CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 34: PREPARED TO DIE

"How much do you know about the matters of Lu’s?" Lu Qing asked again, "Is Mr. Li involved in this as well?"

"Outside the government office, no one knows; within, no one is unaware."

Mentioning Lu’s, Shen Xiang did not carry the resentment of the Qingshui County people outside, but instead sighed sadly: "Outsiders say Lu’s monopolizes the brewing and selling business in Qingshui County, making a fortune, yet they don’t know the boss of Lu’s is just driven by greed and can’t back down, becoming a ’little devil’ under ’King Yan’s’ control!"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Although Lu’s is the only brewery allowed to brew and sell alcohol in Qingshui County, a portion of the Silver they earn each month has to be given to the government office. So, the government turns a blind eye to their market exploitation and doesn’t allow others to brew and sell alcohol."

"Isn’t that a profitable business?" Lu Qing asked.

Shen Xiang smiled, filled with sarcasm: "At first, the boss of Lu’s did feel the business was worthwhile, after all, Mr. Li only asked for fifty percent of the revenue then."

So when Lu’s was thriving, the ruffians hired by the family outnumbered the workers in the brewery. Whenever someone tried to sell alcohol, they would cause trouble, even not sparing those who brewed a little in their cellars and sold it to neighbors in the village.

As long as the brewery was known to them, regardless of size, Lu’s would send people to buy the brewing recipes and starter yeast. If they feared Lu’s power and accepted the money, no longer brewing, that would be it.

If someone refused to cooperate, they would endure hardship in the end.

In about a year or two, with the county government’s protection, Lu’s wiped out all the other breweries in the area. Unexpectedly, when Lu’s thought they could enjoy the wealth peacefully, Mr. Li changed his tune, demanding eighty percent of the revenue monthly.

Lu’s refused, so Mr. Li told them, as long as there was still alcohol in Qingshui County, no one cared if the owner’s surname was Lu or anything else."

Zhu Yu, standing behind Lu Qing, was shocked.

Li Wencai looks like a meek, harmless lump, only inept and harmless.

Initially, she guessed Mr. Li was just greedy, but hearing Shen Xiang’s recounting, she realized Li Wencai was far more vicious than initially thought.

Lu’s seemed to be the ’beast’ devouring the brewery business in Qingshui County, yet unexpectedly, they were also prey, walking step by step into Li Wencai’s trap.

After Lu’s exploited the market, they had offended all those who once ran breweries in Qingshui County. If they didn’t concede, giving eighty percent of the revenue to the government, they would lose that unseen reliance.

Then those wanting to settle old and new grievances with Lu’s might line up from street start to street end, with turns to spare.

To avoid revenge, Lu’s can only begrudgingly agree to Li Wencai’s exploitative demands, acting like a domineering ’brewery overlord’ while the profits flow into Li Wencai’s pocket.

It’s akin to fattening a pig for slaughter.

"Let me ask you once more," Lu Qing showed no reaction to Shen Xiang’s words, continuing, "Have you heard of a ’Ghost Immortal Temple’ that is said to be efficacious, outside the county town?"

Shen Xiang nodded then shook his head: "I originally knew nothing of this nonsensical Ghost Immortal Temple, until one day people in the county vanished unexpectedly, seen neither alive nor dead. That’s when I heard others discussing, saying the Ghost Immortal Temple is where wealth is pursued at the cost of life."

"Who are discussing this?"

"Mostly merchants, especially those operating taverns and tea houses!" Shen Xiang thought for a moment, answering cautiously.

After hearing this, Lu Qing asked again, "In Qingshui County, besides the boss of Lu’s, is there anyone else like him, vanished without a trace?"

"There isn’t." Shen Xiang answered confidently, "Just himself, which is why privately, everyone says for sure, Lu’s committed too many evil deeds, thus faced divine retribution!

But..."

Seeing his hesitation, Lu Qing nodded slightly, "Speak freely, I can discern it myself."

"In our Qingshui County, there’s a well-established eatery, with an old Shopkeeper there who used to be quite close to Lu’s.

Having served as Shopkeeper in taverns for years, naturally knew many brewing households.

Uncertain if Lu’s promised him any benefits, whenever anyone secretly tried selling alcohol to that old Shopkeeper, Lu’s soon sent people to approach, using threats and persuasion.

Eventually, one could not find any brewery other than Lu’s in the entire Qingshui County, thanks to that old Shopkeeper’s contributions as well.

He and the Family Head of Lu’s seemed to have vanished around the same time, except his corpse was later found, but Lu’s Family Head remains missing.

Privately, there’s speculation, saying definitely Lu’s Family Head’s numerous sins brought divine punishment.

The tavern’s old Shopkeeper aided and abetted, thus faced retribution together.

Yet, we can only say this privately... lest Mr. Li gets suspicious."

After hearing Shen Xiang, a sly glint flashed in the concealed black eyes of Lu Qing: "You said, no one outside knows of the collusion between Mr. Li and Lu’s?"

"Yes." Shen Xiang’s expression turned darker mentioning County Magistrate Li Wencai, "Lu’s moved here from elsewhere, with shallow roots in Qingshui County, and no support. Thus Mr. Li chose their family among many brewers.

After discovering Lu’s, he often brought people to discuss in the government office, without bothering about those inside.

Since backing him is nobles, not to mention us mere ants living through generations in Qingshui County, even the State Mansion’s Magistrate treats him with more courtesy than towards others, sending complainants directly to Mr. Li for disposition when lodged against him.

The Chief Clerk you met during the day in the county government, is inherently one of Mr. Li’s close aides, hence naturally doesn’t talk outside.

Those remaining are like me, with families relying on this job for sustenance, even when Mr. Li openly colludes with Lu’s before us, we dare not speak outside the office.

Outsiders think Lu’s is wealthy, brash, assuming at worst Mr. Li took bribes, shielding them; none suspect Mr. Li is the actual major beneficiary."

"Your openness is commendable." Lu Qing was fairly satisfied with Shen Xiang’s attitude, nodding slightly.

Shen Xiang smiled bitterly, sighed: "Tonight, I’ve laid myself bare. If you are truly the Blue Sky Imperial Censor for the people, I’d be pleading for Qingshui County people, for truly severe matters will surface if this continues.

If you are unwilling, or unable to move Mr. Li, I’ll resign myself, surrendering this life; death is death!"