early morning.
A servant stood outside Yuan Xi's door, "Master, until now, no one from the Xie family has left the county government office."
"I know, back off!"
While Yuan Xi was getting dressed, he was thinking, could it be that Xie Fan lives in the county government?
He felt that things were definitely not that simple.
He called a few servants and said, "You go to the Donglai Inn to stay. I have already paid for the hotel. If anyone asks, just say that you checked in yesterday and will stay for a while."
On the other side, Xie Fan stretched and Wang Erhu had already opened the cell door.
There is nothing special about this place except that the air is stuffy.
He asked everyone to pack up and secretly gave Wang Erhu another twelve taels of silver, "Brother Wang, did the county master tell me how to handle this case?"
"The people have been sent out and will be in the hall soon!"
Xie Fan tidied his clothes, adjusted his mood, and left calmly.
In the courtroom, the county magistrate was serious and solemn as he knocked on the gavel, "Who is the plaintiff?"
Xie Fan raised his hand, "Sir! I am the plaintiff! I sued the owner of Donglai Inn. He took my money and refused to let us stay in the hotel!"
The shopkeeper shook his sleeves, "Master Qingtian! Don't listen to this man's nonsense, I am the plaintiff! The shop is full, this man is going to destroy my shop!"
The county master called Wang Erhu to his side and asked in a low voice, "What is the situation like?"
Wang Erhu looked at Xie Fan and replied in a low voice, "Sir, when I arrived, this man was eating at the inn and had no intention of damaging the restaurant."
The county master waved his hand, "Isn't this young man a local? What's your name and where are you from?"
"My lord! I am Xie Fan, the son of the Xie family in Feng County. My father spent all his wealth to support the border army. The emperor rewarded the Xie family with two mountains. Now he lives in Taiyin Mountain. I came to western Sichuan this time because I wanted to open a shop. I didn't want to just When we get here, we encounter something like this..."
The county master nodded, "The border is bitterly cold, and the Xie family's patriotic act is a model for our generation! As loyal ministers, don't forget the grand ambitions of your ancestors!"
Xie Fan nodded solemnly, "I will follow your teachings! The Xie family has taken in many refugees, and this trip is also to find a way out for everyone!"
"I have heard about this matter." The county master nodded with satisfaction, "Enriching the people and strengthening the army is the hope for the future of Luo Country."
"My lord, what you have seen is extraordinary!"
Xie Fan was full of passion and his eyes filled with tears when he spoke.
The shopkeeper shrank aside. This man was so fierce yesterday. Why did he change his appearance today? "Master Qingtian, what's this case?"
The county master knocked on the exclamation wood and looked at the shopkeeper, "Did you accept Xie Fan's money?"
"Take it!" the shopkeeper said as he knelt on the ground, "But he insisted on letting me take this money!"
"Since the seats are full, why do you need to charge money? From my point of view, you are clearly quibbling!"
"Unjust!" The shopkeeper pulled the waiter out, "Yesterday, Xie Fan came to the store and slashed the knife on the counter. There were still customers at that time, please be careful!"
The county master glared at Xie Fan, "How do you explain this matter?"
"Sir, the Xie family merchants did bring a knife to resist the robbers. I only said that I wanted to stay in the store, and I didn't use the knife to hurt anyone, let alone chop the counter."
The county boss called Wang Erhu over, "Is there any other witness?"
Wang Erhu came closer and recounted the clerk's testimony at the time, "I have already checked. There are no traces of weapons on the counter."
The county master thought for a moment and said, "It is not difficult to solve this matter. Whether Xie Fan really smashed the store or pretended to smash it, the inn was not damaged. Shopkeeper, please return the Xie family's money. That’s it.”
The shopkeeper listened carefully, and there seemed to be nothing wrong. He threw the money to Xie Fan, "It all depends on the boss!"
Xie Fan put away the money and said, "Sir, if you are not busy with official duties, I would like to ask you some questions."
The county master stood up and said, "Then you come to the backyard! Retreat!"
Xie Fan followed Wang Erhu to the backyard and said, "Sir, thank you for enforcing the law impartially and bringing justice to the Xie family."
"If you have something to do, it's okay to say it!" The county master sat in the main seat and looked at the other party.
"Sir, I am new to Western Sichuan, and I would like to ask you to give me some advice. I would like to find a shop or a house to settle down."
"It's really difficult to deal with being in an unfamiliar place."
The county master called Wang Erhu in and said, "Check, who is selling their house recently?"
Wang Erhu stepped forward respectfully, "Sir, a few days ago, everyone in the Gu family was raided and executed, but the house is still empty!"
The county master thought for a moment and said, "That house is okay, but it's a bit big."
Xie Fan quickly answered, "Sir, you decide the price. The Xie family only wants a place to stay."
The county master sighed, "It's not easy for the Xie family. The court should make it more convenient. In this way, I will lower the price. Two hundred taels of silver will be enough."
Xie Fan stood up and bowed respectfully, "Sir, I am willing to pay three hundred taels. This silver is for the court, and my Xie family will never take advantage of this."
The county master nodded and helped the other person up, "Brother Xie Fan, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, just come to me!"
Xie Fan sighed, his face full of sincerity, "My nephew is lucky to meet someone like you! I am willing to spend another hundred taels to do something for the people in western Sichuan."
The county master held the other party's hand and said, "Okay! With the world in mind, a child can be taught!"
Xie Fan stepped back, took the silver and gave it to Wang Erhu, "Brother Wang, I'm done with the house affairs!"
Wang Erhu had never seen an adult praise a person so much, and he couldn't help but admire Xie Fan, "Sir, wait a moment, I'll do it right now!"
After getting the land deed, Xie Fan led everyone out of the county government office.
Xie Fan sat on the carriage and saw many people hiding in dark corners on the street.
"Zhang Chao, park the carriage in a secluded place, take a few people with you, and follow me to the street."
"Master, don't we go back to the house?"
"Come back later!" Xie Fan got off the carriage and walked slowly towards Donglai Inn.
After entering the inn, the shopkeeper was in the front hall, "Mr. Xie, why are you here again? My place is really full!"
Xie Fan held up three fingers and said, "I'll pay three times the price. Can you give me the room?"
The shopkeeper rolled his eyes and became polite, "Sir, please wait a moment while I go to discuss it with the tenant."
After a while, the shopkeeper came back, "Sir, I'm so sorry, the customer also tripled the money!"
Xie Fan sighed and went to another inn.
Repeatedly, all the inns in western Sichuan have tripled their prices.
Xie Fan was not satisfied and raised the price five times.
However, those guests seemed to have agreed upon it and were unwilling to leave.
He pretended to be dejected, found a restaurant, ordered a few side dishes, and drank wine.
"Master Xie, why are you frowning?"
Xie Fan took a drink and said, "Master Yuan, it's hard to say enough!"
