Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 484 Dissatisfaction
Han Si's younger brother, Han Cong, usually stayed at the Han family's porcelain kiln. Recently, because the Xie family gathered some merchants and openly opposed the porcelain industry, causing unrest in Bianjing's porcelain industry, Han Cong returned to the city to help Han Si stabilize the situation.

How could someone suddenly disappear out of nowhere?
Han Si ignored Fang Min's sarcastic tone and was eager to ask the steward for details.

The steward said, "Master has been discussing business with merchants in the city for the past two days. He left home early this morning just like usual, so the family didn't pay any attention. But around 1 p.m., a merchant came to the door, saying that he had arranged to meet the second master at the teahouse, but he has not been seen since."

"The family sent people everywhere to look for the second master."

"At that time, we thought that the second master had some unfinished business, which is why it was delayed. Unexpectedly, after searching all the restaurants and teahouses that the second master frequented, the waiters there all said that they had never seen the second master."

The steward paused slightly before continuing, "The second master has a habit of visiting brothels. The second mistress sent someone to look for him there, and sure enough... the madam there said that the second master had left with... a musician."

"That's why the family didn't take it to heart. They didn't send anyone to look for it again until just now when someone left a bundle at our porcelain shop. When the manager opened it, he recognized the contents as the second master's clothes and purse, and that's when he realized something was wrong."

Han Si stared at the steward and asked, "What about the musician? Have you found him?"

The steward shook his head: "No, there isn't any."

“It’s impossible for it to be related to that musician. How could a lowly prostitute have the guts to do such a thing?” Fang Min smiled again as she said this. “Even if she did it, she was acting under someone else’s orders. There’s no point in looking for that musician.”

"The person who took Han Cong away knew him very well, which is why they were able to do it quietly."

This is the same as taking Fang Min's family with him.

Han Si's heart pounded wildly. Although he was in charge, his second brother usually had more ideas than him. Now that his second brother was missing, he felt like he had lost his backbone and didn't know what to do.

Han Si asked, "Where is the person who delivered the package? Have you found them?"

“No,” the manager said. “The man put down the bundle when the shop was crowded. The clerk didn’t see who delivered it.”

Although it just happened, there's no way to investigate it.

"Master... what should we do?" the steward asked. "Or should we go to the yamen..."

Han Si pondered for a long time and slowly shook his head. Fang Min's words were not without reason. His second brother was very likely also taken away by Ge Ying, but Ge Ying did not inform him in advance.

This shows a lack of trust in him and is also a form of blackmail.

If he goes to the authorities to file a complaint, what will he say to the yamen? The yamen doesn't know the truth and will search aimlessly, which will certainly not yield any results.

If he tells everyone, wouldn't that mean they'll arrest Ge Ying?

In a fit of anger, Ge Ying would kill her second brother.

“Go back and tell Second Sister first,” Han Si said. “I will go to Second Brother and tell her not to panic and not to spread the news.”

The manager responded.

After the steward left the room, Han Si went to check on Fang Min and found that the anger on Fang Min's face had actually subsided somewhat. Perhaps it was because Fang Min realized that Han Si, like him, was just a pawn in someone else's game.

“Brother Han,” Fang Min said, “are we just going to let them manipulate us like this? I can go to the yamen to confess, but will the yamen believe that I did all of that by myself? You are the head of the porcelain shop, Brother Han.”

"From the very beginning, they never intended to let you go."

Han Si felt a chill in his heart; this was the situation he was in.

“I’ll say it again,” Fang Min said, “If we go to the yamen, we can forget about coming back alive. We’re not like those scholar-officials who can save their lives even if they make a serious mistake; they might even implicate their families.” Han Si’s face turned ashen: “Then what can we do?”

“Report them to the government office,” Fang Min said with a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes. “We might even be able to earn merit for it. Besides, with them blocking our way, we’re just followers at most. According to the laws of Daliang, followers are punished one degree less severely.”

"Even if this doesn't work out, we're all going to die anyway, so we might as well take them with us."

Han Si's lips trembled.

Fang Min said coldly, "We've worked hard for them all these years, and what have we gotten in return? After this incident, they just throw us out like this. It's clear that in their hearts, we're not even as good as livestock."

"I'm not willing to accept this."

Han Si finally managed to calm himself down: "If we do this, your family and my second brother will all die."

“That’s not necessarily true,” Fang Min said. “We can rescue them first.”

Han Si's eyes widened: "How...how can we save him?"

Fang Min said, "I know pretty much where Ge Ying and his people stay when they travel back and forth to Bianjing."

It was only then that Han Si realized that Fang Min was not so simple after all. The fact that Fang Min was investigating these matters clearly indicated that she was secretly on guard against Ge Ying and her group.

“They must have taken some people and things with them when they leave Bianjing. They won’t be able to get away so quickly. If we investigate now, we’ll definitely find some clues,” Fang Min pursed her lips. “As long as we find out where the Second Master and my family are being held, we’ll take people to rescue them first, and then report to the authorities to arrest them.”

As for why he didn't report to the authorities first, Fang Min had his own reasons. He knew the government wouldn't care about the lives of his family members, and he didn't trust those people.

Fang Min stared at Han Si: "Well? If you're going to do it, make a decision quickly, or it will be too late."

Han Si had too many things to consider—the Han family porcelain kiln, his clansmen—but he couldn't afford to think too much now. Fang Min was right; even if he didn't fight back, he was doomed anyway.

Why not give it a try?

Han Si finally nodded after thinking about it: "Okay, then let's do as you say and try to find someone first."

Fang Min was overjoyed. He could bypass Han Si to do things, but it would be more difficult to rely on himself alone. The Han family had many relatives in Bianjing, and the more people he had, the better.

The two of them agreed to go find someone separately.

Fang Min said, "Within half an hour, all our people must be dispersed. Whoever finds out the news should inform the other party, and then we will go together to rescue people."

After seeing Fang Min off from the Han family, Han Si summoned the steward to arrange everything. He dared not use outside help, fearing that Ge Ying might have spies. He only used his own servants and clan members. After arranging everything, he sat down again and realized that cold sweat had already soaked through his clothes.

……

While Han Si and Fang Min's men were busy in Bianjing, Yang Hong, who was secretly watching, brought the news back to Zhou Guangyuan's house.

Yang Hong spoke to Xie Yuyan in a low voice, and Xie Yuyan nodded.

Zhou Guangyuan had no idea what Madam Xie was doing, and his eyes were full of questions and doubts.

After Yang Hong left, Xie Yuyan looked at Zhou Guangyuan and said, "Someone is helping us look for them."

There's another chapter tonight