Chapter Thirty-Six: Clarification

The disturbance at the salt shop had stirred up quite a commotion. Magistrate Bai, upon hearing of the incident, upheld fairness and justice by specially assigning several subordinates to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Four or five officials gathered at the entrance of the salt shop, observing the troublemakers. The moment Han Qing resolutely decided to uncover the truth, a few guilty souls tried to slip away. But how could they be allowed to escape? Those who had spread false rumors were immediately apprehended.

Even before the county office could employ its usual methods, fear drove them to confess. "Sir, we truly didn’t want to do it, but our families needed silver. Steward Wang offered more money, and we thought it wouldn’t be such hard work..." “Which Steward Wang are you referring to?” “Who else in North County City has such influence? It must be the one by Second Young Master Bai’s side.” Their confession was clear as day.

Magistrate Bai, upon reading the presented reports, was furious. Hadn’t he instructed his brothers to manage their household affairs properly? Yet trouble had arisen again, and now such a scandal had erupted—ruining the family’s reputation and striking a blow to his own dignity.

“Magistrate Bai, this matter may involve your son, but I recall the salt shop was originally established with your support.” The words were polite on the surface, yet there was another agenda beneath.

“It is indeed a lack of discipline within the Bai family. I’ve already ordered those involved to be brought here.” Second Young Master Bai, sensing things were amiss, quickly sought ways to extricate himself.

“I had no knowledge of this matter. Had you not sought me out at home, I would never have known there were such traitors in my household,” he said with an air of grievance. All the scheming was orchestrated by the steward, yet nobody paid much attention to his involvement. And the steward openly admitted he had evil intentions.

“The Magistrate will surely judge impartially. We common folk dare not complain,” Han Qing nodded, offering no rebuttal. The case was thus settled as a disturbance of public order. The steward was sentenced to dozens of cane strokes, fined, and expelled from the Bai household.

Yet the true mastermind received no punishment. How could the public accept this?

“Brother Han, your response today in the court perplexed me. Why not force them to hand over Second Young Master Bai and mete out a severe punishment?” Young Master Zhu asked in confusion.

“Old Master Bai spoke rightly. The real culprit lies elsewhere, but since the steward refuses to confess, how can we easily accuse another?” All evidence pointed only to Steward Wang, making this a disadvantageous situation. It was necessary to recognize this and avoid falling into another’s trap.

“But even so, who will bear responsibility for the salt shop’s unwarranted damage?”

“Wait. Just wait a while longer,” he replied calmly. There was no need to rush. The public’s trust in the Bai family would gradually erode. This time, not only had their scheme failed, but they had also lost a loyal steward—a blow sufficient to quiet them for a time.

Meanwhile, the changes in Butcher Wang’s wife were apparent. Previously, she suffered from chest tightness and severe headaches, but her symptoms had gradually improved.

“Old Wang, last time we wrongly accused Young Master Han’s family. Bring some roast pork and apologize in person,” said Lady Wang, a sensible woman. “It was all my fault for my loose tongue,” Butcher Wang regretted deeply. Yet their offerings were declined, earning the Han family a fine reputation.

The salt shop’s clientele increased, completely severing the Bai family’s salt business. Their stocks were fewer, prices higher—an adjustment impossible, since their supplies came from neighboring towns, and transportation costs kept rising.

Second Young Master Bai, having lost a trusted subordinate, spent his days berating servants—those he disliked were struck or scolded. Many servants quietly slipped away; life had become unbearable.

“Young master, you can’t continue in this decline. If outsiders see this, won’t they say the Bai family is incompetent?” One retainer, unable to bear the situation, spoke up. Originally, he followed the Bai family, hoping their dominance in North County City would secure his own comfort. But who could have foreseen repeated setbacks?

“Mock me? Let’s see who dares!”

“Young master, no one would dare say anything to your face, but behind your back, who knows? Besides, the other branches of the Bai family are gaining influence...” This was the retainer’s main point. He followed Second Young Master Bai, hoping for future benefits, but since the young master had fallen out of favor with the patriarch, wouldn’t all his assets eventually be lost?

“My cousins? They dare covet Bai family wealth? Give them ten times the courage—they’d never dare!”

“They don’t dare now, but what about later?”

The Bai family’s relationships were complex. In earlier years, they maintained good ties with the Wang clan in East City, mainly through silk and textile trade. Later, the Bai family’s dominance drove the Wang clan to the brink of bankruptcy. Some distant Wang relatives married into the Bai family as concubines—though there was no apparent revenge, who could say if ambition lurked?

Thus, recalculation was needed.

“Didn’t we try to draw in Liu Iron Bull before? He borrowed silver from us. Find a reason to collect the debt,” Second Young Master Bai’s gaze turned sly. It was difficult to act against the young man directly, but he had a brother-in-law—surely no one could stop that.

“Understood.” The retainer nodded and quickly sent men to find Liu Iron Bull, who was entertaining himself in a gambling house—hoping, perhaps, for a windfall.

“Send a few men to watch him. Let him win a bit at the right moment,” the gambling house attendant nodded and set the plan in motion.

Since his wife’s reproach, Liu Iron Bull had been full of resentment. In a moment of anger, he struck his wife, provoking the Han family’s wrath, who took her away and declared that a divorce was inevitable. The responsibility lay squarely with him; even if he appealed to the magistrate, the Han family had reason and evidence.

Unexpectedly, luck was on his side at the gambling house today.

“Big! I’m betting on big!”

“Big! Big!”

“Small! Small!”