Xu Jiang put the book down, then stood up and went to find a collection of palace-style poems from the previous dynasty, also printed by Mu Huisheng. She said to the crowd, "This collection of poems is also printed by Mu Huisheng. Please take a look."
She took out a page from the collection and looked at it, and sure enough, there was a word "regret" in the same position.
Yuan Zuzhi clutched his chest, his face turning pale. Seeing this, Xu Jiang quickly poured him a cup of tea, patted his back, and helped him drink it.
Several others also hurried over to comfort them.
"Sir, don't be anxious. If you get angry and hurt yourself because of this, it will be my fault."
Yuan Zuzhi recovered his breath and angrily said, "I have never heard of anyone who can identify forgeries being at fault. Even if there is a fault, it is the fault of the forger."
Xu Jiang sighed.
Lou Jing was also furious. "The first bookstore in Beijing is actually passing off fake books as genuine. It's simply shameful."
Du Hui sneered: "It is unworthy of the title 'Successor Saint'!"
"I'm going to expose him!" Li Tongxue was filled with righteous indignation.
"Everyone, please be patient and listen to what I have to say."
Several people looked at Xu Jiang in unison. Xu Jiang looked at Yuan Zuzhi and asked, "Sir, if you go to argue with them, is it just to return the silver?"
"No!" Yuan Zuzhi said angrily, "Jisheng Bookstore, as the leading bookstore in the capital, openly forges and sells counterfeit goods. I not only want them to return the money, but also to publish a notice of apology."
"Forgive my frankness," Xu Jiang said in a deep voice. "It's easy for Mr. Yuan to ask them to return the money, but asking them to post an apology is incredibly difficult. Even if they do, they can easily shift the blame onto the forgers and admit negligence, which won't hurt them much. But you, sir, will be the best way to protect your interests by returning the money. If you pursue the forgery, you'll anger the entire firm, leaving you with no books to sell. You'll also offend the Ministry of Revenue, potentially jeopardizing your career. And if he finds someone else to take the blame, you won't be able to truly vent your anger. Worse still, you could even be killed."
Several people looked at each other, with suspicion in their expressions.
"Gentlemen, do you think I'm exaggerating?" Xu Jiang said sarcastically, "You know, businessmen will take risks if they can make even a 5% profit. They'll disregard the law if they make 100%. They'll commit all sorts of evil, not fearing death. He's already disregarding the law, which clearly demonstrates the enormous profits and immense power involved. Therefore, I urge Mr. Yuan to reconsider."
Lou Jing was the oldest among the group and also the most open-minded and calm. He agreed with Xu Jiang's words: "Madam Xu, you have a point. This may seem like a simple case of forgery, but if you look deeper, you'll find that the implications are so wide-ranging and interconnected that it's beyond the reach of one person. Brother, listen to Madam Xu and think twice before you act."
"How can I be willing to let it end like this? And if I don't announce it to the world, won't more people be deceived?" Yuan Zuzhi's face no longer had the previous joy, only the anger of being deceived and cheated.
Du Hui then asked Xu Jiang, "Does Shopkeeper Xu have any ideas?"
Xu Jiang shook her head and said, "We'll have to return the silver first, and then proceed slowly." Then she said to Lou Jing, "I remember Mr. Lou's son works at the Dali Temple. He must have tried many cases. Why don't we ask him first?"
Lou Jing slapped his head, "Oh, I forgot about him!"
Li Tongxue hurriedly said, "Exactly, exactly! Who is better than the Dali Temple at solving cases? Hurry, hurry, let's go find him and ask him."
As they were about to leave, Yuan Zuzhi took only a few steps before he suddenly turned back, bowed to Xu Jiang, and thanked her, saying, "Thanks to Madam Xu today. I'll come to express my gratitude formally someday."
Xu Jiang dared not accept it, and quickly bent down to help him, "Sir, you are in great pain."
Several people left in a hurry. Xu Jiang watched them go away, sighed, and said to Hu Xu beside him: "I don't know if this is appropriate."
Hu Xu comforted him, "As long as you have a clear conscience, that's all."
"That's right. I've said it all. As long as I have a clear conscience, that's all that matters." She pushed away the melancholy in her heart and turned to Hu Xu, saying, "I was so busy taking care of them just now that I didn't even eat a single bite. There's still food in the kitchen. I'll make two dishes and we can eat together."
"Yeah." Hu Xu smiled and nodded, "Then I'll wash the dishes and clean up."
"Okay." Xu Jiang also narrowed his eyes.
On the other hand, Yuan Zu and his entourage were riding in a carriage on their way to the Lou Mansion. As soon as they left the gate, they ran into Lou Yunchun on horseback. Although he was wearing a bamboo hat, the coachman recognized him at a glance.
"Master, isn't that our young master in front of us?"
Lou Jing opened the curtain and took a look. Is that right? He quickly ordered the groom to stop the man.
Lou Yunchun also saw his own carriage early on. He pulled his hat down, but was still recognized.
"Master, Master! Several masters are looking for you."
Lou Jing waved at him and said, "Zhaoyue, come up and talk."
Lou Yunchun glanced at Huailiu Lane from afar, then glanced into the carriage, then pulled the reins and turned the horse around.
"The carriage is full. If you have anything to say, let's go back home." After saying that, he rode away first.
Lou Jing sat back in the car, muttering, "I don't know what this kid is doing in Yonghefang. Business? But isn't today a day off?"
The group soon arrived at Lou's residence, and Lou Jing invited them to the study. Upon entering, Lou Yunchun was already waiting in the study, staring intently at the painting "Pine and Crane Prolonging Life."
"My dear nephew Yunchun, you have to help me!" Yuan Zuzhi rushed over as soon as he entered the room and grabbed Lou Yunchun's hand tightly, as if he was grabbing a life-saving straw.
Lou Yunchun took a half step back and asked, "What happened to you, uncle?"
Yuan Zuzhi told him the whole story without stopping, and also told him Xu Jiang's advice. Finally, he asked, "My dear nephew, what is your decision on this matter?"
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