Chapter 58: Beat the rich!
She sighed and lowered her voice and said, "Recently, it has become increasingly difficult for small shops like us to purchase goods, especially those rare medicinal materials, which are almost monopolized by the Tianhun Chamber of Commerce.
Prices are naturally rising. How can we, a small business owner, afford it? "
When Wang Teng heard this, he secretly noted this clue in his mind, and at the same time continued to talk to the shop owner calmly, trying to get more information from her.
"Then do you know why the Soul Merchant Association suddenly increased its monopoly today?" He asked pretending to be curious.
The shop owner shook his head, with a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes, "Who knows, how can ordinary people like us guess the thoughts of their big shots.
I only heard that there have been some changes within the Chamber of Commerce recently. The new elders are ruthless and will show no mercy to disobedient merchants. We small shops can only survive in the cracks and pray for safety. "
Lang Ya listened quietly to the side, his eyes shining with contemplation.
He realized that the Tianhun Chamber of Commerce's monopoly was not only economic control, but also psychological oppression and intimidation of merchants.
This invisible power is more terrifying than any visible shackles.
Later, they visited several shops selling weapons and gems, and received similar answers.
The Tianhun Chamber of Commerce forces its competitors into a desperate situation step by step by manipulating market supply and demand and spreading false information.
What's more, in order to safeguard their own interests, they will not hesitate to use violent means to suppress businesses who dare to challenge their authority.
"This is simply too much!"
Wang Teng said angrily, clenching his fists as if he wanted to vent the anger in his heart. But he quickly calmed down, knowing that his anger at the moment was useless. Only by collecting enough evidence could he reveal the true face of the Tianhun Chamber of Commerce.
Lang Ya patted Wang Teng on the shoulder to express comfort and encouragement.
"Junior brother, we have a long way to go. But please believe that justice may be late, but it will never be absent. As long as we persevere, one day the truth will be revealed to the world."
Wang Teng knew the importance of this trip, so he made careful preparations before deciding to go to Sumu.
He put on the most inconspicuous clothes and put on a wide-brimmed hat, trying to make himself less conspicuous in the crowd. Lang Ya is responsible for observing from the outside to ensure that there are no eyeliners from the chamber of commerce or the royal family.
As soon as the first ray of sunshine in the morning filled the street, Wang Teng quietly left their temporary hotel.
He shuttled through the busy market, using the crowd as cover, and cautiously moved towards the mansion where Su Mu was located.
Along the way, he stopped several times and used his keen perception to check whether there were any suspicious people around him to ensure that his whereabouts were not leaked.
Finally, Wang Teng stopped in front of a quiet and elegant mansion surrounded by green trees. He took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and then gently knocked on the door of the mansion.
The sound of the door knocker hitting the door panel was particularly clear in the early morning air.
Soon, a maid in gorgeous clothes opened the door. When she saw Wang Teng, she was slightly startled, obviously not recognizing this unexpected guest.
But Wang Teng quickly reported his name and explained that he was here to see Su Mu. After hearing this, the maid's face changed slightly, but she immediately regained her composure. She asked Wang Teng to wait for a moment, then turned around and went in to report.
While waiting, Wang Teng felt nervous and expectant.
He knew that whether Su Mu could provide help would be directly related to the success or failure of their investigation. Finally, the maid appeared at the door again, smiling and asking Wang Teng to follow her in. After passing through several exquisite courtyards, Wang Teng came to an elegantly decorated living room.
Su Mu had been waiting there for a long time. She was wearing an elegant long dress and her hair was pulled back casually, making her look both noble and kind. Seeing Wang Teng, she smiled slightly, as if she had anticipated his arrival.
"Brother Wang Teng, long time no see." Su Mu's voice was gentle and magnetic, instantly relaxing Wang Teng's nervous mood.
"Sister Su Mu, long time no see. I have taken the liberty to visit you this time because I really have something important to ask for." Wang Teng bowed respectfully and then stated his purpose of visit straightforwardly.
After hearing this, Su Mu frowned slightly, and a trace of anger flashed in his eyes.
“I have also heard about the collusion between the Tianhun Chamber of Commerce and the royal family.
I didn't expect them to be so bold and reckless, regardless of the safety of the people. " she said angrily.
Then, Su Mu asked Wang Teng and Lang Ya in detail about the progress of their investigations and what kind of help they needed.
After understanding the situation, she expressed her willingness to help without hesitation.
She told Wang Teng that she could use her social resources to provide them with inside information about the Tianhun Chamber of Commerce and the royal family.
She also promised to come forward in person and invite some key figures to the banquet she held so that Wang Teng and Lang Ya could take the opportunity to approach them and collect further evidence.
In addition, Su Mu also proposed that she could arrange a secret and safe location for Wang Teng and Lang Ya to meet with her to avoid being discovered by the Chamber of Commerce or the royal family's spies.
She also promised to tighten security at the mansion to ensure their conversations were not leaked.
Although this house in Sumu is not a wooden house in the city, it is really not that good in terms of safety.
After all, who dares to go under the roof of a titled Douluo and eavesdrop?
Wang Teng and Lang Ya were grateful to Sumu for his generous help.
They knew that with Sumu's help, their investigation work would go more smoothly. As a result, they agreed on a specific action plan with Su Mu and agreed on the time and place of the next meeting.
As night fell, the two returned to the small inn where they had temporarily settled.
Under the dim candlelight, they carefully sorted out the information collected today. Each clue was like a puzzle, gradually outlining the outline of the Tianhun Chamber of Commerce's huge business empire.
Although it was just the tip of the iceberg, it was enough for them to feel the chill and oppression coming from the depths of the Chamber of Commerce.
"Tomorrow, we will visit a few people within the Chamber of Commerce." Wang Teng said solemnly, with a firm light shining in his eyes, "Perhaps they can provide us with more direct and powerful evidence."
What shocked them even more was that as the investigation deepened, an intricate network of relationships between the Chamber of Commerce and certain high-level officials and sect elders gradually emerged.
These seemingly superior beings actually have inextricable interests entangled with the Chamber of Commerce, and together they weave a huge power network that covers Tianhun City and even part of the entire continent.
"No wonder the Chamber of Commerce can be so unscrupulous, it turns out there is such a powerful backer behind it." Lang Ya sighed in a low voice, with shock and indignation in his tone, "We are afraid that we will touch something we shouldn't touch this time. "
Newbie, new book, please support~
(End of this chapter)