Chapter 8 Struggle

Words : 1818 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 8 - 8 StruggleDong Dahai's family has managed the warehouse in Qingshui County for three generations, a position also known as the Head of Weighing. Although the Head of Weighing is an insignificant post, not even considered a formal clerk position, in the County Government, when it comes to personal wealth, he would absolutely be ranked at the forefront. This is because he holds significant power in the management and daily operations of the silver treasury, with the ability to control the movement of silver and master key financial authority. The theft of the treasury silver enraged the County Magistrate. Dong Dahai and the five warehouse keepers responsible for the watch on that day are now gathered at the Dong Family residence with worried and somber expressions. Dong Dahai had firmly taken ten heavy beatings, and if he couldn't crack the case within three days, another fifty lashings awaited him, with a high likelihood of losing his Head of Weighing position as well. Compared to losing the position of Head of Weighing, fifty lashings seemed trivial. "One of the warehouse keepers said, "Boss, how can we possibly solve the case in three days? I think County Magistrate Wu wants to drive us to our deaths." With Dong Dahai holding onto the lucrative job of Head of Weighing, since his birth, neither his grandfather nor his father expected him to achieve much, as the family had this silver rice bowl and one only needed to avoid being too wasteful. They even feared that Dong Dahai's ambition might lead him to lose this lucrative position. In such an environment, Dong Dahai was adept at indulging in eating, drinking, and pleasure, but when real trouble struck, he didn't know what to do. After all, dividing money in the Government Office was something the old master had taught him hands-on since childhood; just following the same pattern was enough. But he had never encountered a major incident like the loss of one thousand taels of treasury silver. The three generations of his family's effort, their savings accrued over decades, along with ancestral property, amounted to no more than six hundred taels of cash and assets valued at about two thousand taels in shops and farmland. Dong Dahai, with a gloomy expression, said, "Then tell me, what else can we do to get through this?" The warehouse keepers looked at each other, unable to come up with a solution. One young warehouse keeper said, "At worst, we can become bandits on the lake." Dong Dahai glared at him, "Don't talk nonsense." Those who could become warehouse keepers were generationally good people; it made no sense to turn to banditry. At this moment, there was a knock at the door. Dong Dahai and the warehouse keepers went to open the door and saw Li Gongpu outside. "Old Li, I thought you went home to rest. What brings you here?" Li Gongpu laughed heartily, "I came to see how your injuries were." Dong Dahai rolled his eyes, "With the beating from you, how could you not know the extent of my injuries?" Li Gongpu: "What, blaming me for being too heavy-handed?" Dong Dahai: "Alright, I know you had to put on an act. If you're here to gloat, please leave. I'm busy right now." Li Gongpu smiled faintly, "Isn't it just the case of the missing treasury silver? Such a trivial matter, and you're all here with such worried and suffering expressions, it's laughable." Dong Dahai: "Don't make snide comments, wait... do you have a solution?" Li Gongpu: "Oh dear, I only had a bowl of tea when I got home, I'm starving and really don't have the energy to talk." Dong Dahai knew Li Gongpu's character well enough to know he wouldn't trivialize such a serious matter; if he spoke like this, he definitely had a way to help. "You lot really have no sense of timing. Hurry up and invite Master Li inside to talk." Dong Dahai then instructed his wife to prepare meat and drink. Seeing Dong Dahai and the others' anxious demeanor, Li Gongpu relayed Xu Qing's suggestions in his own way. The hint was indeed very clear. Naturally, Dong Dahai and the others were struck with realization. Moreover, Li Gongpu didn't mention whose idea it was, and Dong Dahai, realizing the County Magistrate's appreciation for Li Gongpu, naturally assumed it was the Steward who had sent Li Gongpu over. Pity for their wooden heads, which had definitely not come up with such an idea. Of course, they also didn't want to think about it. Who would willingly part with such a large sum of money to alleviate disasters and resolve problems, unless absolutely necessary? But according to Li Gongpu, this misfortune could be turned into a fortunate event, adding a meritorious deed to their record, and more securely keeping their current jobs. "Old Li, you truly conceal your brilliance. Your method is excellent." Dong Dahai and the others all breathed a sigh of relief, resolved to act according to Li Gongpu's suggestions. He then gave Li Gongpu twenty taels of silver. Li Gongpu declined it at first, but ultimately Dong Dahai forcefully stuffed it into his hands. After being well fed and drunk at Dong Dahai's, Li Gongpu went to County Magistrate Wu's staff, Master Qian, and disclosed the intentions of Dong Dahai and the others. Only by clarifying matters can both sides cooperate well. Master Qian had long known that Dong Dahai and his companions were not very clever, planning to leave them hanging for a night and then take the opportunity to give them some pointers tomorrow, followed by collecting a sum of money. Surprisingly, these people had already come to a realization on their own? Because he knew Li Gongpu well, he was indeed someone who could not have come up with such a plan. And since Li Gongpu was reliable and always had a good relationship with Dong Dahai, acting as an intermediary was indeed very suitable. Without suspicion, Master Qian responded, "I understand the matter, but there's one thing— they got it wrong. A total of one thousand and five hundred taels of treasury silver has gone missing." Li Gongpu exclaimed, "Ah!" This was not what Xu Qing had mentioned. He hesitated, "Old Dong and the others probably can't come up with so much silver." Master Qian seriously said, "Team Leader Li, you're still somewhat naive. The treasury silver collected by the County Government is always subject to shrinkage and 'fire loss,' let alone runaway wealth from the worldly society— which would all be spent lavishly. Although we have cracked the case, we can only recover one thousand taels of the stolen loot. Luckily, the thieves have a significant background, and by solving an old case that has been hanging for many years, the merit certainly outweighs the flaws." Li Gongpu said, "But what about the original stolen loot from the thieves?" Master Qian sighed, "If they had money, would they risk their necks to steal treasury silver?" "You are right, Steward," Li Gongpu felt that he still had insufficient experience. Seeing Master Qian pour some tea, he took the cue to bid farewell. After returning, Li Gongpu hurriedly told Xu Qing about what had happened earlier. Upon listening, Xu Qing frowned involuntarily. "What's the matter?" Seeing Xu Qing's expression, Li Gongpu feared that he must have done something wrong. Xu Qing said, "Uncle, I was careless, there has been a slight oversight. Of those twenty taels of silver, you should at least give ten to Master Qian." "But you didn't know before that Dong Dahai would give me any silver, and besides, Master Qian asked for an extra five hundred taels, why should I give him any silver at all?" Before Xu Qing could speak, Zhou Family's wife picked up a feather duster and tapped her husband's back, "Even Dong Dahai knows to give you money, and you don't know to give money to Master Qian? If you don't give him money, when it's time to allocate the credit, what will you do if Master Qian trips you up?" Seeing Zhou Family's wife with a look of disappointment, Xu Qing couldn't help but smile, then spoke seriously, "Uncle, it's not too late to go back and give it now. When you go, just say that the money was taken from home, and say it like this at that time..." S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After Xu Qing gave his instructions, Li Gongpu had no choice but to visit Master Qian again. Actually, Xu Qing did not unintentionally make a mistake; it was his plan all along to convince Li Gongpu to bribe Master Qian with more money from home after negotiating well, in order to participate and share in the credit. Unexpectedly, Dong Dahai acted generously, so there was no need to persuade Li Gongpu to bring out the money. And they even had ten taels of silver left at home. Xu Qing took up paper and brush and wrote a prescription: eight parts cooked rehmannia, four parts cornelian cherry, four parts Chinese yam... This was the recipe for the Six Flavors Rehmannia Pill, known to many in his previous life as a kidney tonic. But the original inventor used it to treat developmental issues in children. "Auntie, this is a supplemental medicine recipe I saw in a book. Now that we have some extra money at home, I want to use it to improve my health. Please help me get it." Zhou Family's wife sighed softly as she looked at Xu Qing's frail body, "In our home, we have indeed neglected you." Xu Qing said, "Uncle and auntie have already given me the best they could, but reading indeed consumes the spirit and I cannot grow in stature." Zhou Family's wife nodded, "Xu Qing, I'll go get the medicine prescription for you right away." Xu Qing then thanked her. With the nourishing prescription, his progress in practicing the Crane Form should improve significantly. This current matter, after all, is a trivial affair of petty schemes, not on the Righteous Path. It's not even on the level of the Imperial Examination. To glimpse the transcendent and extend one's lifespan— that's what truly matters in his heart. But the journey must be taken step by step. "The path is long and its cultivation far-reaching..." As Zhou Family's wife went out to fetch the medicine, Xu Qing chanted softly. Today he may be but a mayfly, but his aspirations lie high in the Nine Heavens!

Chapter 8 Struggle

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