Chapter 24: The Mole Revealed

Qin Song’s suspicions were correct. Shortly after, Hu Shangdong brought news that two more managers had snuck out of their homes. This time, they had met with two other prominent textile families in Yuezhou.

"These ungrateful wretches! Has the Qin family ever treated them poorly?"

"No wonder that every time our workshop developed a new fabric in recent years, those families were able to produce imitations so quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Mistress Wu was so furious she began cursing loudly on the spot. She had thought there was only one mole in the house, but it turned out there was an entire nest of them.

"Mother, although these managers aren't the primary culprits behind this latest incident, they have long been bought off by other families to leak our secrets."

"None of them can be allowed to remain."

When Qin Song said this, his expression was void of any emotion. The business world was a battlefield, and as the Qin family prepared for a major transformation, they had to be even more vigilant against internal threats. Although Mistress Wu did not reply, the murderous intent in her eyes revealed her true thoughts.

However, the matter was far from over; the mastermind behind the fire at the Qin family’s workshop and warehouse had yet to surface. It was nearly dawn when Qin Song was awakened by Hu Shangdong.

"Young Master, someone paid a late-night visit to one of the managers!"

"After the person left, our men followed him and saw with their own eyes that he entered the Lin residence."

"He should still be there now."

The groggy Qin Song became instantly alert upon hearing this, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

"So, you’ve finally shown yourself."

"Where is my mother?"

"The Mistress is in the study."

"Let's go."

Qin Song threw on his clothes and hurried to the study.

"It was him! My husband even treated him like a foster son, and yet he dared to betray the Qin family!"

Before he even entered, he heard Mistress Wu’s hysterical roars from within.

"Young Master, it’s Qin Hu," Hu Shangdong whispered in his ear as he stood behind him.

An image instantly flashed in Qin Song’s mind—the face of a man who had always been like an older brother to him. Qin Hu did not originally bear the surname Qin. When his father was alive, he had been a manager for the family, and his mother had served Mistress Wu. Years ago, while the Qin family was traveling, they were ambushed by bandits. Qin Hu’s parents had sacrificed their lives to protect Qin Yuanhuai and Mistress Wu, leaving behind only their son. Since then, Qin Hu had taken the family name and grown up in the Qin household.

Ten years older than Qin Song, Qin Hu had been followed by the young master throughout his childhood, with Qin Song constantly calling him "Brother." Once grown, Qin Yuanhuai had arranged for him to work in the workshops, where he became a manager at a young age. Mistress Wu had never imagined that the person the Qin family had groomed since childhood—the one they trusted most and treated like a son—would be the mole.

"Mother!"

After Mistress Wu had vented her fury, Qin Song finally stepped into the study.

"Song’er, I leave this matter to you."

"I am tired today; I am going to rest."

Mistress Wu stood up and walked out of the study with heavy, weary steps.

"Uncle Hu!"

"Young Master!"

Once she was gone, Qin Song issued his orders without hesitation.

"At first light tomorrow, summon all the managers to the workshop."

"Also, if anyone attempts to flee tonight, arrest them immediately."

"Understood!"

Feeling the sudden, powerful intensity emanating from Qin Song, Hu Shangdong shivered and bowed his head.

"As for the person who met with Qin Hu, arrest him the moment he leaves the Lin residence."

"Take him to the naval base tonight. I will be waiting there for your good news, Uncle Hu."

"Understood!"

Hu Shangdong left to carry out his orders. After composing himself, Qin Song headed to the naval base. Zhang Pengyuan, who had already retired for the night, rose quickly upon receiving the news to let him in.

"Brother Zhang, I have found the mole in my family, and by following the trail, I found the person behind him."

"This man likely knows the whereabouts of Wang Long."

Qin Song had already told Zhang Pengyuan the previous day that the water bandits they had clashed with were the infamous Wang Long and his gang from Jiangnan Prefecture. Hearing that the captive knew of Wang Long’s trail, the last of Zhang’s sleepiness vanished completely.

"My guards will bring him here once he is captured."

"Do you have anyone under your command skilled in interrogation? I intend to pry his mouth open tonight."

"I do."

Zhang Pengyuan replied without hesitation. The two men exchanged a look, and no further words were needed.

Time ticked by, and as the night faded and the sun began to rise, Hu Shangdong finally appeared.

"Young Master!"

Hu Shangdong, having not slept all night, had dark circles under his eyes. Behind him, two guards carried a large burlap sack.

"You’ve worked hard, Uncle Hu."

Qin Song, his expression cold, managed a slight smile. The prisoner was brought into a room and tied securely.

"Wake him up."

Qin Song issued the command as he looked at the burly, fierce-looking man before him.

*Splash!*

A bucket of cold water was dumped onto the man's face, and he drifted into consciousness.

"Young Master Qin!"

Before the man could even take in his surroundings, he saw Qin Song sitting right in front of him. After a brief moment of panic, he quickly regained his composure.

"You recognize me?" Qin Song raised an eyebrow. "That saves me the trouble of an introduction."

"The honorable young master of the Yuezhou Qin family, nephew of the current Left Chancellor—oh, wait, the *former* Left Chancellor. How could I not know you?"

Looking at Qin Song’s somewhat youthful face, the man wore a mocking grin, clearly looking down on him.

"Uncle Hu!"

"Young Master!"

Seeing the man’s attitude, Qin Song’s expression turned colder. "Beat him."

"Beat him until he has no strength left to speak!"

"Understood!"

Hu Shangdong’s eyelids twitched; the ruthless side of Qin Song he saw today subconsciously made him feel a sense of dread. Nevertheless, he quickly gathered several guards, took up wooden clubs, and began a brutal beating.

The interrogation had barely begun, and Qin Song hadn't even asked a single question, yet he wanted to beat the man until he couldn't speak? Zhang Pengyuan, standing to the side, watched the calm Qin Song with a mix of surprise and fear.

"He’s a tough nut to crack, indeed."

Even while being pummeled by several men, the fellow didn't utter a sound. Qin Song’s face grew colder. "Has the interrogator arrived?"

"Young Master Qin!"

A stooped old man carrying a box appeared in Qin Song’s line of sight.

"Aren't you the physician from the ship?"

The old man was none other than the stubborn curmudgeon who had refused to treat Jiang Yue’s injuries a few days prior.

"Brother Qin, though Old Gou is a physician, he possesses a unique acupuncture technique that can inflict unimaginable pain."

"It seems the wisdom of our ancestors holds true."

After hearing Zhang’s explanation, Qin Song slapped a hundred-tael silver note onto the table.

"If you can make him talk within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, this money is yours."

"Young Master, just watch me!"

The physician known as Old Gou said with a fawning smile, his eyes locked greedily on the silver.