In a secret manor outside Chang 'an City, an old craftsman and two young men were working nervously. If someone from the Confucian Journal was here, they would definitely exclaim in shock. The person leading the group was actually the missing old craftsman.
"This won't do. With this standard, we can't even fool ordinary people." The old craftsman looked at the newly printed fake banknotes and shook his head helplessly. Now, everyone outside Chang 'an City knew about the banknote's anti-counterfeiting secret technique. It was impossible for them to print the previous banknotes.
"Father, we don't even know the Mo Clan's secret technique. This is already the limit," one of the young craftsmen said helplessly.
"Big Brother is right! Father! "the old craftsman's second son interjected.
If outsiders were here, they would definitely be shocked. The fake banknotes that had stirred up the storm in Chang 'an City were actually made by one family.
"Furthermore, didn't Second Master say that? The Mo Clan is already preparing to abandon Chu paper and use mulberry paper to print banknotes. What's the use of the fake banknotes made from Chu paper? "the eldest son said, unconvinced.
"What's the use?" The old craftsman sneered. "As the saying goes, if you understand something, you will understand everything. Mo Jiazi is using mulberry paper to print banknotes. His anti-counterfeiting secret technique is also the same. As long as we can comprehend the Mo Clan's anti-counterfeiting secret technique, we can use any paper.
"Well said!"
With a cheer, the manager of the Yuan Xiang Bank accompanied the Second Master of the Zi Family into the secret room.
"Second Young Master!" the old craftsman's family quickly bowed.
"Elder Liu is indeed an old steed with great ambition. I'm impressed!" the Second Master of the Zi Family said respectfully. From his expression, it was clear that he knew Elder Liu.
"Second Master, you flatter me!" Elder Liu said respectfully.
"Elder Liu has worked hard these days. Today, this master has brought you many good things." The Second Master of the Zi Family waved his hand, and the manager of the Yuan Xiang Bank immediately presented a box.
Behind him, his two sons immediately tactfully stepped forward to receive it.
Old Craftsman Liu stepped forward and opened the box. When he saw that the first box was filled with silver ingots, he could not help but reveal a trace of greed. He hesitated and said, "This is …"
The second boss of the Zi Qian family said loudly, "This is Elder Liu's reward. This time, the Zi Qian family has profited greatly. Elder Liu deserves the most credit. This is what you deserve."
Old Craftsman Liu instantly beamed with joy. He handed the silver in his hand to his son and said, "Boss, you're being too polite."
Back then, he had agreed to imitate the banknotes for the sake of money. Naturally, he wouldn't reject the money that was already in his hands.
"However, there's another piece of bad news. I hope Elder Liu won't be angry. Now that the imperial court has found Elder Liu's hometown, they've put Elder Liu on the wanted list all over the country. I'm afraid Elder Liu won't be able to return to his hometown," Zi Qian's second master said with a pained expression.
"This …" Old Craftsman Liu's family felt their hearts sink. Although they had expected this day to come, they didn't expect it to come so quickly.
"Then wouldn't that be a dead end for us?" The eldest son of the Liu Clan said in a trembling voice. Before their family participated in the banknote imitations, they were just ordinary craftsmen. How could they have imagined that they would one day become wanted criminals?
The head shopkeeper of the Yuan Xiang Bank took advantage of the situation and said, "Of course not. The Mo Clan is now an arrow at the end of its flight. As long as we defeat the Mo Clan, with the young master's relationship, it won't be a problem to revoke the wanted list. At the very least, we can arrange a new identity for you. However, you'll have to lie low for a period of time."
"Defeat the Mo Clan!" Old Craftsman Liu's family's eyes lit up. It seemed like this was the last way out.
The second boss of the Zi Qian family gave a slight signal. The head shopkeeper of the Yuan Xiang Bank continued, "This is the new banknote from the Mo Clan's village. As long as you can imitate the new banknotes, not only can you defeat the Mo Clan's village, but you can also earn ten times the profit."
Old Craftsman Liu's family's breathing quickened. Now that they were in the same boat as the Zi Qian family, there was only one path left.
At that moment, Old Craftsman Liu took the new banknotes from the Mo Clan's village. As soon as he touched it, he couldn't help but frown. Just the paper alone was much better than the first generation banknotes. The more he looked at it, the more serious he became.
"If you want to imitate the new banknotes, the royal tribute mulberry paper is indispensable." Old Craftsman Liu hesitated. Just this condition alone was already against the law. However, his family was already wanted, so he didn't care about this anymore.
The second boss of the Zi Qian family waved his hand. The head shopkeeper of the Yuan Xiang Bank immediately took out a thick stack of mulberry paper and said solemnly, "This is a thousand mulberry paper. There will be an endless supply later."
It had to be said that the Zi Qian family was indeed very powerful. They could actually get the royal tribute mulberry paper so quickly. Although there were only a thousand pieces and it wasn't very useful in other places, it was enough to make palm-sized banknotes.
"It's still too little." Old Craftsman Liu said regretfully.
The second boss of the Zi Qian family waved his hand and said, "Then we'll only make banknotes that are one-cent banknotes. We'll make banknotes that are one-cent banknotes and one-tael banknotes."
Just as Meton said, the counterfeiter might even lose money by making one-cent banknotes.
Old Craftsman Liu nodded. The second generation banknotes used anti-counterfeiting technology that was not any less than the other banknotes. It was indeed not worth counterfeiting.
"The color of the ink has changed. It still needs to be remixed." Old Craftsman Liu looked at the brand new green banknotes and said.
The second boss of the Zi Qian family waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about that. The new ink will be sent over soon."
Old Craftsman Liu nodded. He naturally knew that the Zi Qian family had three burrows. He was only in charge of one of them.
"Other than the paper, the Mohist family used mechanical imprinting to make the paper. It is impossible to achieve with just Old Man's handwork. It will take a long time to develop. It won't be as easy as the first generation banknotes." Old Craftsman Liu's eldest son frowned and said.
The second boss of the Zi Qian family had already expected this. The way of machinery was the Mohist family's forte. It wasn't surprising that Mo Jiazi used it on the banknotes.
"Other than the Mohist family and the Gongshu family, there are also many skilled craftsmen. The Zi Qian family will naturally find a suitable candidate." The second boss of the Zi Qian family said confidently. However, he also knew that this time, he wouldn't be able to make the second generation banknotes in a short time.
"Then what about the banknotes we made before?" Old Craftsman Liu's second son said with a pained heart. In their eyes, those banknotes were shining white money!
"What do we do? Naturally, it's just a piece of waste paper. " The second boss of the Zi Qian family smiled strangely and said, "This is a banknote, just a piece of paper. However, Mo Jiazi used the Mohist family's credit to turn it into shining white money. What an amazing talent."
The second boss of the Zi Qian family had a crazed look on his face. He threw stack after stack of banknotes into the air. Many of them floated into the furnace, causing the furnace to burn fiercely.
After a long time, the second boss of the Zi Qian family calmed down and said coldly, "Burn all of these banknotes! Don't leave a single one behind. "
"Yes!" Everyone immediately obeyed. These banknotes were evidence of their crimes. If they could burn them, they would naturally be more enthusiastic than the other.
"Collect the banknotes of the Zi Qian family's disciples outside and destroy them as well. Don't leave a single one behind." The second boss of the Zi Qian family ordered the head shopkeeper of the Yuan Xiang Bank.
"Yes, second boss!" The head shopkeeper of the Yuan Xiang Bank said solemnly.
"Second boss, it's not good. Some of the brothers of the Zi Qian family have been caught." Suddenly, a disciple of the Zi Qian family came to report with a panicked face.
"What happened? Didn't I tell everyone not to act rashly? How did they get caught? "The second boss of the Zi Qian family said angrily.
The disciple of the Zi Qian family said unnaturally, "The Mohist family has already issued the second generation banknotes. The banknotes in the hands of the brothers have become a pile of waste paper. Some of the brothers were unwilling to give up and took the last chance to do it again. Just once. However, who knew that they would be seen through and caught."
"Just once! Don't you know that this is Mo Jiazi's scheme? He purposely lured you into action? A bunch of idiots! "The second boss of the Zi Qian family was trembling with anger.
Naturally, he could see through Mo Jiazi's scheme. However, he did not expect the greed of his disciples. In the end, they were caught by Mo Jiazi.
"Second boss, what should we do? Once the disciples of the Zi Qian family are caught, I'm afraid that the Yuan Xiang Bank will be exposed!" The head shopkeeper of the Yuan Xiang Bank said in horror.
This time, the fake banknotes were all distributed through the Yuan Xiang Bank. Once the disciples of the Zi Qian family were exposed, they would definitely betray him.
"If that's the case, then you don't have to show up anymore. Just stay here and be responsible for the imitation of the second generation banknotes." The second boss of the Zi Qian family waved his hand and said.
"I …." The head shopkeeper of the Yuan Xiang Bank wanted to say something but stopped. He could not help but lower his head dejectedly. Once upon a time, he was in charge of the banknotes business in Chang 'an City. He had limitless glory. However, in the blink of an eye, he had become an underground rat who did not dare to show his face.
"People are greedy. Mo Jiazi, you won a small victory this time. However, what you got is a ruin." The second boss of the Zi Qian family looked at the fire with a ferocious face and said.
Mo Jiazi used the greed of the Zi Qian family to make the disciples of the Zi Qian family give themselves away. However, he did not know that the second boss of the Zi Qian family had already set up a trap. The Yuan Xiang Bank in Chang 'an City was already an empty shell.
"It's on fire!"
"The Yuan Xiang Bank is on fire!"
With the exclamation, the people on both sides spontaneously came to put out the fire. It was all thanks to the city's early warning system designed by the Mo Family's village. In an instant, the alarm bell rang loudly. The fire administration's water dragon cart immediately came at the fastest speed.
However, the fire was not only very sudden but also very violent. It was impossible to put out.
Meton and Arrester Cao looked at the Yuan Xiang Bank in the fire with a gloomy face. They did not expect the other party to be so fast. They had just found the clue, and the other party had already set fire to destroy the evidence.
"Fire administration, when can the fire be put out? Is the Yuan Xiang Bank a major suspect in the fake banknote case?" Arrester Cao came in front of the official and asked anxiously.
The fire administration official on the side said helplessly, "Lord Cao, the fire is very violent. The Yuan Xiang Bank cannot be saved. The most important thing now is to control the fire. We can't let the fire spread and cause a bigger fire. Otherwise, this street will not be saved."
This street was a prosperous area. It was full of wooden houses. Once the fire spread, there was no way to stop it. The loss would be huge.
"Are there any casualties in the Yuan Xiang Bank?" Meton asked softly.
The Fire Administration Sector official hesitated for a moment before saying, "Replying to the marquis, the commoners did not see anyone from the bank run out. However, there aren't many people in Yuanxiang Bank to begin with, and it is currently daytime, so there shouldn't be anyone trapped inside."
Meton nodded. If it was an accident, how could there be no survivors in the Yuan Xiang Bank? If it was deliberately set fire, no one could be found now.
"Yuan Xiang Bank!"
Meton looked at the raging fire engulfing the Yuan Xiang Bank's signboard. Suddenly, with a bang, a copper coin burst out and fell in front of Meton's feet.
"Merton, be careful!" Arrester Cao quickly stepped forward to protect Meton.
"I'm fine!" Meton waved his hand. He lowered his head and bent down to pick up the scalding hot Kai Yuan Tong Bao. He couldn't help but think.
"Zi Qian Family!"
Meton instantly connected all the dots and couldn't help but blurt out.
With such power and greed for money, only the Zi Qian Family had such a motive. However, although Meton guessed the Zi Qian Family's motive, he only thought it was the Zi Qian Family's instinct to pursue money. He knew that the Zi Qian Family had a plan to annex the bank and clear their name.
"Marquis! Could it be that you already know the person behind this? "Arrester Cao didn't understand the mysterious Zi Qian Family and couldn't help but wonder.
Meton didn't explain, but shook his head and said, "Since we found the Yuan Xiang Bank and the other party set fire to destroy the evidence, there's no doubt about it. Do you have any information about the Yuan Xiang Bank?"
Arrester Cao thought for a moment and said, "Marquis, although the Yuan Xiang Bank is big, it's not famous in Chang 'an City. Usually, it only deposits money and pawns. I didn't pay much attention to it."
Meton nodded. This was in line with the mysterious Zi Qian Family's signs.
"After the fire is put out, I'll investigate carefully. Anyone who has dealings with the Yuan Xiang Bank will not be spared." Arrester Cao promised.
Meton looked at the soaring flames and nodded. He also knew that with the current investigation methods, the probability of finding out was very small.
However, in a place where Meton couldn't see, the Second Master of the Zi Qian Family was also looking at the soaring flames of the Yuan Xiang Bank. Under the reflection of the flames, his face looked particularly ferocious.
"Mo Jiazi, you didn't expect it, did you? The Yuan Xiang Bank is just a golden cicada shell of the Zi Qian Family. If it's burned, we can just start again. But the battle between you and me has just begun! " The Second Master of the Zi Qian Family said coldly. In his hand, he was also holding a copper coin. With a casual toss, the copper coin in his hand flew into the sky.
Traces of burning flames shone through the copper coin and onto the Second Master of the Zi Qian Family's face. A cold voice was heard.
"Money has its own end, people have their Yin and Yang. You, Mo Jiazi, are on the right path. The Mo Family is on the path of money. They started the Mo Technique, hired workers, and became rich. What they see through is the desire and pursuit of money in people.
But my Zi Qian Family hides in the dark places of the world. We look for the flaws in people's hearts and issue money. We see through the greed and darkness of people's hearts for money. A game of one penny is the true essence of the Zi Qian Family. In the way of money in the world, only you, Mo Jiazi, are my real opponent. "
With a "ding", the copper coin fell heavily on the ground. The coin was round on the outside and square on the inside, but it spoke of the human nature of the world.
"Mo Jiazi, what I left for you is not just a fire. The battle between the Zi Qian Family and the Mo Family has just begun." The Second Master of the Zi Qian Family watched the flames of the Yuan Xiang Bank in the distance gradually extinguish. With a wave of his hand, he slowly hid in the shadows and disappeared from Chang 'an City.
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