On that side, Zhao Cai had already pulled Sun Qi to one side, letting him witness firsthand the contract personally written by the Patriarch of the Lee Family, along with the land deeds of the Cloud Mist Tea Mountain, and various proofs.
All were laid out in front of Sun Qi.
He had no choice but to believe it.
Sun Qi originally did not believe it, but seeing those things in front of him, he completely crumbled.
Regret and anger boiled in his heart!
If only he had known this would be the outco, why would he betray the Ninth Young Master?
It’s all his own greedy fault, swayed by the conditions promised by the other gentlen, and now—
The few small leaders under Sun Qi exchanged looks, not knowing what to do.
At this mont, Song Xiaowu stepped forward and respectfully saluted Wang Yongzhu: "Madam, I am gratified not to have failed my mission!"
With that, he waved his hand, and the last two people from his group dragged a man forward and threw him to the ground.
That man was actually the one Sun Qi had sent to the town to deliver a ssage.
Only then did Sun Qi fully understand that every move he made had been anticipated.
And the people he was waiting for from the town, they probably wouldn’t co.
Instantly, his last bit of hope was shattered, and he gave in completely: "In that case, what does the Ninth Young Master plan to do with us?"
Lee Changnan inexplicably said, "You are Lee Family people, not mine, what does it have to do with ? Dealing with you is the Lee Family’s business, this young master won’t presu to act on their behalf! All right, pack up and get moving!"
Sun Qi and the Lee Family subordinates didn’t quite understand, but they breathed a sigh of relief. After all, they had offended the Ninth Young Master, and so long as he didn’t punish them, the punishnt back ho shouldn’t be too severe, right?
However, the others panicked, all crowding around, asking about their destination in a flurry.
They, strictly speaking, were not Lee Family servants, just hired hands, and had settled here for a year or two. If they too were driven away—
The prospect of dragging their families to find another livelihood was daunting.
Each of them knelt down, beseeching to stay, willing to accept lesser pay rather than leave.
Lee Changnan naturally had no intention of driving all these people away; after all, his manpower was also limited and couldn’t all be invested here, right?
Of course, he still needed these people for tea picking and processing.
However, having just issued the order for the Lee Family people to leave, he couldn’t soften up.
It was ti for Wang Yongzhu to step in, comforting the people while publicly advising Lee Changnan.
The two of them put on a show for quite so ti before Lee Changnan gave in and agreed to have soone count exactly how many people wanted to stay.
These matters, of course, didn’t require Lee Changnan’s personal attention.
He rely watched as Sun Qi and the Lee Family subordinates gathered their belongings and left Yingzi Gully in disgrace, under everyone’s gaze.
Zhang Quan, nearby, had already sweated through his clothes.
Only now did he dare to step forward: "Lady Wang, Ninth Young Master Lee, this business of counting and recording the numbers, please leave it to . I’m quite familiar with these people."
"Also, I’ll imdiately arrange accommodations for the brothers brought by the Ninth Young Master—each one is like a living ancestor!"
Needless to say, if the Cloud Mist Tea business really transferred to Ninth Young Master Lee, given the attitude of their master from the other side...
Therefore, he was especially cautious.
At this mont, Lee Changnan had no ti to quibble with a small figure like Zhang Quan.
He simply instructed his subordinates and Zhao Cai to keep an eye out, while he arranged with Wang Yongzhu to inspect the tea grove, especially the two Tea Mother Trees, which were the most precious.
Song Xiaowu quickly followed, and a few attendants of the Ninth Young Master followed at a distance.
Only then did Wang Yongping belatedly realize that, just overnight, control of Yingzi Gully had changed hands?
However, since it was his sister’s decision, it must be right.
Wang Yongping firmly maintained his stance, and seeing his sister heading towards the back mountain, he hastily followed.
The group inspected the tea grove, relieved to find that although Sun Qi was double-dealing, he did a competent job, and the tea grove was well maintained.
They also checked the two Tea Mother Trees, which were unhard, putting their minds at ease.
When they returned to Yingzi Gully, the people Lee Changnan had brought, who were all quite skillful, had nearly taken control.
Those who stayed were counted and registered again, and given a collective briefing, simply saying that if they were found to have divided loyalties or did not work seriously, they would not only be expelled imdiately but also reported to the authorities.
They dropped a hint, saying that the madam earlier was none other than the County Magistrate’s Lady.
Upon hearing this, those who stayed beca more obedient, knowing that commoners resisting officials was futile. If they offended others, only their family would be evicted.
Offend an official, and they might lose their lives.
Each of them showed great respect to Lee Changnan’s subordinates.
Zhang Quan looked on as Lee Changnan’s n used the prestige of Wang Yongzhu’s status, knowing it was the ti for Lee Changnan to assert authority, not just for everyone to see, but also for them.
The situation was more powerful than any individual; not to ntion this Ninth Young Master Lee, even Wang Yongzhu, was not soone their master could afford to offend, so he silently obliged, smiling alongside all the while.
After such a hectic day, by nightfall, they finally had a mont of peace.
Suddenly, Shitou erged from sowhere, having been nowhere to be seen all day, and unexpectedly pulled out a list of several families, succinctly stating: "These families can’t stay, they’re disloyal! Though it’s unclear whether they belong to the Lee Family or another, they’re highly suspicious!"
Wang Yongzhu glanced over the list, then took the revised register from Lee Changnan’s side for a comparison, summoned Zhang Quan, and inquired a little, learning that these families often mingled favorably with Sun Qi and his group, trying to ingratiate themselves.
Sun Qi and his group consistently accepted their flattery, subtly regarded them as leaders.
Understanding dawned imdiately.
She ordered, "Stay vigilant tonight, guard the mountain path towards the tea grove, keep an eye on these people, and first thing in the morning, expel them!"
Lee Changnan couldn’t help but give Shitou another glance, ordinary looking, he’d be hard to spot in a crowd.
His face was filled with an honest sincerity.
Yet, who would have thought his discernnt was so sharp, and who knew how he saw through it all?
If it were soone else, he’d be tempted to poach him, but as Wang Yongzhu’s subordinate, he restrained himself.
However, he showed no such politeness to Zhang Yinbao.
He imdiately instructed Zhang Quan, "Send a ssage to your master, saying that the business of Yingzi Gully is now under my control. I rember not long ago, the Lee Family tried to buy the shares from your master, who didn’t refuse. I assu he wouldn’t refuse now, would he?"
"Tell him, the price will be fair to him, so he needn’t worry! This is for his benefit, after all, I’m no longer considered a Lee Family mber and have offended the Lee Family, so in the future, they won’t be kind to Cloud Mist Tea or . If your master is tied to , he’ll also suffer. Better for him to withdraw now to avoid entanglent!"
Zhang Quan smiled bitterly, unable to argue, wishing nothing more than to bury his head into the ground.
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