"Absolutely impossible!" The manager pointed at the "Fair Dealing with All" plaque above the shop entrance. "Our Myriad Goods Trading Company has been operating in the capital for eight years. We've never cheated suppliers with counterfeit banknotes! There must be some mistake - we're being wrongfully accused!"
Commander Wu said, "I'm just a constable. The plaintiff hired a lawyer to file a complaint against you, the magistrate accepted the case, and sent me to summon the responsible party. If you have grievances to air, take them up with the magistrate. I'm merely following orders. Where's your boss?"
"How can we let Commander Wu stand while speaking? Quickly prepare tea!" The bearded Wu Dianyong rushed over upon hearing the commotion, giving the shop assistant a meaningful glance before discreetly slipping a silver ingot into Commander Wu's sleeve under cover of his garment. "Please sit and we'll discuss this properly."
He then instructed his staff to cut some Western honeydew melons and bring out the trading company's finest pastries to treat the constables. "You've all worked hard in this hot weather. Have some melon and rest awhile before heading back."
Wu Dianyong knew how to handle people. Commander Wu secretly pocketed the silver and sat down to drink tea. "Are you Boss Wang?"
Wu Dianyong replied, "This humble person is not the owner, merely the manager of this shop. All accounts and financial transactions are under my supervision. Those four fifty-tael banknotes from Three-Link Bank were indeed personally given to the plaintiff by me."
Commander Wu took a sip of tea. "Is your boss not in the capital?"
Not daring to lie, Wu Dianyong said, "Boss Wang is here, but he's departing tomorrow to inspect other branches. Our boss doesn't usually stay here - besides this shop, he has businesses and properties everywhere. This matter has nothing to do with him. I beg Commander Wu to show some flexibility. I'll accompany you to the yamen instead."
Commander Wu frowned. "But the magistrate ordered me to bring Boss Wang. If I take you—what's your surname?"
Wu Dianyong: "My humble surname is Wu, given name Dianyong."
Commander Wu said, "Manager Wu, your Myriad Goods Trading Company is quite well-known in the capital. In these eight years, you haven't been involved in any lawsuits at the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen, have you?"
Wu Dianyong quickly shook his head. "None whatsoever. We believe in harmony bringing wealth and fair dealing with all. We would never cheat customers or pass off inferior goods as quality merchandise. Our Boss Wang intends to build this into a century-old establishment. We've never been involved in litigation."
Commander Wu said, "Since your reputation is so impeccable, and you're local capital businessmen, the magistrate certainly won't give you trouble. That out-of-town merchant dealing in foreign perfumes is most likely making false accusations for extortion. Boss Wang only needs to confront him before the magistrate."
Commander Wu offered advice: "The transaction was completed with both payment and goods delivered. The merchant inspected everything on the spot before leaving. He received the banknotes in the morning and went to Three-Link Bank to exchange them for silver in the afternoon. During that time, where did he go? Who did he meet? Were the banknotes ever out of his sight? Could they have been switched? There are numerous questionable aspects. If Boss Wang goes and clarifies matters, it would show the merchant was careless himself, not that you gave him counterfeit banknotes."
Wu Dianyong maintained an ingratiating smile. "Commander Wu's words are most timely - they've cleared this humble person's confusion. I'll go in Boss Wang's stead and surely refute that out-of-town merchant into speechlessness before the magistrate!"
Commander Wu produced the official document and pointed at the name. "The magistrate specifically requested Boss Wang. If he were truly absent, that would be one thing, but since he's clearly here in the shop, if he still refuses to go—the magistrate might think Boss Wang has a guilty conscience, or that he looks down on the magistrate.""Impossible!" Wu Dianyong shook his head repeatedly, "How would we merchants dare offend officials? Even with a thousand times the courage—"
"Shopkeeper Wu, I heard Manager Wang is leaving, so I've come to offer a parting gift as a token of my regard. These are our pharmacy's secret recipe cooling plums, perfect for relieving summer heat during travels." Ding Wu entered carrying a package of the cooling plums and showed surprise upon seeing Commander Wu seated in the place of honor. "Well now, if it isn't Commander Wu."
Commander Wu stood up and said, "So it's Shopkeeper Ding. I'm here under the magistrate's orders to make an arrest."
Ding Wu set down the cooling plums. "This can't be right. Though our Headline Alley location isn't ideal, the Myriad Goods Trading Company was built on reputation alone—good wine needs no bush. How could we possibly be involved in a lawsuit? It must be someone jealous of the company's daily profits, maliciously filing false accusations."
Having found someone to speak on their behalf, Wu Dianyong's impression of Ding Wu improved dramatically. "Exactly—Shopkeeper Ding, I didn't realize you were acquainted with Commander Wu."
"We've shared a meal," Ding Wu said with a laugh. "Since I'm planning to open a pharmacy—of all three hundred sixty trades in the capital, pharmacies attract the most lawsuits. Every year there are families of patients causing trouble, claiming their relatives died from the pharmacy's medicine and demanding compensation. When I open my pharmacy, I'll naturally need good relations with the yamen. If trouble arises in the future, I'll have to rely on the yamen to uphold justice. A friend introduced me to Commander Wu, we had a meal together, and I'll be counting on Commander Wu's support going forward."
Commander Wu hurriedly demurred, "Not at all, not at all. It's Shopkeeper Ding's upright character that keeps him above suspicion."
Wu Dianyong thought to himself: The friend Ding Wu mentioned must be his flirtatious widow sworn-sister's new lover—Young Master Wang, one of the Four Pests of the North City!
Young Master Wang's father was the commander of the Northern City Military Command, which had always maintained good relations with the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen.
This fellow certainly knew how to curry favor—his shop hadn't even opened yet, but he'd already secured protection.
Wanting to borrow Ding Wu's influence, Wu Dianyong immediately changed his attitude and explained the trouble the trading company was currently facing. "...Shopkeeper Ding, now that our two shops are neighbors, we ought to look out for each other."
Ding Wu thumped his chest, taking full responsibility. "Of course, it's just a minor matter. I'll accompany Manager Wang to the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen right away. I won't let Manager Wang suffer the slightest injustice."
After all that discussion, the sect leader still had to go.
Wu Dianyong had run out of arguments and could only go upstairs to inform sect leader Zhao Quan of the current situation—Zhao Quan used the alias Wang Ren (a homophone for "human") publicly, created by splitting the character of his given name "Quan."
Ever since guiding Anda Khan in attacking the capital ten years ago, Zhao Quan had received substantial rewards—when the master eats meat, the dog still gets a bone.
Using this "bone" as capital, Zhao Quan opened shops everywhere to amass wealth while collecting intelligence on the Great Ming to present to Anda Khan, currying favor to maintain his backing. All that talk about the White Lotus Sect's doctrine of "delivering all living beings" was just empty rhetoric to deceive followers.
Since ancient times, cults ultimately cared only about business. If you examined all their lofty doctrines carefully, reading between the lines revealed nothing but the two characters: "wealth accumulation."Zhao Quan peered through the window crack and saw Ding Wu and Commander Wu chatting and laughing heartily in the downstairs hall, appearing quite close. "This Ding Wu truly values money over face—fraternizing so warmly with a mere military man like Commander Wu. Able to stoop or stand tall, I rather admire him. Quite interesting."
Wu Dianyong asked, "Chief, what should we do now?"
Zhao Quan replied, "Our banknotes are absolutely genuine. I suspect the out-of-town perfume merchant is either deliberately extorting us or the notes were truly swapped. If I keep evading, it’ll seem like I have a guilty conscience. I’ll go to the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen with Commander Wu. With Ding Wu accompanying me, the magistrate won’t give me trouble."
The Shuntian Prefecture Yamen was located deep within Daxing County, a long journey away. Commander Wu rode on horseback, while Ding Wu joined Zhao Quan in his carriage. The carriage was cooled with ice, making the ride pleasantly refreshing.
Wu Dianyong tentatively asked, "The friend Manager Ding mentioned earlier—could it be Young Master Wang the Second?"
Ding Wu was well aware of the rampant rumors in the streets about the charming young widow remarrying and the Fourth Pest of the North City, Young Master Wang, becoming her devoted follower.
Ding Wu nodded, "Exactly. We’re neighbors. Young Master Wang often visits my home... for casual visits." In truth, he came to freeload meals and drinks.
Zhao Quan and Wu Dianyong thought: He’s coming to see your sister, isn’t he!
Of course, they saw through it but didn’t voice it. Relying on his sister’s connections to move from exile to the capital and establish a pharmacy business—living off his sister’s support—was a skill in itself, undeniable however much one might disapprove.
Zhao Quan said, "After today’s hearing, I’d like to host a dinner and invite Manager Ding, your sworn sister Doctor Wei, and if possible, could you also bring Young Master Wang the Second? We’ll book a large decorated pleasure boat at the Lakeside Inn, hire the most popular courtesans from the Red Sleeve Brothel for song and dance entertainment, and discuss matters over the meal. Would you honor us with your presence?"
Zhao Quan believed that since Wei Caiwei had captivated two high-ranking officials’ sons, she must enjoy and understand romance—not the type to be shy or reserved.
Since Young Master Wang clearly didn’t mind that Wei Caiwei had been with his superior Commander Lu, and given that Doctor Wei had been with at least three men including her deceased husband, it showed Young Master Wang preferred experienced women, caring nothing for chastity or virtue.
So besides the Red Sleeve Brothel’s performances, they should also hire some handsome male prostitutes to attend to Doctor Wei.
Zhao Quan figured that to extricate himself quickly, he must spare no expense, using Ding Wu’s protective umbrella to weather the storm.
Wasn’t Ding Wu relying on his sworn sister and Young Master Wang anyway? Just keeping those two satisfied would suffice.
Ding Wu readily agreed, smiling, "Since you extend such a gracious invitation, how could I refuse? I’ve been wanting to properly acquaint myself with a tycoon like Manager Wang who has businesses everywhere, to learn a trick or two from you—even a fraction of your wisdom would benefit me for life."
Zhao Quan modestly replied, "You flatter me. The younger generation truly surpasses the old."
They exchanged mutual praises, and by the time they reached the Imperial Guard Office, they appeared like fast friends despite their age difference.
At the magistrate’s hearing, Zhao Quan followed Ding Wu’s advice, emphasizing his eight-year spotless business record and repeatedly questioning the perfume merchant: Had the banknotes ever left his sight? Why did he wait until afternoon to redeem them after receiving them in the morning?
The perfume merchant stammered, "I ran into an acquaintance and had a few drinks at a tavern. Got dizzy from the alcohol, took a nap at an inn, and only then went to the Three-Link Bank to redeem the silver."Before Zhao Quan could speak, Ding Wu said, "You encountered an acquaintance, drank wine, then took a nap, giving a thief the perfect opportunity to switch the banknotes. You're still completely in the dark about it. In my opinion, that acquaintance you met is highly suspicious. If you bring him before the magistrate for questioning, you might have a chance to recover your losses. Stop fixating on our Boss Wang."
The magistrate glanced at the sky. "It's already evening. Court is adjourned; we'll continue tomorrow. Commander Wu, detain the perfume merchant's acquaintance at the yamen tonight to prevent his escape."
Boss Wang hurriedly said, "Your Honor, I still need to depart tomorrow... You see—"
The magistrate replied, "Just wait two more days. Wouldn't it be better to leave with a clear conscience and no loose ends? This case doesn't seem complicated to me. There are thieves in the capital specifically targeting out-of-town merchants. I've seen many cases like this where banknotes are switched or even gold ingots are replaced with gold-plated copper. We'll question the acquaintance tomorrow. If he's not the culprit, then it was a thief. Once it's confirmed to be a thief's work, you may go."
Upon hearing it would only take a day or two, Zhao Quan quickly agreed, finding the delay manageable.
Ding Wu added, "As soon as there's news, Commander Wu will come to the trading company to inform Boss Wang. It won't disrupt your schedule too much."
That night, Zhao Quan hosted three distinguished guests on a decorated pleasure boat at the Pool of Accumulated Water.
In Sweetwater Lane, Wang Daxia strongly objected: "No, Doctor Wei cannot go. We agreed—keep her out of Embroidered Uniform Guard affairs. It's too dangerous."
Ding Wu explained, "Boss Wang and Wu Dianyong both believe those unsavory rumors. My persona as a shrewd merchant is built upon them. If Banxia doesn't attend this dinner, it might arouse their suspicion. This is my best chance to get close to the White Lotus Sect. My disguise must be flawless. Otherwise, all our previous acting would be for nothing."
Just as Wang Daxia was about to protest, Wei Caiwei interjected, "Stop arguing. I must go. It's just acting, isn't it? I acted during the Dragon Boat Festival too, and we even fooled a genius like Yan Shifan. Why should we fear the White Lotus Sect?"
Wang Daxia: "But—"
Wei Caiwei challenged, "Are you saying you don't dare act as my lover?"
"I—" Wang Daxia was caught off guard, completely pinned down by her words. He muttered under his breath, "What wouldn't I dare? I'll definitely act better than Commander Lu!"
In truth, Wang Daxia still harbored resentment about how Commander Lu had carried Wei Caiwei in public during the Dragon Boat Festival. Even though he knew it was an act to save Ding Wu, the memory stirred up a tidal wave of jealousy.
This aged vinegar was even more sour.
Wei Caiwei declared, "In that case, all three of us will go. We must perform flawlessly. Make them trust Brother Ding and keep Boss Wang steady."
"Right, my dear?" Wei Caiwei suddenly grasped Wang Daxia's hand, her eyes filled with affection as she intimately called him, "Darling."
"Darling" was a private term of endearment between lovers.
In her past life, Wei Caiwei had called him "darling" so often it became second nature. Thus, she could switch expressions like flipping a page, slipping into character in an instant.
Wang Daxia shuddered as if struck by lightning, stammering, "Yes... darling."Author's Note: Daxia is completely smitten by Caiwei~ The next chapter will begin the acting showdown between our male and female leads. Dear readers, please leave your comments to add fuel to my passion. The more I burn with enthusiasm, the more energetically I'll write.
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