TGCFNM -Chapter 319 Confiscation

The carriage trotted along, and soon they arrived at the back entrance of the Fulai Inn.

One by one, they got off and entered the inn. The innkeeper temporarily closed the doors and invited everyone to sit at a table. After serving hot tea, he instructed the kitchen to begin preparations.

Uncle Hong sat down and looked at Chu Ling. “Sir, the notice has been prepared. We’ll post it tonight, and the citizens will be able to see it first thing tomorrow morning.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Hong.”

Uncle Hong continued, “After receiving the letter, Prefect Wang of Yuzhou expressed his willingness to help. He won’t be involved in the trial itself, but regarding the household seizure, he will send people to handle it temporarily. Plus, since he has a relationship with our master, you can rest assured completely.”

Chu Ling asked, “Prefect Wang… there won’t be any trouble for him, right?”

“No, Prefect Wang’s elder brother is the Vice Minister of Personnel, and his sister is a concubine in the palace,” Uncle Hong replied.

Chu Ling finally felt completely at ease.

“Uncle Hong, tonight under the cover of darkness we’ll head to Yuanzhou. Please prepare the boat,” Chu Ling said.

Uncle Hong smiled and nodded. “The boat has long been ready. I’ll accompany you as well. And since you’re going to the capital, I’ll come along then too.”

“Uncle Hong is going to the capital too?” Wan Sanjin asked in surprise.

Uncle Hong nodded. “Yes. I need to swap places with Manager Zou in the capital. He’ll come to Ningzhou, and I’ll go to the capital.”

“Speaking of the capital,” Old Master Lin lightly tapped the table to catch everyone’s attention. “I mentioned on the carriage that our eldest master sent a verbal message for me to deliver.”

Wan Sanjin couldn’t contain his excitement. “What message from big brother?”

Old Master Lin cleared his throat, looked at everyone, and imitated Wan Xing’s tone: “I know that after you go to Yuanzhou, you’ll inevitably head to the capital. So I have a few pieces of advice for you.”

“One, the capital is not a place to fool around—behave yourselves!”

“Two, consult Uncle Hong for everything, keep a low profile, and don’t stir up trouble!”

“Three, maintain a good relationship with Fu Qingyu. With Master Fu present in the capital, your affairs will go much more smoothly.”

“Four, there’s so much happening in the capital every day. Trying to fight injustice or meddling in matters may get you into an irrecoverable situation. But…”

“But!” Wan Sanjin’s excitement flared. “But what? Big brother will have our backs, right?”

“But as long as you behave, or can persuade Fu Qingyu to assist, nothing serious will happen. His reputation can be very useful,” Old Master Lin added.

Wan Sanjin pouted. “Qingyu’s health isn’t good. How can we keep bothering him?”

“Then don’t bother him so much. Just be self-aware and avoid trouble, isn’t that enough?” Uncle Hong frowned.

Wan Sanjin shook his head and sighed. “I want to, but my sense of justice won’t allow it.”

Uncle Hong: “…”

Old Master Lin cleared his throat lightly and looked at them. “Watch me, there’s more to say.”

“I’ve seen your talent for causing trouble and know that no amount of advice will help, so… just go ahead, follow your heart…”

Chu Ling’s eyes lit up. “Young Master Wan really is a great person.”

Wan Sanjin was happy too. “As expected of my big brother.”

Old Master Lin glanced at them and continued, “…If by any chance you get into trouble, I’m willing to give half of my family fortune to save your lives. But if it exceeds half, then you’re on your own…”

Chu Ling: “…” That’s… straightforward.

Wan Sanjin was stunned too: “Am I not my big brother’s favorite younger brother?”

Su He was also dumbfounded: “Wan, you’re really decisive.”

Old Lin couldn’t help but laugh, then continued, “Our big master also said that all the gold and silver you exchanged will be confiscated.”

“All of it?” Wan Sanjin sprang up in disbelief. “Not even a little left?”

“The big master said you were bound to get into trouble, and it would definitely be serious. Since you won’t need that gold and silver anyway, it’s been taken into the Wan family. In the end, it’ll be used to ransom you anyway,” Old Lin explained.

Chu Ling felt the painful sting of a dream shattered: “I’m poor again.”

Wan Sanjin sank back into his seat, dejected: “My gold has flown away.”

Su He exhaled: “Good thing I have money.”

Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin glared at Su He, and Su He immediately turned his head, pretending not to see.

Uncle Hong sighed, half laughing and half crying: “You eat and live at the Wan family’s place, so you don’t spend much. And money can still be withdrawn from the bank. But the ones you exchanged earlier have all been confiscated.”

Chu Ling rested her chin on her hand, sighing: “I wonder if Qinglong will return to the capital. Otherwise, I’ll have to get some money from him again.”

“By the way, Zhuque took our golden Buddha. Can’t we count on Zhuque too?” Wan Sanjin asked.

Chu Ling stroked her jaw: “That needs careful planning. We have to see if we can trick her.”

“Actually, I have a way to make money,” Su He suddenly said.

Everyone at the table turned to look at him.

Su He said seriously, “When we get to the capital, some careless people will inevitably come looking for trouble. If they do, I’ll poison them, then sell the antidote. It’s a personal dispute, so it probably won’t escalate much. We can give it a try.”

Wan Sanjin exclaimed: “Su He, that’s brilliant! I think it’s perfect!”

Chu Ling also offered an idea: “To be safe, we can provoke him first. Tell him he was beaten and went crying home to his mother, or that he’s shamelessly trying to sue us to the authorities. Once we provoke him, I bet he’ll settle privately for face’s sake.”

Wan Sanjin exclaimed again: “Makes sense, master.”

Su He nodded; indeed, it was a good plan.

Old Lin, unable to contain himself, looked at Uncle Hong and whispered through gritted teeth: “Shiyuan, they’re just talking, right?”

Uncle Hong paused, then shook his head: “…No.”

They really would do it.

Old Lin felt a rush of blood to his head and instinctively rubbed his forehead, closing his eyes.

“Old Lin, you’ll be in the capital then too, right?” Wan Sanjin asked. “Once we earn money, we’ll invite you for tea.”

Old Lin frowned at Wan Sanjin: “Your big brother has made so much money—why don’t you spend it?”

“It feels more fulfilling to earn it myself,” Wan Sanjin replied with a smile. “After all, I’ve grown up now and should help shoulder the Wan family’s burdens.”

Uncle Hong looked at Old Lin, who was dumbstruck. Thinking Old Lin might get so angry he’d hit someone if not distracted, he quickly changed the topic: “Master, when you go to Yuanzhou, how will you handle cases? The local prefect won’t be fooled again, right?”

Chu Ling nodded: “That’s why I thought of another method. I’ll directly file a complaint against Lian Wu and Lian Ci, as a victim, and let the prefect handle the case.”

“That prefect will definitely side with Lian Wu,” Old Lin frowned. “That won’t work.”

“But I personally witnessed them taking money illegally. If I just claim that the Yuanzhou army imposed extra taxes, the prefect won’t dare openly favor them. Otherwise, I’ll escalate it to the capital and demand justice,” Chu Ling said.