Chapter Ninety-Two: Searching the Shop

Business at the hotpot restaurant was booming beyond all expectation.

But the danger that came with it had not vanished.

While they were open for business as usual, a large group of imperial soldiers suddenly arrived.

The spectacle was immense.

“Gentlemen, we are merely honest merchants. Why make such a grand display all at once?”

The waiter was a native of the area, and naturally understood the local rules. Seeing this scene, he immediately sent someone at full speed to inform Han Qing.

Yet these officers, without distinguishing right from wrong, forced their way straight into the back kitchen.

What was this about?

The commotion startled every customer nearby.

For a moment, they all thought some terrible matter had befallen them.

“Search everything!”

At the command, every corner of the back kitchen was turned over and examined.

But nothing was found.

“Bring out the man in charge.”

Han Qing emerged lazily from the back.

In truth, he had already formed a rough guess in his mind.

This was probably another one of those deliberate schemes.

“Our shop operates legally. Barging in like this is hardly a wise choice,” he said lightly, showing no regard at all for their provocation.

The uproar they were making was nothing more than the assumption that, as outsiders unfamiliar with the local rules, they could be bullied at will.

“We received a report that after eating at your establishment, someone became ill. It is very possible that one of you has poisoned the food...”

The man in the lead was likely the magistrate of Blue City.

Would he really come in person?

The Du family certainly thought highly of themselves.

“Do you have proof?”

“So, to prevent you from fleeing directly, we dispatched people to investigate.”

Oh?

What a lofty and righteous excuse. Who would believe it?

But after searching the place thoroughly, they found nothing.

“My lord, since you claim someone was poisoned by the food from our restaurant, was that conclusion made while the person was conscious, or is it merely your own guess while they remain unconscious?”

Han Qing asked coldly, showing no fear whatsoever.

“The family accused your hotpot restaurant while he was unconscious. Besides, your establishment was never reviewed by the trade guild in the first place. If there are some mistakes, we can excuse them since this is your first offense; there is no need to be so nervous.”

Hah?

To condemn someone so casually?

It was utterly absurd.

“If there is no evidence, our establishment will not admit to such a thing. And that person is still unconscious. Once he wakes, we will know whether what he said is true or false.”

He showed no fear of the official at all.

The magistrate grew angry.

No one had ever dared disobey his orders.

What kind of courage had this man eaten to become so bold?

“Seize him!”

“Let’s see who dares.”

Chen Tianwei rushed over at that very moment.

Upon learning of the crisis, she had immediately put aside the documents in her hands.

Just in time, she witnessed the scene.

“Lord Chen, I am simply following procedure. Why should it be forbidden?” the man asked arrogantly, caring nothing for the situation of the others.

“Where is your evidence? Just because of a few idle words from someone else, you decide the restaurant has a problem? Then if someone said you colluded with merchants to damage the court’s interests, do you think you could still keep your head?”

This...

The magistrate instantly panicked.

He had not considered that angle.

He had thought this outsider would be easy to handle, but now it was clear he had gravely mistaken the matter.

“Lord Chen, I was jesting. It was all merely a misunderstanding just now. We will continue the investigation.”

After saying this, he fled in disgrace.

He really was frightened, desperately trying to preserve his own life.

“Someone is trying to frame you?”

Lord Chen had spent many years in officialdom, and he could see through such petty tricks at a glance.

He immediately understood those people’s intentions.

“Please do not worry, my lord. This will not affect the progress of the case.”

Han Qing said sincerely.

He had already devised a foolproof plan.

He only needed to see how Old Master Du would strike back. If that old man did nothing, it would only make matters more alarming.

“Very well. I have already arranged for people to investigate him these past few days.”

Han Qing nodded.

After seeing them off, he gave orders to bring out the little ruffian.

It was time to let him do some real work.

“What do you need me to do?”

“If I place this hotpot restaurant in your hands, do you have the confidence to manage it?”

What?

Had a pie just fallen from the sky?

The little ruffian was instantly stunned.

He could hardly believe such a thing was happening before his very eyes.

He looked at Han Qing with open panic.

Yet the other man remained extraordinarily calm.

“You’re not joking, are you? I only know a few tricks and stage antics. I’ve never managed a shop before.”

He understood his own abilities well enough and immediately shook his head in refusal.

“No. Didn’t you want to take revenge on the Du family? Coincidentally, they have never let go of their grudge against this hotpot restaurant. The two of you might even be able to cross swords.”

Han Qing regarded him calmly.

This was an excellent opportunity.

If he could not seize it, then he would remain a street ruffian for the rest of his life.

Besides, wasn’t he also thinking of vengeance?

“You’re certain you want to hand the entire shop over to me?”

“Yes. And I need you to make this place bigger and bigger, ideally to the point where it can directly affect the Du family’s whole chain of restaurants.”

That was clearly rather difficult.

But this little ruffian was no ordinary man. He had once been clever and quick-witted; would that not be all the more useful in a place like this?

“All right.”

He nodded.

But Young Master Zhu was baffled.

When he returned to the residence, he heard about it at once.

“Brother Han, how could you make such a bold decision? He’s nothing more than a street thug. What if he ruins the shop we have spent so long building?”

His anxiety grew heavier and heavier.

“It won’t happen. Trust that he has the ability.”

“No, we already investigated his capabilities. He spent seven or eight years in that kind of place and never got anywhere.”

Young Master Zhu hurriedly reminded him.

This matter could not be allowed to fade away just like that.

They had to explain the situation clearly and quickly.

“That may be true, but it is not as exaggerated as you make it sound.”

Han Qing shook his head.

From the very beginning, he had clearly seen the other man’s frustrations.

That man was full of pent-up fury, and it was only right to use him to clash with the Du family.

Perhaps there would be an unexpected surprise.

“Then what will you do?”

“I’ll study martial arts manuals, of course.”

He glanced at the man as though he were speaking nonsense.

Seeing that he could not change anything, Young Master Zhu had no choice but to let it go.

But he had not come today for that reason alone.

He had come to invite Han Qing to a merchant gathering.

“I’ve been wandering around these past few days and made a few friends. I was just thinking of introducing you to them.”

He asked with great determination.

These friends were no ordinary people; among them were two distant relatives of court officials.