A Good Country Wife
Chapter 387 - 381_1

Chapter 387: Chapter 381_1

"Wife, why don’t we close the restaurant and grocery store for now?" Lin Yue suggested reluctantly. "Lord Wei will certainly not let things go. Our family can’t find any loopholes to exploit, and they will definitely target the restaurant and grocery store next. With the Magistrate backing them, they could turn the black into white. All we can do is to avoid them for the time being."

As Zhao Erhu pondered, this seemed the only prudent solution. Otherwise, if they really made a move against the restaurant and grocery store, not to mention the inability to keep the secret recipe safe, suffering a financial loss would be the least of his worries. There was a real possibility of losing his entire family fortune, even his life. Such things had happened before; hence, despite his frustration, Zhao Erhu still made this decision. If he were alone, he might have fought with these unscrupulous rascals out of sheer guts, but with a wife and children, he had to think things through more carefully.

"Brother Erhu, you’re making sense," Lin Yue agreed, her voice laced with resignation. "It looks like our restaurant and grocery store can’t stay open for now, not until this Magistrate leaves office at least. It’s such a shame; we had such a booming business. Head Chef Wang’s culinary skills are unparalleled, even the chefs in the Capital City can’t compare. And now the restaurant has to close because the Magistrate and Lord Wei colluded against us. Who knows how much silver we’re losing out on. Just thinking about it makes me so angry." Lin Yue understood the reasoning, but she couldn’t help feeling indignant. Unlike Zhao Erhu, who grew up here and was used to such things, she found the injustice hard to swallow, yet had no choice but bear it.

"We have no other choice; one can’t fight against officials. We are nothing but humble commoners. Our previous smooth sailing was also thanks to Dr. Jiang getting looked after by Lord Chen. Back then, those scoundrels didn’t dare to trouble us. But now, with this new greedy Magistrate who doesn’t accomplish anything nor cares about the common people, our family is relatively better off. Who knows how many others are suffering persecution."

"Why don’t we ask Brother Jiang for advice?" Lin Yue proposed, still reluctant to give up. "Since he can send gifts to the Empress Dowager, he can’t be an ordinary person. I’ve heard from his servant that the Jiang Family holds a very special place in the Capital City. Perhaps with Brother Jiang’s help, the Magistrate’s servants and Lord Wei might be deterred from targeting us." At the end of the day, Lin Yue couldn’t let go of the business, which they had put so much effort into setting up. She was willing to try any hope available.

But Zhao Erhu disagreed, "Even though we have business dealings with Dr. Jiang and get along well, our own problems shouldn’t trouble him. If it were something minor, it wouldn’t matter, but you don’t know, I’ve inquired about it. The new Magistrate comes from a prominent background. Apparently, he has a cousin in the palace who holds the favor of the Emperor. Even if the Jiang Family has a special status, how can they compare with the Empress in the palace? We should endure and lay low for now. Unless absolutely necessary, let’s not bother Dr. Jiang and cause him trouble."

Lin Yue thought about it and had to agree, accepting Zhao Erhu’s argument, "Then we shouldn’t delay. By kicking out the Wei Family’s manager, we’ve already offended Lord Wei. I’m afraid he will act soon. And the Magistrate’s men are likely at the end of their patience as well. Let’s head to the city now, close up the restaurant and the grocery store, and while we’re at it, stop by the pharmacy to check on the situation there."

Once clear about the stakes, neither Zhao Erhu nor Lin Yue were willing to delay. Fearing that some misfortune might befall them the next moment, they immediately took the carriage to the city. Lin Yue, having watched TV dramas and read novels, was very much aware of the corrupt officials’ secret tactics, even more so than Zhao Erhu. If they really got caught up, losing everything they owned would be getting off lightly. Given the Magistrate’s behavior, it was very likely that they could become entangled in such a situation. So, earning a little less money seemed trivial in comparison.

Before Lin Yue hadn’t known about the Magistrate’s connections in the palace, she had placed much reliance on Jiang Ziqi. But now, understanding the situation better, she became all the more cautious. All the anger and frustration were set aside, wishing only for her family to be safe and sound.

For days now, the restaurant and grocery store had been plagued with constant troubles, and the staff worked on tenterhooks. They had just gotten used to it when, unexpectedly, Dongjia decided to close both the restaurant and grocery store, causing an uproar.

"Dongjia, the restaurant is doing so well, why are we closing it?"

"Yes, Dongjia, our families rely on the wages from working in the restaurant. Life is getting increasingly difficult, what will we do if it closes? Dongjia, please, don’t close the restaurant; we will work diligently."

Both Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu looked helpless, "If there were a way, why would we want to close the restaurant and grocery store? After all, we are the ones who stand to lose the most. But if we keep it open, trouble will come sooner or later."

The manager, who thought more deeply than the other workers and partially understood Dongjia’s predicament, intervened, "Everyone, please quiet down and let Dongjia speak."

Zhao Erhu also stepped forward, "Listen to me, everyone. I see how hard you all have been working these days, but there’s nothing we can do about the current situation. The restaurant has faced constant troubles recently, and now it has been targeted. If we continue, severe difficulties may arise, and it could implicate all of you. If there were any other option, I wouldn’t do this. I know life is hard for all of you. So, I discussed it with Dongjia’s wife, and when you leave, the manager will pay each of you an extra month’s wage. Pack your things and leave. If there’s a chance for the restaurant to reopen after this blows over, I’ll let everyone know."

Hearing Dongjia’s words, the staff understood that the restaurant and grocery store were definitely closing, and Dongjia’s promise of an extra month’s wage was already more than generous. These days, with the new Magistrate in charge, everyone was having a tougher time.

"Thank you for Dongjia’s kindness. Please take care," they said.

After sorting out the affairs at the restaurant and grocery store, Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue were preparing to visit Jimin Hall pharmacy when the manager Liu arrived first, having heard the news of the closures. Liu had been instructed by Jiang Ziqi to look after Zhao Erhu’s family, and upon hearing the news, he immediately sought out Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue to understand the situation.

"Brother Erhu, Madam Lin, what’s going on?" asked Manager Liu. "Why have the restaurant and grocery store suddenly closed? Are you in some kind of trouble, perhaps related to the new Magistrate?" He knew this new Magistrate was no good. Having arrived in Xin’an City not long ago, the people had already been greatly distressed. Zhao Erhu’s restaurant and grocery store were thriving; they couldn’t be closing without a significant reason, likely tied to the new official.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.