"Stay calm, don't panic. Even if the sky falls, the Madame and Miss will handle it first, and then it will be our turn." Lin Wanrong chuckled. The young lady cast a resentful glance at him.
Sider gasped for breath, in a hurry, and said, "Third Brother, Miss, it's not good. Young Master Biao, Young Master Biao has been beaten—"
"What? Beaten?" Lin Wanrong exclaimed in surprise.
Although Young Master Biao was a bit frivolous, he wasn't someone who would cause trouble. Moreover, with the financial and material resources of the Xiao family, they weren't easily bullied in Jinling. How could someone dare to beat Young Master Biao? Damn it, even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner. Doesn't that rascal know that Young Master Biao is under my protection?
"Who, who beat Cousin?" the young lady asked anxiously.
Suddenly, Lin Wanrong remembered that Young Master Biao, accompanied by Sider and others, had gone to raid the Tao family's store. Could it be that the Tao family's people attacked him?
Sider urgently explained, "We went to take over the Tao family's store with Young Master Biao. We happened to run into the Tao family's master, and without a word, they started beating us and captured Young Master Biao. I barely escaped to inform the Madame and Miss, and now I'm going back to save Young Master."
Save what? You kid ran away, and now you're talking so grandly. Well, he did nothing wrong, escaping when unable to win. That's called being clever and agile. Why stay and get beaten?
The young lady, upon hearing his words, anxiously said, "We're still discussing how to handle this matter here. Why did Cousin act so recklessly? Can't he wait for a while?"
"Tao family's master? Is it Tao Yu from Suzhou weaving?" Lin Wanrong asked the young lady. It seemed that what that old man Xiao said earlier was correct. Tao Yu did come to Jinling in a hurry, but he wondered how Tao Dongcheng and that Tao family girl were doing.
The young lady, her temper flaring, said, "Exactly that person. Although Cousin acted a bit recklessly, the Tao family's store already belongs to our Xiao family. Cousin had every right to take over. How could Tao Yu arbitrarily beat people and arrest them? I'll go reason with him."
Lin Wanrong quickly grabbed her and said, "Young lady, are you crazy? Reason with officials? The word 'official' has two mouths. Where do you think you can reason with them?"
Lin Wanrong was no inexperienced youngster. He knew that at this point, words wouldn't be of any use. When dealing with officials, it was all about strength.
"Lin San, what should we do?" The young lady pondered for a moment. Lin San's words made sense. In business, she might have various means, but when dealing with villains, they needed Lin San, the villain.
Although Young Master Biao was a bit flirtatious, he was still good to Lin Wanrong. Besides, he was the cousin of Jade Frost, and Lin Wanrong couldn't let someone with the surname Tao oppress him. Damn it, this Tao guy is clearly combining official and merchant roles, deceiving the common people.
"Sider, go to Lord Governor Luo's mansion immediately. Inform High Chief Gao, who is returning with us, about the situation here. Tell him everything. Also, ask High Chief Gao to inform Lord Governor Luo that we need him to go to the Tao family's store and see how his subordinates are oppressing the innocent people. Exploiting the commoners." Lin Wanrong instructed.
Upon hearing this, the young lady anxiously said, "Lin San, with your way of speaking, how would Lord Luo come?."
Lin Wanrong chuckled mysteriously. "I have a good relationship with both Old Luo and Young Luo. I am their good friend. If Old Luo doesn't come, that would be strange."
He smirked mysteriously and ignored the young lady's words, turning to Sider. "Hurry, go. Once this matter is resolved, I'll add to your salary, as promised by the young lady."
"Thank you, Third Brother. Thank you, Young Lady," Sider said gratefully and left.
The young lady, seeing his mysterious look, couldn't help but say, "Why do you give benefits to others so easily? You're becoming more and more self-righteous."
Seeing that the arrangements were in place, Lin Wanrong felt much calmer. Stubborn and soft-hearted, she wouldn't lower her face, but she hummed and didn't speak further.
When Lin Wanrong and the young lady arrived at the Tao family's store, they saw a crowd of people watching the commotion at the entrance. Young Master Biao, Guo Wuchang, was tightly bound by several Tao family members, cursing and yelling.
Lin Wanrong scanned the crowd but didn't see Tao Dongcheng and Tao Wanying, the siblings. Instead, a fat man dressed in official clothing, somewhat resembling Tao Dongcheng, stood in the middle. He had an imposing aura, presumably Suzhou weaving's Tao Yu. Tao's servants were constantly shuttling back and forth, moving the cloth from the store to the carriage outside.
"Shameless," the young lady muttered softly. The Xiao family hadn't completed the handover with the Tao family, and the Tao family moved as much fabric as they wanted. The Xiao family would lose as much as the Tao family moved.
"They are transferring this fabric to make our Xiao family an empty shell. It's really shameless," the young lady said with resentment.
Lin Wanrong nodded, "Their methods may be shameless, but we can't stop them. Fabric is indeed income, but it's not the most important. The more valuable assets are the fixed properties, such as the store and real estate. These are fixed assets and their sales channels. Without these channels, even if they have a lot of fabric, it will rot at home."
The young lady understood the rationale and nodded in agreement. Seeing the miserable appearance of Guo Wuchang, she couldn't help but sigh, "Cousin's actions were indeed a bit reckless. He suffered a loss this time. Next time, I hope he'll be more clever."
"I think it might not be a bad thing. Maybe it's a good thing. We are taking over the Tao family's store, and some small conflicts are inevitable. After Cousin caused such a scene, everyone knows about it. In the eyes of the law, the Xiao family will be at an advantage. Bad things can turn into good things," Lin Wanrong calmly analyzed.
After pondering for a while, the young lady agreed. Indeed, there was some truth to what he said, so she looked at him and remained silent.
Lin Wanrong, feeling impatient, was suddenly patted on the back. A hearty voice said, "Master Lin, I'm here." He turned around to see High Chief Gao and Chief Gao, the two brothers, smiling behind him.
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "You two brothers have worked hard. Are you already aware of the current situation?"
High Chief Gao nodded, "
Master Lin, rest assured. Lord Xu has already instructed us before leaving. Tao Dongcheng has written evidence, and Lord Xu himself has given testimony. The Tao family won't be able to deny it."
"In that case, aren't our actions just and righteous? Extremely proper?" Lin Wanrong said with a smile, a hint of playfulness in his eyes. The Gao brothers burst into laughter together.
Following the young lady, Lin Wanrong walked out. As soon as Young Master Biao saw the two of them, he immediately shouted loudly, "Cousin, Cousin, come and save me. Lin San, come and save me—"
The young lady walked forward, bowing respectfully to Tao Yu, "This maiden is Xiao Yuruo, I greet Lord Tao."
Tao Yu sneered, "Miss Xiao, such a grand demeanor. Sending someone to take over my Tao family's store, do you not regard this official in your eyes? Your salute, this official cannot afford."
Damn, this official, holding onto his authority to conduct business, still has the audacity to demand respect? Lin Wanrong looked at the plump Tao Yu and sneered inwardly.
Miss Xiao solemnly said, "Why does the esteemed gentleman make such a statement? Yu Ruo has been engaged in commerce for many years, always restraining herself and abiding by the laws. All her words and actions adhere to the regulations of our great Hua Dynasty. I wonder what the esteemed gentleman means by his words."
Tao Yu replied in a cold tone, "Miss Xiao, today you sent someone to take over my ancestral property without understanding the principles behind it. As the distinguished Suzhou weaver, managing the textile affairs of a province, my affairs are extremely busy. How can you be so presumptuous?"
Xiao Yu Ruo snorted, "Lord Tao, the matter of my Xiao family taking over the Tao family's fabric shop in Jinling's business community is well-known. Could it be that the esteemed gentleman is truly unaware? During the annual meeting in Hangzhou and Jinling, Young Master Tao and my Xiao family made a wager. Unfortunately, Young Master Tao lost two rounds, and as per the agreement, he handed over the Tao family's shop to my Xiao family. There is a document from Young Master Tao as proof, with hundreds of merchants from Hangzhou and Jinling as witnesses. Additionally, Grand Academician Wenhuage and Minister of Revenue Xu Wei personally notarized the event. This matter is beyond doubt. Since the moment Young Master Tao signed the document, the Tao family's shop has belonged to my Xiao family. We are lawfully and rightfully taking possession of the property. What is wrong with that? Although the esteemed gentleman is the esteemed Suzhou weaver, he has no right to arbitrarily arrest people. My cousin is innocent and has committed no wrongdoing. Why did the esteemed gentleman unreasonably assault and apprehend my cousin?"
Although Xiao Yu Ruo's tone was gentle, her words were impassioned and resonant, making a strong impact. The onlookers, hearing the legendary Xiao Miss not fearing the powerful and expressing herself so boldly, developed an immediate liking for her. Ancient wisdom dictates not to confront officials, yet today, Miss Xiao, on the street, argued with reason and courage, eliciting a sense of satisfaction from the common people. When Miss Xiao finished speaking, a few enthusiastic "good" shouts erupted from the crowd.
Tao Yu's eyes flickered, and he composed himself, saying, "Miss Xiao, the matter of the wager in Hangzhou is someone intentionally framing my son Dong Cheng. This matter still needs thorough investigation. I have already reported it to Commander Cheng Decheng, the commander-in-chief of Jiangsu. Commander Cheng will personally send someone to inquire into this matter and clear my Tao family's name. Your wager, it cannot be considered valid."
Indeed, worthy of being an official, shameless to such an extent. Cheng Decheng is from the military faction, and you are from the political faction. Even if this matter is reported, it should be reported to Governor Luo Min. Why involve Cheng Decheng in this turtle-like matter? Moreover, this incident was witnessed by so many people from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and you think you can overturn it just like that? Damn it, a dog official is still a dog official, able to speak so hypocritically with such confidence.
Miss Xiao, hearing Tao Yu distort facts and confuse right and wrong, became so infuriated that her pretty face turned red. She angrily said, "Lord Tao, what do you mean by these words? Are you doubting the discernment and intelligence of hundreds of merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang? Or are you questioning the fairness of Minister of Revenue Xu Wei? If so, please, Lord Tao, bring out your son, and I, Xiao Yu Ruo, am willing to debate with him in front of all the fathers and elders of Jinling—"