Chapter 133: The Culinary Tycoon

A Turning Point

“Familiar?” The man addressed as “brother” furrowed his brow and glanced at the person being whipped, asking, “Who?”

The man who spoke earlier scratched his head and said, “It just feels very familiar, but I don’t know where I’ve seen him before.”

The older brother glanced at his younger brother and said, “Are you sure you didn’t mistake it?”

“It’s impossible,” the younger brother furrowed his brow. “Let me think carefully.”

The older brother then said, “Think about it. This person is so despicable, even drugging Boss Yu’s store. It’s truly malicious. Now that I think of it, let’s help Boss Yu.”

“Okay, I got it,” the younger brother said earnestly as he started to think.

Meanwhile, the constables finished giving the thief twenty lashes and dragged him back to the court.

Luo Mingda slammed the table with a loud noise and sternly said, “People in the hall, state your name, age, and place of origin. If you don’t answer, the whip will be waiting!”

Upon hearing this, the thief trembled. Having just received twenty heavy lashes from the constables, who showed no mercy, his buttocks were burning and more painful than the kicks he received earlier from Yu Qingze’s men.

Sweat covered his forehead as he looked up at the county magistrate. Seeing the magistrate’s serious expression, he furrowed his brow, thinking to himself that it wasn’t what they had agreed upon.

Not wanting to endure the whipping in vain, he shifted his gaze and reluctantly said, “Niu Qiang, twenty-six years old, from Lishu Village in the east of the city.”

“Why did you sneak into House of Prosperity and drug it in the middle of the night?” Luo Mingda asked.

Niu Qiang remained silent, refusing to answer.

Veins bulged on Luo Mingda’s forehead as he forcefully slammed the table.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Slap!

“Speak!” Luo Mingda exclaimed sternly.

The sound of the slap echoed throughout the hall. The people in the hall were startled, and even the onlookers outside were taken aback. Those who were whispering quietly stopped speaking and all turned their attention to the courtroom.

Niu Qiang was also startled, but he shook his head and replied, “I didn’t drug it.”

Luo Mingda looked towards Yu Qingze.

Yu Qingze picked up the medicine pouch placed nearby and said, “Sir, he’s lying. He climbed over the wall into the backyard of my shop, pried open the kitchen window, and once inside, he went to the water tank and opened the lid. He took out this large bag of powdered medicine from his pocket, intending to use it. However, he was discovered by my assistant, Da Song, just as he was about to administer the drug. The medicine fell by the side of the water tank. Da Song can testify to this.”

Luo Mingda then asked, “Where is Da Song?”

Da Song replied, “Sir, I’m here.”

Luo Mingda asked, “State your name, age, and place of origin, and then explain the sequence of events.”

Da Song: “Yes. Reporting to the lord, I am Yu Song, 19 years old, from Niu Tou Village in the west of the city. Currently, I work as an assistant in the kitchen of Ju Fu Lou. Last night, Boss Yu called me, Da Zhi, and Jia Bao to discuss something. It was already late, so we decided to stay in the shop.”

(T/N: Da Song is the nickname. Da means big. So, he’s probably the older son in his family, and therefore called Big Song).

“In the middle of the night, I got up to relieve myself, and suddenly I heard a sound at the kitchen window. I went to check and found that the window was slowly opening. I was sure that a thief had entered. I panicked and hid behind the desk and cabinet. Then I saw this person jumping in. He lit a match and went straight to the water barrel to put something in it. I got anxious and grabbed a rolling pin and rushed out. Later, I shouted, and Boss Yu and the others heard me. We all caught him together.”

Luo Mingda said, “Bring the medicinal powder.”

A yamen officer stepped forward and received the medicine package from Yu Qingze, presenting it to Luo Mingda.

Luo Mingda opened it and said to the officer, “Go and fetch the most prestigious doctor in the city.”

“Yes, sir,” the officer complied and left.

Continuing, while waiting for the doctor, Luo Mingda questioned Da Zhi and Jiabao’s testimonies.

“Niu Qiang, how do you explain?” Luo Mingda asked.

Niu Qiang stubbornly pouted and insisted, “They slandered me. I was just thirsty and wanted to go in and fetch a bowl of water to drink.”

Yu Qingze snorted coldly and said, “In the middle of the night, dressed in all black, and drinking water in someone else’s house? Do you think I’m a fool?”

Niu Qiang retorted, “Who said I can’t wear black clothes? I wore a mask because of the cold wind. Your backyard well was blocked by a big stone. Otherwise, how could I have entered the kitchen?”

“My lord! You heard it yourself, he intended to poison the well! This person’s heart is despicable!”

“My lord, that sachet was prepared by him, falsely accusing me…”

“…”

The doctor hadn’t arrived yet, but Luo Mingda watched the two of them arguing in the hall with a meaningful look.

The attendant felt that it was undermining the dignity of the court and suggested whether they should silence the two.

Luo Mingda raised his hand to stop him and said, “Let them argue. We’ll just listen. Maybe someone will reveal their true colors.”

The attendant paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “You’re wise, my lord.”

After waiting for a while, the doctor arrived. As expected, it was Dr. Li brought by the bailiff.

At this moment, there were even more people gathered outside the court, and when Old Master Cai received the news, he hurried over. The other heads of households who had received the news also sent people to inquire about the situation.

Clap!

Luo Mingda slammed the table, and the bailiffs on either side began striking their fire and water rods while shouting, “Mighty and martial!”

Yu Qingze and Niu Qiang both stopped.

“Dr. Li, please come and see what’s inside this paper package,” Luo Mingda said.

“Yes, my lord.” Dr. Li approached and carefully examined the powder in the paper package. He sniffed it and then said, “My lord, this package contains Croton powder.”

Yu Qingze and the others already knew that the powder was Croton powder, but the onlookers in the crowd didn’t know yet. When they heard that it was Croton powder, they started discussing it, creating some noise near the entrance.

Luo Mingda asked, “What is this powder used for? What would happen if it were all put into a water tank?”

Dr. Li replied, “Croton is hot and highly toxic. It belongs to the category of hot purgative drugs. It can warm the intestines, relieve water retention, dispel stagnation caused by undigested food, and cleanse the cold and stagnant accumulations in the intestines and stomach. Just a small amount of this powder can induce bowel movements. If the entire package is put into a water tank and ingested, it can cause diarrhea for three days in milder cases, and in severe cases, it can lead to fainting or even death. If consumed by weak individuals such as young children or elderly people, it could be a major problem.”

The onlookers outside the court became even more vocal upon hearing the news.

“This despicable person! We often go to House of Prosperity for meals. Who would have thought that this person would try to put Croton powder in the food? It’s outrageous!”

“That’s right! My master also enjoys the dishes at House of Prosperity. He was planning to go there for lunch today. If this plot succeeded, what would happen to my master? Thank goodness Boss Yu and the others caught this thief!”

“We must not let him go! Anyone who poisons people’s food is not a good person.”

…

Inside the courtroom, Luo Mingda became furious upon hearing the discussions. He forcefully slammed the table and angrily exclaimed, “Niu Qiang, you’ve been caught red-handed, with both eyewitnesses and physical evidence. What more can you say?”

Fortunately, he had pretended to agree to trick Jia Xiaoren into revealing the truth. If he hadn’t gone along with the plan, and Jia Xiaoren had taken action on his own, wouldn’t he have also eaten the rice and dishes cooked with the Croton powder?

Niu Qiang looked at the county magistrate and was momentarily unsure how to react. This was different from what they had agreed upon. What should he do now?

“Speak! Why did you go to House of Prosperity to poison people? Was it your own idea or were you instigated by someone behind the scenes?!” Luo Mingda angrily demanded.

Niu Qiang was still frowning, lost in thought.

Luo Mingda, seeing this, angrily exclaimed, “No tears until you see the coffin. Drag him out…”

“Wait, I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” Niu Qiang hurriedly spoke up, fearing the county magistrate’s punishment.

“Confess honestly to me!”

Only then did Niu Qiang respond, “… My younger brother ate at House of Prosperity last month and came home with diarrhea. He was bedridden for half a month. My father went to House of Prosperity to demand an explanation, but they refused to take responsibility. I was angry and wanted to teach them a lesson.”

Luo Mingda turned to Yu Qingze and asked, “Is this true?”

Yu Qingze shook his head and said, “Reporting to my lord, there is no such incident. Last month, no one came to House of Prosperity to demand an explanation. Since the opening of House of Prosperity, customers have always spoken highly of it. We have never received any complaints. This matter can be verified with all the staff of House of Prosperity, and the customers can testify that there have been no issues with the food at House of Prosperity.”

Luo Mingda naturally believed in the quality of the food at House of Prosperity since he ate there regularly without any issues. However, as the county magistrate, he had a responsibility to question the witnesses.

He proceeded to question Da Song’s Jiaobao and Da Zhi. Several onlookers volunteered to testify that they had eaten at House of Prosperity and the food tasted great, with no cases of diarrhea.

Niu Qiang interjected, “Well, my younger brother did have diarrhea.”

Yu Qingze asked, “What dish did he eat?”

Niu Qiang had only arrived in Tongshan City two days ago and had no idea about the variety of dishes at House of Prosperity. He noticed a stall selling cured meats in front of the restaurant and said, “It was something with cured meat!”

Yu Qingze sneered, “My lord, he’s making baseless claims. We only started selling cured meats a few days ago. We didn’t have them on the menu last month!”

Niu Qiang then said, “It wasn’t cured meats, it was… something… duck!” He had heard from his superiors that House of Prosperity had stolen their signature dish.

“Drunken Duck?” Yu Qingze asked.

“Yes! It was Drunken Duck!” Niu Qiang affirmed.

“Are you sure?” Yu Qingze inquired.

“It was Drunken Duck!”

Yu Qingze smiled and turned to Luo Mingda, saying, “My lord, the Drunken Duck dish at House of Prosperity was introduced this month. It was not available last month. This Niu Qiang is spouting nonsense, twisting facts, and framing House of Prosperity. I request that you, my lord, ensure justice is served.”

Upon hearing this, Niu Qiang became a bit flustered, realizing he had made another mistake.

At that moment, the man watching from the outside suddenly grabbed his brother’s arm and said, “Big brother, I remember who this person is!”

“Who?” the elder brother asked.

The younger brother whispered in his elder brother’s ear.

The elder brother furrowed his brow and asked, “Are you sure?”

The younger brother nodded and said, “I’m sure. I’ve seen him twice, I won’t be mistaken. I remember that mole under his chin very clearly.”

The elder brother patted his younger brother’s shoulder and gritted his teeth, saying, “Damn it, it’s actually him! Let’s go and explain it to the lord. I heard that Lord Luo’s father is a high-ranking official. We can’t let them escape again.”

The younger brother nodded, equally furious.

The two brothers then squeezed through the crowd and entered the courtroom. The younger brother shouted to Luo Mingda, “My lord! I have an important matter to report!”

Luo Mingda looked up at the door and asked, “Who is causing a commotion?”

The two brothers knelt down on the spot, knocked their heads, and then the younger brother said, “Reporting to the honorable sir, I am Cao Yuan, a villager from Wulipo outside Qingzhou City. This is my elder brother, Cao Ming. The person called Niu Qiang, whom I know, is not actually called Niu Qiang but Niu San. He deceived you!”

As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was in an uproar.

“Not Niu Qiang? Niu San?”

“He dares to speak lies and deceive the honorable sir in the courtroom!”

“…”

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingze and the others were also astonished. Niu Qiang turned out not to be Niu Qiang? Was there more to the story?

Luo Mingda was even more furious and said, “This is truly unreasonable! Cao Yuan, step forward and give your response!”

The two brothers stepped forward and paid their respects.

Luo Mingda said, “Cao Yuan, make it clear who he is. Tell us everything you know.”

“Yes, sir,” Cao Yuan lifted his head and said, “Sir, he is not called Niu Qiang, nor is he from Tongshan. His name is Niu San, and he is a servant of the Jia Family in Qingzhou City. However, he doesn’t work in the main household of the Jia Family but in a separate estate outside the city. That estate is not far from our village, and I have seen him several times.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingze quickly clasped his fists and said to Luo Mingda, “Sir, I want to accuse Jia Xiaoren, the owner of Xiang Man Yuan on Beida Street, of deliberate murder. Please ensure justice, sir.”

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Thandar: HUH GOT HIM!!!!