Da Tang Si Zi: My Six Super Rich Little Nuggets!

Chapter 50 The Reasons Behind Zhang 3's Fraudulent Activities Through the Government Office

As the first light of dawn breaks in the east, the sun slowly rises from the horizon, its soft rays filtering through the clouds and bathing the earth in its warmth.

Zi'an and Qiu Rongmu were heading towards the town's government office.

It's not easy for ordinary people to see Master Zhou at the prefectural government office, but Ninth Master has a way to get them to see him.

It turned out that just a few days ago, Ninth Master had sent Qiu Rongmu to the home of Master Zhou in the prefectural government to treat his cow's illness free of charge. This was undoubtedly a gesture of goodwill, and the prefectural government officials were always grateful, so they naturally gave Ninth Master face.

In this way, Zi'an and Qiu Rongmu can successfully enter the government office and complete the task assigned to them by Ninth Master.

Zi'an and Qiu Rongmu arrived at the government office together, and the scene before them did not surprise them in the slightest.

The area in front of the government office was deserted, clean and tidy as if a military parade had just taken place, a stark contrast to the bustling morning market we had just passed. There, people thronged, creating a lively atmosphere, while here, the scene was exceptionally dignified and grand.

As they entered the government office, a yamen runner immediately approached them and said respectfully, “Gentlemen, we have heard that Zhang San charged you a fee and claimed there were no other additional charges. However, he is not an official of our government. If Master Jiu needs to complete any necessary procedures, please come directly to the government office.”

These words stirred something in Zi'an and Qiu Rongmu's hearts. They exchanged a glance, seemingly understanding the hidden meaning behind it.

It seems that this Zhang San is not an official, but a guy who charges fees privately.

They couldn't help but feel fortunate that they had Si Zi, that clever fellow, who had prevented them from easily trusting each other, otherwise they might have gotten into unnecessary trouble.

Zi'an understood that Zhang San was a man of hidden motives, using clever words and flattery to mislead everyone.

“We already suspect Zhang San, so we did not compensate him for the money he advanced. We suspect he wants to earn those three hundred taels of silver.”

The yamen runner replied, "Indeed, our yamen received 150 taels of silver from Zhang San for Ninth Master."

Zi'an then asked, "Is the annual cost of customs clearance really eighty-nine taels of gold?"

The constable retorted, "Did Zhang San also tell you this news?"

Qiu Rongmu, standing to the side, nodded in confirmation: "Zhang San once said, 'Ninth Master, this matter is very easy: the annual customs clearance and operation costs across the country only require a gold package of eighty-nine taels, and everything will be taken care of!'"

The constable explained, "You may not have seen this information, but the government has already posted it. Actually, the price was 89 taels of gold for the first two years, but it has increased to, to be precise, 129 taels of gold every year since then."

At this moment, after dealing with some thorny official business, Lord Zhou of the government office met with Zi'an and the other person. He slowly said, "This person has ulterior motives and deliberately concealed information to make the merchants believe that the discount he received was an insider price."

The constable continued to explain: "In reality, he meticulously planned a complex scheme, laying down layers of deception, with the ultimate goal of earning only 150 taels of silver. As for the remaining 150 taels of silver, although it was paid to the government as a deposit, he did not clearly inform the merchants of an important detail: the government would gradually return this money to the merchants over twelve months."

Thus, the magistrate's words made Zi'an realize that the rules and preferential treatment were fixed and no one could change them.

However, the merchants also wanted to compare prices from different vendors, hoping to get an insider price. Zhang San took advantage of this mentality, and everyone became aware of Zhang San's scheme.

Qiu Rongmu still couldn't quite grasp the situation, so Zi'an could only exchange a knowing smile with Xiao Sizi after returning to the manor.

Sizi said, "The rules and policies set by the authorities are ironclad and unchangeable. Yet they are always exploited by people with ulterior motives."

"Yes, but those merchants are still not giving up, always thinking they have connections." Zi'an sighed.

Si Zi nodded, "Yes, a few of them can indeed get insider discounts through certain channels and connections, but most people just fantasize about getting insider discounts through certain channels and connections."

"I took advantage of their mentality?! I speak with a clear conscience!!" A voice suddenly broke in; it was Zhang San, back again to collect his debt.

"When have I, Zhang San, ever failed to provide services for everyone?! When have I ever failed to help you ensure that all the procedures are complete and flawless?!"

Zi An sneered and pointed out mercilessly, "However, some merchants have already begun to see through your tricks."

Zhang San didn't really care, but on the surface he put on a sour face, "You've seen through me? Can you please not be so rude?! How much effort and time have I spent on this Ninth Master's matter? 300 taels of silver, which one of them is truly mine?!!"

Si Zi observed all of this from the side. He saw that Zhang San had been planning this beforehand, but after being exposed, he pretended to be wronged. He immediately understood what was going on.

Si Zi realized that most people had their own legitimate businesses and were unwilling to get entangled with the scoundrel Zhang San over such a trivial matter.

Moreover, Zhang San did indeed use official information and engaged in misleading and manipulative behavior, and it was discovered that reasoning with Zhang San was futile; onlookers might even think that the merchant was being unreasonable.

We're all in business, and we value integrity. We don't want to get entangled with someone like Zhang San.

“He’s not a particularly evil person. He doesn’t have any great skills; he can only make a little money, a pittance,” Zi’an said.

"If you could put these thoughts and energy into the right path, you could definitely become a capable and reliable person! Logically speaking, you don't need to torment yourself like this and even induce others to lose money." Qiu Rongmu finally understood, frowned, and said earnestly.

Zhang San listened with a hint of disdain, thinking to himself, "What do you know? This is the way to survive."

He didn't care at all, but on the surface he was furious and had a sour face. He shouted at the easy-to-bully Qiu Rongmu, "Brother, that's not very nice of you! Who did I make lose money?! They feel indebted to me, which means I did it. That's what they acknowledge."

Both Si Zi and Zi An observed that Zhang San harbored cunning, so he rarely spoke his true feelings, except for using formulaic language. That would easily expose his despicable nature, and his words would inadvertently reveal his smugness—treating others like fools.

In reality, discerning people who know his character will be disappointed in him, but they don't want to escalate the conflict and will simply let it go.

His behavior always reveals his narrow-mindedness and selfishness, as if he is unconsciously showing his sense of superiority to those around him.

However, a truly wise and insightful person can see through his hypocrisy and shallowness at a glance.

Everyone knows that such a person is not worth getting close to, because his behavior only makes people feel disgusted and contemptuous.

Nevertheless, most people would choose to maintain a superficial harmony and would rather not confront him directly.

After all, arguing with such a person will only lower your own status and waste your time and energy.

Therefore, despite feeling disappointed and contemptuous of him, she still maintained politeness and courtesy on the surface.

By not arguing with Zhang San, everyone maintained composure and avoided unnecessary conflict.

Zhang San cleverly used his time and persuasive skills as a cover, but in reality, he was manipulating everyone's trust in him and having others' attention at his fingertips.

Zhang San's actions are nothing more than a desecration of sincerity and justice, and a covert and wanton infringement on the rights of others.

It's impossible to convict him; it only shows that he has a bad character, which is very vague. Many people who were bullied by him still respect him and are grateful to him.

For wealthy families, it's generally not easy to fall for his tricks, but ordinary people and small vendors are often completely fooled by him. Even if they realize something is wrong, they choose to say "let it go" and remain silent.

……

After being stunned for a long time, Qiu Rongmu slapped his head dumbly and said, "Oh dear, this new term that Si Zi mentioned—'invisible seam'—is the first time I've ever heard of it."

Si Zi frowned. "Wooden pot, do you think you didn't have stitching in the Tang Dynasty? Treacherous villains have existed since ancient times!"

These 'silver' souls are incapable of escaping their despicable and 'toothless' nature! They even think themselves clever; it's pathetic they'll never achieve enlightenment.

"Haha, it seems I really need to be more careful from now on!"

Don't be cunning.

We also need a loving heart.