"The reason..."
Liu Hong’s gaze shifted north, toward the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion, as he spoke in a low voice,
"If I’m not mistaken, that person must have done it to help the Xiao Family."
According to his deduction, Liu Wen and Xiao Dongchen must have been targeted by that person for some reason.
Then, that person took advantage of the Bright Moon Building’s trip to the Three Towns to eliminate all of them at once.
Realization dawned on Liu Taofang’s face. "Dad, are you saying the three hundred thousand silver taels the Xiao Family got from Xiao Dongchen... belonged to my cousin, Liu Wen?"
"So you’re not completely hopeless."
"I don’t know what method he used, but judging by the result, that person is no simple character."
At this, Liu Hong’s expression grew even colder.
"Fortunately, you and Lin Huai’an were well hidden, so that person probably didn’t uncover your identity. Otherwise..."
Otherwise, not only would Liu Taofang and Lin Huai’an have been targeted, but even he, the Governor, would likely have been implicated.
As the full picture became clear, Liu Taofang felt a wave of lingering fear.
Now he finally understood why Liu Hong was so furious.
"Dad, then... then what should we do now?"
Liu Hong shot him a look and snorted. "Scared now, are you? Why didn’t you think more when you were blinded by greed?"
"I was wrong."
Seeing the remorse on Liu Taofang’s face, Liu Hong sighed internally.
This son of his couldn’t compare to his eldest; he was incompetent, shallow, and vainglorious. But he was still his son.
Blood is thicker than water, after all.
"Fang’er, do you remember what I taught you and your brother when you were young?"
"To achieve great things, you must plan before you act."
"Now, I will teach you a second lesson—to achieve great things, you must also be willing to use any means necessary."
Liu Taofang paused, a look of confusion on his face. "Dad?"
’The things I did with Lin Huai’an were all crimes punishable by beheading. Shouldn’t that count as using any means necessary?’
Liu Hong knew his son hadn’t understood. He lowered his voice slightly and said, "Let’s put aside the matter of the summer rations for the Three Towns for now and just talk about the recent rise in grain prices."
"When you and Lin Huai’an were plotting, were you planning to use Old Marquis Xiao’s punishment from the Holy Emperor as an opportunity to pin everything on the Xiao Family?"
Liu Taofang nodded and admitted honestly, "Yes, that was my intention."
"The Xiao Family needs to prepare provisions for the Three Towns, so they’ll have to buy from the two markets. It’s only natural that would cause grain prices to rise."
"Plus, the summer grain harvest in Shu State was poor this year, so a larger increase should be justifiable."
Liu Hong glared at him. "And once the price is high enough, you sell off our family’s old grain reserves and make a huge profit, is that it?"
"I can’t hide anything from you..."
"But in doing so, did you ever consider how the Xiao Family would react?"
"They... they would probably approach Lin Huai’an to negotiate. I’ve thought about it. When the time comes, I’ll just have Lin Huai’an do Marquis Xiao a favor."
"Do him a favor?"
Liu Hong almost laughed in exasperation. "What gives you the confidence to say something like that?"
Liu Taofang looked at him, confused. "Dad, does the Xiao Family really have any other options?"
Hearing this, Liu Hong shook his head. "You... you know too little about the Xiao Family, and even less about the Old Marquis."
"The Xiao Family is indeed in a bind right now, but as long as the Old Marquis is alive, it’s difficult for anyone to use ordinary tricks against him... at least, not in Shu State."
"Did you know that because of how recklessly you and Lin Huai’an have been raising prices, the Old Marquis is already planning to borrow grain from Guangyue Prefecture?"
Liu Taofang was stunned. "Borrow grain from Guangyue Prefecture?" he asked in astonishment.
"The Old Marquis... is he planning to borrow from Duke Qian of the Zhang Family?"
Liu Hong snorted. "Now do you see how foolish you’ve been?"
"It’s laughable that you decided to make a move without even a clear understanding of your opponent’s capabilities."
"But Dad, Lin... Lin Huai’an said before that the Old Marquis is extremely proud and would never ask outsiders for help."
"And you believe what he says?"
"Did you know that besides the old grain you control, Lin Huai’an has already prepared nearly a million shi of grain?"
"What?!"
Liu Taofang stared at him blankly, his expression a mess of confusion.
He clearly hadn’t expected the Old Marquis to make such a choice, and he couldn’t fathom why Lin Huai’an hadn’t told him about this.
’Or... did Lin Huai’an know all along and was just playing me for a fool?’