Chapter 67: Collusion

"Father, *Min Pao* says we should open our eyes to look at the world, and also actively integrate into the world, not close the country and stick to old ways. You also said you wanted to revitalize the country through industry, but you refuse to communicate with foreigners like this; how can we progress?"

Yin Xuan's face changed, and he couldn't help but argue loudly: "The Japanese government is the Japanese government; what does that have to do with Xuezi? Just because the Manchu Qing was defeated, do we all have to hate all Japanese people? If the Manchu Qing is corrupt, does that mean our Yin family is also incompetent?"

Yin Chengtao's face darkened, and he said coldly: "How others act, I, Yin Chengtao, cannot control. But in this Yin family, I still have the final say. I don't care what your relationship is with that Xuezi, but my Yin family absolutely cannot marry a Japanese person, not even as a concubine."

Yin Xuan was also angry, retorting tit-for-tat: "What if I insist?"

Yin Chengtao's eyes were cold and sharp; he was just about to speak.

Yin Qi hurriedly stepped forward, blocking between the two, and advised: "Father, actually big brother doesn't have the intention to marry that Xuezi, he is just grateful for the other party's care these past few days.

And big brother, don't forget, you are someone who still has a marriage contract.

Even if you like that Xuezi, you have to marry your sister-in-law into the house first and get her consent before you can.

As for helping them open a martial arts hall, Father just doesn't want to use the Yin family's power to help them, but you can help them in your own name; I believe Father won't say anything to you."

Regarding Yin Qi's mediation, both Yin Chengtao and Yin Xuan were dissatisfied.

But his proposal was something both could accept.

Their father-son relationship had always been very good, only frequently having differences on the Japanese issue, but they couldn't possibly turn into enemies because of this matter.

Although Yin Xuan was hot-blooded and impulsive, he wasn't someone without a brain.

Yin Chengtao's voice also softened, and he said in a low voice: "You can help them, but don't involve my Yin family."

After speaking, he turned and left.

Yin Xuan didn't say much more either; he knew this was already his father making a concession.

"Second brother, thank you, thank you for understanding me!"

Yin Qi shook his head and said: "Big brother, some things are hard to say right now, I just want to tell you, what the eyes see is not necessarily the truth; the truth is often hidden deeper."

Yin Xuan frowned: "Second brother, what do you want to say?"

Yin Qi shook his head and said: "Nothing. By the way, big brother, your injuries are no longer a major obstacle; tomorrow, the family business matters will be handed back to you to manage. I have to practice martial arts every day, learn medicine, and write novels; I really am too busy to handle business matters. If the militia is established, I'll have to be busy with that too."

Yin Xuan originally wanted to persuade him, but seeing Yin Qi's firm appearance, he could only nod.

It seemed Yin Qi was even busier than him.

Yamen.

Reception Courtyard.

Michael was furious; he felt he had lost all face.

"Damn Nalan, after returning to Hangzhou, I must report to the Consul, let the Consul demand the Manchu Qing punish him."

"And that yellow-skinned monkey named Yin Qi, I will never let him go either."

Michael cursed and swore.

A knight said: "My Lord, dealing with Nalan and Yin Qi is easy; the key is that our purpose for coming this time is to investigate the case. If we can't find the murderer as soon as possible, the murderer might very well escape."

Michael said irritably: "Of course I know we need to investigate the case, but we are ultimately outsiders; even their government can't find clues, what can we do? Anyway, I just feel this Yin Qi is highly suspicious."

The others remained silent, shaking their heads secretly.

They had all read the relevant files and knew that Yin Qi was at a factory more than ten miles outside the city that night, and the case happened in the second half of the night; Yin Qi simply didn't have the ability to commit the crime.

Just at this moment, the courtyard gate was knocked.

"What is it?"

Michael shouted displeasedly; he looked down on the Yamen officials.

A respectful voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Foreign Lords, someone has sent a letter."

"A letter?"

Michael and the others looked at each other.

They had just arrived in Shaoxing; who would send them a letter?

Although puzzled, they still opened the courtyard gate, received the letter from a fawning minor official, and quickly closed the courtyard gate again.

Michael tore open the envelope, pulled out the letter paper, and discovered the letter was actually written in English.

He became interested and read it carefully.

After finishing, he said excitedly: "Guys, someone sent us a letter, saying they know who the murderer is, inviting me to meet outside, the time set for the night, to avoid being discovered."

Someone immediately doubted: "Why choose the night? Could there be some conspiracy?"

Michael shook his head and said: "The letter says this murderer's family has a lot of influence locally, and we are certainly all under their surveillance, so for the sake of safety, they arranged to meet me at night."

"If that's the case, it's very possible."

The others nodded one after another.

If the family didn't have some influence, they probably wouldn't dare to commit the act of destroying the church and sneaking into the Yamen to kill people.

Fujiwara Jiro had long ago decided on the location for the martial arts hall.

Yin Xuan also utilized his connections, finding many craftsmen to renovate the martial arts hall, while also purchasing various items used for martial arts practice.

Having helped Chen Yucheng open a martial arts hall last time, he could be considered familiar with the process this time.

Time passed slowly under the anticipation of Michael and the others, finally arriving at night.

After the night color turned completely black, Michael quietly left the Yamen, because he was worried about his whereabouts being exposed, he directly climbed over the wall, and fortunately, this courtyard was located on the east side of the Yamen.

One must know that Nalan Yuanshu lived on the west side of the Yamen, and he brought hundreds of government soldiers with him.

If their residences were close together, it really wouldn't be easy for him to leave the mansion quietly.

Soon, he arrived at the agreed-upon location.

"Mr. Michael, you've come!"

A sentence in English came from the darkness.

Then, a person walked out from the darkness.

With the help of the faint streetlights, Michael could clearly see that the other person was Chinese.

He couldn't help but frown slightly and questioned, "Who are you? What do you want by tricking me into coming here?"

"My name is Chen Mingxuan."

Chen Mingxuan shook his head, his eyes sharp as he said, "I didn't trick you, because I know who the murderer is. Although I don't have evidence either, I can help you deal with them."

Michael said, "Why should I believe you?"

Chen Mingxuan said, "Once I finish explaining the ins and outs of the whole matter, Mr. Michael will naturally believe me."

Michael felt a stir in his heart, nodded slowly, and said, "Fine, speak!"

"The matter goes back more than twenty years..."

Chen Mingxuan mixed truth with falsehood, portraying himself as a victim.

Even the joint scheme to frame the Yin family was because the Yin family was being aggressive, and Father William had helped out because he couldn't stand by and watch.

In the end, their plan succeeded.

But it also angered the Yin family, which led to the church being destroyed overnight and Jason and Davis being killed.

Michael was both shocked and furious; he hadn't expected there to be such hidden circumstances.

He felt like a dragon-slaying hero about to slay an evil dragon.

"This Yin family is truly damnable, and that Yin Qi—I knew he was the murderer. He killed so many of our God's people; I must personally send him to hell."

Some things don't need evidence, yet they do need evidence.

Suspecting the Yin family doesn't require evidence.

But dealing with the Yin family, especially through judicial procedures, requires evidence.

If it weren't for Nalan Yuanshu, he would have plenty of ways to deal with the Yin family, but now that had become a problem.

Suppressing his anger, Michael frowned and said, "Although we all know it was the Yin family who did it, how are we to deal with them? That Nalan is shielding them; if we don't have evidence, it will be very difficult for us to deal with the Yin family."

(End of chapter)