Chapter 19: Following Spies

Entering the backyard, Liu Xiu was coming out of the kitchen with a tray. Lin Dong immediately asked him to place the food on the stone table.
Before long, Wang Liuzhi also brought along Shou Zhugan and San Jiaoyan. The three of them grabbed sacks and sticks, gave instructions to Liu Xiu, and entered the main hall together before hiding behind the counter.
The moonlight was bright, and the aroma of food was enticing. Lin Dong’s appetite surged, and in no time he cleared the entire stone table.
He went back to his room, found an ancient book, and read it half-understandingly. Half an hour later, Wang Liuzhi and the others came in excitedly.
“Boss, it’s done. He won’t be able to get out of bed for a year or so,” Wang Liuzhi said, waving the blood-stained stick. He chuckled, “This kid came to the inn twice, always looking down on people with his nose raised. I thought he was pretty tough. But with just a sack and a few blows, he immediately started crying for mercy. A few more blows, and he fled in shame. It’s satisfying to beat people like this.”
Shou Zhugan nodded in agreement. “Indeed. His screams were worse than the moans of the ladies at the Zui Xian Lou—way more satisfying.”
Lin Dong remained silent. With a flick of his right hand, a silver ingot worth ten taels appeared in his hand.
Seeing Lin Dong offer the ingot, Wang Liuzhi quickly waved his hands. “Boss, what are you doing? It was a small matter. You just needed to give an order.”
Lin Dong shook his head, stood up, and pushed the ingot into Wang Liuzhi’s hands, smiling. “Brothers should keep accounts clear. It’s not much money. Consider it a meal for you all!”
“Well…” Wang Liuzhi hesitated for a moment before stuffing the ingot into his clothes. “Then I’ll thank you on behalf of my brothers, boss.”
“No need to be polite!” After asking Wang Liuzhi and the others to sit down, Lin Dong said, “Xiao Liu, arrange for someone to investigate this Fu Zizhou tomorrow morning.”
“Fu Zizhou? Is that all we have—just a name?” Wang Liuzhi asked.
“That’s all we have. And he’s not from our Xilan City,” Lin Dong replied. After thinking for a while, he continued, “It’s that young master Liu who comes to our inn with his scribe. His real name is Fu Zizhou. You know his appearance and age. Also, he has an eidetic memory and must be quite skilled in calligraphy. He should be quite famous in the entire Qiufeng Mansion. We can ask the scholars around.”
“Did he… offend the boss?” Wang Liuzhi couldn’t help but ask. He had seen Fu Zizhou many times. Even a scribe was more proud than the young masters of Xilan City—his background must be significant.
“It’s serious!”

Lin Dong’s gaze sharpened. He was certain that the strategist behind Dou Changkun was Fu Zizhou. Last time, Fu Zizhou had asked Lin Shuang to borrow Zhou Zhengye’s handwriting not for mere observation, but to study Zhou’s style. After obtaining the first sub-task for the calligraphy competition, he intended to create his own handwriting that surpassed Zhou’s, for Dou Changkun to copy.

With only one night, Dou Changkun could only ensure victory in one sub-task. Fu Zizhou was quite clever too—he planned to have Dou Changkun provoke Zhou Zhengye before the results of the first sub-task were known, then strike hard after the results came out, causing Zhou to perform poorly in subsequent tasks and even losing his composure in the archery competition the next day.

Coupled with the competition order being deliberately set up to target Zhou Zhengye, and Dou Changkun holding back until after the calligraphy competition to deal a final blow to Zhou’s morale, Fu Zizhou’s target was undoubtedly Qiushui Academy.

Although Lin Dong had some goodwill toward Qiushui Academy’s president, Fu Chunjian, Fu Zizhou’s scheming did not seem aimed at ruining Fu Chunjian’s life. To be honest, Lin Dong didn’t want to get involved.

Fu Zizhou should never have dragged that girl into this conspiracy. If she learned that lending Zhou Zhengye’s handwriting to Fu Zizhou would lead to such consequences, plus what happened to Dou Changkun, it would surely cast a thick shadow over her mind. This was something neither the cowardly former leader nor Lin Dong could tolerate.

Seeing Lin Dong’s gaze grow increasingly stern, Wang Liuzhi didn’t dare hesitate. He said seriously, “Boss, there’s no need for such trouble. Whatever his background, just cover him in a sack. If anyone has to die, Xiao Liu is willing to take responsibility right now.”

“It doesn’t have to go that far. Do as I say—find out his identity first so I can figure out his intentions,” Lin Dong shook his head.

“Okay!” Wang Liuzhi nodded firmly.

“Also…” Lin Dong asked, “Is there anyone among you brothers who’s smart and quick on their feet?”

Wang Liuzhi scratched his head and replied resentfully, “They’re all just good at fighting with their fists.”

“Boss, isn’t Liu Xiu quite smart? He’s also fast on his feet,” Thin Bamboo suddenly interjected.

Lin Dong rejected the idea. “Liu Xiu is too young. He’s different from you guys. He’s not suitable for this kind of thing.”

“Boss, what are your plans?” Wang Liuzhi asked.

“I want to find someone to secretly follow Fu Zizhou, wherever he goes. It would be best if they could also overhear what he says.”

“This is easy!” Wang Liuzhi sighed in relief and patted Triangle Eye, who was puffing out his chest. “This kid used to be a famous thief in the neighboring county. He stole something he shouldn’t have and then ran to Xilan City, where he ended up following me and becoming a thug. When it comes to spying and eavesdropping, few in Xilan City are better than him.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed—he’s really good at hiding his skills! Are you sure?” Lin Dong tapped Triangle Eye’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, boss! I guarantee he won’t notice me spying on him.” Triangle Eye thumped his chest loudly.
Lin Dong felt much more at ease. “Alright, then I leave it to you. Xiao Liu, how’s the new inn these days? Weren’t they supposed to deliver wood today? Why didn’t I see any when I passed by in the evening?”
“I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it,” Wang Liuzhi said resentfully. “A few officials came during lunch, were treated well with food and drink, and each of them even gave me a piece of silver. But they insisted that the wood delivery must not start.”
“What was the reason?” Lin Dong asked.
“What reason? They said it was an order from the county magistrate.”
Lin Dong frowned slightly. Was this magistrate trying to extort money or acting on someone else’s behalf?
With a thought, Lin Dong asked, “How’s business with those five tables that charge one tael of silver per hour for seating?”
Wang Liuzhi grinned broadly. “You’re really wise, boss. There are indeed fools willing to spend one tael each to sit at those tables. And more such fools are showing up. Just from those five tables today, we made ten taels of silver—almost as much as the inn earns in a month.”
“When there are no customers, you can all eat at those five tables. Then you’ll know whether one tael of silver is worth it.” Lin Dong smiled, already figuring out why they were being troubled.
It was almost certain that some big restaurant in Xilan City didn’t want Lin’s Inn to become successful.
“There are so many annoying problems. Go to bed! If you have time, find out if our county magistrate usually leaves the county office. I’ll take care of the wood issue.”
Lin Dong quickly came up with a plan. With his current strength, he didn’t have the means to confront the county magistrate openly, so he could only turn to Bai Jingtai for help and use money to solve things. As for the losses, he would find an opportunity to make it up later.