Chapter 131 - 93: Seizure
Xu Zhi returned from Xu Feng’s place, his face ashen and his palms slick with cold sweat.
Earlier, he had seen Yang Wei acting suspiciously in the warehouse, his eyes darting about. This had made him suspicious, and when he went back to check, he was shocked to discover the Dongshan Cold Iron Ore. His face paled instantly.
His first thought was that the Xu Family had transported it. But just moments ago in Xu Feng’s study, the instant he mentioned the Dongshan Cold Iron Ore, Xu Feng had ordered his subordinates to close the door, and the usual gentle smile on his face vanished without a trace.
"Some things are better left unknown."
Xu Feng lifted his teacup and blew on the surface. "The Qiao Family’s recent recovery is thanks to the Xu Family’s connections. It’s because your surname is Xu. Even though your father is gone, the Xu Family remembers old ties and is still willing to give you a hand."
Xu Zhi’s throat was dry. "That shipment of ore..."
"What about the ore?"
Xu Feng looked up, his gaze cold and sinister. "There’s a lot of merchandise piled up in the warehouse. Are you going to question every single item? Just be a good son-in-law to the Qiao Family, wait peacefully to become a father, and stay out of other people’s business."
"Don’t worry. I’ll have someone dispose of it shortly. You just act like you know nothing and focus on being the Qiao Family’s son-in-law."
With things laid out so plainly, how could Xu Zhi not understand?
He returned to the Qiao Mansion in a daze, his mind a tangled mess. He also discovered several new lookouts stationed outside the mansion.
’He didn’t know if Xu Feng had sent them to keep an eye on him, or if Liang Cheng from the Martial Arts Academy had already detected something amiss at the Qiao Mansion.’
’I have to leave.’
Before, he might have just left without a second thought.
But now Qiao Zhi was pregnant with his child, his own flesh and blood. How could he possibly just leave?
’Things haven’t reached the worst-case scenario yet.’
Xu Feng had promised to dispose of the Dongshan Cold Iron Ore immediately, which calmed Xu Zhi down a little. ’As long as it’s moved tonight,’ he thought, ’everything will be fine.’
However, early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Zhao Yuan arrived with over a dozen Steward Disciples from the Martial Arts Academy and two squads of Black Armor Guards from the City Lord’s Mansion. They immediately surrounded the Qiao Mansion’s west warehouse.
"By order of the Town Guardian, we are sealing the warehouse and inspecting the goods!"
Zhao Yuan’s voice was cold and hard as he produced a written order from Liang Cheng. The old steward of the Qiao Mansion was so frightened his legs gave out, and he scrambled away to inform Qiao Zhi.
Qiao Zhi was with her mother in a heated pavilion picking out embroidery patterns. By the time she came out after hearing the news, the doors to the Qiao Family warehouse had already been sealed.
"By what right do you seal my family’s warehouse?!"
Her face was pale with anger as she pointed at Zhao Yuan. "Where is Liang Cheng? Tell him to come see me!"
"Please calm down, Miss Qiao."
Zhao Yuan cupped his fist, his tone strictly professional. "Town Guardian Liang is at the Martial Arts Academy assisting with the robbery investigation. This shipment is suspected of being the Cold Iron Ore stolen from the Dongshan Mine before the new year. It has been sealed for inspection in accordance with the law."
"The Town Guardian specifically instructed that, in consideration of your pregnancy, we will not be asking you to come to the Government Office for questioning for the time being. However, we ask that everyone in the Qiao Family cooperate with the investigation and refrain from any rash actions."
Mrs. Qiao asked in a trembling voice, "Zhi’Er, what is going on? The goods in the warehouse..."
Qiao Zhi’s face paled for a moment, but she quickly forced herself to remain calm. "Young Master Zhao, this shipment was temporarily stored here by the Xu Family. The Qiao Family merely lent them the warehouse space. We are unaware of its specific contents."
She turned to Xu Zhi. "Husband, isn’t that right?"
Xu Zhi’s face was ashen. He opened his mouth, then closed it, finally lowering his head in dejection. "That’s right. I’ve never been involved in business matters. I only occasionally sign to help them temporarily store some goods."
This was indeed the truth. If it weren’t, Qiao Zhi would never have trusted Xu Zhi or believed that he was completely devoted to her.
Zhao Yuan watched this exchange coldly, then waved his hand and commanded, "Search! Take all the ledgers and shipping manifests!"
Madam Qiao had also composed herself by now. She took Zhao Yuan’s arm. "Young Master Zhao, I can be considered your elder. Could I trouble you to speak with your senior brother and ask him to remember the old friendship between myself and your master, and put in a good word for us?"
At the mention of Yang Wei, Zhao Yuan’s expression softened slightly, but he did not speak, merely nodding.
...
「That night, in the study of the Xu Mansion.」
Xu Tianxing’s face was grim. Across from him sat Wu Zhenshan, while Xu Feng stood to the side, personally pouring their tea.
"Wu the Treasurer, they’ve already investigated the Qiao Family. Liang Cheng’s men moved too quickly. We didn’t have time to move the goods."
Wu Zhenshan took a slow sip of tea. "What’s the panic? The goods were shipped through the Xu Family’s Tongyuan Trading Company, but the warehouse receipt was signed by Xu Zhi. The investigation will lead to the Qiao Family. The heat won’t be on the Xu Family."
"But Liang Cheng is no fool!"
Xu Tianxing lowered his voice. "If he follows the clues, he’ll find out exactly where this shipment of ore came from..."
"Then don’t let him find them."
Wu Zhenshan put down his teacup, his gaze dark and cold. "Patriarch Xu, you’ve worked with the Fire Worship Sect before. Who do you think allows the Xu Family to maintain its foothold in Lin Wu City?"
A chill ran down Xu Feng’s spine.
Wu Zhenshan’s tone then softened. "Lord Situ’s meaning is clear: cut your losses when you must. Since Xu Zhi has already handled this shipment, let him take the fall for it. It has nothing to do with the Xu Family, wouldn’t you agree?"
Standing to the side, Xu Feng’s pupils contracted. "My lord, Xu Zhi is my brother, after all..."
Xu Tianxing cut Xu Feng off. "Feng’Er, don’t speak recklessly. Treasurer, we still need your help to turn this crisis into a safe resolution. We’re counting on you."
Wu Zhenshan smiled. "Rest assured, Patriarch Xu. We’ve been partners for so long. Vice City Lord Situ would never abandon an ally."
"We appreciate your trouble."
After seeing Wu Zhenshan out, Xu Tianxing sat alone late into the night. Xu Feng stood silently to the side. The candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows across their faces.
Finally, Xu Tianxing summoned a trusted subordinate. "Go. Move everything out of the Tongyuan Trading Company warehouse. Then set it on fire. Burn it to the ground."
"Yes, Patriarch."
...
In the ledgers Zhao Yuan seized from the Qiao Family warehouse, there was no mention of Cold Iron Ore. There were only entries for ordinary iron ore, including timestamps and quantities, along with receiving documents signed by Xu Zhi.
Meanwhile, a massive fire suddenly broke out at the Tongyuan Trading Company, burning all traces of evidence to cinders. This made even Liang Cheng marvel at the Xu Family’s utter ruthlessness.