Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Seeing the puzzled expressions on Luo Ge and the others, Hu Jun took a sip of tea to clear his throat before explaining the situation in detail.

"Their corruption has been proven with hard facts. The matter is settled."

According to Hu Jun, Lu Manager and his associates had pocketed a considerable fortune from First Class Pavilion over the years.

The two of them had even acquired large manors in town, not to mention several shops.

They had also acquired numerous fields and properties in the countryside, already behaving like outright landed gentry.

However, Lu Manager and his group had been working at First Class Pavilion for nearly six years, so it was unsurprising that they could embezzle such a large sum over that extended period.

After careful calculations, it was estimated that Lu Manager and his associates had embezzled over 3,000 taels of silver from the previous owner of First Class Pavilion over the years.

With their investments in fields, shops, and other assets, their ill-gotten gains had multiplied significantly.

But now, all of their assets had been seized and ordered to be returned to the previous owner of First Class Pavilion.

The resolution was reasonable, but the main issue of poisoning could not implicate those behind the scenes at Spring Bloom Pavilion.

"He said that the grain in the small storehouse was the only batch you two personally delivered to the restaurant.

They chose it specifically to frame you by lacing the flour with poison - a method less likely to arouse suspicion.

He calculated that given the current business situation at the restaurant, that bag of flour would not be used until after they had left the restaurant.

So even if an incident occurred at the restaurant, they could not be implicated and would evade punishment."

Upon hearing this, Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen looked at each other in dismay: "........"

One had to admit, Lu's scheme was indeed quite meticulous.

When Hu Jun reached this point, he paused as well, clearly sharing the same thought as Luo Ge and the others. After glancing at Gu Jinchen, he continued.

"Their plan was to wait for an incident at First Class Pavilion, then take the opportunity to acquire it at a low price. But they never expected to be discovered by you."

"Once detained by the authorities, they knew they could not escape punishment, so they confessed everything."

"You two keep chatting. Let me go ask them to add a couple of dishes so you brothers can enjoy a drink today."

"Great, thanks Sister-in-law."

At the mention of alcohol, Hu Jun couldn't help but swallow. Running around the authorities day after day, he had been looking for an opportunity to have a drink or two. So he naturally did not refuse.

Of course, Gu Jinchen did not refuse the chance to drink with his good friend either.

But before they could take a sip, Hu Jun was called away by a frantic Little Catcher rushing in.

"Brother Jun, there's another incident!"

Just as Hu Jun raised his cup to toast Gu Jinchen, a young catcher came rushing into the tavern, heading straight for Hu Jun.

Startled, Hu Jun didn't wait for the others to react before rushing downstairs with the young catcher.

"Jinchen, I'll make it up to you next time!" he shouted back as he ran.

"Sure."

Watching Hu Jun's retreating figure, everyone was left bewildered.

But when they saw the notice posted at the town gates as they left the tavern in the evening, they immediately understood why Hu Jun had rushed off so urgently.

..........

"Human traffickers?" Luo Ge frowned as he read the notice.

According to the notice, a group of human traffickers specializing in abducting young boys had infiltrated Yiyang Town. Within just a few days, several families had already reported missing young sons.

The authorities were doing their utmost to apprehend the traffickers, but as always, these traffickers were exceptionally vicious and cunning. To prevent further victims, the notice was posted to warn the public.

All households were advised not to allow children to go out unattended and to exercise extra caution to avoid falling victim.

Upon reading this, Luo Ge and his wife immediately thought of their own two young sons and wasted no time boarding a carriage to rush back home.

Only after collecting the two boys from the school gates did they finally relax.