Records of the Lost Cases of Helaitang in the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 23 The store changes hands
Ten days passed, and it was raining and snowing outside.

Wang Heng and Xiao Cai were relaxing at home warming themselves by the fire. Suddenly they heard that the concierge came to report Mr. Wei's visit, and they hurriedly invited tea in the west hall.

Mr. Wei looked a little embarrassed, his fur clothes were covered with snow beads, and his cowhide shoes were stained with mud.

After the guests and the host were seated, Wang Cai hurriedly asked the maid to dry Mr. Wei's fur clothes.

Wang Hengqi said: "Sir, do you have something urgent to say? Just ask the academy's footman to pass the message. I and I will go to Tongren Pagoda Courtyard. I would like you to go there in person."

"There is one thing. Today I am taking advantage of the academy's break to come and see you early." Mr. Wei rubbed his hands and said, "He Xiucai asked me. He said that the Jin's calligraphy and painting shop next to the Queen's Palace has not been open. He saw it opened a few days ago. , when I asked about the owner, they had changed, and when I asked shopkeeper Xiaojin about them, the clerks said they didn’t know. He Xiucai remembered that shopkeeper Xiaojin seemed to live in Qingshijingfang, and after asking a few questions, he found the Jin family’s house, but it was General Tie who guarded the door. , the neighbors said that the Jin family had moved away. He Xiucai felt uneasy, remembering that the transfer of the shop must be recorded in the county government office. Please ask us to go to the county government office and ask if anyone knows the whereabouts of shopkeeper Xiao Jin. "

Wang Heng was shocked. Shopkeeper Xiao Jin was acquitted by the Yamen. Rumors in the world were pity for him being implicated and imprisoned for no reason. The reputation of the Jin family was not damaged, so why did they move out of their old house in the county?

Jin's Painting and Calligraphy Shop is located near Tianhou Temple, one of the most prosperous neighborhoods in the county. The shops here are all old shops that have been in business for generations and will not be transferred easily. When shopkeeper Xiao Jin was locked up in the county jail, he should also need it. Only by taking care of things from time to time can we suffer less hardship in there. At that time, the Jin family did not transfer the shop. How could they sell the shop after being acquitted?
Wang Heng turned around and winked at Xiaocai and said: "The job of going to the house to inquire about information is the most suitable for Xiaocai."

Wang's house was on the back street of the county government office. Xiaocai put on a raincoat and a bamboo hat and went out. When he came back, the water the maid had used to make tea had not yet boiled.

The young man said nonchalantly: "What do you think Uncle Gu from the household said?"

Wang Heng said, "Well, I won't guess anymore, just hold it in."

Mr. Wei said with a smile: "Don't be so secretive, just say it quickly."

"Second Uncle Gu said that Lao Jin's family is one of the richest families in the county. They don't show off at all. People who don't know it would really think that they make a living by opening a shop and acting as a broker." Wang Cai put down his rain gear and started talking. Then he started talking: "As soon as I told you my intention, Uncle Gu found the contract. He said that he was also surprised at that time. There are very few shops for sale in this area of ​​Jin's calligraphy and painting workshop. The old Jin's business For several generations, and one of the most wealthy families in the county, they somehow wanted to sell their shop, and not only the shop was sold, but also two hundred acres of paddy fields close to the city were sold under contract."

Mr. Wei jumped up and said, "My dear, Lanxi County is remote and has many mountains. There is no place to buy good paddy fields even if you have money. How can I be willing to sell them?"

"What's the date on the deed?" Wang Heng asked.

"October 21st." Wang Cai said
Mr. Wei was full of doubts and said: "Ah, October 21st, this day is really a coincidence. I remember it was October [-]th when we returned to the county from Gaolong Village. The He family went to the county government to withdraw the lawsuit that day, and shopkeeper Xiaojin was acquitted. , I will go and apply for the deed the next day.”

"It seems to be understood that the deed required father and son to sign the pledge, so Shopkeeper Xiaojin was released in court and went to the Yamen to process the transaction documents the next day. However, since Shopkeeper Xiaojin had been released, why did they still sell the shop and the land, and even move the old house? Divorced?" Wang Heng asked confused.

Mr. Wei asked again: "Who is the buyer named in the deed?"

Wang Cai said: "They are all Miao Da'an from Yongkang County."

"Miao Da'an." This is an unfamiliar name.

"No wonder He Xiucai couldn't ask anything. It's even harder for people from outside the county to ask questions." Wang Heng said.

The shops near Tianhou Palace are very expensive, so it is not easy to sell them. The paddy field transaction in Chengguan requires the signature of the villagers. It is not something that can be done in a short time. This matter is full of mystery.Although everyone's curiosity was aroused, after all, they didn't know Shopkeeper Xiaojin, and there was no reason to be too lenient.

After drinking a few cups of tea, the sleet gradually stopped.

Mr. Wei looked outside the room, put on his fur coat and said goodbye: "It's still early in the morning. I'll reply to He Xiucai with the news I asked about. I'm going to have a rest today. I won't be able to take care of him when I get busy tomorrow."

Wang Cai winked at Wang Heng and said, "Master, since we have nothing to do, we might as well go to the Tianhou Palace area and walk for a while with my husband."

Wang Heng nodded repeatedly. Mr. Wei knew that the two disciples were curious and playful. Since the sky had cleared, they must not be trapped at home.

Lanxi County is not a big town, so Mr. Wei walked when he came here. Now of course he still walks to the He family in Zhuangyuanfang. To go to Zhuangyuanfang, he has to pass through Tianhou Palace, so the three of them talked about it together.

Xianyahou Street goes all the way west through two lanes and reaches Tianhou Palace. Two or three miles south of Tianhou Palace is Zhuangyuanfang.

Because it was raining and snowing in the morning, the area around Thean Hou Temple was much deserted than usual.

Suddenly, a warm sedan stopped behind the three of them, and it was He Xiucai who greeted them: "Brother Wei, two brothers."

It turns out that He Xiucai went to the county school today to pay a visit to the teacher, which was regarded as canceling his sick leave.Students in the county school must be evaluated and graded every month, and they must not be treated lightly.

"Ah, I was just planning to find you, but I caught up. We just went to the Yamen to ask about the transfer of the Jin Family Painting and Calligraphy Workshop, so we can reply to you." Mr. Wei was very happy.

"Oh, so fast." He Xiucai glanced at both sides and said: "It's not convenient to talk on the street. Three to five feet ahead, there is a tea shop that makes excellent dried silk. Let's go and try it."

The tea shop has a small front door that looks very run-down, but when you step into the door, you will find a different world. The tile roof has paper windows, celadon cups, and the air is filled with the warm fragrance of tea. It is very comfortable, because it is not yet afternoon. , there were no other tea drinkers in the room.

It was raining, the sky was blue, and it was not very cold. Wang Heng opened the window and looked out into the wild. He was surprised to find that diagonally opposite the tea shop was the Jin Family Painting and Calligraphy Workshop: "Across the way, is the Jin Family Painting and Calligraphy Workshop?"

He Xiucai glanced at the place and said: "The old plaque is the handiwork of Shen Shinan, a famous master in the county. It is not easy to get. The new owner will be reluctant to replace this gold-lettered signboard."

As soon as Mr. Wei sat down, he told He Xiucai all the news that Wang Cai had gone to the county government office to find out.

"Miao Da'an, I have never heard of this name." He Xiucai said after a while. He felt unhappy, but he had no choice but to do anything. He was a little dazed, looking at each other sideways and thinking.

Suddenly, a familiar figure walked out of the opposite shop, untied the horse's reins from the old locust tree in front of the door, and handed it to the guest respectfully. He Xiucai was stunned. This was Xiao Xi, the old waiter in the shop.

He couldn't help but stepped out of the teahouse's threshold in a few steps, and hesitantly looked to the opposite side. The waiter sent the guests off respectfully, and looked up to see He Xiucai. He came over in two steps and said with a smile on his face, "Uncle He family, you're in peace." ."

(End of this chapter)