Why did Boss Zhu end up with bribery charges instead?
This all started with Tao Yue's arrangements. On New Year's Day, Tao Yue and Boss He were whispering in the study. Tao Yue knew that Boss He had some connections with the local officials and had already learned that the pawnshop would be shut down after the Lantern Festival. However, this news could not be released yet, as the officials needed achievements. In other words, the pawnshop, a tumor from the old society, had to be purged in a punitive manner.
"What about the common people? If you don't run a pawnshop, you'll still do other businesses. A businessman must not lose his integrity," Tao Yue said softly.
Boss He sighed repeatedly, "I dare not speak of it. How can I let the common people redeem their treasures from me? If these items remain with me and the pawnshop is shut down, I won't be able to sell them off in a short time. Without money, I cannot start other businesses. It seems like a dead end no matter how I think about it."
This kind of purging that pushed the pawnshop to a dead end was called punitive purging.
"I have an idea for you."
"Quick, tell me, tell me!"
At this moment, Tao Yue took out the Song Dynasty white porcelain bowl he had prepared long ago and handed it to Boss He. Boss He, being an expert, frowned after a few glances. "Is this a fake?"
"Boss Zhu next door got an idea from a wise man, and this wise man took a fake from Boss Zhu. Boss Zhu hopes you will present this fake to the official."
Boss He was bewildered. "I still have some goods at home. Since I know my old friend likes antiques, I should send him a treasure, not a fake."
"No, no, you just send the white porcelain bowl. You tell the official that Boss Zhu will certainly make a big fuss over this white porcelain bowl, making the common people know that he accepted bribes. At that time, as long as the official confiscates the money given by Boss Zhu, not only will the pawnshops in the jurisdiction be shut down, but the official will also gain a reputation for integrity. And the common people will know that the white porcelain bowl you gave to the official is just a plaything made by folk artisans, a small gift between friends, which is harmless. Even if the official has friendship with you, he will still handle the case officially and close your pawnshop. Moreover, you can recover your capital before the closure. If you don't do pawnshop business in the future, you will have capital to do other businesses."
"Brilliant, brilliant! Tao Yue, you are truly Zhuge Liang reborn! In the future, you should follow me."
Tao Yue smiled and politely declined Boss He's offer. "I am lazy and do not wish to be involved in such brain-taxing business matters. You have treated me well and are willing to trust me, so I have said a few more words. If there is anything abrupt or unreasonable, please forgive me, Boss He."
"Oh, please don't say that. Let's go to dinner and have a drink."
"I won't disturb you."
"How can that be? It's the New Year, and we have a distinguished guest. How can I not host a meal?"
...
Huang Youdao listened to Tao Yue's explanation and was dumbfounded. He asked, "That Mr. Wende, who was wearing a long robe, betrayed Boss Zhu."
"No, all strategies must be based on trust. Boss Zhu didn't trust Mr. Wende at all. If he had strictly followed Mr. Wende's strategy, he wouldn't have been deceived by my illusion, and he would have squeezed Boss He out before the New Year, made a large profit, and then, with Mr. Wende's support, would have gracefully left the pawnshop business, avoiding the current prison sentence."
Tao Yue explained, but Huang Youdao still didn't understand. "Since Boss Zhu didn't trust Mr. Wende, why did Mr. Wende help Boss Zhu deliver the bowl?"
"That was probably a difficult task set by Boss Zhu for Mr. Wende?"
"What difficult task?"
"Old Mr. Wende wanted to take Boss Zhu's son, Zhu Guang, as a disciple, but because Boss Zhu didn't realize it was his own fault that Mr. Wende's strategy failed, he was prepared to break the contract and didn't want his son Zhu Guang to follow Mr. Wende to learn art. So, he set such a difficult task."
Huang Youdao understood. "This difficult task was not difficult at all for that Mr. Wende, and instead, Mr. Wende used it to send him to jail."
Tao Yue gave Huang Youdao a thumbs-up. "Yes, if Boss Zhu wasn't sent to jail, how could he take his son Zhu Guang as a disciple?"
...
Huang Youdao sighed, impressed. "Are you human?"
"I am not human, I am a 'demon'."
"Can you teach me?" Huang Youdao was very envious of this.
Tao Yue shook his head. "Old Huang, aren't you going for an internship soon? Be a good doctor and live your life. Things like 'demons' were everywhere in the old society. When people are pushed to their limits, they naturally have to be cunning. It won't happen in the future, because life in New China will get better and better. Everyone will learn knowledge, and there will be no more 'demons' who calculate every step."
Huang Youdao was a little unhappy. "You promised to teach me your skills."
Tao Yue nodded in acknowledgment. "I did, but I didn't say I would teach you the skill of calculating people, but the skill of survival."
"What is the skill of survival?"
"Qigong!"
Upon hearing the word qigong, Huang Youdao sneered. "Qigong, don't kid me. Who had their arm cut off by that big guy back then? If it wasn't for the flesh and skin still being connected, the bone might not have been reattached."
"I really can do it."
"I don't believe it!"
"Do you want to learn?"
"Learn!"
...
The qigong Huang Youdao learned was not a fighting method, but more like a skill of breath-holding. Tao Yue told Huang Youdao that after holding his breath, one would merge with nature, and at that time, the mind would be clear, and one could think of what needed to be thought of.
"Liar, big liar!"
Every time, Huang Youdao's face turned red from holding his breath and he never felt like he had merged with nature.
...
In March, Huang Youdao was about to go for his internship. He wanted Tao Yue and Tao Xiaoniu to live in his small room. Tao Yue refused, saying that children are easily dependent on and trust someone. Now, Tao Xiaoniu trusted Huang Youdao even more. Furthermore, Tao Yue asked Huang Youdao to solve this problem himself.
Going to a rural hospital to support construction, Huang Youdao had to live in a large dormitory and couldn't bring Tao Xiaoniu with him. After much thought, Huang Youdao sent Tao Xiaoniu to the steamed bun shop. Tao Xiaoniu knew she would be separated from Huang Youdao for a while and cried sadly, but she was quickly overwhelmed by the happiness of the big steamed buns.
...
He was away for half a year. Huang Youdao learned many practical medical skills and was a completely different person. His irritable temper and impulsive stubbornness had disappeared. Amidst the injuries and illnesses, he understood more about responsibility and protection, becoming sunnier and more eager to learn. Thus, the hospital decided to transfer Huang Youdao back to Beijing to study at a medical school.
Huang Youdao returned to Beijing and eagerly ran to the small Western-style building to see his brother. But he saw the small Western-style building was sealed. This was property left behind by the landlord when he fled and had been confiscated.
Finally, Huang Youdao found Zhang Si and Tao Yue in his small room. Zhang Si no longer had the spirited appearance he had half a year ago. From their conversation, he learned that all the disabled people had followed Tao Yue's advice and gone to work in factories that hired disabled people. Although the wages were lower, some benefits could guarantee their livelihood, allowing them to support themselves and no longer beg.
Now, the ones living in hardship were Zhang Si and Tao Yue. They were living off their savings and relied on the food sent by the disabled people to survive, finding it difficult to make ends meet.
Huang Youdao frowned. After understanding the whole story, he looked at Tao Yue's frail body and asked seriously, "Has your illness worsened again?"
Tao Yue did not answer and began to cough violently.
"No, you can't be like this. You'll die. Come with me to the hospital."
"Coughing, hurry out, don't infect me here, you useless person. You expect me to support you, and you've dispersed everyone. If you hadn't undermined me, I'd still be the leader of the Beggars' Gang."
Huang Youdao was immediately angered and pointed at Zhang Si's nose. "Zhang Si, you are strong and healthy, yet you only know how to beg. It's the period of great production now. Which factory doesn't lack workers? Go and work to earn money!"
"I'm not doing that lowly work."
"Fine, fine, you are the Son of Heaven. You can be a lord then."
Huang Youdao didn't bother to argue with Zhang Si. He put down his schoolbag and handed the money he earned to Tao Yue. "We'll still rely on you to cook in the future." Then, he also took out his admission letter from the medical school to share with Tao Yue. Tao Yue showed a relieved smile, while Zhang Si looked jealous.
At this moment, Tao Yue coughed up blood again. He was indeed very ill. Zhang Si hid far away, while Huang Youdao helped Tao Yue pat his back and poured him a cup of hot water. After finishing, Huang Youdao glanced disdainfully at Zhang Si, who was hiding far away, and said gently, "Old Tao, this tuberculosis can be treated. I'll go to the hospital to buy you some medicine first, and we'll cure the illness bit by bit. Oh, I'll pick up Tao Xiaoniu later too."
After speaking, Huang Youdao turned to leave. Tao Yue chased after him and said, "Old Huang, don't pick up Xiaoniu. You are a doctor, you know my illness is contagious. She is too young and can't withstand it. Also, when you get the medicine, go to Wende Courtyard and tell Old Mr. Wende that I've held on until he takes a disciple."
After speaking, Tao Yue looked at Huang Youdao, who was bewildered, and smiled, tears welling up in his eyes.