.
He had seen this armor in military books.
From helmets, neck guards, shoulder armor, chest armor, abdominal armor, arm armor, and skirt armor, to knee pads and shin guards, everything is available!
The armor plates were strung together with cowhide ropes and iron rings, and lined with fine cotton and leather.
"This armor weighs fifty jin (approximately 25 kg) and is only issued to the elite Imperial Guards and border troops!"
Bai Jinhuan whispered in Wu Shuangren's ear, "If this thing is discovered, their entire family will be wiped out!"
The imperial court banned crossbows but not bows, and banned armor but not swords.
In yesterday's bloody battle, if the fifty veterans hadn't been wearing leather armor, the casualty count would have been at least double, and the outcome might have been completely different!
If Wu Shuangren and Xu Yu weren't wearing armor, they would both be dead!
This is the benefit that armor brings.
Leather armor is already contraband, and iron armor is an absolute taboo!
Therefore, even though the Xie Clan had iron armor stored in their warehouse, they didn't dare to use it in yesterday's battle.
"Open all the remaining boxes!"
Wu Shuangren's voice rose, tinged with urgency.
The militiamen immediately set to work, prying open all the remaining dozen or so large wooden crates deep inside the warehouse.
Twenty boxes in total!
Twenty pairs of infantry armor were neatly arranged in a wooden box, each one perfectly preserved, the plates gleaming coldly, like sleeping beasts.
Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the twenty suits of armor.
Bai Jinhuan explained that the infantry armor was equipment reserved for elite Imperial Guards and Border Troops, and each set was registered and strictly controlled.
This is a true national strategic weapon!
Where did the Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce get these twenty sets of infantry armor?
Are they hiding these twenty suits of infantry armor for their own use, or to sell to someone else?
Either way, this involves something of immense magnitude!
"Go and bring the Xie family's steward here."
Wu Shuangren gave the order.
The Xie family's steward, Afu, was not beheaded yesterday.
Wu Shuangren kept this man around so he could take over the Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce's business.
Now, he needs to find out about the twenty sets of infantry armor from the other party.
87 Knives and Armor
The Xie family steward Afu, cautiously entered the storeroom.
"Militia Commander Wu."
He bowed to Wu Shuangren.
Wu Shuangren didn't waste any words, pointing to the infantryman in the box. "Where did you get these things? Who are you going to sell them to?"
Afu glanced at the armor in the box, his body trembled, and he said with a bitter face, "How could I possibly know about something like this?"
Clang—
Wu Shuangren and held the blade to Afu's neck. "I'm sparing your life because you're still somewhat useful. If you knew nothing, what would I keep you alive?"
Afu's face turned pale, and he hurriedly said, "These things were all handled by the master himself. He never allows anyone to ask questions. I only found out what was in this box today!"
Wu Shuangren looked at him coldly. "Where did these boxes come from? Where are they going? As the head butler, you don't know anything about them?"
Afu: "All I know is that every month a few more of these boxes that are absolutely forbidden to be opened will appear in the warehouse. Once there are twenty boxes, they will be loaded onto a cargo ship bound for Yi Province."
Wu Shuangren: "Who is taking over in Yi Province?"
Afu shook his head and pleaded, "Militia Commander Wu, I really don't know."
Looking into the other person's eyes, Wu Shuangren suddenly asked, "Does the Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce have business dealings with the Mist Hidden Temple in Yi Province?"
He learned about this from Hong Fan.
Afu nodded. "Yes, Mist Hidden Temple regularly purchases grain from the Xie Clan family."
Wu Shuangren: "Does every cargo ship transported to Yi Province happen to carry grain purchased by Mist Hidden Temple?"
Afu nodded again.
Wu Shuangren and Mo Zhengxing exchanged a glance, already knowing the answer in their hearts.
These infantry armors were being sent to Yi Province, and the government troops in Yi Province certainly had no need to purchase armor privately through this method.
Looking across the entire Yi Province, who has the financial strength to secretly purchase infantry armor?
Only Mist Hidden Temple!
"The Mist Hidden Temple owns tens of thousands of acres of farmland and has no shortage of food, yet it still buys grain from the Xie Clan for a long time?"
Mo Zhengxing lowered his voice and said to Wu Shuangren, "If these infantry armors were also bought by Mist Hidden Temple, what exactly are they trying to do?!"
He already had a vague answer in his heart, but dared not say it aloud.
Wu Shuangren pursed her lips and looked at Afu: "When did these boxes first appear? How many boxes have been sent out in total?"
Afu recalled, "It started about a year ago, and we've made four shipments so far, totaling eighty boxes."
Wu Shuangren and Mo Zhengxing breathed a sigh of relief.
Only eighty boxes mean that Mist Hidden Temple currently only has eighty sets of infantry armor, which isn't too terrible.
If the Mist Hidden Temple had secretly prepared several hundred sets of infantry armor, forming a heavily armored infantry force of several hundred men, and then combined them with cavalry.
No one in the entire Yi Province will be able to defeat him!
' The Wu Dynasty is indeed doomed sooner or later...'
Wu Shuangren muttered to himself.
He didn't believe these infantry armors were made by civilians; they must have come from the military.
This means that some people in the military are willing to sell such things for personal gain or for some other reason!
Having rotted to this extent, how long can such a court last?
Wu Shuangren felt an even greater sense of urgency!
He and Mo Zhengxing questioned Afu about some more details, but in the end they couldn't get any valuable clues, so they had him taken back to the Fist Academy.
"No one is allowed to utter a single word about what happened here today, or they will be executed immediately!"
Wu Shuangren concluded by speaking sternly to the militiamen present.
The militiamen nodded in agreement.
This is where the importance of 'fellow townsmen' becomes apparent, as all the militiamen present were from Bo County Bo County, and their families lived there.
If something really happens, even if they can escape, their families won't be able to.
Wu Shuangren didn't need to threaten so directly, but all the militiamen understood.
Next, Wu Shuangren had the twenty boxes containing infantry armor resealed and then transported away on a cart.
He then led his men to the remaining two warehouses in turn.
Both warehouses contained normal goods; there were no contraband items like the "Bu Renjia" (a type of contraband).
Next, it was Third Master Mo's Mo Zhengxing to pick up his old trade again; he was responsible for selling the goods in the warehouse.
The Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce will inherit as much of its business as possible.
Meanwhile, in the central open space of West River Market, the Fist King Championship proceeded as scheduled after a one-day delay.
Although taking over the Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce made Wu Shuangren rich overnight, he couldn't just sit back and live off his wealth, especially since he planned to continue expanding his Wu Shuangren.
Therefore, the boxing business must continue, and the Xie Clan's businesses must be kept in hand as much as possible to make more money.
Wu Shuangren originally planned to appear at the Fist King Championship and give a speech.
But upon seeing the armored infantry in the boxes, his mind was now completely focused on the armor, and he took the twenty boxes of armor directly back to the Fist Academy.
Inside the courtyard, he and Bai Jinhuan dismissed the rest of the people and began to examine the infantry armor in the box.
With Bai Jinhuan's help, Wu Shuangren put on a complete set of armor.