Chen Wu had already been dumbfounded. He really did not recognize the person in front of him.
However, just because he did not recognize this person did not mean that the county magistrate also did not. It was apparent that this was the real Boss Tang.
Who exactly was the person who had given him the silver notes three days ago?
Seeing that Chen Wu had not spoken for a long time, Meng Huaining pressed further: “Chen Wu, speak, who exactly gave you the silver?”
Sweat had already begun beading on Chen Wu's forehead.
“Your honor, this peasant really has not lied. Three days ago a rich young master came to my door and personally handed me five hundred silver notes, telling me to go and teach Boss Jin a lesson.
I had seen Boss Jin a few times before with the Second Young Master. Afraid of being recognized if I took action personally, I found Wang Lin and had him handle this matter.”
As he spoke, Chen Wu desperately kowtowed several times towards Meng Huaining.
“Your honor, this peasant has already endured twenty heavy beatings. I dare not speak another lie, please discern the truth, your honor.”
Not only Meng Huaining, even the observing Mo Jiuye could tell what was going on.
In order to uncover the truth behind this incident, they would have to start with Wang Lin.
Meng Huaining did indeed notice something. He ordered Chen Wu to first be imprisoned, then looked towards Wang Lin.
“Wang Lin, if you do not wish to suffer physical torment, then confess the full truth.”
“Your honor, what this peasant has said is true. I did kill Boss Jin, and it was under Chen Wu's orders. Otherwise, Boss Jin and I had no grievances, how could I have possibly killed him?”
Meng Huaining did not want to say much more to someone so stubborn. He directly ordered that Wang Lin be taken away and given twenty heavy beatings.
After the beating, when asked again, Wang Lin stuck to the same story, though his darting eyes revealed his increased unease.
In any case, based on Chen Wu’s testimony, the idea that Tang Mingrui had hired someone to commit murder could not stand. However, until the true mastermind was found, he could not completely detach himself from this case.
“Boss Tang can return for now. Without this official's order during this period, you cannot leave Yun City and must make yourself available when summoned.”
Having gotten caught up in this matter, Tang Mingrui was also quite helpless. Fortunately, the county magistrate was not muddleheaded, otherwise he would not have been able to leave the government office so quickly.
What was bothering him was that business at the provincial office had been very busy recently. Without him there to oversee things, he worried his subordinates would struggle after some time had passed.
In any case, just being able to temporarily return home was the biggest courtesy Meng Huaining could show him at present, and he would have to accept that favor.
Tang Mingrui respectfully saluted Meng Huaining: “Many thanks for your excellency’s consideration. Tang guarantees he will not leave Yun City before this case is closed.”
Meng Huaining waved his hand to indicate he could leave.
What remained was carefully interrogating Wang Lin himself. Relying on his many years of experience handling cases, to find a breakthrough in this case they would have to start with Wang Lin.
It was just that Wang Lin was extremely stubborn, and it would require more effort to get him to speak out.
Mo Jiuye had come to find Tang Mingrui, so he naturally followed along to ask about the situation. If suitable, he would then consider discussing business matters with the other party.
The two walked shoulder to shoulder out of the government office. Tang Mingrui revealed a bitter smile.
“Ninth brother, I really must have let you see a joke. I just wanted to run my business fairly, yet this kind of thing still happened to me.”
Mo Jiuye knew he felt uncomfortable and lightly patted Tang Mingrui on the shoulder.
“Believe in Magistrate Meng. He will certainly give you justice.”
Tang Mingrui nodded. “Yes, I believe in Magistrate Meng.”
After a short pause, he asked in return, “How did Ninth Brother have free time to come to the city today?”
“I came specifically looking for you. I hadn’t expected to hear as soon as I entered the city that you were caught up in something.”
“Does Ninth Brother have some lucrative business for finding me?” In Tang Mingrui’s eyes, if Mo Jiuye was finding him, it must be because there was some new business to collaborate on.
He had originally planned to go to Xi Ling Village today to strike it rich with the Mo family’s watermelon business. It was now the right time for the Mo family’s watermelons to ripen.
If he went and confirmed the watermelons were ripe, he would immediately arrange transportation into the city.
It was known that the Tang family had always believed watermelons were more delicious than cantaloupes. Especially in this hot summer weather, taking a bite of a nice cold watermelon was simply too refreshing.
Mo Jiuye found it somewhat amusing that the Tang brothers really could only think about business. Even caught up in a government case, the first thought in their minds was still profit.
Since the other party did not mind, he had no reservations about proposing his ideas at this time either.
“Indeed, I have a business deal I wanted to partner with Brother Tang on.”
Speaking, Mo Jiuye took out the several gold and silver accessories made with molds from his bosom last night with his wife.
Tang Mingrui was someone who had seen fine goods before. With just a glance, he could see the intricate quality of the workmanship of the accessories.
Especially that pendant whose form he could not discern. The patterns were so finely carved it seemed lifelike.
And that small ring that should have been quite nondescript. Its shine was dazzling, quite different from the kind sold in the city’s jewelry shops.
He could hardly tear his gaze from the exquisite patterns.
“Ninth Brother, where did you buy these gold and silver accessories from? Da Shun’s jewelry stores definitely don’t have such finely-crafted goods.”
In his impatience to know what kind of new business Mo Jiuye wanted to partner on, Tang Mingrui had not even thought more deeply about these intricate accessories at all.
“Ninth Sister is truly fortunate to have met such a considerate husband as Ninth Brother. Ninth Brother must have gone through great effort to obtain these accessories, right?”
In Tang Mingrui’s mind, Ninth Brother doted on his wife.
From the profits of their recent joint ventures that had been split fifty-fifty, he knew very clearly just how much the other party had earned.
It must be that Ninth Brother had excess silver and bought some accessories for his wife.
Mo Jiuye already knew Tang Mingrui’s reaction to seeing these accessories would be like this.
He was in no rush to put the accessories away.
“I wonder if Brother Tang might be interested in the jewelry accessory business?”
Upon hearing this statement, Tang Mingrui froze for a brief moment before revealing an expression of pleasant surprise.
“Does Ninth Brother mean you can provide accessories of this quality to me?” Tang Mingrui pointed at the accessories, eyes shining, having already forgotten the gloom from earlier.
It was known that Da Shun’s most lucrative businesses were the jewelry stores and money houses. If he hadn’t been unable to find a suitable supplier, he would have opened a proper jewelry store long ago.
Looking at the accessories with special intricacy before him, he already envisioned endless silver pouring towards him.
Tang Mingrui grabbed Mo Jiuye’s arm. “Let’s go, Ninth Brother, find a tea house and discuss properly!”
Mo Jiuye had not come over this time intending to discuss cooperation details with Tang Mingrui. His main purpose was to understand if Tang Mingrui had any intention of partnering up.
As for details of cooperation, that would still have to be left for his wife at home to discuss. After all, his wife was more knowledgeable in such matters than him.
Moreover, they had only made samples of several accessories currently. They were still quite far off from being able to open a store.
