Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 77 Meeting the Head of the Su Family

The garden is indeed exquisite, with ever-changing scenery at every turn, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship in every detail.

There are artificial hills and stacked rocks, small bridges and flowing water, pavilions and towers, and bamboo groves and flower paths.

Su Mo explained everything in detail, as if reciting a familiar story.

Upon reaching a bamboo grove, Lin Chen suddenly stopped.

Deep in the bamboo forest, a small courtyard can be vaguely seen, with white walls and black tiles, and several plum trees planted in front of the door.

The courtyard gate was tightly closed, and there were no plaques or couplets on the lintel, giving it a mysterious air.

"That is..." Lin Chen asked.

Su Mo's eyes flickered slightly: "That is my father's place of seclusion, and he doesn't allow anyone to disturb him on ordinary days."

Lin Chen nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

But just as he was about to leave, the gate to the courtyard suddenly opened.

A middle-aged man in a blue robe walked out slowly; it was none other than Su Changming, the head of the Su family, who had been waiting for a long time.

"Father." Su Mo quickly bowed.

"Father," Su Xiaoxiao said gracefully.

Su Changming nodded slightly, his gaze falling directly on Lin Chen. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He stepped forward slowly and, surprisingly, bowed first:

"I, Su, was unaware of the arrival of the Duke of Zhenguo and have failed to greet you properly. I hope you will forgive me."

The tone was respectful and the attitude was sincere.

He showed none of the arrogance of the richest man in Jiangnan, but instead displayed the courtesy expected of a head of a prominent merchant family when facing a high-ranking official of the imperial court.

"Uncle Su, there's no need for such formalities," Lin Chen returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"I have come to Jiangnan incognito to investigate a case, and it is not appropriate to make a fuss about it. That is why I did not pay my respects in advance. Please forgive me, Uncle."

Knowing that the old man was faking it, Lin Chen was happy to play along.

Su Changming straightened up, a gentle smile on his face:

"Your Excellency is too kind. I have heard of your deeds in the capital."

Now, having been ordered to go south to investigate the case, he is truly a pillar of the nation.

The Su family is truly honored to have the Duke grace us with his presence.

That was a clever way of putting it; it flattered Lin Chen, showed that she was aware of the situation, and subtly built a closer relationship.

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Uncle, you flatter me. I am young and still have much to learn from seniors like you."

"Your Excellency is too modest," Su Changming said, stepping aside to invite him on.

"Since you're here, why don't we go inside for a chat? I've just acquired a pot of Cloud Mist Spirit Tea, which I would like to invite Your Excellency to sample."

Lin Chen readily agreed: "I dare not refuse such a gift from an elder."

Su Changming then looked at Xiao Yulou:

"This must be the Fourth Madam? She certainly has a dashing and heroic air about her."

Xiao Yulou bowed gracefully and said, "Uncle Su, you flatter me."

"Please." Su Wenyuan led the group into the courtyard.

……

The courtyard is a hidden paradise.

Three elegant rooms and a pavilion, surrounded by lush bamboo, create a serene and refined atmosphere.

Tea sets were already laid out in the pavilion, and a copper kettle on a charcoal stove was steaming.

"Please take a seat, Your Excellency." Su Changming offered the head seat to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen waved his hand: "Uncle is an elder, how can a junior overstep his bounds? Please, Uncle, have a seat."

After some polite refusals, Su Changming ultimately took the seat of honor, with Lin Chen sitting opposite him.

Su Mo, Su Xiaoxiao, and Xiao Yulou sat on either side.

Su Xiaoxiao took the initiative to serve the tea, her movements more focused and careful than before.

The tea is Yunwu Lingcha, produced at the top of Mount Lu, with only a few kilograms produced each year, making it valuable but unavailable for sale.

The tea is clear and bright, with a delicate aroma and a mellow taste. It also has a subtle spiritual energy that permeates the meridians, which is of great benefit to martial artists.

"Excellent tea." Lin Chen took a sip and sincerely praised, "The spiritual energy contained in this tea is comparable to that of a Xuan-grade elixir."

Su Changming chuckled and said:

"Your Excellency has a discerning eye. This Cloud Mist Spirit Tea does indeed have the effect of nourishing the meridians and warming the true essence. However, it cannot compare to the precious tea in Your Excellency's mansion."

"Uncle Su, you flatter me." Lin Chen smiled slightly. "The Duke's mansion has just emerged from a slump, and I have never tasted this tea before."

Su Changming was taken aback for a moment, then quickly recovered and burst into laughter:

"In that case, I have a few taels left, but you can take them with you when you leave, Duke."

"Then I'll accept it without further ado." Lin Chen cupped his hands slightly.

He was not polite at all. Since the Su family wanted to curry favor with him, it was only right that they blew some money.

"It is my honor that Your Excellency graces me with your presence, Your Excellency." Su Changming stroked his beard and smiled, quickly changing the subject.

"Does Your Excellency have any other plans for coming to Jiangnan besides investigating the case?"

The Su family has been operating in Jiangnan for many years; perhaps they can be of some help.

The question was direct, yet tactful.

Lin Chen put down his teacup and said seriously:

"Since Uncle has asked, I will not hide it. This time, I am ordered to investigate the canal transport case, and I do need the Su family's assistance."

However, before that, I would like to understand the situation in Jiangnan—especially the relationship between the canal gangs and other parties.

Although they had intelligence, it was still less than what the local dragon head snake knew.

Su Changming nodded: "Of course, Mo'er, tell the Duke in detail what we know."

Su Mo responded and began to report:

"Hong Tianba, the leader of the Canal Gang, is a late-stage Grandmaster who cultivates the Overlord River Technique. He is skilled in using a pair of Water-Splitting Spikes and has four Grandmaster Elders under his command..."

He explained the power structure of the canal gang, its dealings with officials, and its recent expansion, which basically matched Zhang Qing's investigation results.

The difference is that the Su family, as a local prominent family in Jiangnan, possesses some deeper information.

"...Most importantly," Su Mo lowered his voice.

"We suspect that behind the Grand Canal Gang, there is not only Cui Mingyuan, the Vice Minister of War, but also Zhou Ming, the Vice Minister of Revenue."

One of them was in charge of military equipment, and the other was in charge of finances and provisions; they complemented each other perfectly.

Moreover, Zhou Ming is a protégé of the Prime Minister, and his network of connections runs deep.

Lin Chen pretended to be deep in thought: "Two vice ministers... no wonder the canal gang dares to be so arrogant."

"But Uncle, since the Su family knows about this, why don't they report it directly to the imperial court?"

Su Changming smiled bitterly:

"Your Excellency may not know this, but the officialdom in Jiangnan is deeply entrenched and complex."

Zhang Chengan, the prefect of Suzhou, was a student of Cui Mingyuan; Zhou Wenyuan, the transport commissioner, was Zhou Ming's cousin; Wang Meng, the naval adjutant, was Wang Huan's nephew... From top to bottom, they were all their people.

If the Su family rashly reports this, they might suffer the consequences before the evidence even reaches the capital.

Xiao Yulou frowned: "Are we just going to let them run rampant?"

"Therefore, the Su family needs your help." Su Changming looked at Lin Chen, his eyes filled with earnestness.

"The Su family is willing to fully cooperate with the Duke, hoping to wipe out these parasites in one fell swoop."

Lin Chen pondered for a moment:

"I have felt your sincerity, Uncle."

However, there might be an even greater force behind the Grand Canal Gang—the Purple Robe Tower. Have you ever heard of it, Uncle?

Su Wenyuan's expression changed slightly: "Purple Robe Pavilion? That reclusive sect that ranks eighth on the Heavenly Ranking?"

"That's right." Lin Chen nodded. "My men already clashed with the Purple Robe Envoy of the Purple Robe Pavilion last night."

Su Changming remained silent.

The Purple Robe Tower—with a celestial being in charge, numerous experts, and ruthless actions—is an entity that even the imperial court is unwilling to easily provoke.

"Lord Duke," he said slowly, "if it is indeed the Purple Robe Pavilion behind this, then this matter... becomes complicated."

Lin Chen smiled: "Uncle, there's no need to worry. Although the Purple Robe Tower is powerful, since I dared to investigate, I naturally have made preparations."

Su Changming looked at Lin Chen's composed expression and his heart stirred.

The Su family had already investigated the young duke's background quite thoroughly—he was suspected to be a Grandmaster, and had Yuan Tiangang, the number one on the Earth Ranking, under his command.

It now seems that there is hidden strength in the shadows, otherwise they wouldn't have disregarded even the eighth-ranked person on the Heavenly Ranking.

More importantly, Lin Chen was investigating the case on imperial orders, representing the imperial court.

No matter how powerful the Purple Robe Tower was, it dared not openly oppose the imperial court.

"Since Your Excellency is so confident, the Su family will naturally follow." Su Changming made up his mind.

"The evidence held by the Su family, including the canal gang's account books and correspondence with Cui Mingyuan and Zhou Ming, can be presented tomorrow."

Furthermore, the Su family's connections and channels in Jiangnan were entirely at the Duke's disposal.

This is a complete surrender.

Lin Chen raised his glass: "Then thank you very much, Uncle. After this is accomplished, I will definitely petition the court to reward the Su family."

"I dare not take credit, I only seek to protect myself." Su Changming raised his glass in a toast.

The two looked at each other, and everything was understood without words.