They were assuming that he had probably gotten help from Governor Chen. Perhaps Magistrate Liao had slipped up momentarily as well, resulting in him falling into the trap.
Such a person will not make many achievements in the political affair. When the time comes, we are still the ones who will be in charge of the provincial capital.
Chapter 504 - Domineering Wei Wei During The First Confrontation
Liao Qingtian's eyes darkened but he put up a smile on his face very soon.
Governor Chen was even more worried about Helian Wei Wei when he saw Liao Qingtian's behavior. Perhaps it was easier to deal with Liao Qingtian if he showed his anger. The biggest taboo in the imperial court was to deal with this kind of smiling face tiger.
Owing to the fact that people would never know if he would stab you in the back when he was smiling at you.
Liao Qingtian pretended to be warm-hearted and reached out his hand. "Lord Wei, we have heard a lot of your great achievements. It's our honor to have you with us now that you have come to our provincial capital."
Helian Wei Wei took a glance at Liao Qingtian who was right in front of her. Her first reaction was to observe his attire.
He's a general and yet he has the right to speak on behalf of the civil servants.
It's evident how ambitious this general is.
Helian Wei Wei smiled and said, "I'm a newcomer and I've just engaged in politics. May I know who you are?"
"This is General Liao." Governor Chen walked over at a slow pace, stressing on the word 'Liao'.
Helian Wei Wei came to a realization all of a sudden. However, on the surface, she still greeted him politely, "Oh, General Liao, I've heard a lot about you."
Liao Qingtian laughed in his heart when he heard what she said. This kind of person is indeed witty but they are really easy to be manipulated. So what if he has the support from Chen, he will still easily go with the stream.
He would give this Wei a little more time. If this person is astute enough to apologize to my elder brother and nephew in front of me, overturn his previous judgment and help me to get rid of Chen, I'll let everything go with the wind.
Otherwise, he would make him regret stepping into provincial capital forever!
However, judging from Wei's look, he would not be able to play any tricks either!
"Since Lord Wei has arrived, let's go and have a nice meal together." Liao Qingtian showed the code of brotherhood in order to match with his image as a general. "Let's go directly to the Bayview Seafood Restaurant."
Helian Wei Wei slightly raised the corners of her lips upon hearing the name of Bayview Seafood Restaurant. She uttered with profound meaning, "That's indeed a good place."
"I didn't expect Lord Wei to have heard of Bayview Seafood Restaurant in our provincial capital as well. It seems like the seafood business in the provincial capital is doing well." Liao Qingtian c.a.r.e.s.sed his beard, looking quite proud of himself.
Many of the officials next to him also parroted his words, boasting about the restaurant.
Liao Qingtian took the lead and walked at the front. He was walking toward the private channel of Bayview Restaurant. The receptionist was different as well, which was why they did not recognize Helian Wei Wei.
Liao Qingtian had already thought of a countermeasure long before he met Helian Wei Wei. Everyone says that those who come from the village are simple and unadorned.
However, most of them do not know that sometimes, these children will find it hard to resist the temptation from the outside world as well.
Looking at the unpresentable attire of Wei, Liao Qingtian could imagine that this person had yet to get a glimpse of the world.
Once he tries the lobsters and abalones later, he will get to experience the life of being a wealthy person, and perhaps everything would be easy to settle.
However, just when that thought ran over Liao Qingtian's mind and all the officials had taken their seats, Helian Wei Wei then smiled and said, "Since General Liao is so familiar with the staff in Bayview Restaurant, you will surely be able to clear doubt in my mind."
Liao Qingtian thought that he wanted to ask about the dishes on the table as he had never seen what a lobster looked like before, thus, his smile became even more obvious, "Little Wei, just ask me directly if you have any questions."
"Nothing much actually," Helian Wei Wei said casually. "As you know, I am a poor scholar who just got appointed, I don't really have not many savings…"
Upon hearing that, all the officials had the same look on their faces that said they knew this would happen, they chuckled softly with a hint of disdain on their faces. However, they were trying to comfort her, "Lord Wei, please don't say so, a hero background is never important. No matter where you come from, all of us know about everything that you've contributed to the people."
Not to mention the betrothal gift of 10 boxes of gold given by the Third Prince whose wealth is comparable to that of the country before the wedding, by simply judging from the profit of Wei Ze World, the Princess Consort might be counting money every day until her hands go limp with exhaustion. If such a person says that she's poor, then wouldn't they be even worse than beggars?
Governor Chen took a glance at Helian Wei Wei silently and sighed in his heart.
Helian Wei Wei obviously understood what he meant, but it did not affect her talking speed at all. She said softly and slowly, "Actually, I've arrived at the provincial capital in the afternoon and I wanted to take a meal before going to the yamen. But I did not expect that I would spend almost all my savings on the meal. I have a question for General Liao, why is the seafood in Bayview Restaurant so expensive? It's 10 times more expensive compared to the price of seafood sold by the fishermen."
All the officials were stunned when they heard that. They never thought someone would dare to ask such a question.
This is something everyone already knows but dares not say it out, otherwise…
They then sneaked a glance at Liao Qingtian while holding up their teacups. As expected, his smiling face slightly stiffened.
Helian Wei Wei acted as if she did not see Liao Qingtian's expression at all. She then made a hand gesture and said, "Besides, prawns served on the table are totally different from those raised in the fish tank. They were so small in size. My Lords, have all of you ever encountered such a situation before?"
"No, no." The rest of them knew very well the reason behind the story, thinking in their mind that they would never encounter such a situation as they were officials. Bayview Restaurant would indeed deceive people, but they had never deceived the officials as they still understood the rules here.
They subconsciously glanced at Liao Qingtian as they were thinking. Liao Qingtian's eyes had turned gloomy.
Helian Wei Wei laughed and said, "I think you guys have better luck. I had encountered this the moment I came to the provincial capital. I wanted to ask somebody to do justice at first, but the waiter straight away told me not to bring about my own destruction as there's someone up there who's protecting Bayview Seafood Restaurant."
Liao Qingtian listened quietly at the side and cursed in his heart, id*ot! He was thinking of getting the upper hand by taking the initiative to remove the waiter first and only let him return when the case was eased. This was to prevent Wei from finding any loopholes and bringing charges against him.
Helian Wei Wei continued to say, "I have been thinking for quite a while and yet I'm still not sure who's the person up there that the waiter has mentioned. General Liao, you have been staying in the provincial capital for a long time, who do you think that person is?"
"I'm not so sure about it." Liao Qingtian subconsciously started to clarify his relationship with Bayview Restaurant. "Perhaps the waiter is just boasting."
Helian Wei Wei supported her chin with her fingers as if she was thinking about the suggestion given by Liao Qingtian. She then raised her thin lips and said, "How come I have never thought that the waiter is actually boasting. Gener
al Liao, that's very thoughtful of you."
"You flatter me." Liao Qingtian replied with a smile. He can be fooled so easily, it seems like this Wei is so much easier to be dealt with than what I imagined.
Chapter 505 - Trying To Mess With Private Advisor Long? You’re Looking For Death!
Helian Wei Wei sat up straight. "Since he's just boasting, it means they are trying to defame our relevant department. In my opinion, it's not a good idea for this Bayview Seafood Restaurant to continue running their business here. Otherwise, the businessmen from other places will really think that the restaurant is under General Liao's protection. It will be hard to explain clearly in the future."
"Lord Wei is saying that Bayview Restaurant should be closed down?" Liao Qingtian could no longer put up a smile. Never had he thought that everything Wei said before was nothing but a foreshadowing for this sentence!
Helian Wei Wei slightly raised the corner of her lips and said, "As General Liao has mentioned just now, the boasting of the waiter from Bayview Restaurant knows no limits. It will definitely obstruct the development of the provincial capital if we let such an unruly and crafty restaurant go on with their business."
"I think Lord Wei is not aware of the reason behind the opening of this Bayview Restaurant." Liao Qingtian sneered and continued, "The seafood paid to the imperial palace as a tribute comes from this Bayview Restaurant. The Retired Emperor loves it very much. If Bayview Restaurant is closed down, who will bear the responsibility if the Retired Emperor were to condemn the incident!?"
Helian Wei Wei put down the teacup in her hand. "If the Retired Emperor knows how crafty this restaurant is, he will never allow it to continue running its business, isn't he?"
"Lord Wei, everything we do must be supported by evidence," Liao Qingtian said gloomily. "You keep saying that they deceive people, but it's too early to draw conclusions."
Helian Wei Wei looked at Liao Qingtian and laughed. "General Liao, based on your performance, I can't help but doubt the relationship between you and Bayview Restaurant. I think you must be on familiar terms with Bayview Restaurant."
Liao Qingtian's face turned black upon hearing this. He knew he had once again fallen into Wei's trap, his eyes darkened with an intensity of emotion.
Suddenly, he burst into laughter, looking somehow bloody. Then, he raised the wine glass in his hand and said, "Lord Wei is really good at speech, no wonder my brother is defeated by you."
"General Liao must be joking." Helian Wei Wei was not afraid of his terrifying evil aura. She then stood up steadily, holding a glass in her left hand and said calmly, "Magistrate Liao is defeated by his greed for money. The expenses that the imperial court has incurred on the officials are not for them to rest on their laurels and be greedy for money. His failure is just as it should be."
Liao Qingtian locked his gaze on Helian Wei Wei. He burst out laughing after a long while, "Good, very good!"
Since this Wei has no sense to appreciate my favor and wants to do it the hard way, I will let him have a good taste of the consequences for going against me.
The war between them had been officially declared. There was no sign of it on the appearance but it was like the roaring waves under the surface.
They finished their meal in an extremely weird atmosphere.
The officials who initially wanted to be on friendly terms with Helian Wei Wei, were not in the mood to do so when they saw this scene.
Moreover, what kind of place Bayview Restaurant is? It's built under the instruction of the elder in the Capital. All the systems have been fixed in advance.
But now, Lord Wei is actually suggesting to close it down?!
What's the difference between this and bringing about his own destruction?
"I never expected that the Princess Consort would have openly offended Liao Qingtian so soon." Governor Chen changed his address toward Helian Wei Wei when only the three of them were left.
Helian Wei Wei randomly sat on a wooden chair in the yamen and casually said, "Since we are only staying here for less than two days, I don't have much time to play with him. How daring of him to take my silver, I will let him puke out the money that he cheated."
"But this Bayview Seafood Restaurant…" Governor Chen took a glance at Baili Jia Jue's side face as he said that. "I'm afraid it's not that easy to close it down as it involves the power of those in the Capital. It will be a waste of effort if we can't achieve the d.e.s.i.r.ed outcome after creating a big stir."
Baili Jia Jue did not say anything; he was holding a scroll in his hands. One was unable to tell his emotions by looking at his side face.
Governor Chen always knew that His Highness was unpredictable. But right now, he really wanted to find out what was on his mind so that he could at least know how things stood, and be more confident in handling them.
Of course, Baili Jia Jue knew what he was thinking and said calmly behind the scroll, "Governor Chen, what do you think we can do to punish a General, who has won in a war before but jeopardize the neighborhood, for the heavy offense?"
"This…" The words lingered between Governor Chen's lips but he simply lowered his gaze and said, "I'm dull, I could not think of a method."
Baili Jie Jue knocked the paper with his long fingers and said with a faint smile, "Leverage his strength and hit back."
Governor Chen could not understand his words as he did not know the ins and outs of the incident. But there was one thing he could be sure of, based on the hot temper of Liao Qingtian, he would not take the incident that happened today well and he would definitely send edict to his head.
After all, Bayview Restaurant is not an ordinary restaurant.
I still have no idea what kind of disturbance will be created by those people up there…
Forgiving him for being old, his brain was not functioning as well as it ought to be when he worked for the Third Prince.
However, there was one thing that Governor Chen had guessed correctly.
Liao Qingtian had really written an edict, he even specified that the edict must be handed to the Elder Residence in the Capital. He wrote down every single word with his eyes full of hatred.
Four or five officials who were on Liao's side were standing next to General Liao, l.i.c.k.i.n.g his boots. "General Liao, you're so clever to send the edict to the elders. I'm afraid this Wei will have to smack himself in the face. He's such a fool to flaunt his prowess even before investigating the background of our Bayview Restaurant!"
"He's just a villain holding sway." General Liao blew dry the ink stain on the brush. "He thinks he's the one in power simply because the governor of three provinces is supporting him, how dare he gets savage in front of me. I shall see how he will be frightened out of his wits and get lost when the elders come."
Some of them nodded in agreement. "Such a useless character will just hold us back. But General, shall we warn Bayview Restaurant and collude our confession to avoid messing things up?"
"We shall do it. This Wei is witty and we need to be aware of him. Better find a way to get him into a terrible fix and lose his position as an official. In that case, we can ask Chen to release my nephew and others as well." General Liao rolled the buddhist prayer beads in his hand, yet it was unable to suppress the evil aura coming from him.
The other officials exchanged glances with each other and said, "This is the provincial capital, Wei is merely an outsider. Although he stays at yamen, all the yamen runners are our men. There will be people reporting to us in an instant if we want to know any information, he will not get the edge on this matter at all. However, it seems like Lord Liao has taken him lightly before this. We have already heard about what he did when he was at Fuping County. Part of the reason he managed to arrest Lord Liao is that he has the support from Governor Chen and the other reason is due to the fact that he has a good private advisor with him. As long as we find a way to cause trouble to the private advisor, it will be more than enough to give him a headache!"
"Private adv
isor?" An elegant and tall figure, who looked down on General Liao, immediately appeared before his eyes. He sneered and said, "Let's do it then. Forget it if he is so arrogant, but even his private advisor doesn't know how to act according to the circ.u.mstances. Serves them right…"
Chapter 506 - Complaint From The Adorable Little Seven
The imperial officers nodded, agreeing that the man, who went by the surname Wei, bit off more than he could chew.
Although General Liao had taken no action so far, he was distressed. Being a minor magistrate, General Liao was scared to even bear the consequences when the elders received the letter, not to mention him.
Let's see what will happen later.
The Capital will definitely respond to the incident that happened at the Bayview Seafood Restaurant...
That night, the glowing moon was hanging high in the night sky.
In a residence of the Capital.
The elder of the Helian Clan was sitting on the main seat. Despite being an old man, he gave out a rather inimical aura all because of his abstruse eyes. People would only feel disturbed after staring into his eyes for some time.
He was surrounded by the stewards of the family who were all smiling. "With less than five days left, Helian Wei Wei might not even be able to reach the doorway. Five days later, the Helian family will be completely in our hands. When the time comes, we will need the elder's help to choose a reliable patriarch."
"You don't have to worry. I have already chosen a candidate." Elder Helian took a sip of the white wine. "But, recently, some minor issues have arisen."
Some quick-witted stewards immediately recalled the case that happened in Fuping County two days ago after listening to Elder Helian's word. "Elder, you are concerned about the presence of County Magistrate Wei?"
"How can an unimportant county magistrate like him bother me?" Elder Helian scoffed and continued calmly, "But, Governor Chen, who supports County Magistrate Wei, works for the Retired Emperor. It will not be easy to deal with him."
The Anarchic Consort c1-1376 Page 220