Chapter 524 - 511: This Matter Isn't Over Yet

Chapter 524: Chapter 511: This Matter Isn’t Over Yet

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“I am the shop manager of the Best Noodle Shop in Qingshi Town. My surname is Shang. A few days ago, two government officials and a lady dined at our shop. I wanted to ask if these two officials work in the County Government Office?”

Qingshi Town, two officials, one lady…

The official thought for a moment, his eyes suddenly brightening, “You must be referring to Shi Bao and Shen Quan. They had visited Feng Village and had stopped by your noodle shop on their return journey. They praised your noodles for being delicious and even expressed their wish to try them again given the chance.”

“It must be them then,” Shang Chengen said, his smile broadening.

Being praised for his noodles affirmed his culinary skills!

“I wonder if these two officials are available? Could you help me locate them?” Seeing the surprise of the official, Shang Chengen quickly explained, “I have some urgent matters to discuss with them.”

“Shen Quan is not here today as he is assisting Master Ding in investigating a case. However, Shi Bao is available. He just returned from the rounds and should be out back. Let me call him for you.” The official was rather eager to help.

“Thank you for your assistance,” Shang Chengen expressed his gratitude with a bow.

“You’re welcome.” The official smiled and walked into the Government Office. He returned shortly, “Manager Shang, please wait a moment. He will be out shortly.”

“Sure, I’ll wait here,” Shang Chengen nodded and stood patiently aside.

Meanwhile, Feng Yongfu, who had been squatting near the wall for quite some time, was closely observing the entrance of the County Government Office. He couldn’t contain his impatience any longer and hurried to approach the official.

“Village Chief Feng?” The official was startled. He had thought Feng Yongfu had already left and did not expect to see him suddenly return.

“Why did you tell me Master Ding wasn’t here when I asked, but allowed someone else to send him a message?” Feng raged, pointing at the official. “Is it because I’m poorly dressed and the other person is wealthy, that you looked down on me?”

“You’re being too suspicious!”

The official was accused without understanding why. Upon realizing Feng Yongfu was making a fuss, he became rather annoyed. “You’re being unreasonable. You asked for Master Ding, who is not present. But Manager Shang is looking for someone else. The two matters are unrelated. What are you fussing about?”

“Are you trying to fool me? I clearly heard you mention ‘Master Ding’ earlier. Are you denying that now?” Feng Yongfu retorted.

The official was momentarily dumbfounded. After a while, he recalled that he indeed mentioned those three words and began to explain, “Manager Shang was inquiring about two individuals. I told him that one of them had accompanied Master Ding to investigate a case and the other was present. He did not come to look for Master Ding…”

“Stop lying to me! I have seen such scenarios plenty of times. When caught in a lie, you try to cover it up by presenting confusing information. All this is just an attempt to deceive me. I can clearly see everything, as if I was looking into a mirror, so don’t think about fooling me!” Feng Yongfu interjected.

Left speechless by Feng Yongfu’s accusation, the official impatiently stomped his foot, “If you don’t believe me, you can see for yourself when the person arrives. Then you will know whether I was telling the truth.”

“We all know about your tricks. You say Master Ding is not here, but depending on the status of the visitor, you bring someone out and lead them to a private meeting.”

Feng Yongfu declared, “If you don’t clarify this today, this issue won’t rest!”

“You…”

How unlucky was he to encounter such an unreasonable person today!

The official was exasperated, but didn’t know where to direct his frustration. All he could do was let out a sigh, “Today is my unlucky day, running into you. No matter how many explanations I provide, I can’t seem to make you understand.”

“Alright, let’s say I was wrong. But please leave now. There’s a tea stand nearby where I usually go. Go have a cup of tea there, and I’ll pick up the tab. Let’s forget about this, shall we?” The official tried to placate him.

It was best to avoid provoking him further.

“Look, if you weren’t hiding anything, why would you avoid talking to me and instead try to explain your way out? If you weren’t lying, why would you apologize? It’s clear to me that you guys are purposely making things difficult for me!” Feng Yongfu continued his tirade.

The official: “…”

He regretted not having checked his horoscope before leaving his house today.

“You… I…” The official paced in circles, frustrated.

“So you guys admit that you’re deliberately trying to make things difficult for me. And yet, you’re still here? Do you enjoy this?”

When Shi Bao came out, surprised to hear that the manager of the Best Noodle Shop in town had arrived to see him, Feng Yongfu started a quarrel.

Upon recalling how Feng Yongfu had tried to put Zhuang Qingning in a difficult situation, Shi Bao’s expression darkened. “Village Chief Feng, you are here to see Master Ding regarding the dried noodle workshop, aren’t you? We have already informed him about it. Master Ding has also instructed that the dried noodle workshop will not be established in Feng Village. You shouldn’t worry about it anymore.”

Recognizing Shi Bao as one of the two officials who had visited Zhuang Qingning, Feng Yongfu sneered contemptuously, “It’s not coming from Master Ding himself. How am I to trust that honesty?”

“Oh?” To control his temper, Shi Bao loosened his clenched fist and looked at Feng Yongfu with a cold smile. “Well, Master Ding also mentioned that the taxes for your village can be slightly reduced this year.”

Taken aback, Feng Yongfu impulsively asked, “By how much?”

“Didn’t Village Chief Feng just say that if it’s not from Master Ding himself, he would consider it as a lie? Why do you believe it when it comes to taxation?”

It wasn’t that he didn’t believe what he was told. Rather, he chose to hear only what he preferred. If something was in his favor, he claimed to have heard it. If it was not, he pretended to ignore it.

As his deception was exposed, Feng Yongfu, unashamed, retorted, “No matter what, I won’t believe it unless Master Ding says it himself regarding the workshop. I will stay right here today. Let’s see what you can do about it!”

Having said that, Feng Yongfu sat down right in front of the main entrance of the County Government Office.

“You…” At first, Feng Yongfu’s antics had frustrated the official. But now, they had worsened the situation.

The streets were busy with people coming and going. Wouldn’t passersby gossip about the scene unfolding?

However, Shi Bao appeared rather calm in this circumstance. He motioned towards the official, “You two, come over here. This Village Chief Feng is causing a commotion in broad daylight, slandering the reputation of the County Government Office. Arrest him, give him a few lashes, and if he does not repent, throw him into the jail for a few days.”

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