Chapter 479: Who moved into the Duke of Qin’s estate? (1/2)
Chapter 479: Who moved into the Duke of Qin’s estate?
“What was the use of a written contract?!”
Ouyang Ningnuo tore apart the paper in his hands. He had just fled from the black market after suffering the worst loss in his life. He’d failed utterly! The agreement from before said he wouldn’t interfere in any business between Pill Fiend Pharmacy and Medicine City; conversely, Long Feiye wasn’t to touch any of Zhangsun Zelin’s other businesses. When Long Feiye had easily agreed to the terms, Ouyang Ningnuo had only been puzzled, but he couldn’t find any loopholes in their terms. Still, he never expected Long Feiye to blow up the entire black market instead.
After all, he was the other head of Sky Domain Black Market!
When he first found out that Zhangsun Zelin was collaborating with the Chu Clan in secret to store gunpowder, he’d been looking for ways to topple the man so he could claim all of Sky Domain Black Market for himself. He thought he’d found his chance when Gu Beiyue came and mentioned Pill Fiend Pharmacy. Zhangsun Zelin was more or less finished once Long Feiye knew of his smuggling operation. Ouyang Ningnuo was waiting for Long Feiye to make his move and force Zhangsun Zelin to a dead end. Then he could reap all the benefits and become the ultimate boss of Sky Domain Black Market.
But!
His beautiful dream was all burned away by Long Feiye’s flames. He not only lost the chance to claim Zhangsun Zelin’s share of business, but his own businesses as well! Moreover, Long Feiye’s actions hadn’t violated the terms of the contract at all. He did agree not to touch Zhangsun Zelin’s businesses, but he never promised not to destroy them utterly. If Ouyang Ningnuo took 10,000 steps back to consider the argument again, even if “burning them all down” counted as “touching Zhangsun Zelin’s businesses,” would Long Feiye ever admit that he was the one who instigated the fires?
“Abominable!” Ouyang Ningnuo had always been an even-tempered man, but now he scattered the pieces of contract on the ground before stomping on them furiously. It was impossible for him to calm down. Although his current businesses were still profitable, he made money much faster with the black market. It might takes ages to earn back his losses. Moreover, many of Tianning’s own court officials were entangled with its black markets, so now he’d lost his points of contact with them as well. If he wanted to make connections with those people, he would now have to find other ways.
“Long Feiye, you better not fall into my hands one day!” Ouyang Ningnuo viciously tossed out those words before leaving for good. Meanwhile, the other head of the Sky Domain Black Market had just rushed over in time to see people pouring out of its emergency exits, leaving nothing but thick smoke surging behind them. He gave a start and prepared to dash in when his retainer held him back.
“Old master, everything’s been blown up and burnt! You can’t go in anymore!”
Zhangsun Zelin violently shoved him aside and roared, “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Scram!”
He headed straight for the gates, but at soon as he reached the entrance, the thick smoke left him in a severe coughing fit before he caught his breath again. None of his retainers dared to approached him. Zhangsun Zelin was left staring dazedly at the entrance with no choice but to accept reality. The shock seemed too much more for him, because he stood there blankly for ages. At first, Chu Tianyin had painted him a beautiful picture of his plans when he approached Zhangsun Zelin for a business deal. He had promised Zhangsun Zelin to use the power of the imperial court to snatch Ouyang Ningnuo’s share of the black market and place it in his hands. But now…
Zhangsun Zelin recovered enough to yell, “Just how did the restaurant blow up?!”
Was it an accident, or sabotage? If it was an accident, he might be able to escape any blame, but it was sabotage, then he was probably trapped.
“Old master, what happened was that news of the hidden gunpowder suddenly spread throughout the city. Half of the black market heard the intel and fled before the restaurant exploded. I’m sure someone was scheming against us on purpose!” a retainer replied.
Zhangsun Zelin’s expression became ghastly. At the same time, the sound of urgent hoofbeats heralded the arrival of government authorities. The first explosions in the black market had created enough tremors to affect the surrounding villages. Barely two hours had passed before the closest government official sent its men to investigate. By estimation, it wouldn’t be long before the magistrates and imperial guards from the capital came rushing to the scene as well. Zhangsun Zelin felt hopeless, but quickly calmed down enough to get back on his carriage.
“Back to the capital, quick!” he cried.
Someone had caused these events on purpose, so the palace would probably investigate him next. He had to hurry back and prepare an escape route! Or at least transfer as many assets as he could manage. Hoarding gunpowder to threaten the capital was something that the imperial court could investigate him for without any proof! They would cut off all avenues of exit and trap him in the capital city first before taking their time to find proof.
With the two leaders of the Sky Domain Black Market gone, the Sky Domain Association they’d built up for themselves dissolved on its own as well. Everyone left, leaving nothing but burning shambles behind. When Mu Qingwu personally led a large team of imperial soldiers hurrying to the scene, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi had just left the city. Since the royal troops were here, Emperor Tianhui must have heard about the situation already. Yet they’d hardly reached the city gates before Long Tianmo left with a group of men in tow.
Han Yunxi laughed out loud. “Your Highness, this crown prince seems even more anxious than the emperor.”
“Mhm,” Long Feiye assented in a mild tone.
In the past, Chu Qingge had been constantly trying to invite Han Yunxi into the palace for motives unknown, but schemes and intrigues were the likely reasons. Meanwhile, the empress dowager had been keeping an eye on Han Yunxi so she could sow discord between her and Chu Qingge before reaping the benefits herself. Now things were good. Once the issue of gunpowder cropped up, Chu Qingge and the empress dowager would be too busy facing off against each other to deal with her!