By the time they reached Li Xuming, the villagers had already thoroughly recounted the entire incident.
The two people the Liao family caught were workers in the workshop, specifically those working in the tofu section.
Some time ago, a businessman from out of town approached them, offering a large sum of money to buy their tofu recipe.
The two initially refused, after all, the workshop offered good benefits, and because they worked there, they were now highly regarded at home.
But as the merchant approached them time and time again, the two eventually wavered.
Money and silk are tempting; one adventure can lead to lifelong happiness.
The two men covered for each other in the workshop and searched for many days before finally stealing the sour liquid from the tofu yesterday.
So, in the middle of the night, the transaction took place at the village entrance as previously agreed.
The two men risked being kicked out of the workshop if they were discovered to steal physalis. When they saw the merchant settle the bill readily during the transaction, their greed got the better of them, and they decided to raise the price on short notice.
The man was furious that he had been threatened by these two people he looked down on, and a dispute immediately broke out among them.
Unexpectedly, Liao Shengnan caught them red-handed. As we all know, the two men were taken into custody and guarded by villagers.
"Village chief, what do we do now? That man stole the sour syrup and rode away on horseback."
Is it still possible to pursue her?
"What impact will this have on the workshop?"
What about those two people?
"We can't let this rotten apple stay in the workshop any longer!"
Li Xuming was woken up in the middle of the night, but the more he listened, the more awake he became, until he was completely alert.
The physalis was stolen, and it was an inside job that stole it. It wasn't discovered by the Li family; the villagers just happened to catch them.
Tsk tsk, Li Xuming's head started to ache, and his temples throbbed.
The villagers were very anxious. Now, whoever damages the workshop's interests is damaging theirs. Their good life is all thanks to the workshop, and who wants to lose it?
They are hoping the workshop will grow bigger and stronger so they can continue to benefit from it!
"Thank you all for your hard work. I need to trouble you again tonight to send someone to inform their village chief that I will be handing these two over to the authorities tomorrow."
"No, Village Chief Li! Please, have mercy on us this time!"
"Please, Village Chief Li, drive us out of the workshop, please don't send us to see the officials!"
Upon hearing that they were to see an official, the two men immediately began to wail outside.
The Li family had always been kind to the workshop's employees. They always thought that even if they were discovered, they would at most get a beating and be kicked out of the workshop. They never expected that they would have to go to the authorities.
"Sir, take him away immediately and lock him in the woodshed!"
Meeting with officials?!
Not only were the two people shocked, but the villagers were also astonished! But after thinking about it carefully, they all felt it was justified!
Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents; this is digging up the roots of their village! This time, they've been severely punished; let's see who dares to cause trouble again.
The villagers were afraid that Li Xuming would soften his mind and change his mind if he heard the two crying, so several of them quickly took the two away.
After dealing with those two people, there was nothing that could be done about the merchant who had run away.
Li Xuming could only reassure the villagers, saying he would handle it, before they dispersed with peace of mind.
Before dawn, the villagers dispersed, but all the members of the Li family from all branches of the family arrived.
Li Xuming's face was icy cold, and he laughed in extreme anger.
Li Xuchang was in charge of managing the physalis, and yet someone managed to steal it right under his nose. He was too lax and should be punished!
The men of the Li family were all dejected, while Yuan Shi held her head high.
Liao Shengnan, who caught the thief this time, is one of the female workers under her management, which is a great honor for her.
"Li Xuchang, do you have anything to explain?"
Silence fell. Li Xuchang stood to one side, his face pale, not daring to look up.
He had been quite lazy lately because of family reunions, and he never expected such a big thing to happen.
Feeling deeply ashamed after being pointed out by his elder brother, he immediately knelt down.
"That's great! Someone stole physalin right under our noses. In broad daylight, an employee stole physalin from the entire workshop and took it outside. How are the staff managed? What kind of inspections are conducted?"
"Have you all gotten too big for your britches? Do you even remember who you are now?"
Li Xuming was genuinely angry. This incident completely exposed how lazy their internal management was, and how they had been blinded by a false sense of prosperity.
"The physalis was stolen, resulting in huge losses. Ask yourselves honestly, have you truly done your jobs properly?"
"Brother Ming, don't be angry. The brothers all know they were wrong."
Li Xuhai forced himself to persuade him, since he was in charge of managing the crops and no matter how much blame was placed on him for today's events, it would be best to let him persuade him.
"Xu Hai, today I will ask you to carry out the Li family's family discipline."
"this·····"
Li Xuhai dared not respond.
"In today's events, Li Xuchang is the primary offender. He shall be whipped ten times and forced to kneel for three days. Do you admit it or not?"
Li Xuming's expression was cold, no longer the smiling, kind-hearted man he usually was.
"Big brother, I admit it."
“As the main manager of the workshop, I, Li Xuming, shall be punished with ten lashes.”
"Brother, no! Just hit me instead!"
Li Xuchang felt even more guilty because of him, the physalis was stolen, and his elder brother had to be punished for it.
"You should punish me. I'm in charge of employee entry and exit, and I didn't notice this. I'm derelict in my duty!"
Li Xuluan came out and knelt down with Li Xuchang.
"Alright, whip five."
"Ten lashes! Ten lashes!"
Li Xuluan quickly gestured to Li Xuhai, telling him to do ten repetitions so he would remember the lesson.
“We’re all from the Li family, we’ve been through thick and thin together. I was wrong; I didn’t realize that person had ulterior motives sooner.”
Li Xuyue also came out.
"Whipping five times."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
