Chapter 160: One Pulls Another
President Zhu of the Silk Guild, upon leaving the Maritime Tax Bureau, learned from Second Boss Wei that the matter of Huang Xianzhou detaining and interrogating him after he went to withdraw the petition.
President Zhu’s chest ached with anger, and upon hearing that Old Wan was still missing without a trace, his head began to ache as well.
Returning to the Silk Guild, President Zhu did not enter the room. He stood under the corridor, tilting his head slightly to look at the somewhat gloomy sky. He meticulously reviewed the events at the wharf before entering the room with his hands behind his back.
Since Old Wan had not returned, Han Qingji had made a trip to the Cheng Zi Gang, which instead revealed a slight flaw. It was not advisable to act rashly at this moment; finding Old Wan was the priority.
The shed the Young Lord had set up at the wharf was lit all night.
Figures were clear within the shed as Huang Xianzhou interrogated Second Boss Wei for the entire night.
As dawn was just breaking, a long line of soldiers surrounded the Wei family’s residence. Mr. Yao, leading several scribes from the Prince’s Estate, conducted a search and seize of the Wei family’s home, carrying out more than ten boxes and chests of various sizes.
Steward Han Qingji of the Silk Guild, upon hearing that Second Boss Wei had been detained, felt his heart leap into his throat. This morning, he heard that the Wei family’s residence had been searched. Filled with urgency and fright, he rushed to the Silk Guild, anxiously awaiting President Zhu.
President Zhu arrived at the Silk Guild at his usual time. Judging by his expression and complexion, he appeared much the same as usual, except his eye bags were more swollen and larger, and considerably darker.
“President! Why are you only arriving now! Second Boss Wei has been arrested, the Wei family has been searched, President…” Steward Han rushed forward, his words tumbling out in his haste.
“What does it have to do with you? Why are you panicking!” President Zhu glared at Steward Han and reprimanded him sternly.
“I was going to find him, to have him…” Steward Han explained instinctively.
“We have dozens of ships, hundreds of ships of silk accumulating at the wharf, unable to unload. Isn’t it only natural for you to urge him?” President Zhu pointed his finger at Steward Han.
Steward Han froze for a moment and let out a sound.
Indeed, their Silk Guild’s cargo had been held up for nearly half a month. In normal times, not only would they urge him, but they would likely have berated the Cheng Zi Gang.
Alas, he was feeling guilty, but what was he guilty about? What did it have to do with him?
Alas, it was all because of the troublesome issue of whether the porters at the wharf counted a trip once or twice!
“Go back and get a good night’s sleep. Their internal strife within the Wharf Gang is not a new occurrence. They have minor disputes every three to five years and major ones every ten to eight years. It has nothing to do with us,” President Zhu said in a softer tone, instructing him.
Steward Han repeatedly agreed. Watching President Zhu enter the Second Gate, he raised his hand and patted his forehead a few times. His mood relaxed, and he suddenly felt both tired and hungry, turning to leave the Silk Guild.
He would go back, eat and drink well, and then sleep soundly.
As soon as he turned the street corner, Steward Han was stopped by a scribe accompanied by several soldiers: Master Huang Xianzhou requested his presence.
Before President Zhu could finish his cup of tea, he heard that Steward Han had been invited away by Huang Xianzhou. His expression changed instantly. With a bang, he slammed his cup down and stood up, heading straight for the wharf.
President Zhu arrived at the wharf no more than fifteen minutes after Steward Han.
Upon arriving outside the shed belonging to the Young Lord, President Zhu had barely finished saying “Greetings, Master Huang,” when his voice was amplified and transmitted inside. Almost immediately, Mr. Yao hurried out, bowed, and gestured for President Zhu to enter the shed.
Huang Xianzhou stood up and personally picked up a small, broken bamboo chair, offering it to President Zhu.
As the President of the Jiangnan Silk General Store, President Zhu held a formal Rank Nine position, making him Huang Xianzhou’s equal. Naturally, he was offered the small bamboo chair.
Steward Han’s face was pale, his shoulders slumped, and he sat obediently on a small stool.
“Master Huang is investigating a case, and it has reached my Jiangnan Silk General Store. May I ask what offense Steward Han has committed? Does Master Huang have any evidence?” President Zhu began aggressively.
“It’s like this,” Huang Xianzhou said calmly. “Last night, the Second Boss of the Cheng Zi Gang came to withdraw the petition, claiming to be entrusted by Mrs. Zou. I had someone inquire with Mrs. Zou, and she stated she had not entrusted him and had no intention of withdrawing the petition.”
Huang Xianzhou smiled, his demeanor extremely humble.
“Foreman Zou is dead, so Second Boss Wei is now Foreman Wei. There is a motive for harming him. I detained Second Boss Wei and interrogated him.”
Huang Xianzhou paused, glancing at the grim-faced, silent President Zhu. After a moment, he continued, “Second Boss Wei said that it was your Silk Guild’s Steward Han who urged him to quickly conclude Foreman Zou’s funeral. He was rushed and came up with the idea of falsely claiming to be entrusted by Mrs. Zou to withdraw the petition.”
“Whether this statement is true or not, I had no choice but to invite Steward Han over for an inquiry.”
Huang Xianzhou wore a smile, while President Zhu’s expression was somber.
“Our Silk Guild’s cargo ships have been backed up by dozens. They were already being unloaded slowly, and now with Foreman Zou’s incident, there’s no one to unload at the wharf. From the day Foreman Zou had his accident until today, not a single piece of the Silk Guild’s cargo has moved!
“The Linhai Town Wharf has been built, and yet the Silk Guild’s cargo has been accumulating for over ten days. This has never happened before!”
President Zhu became increasingly angry as he spoke.
“So that’s how it is!” Huang Xianzhou exclaimed as if suddenly enlightened. “President Zhu should have mentioned this earlier! I’ve been busy with the fighting at the wharf and haven’t paid attention! It’s all my fault, I was truly careless.”
Huang Xianzhou appeared extremely remorseful.
“It is truly inexcusable that the Silk Guild’s cargo has been accumulating for over ten days! If the Young Lord finds out, he will surely be furious!”
A sense of unease welled up in President Zhu’s heart. Just as he was about to speak, Huang Xianzhou spoke first.
“It’s all my fault! President Zhu, please rest assured, I will arrange it now, immediately. Don’t worry, we will unload it right away. How can the unloading of cargo be delayed!”
As Huang Xianzhou spoke, he pointed his finger at Mr. Yao.
“You go quickly and arrange for people to unload the Silk Guild’s cargo! Make it clear to them that this is arranged by President Zhu and myself. Anyone who dares to disobey will have to face the Young Lord’s disposal. Hurry, hurry!
“Tell them to slow down on other cargo and quickly unload the Silk Guild’s goods. The sooner the better!”
Mr. Yao was already standing at the entrance of the shed. Before Huang Xianzhou finished speaking, Mr. Yao had already repeatedly agreed and was jogging out, waving his hands and calling out to arrange the porters from various families.
“I wouldn’t dare trouble you, Master Huang. I have no other intentions. It’s just a few dozen ships of cargo; I can arrange it myself!” President Zhu became anxious.
“President Zhu, you are too kind. It is all my fault that the Silk Guild’s cargo has been delayed due to Foreman Zou’s case. It is truly a sin. If the Young Lord were to find out, who knows how angry he would be,” Huang Xianzhou said, wiping his face with a look of lingering fear.
“I wouldn’t dare trouble you. I’ll go take a look.” President Zhu, filled with anger, stood up abruptly. As he took a step, Huang Xianzhou smiled, “President Zhu, please stay. Regarding Foreman Zou’s murder case, I still have a few questions to ask.”
“Are you accusing me of being the murderer?” President Zhu’s voice was stern.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Huang Xianzhou replied, his expression fearless. He cupped his hands and gave a dry laugh. “Since the Young Lord has entrusted me with uncovering the truth behind Foreman Shi’s murder, I will do my utmost.
“Second Boss Wei falsely claimed that Mrs. Zou had entrusted him to withdraw the petition. Coincidentally, before Second Boss Wei came to withdraw the petition, it was your Silk Guild’s Steward Han who had approached him, telling him to withdraw the petition and quickly bury Foreman Shi. Steward Han claimed to be acting on your orders. Naturally, I must question President Zhu. I ask for your understanding, President Zhu, and please tell the truth.”
President Zhu glared at Huang Xianzhou. After taking several deep breaths, his expression calmed, and he said slowly, “Steward Huang, please ask whatever you wish. I will answer truthfully.”
