Chapter 136 (Part 1): The Culinary Tycoon

Standoff and Witnesses

“Stop! Where are you from? How dare you impersonate yamen runners and cause trouble in our Qingzhou City?” questioned a leading officer dressed in the attire of a county magistrate.

Four constables glanced at each other, and the old man and several villagers behind them saw the weapons held by the soldiers surrounding them. The sharp spears were aimed at them, causing them to instinctively lean back against the four constables.

The leading constable, named Ding Lai, took out an official document from his pocket along with his own waist token. With clasped fists, he explained, “Sir, we are constables from the Tongshan County Office. We have been ordered to investigate a case. This is an official document personally issued by County Magistrate Luo Mingda. The case is urgent, so please let us pass.”

Ding Lai deliberately mentioned Luo Mingda’s name, hoping that these people would consider the identity of Lord Luo and not give them too much trouble.

The county officer walked over, took the document, glanced at it, then looked at their waist tokens, and finally looked at the villagers behind them. He asked, “From the Tongshan County Office? What case is this?”

Ding Lai slightly lowered his head and clasped his fists, replying, “Apologies, sir. I am under orders from Lord Luo, and it requires confidentiality. I’m afraid I cannot disclose any further information.”

Yesterday, there were no soldiers when they crossed the river, but today they appeared early in the morning. Jia Xiaoren’s cousin was the governor of Qingzhou, and he controlled the entire city. This county officer was definitely ordered to obstruct them, indicating that they were aware of the nature of the case.

However, Ding Lai also knew very well that at most, they would only be stopped from crossing the river to delay their time. They would not dare to detain them. After all, Lord Luo’s father was a high-ranking official, and this document was issued by Lord Luo. If the magistrate was intelligent enough, he would not dare to cause too much trouble for Lord Luo.

Translataed on ho lo lo novels dot com.

“Wait a moment, recently the city has been searching for a thief, and the entire city is under martial law. I need to take this document to show it to the authorities,” the county officer said as he walked away, holding the document.

Ding Lai and the other constables frowned. Martial law throughout the city? It was complete nonsense. There were no soldiers when they arrived yesterday. However, according to the rules, when they came to handle matters in this area, they indeed needed to inform the county office first before proceeding.

They had initially planned to secretly bring people back without alarming the Jia family or the local authorities, but unexpectedly, they were stopped.

“Please wait, sir,” Ding Lai immediately called out to the county officer, saying, “Lord Luo is still waiting to handle the case. Can we make a compromise?”

The county officer stopped, turned around, and sternly said, “How can that be? You are also here on official business. Don’t you understand the proper procedures? Just wait.”

With that, he leisurely walked towards the direction of the city.

Ding Lai knew from his attitude that they had to wait.

On the other side, Luo Mingda and the county magistrate were both waiting for the constables to return with the witnesses. Their attention was distracted during the morning office hours.

They waited and waited, but the constables and the witnesses didn’t arrive. Instead, they were met by Lord Lu, the governor of Qingzhou, County Magistrate Zhang, and Jia Xiaoren’s father!

Luo Mingda looked at the three individuals, and his eyelids twitched.

An obstacle had arrived.

“Lord Lu, County Magistrate Zhang, what wind blew you both to Tongshan? Did you hear that there are delicious delicacies here and purposely came to taste them?” Luo Mingda chuckled.

Governor Lu of Qingzhou forced a smile and said, “Lord Luo, when you took office, I happened to be passing through Qingzhou. I hadn’t yet offered my congratulations, so I came specifically to congratulate you. This is a small gift, a pearl of the night obtained by a merchant in the South Sea. If Lord Luo doesn’t mind, you can appreciate it.”

With that, one of Governor Lu’s entourage presented several gift boxes to Luo Mingda. Luo Mingda opened the topmost box, revealing a night pearl about the size of a baby’s fist. Even though it didn’t emit light during the day, its rounded and lustrous appearance was quite beautiful.

“Wow, is it real? Let me see.” Luo Mingda exclaimed, picking it up and looking at it towards the door. Then he played with it in his hand for a while before placing it back in the box. He closed the box and pushed the attendant’s hand away, saying, “Alright, I’ve seen it, I’ve played with it. Put it away quickly.”

Governor Lu’s initially smiling expression faltered, and he asked in surprise, “What’s wrong? Lord Luo, don’t you like it?”

Luo Mingda laughed and replied, “Governor Lu, you’re too kind. I appreciate the sentiment, but the gifts are unnecessary.” Night pearls and such were not something his family lacked. They were even used as toys by his son.

Governor Lu paused for a moment, exchanged a glance with County Magistrate Zhang and Old Man Jia, and then said, “If Lord Luo doesn’t like the night pearl, I heard that you appreciate fine cuisine. Below, there is a set of white jade bowls and chopsticks. Would you like to have a look?”

Luo Mingda looked at Governor Lu with a sly smile and said, “Governor Lu, I do enjoy good food. In Tongshan City, there is a person who cooks dishes that can be considered unparalleled. I haven’t tasted anything better even in the capital.”

Governor Lu raised an eyebrow and asked, “Oh? Someone better than the imperial chefs in the capital?”

“Yes, even the palace’s royal chefs can’t compare,” Luo Mingda nodded. Then he shook his head with regret and said, “Unfortunately, you won’t be able to experience it.”

Governor Lu was unaware that Luo Mingda was referring to Yu Qingze. He only knew that Jia Xiaoren had opened a restaurant in this area, and this incident involved a clash with a restaurant called House of Prosperity. He had no knowledge that the owner of House of Prosperity was the skilled chef Luo Mingda was referring to.

Curious, he asked, “Why do you say that, Lord Luo?”

Luo Mingda exclaimed in surprise, “How come you don’t know, Lord Lu? Your cousin, Jia Xiaoren, sent someone to the restaurant to sabotage their food stall the night before last. Isn’t that why you came here? Since that incident happened, the restaurant owner naturally wouldn’t prepare delicious dishes for you.”

The three men were taken aback upon hearing this. So, the talented chef mentioned by Luo Mingda earlier was referring to that person!

Luo Mingda continued, “What’s the matter? Wasn’t this the reason you came here?”

Lord Lu glanced at Lord Zhang and gave him a signal.

With a brave face, Lord Zhang stepped forward and said, “Lord Luo, we have indeed come for this matter. We had inquired about it beforehand as well. Jia Xiaoren and Niu San are not acquainted with each other. Why did you also detain him? Moreover, Jia Xiaoren is from my jurisdiction in Qingzhou. If he has committed any offense, he should be brought back to Qingzhou for trial.”

Lord Lu remained silent.

Luo Mingda looked at Lord Zhang, scrutinized him from head to toe, and asked, “Lord Zhang, how many years have you been the county magistrate of Qingzhou?”

Lord Zhang was asked inexplicably, but still answered, “Five years.”

Luo Mingda clicked his tongue and said, “Lord Zhang has been a county magistrate for five years. He must have dealt with far more cases than me, who has only been in office for half a year, right?”

Lord Zhang nodded and said, “Indeed.”

Luo Mingda looked at him and said, “Then why is Lord Zhang less familiar with the laws of Dasheng than me, who has only been here for half a year? According to the laws of Dasheng, crimes committed in different places should be under the jurisdiction of the local authorities, right?”

Lord Zhang was momentarily at a loss for words, and could only nod with a flushed face. Of course, he knew about this law. He had no choice but to take a gamble that Luo Mingda didn’t know!

Seeing Lord Zhang being at a loss, Old Man Jia stepped forward and said, “Lord Luo, Xiaoren doesn’t know either Niu San. Lord Luo, please don’t believe one-sided words and wrong a good person.”

“Wronged?” Luo Mingda raised an eyebrow and looked at Old Man Jia, asking, “Are you saying that I have wronged your son?”

Old Man Jia was about to nod, but Lord Lu pulled him back, and Old Man Jia quickly shut his mouth and stopped speaking.

Lord Lu changed the topic and said, “Lord Luo, Jia Xiaoren’s father has brought him some food. Can we go and visit him?”

Old Man Jia quickly nodded and said, “Yes, yes. It’s freezing cold these days. I brought him some warm clothes. Please be lenient, my lord.”

Luo Mingda shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, but Jia Xiaoren is a significant suspect. He cannot meet anyone. When the court session comes, you will naturally be able to see him.”

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