From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 569: Chapter 571: Choice

「Le City Prefect’s Office」

The moment Housekeeper Wu saw their guest out, Prefect Nan’s expression darkened.

"This is outrageous," Prefect Nan slammed his hand on the table. "That Tian Zhuang is nothing but a merchant, yet he dares to tell me what to do."

Just then, Lady Nan emerged from behind the screen. "What are we going to do? We’re caught between a rock and a hard place.

It would have been so much better if everyone had just compromised. Did things really have to get this confrontational?

Right now, neither Minister Huang nor General Zhou are people we can afford to offend."

Prefect Nan looked at his wife. "What do you think I should do?"

Previously, because of the note from the Minister’s Mansion, Prefect Nan had released Tian Zhuang and hastily closed the case.

He had assumed that the new Prefect of Lv City, Ancient Wenheng, would just swallow his pride and not dare to offend the Huang Mansion. He figured the matter would be over and done with.

He never expected Mrs. Gu to actually bring in a powerhouse like General Zhou. They claimed to be here on business, but their true intentions were all too clear.

’If you’re here on business, then stick to business. Why bring General Zhou’s personal guard with you?’

Thinking of Tian Zhuang’s demand, he wondered, ’Do we really have no choice but to side with Minister Huang? To do as he says and submit a memorial to the throne impeaching General Zhou?’

"Husband, you absolutely must not do that," Lady Nan said anxiously. "Tian Zhuang failed in his attempt to harm them and was caught by General Zhou’s men. He’s the one in the wrong. If we get drawn into this, we’ll be making enemies of both General Zhou and Prefect Gu.

Tian Zhuang is just a merchant. How could he possibly understand the complexities of the situation?

General Zhou’s personal guard aren’t necessarily active-duty soldiers. It’s perfectly reasonable for him to dispatch his own men to handle his affairs.

And don’t forget Empress Zhou is his biological sister. That makes General Zhou a genuine Imperial Uncle.

Isn’t the choice obvious?"

"I understand all that," Prefect Nan sighed. "But General Zhou is ultimately a military official, while Minister Huang is one of the Emperor’s close ministers. If he decides to make trouble for me, I won’t be able to defend myself." He had painstakingly built his career his entire life and hoped to advance one more step.

"Husband, what if we just remain neutral? We won’t take either side. Let them fight it out themselves.

The fact that Mrs. Gu was able to get help from General Zhou means she has no intention of letting this go.

If we take sides now, we’ll have made a powerful enemy for life.

General Zhou is a garrison commander in a border city, so we might not have to worry about him directly. But don’t forget about Empress Zhou."

’A military general may have no authority over civil servants like them, but his sister is the Empress of the Central Palace. It would be incredibly easy for her to make their lives difficult.’

This was another thing bothering Prefect Nan. ’How did a civil servant like Ancient Wenheng get mixed up with the military anyway?’

"Besides, from what we’ve heard, Empress Zhou is highly favored by the Emperor. The entire harem is under her control.

If you submit that memorial to the throne, do you really think Empress Zhou won’t find out?

If she truly wanted to make things difficult for us, she wouldn’t even have to lift a finger..."

Without a second thought, Prefect Nan said, "You should stay home and not go out for a while. As for Tian Zhuang, I’ll send someone to tell him that he should ask Minister Huang to handle this himself. Releasing him from jail was already a huge favor. If he keeps pestering me like this, he might as well have my job as Prefect!"

’Now that he saw things clearly, Prefect Nan felt that the lifeline he had offered earlier had been completely wasted—thrown to the dogs. Now that same dog was brazenly prancing around in front of him. It was time to give it a good whack, lest it forget its place.’

With a smile on his face, Tian Zhuang strode out of the Prefect’s Office. He never expected his recent imprisonment to turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

By now, everyone in Le City knew that he, Tian Zhuang, had close ties to the Minister’s Mansion.

The memory of Prefect Nan’s furious but silent expression made him even more smug.

’That Ancient Wenheng and his wife were truly clueless. He hadn’t even gotten around to taking his revenge, and they had served themselves up on a silver platter.’

’And who did they bring with them? I thought it would be someone formidable, but after watching for days, it’s just a few maids and shopkeepers.’

"Master, where to now?" the coachman asked, lifting the curtain as soon as he saw him emerge.

"Back to the mansion. Have someone tell Li Yong to come see me."

"Yes."

When they arrived at the Tian Mansion, Li Yong was already waiting there.

Tian Zhuang found this odd. "Weren’t you supposed to be watching them today?"

Li Yong replied, "They’ve already realized that we were the ones who intercepted their goods.

Today, the moment our men got close, those burly men came over and just stared them down.

We couldn’t get anything done, so I came back to ask you for instructions, Master."

Tian Zhuang said, "Don’t worry. Let them have their moment.

I’ve already spoken with the Lord Prefect. If General Zhou is going to use his soldiers to protect them, then he’ll have to bear the consequences.

Using military personnel for private affairs—and as bodyguards for a few servants, no less—is more than enough grounds for impeachment.

Before long, General Zhou won’t even be able to save his own skin..."

’A thousand curses welled up in Li Yong’s heart. ’Has Tian Zhuang lost his mind? That’s General Zhou we’re talking about! Does he really think a mere merchant like him can touch someone like that?’’

Tian Zhuang felt a wave of relief, as if he’d finally vented his frustration. One by one, he would deal with them all.

’But Li Yong felt that all the recent flattery from Le City’s officials and gentry had gone to Tian Zhuang’s head. He’d lost all the caution he’d shown right after getting out of prison.’

’To think that offending a Great General was no big deal.’

’I wonder if the Minister’s Mansion would be willing to bail him out a second time.’

At that thought, Li Yong quickly bit his lip. The fortunes of the Tian Family were directly tied to his own future.

He carefully chose his words before speaking. "This General Zhou isn’t just anybody. He’s a Marquis of the highest rank, and what’s more, Empress Zhou is his biological sister."

Tian Zhuang whipped his head around, staring at him in surprise. "How do you know all that? And why didn’t you mention it before?"

As a merchant, Tian Zhuang naturally wouldn’t have a clear understanding of all those official ranks.

But for Li Yong, a mere steward, to know so much was rather unusual.

Li Yong forced a stiff smile. His master still wasn’t getting the point. "I just happened to overhear some people talking about it, and I got curious, so I asked a few questions.

Anyone in Shangjing could tell you this. You... didn’t know, Master?"

Tian Zhuang was dumbfounded. He really hadn’t known. In the past, he’d only sent people to Shangjing to deliver gifts. Why would he ever pay attention to nobles who were so far out of his reach?

His usual business dealings were filled with idle chatter and pleasantries. Even if he did overhear a snippet or two about such things, he never paid it any mind.

Now, with Li Yong’s reminder, his head began to clear. He vaguely recalled hearing something to that effect, but so much had happened recently that he’d completely forgotten.

Just as he was wondering what to do next, a messenger from Prefect Nan arrived.

By the time he saw the messenger off, all the strength had gone out of Tian Zhuang’s body.

’He had indeed gotten carried away after being fawned over by everyone lately.’

"Master, what should we do now? Should we keep sending men to watch them?"

"And if we don’t? They want me dead. I can hardly just sit here and wait to be slaughtered."