Chapter Twenty-Four: Malicious Sabotage

His current glory and success had indeed made some people green with envy.

“Second Young Master, do you think we should keep pressuring First Rank Pavilion?” Uncle Wang asked suspiciously.

Last time, although he had intended to take over Drunken Flower House, an unforeseen mishap prevented him from seizing such a lucrative business. As a compromise, Second Young Master Bai had bought shares in First Rank Pavilion. Yet, his plan to suppress the competition was once again thwarted by other meddlers.

This time, Drunken Flower House had been framed, and Bai had certainly helped fan the flames from behind the scenes. Yet after all the back-and-forth, they lost a hundred taels of silver, while Drunken Flower House remained unscathed.

“No need,” he replied coldly, a calculating glint in his eyes.

He had not thought much of that young Han before, but now it seemed he needed to deal with him sooner rather than later. Competing for territory with him in North County City? Clearly, that boy had lived too long.

“Send someone to investigate what the Han family has been up to lately. An ailing old mother, a frail young woman, and a bookish fool—do they really think they can overturn the heavens?” he sneered with contempt.

The steward nodded and quickly dispatched several capable servants.

In less than half a day, they had gathered firsthand information on the Han family.

“Second Master, recently Han Qing has been frequenting a small bookstore. Ever since he gained fame for his poetry, he seems to have entered into some sort of cooperation with this shop.”

Oh? An ordinary bookstore? That would be all too easy to topple. Any enterprise that could bring profit to the Han family would not be allowed to survive.

“Who’s the person behind this bookstore?”

“The same idler who pretended to be the magistrate last time. No one knows where he got his money, but he’s been running the shop openly in the east of the city for several months now,” the steward explained calmly.

The anger from being deceived last time had yet to find an outlet. Now, the opportunity had presented itself—he would simply smash this bookstore.

“Send more servants, and prepare some plausible paperwork. Get rid of this shop.”

“I’ll come along to see for myself,” Second Young Master Bai said smugly.

He failed to discover that Young Master Zhu was also involved behind the scenes. Thus emboldened, he marched straight to the little storybook shop.

“Oh my, a distinguished guest from the Bai family! Please, let me know if there’s anything you need,” Er Zhuang said, seeing the aggressive demeanor and sensing trouble.

But as a businessman, he still had to recite the customary words, even as he secretly sent someone to notify Han Qing.

“Does your bookstore possess the proper official documents for operation?”

“We’re a legitimate establishment and prepared all necessary documents before opening,” Er Zhuang replied, realizing this visitor was looking for trouble.

But with a clear conscience, he had nothing to fear from these bullies.

“You are clever enough, but I wonder if you deceived me previously?” Bai pressed.

Uh-oh…

He had been recognized. Yet Er Zhuang knew that admitting it would make him guilty of impersonating an official. Besides, he had disguised himself well that time, so the onlookers from the neighborhood wouldn’t recognize him. With no witnesses, how could anyone prove that farce? Thus, he feared no threats.

“Second Young Master Bai, you must be joking. Who here doesn’t know the Bai family’s reputation? We all rely on you for our livelihoods,” he replied with feigned deference.

Clearly, this man was impervious to both threats and persuasion. Bai grew furious and prepared to act.

With a command, over a dozen servants burst in, immediately wrecking the books and smashing many shelves.

Did he really think he could do as he pleased, destroying someone else’s property? Er Zhuang watched coolly. After all, he had done nothing to provoke this man; all blame would fall on Bai. It was the Bai family’s reputation being tarnished.

“I never thought a mere merchant could make Second Young Master Bai come in person,” Young Master Zhu remarked sarcastically, having hurried over upon hearing the news.

“We’re simply upholding justice—some of their books are sold without official approval,” Bai declared self-righteously.

“But surely my imperial permit from the capital won’t suffice for you?” Zhu produced an official document from the capital, which clearly protected the rights of small merchants.

The slap in the face was immediate.

“How… how is this possible?” Bai protested. His family had heard nothing of this. He had finally found an opportunity, only for it to be so cleanly thwarted.

“How did you get an imperial edict from the capital!” he demanded.

No matter how bold he was, he dared not disregard a decree from the court.

“And one more thing, which I forgot to mention: this little bookstore is mine. The compensation for all the damaged property has already been delivered to Old Master Bai,” Zhu said calmly.

What?

Zhu’s composure only grew. Bai, who moments ago had been so arrogant, was now silenced.

He had investigated—this was just an ordinary bookstore, how could Zhu be involved? Moreover, the old master had warned him not to cross Young Master Zhu lightly, as his background was shrouded in secrecy, likely connected to officials in Luojing.

“Brother Zhu, this is all my fault. The Bai family misunderstood me, and so they vented their anger on you,” Han Qing interjected suddenly. He had arrived earlier but watched the spectacle for a good quarter of an hour before entering.

Indeed, the Bai family had been thoroughly disgraced. Han Qing’s remark was like pouring oil on the flames, making the onlookers realize that the Bai family had arbitrarily destroyed another’s property out of spite.

Though none dared speak out, disgust toward the Bai family was already rooted in their hearts. When such resentment had long been simmering, it would one day erupt, and the Bai family would truly fall.

To ruin a man, it was not necessary to kill him outright, but to slowly grind him down, to play a careful game and control the board.

Seeing the crowd growing larger and knowing the situation was unsalvageable, Bai shouted, “What are you standing around for? Let’s go!” and fled in embarrassment.

But the little shop had been so thoroughly trashed that repairs were urgent.

“Brother, I did my best to stop them, but the Bai family simply wouldn’t listen to reason,” Er Zhuang explained anxiously, fearing for his position as shopkeeper.

“This isn’t your fault. Find some craftsmen and restore the place as soon as possible,” Han Qing replied.

Keeping things stable in the short term was already a solid achievement.

“What were you thinking? Why did you seem timid when you faced Bai?”