Chapter 48: Forty-Eight: Good Brother-in-Law!

Forty-Eight: Good Brother-in-Law!

A kitten’s meow doesn’t sound like laughter.

What kind of cat is this? From a tomb?

The county magistrate’s courtroom.

Everyone fell silent.

Ouyang Rong’s expression was expectant, waiting for their reply.

The tyrannical Ma Shopkeeper could no longer hold back and interrupted:

“Your Honor, these grains we brought were also borrowed. We only took them in earlier because the people of Longcheng were suffering from hunger, and we dared to borrow them to sell. Now we must return them—we can’t hoard them all in Longcheng.”

Wang Caozhi nodded: “Exactly, exactly. Perhaps the disaster-stricken people in other counties need them too. It’s better to transport some out—Longcheng’s people can’t consume this much.”

If Longcheng’s people can’t consume this much grain, why bring so much here in the first place? Isn’t it just greed, chasing the inflated grain prices? After more grain arrives but fewer people, the price doesn’t drop—it rises further… In the back chamber, Xie Ling listened in, her slender hands clenching into fists, then relaxing again.

Hmph, now that your brother-in-law has locked the dog gate, you finally realize how scared you are hoarding so much grain?

Inside the courtroom, Shopkeeper Li and other grain merchants all chimed in agreement.

They expected further harassment, but to their shock, Ouyang Rong immediately nodded and made his decision—he slammed his hand on the wooden armrest and declared solemnly:

“It’s admirable that you all care so deeply for the people. I, as an official, can only serve one county, but you merchants have the chance to benefit people across the land. You’ve worked hard. Since you carry such noble intentions, how could I possibly hold you back? The grain at the docks may be shipped out! I will assist you wholeheartedly!”

Such swift approval left Wang Caozhi, Ma Shopkeeper, Li Shopkeeper, and others utterly stunned. Even after hearing Ouyang Rong’s words, a group of seasoned, worldly foxes found themselves blushing.

Wang Caozhi ventured cautiously: “Then… shall we ship it out now? But what about the government office runners outside the warehouse…?”

Ouyang Rong smiled gently and turned to instruct: "Sixlang, dismiss the guards."

But Yan Liùláng dropped to his knees with a thud, neck stiff and face flushed: “Your Honor, we can’t dismiss them all!”

The young county magistrate frowned, his voice sharp and stern:

“I told you to dismiss them—why so much nonsense? I know what I’m doing. Every one of you here is loyal and patriotic—not one of those rats stealing from the people’s granaries!”

Yan Liùláng clung to the magistrate’s robe hem, pleading with tears:

“Your Honor, think again! This is Inspector Shen’s order. If we inspect none and release them all, how will you explain it to him? Shen is famed for his iron-faced impartiality—he might just remove you from office…”

“Remove me? I, Yang, am not afraid!”

“Your Honor!”

“Let go!”

“I won’t!”

“I said let go!”

“Your Honor, think again! At least inspect them once before releasing!”

“You—!”

Ouyang Rong sighed in frustration as Yan Liùláng clung tightly to his leg.

The fierce tug-of-war between master and servant left the grain merchants utterly bewildered.

Even the thick-skinned Wang Caozhi couldn’t help muttering: “Maybe… just do a token inspection? After all, our grain is perfectly clean.”

But that quiet mutter was like a stone dropped into water—ripples spread across the entire hall.

Ouyang Rong and Yan Liùláng instantly stopped struggling and turned to stare at him. The other grain merchants also glared over with displeasure.

“… ” Wang Caozhi.

Damn, I just said it offhand—why are you all staring at me?!

“Yan, we should at least do a token inspection.”

Ouyang Rong hesitated, then sighed in frustration: “Fine. Open your eyes wide and watch—see if I’ve wronged any good people. See if I’m right.”

Yan Liùláng nodded eagerly. Then, after a brief discussion with the young magistrate, whose face was still scowling, the latter reluctantly agreed to a compromise solution.

Meanwhile, the eighteen grain merchants waiting nearby stared at each other, sensing something off about how smoothly things were unfolding. Wang Caozhi, Ma Shopkeeper, and Li Shopkeeper exchanged wary glances.

Before they could ponder further, the benevolent young magistrate turned to them, his expression apologetic:

“Since Inspector Shen demands we, local officials, conduct inspections, I must give him some face.”

“How about this:

You continue selling grain in Longcheng. Yan Liùláng and his men will work overtime to audit your stockpiles—verifying the grain’s age and origin. Rest assured, if your grain is clean, I won’t block you from shipping it out. I’ll personally issue you clearance documents, and the government office will organize labor and boats to see you off with proper ceremony!”

Ma Shopkeeper asked urgently: “Your Honor, how long will the audit take? If it drags on too long, the grain may spoil and lose value…” Seeing Ouyang Rong turn to look, he quickly nodded and added: “We’re just worried about the suffering people in other counties—we can’t give them old, rotten grain!”

“Ah, I see.” The young magistrate nodded, half-understanding, then smiled sheepishly:

“Actually, this is my first time serving as a local official—I don’t fully understand these matters. You may coordinate directly with Inspector Yan. He’ll cooperate fully. Don’t worry—I’ll be watching closely. Any issues, raise them freely.”

Yan Liùláng faced the crowd with a cold expression, speaking in a strictly official tone:

“Discuss among yourselves how to proceed. Shall we inspect all warehouses together and issue clearance documents collectively, or shall we inspect one by one, issuing documents as each is cleared? The sooner you’re done, the sooner you leave.”

The eighteen grain merchants froze. The courtroom fell into brief silence.

Under the gaze of the stern inspector and the smiling magistrate.

Wang Caozhi, Ma Shopkeeper, Li Shopkeeper, and others began to look increasingly uneasy.

Within this tight-knit circle of grain merchants who had colluded to inflate prices, glances began to dart around nervously.

A plump little grain merchant chuckled nervously: “May I ask, Inspector, if we inspect all warehouses together, how long would that take?”

“At least a month, if slow. Your stockpiles are just too massive—who knows if there’s hidden corrupt grain? Hmph, if not for Your Honor vouching for you, I’d think you came here just to torment us!”

“… ”

Hearing it might take at least half a month, many merchants grew restless, their faces tense with anxiety—warehouse fees and moisture-proofing costs alone would be a fortune.

And who knew if grain prices would drop in half a month? Longcheng County wasn’t just home to these eighteen outside merchants. During the recent price surge, local gentry and landowners had also hoarded massive quantities.

Previously, the high prices benefited everyone, and all had tacitly maintained them. But now, with the gates sealed, confidence was crumbling, supply and demand were wildly unbalanced—who knew if some landowner might break first and slash prices? Then panic selling would follow…

“Stop dawdling! Pick quickly! Your Honor has to eat lunch! Young Master will start inspecting this afternoon—no delays. Don’t come back whining to Your Honor that we’re oppressing the people. Choose now—what method?”

Wang Caozhi asked: “Inspector Yan, if we go with the second method—inspecting one by one—how long would each inspection take?”

“At least two or three days, up to five or six… obviously depends on how much grain you’ve hoarded. More grain, slower inspection. Less grain, faster. Damn, do I have to explain this?”

Yan Liùláng seemed deeply insulted, his hand gripping his sword hilt. The crowd shrank back—clearly, if not for the kindly magistrate beside him, the furious inspector would’ve drawn his blade and slaughtered them all.

The plump little grain merchant ventured cautiously: “Then… maybe inspect those with less grain first? Faster…”

“Choose the second method! One by one!”

Ma Shopkeeper suddenly shoved the plump merchant aside. His jowls quivered as he turned to Ouyang Rong and Yan Liùláng:

“My family goes first!”

Everyone froze for a moment, then erupted.

One merchant cried out: “Ma Shopkeeper, you’ve got the most grain! It’ll take half a week to inspect you—why push to the front?”

Ma Shopkeeper, who had spoken softly to the young magistrate, now whirled around, glaring fiercely at the complainer. His fat finger, clutching prayer beads, pointed behind him:

“What did you say? Say it again.”

The small merchants fell utterly silent—more obedient than circus monkeys.

“Hmph.” Ma Shopkeeper snorted, turned back, and switched to a soft, honeyed voice—though his smile looked more like a grimace:

“Your Honor, my family, the Xie family of Jinling, has long admired your upright character. Should you ever visit Jinling, we’ll sweep our floors and rush to welcome you. Also, I have some influence on the road—if you need…”

“Just influence? Old man has some too.”

Beside Wang Caozhi, who had been about to speak, Li Shopkeeper stood up, beard bristling, eyes blazing. The small merchants feared Ma Shopkeeper—but he didn’t care. His backing was no weaker.

“Let my family go first. Your Honor, our Chief Secretary has long admired your reputation—he often says, ‘A true gentleman of letters.’ He’s long wanted to correspond with you. I’ll take the honor of forging this gentlemanly friendship. When I return to Hongzhou, I’ll deliver his letter myself.”

Ouyang Rong set down his teacup, a look of surprise on his face: “I never imagined these esteemed officials, so busy, still remembered a lowly official like me? I’m truly honored.”

“Your Honor is too modest.”

“Your Honor mustn’t undervalue yourself.”

“Let me go first.”

“Let me go first! Li, step back!”

“You step back—”

Then Ma Shopkeeper and Li Shopkeeper began jostling each other, showering Ouyang Rong with flattery.

The smaller merchants, lacking such backing, were shoved to the back, unable to interject—furious, but dared not speak up.

Several small merchants suddenly noticed something odd and glanced sideways at Wang Caozhi. Since Ma and Li had begun their rivalry, the young Wang heir had fallen silent.

The small merchants looked puzzled. Logically, Wang Caozhi came from the Langya Wang clan—his background was no weaker than Ma’s or Li’s. He even had personal ties to the county magistrate. Why had he suddenly become so quiet?

Just as Ma and Li were elbowing past the short youth, ignoring him entirely, and the other merchants were growing suspicious—

Wang Caozhi suddenly shouted:

“Brother-in-law!”

The young Wang heir lunged forward, grabbing Ouyang Rong’s hand like a drowning man clutching a lifeline. His eyes welled with tears as he gazed at him with deep emotion:

“Let me go first! Good brother-in-law!”

“Pfft…” The young magistrate spat his tea a long distance.

“!!!” A little apprentice in the back chamber.

“???” Ma Shopkeeper, Li Shopkeeper, and the other merchants.

All the merchants stared, dumbfounded, wondering if they’d heard wrong.

Brother-in-law?

Wang Young Master, you weren’t calling him that this morning on the viewing platform—you weren’t saying this to us…

Stunned.

Please.

Provided by the fastest-updating master, Yang Xiaorong: “Even a Gentleman Must Be on Guard”

Forty-eight: Good brother-in-law! Yet no one questioned the origin of this ability, for the Peacock Demon Clan’s innate talent has always been the Shift of Stars and Constellations. Her technique echoed the same profound subtlety.

After countering Cao Yuwei’s attack, the Beautiful Lady did not press forward immediately; she stood motionless in place.

Cao Yuwei frowned slightly. Could this girl’s perception be so sharp? After donning his armor of flame, he had other methods ready—if the Beautiful Lady had followed up with an attack, he would have been certain to restrain her with them. But since she did not advance, his poised ability had to be cut short.

The battle blade slashed again, its blade intent stronger than before. Cao Yuwei moved with the blade, becoming one with it, charging straight toward the Beautiful Lady.

In her hand, the Celestial Mechanism Feather once again performed the Heavenly Mystery Circle, and in an instant, she shifted her position. She not only deflected his attack but also broke his lock-on. The next instant, she was already on the other side. A flash of golden-red light vanished from Cao Yuwei’s body—if she had not dodged so swiftly, another ability would surely have been unleashed.

Endurance battle! She seemed determined to outlast Cao Yuwei.

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Yet no one questioned the origin of this ability, for the Peacock Demon Clan’s innate talent has always been the Shift of Stars and Constellations. Her technique echoed the same profound subtlety.

After countering Cao Yuwei’s attack, the Beautiful Lady did not press forward immediately; she stood motionless in place.

Cao Yuwei frowned slightly. Could this girl’s perception be so sharp? After donning his armor of flame, he had other methods ready—if the Beautiful Lady had followed up with an attack, he would have been certain to restrain her with them. But since she did not advance, his poised ability had to be cut short.

The battle blade slashed again, its blade intent stronger than before. Cao Yuwei moved with the blade, becoming one with it, charging straight toward the Beautiful Lady.

In her hand, the Celestial Mechanism Feather once again performed the Heavenly Mystery Circle, and in an instant, she shifted her position. She not only deflected his attack but also broke his lock-on. The next instant, she was already on the other side. A flash of golden-red light vanished from Cao Yuwei’s body—if she had not dodged so swiftly, another ability would surely have been unleashed.

Endurance battle! She seemed determined to outlast Cao Yuwei.

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