Chapter 105: What Should I Do Now?

Startled, Chai Shao turned around and saw none other than Gao Junya, the Deputy Guardian of Jinyang, accompanied by another deputy, Wang Wei.

Troubles had been mounting lately, with Wu Yuanshuang's affairs leaving Wu Shihui in a state of utter frustration. Yet, as the weather gradually grew colder, Wu Shihui’s mood began to improve. The reason was simple: besides the timber business, the Wu family’s largest enterprise was in firewood and charcoal—a trade they had nearly monopolized in the entire Jinyang market for years, with no competitors daring to challenge them.

The lack of competition was straightforward to explain—it was a matter of shared interests. The Wu family divided profits with every ruling authority in Jinyang, naturally securing protection. The concept of fair competition simply did not exist in the Wu family’s dictionary.

Originally, the profit-sharing was meant for the Duke of Tangguo, the highest-ranking official in Jinyang. He ruled the military on horseback and governed the civilians on foot, a figure akin to a local sovereign. Yet, as news from Chang’an and Luoyang kept arriving, coupled with the unsettling presence of Yun Hao, the Wu family gradually distanced itself from the Duke’s household, warming instead to the two deputy guardians. The reason was clear: behind these two deputies stood the current sage ruler. The Duke of Tangguo, relocated from the prosperous capital to this desolate Jinyang, was more or less exiled.

Wu Shihui had been in good spirits, expecting profit, until he arrived at his charcoal shop and found it deserted. Not far across the street, a crowd had gathered. Sending his accountant to investigate, Wu Shihui found the very man who had repeatedly challenged them—the middle-aged accountant from the Wu family.

At first, this accountant had intended to sabotage Hou Junji’s business to earn favor with Wu Shihui, hoping to claim credit. But unexpectedly, Hou Junji diffused the situation with just a few words. Seeing his efforts were powerless, the accountant hurried back to report everything to Wu Shihui verbatim.

Greatly alarmed, Wu Shihui immediately went to meet Gao Junya and Wang Wei at the deputy guardians’ office on the same street. Both deputies, enraged by the news, expressed their disdain for any so-called high-tech public welfare devices—they liked those things too, but only if they didn’t interfere with their earnings. Anyone who dared to compete for their livelihood would be crushed without mercy. Hence, their joint appearance to arrest Hou Junji.

Seeing his ally at risk, Chai Shao could not stand idly by. A disloyal elder brother naturally had disloyal younger siblings. As a scion of a noble family, Chai Shao understood this well.

“Wait! Chai Shao pays respects to both great lords!” he interjected, halting the officers and promptly bowing to Gao Junya and Wang Wei. After all, these two bore the highest official titles in Jinyang, second only to Li Yuan.

“Oh, it’s Young Master Chai,” Wang Wei and Gao Junya exchanged surprised glances. As seasoned officials, they immediately grasped the situation: this coal shop was backed by the Duke of Tangguo’s household. This complicated matters. According to Wu Shihui, if this shop thrived, the Wu family’s charcoal business in Jinyang would plummet, along with their dividends.

More crucially, if the Wu family were not protected, other merchants would abandon the deputies as well. Their very reason for governing this desolate place was profit, and without it, Gao Junya and Wang Wei would not tolerate the situation.

Blocking someone’s livelihood was akin to killing their parents. Though Chai Shao had stepped forward, Gao Junya and Wang Wei exchanged a look of resentment. Their prosperous days were not over yet, and they would rather face hardship by ending these challengers outright.

“How does Young Master Chai come to be here? Could it be that…?” Wang Wei finally dared not speak plainly, mindful of Li Yuan’s authority. After all, they were only deputies; the true master was Li Yuan himself.

“Great lords, please do not misunderstand. Chai Shao was merely passing by and found these items intriguing, so he purchased some. I wonder why you say these things are schemes to extort money?” Chai Shao did not dare openly defend Hou Junji, especially since he had just promised to order many of those stoves. If word got out that the prestigious Duke of Tangguo’s household was involved in a setup, it would be a disgrace.

“I see. Everyone knows that coal smoke is thick and poisonous. In past years, people have died from suffocation using coal for heating. Yet he claims that with a simple iron pipe surrounding the stove, the smoke can be expelled. Is this a joke? Smoke finds every crack; do they expect their pipes to be airtight? Young Master Chai, please wait aside. Once we deal with this shopkeeper, we shall drink together.” Gao Junya, always meticulous, examined the iron stove and found a plausible excuse.

Those who intended to place orders immediately hesitated. Gao Junya’s argument made sense. Could a chimney made of iron sheets truly prevent smoke leakage? If the smoke escaped, wouldn’t their own people be poisoned?

Seeing the crowd retreat, Hou Junji stepped forward confidently. With Chai Shao present, he feared neither Gao Junya nor Wang Wei. The precedent set by Yuchi Gong was fresh in everyone’s minds, and the true power in Jinyang still belonged to Duke Li Yuan.

“Great lords, allow me to explain. While the stove cannot be completely airtight, the smoke naturally rises, carried by the heat through the iron chimney and expelled outside.”

“Just because you say it will be expelled doesn’t mean it will be. If something goes wrong, and you take the money and run, it will be the people of Jinyang who suffer. As the deputy guardians, my brother and I will never allow such a thing under our jurisdiction. Seize this silver-tongued fellow!” Wang Wei spoke with official decorum, having learned from the Yuchi Gong incident. He invoked the welfare of the people, presenting himself as a benevolent official.

The uninformed crowd’s eyes sparkled with admiration, some even cheering for this “good official.”

“If you claim the smoke is toxic, then lock me in a room with this stove. If I survive the night unharmed, will that not prove its safety?” Hou Junji understood this was their way to silence him. Two fierce soldiers rushed forward, grabbing his arms. Before they could gag him, he shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Very well! We shall bring you to the government office and give you a room. If you come out alive tomorrow, your shop shall open.” Gao Junya smirked wickedly; once in their hands, survival was far from guaranteed.

Chai Shao’s face turned grim, about to speak, when a voice behind him suddenly said, “If this trial succeeds, it will be a great boon. Your Excellencies, I am willing to join him in testing this stove.”

Gao Junya and Wang Wei turned sharply, their expressions instantly alight. It was him—what now?