Chapter 182 Taking Over (Part 1)

"Si De, don't panic. You must remain calm. Even if the sky were to fall, it is the Madam and the Eldest Miss who would bear it first. Only then it would be our turn." Lin Wanrong laughed heartily. The Eldest Miss glared at him bitterly.

Si De was panting heavily, struggling to catch his breath. In a state of urgency and panic, he stammered, "Brother San, Miss, it's terrible. Young Master Guo... Young Master Guo has been beaten..."

"What? Beaten?" Lin Wanrong exclaimed in surprise.

Although Young Master Guo was a bit of a rascal, he wasn't one to provoke trouble. Moreover, with the material wealth of the Xiao family, even in Jinling, they weren't a family to be trifled with. How did someone dare to beat Young Master Guo? After all, one must consider the owner before hitting a dog. Didn't they know that Young Master Guo was under Brother San's protection?

"Who, who hit Cousin Biao?" The Eldest Miss asked hastily.

Lin Wanrong suddenly remembered that Young Master Guo had gone to Tao Family's shop with Si De and others, acting pompously. Could it be the people of the Tao family who had beaten him?

Si De anxiously said, "We went with Young Master Guo to take over Tao Family's shop. We ran into Master Tao there. They didn't say a word before they started beating us, and they captured Young Master Guo. I managed to escape at the risk of my life, just to inform the Madam and Eldest Miss. Now, I must return to save Young Master."

‘To save him? You simply ran away, yet you try to sound noble. But you didn't do entirely wrong. If you can't win, then run. That's being quick-witted. Or should you wait to be beaten?’

After hearing his words, the Eldest Miss anxiously said, "We were still discussing how to deal with this matter. How could Cousin Biao act so rashly? He couldn't wait for a while?"

"Master Tao? Is it Tao Yu, the silk manufacturer from Suzhou?" Lin Wanrong asked the Eldest Miss. As it turned out, what Fourth Uncle had said earlier was correct. This Tao Yu had indeed hurriedly come to Jinling, but he wondered what had happened to Tao Dongcheng and that Tao family girl.

The Eldest Miss, flushed with anger, said, "Exactly that person. Cousin Biao may be a bit rash, but that Tao family shop already belongs to our Xiao family. It's only right for Cousin Biao to take over. How could Tao Yu beat and capture people at will? I'll go argue with him."

Lin Wanrong hurriedly pulled her back and said, "Eldest Miss, have you lost your mind? You're going to reason with an official? There are two mouths in the character for 'official'. How could you reason with him?"

Lin Wanrong was no fool. He knew that at this time, talking was useless. If you wanted to fight with an official, you had to prove your strength.

"Lin San, what should we do?" After a moment's hesitation, the Eldest Miss agreed that Lin was right. She might have all sorts of strategies for doing business, but when it came to dealing with wicked people, it was Lin San who had to step in.

Young Master Guo might be a little showy, but he was still kind to Lin Wanrong. Besides, he was Yu Shuang's cousin. Under no circumstances could they let the Tao family bully him. Damn it, the Tao family was clearly a combination of official and merchant, playing both the referee and the athlete, and fooling the people.

"Si De, go immediately to Governor Luo's mansion and find Brother Gao, who came back with us. Tell him what has happened here. Then ask Brother Gao to pass the message to Governor Luo. Ask him to go to Tao Family's shop and see how his subordinate official oppress the good and exploits the common people," Lin Wanrong instructed.

Upon hearing him speak this way, the Eldest Miss hurriedly said, "Lin San, how can you be so sure that Governor Luo will come?"

Lin Wanrong gave a mysterious chuckle, "Both Old Luo and Little Luo are like brothers to me, and I am their benefactor. It would be strange if Governor Luo didn't come."

Ignoring the Eldest Miss's words, he turned to Si De and said, "Go quickly. You must find Brother Gao. If this matter is resolved, I will request the Eldest Miss to increase your salary."

"Thank you, Brother San, thank you, Eldest Miss." Si De excitedly went on his way.

Seeing his mysterious demeanor, the Eldest Miss couldn't help but say, "Where do you get the audacity to promise benefits to others? You are becoming more and more presumptuous."

Seeing that Lin San had made appropriate arrangements, she felt a lot calmer. Being stubborn and soft-hearted, she didn't want to lose face, and thus, she huffed and no longer spoke.

When Lin Wanrong and the Eldest Miss arrived at the Tao family's shop, they saw a crowd of people gathered at the entrance, watching the commotion. Young Master Guo was bound by a few of the Tao family's servants and was cursing loudly.

Lin Wanrong's gaze swept the crowd, but he didn't see Tao Dongcheng and his sister Tao Wanying. Instead, he saw a plump man in official robes standing in the center, bearing some resemblance to Tao Dongcheng, with a fair amount of official prestige. This man was likely Tao Yu, the silk manufacturer from Suzhou. The Tao family's servants were continually moving bolts of fabric from the shop to a carriage outside.

"Shameless," the Eldest Miss whispered angrily. The Xiao family hadn't yet had time to transfer ownership with the Tao family. For every bolt of fabric the Tao family moved, the Xiao family suffered a loss.

"They're moving this fabric to leave us with an empty shell. It's absolutely despicable," the Eldest Miss said resentfully.

Lin Wanrong nodded, "Their methods might be despicable, but we can't stop them. The fabric is certainly a source of income, but it isn't the most important thing. The more valuable assets are the shop and real estate. These are fixed assets, their sales channels. Without these, no matter how much fabric they have, it'll just rot at home."

The Eldest Miss knew he was right. She nodded, and upon seeing her Cousin Biao's miserable state, sighed, "Cousin Biao's actions were indeed reckless. He suffered this time, but I hope he learns to be smarter next time."

"I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. It might even be a good thing. Small conflicts are inevitable when we take over the Tao family's shop. After this commotion caused by Young Master Guo, it became well known, which can work in favor of the Xiao family. Sometimes, bad things can turn into good ones," Lin Wanrong analyzed calmly.

The Eldest Miss thought for a moment, seeing some reason in his words, and remained silent.

Just as Lin Wanrong was growing impatient, he felt a pat on his back. A hearty voice said, "Young Master Lin, I have arrived." He turned around to see the Gao brothers standing behind him with a smile.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Thank you for your effort, Brother Gao. Are you clear about the current situation?"

Gao Qiu nodded, "Young Master Lin, please rest assured. Before leaving, Minister Xu had already explained that Tao Dongcheng has written proof and Minister Xu himself as a witness. The Tao family cannot deny this."

"So, aren't our actions extremely just? Extremely legitimate?" Lin Wanrong asked with a laugh, a trace of mischief twinkling in his eyes. The Gao brothers burst into laughter at his words.

Lin Wanrong followed the Eldest Miss out, and upon seeing them, Young Master Guo immediately shouted, "Cousin, cousin, come and save me. Lin San, come and save me—"

The Eldest Miss approached, giving Tao Yu a respectful bow, "The commoner Xiao Yuruo pays respects to Master Tao."

Tao Yu sneered, "Miss Xiao, what a grand air you display, sending people to seize my Tao family's shop. Have you stopped considering me, an official, in your sight? I cannot accept such a bow."

‘You, a corrupt official, using your power for personal gain, and still expecting respect? I've seen shameless people, but never one as shameless as you.’ Lin Wanrong looked at the fat Tao Yu and thought with a cold laugh.

Miss Xiao said seriously, "Master Tao, why would you say such a thing? Having been in business for many years, I have always acted within the law. Every word and action have been in accordance with our Great Hua's laws. I don't understand the meaning of your words."

Tao Yu said coldly, "Miss Xiao, you sent people today, claiming that you want to take over my Tao family's ancestral property. Do you not understand the logic? As the Silk Manufacturer of Suzhou, overseeing the textile industry of a whole province, my duties are incredibly busy. How can I tolerate such insolence?"

Xiao Yuruo huffed, "Master Tao, the matter of the Xiao family taking over the Tao family's fabric shop is known to everyone in the Jinling Chamber of Commerce. Could it be that you truly don't know? At the annual meeting in Hangzhou, your son wagered the Tao family's fabric shop in a bet with my Xiao family. Unfortunately, your son lost twice, and according to the agreement, he lost the Tao family shop to us. We have his written documents as evidence, witnessed by hundreds of merchants from both Jinling and Hangzhou, and even witnessed by the Chief Senior Scholar of the Hall of Literary Brilliance, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Master Xu Wei. No falsehood is possible in this matter. From the moment your son put down his written statement, the Tao family's shop already belonged to my Xiao family. We are here to collect the property according to the agreement, which is lawful and reasonable. What's wrong with that? Although you are the head of the Silk Manufacturer of Suzhou, you have no right to arbitrarily arrest people. My cousin Biao is innocent, why have you beaten and arrested him without reason?"

Although Xiao Yuruo spoke gently, her words were passionate and forceful, resonating with the crowd. The spectators, hearing that this was the legendary Miss Xiao, admired her fearlessness and elegance. Since ancient times, commoners did not fight with officials, but today Miss Xiao publicly argued her case with reason and vigor, which pleased the common people. When she finished speaking, several voices burst out from the crowd with a resounding "That’s right!"

Tao Yu's eyes darted around, and he changed his expression, "Miss Xiao, the bet in Hangzhou was a setup to frame my son, Dongcheng. This matter requires thorough investigation. I've already reported to the Commander-in-Chief of Jiangsu, Master Cheng De, who will soon personally send people to inquire about this matter and clear my Tao family's name. Your bet can't be counted."

Damn, true to the reputation of an official, his skin was thick to such a degree. Cheng De was from the military faction and he was from the political faction. Even if a thorough investigation was to be reported to the higher authorities, it should be reported to the Governor of Jiangsu, Luo Min. What did this have to do with that old turtle Cheng De? Moreover, this incident was witnessed by so many people. Could it just be overturned by his say-so? Damn, a dog official was a dog official, speaking such lofty words while steeped in corruption.

Hearing Tao Yu's blatant distortion of truth, Miss Xiao's pretty face turned red with anger. "Master Tao, what is the meaning of your words? Are you doubting the sight and wisdom of hundreds of merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang? Or are you questioning the fairness of Xu Wei, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue? Then, I would like Master Tao to bring out your son. I, Xiao Yuruo, am willing to debate him in front of all the elders of Jinling present here—"