Chapter 37: Counterattack

According to Feng Yu, those people not only wanted the silver but also targeted Ye Hongchang, seemingly intending to kill him. If it weren’t for Guan Canghai and two guards protecting him with their lives, the bandits might have succeeded.

Ye Yaming said, “Do you know why Meng Chengwei doesn’t dare to come directly to our house and openly demand that you give him the position of head of the tea business or recognize him as the master?”

Without waiting for Ye Chongming to answer, she continued, “It’s not because he’s afraid of the law, but because the profits from private tea are huge, and the Meng family isn’t the only one eyeing this. He doesn’t dare to openly target the Ye family or even show interest in this area. They are like rats in the gutter, only daring to cause trouble in the dark.”

A thought struck Ye Chongming, “You mean, Prefect Qi and Meng Chengwei aren’t working together?”

Otherwise, Meng Chengwei would have directly approached Prefect Qi, asking him to hint to the Ye family or intervene in the Jiangnan tea business. Why would he need to resort to these small tricks?

Ye Yaming nodded, “So, you should tell Prefect Qi about all the little tricks Meng Chengwei has been playing recently. Haven’t you already informed Master Wu and reminded Prefect Qi about the private tea issue? The bandit incident is a follow-up.”

“The previous matter involved Fourth Uncle selling private tea, so even if Prefect Qi wanted to act against Meng Chengwei, he couldn’t. Catching the rat would inevitably break the vase, and if this matter were exposed, he wouldn’t be able to protect our family. Meng Chengwei isn’t the only one eyeing the position of head of the tea business. But now, this matter can be traced back to Meng Chengwei.”

Old Madam Ye, listening nearby, brightened up and said repeatedly, “Yes, yes, once the bandit confesses, Prefect Qi can arrest that Meng fellow.”

Ye Chongming frowned and shook his head, “Meng Chengwei wouldn’t be so foolish as to negotiate with the bandits personally. Even if he did, he would only talk to the bandit leader. The captured underling might not know him.”

When he had manipulated Ding Jian, it was because Ding Jian was a prominent figure. A random person wouldn’t have been able to convince Ding Jian to betray his old employer. So, Meng Chengwei had to intervene personally. Moreover, at that time, Meng Chengwei still looked down on the Ye family, thinking they wouldn’t suspect him. Even if they did, because Ye Hongrong was involved in selling private tea, the Ye family wouldn’t dare report it to the authorities, and he wouldn’t suffer any loss.

Now, with this new scheme involving bandits, he wouldn’t personally get involved and hand over evidence to the Ye family and the authorities.

Ye Yaming smiled, “Aren’t you worried that Meng Chengwei will send someone to collude with the bandits and erase his traces? We can do the same.”

Ye Chongming was stunned and then widened his eyes, “You mean, you mean…”

He didn’t dare to finish the sentence, as it was too rebellious.

Old Madam Ye, initially not understanding, now blurted out, “You mean we should get the bandit to change his testimony and implicate Meng Chengwei?”

Ye Chongming was startled and quickly looked around.

Some things can be done but not said. What if someone heard?

Ye Yaming smiled, “No, Grandmother, we can’t do anything illegal. But we can give Prefect Qi an idea and have him trick the bandit, just like I tricked Liu Chunxin before.”

“We’ll just provide a clue. How the case is handled is up to the officials. Professionals will handle it. How they interrogate and who they find is not our concern,” she added.

“Earlier, when you informed Master Wu about the private tea issue, Prefect Qi didn’t react, showing that he doesn’t want any changes in the Jiangnan tea market. If that’s the case, he will protect us and thoroughly investigate this case.”

She had asked Ye Chongming to inform Master Wu about the private tea issue to test Prefect Qi’s attitude towards the Ye family. Since there was no reaction from the authorities, it showed that Prefect Qi wanted Ye Chongming to remain as the head of the tea business.

With Meng Chengwei repeatedly targeting the Ye family, she didn’t believe Prefect Qi would sit idly by and not use the bandit incident to his advantage.

“Yes, yes,” Ye Chongming said, enlightened.

He knew a bit about the methods of the authorities. If Prefect Qi wanted to link this matter to Meng Chengwei, he could do so, even if it wasn’t related. The Ye family didn’t need to do anything; Prefect Qi would handle it.

With Ye Yaming’s words, he felt reassured and his complexion returned to normal.

He told Old Madam Ye, “The robbery shouldn’t be made public yet. If you and Madam Tao go to the medical hall, we won’t be able to keep it secret. I’ll go to the authorities first, then visit Hongchang. If he’s not seriously injured, I’ll have him brought home. Don’t worry, and don’t send anyone to take care of him.”

As a mother, she couldn’t help but worry about her injured son. If her husband hadn’t assured her that the injury wasn’t serious, she wouldn’t have been able to sit still.

Now, understanding the seriousness of the situation, she nodded, “Alright, I understand.”

After giving these instructions, Ye Chongming quickly left for the authorities.

Old Madam Ye wanted to discuss the engagement with Ye Yaming, but knowing she was busy making osmanthus tea, she decided to wait until the tea was finished.

Ye Chongming went to the authorities, met with Master Wu, and then, under his introduction, met with Prefect Qi, explaining everything in detail.

“Have someone write a complaint and have your eldest son bring it to file a case. After I hold a trial, I can send constables to investigate and see if the person you mentioned is involved,” Prefect Qi said.

Ye Chongming blinked. What did that mean?

But he knew that officials often spoke in riddles. Even if Prefect Qi had that intention, he wouldn’t say it outright to avoid leaving evidence.

The fact that Prefect Qi agreed to see him showed his stance.

He agreed, and, seeing that Prefect Qi was ready to end the meeting, he wisely took his leave.

Only then did he go to Huichun Hall to see his son.

“Father, I’m fine,” Ye Hongchang said, still a bit shaken.

He had almost not made it back to see his family.