Chapter 480: Chapter 249: Write-off Debt _2
"It’s true, it’s true," He Laoliu squatted on the ground, showing half of his face with a fawning smile, "The wine sold to Master Xu was indeed brewed by my brother-in-law; I’m just the errand boy."
"Old Master, you hear that? You can’t deny it now, can you?" a government officer said.
Old Master Lian’s chest tightened with the breath he held; he knew with Lian Shouyi absent, it was impossible to clear things up with He Laoliu, and even if they did, the outcome would be largely the same.
"How about this, our eastern master values peace and prosperity, so we’re willing to give you some respect. Compensate for our loss in silver coin, or else, we’ll take the person responsible, and when you’ve paid the money, we’ll return them to you."
To the Xu Family, this was also taking a step back. Initially, they came to inquire only because they had heard that the Shen Family bought grape wine from the Lian Family at Thirty Mile Camp. They had indeed found out that He Laoliu’s wine wasn’t authentic, that it was a result of the winemaking technique stolen from the Lian Family. However, because He Laoliu was Lian Shouyi’s uncle by marriage, and because Lian Shouyi and Lian Shouxin, the creator of the grape wine, were biological brothers, they believed He Laoliu’s wine was worth buying, thus they bought his entire stock of wine at the price of one coin silver per jin.
They thought they had got a bargain. At first, the wine sold well, and they were in no rush to sell off their stock, hoping to get an even better price. It was unexpected when they moved a jar out for sale two days ago, only to find out the wine had spoiled and was undrinkable.
Of course, they wouldn’t stand for such a loss, so they went to the County Yamen and brought two acquainted constables to apprehend Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu.
Lian Manman sighed with relief upon hearing they wanted compensation in silver. In fact, she had anticipated such an outcome; even if they captured someone, the ultimate goal was still money.
The Lian Family wasn’t without connections, something the constables were well aware of. The fact that no one came to their morning pastry shop for a handout was proof of that.
Selling goods of subpar quality and compensating in money was only fair.
The question was, how much to compensate.
"... Originally, we paid one coin silver per jin and bought nine hundred jin. Add to that the reputational damage to our storefront caused by this fake wine, which we will not ask for much—just twenty percent. In total, you need to compensate us with one hundred sixty-two taels of silver, then we’ll drop this matter," stated the Xu Family’s steward.
Lian Manman sat quietly on the side, having said nothing throughout. When she first arrived, she had been furious, but now as her anger subsided, she became calm. The situation involved Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu, filled with complicated issues. If she took a strong stand, she would be assuming all responsibility and trouble for her own family, which clearly was not wise. All she needed to do was to protect her family’s interests when necessary.
One hundred sixty-two taels was an lion’s demand. Old Master Lian felt his vision blurring. But once the Xu Family’s steward brought up the selling of fake wine, the situation could be seen as a major or minor offense. It was like being fish on a chopping board; they were at the mercy of whatever the other party demanded. The Old Master, with many years of experience as a shopkeeper, understood this principle all too well.
"Alright," Old Master Lian nodded, "My second son initially brought home thirty taels, so we’ll compensate based on that amount. We’ll give forty taels. For the rest, you should ask He Laoliu."
"What?" He Laoliu nearly bounced up from the ground, "Old Master, you can’t do me like this. I made one hundred thirty-five taels from the sale of the grape wine, but my brother-in-law took the lion’s share, claiming that the winemaking technique belonged to your Lian Family. He took eighty taels and only left me fifty-five—it’s even me who paid for the jars and everything..."
Lian Shouxin stomped his foot in anger. Lian Manman silently rubbed her forehead, her head aching. If it wasn’t for her belief that Lian Shouxin wouldn’t agree, she would have wanted to pull him away immediately.
"Old Master, we don’t care how you distribute that money among yourselves. We just want the full one hundred sixty-two taels of silver today. Otherwise, He Laoliu is definitely going to jail, and Old Master, you’re coming with us too," stated the Xu Family’s steward.
"I’ve lost all my money, and at home, I’ve just got two rundown rooms, hardly even worth five taels of silver," argued He Laoliu. This was what he had declared when he got caught; he added that if they wanted money, they should ask the Lian Family, and if they wanted his life, he had one to give. That’s why these people headed straight for the Lian home instead of going to the He Family.
"Old Master, you guys can argue over who owes what later. We don’t have the patience to listen to that. Unfortunately, that’s the money you’ll have to front for now," one of the constables said with a laugh.
He Laoliu, audacious as a dead pig not fearing boiling water, could only pressure the Lian Family.
Old Master Lian knew that, those hundred plus taels of silver, today was the day he had to take out, willing or not. But where would he get such an amount? It was like asking for his life.
Old Master Lian sat on the kang bed, his body starting to sway.
"Dad, Dad, what’s wrong with you?" Lian Shouren who was seated next to Old Master Lian, hurriedly supported him and turned his head to call out to Lian Shouxin, "Old Fourth, look what shape Dad’s in, aren’t you going to say something?"
At this point, what could Lian Shouxin say?
"Big Uncle, is this how you act as a big brother? In times of trouble, you won’t say a word of use but push everything onto your brothers? Are the books you’ve read teaching you to deal with things this way?" Lian Manman, her face stern, spoke harshly to Lian Shouren, "Big Uncle, what do you want my dad to say? Why don’t you say it yourself?"
"If it’s about using money, you’re the ones who have it."
"We have no money, not even one wen money."
"Then sell..."
"Alright, let’s start with yours first..."
***...****
Here’s one update, asking for some love.
Not feeling well today, dizzy, I will rest a bit, and strive to post a second update tonight. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian.com; your support is my greatest motivation.)
