Chapter 28: A Kind Suggestion
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
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Leaving Tianxiang Lou, Lin Xiu walked down the street, a nagging feeling of unease clinging to him. While the nobles of the Capital were known for their lawlessness, the forces behind Tianxiang Lou seemed excessively so.
Lin Xiu even sensed they were deliberately targeting him. However, it was just a feeling. He had to admit that during this unusual heatwave, the profits from ice were immense, enough to make even some influential figures envious. Anyone capable of producing ice in the summer was a walking money tree.
There were two such money trees in the Capital: Lingyin and Lin Xiu.
They couldn’t afford to provoke Lingyin, so they set their sights on Lin Xiu.
Today, Lin Xiu had refused the Yongping Marquis Estate. Judging by the young man’s final attitude, they wouldn’t let the matter rest. He had to be cautious.
As Lin Xiu walked back to Zhaiyue Lou, Sun Dali jumped down from the carriage. “Young Master, where did you go? I’ve been waiting for you here for a while.”
Lin Xiu casually replied, “Just took a stroll around. Let’s go home.”
The carriage and horse Sun Dali purchased cost a total of fifty taels of silver, with over forty taels spent on the horse alone. In these times, horses were more expensive than people. An untrained maid could be bought for just a few taels. This was the reason the Ping’an Baron Estate didn’t own a carriage.
Besides the initial high cost, the daily upkeep of a horse was also substantial. If Lin Xiu hadn’t made a fortune recently, he wouldn’t have spent the silver on this.
Early the next morning, Lin Xiu went out in the carriage. Based on the previous situation, the ice he made for the Imperial Palace each time only lasted them for a day and a half. So, he had to leave early today and go to Zhaiyue Lou first to avoid losing the three hundred taels.
In the backyard of Zhaiyue Lou, while making ice, Lin Xiu said to the manager, “Someone from Tianxiang Lou came to see me yesterday.”
The manager’s heart skipped a beat. “Young Master, you promised us you wouldn’t make ice for other restaurants…”
Lin Xiu replied, “I know, so I refused.”
The manager breathed a sigh of relief. Although five taels per bucket was an unprecedented price, monopolizing the Capital’s ice supply had brought a surge of customers to Zhaiyue Lou in recent days, with considerable surplus profit.
More importantly, while other restaurants had no ice, Zhaiyue Lou could provide a stable supply to their guests. As long as they established this habit, their future business would undoubtedly flourish.
However, after a moment’s hesitation, he reminded Lin Xiu, “Young Master, you must be careful these days. Tianxiang Lou is backed by the Yongping Marquis Estate. You refused them, so they will surely resort to other methods. If it becomes unbearable, we can reduce the ice supply to Zhaiyue Lou and give them a portion. Don’t offend them too much…”
Lin Xiu glanced at the manager, surprised. “I didn’t expect you, a profiteer, to have a conscience.”
Truthfully, although Lin Xiu could be stubborn, he also knew how to avoid trouble. If Tianxiang Lou was willing to offer the same price as Zhaiyue Lou, considering Marquis Yongping, Lin Xiu might have considered the manager’s suggestion.
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But they had no intention of cooperating. They wanted not only the ice but also Lin Xiu’s and the Ping’an Baron Estate’s dignity. After realizing this, Lin Xiu wouldn’t give them a single piece of ice.
The manager said helplessly, “There’s no other way. We can’t let you be harmed, Young Master.”
Touched by these words, Lin Xiu smiled and patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, the ice supply to Zhaiyue Lou won’t decrease. As long as you aren’t afraid of Marquis Yongping, I won’t be either.”
The manager said, “Although Marquis Yongping is powerful, he wouldn’t dare to act against the Prince Consort Household. But Young Master, you really must be extremely careful…”
A while later, Lin Xiu left Zhaiyue Lou, handed the payment to Sun Dali, and prepared to return to the Lin Estate to wait for Steward Li.
But as he reached the carriage, just as he was about to board, an elderly man passing by suddenly bumped into him.
“Ouch!”
Lin Xiu stood firm, unmoved, but the old man fell to the ground. Clutching Lin Xiu’s leg with one hand and his own waist with the other, he wailed, “Ouch, my back is broken! You must take me to a doctor…”
Sun Dali’s eyes widened. Pointing at the old man, he exclaimed, “You were the one who bumped into him!”
They were in a busy marketplace, and within moments, a crowd of onlookers gathered. Lin Xiu realized he had encountered a scammer. Coming from the 21st century, he was familiar with such tactics. If he wasn’t mistaken, this old man was in cahoots with a medical clinic. If he followed him to the clinic, he would be forced to pay.
Lin Xiu initially thought it was a simple scam, but before he could speak, several figures pushed their way through the crowd. The leader called out, “What happened? Why are you all gathered here?”
They were all dressed in official uniforms, but not those of the Ministry of Justice. The old man seemed prepared. As soon as they appeared, he cried, “Officers, you must uphold justice for me! This man bumped into me and refuses to admit it…”
Before the officer could speak, someone in the crowd shouted, “Nonsense! You were the one who bumped into him! Open your eyes and see who this gentleman is. Would he refuse to take responsibility if he was at fault?”
Clearly, some people in the crowd recognized Lin Xiu. After the Wang Family woman’s case, he had gained a small degree of fame among the common people of the Capital.
The leading officer glared at the person who spoke up, then announced loudly, “Whatever the matter is, we’ll discuss it at the station. Bring them both back!”
As soon as he finished speaking, two officers stepped forward to apprehend Lin Xiu.
As Lin Xiu’s guard, Sun Dali wouldn’t stand idly by. He stepped forward, about to shield Lin Xiu, but Lin Xiu stopped him with a hand.
Lin Xiu patted his shoulder. “Go back first, give the silver to my mother, and wait for me at home.”
Sun Dali anxiously replied, “But Young Master…”
Lin Xiu waved his hand and asked the officer, “Which station are you from?”
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For some reason, the young man’s gaze made him uneasy, but the officer forced himself to answer. “We’re from the East City Station. Rest assured, if you are innocent, we’ll release you quickly.”
The Capital of the Great Xia Dynasty was divided into four districts: East, South, West, and North. Each district was governed by a station. The highest-ranking official of the East City Station was the East City Magistrate, roughly equivalent to the district mayor. All civil and criminal matters, even trivial disputes, within the East City District fell under their jurisdiction.
Only in cases of homicide or when a case had a significant impact would the Ministry of Justice directly intervene.
Lin Xiu glanced at them and said indifferently, “East City Station, is it? What are you waiting for? Let’s go…”
With that, he put his hands behind his back and walked towards the East City Station.
The officers from the East City Station were stunned. They had expected some resistance, but this person was more cooperative than they were. Was he going to the station or back home?
However, as long as they brought him to the station, their task was complete. The officer didn’t overthink it. He waved his hand. “Let’s go, back to the station!”
East City Station.
Lin Xiu strolled leisurely, as if taking a casual walk in a courtyard, arriving at the East City Station without a care. Just as he stepped inside, he saw a familiar face.
The young man he had met at Tianxiang Lou yesterday smiled at him. “What a coincidence. We meet again so soon.”
Lin Xiu sighed. “Indeed, quite a coincidence…”
Tianxiang Lou’s actions were swifter than he expected. Clearly, the old man in the street and the timely arrival of the officers were all prearranged by this person.
Lin Xiu looked at him and asked, “Who is your father? The East City Magistrate or the East City Captain?”
The East City Magistrate was the chief official, managing all affairs of the East City District. The East City Captain was his deputy, specifically responsible for arrests and investigations of theft. Only these two could command the officers of the East City Station.
The young man gave a noncommittal smile. “You’re quite perceptive.”
Understanding dawned on Lin Xiu. No wonder, he had walked right into their territory.
The young man smiled at Lin Xiu. “So, how about it? One copper coin per bucket of ice. Nod your head, and you can leave right now.”
Lin Xiu asked, “And if I don’t agree?”
The young man replied, “Simple. Bumping into someone in the street and refusing to acknowledge it, then suddenly assaulting someone at the station, breaking this poor old man’s leg. Utterly lawless. A month in jail wouldn’t be excessive, would it?”
Lin Xiu asked, “When did I break his leg?”
The young man took a staff from an officer and brought it down hard on the old man’s leg. A sickening crack echoed through the air, and the old man collapsed, screaming like a slaughtered pig. His leg was bent at a grotesque angle.
The young man looked down at the old man. “Who broke your leg?”
The old man’s face was contorted in pain. He raised a trembling hand and pointed at Lin Xiu. “Him! It was him!”
Lin Xiu sighed, looking at the old man with exasperation. “Doesn’t your conscience hurt?”
The old man continued to wail. The young man tossed the staff aside and looked at Lin Xiu. “So, what do you think? Reconsidering my offer?”
Lin Xiu looked at the young man and shook his head. “It’s always better to be kind.”
The smile on the young man’s face slowly faded. He glanced at Lin Xiu indifferently. “You’ll change your mind.”
He then waved his hand. “Assaulting someone and still acting so arrogant. Lock him up! Let him starve for three days first.”
Lin Xiu was taken to the jail of the East City Station.
Not long after, a luxurious carriage stopped at the Lin Estate.
Steward Li jumped out and hurried inside, calling out, “Young Master Lin! Young Master Lin! Come with me quickly. Don’t keep Her Ladyship waiting…”
Sun Dali shook his head. “My young master isn’t here.”
His Majesty and the consorts were waiting for their ice. Steward Li’s heart sank. “What? He’s not here? Where did he go?”
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