Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 189 - 188: Making a Fortune

"Oh? I’ve never heard of any blacksmithing that’s so lucrative!" The Fu Lu leaned in close, skeptically snorting, "Exactly how much fortune have you blacksmiths made to abandon your family businesses?!"

"That I don’t know." The man sighed, "I’ve only heard that those blacksmiths ran off to make big money somewhere, but I’ve never seen anyone return, nor any money come back!

Their wives and children, the fathers and mothers at home, they’re all still in the village, busying themselves from dawn to dusk just to make a living. Originally, they had the blacksmith shop to earn money to buy rice and vegetables. But with the shop closed, not only have they not lived better lives, they’re worse off than before!

So people are saying, perhaps those who’ve gotten rich have forgotten their roots, abandoning their wives and kids, and started anew elsewhere to live the good life!"

Listening to the man’s tone, he seemed quite convinced of this matter.

Zhu Yu didn’t speak.

To her, this seemed highly improbable.

If it were one or two blacksmiths who found some opportunity, ran off and got rich, abandoning their families, it might be possible. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

But for so many people to all choose to abandon their families, even ignoring their parents back home, it seemed truly unbelievable.

"Then why is it you can find blacksmiths selling farming tools just dozens of miles away? Don’t the blacksmiths there know about the get-rich-quick path over here?" Fu Lu asked.

"Within dozens of miles around here, there’s only one old blacksmith, already in his sixties or seventies. He originally planned to retire at home, but to his surprise, because people around here couldn’t find any other smithies, he’s been forced to start working again!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu already guessed a general idea, thanked the man, and the five of them mounted their horses and continued on their journey.

This time, they made no further stops and galloped straight toward the capital.

The capital of Shuo Country was nothing like the bustling and beautiful Capital of Jin Country.

Iron-gray city walls towered high, and the ground, paved with dark brown stone slabs, was pocked with potholes, worn down over the years. Even in the sun, the broken potholes in the stones seemed to reflect a metallic glint.

The city gates, forged from Black Iron, were wide open. The soldiers guarding the gates looked weary, their Black Iron chain mail glinting coldly in the sun, accentuating the dullness in their eyes.

Within the capital, the grid-like streets and alleys were straight and orderly, yet appeared somewhat cold and unwelcoming, lacking any warmth.

On either side of the road were yard walls and houses built from square stones, stretching into the distance, with a tall black shadow faintly visible in the distance, exhaling black smoke straight into the clouds.

Once inside the capital, Zhu Yu was much more at ease.

Before entering the city, she donned a veiled hat. Once inside, she peered through the semi-transparent black veil, observing everything around her.

She noticed that within the capital, shops selling ironware still stood in rows, and whenever carriages sped over the stone pavement, they jangled the ironware hanging on the door curtains, filling the air with the metallic scent of charred coal.

Everything was just as it was when she left after getting married, reflecting the true nature of Shuo Country, completely different from the towns outside the capital.

Weighing all this in her mind, she led the other four straight to Prince Shuo Mansion.

At the entrance, Zhu Yu nodded to Yan Daoxin, and Yan Daoxin stepped forward to knock on the door.

Soon, the door opened, and the doorman of Prince Shuo Mansion poked his head out, initially surprised to see a Daoist knocking, and even more so upon seeing four companions behind him.

"You all... from where are you Daoists seeking alms?" The doorman sized up Yan Daoxin, noting his extraordinary appearance and somewhat ethereal demeanor. However, recalling that their master detested supernatural notions and held no fondness for monks or Daoists, he wasn’t polite to Yan Daoxin and waved him off, "Go on now, find food elsewhere and quickly be on your way!

Shuo Country isn’t a place where you can easily gain an advantage, especially not here at the mansion. Our Prince detests these things the most."

Standing at the door, Yan Daoxin remained unmoved, his demeanor calm yet with a hint of pride: "Please report to Prince Zhu on my behalf, stating that Daoist Yan Daoxin from Shanqing Temple is passing through and wishes to pay a visit."

"Why are you so stubborn!" The doorman frowned, "As I said, no matter where you come from or what kind of Daoist you are, my Prince doesn’t like it, so why make it difficult for yourself!"

"Just report as you’re asked, whether to see us or not is up to your Prince. If he asks you to drive us away, I won’t say anything." Yan Daoxin did not heed the doorman’s attempts to drive them off.

The doorman, surprised by the Daoist’s resolute attitude, sighed in resignation and nodded: "Alright, alright, wait here then."

With that, he pulled his head back, and the thick door shut once more.

Yan Daoxin stood tall at the entrance for a while, ensuring that the people inside had indeed left, before stepping back to Zhu Yu with a tilt of his head, whispering, "Do you think your family’s doorman just said yes but didn’t actually ask your father, leaving us waiting here?"

"No," Zhu Yu shook her head, "The doorman at Prince Shuo Mansion is an honest person, somewhat simple-minded. In the past, Father often complained he wasn’t clever enough, but because he reliable in his duties, he tolerated him.

So he doesn’t have any ulterior motives; if he’s promised to report, then he’s surely gone."

Hearing this, Yan Daoxin was slightly reassured and continued to wait patiently.

Inside the mansion, the doorman first reported the Daoists’ request to see the Prince to the steward of the mansion.

The steward, upon hearing that the visitors seemed noteworthy, didn’t dare make decisions on behalf of Zhu Cheng recklessly and feared having several Daoists standing at the gate might attract unwelcome attention and displease their Prince. He hurriedly ran to report the situation, finally finding Zhu Cheng, who had just arisen from a nap, in the backyard.

"Prince..." The steward gingerly addressed Zhu Cheng, knowing that the Prince spent another entire night at the Weapon Supervision and only rested after breakfast that morning. Now just getting up, they were unsure about his mood, "There are five Daoists outside the mansion requesting to see you..."

Seeing the doorman coming to him, Zhu Cheng was puzzled and frowned upon hearing about Daoists wanting to see him, waving his hand impatiently: "Have you lost your senses today? When have I ever entertained Daoists! What do they want with me! Just have them driven away!"