Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

Chapter 67 The Liu Family's Seven-Step Investigation! Ye Huang's Counterattack Turns Him into Public Enemy of Jiangnan

On the third day after Xiao Jue headed north, trouble began.

Early in the morning, just as Jinxiufang had removed its door panels, three groups of people arrived at the door almost simultaneously.

The first group consisted of tax collectors from the Tax Bureau, dressed in gray-blue official uniforms, holding account books in their hands, their faces stern: "By order of the Prefect, we are here to verify all accounts and taxes of Jinxiufang since its opening."

The second group, patrol inspectors from the Military Command, led several constables and carried knives: "Recently, there have been frequent fires in the city. We have been ordered to inspect whether the fire-fighting equipment in each shop is complete."

The third group, the workshop's clerk, followed by a recorder, said: "Check the employment contracts. All the contracts of the craftsmen and apprentices in the workshop must be examined."

The three groups of people standing at the entrance startled the customers who came to buy materials.

Upon receiving the news, Qian Sihai hurriedly came out from the back, a smile plastered on his face, but he knew perfectly well what was going on—Liu Chengming had made his move.

"Gentlemen, you've worked hard." He cupped his hands in greeting. "It's just that it's so early in the morning, and the three of you coming to investigate together, my little shop is really..."

The tax collector interrupted him: "Manager Qian, we are just following orders. Are you going to bring the account books out yourself, or shall we go in and search them?"

That's an unpleasant thing to say.

Qian Sihai's smile faded slightly: "Sir, you jest. Of course, I must see the accounts. However, since all three of you are checking them at the same time, and my shop has limited staff, there must be a first-come, first-served order."

The inspector scoffed, "What, Manager Qian, are you trying to disobey orders?"

"I wouldn't dare." Qian Sihai stepped aside. "Gentlemen, please."

His quick agreement surprised the three groups of people.

But the arrow was already on the bowstring, and it had to be released.

Three groups of people rushed into Jinxiufang and each went their separate ways to investigate.

The tax collector went straight to the accounting office, brought out a thick stack of account books, and turned the pages one by one.

The inspector led his men around the neighborhood, checking if the water tanks for extinguishing fires were full and if there were enough sandbags. He even went to the loom room in the backyard to check if anyone was illegally smuggling firewood.

The workshop's clerk was even more meticulous, summoning all thirty-odd craftsmen and apprentices to the front hall to check their contracts, inquire about wages, and verify their place of origin.

This investigation took up the entire morning.

All business in the neighborhood has stopped.

More and more people gathered outside to watch the spectacle, pointing and whispering.

"Did this offend someone?"

"Three groups came in a row, clearly looking for trouble."

"Jinxiufang has only been doing well for a few days, and it's already run into this kind of trouble..."

Qian Sihai, however, remained calm.

He had a chair brought out and sat in the front hall, drinking tea while watching the three groups of people investigate.

The tax collector was sweating profusely as he flipped through the account books.

Jinxiufang's accounts are crystal clear. Every single purchase, sale, income, and expense is meticulously recorded. All taxes due are paid without fail, and because of the "new business tax exemption" policy for the first three months after opening, even the taxes that were due were waived.

"Here," the tax collector pointed to one of the pages, "why is there no explanation for the purpose of this fifty taels 'repair fee'?"

Qian Sihai put down his teacup: "Sir, that's the cost of repairing the well platform in the backyard after it collapsed. The craftsman's receipt is in the appendix of the second volume; you can find it by turning three pages."

The tax collector flipped through the pages and found it.

He then pointed to another place: "Is there a breakdown of the 100 taels for 'social obligations'?"

"Yes." Qian Sihai pulled a wooden box from the cabinet next to him, opened it, and inside was a stack of invitations and return receipts. "The records of banquets held for colleagues, suppliers, and various officials before and after the opening are all here. For each entry, someone has signed and sealed the record of who hosted, who was invited, and how much was spent."

Tax collector: "..."

The inspection team over there couldn't find anything wrong with it either.

The water tanks were full, the sandbags were plentiful, and the loom room was spotless, without even a single extra piece of firewood.

The office clerk was even more frustrated.

All the craftsmen and apprentices at Jinxiufang have signed formal contracts. Their wages are 20% higher than the market rate, and they also receive room and board. When asked about their place of origin, they are all law-abiding citizens from the local area or nearby counties; none of them have an unknown background.

All morning, Bai Cha.

The three groups of people gathered together, and their faces all looked grim.

Qian Sihai then stood up and asked with a smile, "Gentlemen, have you finished your investigation? If there is anything else you wish to investigate, our shop will certainly cooperate."

The tax collector gritted his teeth: "That's all for today..."

"Take care." Qian Sihai saw them to the door. "Gentlemen, you've had a long journey. We'll be hosting a banquet at our shop another day. We look forward to your presence."

These words sounded polite, but everyone could hear the sarcasm in them.

The three groups of people slunk away.

The onlookers were in an uproar.

"They found nothing?"

"Is Jinxiufang so clean?"

"I think someone's just jealous and deliberately picking a fight!"

---

When the news reached Wanghu Tower, Liu Chengming was listening to music.

The girl singing had a melodious voice, but he found it irritating and waved her away.

"Young Master," the guard reported in a low voice, "none of the three groups found any problems. The accounts, fire safety, and employment practices of Jinxiu Workshop are all in compliance with regulations."

Liu Chengming fiddled with his teacup, remaining silent.

Compliance?

How could a newly opened shop be so well-prepared in the face of a sudden attack?

Either Qian Sihai is truly capable, or... someone behind him anticipated this whole thing.

"Continue the investigation," he said calmly. "Tomorrow, send the garrison to check if they've illegally hoarded weapons. The day after tomorrow, send the transport commissioner to check if their cargo ships have all the necessary permits. The day after that…"

He paused, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Send the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's office to say they received a secret report that Jinxiufang is smuggling contraband."

The guard's heart skipped a beat: "Young master, what about the provincial inspector...?"

"Zhao Wenkang will make the arrangements." Liu Chengming put down his teacup. "I want to see just how long this Ye Huang can hold out."

---

But he didn't expect that before his second wave of suppression could even arrive, Jinxiufang's counterattack would come first.

That afternoon, a rumor suddenly began to circulate in the teahouses and taverns of Hangzhou—

"Have you heard? The Liu family wants to monopolize the textile industry in Jiangnan. All newly opened cloth and silk shops have to pay them 'tribute,' or they'll investigate you!"

"That's not all! My cousin runs a cloth shop in Suzhou, and he was investigated last month. They insisted that his fabrics were 'inferior' and fined him five hundred taels!"

"The Liu family is trying to wipe us out..."

The news spread far and wide.

Many merchants who had suffered underhanded losses at the hands of the Liu family, after being instigated by the people of Tingfeng Tower, dared to speak out.

"Last year, I had a boatload of silk from the lake, which was seized by the canal gangs. In the end, it was only through the intervention of Young Master Liu that I got it back, but half of the goods were gone!"

"All the skilled embroiderers in my family have been poached by the Liu family's embroidery shop, even before the contracts expired!"

In a short time, the Liu family's reputation in the Jiangnan business community was severely damaged.

---

In the Phoenix Garden, Ye Huang was listening to Mo Shisan's report.

"The news has spread. Now, at least twenty businesses in Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Yangzhou that have been suppressed by the Liu family are willing to secretly join forces."

"Very good." Ye Huang looked at the map. "Doesn't Liu Chengming like to investigate? Let him investigate. But every time he investigates, we'll expose one of the dirty deeds his Liu family has done."

She looked up: "What's going on with Zhao Wenkang?"

"Zhao Wenkang went to Wanghu Tower yesterday and stayed for half an hour. He looked unwell when he came out, probably because Liu Chengming put pressure on him."

Ye Huang sneered: "In the eyes of the Liu family, a prefect of Hangzhou is nothing more than a dog."

She paused, then asked, "Where's Li Heihu from the Grand Canal Gang?"

"Li Heihu is still hesitating," Mo Shisan said. "He's afraid of the Liu family, but he's also afraid of offending us—after all, Jinxiufang has a large volume of goods now and uses the canal frequently."

"Then let's increase the stakes," Ye Huang said. "Tell Li Heihu that as long as he's willing to 'fall ill' for a few days at a crucial moment, causing the Liu family's goods to be delayed on the canal, all of Jinxiufang's freight transportation next year will be handed over to his shipping guild."

Mo Shisan's eyes lit up: "I'll take care of it right away!"

---

Inside Wanghu Tower, Liu Chengming smashed a cup.

"This is outrageous!" His face turned ashen. "A bunch of lowly merchants, daring to gossip about the Liu family!"

The guard bowed his head: "Young master, rumors are spreading like wildfire outside. Many merchants are secretly conspiring to file a joint complaint with the governor's office..."

"They wouldn't dare!" Liu Chengming sneered. "The governor is my father's protégé. Sue them? Let's see where they can sue them!"

Despite this, he was furious.

The original intention was to suppress Jinxiufang and make an example of them.

But now, instead of scaring the monkey, the chicken pecked its eye.

This Night Phoenix... is no ordinary person.

"Go." He sat down again, his voice turning cold. "Tell Zhao Wenkang that the officials from the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's Office must go tomorrow. I want to see just how many shady things are hidden in her 'Radiant Brocade' formula!"

"yes!"

After the guards withdrew, Liu Chengming walked to the window and gazed at the night view of West Lake.

The lake reflected the lights, and in the shimmering waves, he seemed to see again that woman on the third floor of Jinxiufang that day, dressed in plain clothes yet exuding an imposing aura.

She looked at him, her eyes calm, without fear or flattery, only... a faint sneer.

"Night Phoenix." He murmured the name softly, a strange interest slowly igniting deep within his eyes.

"I'll see how long you can hold out."

---

Meanwhile, in the study of Qihuang Garden, Yehuang was writing a letter.

The letter was written to Xiao Jue.

Only two lines of text:

"It's raining in Jiangnan, but is the northern border safe? I long for your return."

She put the letter in an envelope and handed it to Mo Shisan: "Send it to the Northern Border using the fastest carrier pigeon."

Mo Shisan took the letter and hesitated for a moment: "Miss, I'm afraid that Young Master Xiao is now..."

"I know." Ye Huang looked out the window. "But some things, if we don't say them now, we may never have the chance to say them again."

She withdrew her gaze, her eyes sharpening once more.

"Liu Chengming's next move is to get serious. Tell Qian Sihai to proceed according to plan."

"yes!"

Ye Huang walked to the window and looked north.

Xiao Jue, you must live.

After I've dealt with all the petty squabbles in Jiangnan, I want to go see what the snow and wind of the North you spoke of are really like.

---

[Next Chapter Preview: The Provincial Inspector leads troops to seal off Jinxiufang! Ye Huang publicly displays the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion token, leaving everyone stunned! Liu Chengming goes completely insane upon learning this: What is her relationship with Xiao Jue?!]