Chapter 105: The Annihilation of the Gan Family (Part One)

Chapter 105: The Annihilation of the Gan Family (Part One)

Ever since the secret passage was discovered by the Imperial Guards, they had damaged the eaves of this place, claiming it needed repairs, and no outsiders were allowed to enter.

Jian He stepped into the county office and headed straight for the hidden passage, which turned out to be beside the toilet. If not for the Imperial Guards, who might have noticed the faint smell of human waste, no one would have paid much attention.

Jian He examined the passage but could not determine where it led. However, he could confirm that the soil filling it was not recent, likely from many years ago.

If it was from many years ago, then it was an old, unresolved case. At that time, the Di people once occupied Niushou, Tongwu, and Fenglin counties. Perhaps it had nothing to do with the former county magistrate, and the current governor did not need to worry about it affecting his position.

Fu Jiaze asked, "How did you know it was old soil, General?"

Jian He replied, "I've seen enough on the battlefield to recognize it."

Fu Jiaze wanted to learn some skills from him but had to give up when he heard Jian He's words; he couldn't go to war just to learn such a skill.

Jian He brought a considerable number of troops. Once they confirmed it was old soil, they started digging immediately. As Jian He dug through the passage, fragments of earthenware bowls appeared. Fu Jiaze, unfamiliar with the terrain, recognized these bowls. The Di people once used such bowls, but after invading Great Qi, they abandoned them in favor of the finer porcelain produced in Great Qi.

Porcelain bowls were far superior to earthenware, even the coarsest porcelain from Great Qi being better than these earthenware bowls. Few Di people used such bowls now.

Even if someone still used such bowls, they certainly wouldn't create such patterns on earthenware.

"My mother is a merchant, and she once gave me one of these bowls to play with. They were already rare over ten years ago."

Jian He patted Fu Jiaze's shoulder with a smile, "My deduction about the old soil isn't based on much, but these fragments of earthenware are solid evidence. At least Governor Chen doesn't need to worry about his official position."

Fu Jiaze also smiled, relieved that it wasn't a recent case of treason. He felt lighter and had the mood to joke with Jian He.

"I've just taken office and stirred up such an old case. I'm afraid Governor Chen will remember me as the new county magistrate. How about you stay a few more days, General Jian, and say a good word for me to Governor Chen?"

They spent a day and a night digging the passage. Upon seeing the earthenware, they decided to stop. Jian He planned to write a letter to Governor Chen of Weilin and then leave.

Jian He was in a good mood, "If you had a good cook, it would be easier to persuade me. But what good food do you have here at short notice? I'd better return early."

Fu Jiaze knew Jian He rarely left his post. Now that the matter was resolved, he was returning to the camp. He said with a smile, "I don't have any good cooks, but I believe there are good restaurants in Tongwu County. Before you leave, I must treat you to a meal, General Jian."

It was already mealtime. Jian He smiled and said, "Alright."

The two washed off the dirt and went to the best restaurant in Tongwu County, He Fei Restaurant.

/

Gan Tian'er and Gan Xingning originally intended to visit Fu Jiaze and meet General Jian He, but when they told their grandfather, he firmly refused without hesitation.

Grandfather Gan said sternly, "If you want to be the concubine of Magistrate Fu, go see him. Xingning, do you want your sister to be a concubine?"

Grandfather Gan usually looked kind when he smiled, but his serious expression now made everyone feel uneasy. How could Gan Xingning want his sister to be a concubine? He immediately said, "Grandfather, I was wrong. How could I want my sister to be a concubine? For learning, I can ask the scholars at the academy."

Gan Tian'er was reluctant, "Grandfather, visiting Magistrate Fu was just a pretext. I wanted to meet General Jian."

"Enough!" Grandfather Gan was even angrier, "Xingning, take your sister away! This is nonsense! Tian'er, if you still respect me as your grandfather, don't cause trouble!"

Hearing this, Gan Tian'er finally let herself be pulled away by her brother.

Gan Xingning settled down to study at home, while Gan Tian'er, back in her room, grew increasingly restless. The imperial selection was approaching, and her family might soon arrange a marriage for her. She still wanted to see if there was any possibility of marrying General Jian before she got married.

Gan Tian'er changed into different attire and went to He Fei Restaurant.

/

Gan Tian'er reached the private room on the second floor of the restaurant, but Jian He's guard stopped her.

She lowered her voice, "I am Gan Xingning, the eldest son of the main branch of the Gan family. I heard General Jian is here and came to pay my respects."

She couldn't use her real identity and borrowed her brother's name to meet Jian He.

Thinking she was so close to General Jian, her heart raced.

The guard said, "Wait here."

Jian He heard the guard's report and was puzzled, "I have no connection with the Gan family."

"I'll check."

Fu Jiaze pushed open the door.

Seeing the so-called Gan Xingning, he couldn't help but laugh.

Gan Tian'er's male disguise was convincing, but he immediately recognized her as a woman.

Seeing Fu Jiaze's half-smile, Gan Tian'er gritted her teeth, knowing this person would ruin everything.

She blurted out, "I have important business regarding our family's estate to discuss with General Jian."

A waiter climbed the stairs, carrying a tray. He happened to hear Gan Tian'er's words.

His tray wobbled, spilling some wine.

Inside, Jian He said, "Please invite Mr. Gan in for a chat."

Fu Jiaze stepped aside, and the guard said to the waiter, "Give it to me."

The waiter laughed, "No need to trouble you, sir. We waiters are used to this job. Let me handle it."

The guard didn't let the waiter pass. One drew his sword and pointed it at the waiter, while another pushed the sword away, smiling at the startled waiter, "Our general has rules. Just give me the tray, and no outsiders are allowed inside."

The waiter handed the tray to the guard and went downstairs. After talking to the manager, he continued to serve the dishes.

When the guard entered, Gan Tian'er said, "General Jian, I came under my brother's name. You saved my life years ago. I fainted and never had the chance to thank you personally."

Jian He had saved many people and was puzzled, about to speak, but Fu Jiaze raised his hand.

"Miss Gan, General Jian is very busy and not the time to reminisce. Your family has already shown gratitude for his past actions, so there's no need to bring it up again."

Fu Jiaze gave Jian He a meaningful glance.

Jian He found it amusing but still followed Fu Jiaze's cue, nodding slightly.

Gan Tian'er gritted her teeth.

She had been initially impressed by Fu Jiaze, but now he seemed to be up to no good.

Gan Tian'er looked at Jian He, who seemed to be agreeing with the other party, and nodded, saying, "Jinyuan is right, Miss Gan. There's no need to worry. When family members are grateful, that's enough, and the matter is settled."

"If there's nothing else, Miss Gan, please leave," Fu Jiaze said quickly. "General Jian is a close elder to me, and he will be leaving Wu County after this meal. He doesn't have time to linger here."

This was indeed true, and Jian He nodded, saying, "I will leave after this meal."

Gan Tian'er glanced at Jian He's new clothes, realizing he might be leaving soon. She felt a sense of urgency and blurted out, "Regarding my family's business, I do have something to say."

"Oh?" Under Fu Jiaze's indication, Jian He gently asked, "What is it? If Miss Gan knows something, she should speak up. Jinyuan is a new official with great enthusiasm. If your family has hidden anything, he will eventually find out."

Gan Tian'er thought it made sense. This Fu was meddling, so she directly said, "My family is in the fabric trade, selling cloth between the north and south. We need many people to wash and weave the fabric. Instead of hiring commoners, which is expensive, we use convicts exiled to Weilin for labor. Apart from paying some bribes, we only need to provide them with food."

Fu Jiaze asked, "So all the convicts in Weilin work for your family?"

Since she had already spoken, Gan Tian'er had no regrets and continued, "Those convicts have already committed crimes. Working for us is a form of rehabilitation. Every year, we give a sum of money to the governor and the county magistrate, and we submit the list of workers to the governor. As the new county magistrate of Wu County, you will be informed about this by the end of the year, and our family will also present you with a sum of money."

Fu Jiaze was intrigued. Using convicts for labor struck a chord with him. If the Gan family could do it, the government certainly could as well. This way, they wouldn't need to impose labor duties on the common people to build roads in Wu County.

Even Jian He was momentarily tempted to use the convicts, but the military camp was a sensitive area, and he couldn't trust these exiled convicts. Seeing Fu Jiaze's enthusiastic expression, he couldn't help but laugh, "Jinyuan, you want to use these convicts?"

Fu Jiaze nodded slightly.

Jian He said, "The private use of convicts cannot be allowed. Since you represent your family in telling me this, your family can be spared punishment. You must have the convicts counted and handed over to County Magistrate Fu by the end of this year. I will inform Governor Chen that all exiled convicts for the next three years will be sent to County Magistrate Fu in Wu County."

Gan Tian'er, who had just wanted to make conversation with Jian He, never expected the labor force to disappear so suddenly. Her face turned pale, "Sir..."

Jian He said, "Thank you for the information, Miss Gan." Although he believed that with Fu Jiaze's capabilities, this matter would eventually come to light, it was still better to save some effort.

Fu Jiaze, having obtained such useful information, not only toasted Gan Tian'er during the meal but also personally escorted her downstairs after the banquet, advising her, "Thank you for the information, Miss Gan. Where does your mother's family live? Perhaps you should go there and pretend to be ill for a while. General and I will keep this information confidential and ensure no one knows it came from you."

Gan Tian'er glared at Fu Jiaze, but she had to admit he was right. She decided to change her clothes and return to her maternal grandparents' home.