In the study, the candlelight flickered gently. Shen Qinghe carefully helped Meng Zhao to a round-backed chair, placed the account book in his hand on the table, and then said, "From now on, don't look at the account book in the carriage. You've been busy all day, and your eyes are already tired. The flickering candlelight in the carriage can easily damage your eyes. Once your eyes are damaged, there's nowhere to get treatment."
Hearing him say that, Meng Zhao did feel a bit soreness in her eyes. She reached up and rubbed her brow. At that moment, Aunt Li brought over some hot tea. Shen Qinghe took the tea tray with a smooth and natural motion, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Oh, right, it's so late, what are you doing at my doorstep?" Meng Zhao asked belatedly, holding his teacup.
Shen Qinghe's eyes flickered slightly: "I already know what happened at the Treasure Pavilion today. Do you need my help?"
Meng Zhao was indeed worried about this matter. What he did today was only to salvage the brand's reputation, but it was not a fundamental solution. As long as there were counterfeit sellers, this kind of thing would always happen in the future.
She did intend to report the matter to the authorities, but there were simply too many law enforcement agencies in the capital, such as the Jingzhao Prefecture, the Dali Temple, the Five City Garrison Command, and the county government. She really didn't know who to turn to for help. Besides, there was no trademark law in ancient times, so whether she could win the case was another matter entirely.
"What do you think I should do?" Meng Zhao asked, looking up at him.
"Report to the authorities!" Shen Qinghe said decisively, "Making and selling counterfeit goods for illicit profit is a violation of the 'Fraud Law,' not to mention that this matter has injured many people. If the facts are verified, not only can the counterfeit goods be confiscated and destroyed, and the plaintiff's losses be compensated, but if the consequences are serious, the counterfeiters and sellers will also face imprisonment."
Meng Zhao leaned forward unconsciously: "Then where should I report to the authorities, and what should I prepare?"
"First, write a complaint explaining the situation, and then file it with the Five City Garrison."
Meng Zhao frowned slightly: "Isn't the Five Cities Garrison responsible for the daily security of the capital and the arrest of thieves?"
"They also have the responsibility to patrol the market. If they find counterfeit goods being produced or sold in the market, they can report it to the East, West, South, North, or Central City Garrison based on the location. Then they can collect witnesses and physical evidence. If it is found that officials or major cases are involved, they can also appeal to the Jingzhao Prefecture or the Censorate."
Meng Zhao nodded: "I see. It just so happens that those who bought the counterfeit goods will be coming to the Treasure Pavilion for treatment tomorrow, so I can collect witness testimonies and physical evidence. But this lawsuit..."
Shen Qinghe smiled faintly: "As for the lawsuit, I can handle it for you."
He could write those exquisite articles, so writing a petition would naturally be no problem for him. Meng Zhao thought to himself, "If it's free labor, might as well use it."
"Then..." she deliberately drew out the words, "I'll trouble you, Lord Shen."
Seeing that she agreed, Shen Qinghe was much happier and continued to discuss with Meng Zhao which direction the complaint should be written.
Xu Yunrong had been helping out at the other courtyard these past few days, overseeing the workshop's production, while Meng Dashan was busy procuring medicinal herbs from all over. With her parents not home, Meng Zhao suddenly lost the desire to have breakfast at home and rushed to the shop with Huang Cui as soon as it was dawn.
As they passed a long-established pie shop, the aroma of freshly baked meat pies filled the air, and Meng Zhao's stomach rumbled loudly. She couldn't resist lifting the carriage curtain and smiling at Huang Cui, "Let's have pies this morning! Let's go buy a few more."
When they arrived at the shop, the door had just opened. After Meng Zhao finished eating the pie, he went to fetch the doctor they had invited.
Not long after, Huang Cui brought the people over, and Meng Zhao hurriedly stepped forward to greet them: "Thank you both, doctors. It's so kind of you to come all this way so early. Have you had breakfast yet? If not, I'll have someone prepare some for you."
The female doctor was in her early forties and was renowned for treating allergies. She had treated many ladies from noble families. The male doctor had white hair and beard and looked very experienced. Moreover, he used to be a royal physician. If he could invite these two over, no one would say that she was just faking it.
The female doctor said, "Manager Meng, please don't be so polite. Treating the sick and saving lives is our duty. We've already eaten, so please take us directly to the clinic."
Seeing how professional the two were, Meng Zhao didn't say much and led them to the specially prepared consultation area to sit down.
Before long, the old lady who had brought her daughter yesterday rushed over. The young woman with a red and swollen face was originally very nervous, but when she saw that the consultation area was covered by curtains and that only a few figures could be vaguely seen outside, her tense shoulders obviously relaxed.
While the doctor was making the consultation, the shop assistants followed along, recording the process. After the consultation, when it was time to replace the product, Meng Zhao asked them in detail about their purchase process.
After recording all these things, Meng Zhao said to them, "The prescription has been written. After you leave the shop, turn left and walk a short distance to see Renhetang. Just go ahead and get your medicine. The clerks at the pharmacy can all read the handwriting on the prescription, so they won't charge you."
Meng Zhao had arranged with the pharmacy in advance, and the bill would be settled after the consultation time.
The old woman hadn't expected her trip to go so smoothly. Not only had she seen such a good doctor, but the fake medicine had been replaced with the real thing, and she didn't even have to pay for the medicine. Her eyes immediately filled with tears. "Madam Meng, thank you so much."
"You're welcome. As long as you can still trust our shop in the future, feel free to come and take a look whenever you need anything."
"I'll come, I definitely will!"
Meng Zhao nodded in satisfaction. Many of these people who bought counterfeit goods were not the kind who were greedy for bargains. The prices they paid were often slightly higher than the prices in Meng Zhao's shop, so they were definitely high-quality potential customers.
Throughout the day, twenty or thirty customers came for consultations intermittently. Meng Zhao carefully examined the collected counterfeit items, feeling increasingly helpless as she looked at them.
These counterfeit goods are incredibly varied. The crudest kind, whose origin is unknown, simply bears the name of Zhenbaoge, but Zhenbaoge doesn't actually sell such products.
Some of the more technically sophisticated ones are similar to the products of the Treasure Pavilion. The difference is that some are made more roughly, while others are more exquisite. The most similar ones can even be seven or eight parts similar. Meng Zhao was a little curious. With this kind of skill, what can't you do to make a living?
What worries Meng Zhao the most is another type: it's not a complete fake. The box and bottle are from Zhenbaoge, and even some of the small items inside are from their company. However, the ointment inside was refilled later. This half-real, half-fake approach is really hard to guard against.
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