They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 116 Let's just cut off their supply lines completely.

Seeing that she was completely relieved, Liang Lizheng was both amused and exasperated: "This matter is what it is, we're upright and have nothing to fear. I've already spoken to Xiaoyan and her husband, and I should also tell you so you're aware. Even if you don't come, I'll have to ask my granddaughter to call you over."

Not wanting to speak ill of his in-laws, Liang hesitated again, then finally offered a tactful reminder: "Zhichun, we don't know what's going on with the Zeng family. What if they come looking for you?"

This is indeed a troublesome matter.

After listening to the entire conversation, Liang Mingxuan pursed his lips: He was still not strong enough, not strong enough to protect his sister-in-law. Otherwise, how dare the Zeng family act this way?
Xu Zhichun quickly made up his mind and said with a smile, "There's no need to wait for them to come to me. I'll go to see Master Zeng tomorrow."

"what?"

"I'd like to ask him what he means by this?"

Liang Lizheng also suddenly understood: "Yes, yes, Xiaoyan's father is a reasonable person, so it's definitely better to talk to him now. Let Xiaoyan and her husband accompany you tomorrow. If that doesn't work, I'll go too."

Xu Zhichun quickly smiled and said, "Xiao Yan and the others can come with me. If they can't solve the problem, I'll trouble you again."

Originally, this was a small business that Xu Zhichun invited Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er to do together, and there was no need to involve the village head.

It's a minor matter; there's no need to make a big deal out of it.

When Xu Zhichun and his sister-in-law left, Zeng Xiaoyan ran from the backyard to see them off, saying, "Dad and Sister-in-law Zhichun must have told you, right? I really didn't expect this."

Her stepmother really dared to do that.

"Don't be angry! Come with me to see Master Zeng tomorrow and explain things clearly."

Zeng Xiaoyan was taken aback, then nodded: "Yes, of course we need to make it clear!"

That's not how you press someone's head.

She found it all laughable; her stepmother really thought too highly of her.

The next day, when they went to town, Aunt Zhu'er was left alone at her stall, watching with worry as the three of them went to find Master Zeng.

The Zeng family's main business was silk and cloth, in addition to the Sifang Restaurant and several estates.

The three arrived at the largest silk store, but before they could go inside, a carriage stopped behind them. Young Master Zeng got out of the carriage, frowning, and asked, "What are you doing here?"

All three of them thought to themselves, "What bad luck!" and turned around.

Xu Zhichun: "Young Master Zeng."

Zeng Xiaoyan: "I've come to find my father."

Liang Mingliang grumbled and hesitated, "Brother-in-law" is a brother-in-law who can't distinguish right from wrong.

Young Master Zeng: "Tell me what's wrong."

The wariness, defensiveness, indifference, disdain, and knowing look in his eyes at the poor relatives who were trying to freeload off him made the three of them very uncomfortable: They hadn't even said anything yet, and he was already sure that they were here to freeload off them.
Zeng Xiaoyan scoffed: "You can't make that decision."

Young Master Zeng hated her affected mannerisms the most, as if she was deliberately trying to provoke him. He said impatiently, "There's nothing I can't decide. Father is busy. If you insist on seeing Father, come back this afternoon."

He can't make the decision?
There are indeed many things about the Zeng family that he cannot decide, but that absolutely does not include matters related to Zeng Xiaoyan.

Xu Zhichun: "I'm looking for Master Zeng. It's about Madam Zeng and Manager Fang of Sifang Restaurant. Is Young Master Zeng sure he wants to make the decision?"

Young Master Zeng was taken aback. "What exactly do you want to do?"

Xu Zhichun sneered: "Ask Master Zeng if the Zeng family is used to bullying others by relying on their power!"

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"Either we talk here, or we talk when we see Master Zeng. Could it be that Young Master Zeng is also in cahoots with your mother and uncle? Is that why you're doing everything you can to prevent me from seeing Master Zeng?"

"You're Madam Xu, aren't you? Please watch your words, lest you bring trouble upon yourself." "Ha, I've already been struck by lightning, what's there to fear about what I might say?"

Xu Zhichun ignored him and went straight into the shop: "Is Master Zeng here? I have important matters to discuss with Manager Fang of Sifang Restaurant and Madam Zeng. Please inform him."

The shopkeeper and his staff were all startled.

Young Master Zeng chased after them in, furious. "Go do what you're supposed to do. Didn't Madam Xu want to see my father? Please."

That's really vulgar and disgusting. Zeng Xiaoyan hangs out with people like that every day, no wonder she's becoming more and more annoying.

Oh right, I promised Mingzhu I'd teach those two a lesson, but I've been so busy I forgot. Today's the perfect day to settle the score with them.

While Master Zeng was discussing matters with the accountant, the head manager, and the managers of the three branch stores in the back, his eldest son came in and whispered something to him.

Master Zeng raised his eyebrows slightly, somewhat displeased and confused. In the end, he made an excuse to end the meeting and went to the reception room to see Xu Zhichun and the others.

Master Zeng was very displeased. “Madam Xu, there’s no need to be so mysterious. Just say it clearly.”

Xu Zhichun sighed softly: "I came here today because I wanted to make things clear with Master Zeng. I'm sure Master Zeng has tried the gray tofu and gray bean shreds, right? Those are things my family sells. The braised meat my family has been selling recently is also very delicious and popular. Every time it's put out, it's quickly sold out. I wonder if Master Zeng has tried it."

This surprised both the Zeng father and son. "Is that your business?"

"Exactly."

Master Zeng was somewhat impressed, saying, "Madam Xu has excellent skills."

Although it's just a small stall, it's the only one of its kind, so it can naturally earn a lot.

"I dare not accept such praise. We are no match for Master Zeng's vast wealth. The profit Master Zeng makes from selling just one bolt of fine silk is something we could only earn in several days."

"Haha, Madam Xu, there's no need to belittle yourself."

Who doesn't love to hear compliments?
“What Master Zeng said is true. Although we don’t earn much every day, it’s still a fixed income. Our farming family has low expenses, and we can save up enough over the year to live a good life in the village. But then someone suddenly came to our door and said that my recipe was theirs.”

The father and son exchanged a glance, understanding some things yet not quite.

Master Zeng frowned: "Is that so? Does Madam Xu want me to help resolve this matter?"

Small business owners, unable to compete with local thugs or big merchants, are not immune to being harassed or squeezed out to the point of having no place to stand.

But ever since Magistrate Lu arrived, there haven't been any cases of bullying or oppressing small vendors.

Magistrate Lu refused.

Xu Zhichun stood up and bowed to Master Zeng. His words just now were somewhat unexpected.

"Besides Master Zeng, I'm afraid no one else can solve this problem. That's because it was Madam Zeng and Manager Fang of Sifang Restaurant who said so."

"what!"

"This is impossible!"

Zeng Xiaoyan: "What's impossible? It's true. The day before yesterday, Manager Fang sent someone to our stall to look for us."

Xu Zhichun recounted the events that had been unfolding for days in detail.

The Zeng father and son were shocked, angry, and somewhat ashamed, and could hardly believe it.

"Sure enough?"

"Master Zeng will know once he investigates."

(End of this chapter)