In the western suburbs of Fengqiao Town, there is a more secluded abandoned earthenware kiln.
In the air that was more humid and colder than the abandoned granary, there was a faint musty smell and lingering tension. Shen Ruoxin, through the faint light of the sky seeping through the gaps in the tiles, looked at the dusty, somewhat tired but still energetic Ah Fu in front of her.
You said... Has something happened in Huzhou? Her voice was lowered very low, with a hint of imperceptible hoarseness. Days of exhausting efforts, loss of appetite and restlessness in sleep have cast a shadow over her originally clear voice.
Afu nodded vigorously and handed over a thin sheet of paper that had been rolled extremely thin, soaked in a special solution, and whose handwriting could only be revealed under specific light: "It's a message sent by Cui Liu through the second emergency contact method." I just arrived early this morning. After confirming that everything was correct, I immediately came to report to the second miss.
Shen Ruoxin took the thin paper and moved close to the crack of the tile where the light was shining through, carefully identifying it by the faint light.
The handwriting was very illegible. It was obviously written in an extremely hasty and tense situation. The content, however, clearly conveys a heart-wrenching message: The new contact point they set up in Huzhou, which was under the cover of the "Huan Xi Sha" embroidery workshop, was harassed by local thugs!
At the head was a troublemaker nicknamed "Lai Li Zhang", accompanied by seven or eight idle people, who came to cause trouble at the door for two consecutive days. On the first day, the stall was overturned under the pretext that the embroidery was "not of the right color" and "had offended a benefactor". The next day, they even blocked the door directly, using foul language and not allowing it to open. Their words were all about "offering money", otherwise this small embroidery workshop would not be able to stay in Huzhou City!
Cui Liu, the young girl who was carefully selected to be in charge of the Huzhou contact point, although she behaved forbearing and yielding as required by the training and did not have a direct confrontation, was clearly quite frightened. At the end of the letter, she asked anxiously: Should one spend money to eliminate the disaster and get through it temporarily? Or should we evacuate immediately and look for another place? Or perhaps... Are there any other ways to deal with it?
After reading the letter, Shen Ruoxin felt her temples twitching.
When the roof leaks, it rains all night long!
In Fengqiao Town, the clutches of Human teeth have not yet been eradicated. The lives of A Xing, Wang Bo, and over twenty women are still hanging by a thread. The deadline for the full moon night tomorrow night is approaching like a death note. In Pingjiang Prefecture, the suspicion and intervention of the elder brother Shen Yu, the signs that Su Ji might have already sensed and started to fight back, and the heavy blow of the "Dandelion" plan being leaked by an insider right after its establishment... All of this has exhausted her both physically and mentally.
Now, even the tiny contact point far away in Huzhou, which had just sown the "dandelion" seeds, immediately got into trouble!
Is it a coincidence? A newly opened and unremarkable small embroidery workshop has so quickly been targeted by local tycoons? Or... Behind this, is there still that invisible big hand manipulating? Is it Su Ji? Is it the Canal Transport Office? Or is it an even more terrifying force that is consciously eliminating and destroying the intelligence network she is attempting to establish?
Shen Ruoxin dared not think deeply, nor did she have time to think deeply.
The panic and helplessness that Cui Liu showed in the letter made her empathize deeply. Most of these selected girls have pitiful backgrounds. They joined the "Dandelion" program not only to make a living but also to seek a support and protection. They are the eyes and ears she casts out, the glimmers of light that help her fight against the darkness. She mustn't let them be in a desperate situation because of her plan!
That point in Huzhou must never be given up easily! That was their first step outward and of great strategic significance. Moreover, Cui Liu's response was quite appropriate and did not escalate the conflict. There should still be a chance to salvage the situation.
But, who will handle it?
She herself was trapped in Fengqiao Town and couldn't move. In Pingjiang Prefecture, Li Molan had to stabilize the Jinxiu Pavilion, deal with Liu Chengyu and Su Ji, and also sort out the internal affairs of "Dandelion". She was already too busy to handle any of them. Wang Xiuniang had to pacify the eldest young master and stabilize the morale of the rear troops, but she couldn't leave either.
Although Afu is loyal and reliable, and also quite quick-witted, he is still young and lacks experience in dealing with local ruffians and underworld. Sending him there rashly may not be able to control the situation; instead, it might backfire.
Shen Ruoxin's gaze involuntarily turned to the curled-up figure in the corner of the clay kiln - Uncle Wang.
After two days of rest and medication, Uncle Wang's health has improved somewhat. At least he is no longer as weak as when he was first rescued from the woodshed. Only the worry and exhaustion on his brows remained undiminished. He was not only worried about A Xing and those girls who were still in the hands of the people, but also concerned about the safety of the Jinxiu Pavilion and the Shen family far away in Pingjiang Prefecture.
At this moment, noticing Shen Ruoxin's gaze, Uncle Wang raised his head, his eyes filled with an inquiry.
Shen Ruoxin's heart stirred. Uncle Wang! Yes! Only Uncle Wang!
When Wang Bo was young, he also traveled far and wide, met all kinds of people and handled many difficult situations. He is calm and composed, experienced in handling affairs, and has the status and authority of an elder. It might be the most suitable person for him to deal with those local tycoons at present!
Just... His current physical condition... Moreover, he himself is still being secretly searched by Zhao Babai and Ren Ya Zi. Leaving this hiding place is extremely risky!
Shen Ruoxin was somewhat hesitant in her heart.
It seemed that Uncle Wang had seen through her thoughts and took the initiative to ask, "Second Miss, but..." What's happened again? His voice was still a little weak, but his eyes were very clear.
Shen Ruoxin no longer held back and briefly recounted the troubles encountered by the Huzhou contact point.
"Local snake..." "Leprosy Zhang..." After hearing this, a barely perceptible sharp look flashed in Wang Bo's murky eyes, but he then regained his composure. He thought for a moment and said, "In the west of Huzhou City, there's a ruffin boss in charge of that area. I dealt with him when I went to Huzhou to trade silk in my early years." This person is greedy and cunning, bullying the weak and fearing the strong, but not without any scruples. If handled properly, it's not necessarily impossible...
Before he could finish speaking, he looked at Shen Ruoxin, clearly waiting for her decision.
Shen Ruoxin immediately had a clear idea in her heart. Sure enough, Uncle Wang knew! And judging from his tone, it seemed that he was confident in dealing with it.
"Uncle Wang," Shen Ruoxin made a prompt decision, "That point in Huzhou is very important to us. We can't give it up easily." I think... Could you please take the trouble to give me some advice on how to calm this matter down? She didn't directly ask Uncle Wang to go in person. Instead, she used the word "give instructions", leaving the decision-making power to Uncle Wang.
Wang Bo gave Shen Ruoxin a deep look, a glimmer of approval flashing in his eyes. Although the second young lady is young, her ability to empathize with her subordinates and make good use of people far exceeds that of ordinary people.
He nodded slowly: "Second Young lady trusts me. I will do my best." However, it's not convenient for the old servant to go to Huzhou in person now...
I understand this! Shen Ruoxin immediately said, "You just need to tell me how to do it, who is the most suitable to do it, and what needs to be prepared." Junior, arrange it immediately!
Wang Bo thought for a moment and said, "This matter should neither be made public nor stubbornly resisted." One needs to find someone who seems to have some status, speaks with weight, can lower their stance, and is both gentle and tough. Is there such a person around Afu?
Shen Ruoxin looked at Afu. Afu immediately understood and said in a low voice, "The two guys who followed the younger one are Zhou Ping, who used to be an accountant. He is meticulous and talkative, but he is a bit timid." The other one is Sun Dayong, who used to work outside the counter. He has traveled far and wide and seen some of the world. He is quite bold, but his personality is a bit straightforward.
After hearing this, Wang Bo thought for a moment and said, "Then let that Zhou Ping go." If you are a little more timid, you won't be afraid. On the contrary, you are less likely to act impulsively and do bad things. The key is to make him understand that the purpose of this trip is to "pacify", not to "fight".
He paused for a moment and continued, "Ask him to take fifty taels of silver. There's no need to hide it. Just put it in a decent money bag." Prepare a small gift as well. It doesn't need to be too expensive. Two medium-sized lake silk ribbons and a box of snacks from Pingjiang Prefecture will do.
When you arrive in Huzhou, don't rush to look for that crazy Zhang. Let Zhou Ping first go to the "Huan Xi Sha" embroidery workshop, identify himself, and say that he is the steward of an elder sent by the Shen family of Pingjiang Prefecture to visit his "distant niece" Cui Liu. "Send some local food and money to Cui Liu in front of the neighbors, and act as if you are very caring and have someone behind your back."
After all these scenes have been set up, then go and look for that crazy Zhang. A trace of shrewdness flashed in Wang Bo's eyes. "When you find him, be polite and even show a little respect." Just say, "My niece is new here and doesn't know the rules. If there are any conflicts, I hope Grandpa Zhang can understand." This was specially brought by my master (assuming a fictional identity, say, the owner of a certain business in Pingjiang Prefecture). It's just a token of appreciation, not a sign of respect. I sincerely hope that Mr. Zhang will do me a favor and take better care of my niece in the future."
The fifty taels of silver and the gift are presented together. But the words should be spoken to the point. Wang Bo intensified his tone, "I have to 'unintentionally' reveal a few points: First, Cui Liu is a relative of the Shen family in Pingjiang Prefecture, and the Shen family has a relatively solid foundation in Pingjiang Prefecture." Secondly, the person who sent him here was the "steward" of the Shen family, which indicates that the Shen family attaches great importance to this "niece". Thirdly, this visit was made at the order of the "master", and I might come to "visit" often in the future.
In this way, the soft aspects include silver and gifts, while the hard ones carry the hints of "the Shen family of Pingjiang Prefecture" and "Visit often". That crazy Zhang is a smart man. After careful consideration, he is likely to accept the benefits and not be troubled for the time being. After all, for a new small embroidery workshop, offending a merchant from another place who seems to have some background might not be worthwhile for him.
Wang Bo's words were well-organized and combined both gentle and tough tactics, perfectly grasping the mentality of the local bully who bullies the weak and fears the strong.
Shen Ruoxin nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, feeling greatly relieved: "Uncle Wang is very far-sighted. I admire him!" Let's do as you said!
She immediately looked at Afu and said, "Afu, did you hear clearly?" Arrange it immediately! Let Zhou Ping set off immediately and head for Huzhou day and night! Be careful on the road and make sure to explain every word of Uncle Wang's words without missing a single one! Let him adapt flexibly. The top priority is to quell the incident and preserve the contact point!
"Yes!" Miss Two! Afu accepted the order and, without the slightest delay, immediately turned and left.
Looking at Afu's hurried departing figure, Shen Ruoxin felt a little relieved in her heart. In Huzhou, with Wang Bo's plan and Zhou Ping's execution, things should be stable for the time being.
But soon her heart was once again shrouded in the dark clouds of Fengqiao Town.
Wang Bo's wisdom gave her hope and made her realize even more how important it was to have an experienced and capable assistant by her side!
However, Wang Bo, who she relied on the most now, was still in danger himself. And that equally intelligent Ah Xing, who could have been her right-hand man, is now even more uncertain about her fate!
There is only one more day left!
She must come up with a way as soon as possible to break the current deadlock! Otherwise, not only will the "dandelions" in Huzhou wither, but also these people in Fengqiao Town... I'm afraid they will all face a catastrophic disaster!
Shen Ruoxin's gaze once again turned to the land outside the clay kiln, shrouded in the night, and her eyes became extremely resolute. She knew that every step she would take next would be more difficult and more dangerous.