Chapter 199 Who's after that little bit of medical expenses?
Fu Leng arrived with several constables, escorting a person over.
He is the second manager of Ji Family Restaurant.
"Sir, what's wrong with you..." Manager Cao's heart trembled; he felt something was amiss.
"Ha, your Ji Family Restaurant is something else, openly ripping off the poor people in the disaster area! Where is your shame? Where is your conscience? Where is your bottom line?"
"No, no, no, it's a misunderstanding, Mr. Fu, there's absolutely no such thing!"
Ji Wenshi quickly took out the account book: "Look..."
"Look, I see that the county magistrate's account books show that your Ji family owes the county government ten thousand taels of silver. Are you still not going to pay it back?"
Ji Wenshi's expression suddenly changed.
The magistrate still wants money?
But then he felt relieved.
They were truly frightened by the magistrate's recent actions. Their Ji family wasn't a member of any merchant guild, nor did they have any dealings with bandits, so how could they possibly deal with him?
Moreover, yesterday the adults even encouraged the Ji family to earn more money and pay more taxes!
"Mr. Fu, you're joking!"
Fu Leng's face was like a stone in a latrine. "Weren't you the one who started the joke? If account books were useful, how could corrupt officials hide so well?"
Feeling embarrassed and annoyed in front of so many people, Ji Wenshi said with a hint of reminder, "Master Fu, yesterday the magistrate praised our Ji family for its integrity and honesty as merchants, and even wanted to inscribe a plaque for our family!"
Fu Leng almost rolled his eyes.
You're getting all worked up over being called fat. If you gave him more money, Xu Hengzhi would praise you to the skies!
But when the time comes, you'll still be dealt with!
Fu Leng looked at the people around him and said loudly, "Don't worry, everyone! The magistrate said that anyone who harms the interests of the people is unacceptable, even if they are their own father!"
"Your Excellency is wise!" Lu Yun shouted, leading the way.
"Your Excellency is the upright and just official of Ming'an County. We believe that he will certainly handle this matter impartially!"
"Yes, since Magistrate Xu and his son arrived, they have been working for the benefit of the people and have not mingled with those unscrupulous merchants!"
Who are you calling a swindler?
Ji Wenshi's face turned even uglier.
"Master Fu, if we're going to convict someone, we should at least investigate thoroughly. I'm going to the yamen right now to report this case and have the magistrate investigate it personally to give our Ji family justice!"
That means Fu Leng, as a subordinate, is not qualified to convict them.
Fu Leng was certainly not qualified.
He wasn't even a government official.
But nobody knew this; all that was known was that he had a lot of influence and was highly regarded by the county magistrate.
Fu Leng grinned, his expression somewhat malicious.
The next second, he kicked the second shopkeeper in the ribs, eliciting a scream.
Everyone was so frightened they trembled.
"Then ask your second-in-command! He admitted it all!"
What?
Manager Cao collapsed to the ground.
As expected...
"Did you go gambling again?"
"Brother, brother, I really won't gamble anymore, I'm too scared to gamble again! You have to believe me, please help me..."
"I don't believe you! You've ruined me!"
Ji Wenshi kicked the second manager, and then kicked Manager Cao.
Enraged, he said, "Fine, fine, I trusted you enough to let you bring my brothers here, and you almost ruined my Ji family!"
"The Ji family dares not employ either of you again!"
"No, boss!" Manager Cao cried, hugging Ji Wenshi's leg.
Fu Leng impatiently snapped, "Alright, alright! Arrest this swindling second-in-command and throw him in jail to await judgment by the officials!"
The second manager was dragged away crying and screaming.
Fu Leng added, "Now that things are clear, Boss Ji, just pay up and settle this. I think a few thousand taels should be enough. They have dozens of people who came all this way; it wasn't easy for them."
What? Several thousand taels?
Are you kidding me?!
He gritted his teeth and gave the county magistrate only a thousand taels of silver as a donation yesterday!
Ji Wenshi was smart enough to immediately run to Lu Qingqing and Lu Yun and beg for forgiveness.
He completely changed his arrogant attitude from before.
"It was my oversight as the owner, and I apologize. The payment for the goods will be settled immediately. Also, we will take responsibility for treating this woman's injuries; how about we send her to Dr. Pang?"
Lu Yun refused: "It's not good! The doctors have already explained the condition, which is why we're not staying in the city; we're going home to treat it. We country folk are honest, and we don't need thousands of taels of silver. Just the five hundred taels we mentioned earlier, enough to buy ginseng, lingzhi, and bird's nest, will be fine as long as it helps the person recover!"
Ji Wenshi looked embarrassed.
Compared to several thousand taels, five hundred taels is nothing, but... he's not stupid. A ginseng root only costs twenty or thirty taels, and even if you add up all the Ganoderma lucidum and bird's nest, it won't exceed one hundred taels. Giving five hundred taels is too much!
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. My family just opened a branch store, and all the money has been invested. We're really in a tight spot right now."
"How about this? I'll give you three hundred taels of silver, and you can continue delivering your goods here. I want both of your restaurants. Let's have a long-term partnership. What do you say?"
Lu Yun looked at Lu Qingqing.
Ji Wenshi, observing her expression, quickly looked at her as well.
Lu Qingqing raised an eyebrow and said:
"Sure, as long as it covers the medical expenses. I can tell that this was all done by your subordinates. If you sincerely apologize, we can't let it go."
"Then we'll continue our cooperation. I hope Mr. Ji will be more discerning in the future and not hire people with poor character, lest he ruin the reputation he's built up over many years."
"Okay, definitely, thank you so much!"
Ji Wenshi glanced at Fu Leng, and seeing that he didn't react, he quickly took out three hundred taels plus fifty-three taels for the goods.
I felt a little ashamed.
Unexpectedly, the other party did not try to extort him and was very understanding. They could have used the government's support to extort a large sum of money.
Lu Qingqing only wanted the money; her own people didn't say anything, but onlookers felt sorry for her.
There was a chorus of "tsk tsk" sounds from all around.
Lu Qingqing glanced at Fu Leng, then jumped onto the carriage and picked up the megaphone.
Fu Leng had been watching Lu Qingqing's expression closely, afraid of messing things up. Upon receiving the signal, he immediately focused and cooperated fully.
Lu Qingqing called out twice to stop the surrounding noise.
What a joke! Do you really think she went to all this trouble to ask for that little bit of medical expenses?
Who has so much free time!
Seeing her jump back onto the carriage, Ji Wenshi was startled.
He knew it; anyone who didn't try to extort money from others was a fool!
What is she going to do?
"Listen to me, everyone—"
"We came here today to seek justice, but we didn't expect you to be so righteous and help us all the way."
"So, I want to thank you!"
Thank you? How should I express my gratitude?
Lu Qingqing stood gracefully on the high place, her voice clear and resonant, her hair gently swaying in the wind.
In an instant, all eyes were on her.
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