Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1134: Iron Mine

The overwhelming smell of iron at the Tong Family was too strong. It couldn’t have come from just a dozen or so ironing irons being melted; it had to be from a large pile of iron being burned and melted.

"Smell of iron?" Magistrate Shi was no fool. He was a capable and intelligent man, and upon hearing this, he immediately understood. He turned to look at Elder Tong and pointed at him, saying, "Arrest Tong Changxing!"

He then pointed at the Protectors, "No one in the Tong Family is allowed to resist. Otherwise, they will be treated as traitors and executed without mercy!"

Iron was a military resource under control in Great Chu. Anyone buying iron had to show their household registration and register with the government office. There was also a set limit; for non-official families, the amount of iron they could own could not exceed one hundred catties.

With such a strong iron smell in the Tong Family, one wonders how many catties of iron were burned? If it exceeds the court’s limit, it could be considered treason.

Elder Tong’s face turned ashen as Magistrate Shi discovered his family’s secret. However, being a shrewd person, after a brief moment of panic, he quickly calmed down and asked Magistrate Shi with a confused expression, "Lord Magistrate, what do you mean by this? Why are you arresting me? What have I done wrong?"

Magistrate Shi, seeing him feigning ignorance, angrily laughed and pointed at him, "You shielded Tong San, attempted to harm Liu Wenqing first, and now your house is hiding a large amount of iron. You’ve violated the Great Chu Criminal Law and yet you dare claim ignorance? Tong Changxing, oh Tong Changxing, truly, you are a figure in Linhe Prefecture, remaining calm in the face of danger even now, you are indeed something."

Indeed, Elder Tong was a notable figure in Linhe Prefecture. His family held no official position, and before Tong San, none were in office, yet Tong Changxing managed to elevate the Tong Family to a status not inferior to that of official and noble families.

The reason, besides Tong Changxing’s cleverness and business acumen, was that the Tong Family was wealthy.

It wasn’t clear where the Tong Family’s silver came from. For decades, people came to a consensus that the Tong Family wasn’t short on money; it was a family that could buy protection with silver and could not be easily offended. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

But now, it seemed that the Tong Family’s wealth had suspicious origins. It was hard to believe that they could become so affluent just by running inns, cloth shops, liquor stores, escort agencies, and farming.

"Tong Changxing, stop trying to argue. Surrender honestly. If you are innocent, the government office will naturally release you, but it’s too early to proclaim grievances now!" Magistrate Shi gave a look to Squad Leader Huang, who immediately led people to bind Elder Tong.

When Elder Tong saw this, he wanted to quietly slip away under the chaos, pretending ignorance, but he had long been targeted by experienced Government Officials. Seeing him trying to sneak away, they immediately apprehended him.

Magistrate Shi frowned and said, "Bind all the male members of the Tong Family and take them to the front guest hall. Divide the Government Officials into three groups: one to arrest the male members of the Tong Family; one to guard the entrances of the Tong house to prevent anyone from leaving; and one to search the ruins and all the Tong Family’s warehouses!"

Since there was iron in this warehouse, it’s possible other warehouses might have it too.

"Yes!" The Government Officials responded and immediately dispersed to carry out their duties.

Magistrate Shi then called Assistant Judge Shen, "Lord Shen, please make a trip now to the garrison of the Prefecture outside the city and request General Zhang to bring troops to assist."

If the Tong Family’s matter was true, then the source of the Tong Family’s silver was very likely from illicit dealings in iron, a crime of treason that warranted the involvement of the Prefecture garrison to maintain order. Otherwise, if the Tong Family became desperate, they would all be in danger.

"Rest assured, Lord Magistrate. I will depart immediately." Assistant Judge Shen hurriedly set off with his steward and two Protectors from home, heading straight for the Prefecture garrison.

...

Seeing Magistrate Shi uncover the Tong Family’s secret and sending Assistant Judge Shen to the outskirts for reinforcements, Xiao Sui yawned, waiting for Squad Leader Song and the others to be released. Once Doctor Lian had seen Liu Wenqing, he left before the garrison soldiers arrived, rushing back to report the matters of the Tong Family to Gu Jin’an.

Upon hearing, Gu Jin’an smiled, "Well done."

He then asked, "How is Liu Wenqing?"

Xiao Sui replied, "Elder Tong Er gave him some medicine, rendering him somewhat delirious, but Doctor Lian is very skilled, he said he can be cured, though tonight’s events hit him hard."

Liu Wenqing, having gone through this ordeal, was tired of hard days, hoping to rely on Young Master Tong San to rise in rank. But he wasn’t Liu Wenqing; failing to see Tong San’s true nature nor protecting himself, he almost got ruined by Tong San.

Gu Jin’an nodded, "As long as he can be cured. As for being hit hard by this, people must suffer some setbacks to grow up."

Xiao Sui was not fond of these literary sayings. Being of a beggar’s background, he loved gossip and leaned in to ask Gu Jin’an, "Young Master Gu, do you think the matter between Liu Wenqing and Tong San will spread for everyone to know?"

Gu Jin’an shook his head, "No, the Tong Family’s secret is too significant. This secret alone is enough for Magistrate Shi to be promoted. Magistrate Shi would be happy to play the good person, preserving Liu Wenqing’s reputation as the victim."

The affair between Tong San and Liu Wenqing was a disgrace. Young Master Shi had already spoken to Magistrate Shi, who hadn’t originally intended to handle it. It was only after Grand Old Master Liu reported the matter overnight, fearing it might affect his chance for office in the capital, that Magistrate Shi dealt with it.

Now, having discovered the Tong Family’s secret and obtained a huge merit, he would not concern himself with the matter between Liu Wenqing and Tong San, but instead suppress it, ensuring this scandal did not overshadow the exposure of the Tong Family’s illegal iron storage.

After all, storytelling was highly popular in Linhe Prefecture, the locals were even more gossip-prone than those in He’an Prefecture, loving to hear bizarre, dramatic stories.

Though Xiao Sui felt a bit disappointed, he also thought Liu Wenqing was quite pitiful. If the matter didn’t erupt, Liu Wenqing could live a good life. Should it be exposed, he’d have to change his name and live in a rural area where no one knew him.

Gu Jin’an, seeing his disappointed look, chuckled, he truly was youthful, enjoying gossip, "The Prefecture garrison’s soldiers should have entered the city. The place will be heavily guarded. Sleep on the soft couch and leave tomorrow to avoid running into the garrison soldiers."

"Alright." Xiao Sui, having grown familiar with Gu Jin’an, happily took off his shoes and lay on the soft couch, snoozing soundly.

Gu Jin’an, having waited all night, was also worn out, heading to rest in the inner room.

...

Upon waking the next day, Linhe Prefecture was in an uproar, with everyone talking about the Tong Family’s illegal iron storage.

"I heard the government and officials found iron in four underground vaults at the Tong house last night, all weapons. They’re even said to have curved blades!"

"What? Even curved blades? Could the Tong Family have sold the iron to the Da Rong people? My God, that’s a crime punishable by exterminating nine generations. No matter how many relatives they have, it’s not enough!"

The news of the Da Rong Army’s sacking of Longshan Prefecture had just returned, when the Tong Family’s scandal erupted. If the Emperor became furious, the nine families and six relatives of the Tong Family would face complete destruction.

"Indeed, the Tong Family’s relatives are pitiable, having such kindred." The nobles of the Prefecture sympathized with the Tong Family Clan for a moment, then spoke of another rumor.

"I heard that thirty years ago, the Tong Family’s resurgence was because Elder Tong discovered an iron mine, earning money by selling iron illegally, which led to their prosperity again."