Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Deceiving Northern Du

That day, Du Yi Zhi stayed in Illustrious Virtue Alley for a long while before Du Heng personally escorted him out.

After he left, Du Heng, the usually low-profile head of Northern Du, urgently summoned the leaders of the eighteen branches for a secret talk lasting deep into the night.

Yes—eighteen branches.

Northern Du couldn’t compare to Southern Du in wealth or power, but they had one advantage: their sheer numbers!

Perhaps it was exactly this advantage that had scattered their limited resources. With so many people pulling in different directions, Northern Du had gradually fallen into decline.

But Du Heng saw a chance to turn things around!

Du Yi Zhi’s offer was too tempting—

Bring down Southern Du, let Northern Du take control, and Du Yi Zhi only wanted the nominal position of Du Clan Chief. He would direct the clan’s future broadly, while Du Heng himself would maintain actual authority.

Most importantly, Du Yi Zhi promised that after the plan succeeded, Du Heng’s son, Du Yan Shen, would become a Fourth Rank Prefect, just like Du Ming Yi had once been.

A Fourth Rank Prefect!

Du Heng wasn’t foolish. He was initially skeptical—how could Du Yi Zhi, a mere merchant working for the Princess, achieve this?

But then Du Yi Zhi revealed more!

He wasn’t merely working for the Princess—he was working directly under His Majesty!

The Emperor had long known Southern Du had conspired with an Imperial Prince. By sending Du Yi Zhi under the guise of transporting donations for the Princess, the Emperor intended to punish Southern Du as a warning to all powerful families.

Southern Du was finished!

As for the implicated Imperial Prince, he was still the Emperor’s son, so he wouldn’t suffer greatly. The Emperor merely intended to show other princes the cost of becoming overly entangled with powerful clans.

Du Heng broke into a cold sweat listening to Du Yi Zhi’s half-true, half-false tale. He silently rejoiced—luckily, Southern Du had considered Northern Du too insignificant to include them in their alliance with nobles from the capital.

Otherwise…

In short, Du Heng believed Du Yi Zhi.

That very night, after Du Heng discussed these matters with the eighteen branch leaders, they believed it as well.

Overnight, Northern Du transformed from a struggling family into one supposedly favored by His Majesty himself.

Everyone felt inspired by a sudden surge of ambition.

Thus, from the very next day, Northern Du sprang into action—

They prepared new branches of Prosperous Hall in counties under Ji Prefecture, transporting and guarding cotton.

Northern Du’s Academy encouraged students to spread word throughout Ji Prefecture that affordable cotton was available.

Young descendants of Northern Du’s eighteen branches personally guarded and welcomed new batches of cotton arriving in Ji Prefecture.

This convinced Du Heng even more. If Du Yi Zhi weren’t backed by His Majesty, how could a mere Princess secure such an abundance of cotton, sold cheaply?

Donations?

Clearly, this was disaster relief cotton!

The commotion in Northern Du quickly reached Southern Du.

Second Master Du, Third Master Du, and several young masters of the next generation anxiously stormed into Old Madam Du’s residence to voice their anger.

“Has Du Heng gone mad? Does he even know what he’s doing?”

“And the rest of Northern Du is foolishly joining his madness!”

“Northern Du must be utterly spineless now—what kind of benefits did Du Yi Zhi promise them? How many Silver Ingots are they receiving to serve a merchant?” Third Master Du was especially furious.

His son, Du Cheng, was still recovering from a high fever after Du Yi Zhi had openly killed his beloved horse in the street. He had lost significant weight, and Third Master Du wanted Du Yi Zhi dead. Yet Northern Du was helping this enemy.

“Enough, listen to me—” Old Madam Du interrupted.

Though a woman, she was steady and capable, raising even an accomplished son like Du Ming Yi. Her authority in the Du family was unquestioned, and everyone quieted immediately.

Old Madam Du spoke confidently, “Leave this matter to me. I’ve already sent word to Prefect Yan. By tomorrow at the latest, Du Yi Zhi will be scrambling out of Ji Prefecture.”

As for whether he’d actually make it out alive—hmph!

Everyone exchanged glances. Prefect Yan had benefited greatly from Southern Du’s backing, accomplishing notable deeds in Ji Prefecture thanks to their influence. Since Old Madam Du said he’d act, there was indeed no reason to worry.

Only Third Master Du still felt bitter, “Why let him off so lightly? Du Yi Zhi was born rotten—his father was wicked, and he’s no better—”

Second Master Du coughed awkwardly, and the others’ expressions grew uncomfortable.

Third Master Du shut his mouth.

Everyone present knew exactly how Du Ming Hao had died. Yet sometimes, if one repeated a lie enough, even the culprit began believing it.

“Enough, everyone disperse,” Old Madam Du impatiently dismissed them.

Her son Du Ming Yi had been the greatest beneficiary of that past incident. Did they expect her to share those benefits?

…

Unaware of Old Madam Du’s plot, Du Yi Zhi returned to his residence and instructed Ah Jian to buy fifty pounds of medicinal herbs for frostbite, along with fifty pounds of lard to distribute to his newly recruited men.

He had recently hired dozens more—mostly hunters from Ji Prefecture. They couldn’t fight skillfully, but they were strong and tough, exactly what he needed.

Du Yi Zhi understood clearly that once the wealthy cotton merchants realized his supply of cotton seemed endless, they wouldn’t remain patient forever.

Eventually, he would have to rely on these men to guard his cotton.

However, the cotton merchants didn’t act first. The very next day, on the road carrying fresh cotton to Prosperous Hall, Du Yi Zhi’s caravan was ambushed by a ruthless gang!

“Boss Du, stand behind me!” Ah Jian swiftly stepped forward to protect him.

“Guard the cotton!” Du Yi Zhi shouted urgently.

But these attackers weren’t targeting the cotton. Their leader, face hidden except for his eyes, suddenly raised an arm, shooting a bolt directly at Du Yi Zhi!

Ah Jian was caught off-guard by the concealed weapon. Before he could react, the bolt was already flying toward Du Yi Zhi.

“Boss Du—!”

At that instant, another figure charged from the side, pulling Du Yi Zhi aside.

The bolt struck deeply into the man’s back.

Du Yi Zhi froze.

Looking into the honest, earnest eyes, he heard the man whisper, “Boss Du is a good man. A good man shouldn’t die!”

The thick cotton coat was pierced through completely, half the bolt lodged in his back.

Du Yi Zhi’s hand touched something warm and sticky, instantly freezing in the biting cold.

Ah Jian had already engaged the assailant, and others joined the fight.

Northern Du’s men nearby noticed the chaos, and commoners also heard that the boss of Prosperous Hall was under attack. They hastily grabbed snowballs from the ground, pelting the bandits—

Though not causing significant harm, the barrage of snowballs greatly hindered the attackers.

Soon, the combined effort subdued the entire gang—some killed, others wounded.

Ah Jian forced the captured leader to his knees, tearing away his veil.

When surrounding commoners saw the face revealed, they gasped in shock, exclaiming, “Isn’t this the bandit leader who was wanted by the Prefectural Office days ago? How did he escape?!”