For businessmen, account books are life.
Therefore, when Hua Yitang proposed to read the accounts for Wang, even a stupid person like Wang Jinglu reacted and immediately wanted to go back on his word. Unfortunately, Wang's farce caused Taishou Chi to lose face in front of Yushi Zhongcheng. Taishou Chi tried his best to get the case to a clear trial, so Wang had to submit all the account books of the past three years to Hua Cengjun for review.
Wang Jinglu watched helplessly as he personally delivered his family's fate into Hua Yitang's hands, and his heart turned green with regret.
Taishou Chi also regretted a little. He was a civil servant and had never touched account books. He thought that there were only five or six account books at most in a few rice shops. Unexpectedly, the government officials actually brought up four large boxes full of them, and he was immediately dumbfounded.
With so many account books, after Hua Yitang has reviewed them one by one, wouldn't he have to wait until next year?
Xia Changshi noticed Governor Chi's embarrassment and hurriedly wiped his immediate boss's butt. He ordered someone to change Jiang Zhongcheng's tea and give him fresh fruits and snacks. He diligently invited Mr. Zhongcheng, the royal censor, to go to the back office to rest first.
Jiang Wende took a sip of tea, raised his eyelids and looked at Hua Yitang, "No need."
Governor Chi and Xia Changshi quickly understood what Jiang Wende meant.
It is indeed "unnecessary", because Hua Yitang's speed at reading the account books is so amazing. He unrolls a volume, glances at it twice, then closes it with his backhand to open the next volume. It is no exaggeration to say that it can be called "one glance". Hundreds of Lines".
Everyone's eyes were unknowingly focused on Hua Yitang. Under the bright firelight, the handsome young man joining the army sometimes raised his eyebrows and sometimes lowered his eyes. As his eyes moved, he could see the terrifying calculations in hundreds of account books. In the end, it just turned into a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.
As Hua Yitang's expression became more and more relaxed, the hearts of Chi Taishou and others became higher and higher. After these days of getting along, they had some understanding of the temperament and temperament of this Hua Shiro. His current expression is clearly "It's not a big deal to watch the excitement."
The four large boxes of account books disappeared quickly at a visually detectable speed. Half an hour later, Hua Yitang put away the last volume of account books, slowly picked up the tea cup, blew on the tea foam, took a sip, and sighed with satisfaction. "Today's flower tea tastes very good."
Governor Chi was very nervous, "How about joining the army?"
Hua Yitang put down the tea cup and smoothed his sleeves, "There is nothing wrong with the account books of the three cousins of the Wang family."
Wang Jinglu became angry when he heard this, "Hua Yitang, do you know how to read accounts?!"
"Hua hasn't finished speaking yet," Hua Yitang said, "Wang Jinglu's side is also right."
Wang Jinglu: "Eh?"
Governor Chi: "What does Hua Canjun mean by...?"
Ling Zhiyan: "What Silang means - are the account books provided by both sides true?"
Hua Yitang nodded, "That's right. The accounts of each rice store are true, and the general ledger is also true. The accounts show that Wang's rice store has suffered losses for three consecutive years and cannot make ends meet. The general ledger shows that Wang's business is booming and has a bright future."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was stunned.
Xia Changshi: "How is this possible?"
Hua Yitang curled his eyes and smiled, "Of course it is possible, because there is a missing part of the secret account between the branch ledger and the general ledger."
Jiang Wende's eyes flashed, "What secret account?"
"The business that is done on the surface is done with open accounts, and the business that cannot be put on the table is naturally done with secret accounts." Hua Yitang sighed, "Presumably only the real head of the Wang family can know this part of the secret accounts."
The faces of everyone in the Wang family were green, especially Wang Jinglu, whose face was almost the color of moldy pig liver.
The general ledger of the Wang family has always been managed by the head of the family himself, and the secrets are only known to the successive heads of the house. This head of the house, Wang Jingfu, killed Minina and was imprisoned for a serious crime. Before he could choose the next head of the house, Wang Jinglu couldn't wait to replace her and snatched her away. After checking the general ledger, he thought he was smart and discovered the crime of Wang's cousins. He was so angry that he came to report the crime. Unexpectedly, this was the result.
"I, I won't check anymore!" Wang Jinglu shouted, "Since there is nothing wrong with my family's account books, it is our family matter. We can handle it ourselves without bothering you adults!"
Wang's three cousins also said, "Yes, yes, it's all a family matter, so we won't investigate it anymore."
"Absurd!" Chi Taishou slapped the crowd hard, "Isn't Yidu Mansion a place where you can just come and go? Now that you have sued the official and gone to court, this case must be tried clearly. ! Come here, tell Wang Jingfu to come to court!"
The officials rushed out in response, and not long after, the jailer brought Wang Jingfu up, who was covered with chains.
Wang Jingfu's expression was a bit baffling at first, and then, when he saw the four large boxes of account books piled at Hua Yitang's feet, he immediately reacted, his face was as pale as paper, he stared at Wang Jinglu with extremely resentful eyes, and spat "Idiot!"
Prefect Chi snapped the picture and said, "Wang Jingfu, the Wang brothers came to court for falsifying their account books. Jinghua joined the army to read the accounts in person and found that your Wang family had a secret account, which led to the discrepancy between the general ledger and the detailed ledger." Let me ask you, where is the secret account? What other shady business has your Wang family done? Why don’t you call it in quickly?!"
Wang Jingfu's face twitched twice, "Chief Governor Chi is joking. Everyone in Yidu City knows that Wang is a rice merchant and is engaged in serious rice business. As for any secret account, it is even more nonsense!"
Hua Yitang: "You mean, Hua's account book was wrong?"
Wang Jingfu: "Although Hua Canjun was born in the Hua family in Yangdu and has a good family background, as far as I know, Hua's business is all managed by Hua Yihuan, the eldest son of the Hua family, and the fourth man of the Hua family rarely handles it. I was wrong for a moment. Not surprisingly."
"Then Hua would like to ask the head of the Wang family, why is there such a huge profit gap between Wang's detailed accounts and the general ledger?"
Wang Jingfu sighed, "The charges are also very puzzling. Unfortunately, now that I am in jail, even if I want to investigate, I am unable to do so." He turned to look at Wang Jinglu, with a faint light shining in his eyes, "This is Wang's family matter, Wang Jinlu, If you really have the ability, go check it out yourself!”
Wang Jingfu's gaze was so cold and vicious that Wang Jinglu shuddered unconsciously, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart, as if he was about to be in disaster.
The Wang cousins kowtowed again and again, "It's because my younger brother is ignorant. Let the Wang clan handle the account books themselves!"
Governor Chi was in a dilemma. He thought that by scaring Wang Jingfu, he would be able to defraud the secret account, but now Wang Jingfu pushed 625 and claimed that he knew nothing. Torture was strictly prohibited in the Tang Dynasty. There was also a Zhongcheng from the Yushitai sitting next to him. You can't torture Wang Jingfu just because of a few broken account books. More importantly, he was so busy from afternoon to evening that he didn't even have a hot meal to eat. He was so hungry that his chest pressed against his back, and Taishou Chi couldn't hold on any longer.
As Taishou Chi's henchman for many years, Xia Changshi understood as soon as he saw Taishou Chi's face, and hurriedly whispered, "It's almost Haishi. Jiang Zhongcheng has been tired all the way and it's time to rest. How about we try this case again tomorrow?" "
Governor Chi got off the donkey and asked, "What do Jiang Zhongcheng think?"
Jiang Wende: "This case is just a civil case involving uneven distribution of family interests. According to legal procedures, the case can be withdrawn as long as Wang Jinglu no longer appeals - what do Hua Canjun and Ling Si think?"
Ling Zhiyan: "What Jiang Zhongcheng said is true, but -"
Ling Zhiyan didn't say the second half of the sentence. He felt that there was something hidden in the case and felt a little uneasy. He couldn't help but glance at Hua Yitang.
Hua Yitang looked at Wang Jinglu with a half-smile but not a smile. When Wang Jinglu heard Jiang Wende's words, he felt as if he had received an amnesty and shouted repeatedly, "I won't sue, I won't sue!"
"Okay! Let this case be dropped!" Chi Taishou was shocked, "Take Wang Jingfu back to prison and withdraw from prison!"
After retreating from the hall, Grand Administrator Chi and Xia Changqiangong went to the back office to welcome Jiang Wende, saying that they had prepared a banquet to welcome the wind and wash away the dust. Naturally, Ling Zhiyan and Hua Yitang were also invited. Hua Yitang pretended to cough. He said twice, one hand on his waist and the other on his forehead, "I have a headache, sore feet, sore ribs, nausea, gastrointestinal pain, and I really can't help you." He leaned over Ling Zhiyan, "Hurry, hurry, Lord Ling Sizhi, hurry up. Help me back, I'm going to vomit - vomit -"
Ling Zhiyan understood, and faced everyone's surprised gazes, carrying Hua Yitang back to the Justice Department, and stuffed Hua Yitang into the Grand Master's chair, "Are you acting too fake?"
"As the saying goes, the mountain is not high. If there are immortals, there will be spirits. The show is not fake, as long as there are people watching." Hua Yitang took out a small fan from his sleeve and shook it, "Does Liu Lang also think there is something wrong with the Wang family?"
Ling Zhiyan frowned, "Ling doesn't know much about business, but since Shiro said there was a secret account, it must be true."
Hua Yitang blinked: "I didn't expect Liulang to trust Hua so much. Hua is really flattered!"
"Don't be poor," Ling Zhiyan said helplessly, "Based on your experience, what kind of secret accounts are they?"
"Judging from the details of the accounts, Wang's Rice Shop's business failed and suffered serious losses. If you want to obtain the profits of the general ledger, this secret account business should be a huge profit, or even a huge profit without any capital."
Ling Zhiyan frowned: "How is it possible to have such a business?"
Hua Yitang smiled, "Of course, the most profitable businesses in the world are all written in Tang Law."
"You mean-"
"For example, selling Five Stone Powder, selling Dragon God Fruit, and -" Hua Yitang's eyes flashed, "selling | selling | people | mouths."
Lingzhi's face changed slightly, "Do you suspect that the white animals found in the mass graves are related to the Wang family?"
Hua Yitang was silent for a moment, "I just feel that the timing of these cases is too coincidental, as if there is some divine will."
Ling Zhiyan stopped talking, he felt the same.
Wu Da hurriedly walked into the Judicial Department, clasping his fists, "I'm going to join the army, and Zhou Qian wants to see you."
Hua Yitang was stunned for a moment, then remembered that Zhou Qian was the concubine of the Zhou family who was bullied by Wang Jinglu in the Sanhualou case. What was he doing at the government office at this hour?
"Invite him in."
Zhou Qian still looks weak, but he seems to be in much better spirits. Wang Jinglu must have been busy fighting at home recently and has not spared the time to bully him.
Zhou Qian first gave a big gift, "Last time, I was grateful to Hua Cunjun for taking care of me. I came here to express my gratitude."
Having said that, Zhou Qian was empty-handed and didn't even bring any snacks. It really didn't look like he was here to give gifts.
Hua Yitang smiled and said, "Mr. Zhou, speak directly if you have anything to say."
Zhou Qian raised his head and his throat rolled several times, "Half a year ago, Wang Jinglu took me to live in a villa of the Wang family for a few days. Later, Wang Jinglu left in advance and left me alone in the villa... In the warehouse..."
What he said was cryptic, but Ling Zhiyan and Hua Yitang both understood.
Zhou Qian was probably taken to another courtyard by Wang Jinglu and imprisoned for torture.
Hua Yitang nodded and did not ask for details. He just asked, "Then what?"
"I heard the servants next door chatting in the warehouse, saying that Wang Jingfu had brought a nobleman to stay in another courtyard again. The nobleman has an unstable temperament and is difficult to take care of. You must be more careful these days to avoid losing your life."
"What noble person?"
"My servant didn't say it clearly," Zhou Qian paused, "but he specifically mentioned that the noble man is here to check the accounts."
Ling Zhiyan's eyes widened, and Hua Yitang sat up straight, "What's the bill?"
Zhou Qian's eyes reflected the flickering candlelight, "That courtyard is in a remote location, so the account books hidden there must have recorded some secret things."
"Where is the other courtyard?!"
"Outside the Daxi Gate, by the Yujiang River."
After leaving Daximen and walking ten miles northwest, you will reach Yujiang. The Yujiang River is a tributary of the Jianjiang River, running through half of Yidu City from north to south. It plays an important role in Yidu's shipping. The Yujiang Pier outside the city is the most important transfer station for fleets entering the city.
At the first moment of Hai Zheng, Lin Sui'an stood by the Yujiang Pier, blowing the cool river breeze and observing the surrounding terrain.
There are mountains in the distance, and the river below is surging. Tall containers and bags are piled on the pier. There are more than ten merchant ships docked by the river. Several crew members are sitting on the bow to enjoy the cool weather, looking at the intruders who have intruded into their territory with some curiosity. Two aliens.
The last Jingmen disciple who saw Lady Snow's carriage was a dock worker. He looked like a simple-minded man with well-developed limbs, but he was thorough when reporting information to Jin Ruo.
"Ms. Xueqiu's carriage left the west gate around Youchu and headed northwest. Behind the carriage were five black horses. Immediately behind it were five men wearing black hats. Their faces could not be seen, but they were all wearing them. The knife should be the guard hired by Qiuyue Teahouse. There is a man next to the driver who is responsible for guiding the way. The man is wearing the clothes of a servant of the Ma family in Dongcheng, so he should be a member of the Ma family. "
Jin Ruo: "That Ma family selling fake flower tea?"
The Jing Sect disciple nodded, "The Ma family has recently acquired a lot of tea shops. Today, nineteen tea shop owners left the city from the west gate. They went in the same direction as Madam Xueqiu. I guess Madam Xueqiu was the one who accepted Ma. At the invitation of Mr. Ma, we went to Mr. Ma’s villa in Taoyuan Township.”
"Where is the Taoyuan Township Villa you mentioned?" Lin Sui'an pointed to the northwest. There were little lights flashing in the darkness in the distance, and it looked like there was a home.
"Yes, Ma's Villa is located in the northernmost part of Taoyuan Township."
Jin Ruo: "Listen to what you mean, is there any other courtyard in this Taoyuan Township?"
"The young sect master doesn't know that Taoyuan Township was originally a small village. It was located under Taoshan Mountain, close to the river, and the summer was the coolest. Later, several important families in Yidu discovered it and forcibly moved the village away and built a villa. Courtyard group.”
Speaking of this, the disciples of the Jingmen lowered their voices and said, "There are several aristocratic families around Taoyuan Township who jointly guard the courtyards. It is difficult for the disciples of the Jingmen to get in. There must be something wrong with Ma family calling these tea shop owners to other courtyards." Tell someone something.”
Jin Ruo sneered, "It seems Ma is still determined to replace our Hundred Flowers Tea."
"How many villas of aristocratic families are there in Taoyuan Township?" Lin Sui'an asked.
"There are Wu family in the south of the city, Ma family in the east city, and Wang family in the north of the city. Among them, the Wang family has the shallowest foundation and the most remote location. Very few people go there on weekdays. I heard it is almost deserted."
Lin Sui'an suddenly felt a strange premonition, and asked again, "Which one has the best location?"
"Of course it's the Su family in Suizhou."
Jin Ruo rolled his eyes, "Is this Suizhou Clan Green Onion? How come it's found everywhere?"
Lin Sui'an smiled and said, "My good disciple, would you like to join hands with me on a night tour of Taoyuan Township?"
small theater
Hua Yitang sneezed: Why did he smell an unpleasant smell? :,,
