Chapter 3 — 30 Whips Change Retirement, I Take You and Leave Brilliantly

He stopped for a moment.

“Approximately eighty thousand taels.”

The land deed in my hand almost fell to the ground. Eighty thousand taels. I lived in the Gu family for five years, and each month my monthly allowance was only ten taels, and it was often cut short.

“The old man said, the Shen family's roots are in Jiangnan, and the Shen family's money is not lacking even a single penny.”

I took each land deed and looked at it all, then put it back in the box.

“Tham Khanh Son, where are the property records these years?”

He again held out three thick notebooks.

“Not an inch or an inch wrong, you can check at any time, Miss.”

I flipped through a few pages. The books are clear and coherent with each item.

“You did very well.”

Tham Khanh Son knelt down again. I helped him up.

"Don't kneel anymore. From now on, you call me Dongjia, not Miss."

“This—”

"I am no longer a young lady. I am Tham Thanh Hoa and have returned from separation."

He blushed and nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

"In addition, help me find a place to build a garden, it must have a flower garden. My daughter likes flowers."

"There's no need to look any further. This mansion in Tu Lane was prepared by the old man for you. Behind there is a garden, planted with osmanthus and magnolia flowers."

I was stunned for a moment. My great-grandfather had never met me, but he could have thought that my daughter liked flowers. No, the person I'm thinking of is my daughter. My mother also likes flowers.

"Okay. So here."

That night, Y Nhi and I slept in the main room of Alley Tu sixteen. Y Nhi rolled around twice in the brand new blanket, laughing loudly.

"Niang, this bed is so big. Even bigger than in the capital."

“From now on, this will be our home.”

"Really?"

She happily buried her face in the pillow. I blow out the candle. Outside the window, the scent of cinnamon flowers wafts in. After settling down, on the third day, Tham Khanh Son took me to see the property. First go to the weaving ward in the east of the city. As soon as they entered the door, the administrators stood in two rows. Tham Khanh Son introduced: "This is our eastern family." A fat foreman stepped forward and clasped his hands: "Dong, little man Truong Thuan, has been in charge of this weaving ward for eight years. Last year, the weaving ward produced thirty thousand pieces of brocade, the profit—" I opened the book he brought me.

"Here you write down thirty thousand plates, but I looked at the inventory record and the inventory is thirty two thousand plates. Where do the remaining two thousand plates go?"

Truong Thuan's smile stiffened. Tham Khanh Son's face darkened.

“Steward Truong, Dong Master asked you.”

Truong Thuan wiped his sweat: "This... this... was a bit lost on the way..."

"Brocade is not a chicken egg, what kind of loss is it?"

We close the window.

"Two thousand pieces of brocade, calculated at the current price, are worth six thousand taels. Manager Truong, you have been in charge for eight years, each year missing a few thousand taels, which is really difficult for you."

Truong Thuan knelt down with a thud.

"Dong family, please forgive me! I... I'm suddenly blinded by the devil—"

“Release all the money you have swallowed, add all the books, you have three days.”

“Yes yes yes!”

“Three days is not enough, send it to the officials for investigation.”…

Twenty years ago, the Tham family was the richest merchant household in Jiangnan. My maternal grandfather, Tham Van Xuyen, traded in fabrics, food, and tea leaves, spreading his business across six provinces. That year, the court requisitioned military food, the Tham family accepted the application, and 100,000 food grains were transported to the North. Luong Thao was transported to the Northern Realm—hundreds of thousands of Liang stone were originally good food, but for some reason they were changed into Luong moc, the good was mixed. The soldiers of the Northern scene ate it and fell ill, almost causing the defense line to collapse. The court was angry and confiscated the Tham family. My grandfather was unjustly imprisoned and died in prison. And the person who accused the Tham family of "taking bad instead of good" was the Tham family's business partner that year - Giang Thu Nhan. Based on this merit, he advanced like a kite, from a small food merchant, gradually climbing to the position of maid of the Household Ministry.

“Uncle Shen, what was the truth back then?”

Tham Khanh Son sat opposite, his hands clenched into fists.

"The food was swapped on the road. The old man discovered that something was wrong and immediately offered his defense, but Giang Thu Nhan had already bribed the transport officer and the food control officer. The witnesses and evidence were all complete, so it was difficult for the old man to explain it."

“Where is the fortune teller?”

"Dead. Three days after traveling to the North, he suddenly died. Outside, it was said to be an acute illness."

“Payroll officer?”

“I was sent to a remote district, and then became 'sick'.”

Kill people and kill people.

“Is there any weakness left in Giang Thu Nhan's hands?”

Tham Khanh Son shook his head.

"The old slave searched for twenty years, but couldn't find out. He did everything discreetly without any loopholes."

We close the file.

"If you couldn't find it twenty years ago, it doesn't mean you can't find it now. If a person does something against his conscience, the people around him will know sooner or later."

“What you mean is—”

"First of all, you have to make a big business. If you have money and connections, then you have the right to turn back the old story."

Tham Khanh Son stood up.

“The old slave obeys the master.”