Seeing that they had arrived, Yao Renji hurriedly led his men over to greet them. Naturally, they exchanged pleasantries.
Wang Zhong saw this scene and quietly walked to Xing Shangzhi's side. He said, "When we enter the city, don't worry about them. Take the Imperial Bodyguard and follow me to capture them. We might have to fight."
Xing Shangzhi immediately smiled. "Okay!
Let's go together. "
"Let's go to the warehouse first. After we take it, we'll go straight to the Zhou family. We'll get the credit this time."
Wang Zhong also had a smile on his face. "Do you see that man? That short fatty."
"He's the head of the Zhou family, Zhou Feng. The governor of Cangzhou will definitely arrange a banquet for us. We'll decline it."
Xing Shangzhi nodded and said with a smile, "Understood. We won't let this old man run away."
The group entered the city. Yao Renji indeed arranged a banquet. Sun Piyang also agreed to it, but Wang Zhong and Xing Shangzhi declined.
Both of them were tired from the long journey and couldn't attend the banquet.
The living quarters of the group had already been arranged. It was a courtyard behind the county office. The banquet would also be held there.
Other than the governor of Cangzhou, Yao Yuanji, there were other officials from Cangzhou and several famous local gentry, including Zhou Feng.
Not too far away from the banquet hall, Wang Zhong and Xing Shangzhi had already gathered their subordinates. At the same time, they gave an order to one of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, "Take them and guard the banquet hall. Arrest anyone who informs us."
"Remember those who go in to deliver food. Keep an eye on them. Don't let the news leak. Understand?"
The official quickly replied, "I understand. Don't worry, sir!"
After the arrangements were made, Xing Shangzhi and Wang Zhong set off with their men. After they left the courtyard, they galloped in one direction.
Soon, they arrived in front of a rice shop. The Imperial Bodyguard and Dongchang's men quickly rushed in.
Immediately, there was a commotion inside, and many people were frightened to the point of screaming.
Wang Zhong and Xing Shangzhi came down from the carriage. When they saw this scene, they ordered the people beside them, "Lock everyone up, don't let anyone escape!" After giving the order, the two of them stood at the door and didn't have the intention to go in.
At this moment, the sound of fighting suddenly came from inside, accompanied by screams.
Wang Zhong's face immediately lit up as he said, "Looks like we've found the right place."
The fight didn't last long. Soon, an Imperial Bodyguard Baihu walked out, covered in blood. He held a bloody knife in his hand, and his face was full of killing intent.
He went straight to Wang Zhong and Xing Shangzhi and said, "Sir, the warehouse inside has been taken."
The two of them were overjoyed. Xing Shangzhi ordered, "Search the entire rice shop. Don't let anyone escape!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!" The official replied as he turned around and walked inside.
The entire street had long been deserted, and the shops on the side were all closed. Only the people who were pressed to the side were shivering.
Wang Zhong shook his robe and smiled: "Captain Xing, shall we go in and take a look?"
"After you, eunuch!" Xing Shangzhi said with a smile, and at the same time, made an inviting gesture.
The two of them walked into the rice shop, passed through the main hall, and behind them was a courtyard with three entrances. There were already people bustling about in the second courtyard.
Seeing the two of them enter, one of the people from Dongchang came over and said, "Eunuch, there's only one warehouse with rice, and the rest is all salt."
"We haven't counted the quantity yet, but from what I can see, there should be tens of thousands of kilograms!"
Wang Zhong laughed, "The Zhou Family has 20,000 salt permits. I've asked someone to check, and there are 12,000 kilograms of small permits, 8,000 kilograms of large permits, 200 kilograms of small permits, and 300 kilograms of large permits. The Zhou Family only produces 48,000 kilograms of salt in a year."
"Now that we've found tens of thousands of kilograms of salt in the front yard, it seems like the Zhou Family is not small!"
Xing Shangzhi smiled and said, "Then let's go to the back and take a look!"
The two of them went to the back yard, and the bloody corpses had already been dragged to one side. Similarly, the people going in and out were doing the same thing. Seeing the two of them walk in, someone came over to report.
"Your Excellency, there are six warehouses in this courtyard, and they are all filled with salt."
The two of them looked at each other and immediately laughed. Sure enough, the harvest was bountiful.
It seemed like ever since the news of the Imperial Court investigating the salt policy was spread, the Zhou Family had gathered all the salt they had and hid it.
"Make a record of all of them!" Wang Zhong ordered, "The supervisor didn't kill them, right?"
"Reporting to Eunuch, no!" The person replied, then waved his hand behind him and said, "Bring the warehouse supervisor here!"
Two foreigners from Dongchang walked over with an old man in their hands. When they arrived in front of Xing Shangzhi and Wang Zhong, they casually threw the old man on the ground.
The old man was scared silly. When he saw Xing Shangzhi and Wang Zhong, he kept kowtowing.
Wang Zhong smiled at the old man and said, "Stop kowtowing. I'm asking you, what's your name? Does all the salt here belong to you?"
The old man quickly said, "I'm Zhou Hui, the warehouse supervisor here. The salt doesn't belong to me, it belongs to the Zhou Family. I'm just looking after the warehouse for the Zhou Family. Please spare me, Master!"
Wang Zhong waved his hand and said, "Bring him down!" Then he turned to Wang San and asked, "Where's the real Zhou Cang?"
"Reporting to Eunuch, he's at the back door!" Wang San quickly bowed and said.
"Hand him over to Dongchang!" Wang Zhong nodded and said, "Captain Xing, shouldn't we go search the house?"
Xing Shangzhi touched his big bald head and said with a smile, "Let's go search the house. We, the Imperial Bodyguard, are the best at this!
If the brothers from Dongchang think it's too hard, then we, the brothers from the Imperial Bodyguard, are willing to do it for you. "
He rolled his eyes at Xing Shangzhi and said unhappily, "In your dreams. Those are the Emperor's silver."
Xing Shangzhi laughed and didn't say anything. Although these were the Emperor's silver, and they didn't dare touch the big ones, they were very familiar with keeping a small portion for themselves.
Seeing the salt, the two could imagine how rich the Zhou Family was.
Even if it was a small portion, it was enough to make them happy. How could Wang Zhong not see through Xing Shangzhi's thoughts?
He was a eunuch who usually stayed in the palace. Now that he had a chance to earn some money, how could he let Xing Shangzhi take advantage of him? Don't even think about it.
Wang Zhong waved his horsetail whisk and said, "Let's go!
It'll be too late if we don't leave now! "
The two of them left the grain store and went straight to the Zhou Family. On the way, Wang Zhong warned Xing Shangzhi, "Search the house is one thing, but tell your men to behave. Don't touch the women of the Zhou Family, do you hear me?"
Xing Shangzhi was stunned. They were going to search the house, not to rob people. However, they would definitely take advantage of them.
"My factory manager said that the Emperor will keep a close eye on this mission. Don't bring trouble to yourself. If you want to find a woman, you can rent a brothel after the mission is over. But don't touch the women of the Zhou Family, understand?"