Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 324 Does the Dai family have a powerful background?

Dai Yuxi's eyes were scrutinizing; the other party was definitely not there to buy pills.

Her grandfather came to the capital from Jiangnan Province. If it was her father's generation, they had lived in Jiangnan Province when they were young and still had some Jiangnan accent. But she and her brother were born in the capital and their speech had no Jiangnan accent at all.

Lin Chen wasn't surprised at all that the other party had seen through him and wasn't there to buy pills, because he didn't want to try to get information out of them anymore and simply told them the truth.

"To be honest, I came in because I saw your grandfather's name on the pharmacy's signboard. I am Jiangnan Daoren."

"You only came in because you saw my grandfather's name. Do you know my grandfather?"

After asking the question, Dai Yuxi shook her head. The person in front of her was younger than her, and her grandfather had passed away several years ago, so it was impossible for her to know him.

"My family has some connection with Lord Dai Jingfeng, but I'm not sure if it's your grandfather."

Hearing Lin Chen's words, Dai Yuxi understood his purpose. He wanted to confirm whether her grandfather was related to his family, in order to prevent the possibility of having the same name.

"My grandfather was from Quzhou Prefecture in Jiangnan Circuit."

Quzhou Prefecture?
Quzhou is adjacent to Raozhou Prefecture, so there is still a chance that Zhou San will obtain the scroll of martial arts will.

Lin Chen continued, "May I ask if your grandfather was over fifty years old in the 275th year of the Great Liang calendar? Was he a mid-level martial artist?"

It's possible to have the same name, but if they share the same name, come from the same profession, are the same age, and are both mid-level martial artists, then it can't be someone else.

When Dai Yuxi heard Lin Chen ask this question, she understood that the other party's family might indeed be related to her grandfather, but they shouldn't be particularly close. Otherwise, she could have asked for more details.

“That’s right. In the 275th year of the Great Liang calendar, my grandfather was exactly fifty years old. He was a fifth-rank martial artist during his lifetime.”

Right.

Lin Chen's eyes lit up, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Dai Yuxi, saying, "Miss Dai, I once received martial arts guidance from your grandfather."

"You received favors from my grandfather?"

Dai Yuxi carefully examined Lin Chen. Her grandfather had passed away several years ago. Before her grandfather's death, this man probably hadn't even been exposed to martial arts. So how could he have given her guidance?
“Your grandfather had a scroll that contained the will of martial arts, which I eventually used.”

"The Martial Arts Will Scroll, was it given to your family by my grandfather?"

"No, it just happened to fall into my hands by accident."

Lin Chen answered truthfully. He believed that the Martial Arts Will Scroll did not belong to Zhou San, but was obtained by Zhou San through some means. After all, Senior Dai Jingfeng had said in the scroll that on his fiftieth birthday, his hometown elders and folks came to celebrate, and he gave the scroll to them as a return gift.

Wednesday is a native of Poyang County, not Quzhou.

"My grandfather celebrated his fiftieth birthday, before I was even born."

Having understood the whole story, Dai Yuxi knew what had happened. Years ago, her grandfather gave a scroll to the villagers in their hometown as a sign of support for the young people of their hometown, and this scroll had ended up in the hands of the person in front of her.

If the person before me is also from Quzhou, a descendant of my grandfather's hometown, then my grandfather truly has the grace of bestowing upon me the will to practice martial arts.

However, this person also said that the scroll fell into his hands by accident, so he should not be a person from Quzhou, nor a descendant of his grandfather's hometown, so it cannot be considered a "favor".

"My grandfather's martial arts will scroll was of great help to me back then."

Lin Chen knew what Dai Yuxi was thinking. To some extent, he could indeed disregard the Dai family's kindness, since the martial arts will scroll that Senior Dai had prepared wasn't for him. However, Lin Chen still intended to repay this "karma."

"May I ask what problem your pharmacy has encountered?"

Dai Yuxi glanced at Lin Chen, but instead of answering directly, she asked, "How should I address you?"

"My surname is Lin."

"Young Master Lin, this matter concerns my Dai family. It's best not to involve you."

In Dai Yuxi's view, the martial arts will left by her grandfather was not intended for this person, yet this person still remembered this kindness, which must be because her grandfather's martial arts will had a great help to her path of martial arts cultivation.

However, this also illustrates a point: the fact that the martial will of a mid-level martial artist can be of great help to him indicates that this young master Lin's family background is not very good; at least in Kyoto, they should be considered to be from the lower class.

The person behind this targeting the Dai family's pharmacy must have a background no less impressive than the Dai family's; it's best not to involve this young master Lin.

"Miss Dai, why don't you tell me? Perhaps I can offer some advice."

Lin Chen smiled, knowing that Dai Yuxi felt she couldn't be of much help.

Seeing Lin Chen's determined expression, Dai Yuxi thought for a moment and said, "Last month, someone wanted to buy my Dai family's pharmacy, but my family refused. After that, three martial artists bought medicine from my family, but they all had problems after taking it."

"Medicines from your esteemed pharmacy?"

"My Dai family pharmacy has been operating in the capital for nearly 30 years. The effectiveness of our medicines is well-known. We never sell inferior products, let alone counterfeit medicines."

Dai Yuxi's expression turned cold, but Lin Chen didn't care about her attitude. He asked the question to determine whether the Dai family's pharmacy had engaged in fraudulent practices, but judging from Dai Yuxi's expression, it seemed that it hadn't.

At his current level, he has become able to observe the expressions of others with remarkable precision.

"So it seems that the person who wanted to acquire the pharmacy was behind this. Didn't the Dai family report this to the authorities?"

"When that person came to our door, he did not reveal his identity or background. Even if the authorities were informed, they would have no way to investigate. The most difficult thing about this matter is not finding this person, but that the pharmacy cannot prove its innocence."

After listening to Dai Yuxi's explanation, Lin Chen understood.

The Dai family is probably on a downward spiral.

Wherever there are people, there are connections and networks; this is human nature, and no one can change it.

The Dai family reported the incident to the authorities, but the yamen only drove away the troublemakers. This was simply because the Dai family had no connections in the yamen, and the officials were unwilling to spend too much energy on this matter, since it wasn't a fight or a fight that resulted in death.

The person behind this must have anticipated that the Dai family would report it to the authorities. All they needed to do was let the troublemakers keep up the story. It's even possible that they even managed to get in touch with the officials.

"Miss Dai, I'll take my leave now."

Seeing Lin Chen think for a moment and then say goodbye, Dai Yuxi felt a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

Although she didn't think this young master Lin had any way to solve the Dai family's predicament, the fact that he had asked still gave her a glimmer of hope.

"it is good."

Dai Yuxi watched Lin Chen leave, then sat down in a chair inside the counter and began to ponder how to break the current predicament.

……

After leaving the Dai family's pharmacy, Lin Chen went straight to the Qingyun Martial Arts Academy.

Lin Chen waited for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before Kong Qing hurriedly walked out from inside the gate of Qingyun Martial Academy.

"Senior Brother Lin, why are you waiting at the door?"

Kong Qing received a report from the gatekeeper of the martial arts academy that someone had come looking for him. From the gatekeeper's description of the person, he confirmed that it was Senior Brother Lin, so he immediately rushed over.

In his opinion, as long as Senior Brother Lin announced his name, the gatekeeper would let him through.

The gatekeepers of other places might not have heard of Senior Brother Lin, but the gatekeepers of the Martial Arts Academy definitely had.

"Waiting here is the same."

Lin Chen didn't reveal his name because he didn't want to attract too much attention. If he did, the entire Qingyun Martial Academy would probably know, and he would be surrounded by many disciples.

"Senior Brother Lin has already gone to the Ministry of Military Affairs?"

"Yes, I have met Lord Kong."

Upon hearing that Lin Chen had met Lord Kong, Kong Qing's eyes also showed a hint of envy. He had never met Lord Kong before, not even a brief glimpse from afar.

"Senior Brother Lin, do you have anything else planned for tonight?"

"There shouldn't be any left."

"Then I'll arrange a welcome banquet for Senior Brother Lin tonight, to celebrate his departure and welcome him back. I'll invite Senior Brother Zhang Ming, as well as a few other fellow disciples of the same age. What do you think, Senior Brother Lin?"

"When in Rome, do as the host says. Junior Brother Kong can make the arrangements."

Lin Chen didn't refuse, but asked, "Does Junior Brother Kong know anyone in the Kyoto government?" "Uh..."

Kong Qing's expression turned strange, and he explained to Lin Chen's puzzled look, "Senior Brother Lin, my father is the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture."

Lin Chen: ...

He only just realized that Kong Qing's fellow disciples were not only geniuses from the martial arts academy, but also sons of powerful and wealthy families.

"Senior Brother Lin, is something the matter?"

"It's not my business; it's something that happened to an old friend's family."

Lin Chen briefly explained the situation at the Dai family pharmacy, and Kong Qing understood what his senior brother Lin meant: "Senior brother Lin wants the government to clear the Dai family pharmacy's name."

Whether the Dai family is innocent or not needs to be investigated by the authorities. We just want the authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly.

As the son of an official, Kong Qing could easily understand Lin Chen's implied meaning: the government should investigate this matter, and if the Dai family was truly innocent, then the person behind it should be brought to justice and the neighborhood should be informed, thus clearing the Dai family's name.

If the Dai family is not innocent, then this matter should not be made public.

Regardless, we must investigate thoroughly first.

The reason the Dai family couldn't do it was because such matters were not considered a big deal by the government, and the officials wouldn't bother with them. To put it bluntly, the Dai family simply lacked the necessary strength.

If someone really plots against the Dai family, as long as the authorities conduct a thorough investigation, the perpetrator will definitely not be able to hide.

Putting everything else aside, those three troublemakers will have to confess everything if things get serious.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Lin, I'll take care of this for you. I'll take you somewhere first."

Kong Qing took Lin Chen to a relatively quiet manor and arranged a separate courtyard for him. Then Kong Qing left, as he needed to go to the government office and contact his fellow disciples.

The other disciples would definitely not want to miss the opportunity to welcome Senior Brother Lin back, but given Senior Brother Lin's personality, the number of guests should not be too large.

……

……

Kyoto, as the capital of the Great Liang Kingdom, has a Prefect of the Capital Prefecture who is a third-rank martial artist, while the constables below him are all mid-rank martial artists.

"Investigating the Dai family's pharmacy?"

Liu Jun looked at the paper in his hand, which recorded the situation of the Dai family's pharmacy.

Would the prefect personally intervene in a minor matter like a pharmacy being rumored to be selling inferior medicines?

Does the Dai family have a background or connections?

After a while, Liu Jun stood up and shouted towards the outside, "Summon the constables to assemble."

Half an hour later, Liu Jun received the results of his subordinates' investigation: the Dai family pharmacy had been framed, and the Cai family was the mastermind behind it.

When the authorities took it seriously, those troublemakers confessed everything.

The Cai family is a family that has only been in the capital for a few years. The current head of the Cai family is at the sixth rank, which is comparable to his strength as a constable. The Cai family ancestors also ran a pharmacy...

After Dai Jingfeng of the Dai family died, none of his sons were able to break through to the middle rank, and the family began to decline. The Cai family then began to covet the Dai family's pharmacy.

Located at the foot of the capital, the Cai family naturally dared not seize by force, so they used this method to make the Dai family suffer, ultimately forcing the Dai family to sell the pharmacy.

"Take a few men and go to the Cai family to arrest them."

So what if the head of the Cai family is a sixth-rank martial artist? When the government arrests people, the head of the Cai family wouldn't dare to resist even if he had a lot of guts.

"Sir, should we arrest them directly?"

The constables on the side were somewhat surprised, wondering if they should report this to their superiors.

Although the head of the Cai family is only a sixth-rank official, he is only in his fifties and has a high chance of advancing to the next rank. He must also have his own connections in the capital.

"Arrest them directly."

Liu Jun's face turned cold. No matter how powerful the Cai family's connections were, could they possibly surpass those of Lord Kong?
What he's curious about now is how the Dai family got involved with Lord Kong.
……

……

Dai Family Pharmacy.

"Miss, officials from the government have arrived."

Hearing the shop assistant's anxious words, Dai Yuxi's expression changed, while Dai Yuze beside her looked even more furious: "Is the other party going to get the government involved?"

"Young man, don't talk nonsense."

Dai Yuxi rebuked in a deep voice. She didn't think the other party could command the government. If they really had that ability, why would they be interested in their family's pharmacy?

Pushing open the curtain, Dai Yuxi saw three figures standing in the pharmacy. When she saw the middle-aged man at the front, her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she quickly said, "Lord Liu has come. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me."

"Are you Miss Dai?"

Liu Jun also sized up Dai Yuxi. Her appearance could only be described as average. At first, he wondered if this Miss Dai had some kind of relationship with a powerful or wealthy young man, but now it seemed that he was wrong.

But this also precisely illustrates that the Dai family is extraordinary.

If this Miss Dai is exceptionally beautiful and tells some powerful and influential young men who have designs on her about this matter, and it eventually reaches Lord Kong, then this connection does not belong to the Dai family.

“Yes, this is Dai Yuxi, and this is my younger brother, Dai Yuze.”

Dai Yuxi was also puzzled at this moment, wondering about the purpose of Lord Liu's personal visit.

Lord Liu was the head constable in charge of these streets, and he would patrol the area regularly, which is how she got to know him.

"Miss Dai, Young Master Dai, I have come here because someone has said that the pills sold in your shop are of inferior quality..."

"Sir, this is a frame-up."

Upon hearing this, Dai Yuze couldn't help but speak up, directly interrupting Liu Jun.

"Young man, shut up." Dai Yuxi quickly stopped him, and at the same time said to Liu Jun, "Lord Liu, my younger brother was ignorant, please don't take offense."

“I can understand your brother’s feelings. If my family’s pharmacy were framed, I would also be extremely anxious. This matter was also something that my yamen failed to investigate clearly at first. However, I have thoroughly investigated those people today, and now I can confirm that they framed your pharmacy. I have already sent people to arrest the person who instigated it.”

As soon as Liu Jun said this, the entire pharmacy fell silent for a few moments.

"Thank you so much, Your Excellency, for clearing the Dai family's name."

A few breaths later, Dai Yuxi's pretty face turned red, and she spoke excitedly.

……

After a short while, Liu Jun walked out of the pharmacy with a smile on his face: "Miss Dai, please wait. There's no need to see me off. After I interrogate the Cai family and obtain their confession, I will bring those people who made false accusations to the pharmacy to clear the Dai family's name."

As Dai Yuxi watched the departing figures of Constable Liu and his two constables, the excitement in her heart finally subsided, allowing her to think things through calmly.

"There's something strange about this."

"Sister, what's strange? Could it be that Officer Liu is just trying to fool us?" Dai Yuze muttered to himself.

Snapped!
Dai Yuxi couldn't help but snap her fingers on her younger brother's head: "Officer Liu certainly wouldn't lie to us. What I find strange is why Officer Liu would help us?"

For some reason, Dai Yuxi thought of the young master Lin from Jiangnan, but then shook her head. That young master Lin probably didn't have such abilities.

"Sis, why are you shaking your head and nodding like that? Why worry so much? Anyway, this is a great thing for our family."

Hearing her younger brother's words, Dai Yuxi smiled. Her brother was right. No matter what strange things were going on, it was a good thing for the family, at least it resolved the family's crisis.

"Little brother, go back and tell Father and your uncles about this good news, so they won't worry."

(End of this chapter)