Chapter 56: Spreading Rumors

During this time, many people continued to arrive at the tea house to pass the time, chat, and listen to storytelling. Some, not paying attention to the commotion at the staircase, suddenly saw three men being noisily escorted downstairs by the waiters and pushed out the door. The leader, dressed in silk, looked familiar, and everyone excitedly got up to watch the spectacle.

No matter how exciting the storyteller’s tales were, they couldn’t compare to the real-life drama unfolding.

Someone recognized Yang Hong and exclaimed, “Oh my, isn’t that Master Yang, the owner of Taifeng Lou? What’s going on?”

Lin Zhensheng knew that this would definitely cause a sensation. Lin’an was prosperous, and there were many idle people. Any news, whether it was a theft or an affair, would spread quickly, let alone something happening in the tea house. Rather than letting everyone guess and spread false rumors, it was better to clarify the situation themselves.

He immediately explained everything in detail.

The matter of the Fourth Master being tricked into buying private tea couldn’t be mentioned, but the fact that the First Master was robbed and injured on his way back from the capital could be openly discussed, as it wouldn’t harm the Ye family’s reputation. As for the tea currency, it needed to be widely publicized to benefit Baofeng Money Shop. With so many people present, it was the perfect time to talk about it. So he spoke openly and without any concealment.

Even without embellishment, Yang Hong’s smug and ugly face was fully exposed to everyone. The looks he received were filled with disdain and astonishment.

The disdain was for his character, while the astonishment was for his intelligence. If the Ye family were truly in decline, it would be understandable for the Yang family to kick them while they were down. But the Ye family was still doing well, and Ye Chongming was still the guild head. A few words from him in the tea guild could make it impossible for Yang Hong to continue his business in Lin’an City.

How foolish must he be to do such a thing?

Yang Hong wished he could find a hole to crawl into when he was being escorted downstairs. He was too eager. Upon learning that Meng Chengwei was an imperial merchant looking for partners in the tea business, he was determined to get close to him.

However, Meng Chengwei didn’t think much of him and preferred to wait at Jixiang Lou for Ye Chongming to extend an olive branch rather than pay attention to Yang Hong, who actively sought him out. This made Yang Hong very unsteady. Finally, when Meng Chengwei expressed a willingness to cooperate and hinted that he should embarrass Ye Chongming and tarnish his reputation, Yang Hong rushed over to perform well.

In his view, Ye Chongming always prided himself on being kind and gentle, not the type to hold grudges. Even if Yang Hong made some sarcastic remarks, Ye Chongming shouldn’t mind, let alone publicly turn against him. Even if he did, it would only be a few harsh words, nothing serious. He never expected the manager to be so bold as to have him escorted out, making him lose face and spreading falsehoods.

What a bunch of robbers, how outrageous!

Although arguing with the Ye family’s manager in public was beneath his dignity, he couldn’t care less. If he didn’t deny it, his disgrace would be known throughout Jiangnan by tomorrow.

“Nonsense. I only asked Old Master Ye a few questions and stated a couple of facts. You can’t be so overbearing as to forbid people from speaking the truth, can you?” he argued. “Is this the Ye family’s way? Pretending to be saints but getting furious and distorting the truth when others speak the truth. I just want to ask, is there no place for reason in this world?” he growled.

“So many people heard you. Do you still want to distort the truth in front of everyone?” Lin Zhensheng said, not arguing further. Seeing the waiters had escorted Yang Hong outside, he turned back into the tea house.

Saying too much would make the Ye family’s tea house seem aggressive. With so many people watching, there was no fear that no one would spread the news of Yang Hong’s behavior.

The world is never short of idle people who love to watch the excitement.

Back in the tea house, he asked the waiters, “Did you hurt anyone?”

“No, manager. We know what we’re doing,” the waiters replied with a smile.

Since arriving in Lin’an City, Meng Chengwei had rented a private seat near the stairs on the second floor of Jixiang Lou for a month to attract the attention of the Ye family or to have a chance encounter and develop a friendly relationship. After being repeatedly rejected and knowing that the Ye family was aware of his actions, he no longer planned to visit the Ye family’s tea house.

However, since the Yang family’s tea house was some distance from Jixiang Lou, he came early to Jixiang Lou to see Ye Chongming embarrassed and to calm his anger.

When Yang Hong caused trouble, Meng Chengwei was sitting in a private seat on the second floor, listening to the commotion outside. At first, he was pleased to hear Yang Hong mocking Ye Chongming. But the outcome made him frown.

“Useless,” he cursed, deeply regretting his cooperation with the Yang family.

Meng Liang, who had benefited greatly from Yang Hong, naturally spoke up for him, “The Ye family is too rude. The Yang family’s business is no smaller than the Ye family’s. How dare they be so disrespectful? I’ll find some idle people to spread bad things about the Ye family.”

Meng Chengwei didn’t want to bother with him, but after thinking for a moment, he nodded, “Alright, go ahead.”

Seeing Meng Liang get up, he still felt uneasy and reminded him, “Be careful, take a few detours, and don’t let anyone find out it’s us.”

“Yes.”

After a pause, Meng Chengwei added, “Make sure the news reaches the tea farmers in the mountains.”

The tea farmers might not have believed the rumors spread by Liu Qilin and the others, but now that the whole city was talking about the Ye family’s decline, they would surely be worried and choose to cash in their tea currency quickly to avoid any mishaps.

Once many people cashed in, the news would spread, and those who had silver in the Baofeng Money Shop would be worried that their silver would be used to pay the tea farmers. When they needed silver, Baofeng Money Shop wouldn’t have it, so they would also choose to withdraw their silver.

When Baofeng Money Shop collapsed under the pressure, he didn’t believe Ye Chongming would have a good time.

In short, if Meng Chengwei was disrespected, no one would have a good time.

“Yes,” Meng Liang quickly flattered his cousin, “Master, your plan is brilliant.”