Chapter 42: Why Voting Must Be Business
With a frown on his face, Luo Yunchu asked, "How is it? Is there anything wrong?"
Lu Tingwan shook his head: "Isn't this vote wrong?"
Tianshu looked at Luo Yunchu and asked, "Manager Jiang, the election results were calculated over the past three days based on the votes of the people. Do you think there's a problem?"
Lu Tingwan handed the booklet over and said to Luo Yunchu, "For Mingyu Pavilion, the number of votes registered on the first day was 130,000. The number of votes on the second day increased significantly, and even more on the third day."
"On the first day, the news of the election had not yet spread widely in the streets and alleys of Kyoto, so it was natural that the number of votes was small. But after the news became popular on the second and third days, more people voted enthusiastically, and the number of votes naturally went up." Tianshu said.
Luo Yunchu didn't say anything, wanting to hear what Lu Tingwan had to say.
Lu Tingwan said, "Tianshu's logic is correct. It's normal for votes to rise in the first four days, but this increase is abnormal."
Luo Yunchu finally spoke up, "Do you think the increase in Mingyu Pavilion's value on the second and third days is too great to be believed?"
Lu Tingwan leaned on her elbows and pinched her eyebrows, and Luo Yunchu raised his hand to smooth them out.
"The increase on the second day was significantly increased by three times, and compared with the votes of other shops, the increase was surprisingly high. Mingyulou is one of the best rouge shops in the north of the city, but even though it is well-known in the north of the city, it should not have such a huge lead in votes." Lu Tingwan analyzed.
"Actually, the twenty selected shops are already highly qualified," Lu Tingwan said. "Letting the people make the decision and vote also proves something."
Luo Yunchuyi would then say, "Testing integrity?"
"That's right," Lu Tingwan said. "If there's fraud during the election, Zhichunli won't cooperate with them. A business that uses deceptive means to achieve its goals shouldn't be chosen by the people."
"Tianshu, pay close attention to whether there are any unusual people among the people who come to vote in the next two days." Luo Yunchu ordered.
If Mingyu Pavilion were to be directly kicked out, with no strong evidence to prove that it had fraudulently voted, it would only make people think the Chamber of Commerce was intolerant, contradicting its original intention of ensuring fair and impartial voting, and would only spark public outrage and damage its credibility.
Lu Tingwan's eyes rolled, his brows finally relaxed, and he said with a smile, "This situation is inevitable. We can only use our methods to prevent it. Knowing that someone is cheating is not a bad thing."
"Do you have another idea?" Luo Yunchu looked at her.
Lu Tingwan smiled meaningfully, "Then let them continue to spend money to vote. The Chamber of Commerce will count the votes as normal. Starting today, the number of votes will not be announced to the public. We will wait until the voting is over, and then we can remove the cheating shops."
"The most important thing right now is to collect evidence of the store's fraudulent practices. Otherwise, even when the time comes, we will have no reason to kick it off the final list of votes."
Luo Yunchu said: "There are only three days left until the end. It is not easy to find evidence within three days."
"Not really," Lu Tingwan said. "These last three days are the time for big moves. If there's any movement, it'll definitely reveal itself, and that'll make it easier to find evidence, won't it?"
"Tianshu, go to Yunshuizhai later and book a table to reward the people from the Chamber of Commerce who participated in the election in the past few days. The bill will be in my name." Lu Tingwan was full of confidence.
"All you have to do is spread the news at the banquet while you're drunk," she pointed at the list in her hand, ticking off the shops. "Just say that after three days, these shops will be in the lead. No matter who asks about the rest, you'll keep silent."
Luo Yunchu looked at the list above. The rankings of the shops she pointed out were messed up. He already understood her purpose, which was to shake the mentality of those who were interested and force them to take action.
"You want to use the false information released by Tianshu to force them to increase the amount of fraud. Even so, how can you find these people?" Luo Yunchu asked.
Lu Tingwan put her hands on her slender waist, raised her head and chest, and said, "Leave the rest to me."
In the Cheng Mansion's study, Cheng Xianzhi changed out of his court robes. Han Zhou stood beside him, holding his official hat. He said, "The Ministry of Justice hasn't been able to find Gao Heng these past few days. Han Zhou has asked an old friend from the Ministry to borrow money from a gambling house. Once Gao Heng gets the news, he'll have trouble hiding."
Cheng Xianzhi changed into his casual clothes and said calmly, "If the amount is larger, just say you need it urgently."
This matter was not difficult, and Cheng Xianzhi could handle it even without him saying it, but other things were more difficult.
"Anything else?" Cheng Xianzhi asked.
Han Zhou said, "There has been unrest in the city recently, and Jingzhao Prefecture has dispatched many patrols."
"Kyoto is the imperial city. Winter is not far away after autumn, and there are many merchants coming and going..." Cheng Xianzhi pondered.
Han Zhou said, "It's because the Chamber of Commerce is selecting the top ten Zhichunli Yulu Cream distributors and encouraging the people to vote. The people are choosing the ten distributors, so the people from all over the streets and alleys of Jingdu have gathered on Weiyang Street, blocking the official road. Jingzhao Prefecture has no choice but to send out the army."
"It's Zhichunli again." Cheng Xianzhi stared out the screen, daydreaming, "Lu Tingwan made quite a move, and even managed to alarm Jingzhao Prefecture? I underestimated her."
"If that happens, Gao Heng might take advantage of the chaos to leave the city," Han Zhou said. "Our people have already deployed surveillance at the city gates and added more manpower to check suspicious vehicles and people entering and leaving the city.
"Alright," Cheng Xianzhi curled his lips, thinking of something. "Let Jingzhao Prefecture dispatch troops to cover up the Ministry of Justice's search. Gao Heng will know that it's Jingzhao Prefecture's people who are maintaining order in Kyoto, and he will let down his guard."
After leaving Weiyang Street, Lu Tingwan returned to Fenglin Lane and instructed Feng Xin to invite Aunt Miao. It was unknown what Lu Tingwan said to her, but after Aunt Miao left Zhichunli, she summoned the old sisters from Fenglin Lane and Changqing Street to discuss a big plan.
After she had arranged everything and checked the accounts, it was already nightfall when she returned to the Cheng Mansion.
After returning from court during the day, Cheng Xianzhi stayed in the study. He went to Yingyue Pavilion to have dinner with Gongsun Xue, but left after a short while, using the excuse of having official business.
Knowing that the people from Yansheng Hall had not returned yet, and seeing that it was already 1:00 PM, he waited for them at the road that must be passed by Yansheng Hall.
From a distance, coming from the path, Cheng Xianzhi heard footsteps, brisk steps, humming a little tune, getting closer and closer.
As he turned the corner, a dark figure passed by. Lu Ting stopped jumping, the music stuck in his throat. He blinked his eyes and looked around. He saluted only after making sure that he had not seen the wrong person.
"grown ups."
Cheng Xianzhi took two steps closer, and Lu Tingwan was suppressed by the cold light and retreated repeatedly.
I thought I was blocking his way, so I made way for him: "Sir, are you out to enjoy the moon? Then I won't block your way."
He could smell no alcohol on her, just a light fragrance, and said meaningfully, "Not drinking today?"
Lu Tingwan suddenly looked up and met his gaze: "What?"
Cheng Xianzhi looked down at her, trying to get her to remember something. But Lu Tingwan didn't. She couldn't recall what she had said that night, nor did she know what she had said or done in front of Cheng Xianzhi.
"I heard you've been restless lately," Cheng Xianzhi retracted his gaze and looked elsewhere. "The Chamber of Commerce is selecting Zhichunli Jade Dew Cream as a distributor. Isn't this the work of you and Luo Yunchu?"
Lu Tingwan was puzzled: "Sir, if I remember correctly, we had an agreement beforehand. It is my freedom to do business abroad. What do you mean by questioning me like this now?"
"Did I question you?"
Lu Tingwan didn't understand, "Then why are you telling me this, sir?"
Cheng Xianzhi turned his back and stood with his hands behind his back. Lu Tingwan could only see his tall and straight back.
"Because the Chamber of Commerce encouraged the public to vote and favored businesses, many people in Jingdu gathered on Weiyang Street, causing traffic jams and chaos. Jingzhao Prefecture sent out troops to parade the streets. You must be aware of this, right?"
"So what?" Lu Tingwan said, "I heard that every year during the grand festival in Kyoto, the streets are packed with people, and Jingzhao Prefecture also sends out troops to patrol the streets. What's wrong?"
"Lu Tingwan, why do you have to do business? Is it really just for money?" Cheng Xianzhi turned around and asked her solemnly.
Lu Tingwan was silent for a long time, then chuckled and said, "What about you, sir? Why do you have to join the government? Is it really just for power?"
Cheng Xianzhi's sharp edge shone through his cold exterior, like an untouchable crescent moon. "Don't blame me for not reminding you. The Queen Mother can take back anything she promised you at any time. If trouble breaks out in Kyoto because of Zhichunli and the Chamber of Commerce, even if Jingzhao Prefecture is responsible for patrolling and defending, and it ultimately involves the court and government, Zhichunli will bear the brunt of the consequences. How many heads do you have to spare?"
"Master Pushe is reminding me not to show off," Lu Tingwan said with a smile. "That's why I asked the Chamber of Commerce to help me select shops for Zhichunli because I don't want to show off. If the crowds of people cause any trouble, shouldn't it be the responsibility of the road and Jingzhao Prefecture? How can you blame me, a mere businessman?"
"Should I say you are naive or smart?"
"I've asked every street shop to sell Yulu Cream. It's only beneficial and has no harm."
"Then tell me about your benefits."
"First of all, the efficacy of Yulu Cream can bring benefits to those who use it, which is a good thing. The reason why we let the Kyoto store become the agent is to make Yulu Cream available to everyone, without having to cross several streets to Zhichunli to buy it."
"Secondly, the growing reputation of Jade Dew Cream has a dual nature for Yu Zhichun. On the positive side, as the Lord has said, I can earn more money, but I'm not just trying to make money for myself. This is undoubtedly not a strategy to maintain healthy competition among merchants. Whether it's me, the Chamber of Commerce, Kyoto's shops, or the people, it only benefits me and has no harm."
"Finally, Your Excellency, could you please go to the suburbs and investigate? How many farmers have lost their livelihoods after their fertile lands were swallowed up by officials and wealthy families? Where did these people end up?"
Cheng Xianzhi could understand the second point, but he didn't understand the third one.
"Your Excellency, the Minister of State, has ascended to the throne, commanding the people. He is so majestic, yet he has never personally inquired about or investigated such trivial matters as understanding the people's sentiments. He also has no idea of the hardships that the common people are living."
"Let me tell you, these people now make a living by making jade dew ointment, rejuvenating cream, spices, rouge, and handkerchiefs."
"These things are all being sold in Zhichun Village right now," Lu Tingwan said, speaking to him seriously for the first time. "Didn't your Excellency ask me why I'm in business? Yes, I do it to make money, and to find a way out for the people and villagers who've lost their jobs."
"They and I are inextricably linked. Without them, I wouldn't be able to find so many people to make Yulu Cream and other products for me. Zhichunli is just a starting point, and letting other shops sell Yulu Cream is also a start."
"I have answered your questions, sir. So what about my questions?" Lu Tingwan looked straight at him.
Only then did Cheng Xianzhi realize that this was the real her. She had taken off her disguise and outer clothes, revealing her true self and ambition.
"I hope that when you see clearly, you won't feel that what you have done is not worth it." Cheng Xianzhi had a deadpan expression. "I'll just talk about the facts. If nothing happens, that's the best. If you are in trouble, don't expect anyone to help you." Cheng Xianzhi felt that she didn't understand his advice, and tonight was just a reminder.
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