Jing Zhe was not one to passively accept his fate.
After the constables left, he had someone bring him paper and ink, and then, with a flourish of his brush, he began to write in a flowing and elegant style.
A letter to the people of Yongzhou
Our store is named "Cool Summer" in the name of our aim to provide the people of Yongzhou with a comfortable and cool summer.
Our store firmly supports the imperial court and loves the people.
Furthermore: Today, we have paid twenty taels of silver in commercial tax to the government. Therefore, our shop's operation within the city is legal and compliant. We hope that all elders and fellow villagers will inform each other and feel at ease entering our shop.
The notice attracted a lot of attention.
People pointed and talked about the notice, but most of them were praising the handwriting on it.
Chen Mo was at home when he heard a commotion outside, seemingly coming from the direction of Qingliangxia. So he sent Guizhi out to check it out.
"Your Highness, a notice has been posted outside the Cool Summer Gate. Judging from the handwriting, it seems to have been written by Young Master Akun."
"Why bother looking at their calligraphy? Among them, apart from the one who knows how to write, the others probably can't even write their own names!"
Chen Mo covered his mouth and chuckled. Gui Zhi thought about it and realized it was true. Those people on the other side were all bandits, so writing was really difficult for them.
"What did you write?"
So Guizhi repeated the contents of the notice.
After saying that, he still seemed a little puzzled: "The reputation of 'Cool Summer' has already spread throughout Yongzhou City. Isn't it a bit redundant for Young Master Akun to write this notice? Besides, you've also mentioned the commercial tax. The common people don't understand that. Are you confused, Young Master Akun?"
He tilted his head and finished speaking, but no one seemed to understand.
"On the contrary, he is not only not confused, but excessively intelligent!"
So Chen Mo began to explain to Guizhi.
There are three reasons why Jing Zhe wrote this notice.
Firstly, it was to reassure customers who had purchased goods from him for their love of farting, as if to tell them: Look, we've already been targeted by the government. We've paid so much in commercial taxes, so we definitely won't run away. Your deposited money is safe.
Secondly, it can encourage those who are still hesitant to do so. Even the government is protecting people's cool summer, so what are you still hesitating about?
The last and most important point is actually a warning to certain people: everyone in the city knows that Qingliang Yixia was charged twenty taels of silver in commercial tax. If they still want to cause him trouble, they'd better think twice.
After listening to Chen Mo's explanation, Gui Zhi suddenly realized what was going on.
"Young Master Kun is indeed extraordinary!"
Gui Zhi said sincerely, while also praising her master: "But Your Highness is even more amazing, you analyzed so much after only listening once!"
Chen Mo smiled and reached out to scratch his neck again.
"Sigh, if I had known the mosquitoes outside were this fierce, I should have brought some mosquito-repelling herbs that the foreigners offered as tribute when I left the palace!"
Seeing this, Guizhi helped scratch while saying something.
...
Watermelon stall.
Half an hour later, Gou Dan returned.
In the main hall, the waiters were drowsy, but Lin Tong was nowhere to be seen. Gou Dan knew that Lin Tong usually drank tea and slept in the back room when he had nothing to do, so he went over there.
"Clang clang!"
"who?"
"I am Gou Dan!"
"Wait a minute..."
After a moment, Lin Tong called out, "Come in."
Gou Dan pushed open the door and entered, only to see that Lin Tong's face seemed slightly flushed, his trousers were not fully pulled up, there seemed to be some white cloths thrown under the table, and a strange yet familiar smell filled the air...
Before he could even discern the flavor, Lin Tong began asking questions.
"How did things go? Did you find out everything?"
Dog Egg nodded, "That fat guy is so stupid and naive, he had no guard up at all, and I managed to get him to tell me everything in just a few words!"
After pausing for a moment, Gou Dan thought Lin Tong would praise him, but Lin Tong remained silent. Gou Dan was a little disappointed and continued speaking.
"The fat man said he was a tenant farmer from outside the city. The day before yesterday, his brother came to the city and suffered from heatstroke. He happened to eat a mung bean popsicle. He couldn't forget it after returning home. Yesterday, he came over and happened to see a job posting for a cool summer job. So he and his brother signed up and started doing short-term work there."
Lin Tong listened and nodded.
When he first saw the fat man appear at the entrance of Cool Summer, a conspiracy theory flashed through his mind, but after hearing this explanation, he felt much clearer.
"And then? What about the question I was asked to ask?"
This is what Lin Tong is more concerned about.
Dog Egg shook his head. "We've only exchanged a few words. I was afraid of arousing his suspicion, so I didn't say anything directly. I just probed indirectly. But I think he's a bit hesitant. If we can get to know each other a little more, this might work out!"
It turns out that the core question Lin Tong had Gou Dan ask was about the method of making ice.
Now we know that Fatty and Cool Summer are not on the same page. Fatty joined halfway through and only stayed for two days. This kind of character is the easiest to defeat!
So he waved his hand and said, "No problem! As long as I can get him to reveal his ice-making method, I'll give him a kickback!"
"Furthermore, if you can get him to say it, you'll naturally reap the rewards! And I'll put in a good word for you with the young master, so you can just wait to rise to prominence!"
"Thank you so much, Brother Lin! Thank you so much, Brother Lin!"
Dog Egg was so excited when he heard this that he bowed and scraped, as if he wanted to kneel down before Commander Lin.
Lin Tong waved his hand, "Alright, you can step back now! Keep a close eye on that fat man's every move. As soon as he comes out, follow him and make sure you get this done!"
"Yes, Brother Lin, leave it all to me!"
Dog Egg patted his chest and made a promise, but just as he was about to leave, he seemed to remember something and turned back.
"What, is there something else?"
Lin Tong pulled his hand out of his crotch, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Upon seeing this, Gou Dan was momentarily stunned, only then remembering what that strange yet familiar smell was!
Really? Really?
Is it really that urgent in broad daylight?
He didn't dare to look up, otherwise it would be awkward for both of them.
"I forgot to tell Brother Lin, a notice has been posted outside the Cool Summer Hotel!"
"Oh? What did you write?"
So, Gou Dan repeated the notice.
After listening, Lin Tong didn't analyze as many layers of meaning as Chen Mo did; he simply repeated the three words over and over.
"Twenty taels?!"
Instantly, the ten taels of silver in his arms no longer tasted so good.
You son of a bitch, how dare you lie to me?
Once I get the ice-making method, I'll show you how I, the young master, deal with you!
Lin Tong thought viciously.
————
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