Yan Xia took out a five-hundred-tael silver note from her sleeve and waved it in front of Shi Qi.
"If you agree to help, this silver note is yours. It's only five hundred taels, which is just a few days' income for me. What I can give you, I can give to the magistrate tenfold. Even if you don't help, I still have ways to bring down your elder brother. But if you get on my side, I'll make sure you live a life of luxury from now on."
Yan Xia originally only wanted to rescue Deng Qiuzhi.
But after this experience, she finally understood.
Making money alone isn't enough; one needs a powerful backer. Since she wants to expand her business, she needs a powerful backer in every location. Her previous idea was really ignorant—that she could keep the secret recipe by relying on franchisees. If the magistrate of Jiangnan County really has his eye on her pastries, then the branch stores will definitely not be able to continue operating.
Even with Magistrate Lu protecting her, she was still safe.
They can only stay in that small plot of land.
Never even think about leaving Shuangqiao Town.
As Jin Yu said, Xu Wenyan is the most greedy.
Yan Xia smiled. She wasn't afraid of corrupt officials; she was afraid of officials who weren't corrupt! If money could buy her way through, what was wrong with that?
She was preparing to curry favor with Old Madam Xu.
This will be a good opportunity for Jin Yu to find out some things.
A win-win situation.
If Jin Yu ever wants revenge in the future, she will give him a push.
Yan Xia slammed five hundred taels on the stone table, waiting for Shi Qi's reaction.
A cup of tea has passed.
Shi Qi finally spoke.
"Xie Yan'an not only arrested Manager Deng, but he also caused several incidents before I entered the government office. I overheard the conversations of other people in the team. Xie Yan'an had collected a lot of silver, almost all of which he lost at the gambling table. Even if it wasn't several thousand taels, it was at least 1,500 taels. There was a landlord's son who raped and murdered a tenant's daughter. The tenant came to report it to the authorities. Originally, Xie Yan'an had already led the officials to arrest the landlord's son, but the landlord gave Xie Yan'an 500 taels, and the man was released."
Xie Yan'an also led the officials to the tenant farmers' house and threatened them, saying that their daughter had seduced the landlord's son. In the end, the family disappeared. I heard about this, and I don't know the details, but I'm sure it's true because Xie Yan'an mentioned it when he was drunk. There were no fewer than ten similar incidents.
There was also Shopkeeper Wang from Linhe Street, whose spoiled food killed someone. The family reported it to the authorities, but the county magistrate happened to be in Jiangnan Province. Xie Yan'an led us to arrest Shopkeeper Wang. As soon as we arrived at the shop, three hundred taels of silver were handed over. In the end, the family was beaten thirty times. Xie Yan'an used his power to punish them, so they dared not file another complaint…”
“............”
Shi Qi talked for almost half an hour, and he stopped calling him "elder brother" and started calling him by Xie Yan'an's full name.
Yan Xia's eyebrows furrowed deeper and deeper as she listened.
This person is absolutely wicked.
They were both officials in charge.
He is simply incomparable to Zuo Li.
If every official is like this, then this court is doomed.
"When does Xie Yan'an start his shift tomorrow?" Yan Xia asked him.
“Chen Shi (7-9 AM),” Shi Qi replied.
"Yes, I understand. I have a plan in mind, and I need your cooperation. If we succeed in bringing him down, I will put in a good word for you with Madam Xu, and you will be able to take his place sooner or later."
Yan Xia boasted without batting an eye. Even though it was only the first time she had met Madam Xu today, she spoke as if the two had a very good relationship.
But Shi Qi just happens to fall for this.
"Thank you so much, Aunt Yan!" Shi Qi was overjoyed.
"Alright, let me tell you my plan. I'll go see Xie Yan'an tomorrow..."
The two talked in the pavilion for more than half an hour.
The stars filled the sky before Shi Qicai left, taking with him the five hundred taels of silver notes on the table.
Yan Xia wanted to go back and take a shower, but just then Deng Bizhong returned.
"Nephew, where have you been? Have you eaten yet? There's food left for you in the kitchen."
Yan Xia asked him with concern.
"Aunt Yan, I don't want to eat, I'm not hungry. I... I went to see Mother this afternoon. Don't worry, I didn't say anything I shouldn't have to her. But why has she changed so much? I begged them to let Father go, but..."
Deng Qiuzhi couldn't open his mouth.
His own mother, his maternal grandmother, and his uncle were utterly depraved.
Is money really that important?
Is it really worth harming his father like this just for money?
Actually, he was also slapped by his uncle because he heard his uncle cursing his father, and he couldn't help but talk back. His uncle rushed up and hit him, and his mother was just standing by watching, not intervening at all. Deng Bi was heartbroken.
“My uncle said that if I took out a thousand taels of silver, they would release my father, but I didn’t have any silver. So my uncle told me to sell the shop.”
"Well, so, are you going to sell it?" Yan Xia asked him from the stairs.
“I won’t sell. Why should I sell my father’s shop? They have no money. I’ll fight them to the end. From today onwards, I have no more maternal relatives, and Wang Guangyao is no longer my uncle! Aunt Yan, I’m going to the yamen to beat the drum and appeal for justice.”
His eyes were full of determination.
He will definitely rescue his father.
Even if it means my maternal grandmother, uncle, and mother go to jail.
"Don't rush. I heard your father mention that you'll be taking the imperial examination next year. If you beat that drum and let the public know about it, it will hinder your path to the examination. If you trust your aunt, leave it to me. It will not only help your father, but your father's situation will also serve as a warning to your aunt."
My aunt thinks that people are like a blade of grass, drifting aimlessly. Even a gentle breeze can uproot it. But if the grass is deeply rooted and surrounded by big trees, it will remain safe and sound no matter how strong the wind is. What successful businessman doesn't have powerful backers? Now, your father has suffered because of this. Once you pass the imperial examination, not only will government officials not dare to touch your father, but even the county magistrate won't dare to do anything to him.
"Your father's matter is just a reminder for your aunt to find a powerful backer. Your aunt will seek protection from the county magistrate. Once this is done, your father will definitely be fine. You don't need to worry about this. Just stay at your aunt's house and focus on your studies. Xinbao is in charge of the shop, so don't worry. Your father will definitely be out by the day after tomorrow at the latest..."
Yan Xia offered a few words of advice.
Deng Bizhong obediently went back to his room.
She took a shower and went to bed early.
When Yan Xia woke up, it was already bright. She got dressed, took the cheapest jewelry from her jewelry box, washed up, and left home.
She went straight to the jewelry shop.
He bought a top-grade red jade pendant with the character "福" (fortune) worth a thousand taels and hung it on his waist.
This piece of jade is the jewelry shop's prized possession.
Only one piece.
unique.
It had been sitting there for over two months without selling, mainly because the price was too high. Also, red jade is quite selective and more suitable for older people to wear, but older people were reluctant to spend the money, which is why it was only now that Yan Xia bought it.
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