Chapter Seventy-Five: A Subtle Stratagem

The other party was instantly rendered speechless.

“Tell me your purpose. You asked to meet me alone instead of sending the authorities to arrest me—does that mean you’re open to negotiation?”

“You truly are smarter than your two elder brothers. It must have been difficult for you when you were forced to take the blame earlier,” Han Qing said slowly.

“Are you interested in seeing your family’s business regain some momentum?”

“That’s not right. Weren’t you planning to ruin us?” Bai Yujing’s face was full of confusion.

“You pose no threat to me, nor have you committed any heinous crimes. I have no reason to treat you harshly. But your eldest brother is a different story.”

He could help this man escape his misery.

“As for you, you can either leave the Bai family and work with me, or continue to be their scapegoat.”

He knows? Bai Yujing couldn’t help but think.

They all admitted it—so why was Han Qing so certain that the destruction of the incense shop was his elder brother’s doing?

“Don’t be puzzled. With your abilities, you couldn’t have come up with that scheme,” Han Qing said—not to mock, but simply stating the truth.

Bai Yujing hesitated.

Han Qing saw no need to say more.

“If you’re willing to cooperate, come find me at Drunken Flower Pavilion.”

With that, he left.

“Brother Han, what scheme are you hatching now? You haven’t been setting up the incense shop these days; instead, you’ve been busy going back and forth with the Bai family,” Zhu Xiaoye remarked.

He truly didn’t understand. Han Qing had already put the Bai family’s people behind bars, and might even face their retaliation. Why go out of his way to make friendly visits now?

“The culprit behind the incense shop’s destruction was the eldest young master of the Bai family. I’m just trying to learn the whole truth.”

Zhu Xiaoye’s mind stalled. How could he remain so calm? It was as if they already knew each other’s intentions, and were unconcerned about what the other might do.

“It’s already amazing they haven’t thrown you out,” Zhu Xiaoye said.

“They should be grateful. At the very least, I didn’t have Magistrate Wen arrest them outright. Destroying another’s business should earn them a few months in jail at minimum.”

That… did make some sense.

“What do you plan to do? Destroying them seems too simple. I feel like you’re playing a much bigger game, but I can’t see through it,” Zhu Xiaoye said, shaking his head, realizing he couldn’t keep up with Han Qing’s thinking.

This man was too unpredictable. After the shop was destroyed, anyone else would be furious, demanding compensation. Yet not only was Han Qing unfazed, he seemed intent on collaborating with some of the very same people.

Less than two hours later, Bai Yujing arrived.

“The one we’re waiting for is here. Want to join us and listen in?” Han Qing asked.

“No need—I don’t need to make an appearance,” Zhu Xiaoye replied, waving his hand and declining without hesitation. He didn’t want to get involved anymore, especially after seeing Drunken Flower Pavilion’s current devastated state; his heart ached for the lost silver.

“I can help you get evidence that your eldest brother destroyed your shop. But can you guarantee that my fabric shop will become the top establishment in North County?” Bai Yujing asked.

Quite ambitious. But Han Qing admired that.

“I can,” he replied coolly.

“How do you plan to do it?” Bai Yujing asked, surprised by Han Qing’s straightforwardness.

Currently, there were about ten fabric shops in North County. Due to imperial merchants earlier in the year, the fabric business had already started to decline. Then, with the Zhao family’s ready-to-wear shop opening, they’d lost almost all their customers; only a few regulars remained, out of old friendship.

This was not a minor problem.

“No rush. Let’s get your eldest brother sent away first,” Han Qing said with a faint smile.

He needed to secure his benefits before solving others’ problems. Otherwise, it was near impossible to make him act.

“What if you go back on your word?” Bai Yujing demanded.

“I could simply refuse your offer, have the authorities take your brother away, and after a few days get what I want anyway. But I’m giving you a chance out of good will. If you don’t seize it, it’ll be gone.”

Zhi Lan was instantly convinced, and brought over the burly men who all confessed to their actions. The incident that happened that night was indeed their fault.

With the evidence in hand, Magistrate Wen quickly arrested the Bai family’s eldest son. With the Bai family members entering prison one after another, the merchants who used to cozy up to them began to avoid them entirely.

Reviving their fabric shop would not be easy.

But Zhu Xiaoye saw clearly now: he had long known that Han Qing was not to be trifled with, and could only silently pray for Old Master Zhao.

After all, stealing the secret incense formula deserved such retribution.

“So this was your plan? To bring down their prized ready-to-wear shop from the past six months?” Zhu Xiaoye asked.

“That’s not quite right. It’s just normal business competition,” Han Qing replied impassively.

If anyone was to blame, it was the Bai family’s greed. If they wanted to be the top in North County, they should have done it by fair means. They reached too far, so they had only themselves to blame when the tables turned.

“But didn’t you used to get dividends from them? Won’t your own profits take a hit if you do this?”

“Not at all. I’m helping Zhi Lan win back the business; I never said I wouldn’t take my share of the spoils.”

Impressive, truly impressive.

Zhu Xiaoye was astounded, grateful he never became Han Qing’s enemy, or he wouldn’t have survived in this place.

Every day brought new changes, and the merchants of North County found themselves in a state of perpetual confusion.

Once, everyone flattered the Bai family, then it seemed the Han family was on the rise. But lately, the Zhao family’s momentum had become unstoppable.

In just half a year, the world had turned upside down.

“Do you think the Zhao family will become the leader of our merchants’ guild?” one merchant asked.

“You’re being hasty, Master Li; they already are,” another replied.

“Not necessarily. After all, Han Qing still controls the salt trade, and that’s essential for all of us,” Master Zhang objected, shaking his head.

“Don’t be foolish. How much profit is there in salt? The price is strictly controlled by the court, and profits won’t rise…”

In the theater, the merchants continued to debate which family they should align themselves with.