The atmosphere in the backyard of the Splendid Pavilion is like a suddenly taut bowstring.
The purchasing assistant, Ah Xiang, was lying on a makeshift soft couch, his face deathly pale. He had wrapped his right arm with a clean piece of cloth round and round, but there was still a faint hint of blood seeping out. His lips trembled as he intermittently recounted to Shen Ruoxin and Wang Bo the nightmare he had experienced outside Shengze Town.
"... Just as the sky was beginning to brighten, the little one, accompanied by two porters, was driving a mule cart filled with mulberry silk. Not long after leaving the town, they were stopped by seven or eight masked men... Everyone was holding sticks in their hands and started working without a word... Axiang's voice was filled with fear and aftertaste, "They are too ruthless!" The mule was startled and the goods overturned... I... I wanted to protect the goods and was hit in the arm... They snatched the silk. Before leaving, they still... He even kicked me and said...
What? Shen Ruoxin's voice was calm and silent, with no sign of joy or anger, but her tightly clenched hands revealed the ripples in her heart.
Axiang swallowed hard and said, "Say..." Let's go back and tell the head of the Jinxiu Pavilion that they will have the final say in the silk thread business of Pingjiang Prefecture from now on! Who dares to disobey? This... This is the outcome!
"Bang!" Wang Bo punched the pillar beside him, his beard slightly spread out and he was furious, "You've gone too far!" In broad daylight, they even dared to rob people on the road and leave such outrageous remarks! This is not for the goods at all. It's clearly for our Jinxiu Pavilion and for you, Miss Second!
Shen Ruoxin took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in her heart. She walked up to Ah Xiang's bedside, bent down to examine his injuries, and comforted him gently. She asked Ah Xing to help him go down and have a good rest first, and invited a good doctor to treat him. All the expenses would be borne by the Brocade Pavilion.
When Ah Xiang was helped away, only Shen Ruoxin and Wang Bo remained in the study.
"Uncle Wang," Shen Ruoxin spoke slowly, her eyes sharp, "Do you think this seems like something ordinary done by water bandits and road tyrants?"
Uncle Wang shook his head, his expression solemn: "It doesn't look like that." Ordinary bandits merely seek wealth. Once they get their hands on something, they usually run away immediately and seldom leave such harsh words of naming names. Moreover, Ah Xiang said that they had their faces covered, but their actions were extremely methodical, as if... Trained thug.
"Trained thug..." Shen Ruoxin repeated it, her gaze falling on the several "flower language" records from Fengqiao Town on the table - "Northern Merchant", "Counterfeit Suzhou Embroidery", "Unknown Ship", "Grandpa Zhao has a Strong backing".
An invisible thread seems to be connecting these scattered beads.
It seems that someone doesn't want our Jinxiu Pavilion to have a good life anymore. Shen Ruoxin's voice was cold. "If you can't cut off my gold and silver threads, then directly cut off the source of my mulberry silk and use cheap counterfeits to flood the market..." What a vicious chain scheme!
Uncle Wang was very worried: "Second Miss, then what should we do now?" Mulberry silk is the foundation. If the source is cut off...
"Report to the official." Shen Ruoxin was resolute, "This is no longer just a simple business intrigue, but a vicious assault and robbery, and it might even involve organized forces." We can't just let it go like this.
"Report to the authorities?" Uncle Wang hesitated a little. "But..." We are merchants. On the government side... He hesitated to speak, and his concerns were self-evident. Since ancient times, the common people have never fought with officials. In the eyes of the government, merchants were ultimately separated by a layer of status.
I know your concerns. Shen Ruoxin stood up and paced slowly in the study. "It might not be appropriate to go directly to the governor. It would seem like making a fuss over nothing and would also easily expose our predicament." But one cannot do nothing completely either.
She stopped and her gaze fell outside the window: "I'm planning to go and meet the Pusher Li."
Li Tuiguan, who is in charge of criminal proceedings, is said to be relatively upright in character. Moreover, previously, Lady Sun had also implicitly mentioned his wife's admiration for the Splendid Pavilion. Perhaps, through this tiny bit of affection from the family, he could be more distracted by this matter. More importantly, the Tuiguan Yamen is precisely the corresponding yamen for handling such cases.
"All right," Wang Bo thought for a moment and nodded. "Inspector Li is a relatively upright person and someone that Lady Sun mentioned before." The second young lady should go in person to express our attitude. At least it can leave a mark on the official face and let them know that we are not lambs to be slaughtered.
Shen Ruoxin immediately gave the order: "Uncle Wang, carefully inquire about the details of the attack on Ah Xiang and the others, and organize them into a clear and well-organized complaint." "Ah Xing, prepare the sedan chair and a small gift. Use our newly released set of 'Four Seasons Elegance' handkerchiefs and put them in the most elegant brocade box."
She herself returned to the inner room, dressed in a half-new, not old lake blue pigment surface Hangzhou silk 褙子, with only a plain white jade hairpin in her head, NEITHER shabby and impolite nor flamboyant, just right to reflect the identity of a wealthy but troubled businesswoman.
Half an hour later, the small tweed sedan chair of the Jinxiu Pavilion stopped outside the side gate of the Pingjiang Prefectural Magistrate's Office.
After handing over the greeting, they waited for about a quarter of an hour before a doorman with a blank expression came out, leading Shen Ruoxin and A Xing, who was carrying a gift box, through several courtyards to a flower hall that was relatively neat but far less imposing than the governor's office.
After waiting for a while longer, a middle-aged official in a green official robe, with a gaunt face and three short whiskers, stepped out. It was Li Yuangeng, the magistrate of Pingjiang Prefecture.
"Miss Shen Er," Li, the magistrate, wore a formulaic smile on his face, nodded slightly, and his gaze lingered on her for a short while without asking her to perform a bow. "I heard that Miss Shen Er has come. I wonder what important matter there is?" The tone was polite, but there was a natural sense of distance.
"Peasant girl Shen Ruoxin has met Minister Li." Shen Ruoxin bowed gently, neither humble nor overbearing, "I'm sorry to disturb you today. It's actually because there's an urgent matter at home. I sincerely ask your Excellency to make the decision."
She motioned for A Xing to present her complaint and at the same time briefly recounted the incident where the purchasing clerk had an attack in Shengze Town, the goods were robbed, and the other party left arrogant remarks. She emphasized the other party's well-trained and provocative words, suggesting that this was not an ordinary robbery.
Inspector Li took the petition, unfolded it and examined it carefully. His brows slightly furrowed, but his expression did not change much.
"Um..." The case that occurred within the territory of Shengze Town? He put down his petition and looked at Shen Ruoxin, saying, "According to the laws of our court, it is under the jurisdiction of the local area. This matter should mainly be investigated and handled by the Shengze County Government Office."
Sure enough, it's an official article. Shen Ruoxin's heart sank slightly, but her face remained calm: "Sir, please understand." Civilian women also understand the principle of territorial jurisdiction. It was just that the villains made wild remarks, naming names to provoke the business houses in Pingjiang Prefecture, and their words seemed to have the intention of taking control of the silk thread business in Pingjiang. The peasant girl was worried that this gang of villains might have colluded with some ill-intented people in the mansion. Their intention was not only to seize property but also to disrupt the order of the silk industry in our Pingjiang Prefecture. Therefore, I humbly beseech your Excellency to be discerning and... Inform the Shengze County Government Office appropriately and investigate this matter strictly to serve as a warning to others.
She steered the matter towards "disrupting market order" and "colluding with forces within the mansion", attempting to elevate the severity of the case to a higher level.
Inspector Li picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then said slowly, "I understand Miss Shen Er's concern." Running a business is no easy feat. When your father, Mr. Shen, was alive, he was renowned for his integrity, and I have heard about it. Just...
He changed the subject: "When handling cases, one must pay attention to evidence." The villain was masked and the scene was within the territory of Shengze, making the investigation quite challenging. As for whether they colluded with the forces within the mansion, there is a lack of solid evidence, and it is not advisable to make any wild guesses. I understand Miss Shen's feelings, but the law is strict and the procedures cannot be abolished. This official will, in accordance with the regulations, send a letter to the Shengze County Government Office, asking them to assist in the investigation of this case. As for the outcome and when there will be a result, this official cannot guarantee it either.
His tone was gentle and flawless. It not only expressed "understanding" and "following the procedures", but also skillfully shirked responsibility, hinting at the difficulty of investigation and the uncertainty of the outcome. The saying, "Operating in the business world is never easy," implicitly attributes this matter to part of the risks in the business world.
Shen Ruoxin listened quietly, and the last shred of hope in her heart was completely shattered. She clearly felt an invisible barrier. No matter how reasonable her words were or how obvious her hints were, in Li Tui's eyes, this was ultimately just a "merchant's" trouble. He might send an official letter as per the rules, but he would never devote too much energy to it, nor would he take the initiative to touch upon the possible and deeply entrenched local forces.
She was a lonely merchant girl without any official position or support. In front of him, the official in charge of the imperial seal, she was of little influence and could not shake the deeply rooted bureaucratic system and the social estrangement among scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants with just a few words.
Mrs. Sun's "appreciation" was as thin as a cicada's wing in the face of such a matter involving actual interests and potential risks.
"Thank you very much for your understanding, Sir." Shen Ruoxin lowered her eyelids, concealing the disappointment in her eyes. Her voice was calm and unagitated, "Since that's the case, the common-girl will wait for good news." This small gift is just a few new pieces of handkerchief made by the embroiderer at home. It's not a token of respect. I hope my Lord... "Pass it to the lady for her enjoyment." "
She didn't pester any more, knowing that saying more was of no use.
Li, the Pusher, glanced at the simple and elegant brocade box in A Xing's hand, and a barely perceptible light flashed in his eyes. He nodded and said, "Miss Shen Er has ulterior motives." This official will convey it on your behalf. He stood up, served tea and saw the guests off. "The government office is busy, so I won't stay for long."
Stepping out of the magistrate's office, the late autumn sun shone on Shen Ruoxin, but it couldn't dispel the chill in her heart.
Sitting in the sedan chair on the way back, she closed her eyes, and the polite yet distant words of the Magistrate Li kept echoing in her mind.
This trial made her truly experience the invisible barriers that this world poses to businesspeople. The government office was not, as she had imagined, a natural refuge. At least, for a businesswoman like her who has no power or influence, it is by no means so.
She was acutely aware of her own shortcomings: not only the lack of funds and connections, but also the inherent disadvantage in terms of status and position. In this era, if one wants to protect oneself and grow and thrive, relying solely on shrewd business acumen is far from enough. She needs even greater power, power that the authorities dare not look down upon and that her opponents dare not strike easily!
But where does this power come from?
She opened her eyes and her gaze became extremely determined. If the government is unreliable, then one can only rely on oneself! The source of mulberry silk in Shengze Town was cut off, so she had to immediately look for new and more reliable sources of supply! At the same time, it is necessary to accelerate the construction of the intelligence network, clarify the origin of that gang of villains, and find out who the so-called "northern backer" behind Zhao Babapi is!
Only by knowing oneself and the enemy can one find the key to breaking the deadlock!
The sedan chair returned to the entrance of the Splendid Pavilion, where Uncle Wang was already waiting anxiously. Seeing Shen Ruoxin get off the sedan chair, he immediately came forward to meet her and lowered his voice, saying:
Miss Two! Just now, a message was sent from Fengqiao Town! Yes... It's the highest level of emergency signal!