Chapter 137
"So that's how it is? I was just wondering why there was suddenly a new manager."
"If that's the case, since there's already a precedent here, let's not discuss whether they're really substituting inferior goods to cheat people or not for now."
"What if there are apprentices in this pavilion being oppressed and bearing a grudge, so they're taking revenge on the owner of this winehouse? That also seems quite possible."
Seeing that everyone's thoughts were being guided in this direction, those few who were stirring up trouble also nodded and chimed in.
"Exactly!"
"Whether it's the apprentices taking revenge or this winehouse substituting inferior goods, it's ultimately a problem with the owner of this winehouse!"
"If there was no problem with them, these things wouldn't happen, right?"
"All the evidence is laid out here!"
Hearing their words, the civilians present began nodding, feeling there was some truth to it.
Not far away, at a teahouse, Fu Zhixi leaned against the windowsill, looking at the scene unfolding at First Class Pavilion with a slight smile on her lips.
"Luo Ge?"
"She's quite rational and a little clever, but still lacking somewhat."
"I'm really looking forward to the result."
I wonder if this time, you'll still be able to escape so easily like before?
At that moment, Luo Ge seemed to sense something and turned to look in her direction.
Their eyes met, revealing sharp edges.
Now, the crowd outside First Class Pavilion was once again in an uproar, all leaning in one direction.
"Those two must be the owners of the winehouse, right?"
"They both look decent, seeming upright, but how dark are their hearts?"
"You don't know, there's a saying that appearances can be deceiving!"
"They may look good on the surface, but who knows what they're like behind the scenes."
As these people spoke, their expressions seemed somewhat disdainful as they looked at Luo Ge and the others.
Seeing this scene, Er Zhu became anxious, and the apprentices in the pavilion also came running out.
"You're talking nonsense, our owner is not like what you're saying!" Lin Lin was the most flustered.
"The owner treats people kindly, as everyone can see!"
"Exactly!"
Er Zhu looked at Luo Ge, seeming to think of something as his eyes lit up and he spoke up as well.
"That person you mentioned, about Lu Manager poisoning people, how do we not know about it?"
"We who work in this pavilion don't know anything about this matter, how would an outsider like you know?"
"We've never heard of him poisoning anyone, but we do know about him and Hu Head Chef stealing money from the winehouse."
"He was clearly caught for stealing money from the winehouse, embezzling over a thousand taels from the previous owner!"
"There are official records of this incident, and our winehouse's previous owner can also testify."
"If you don't believe it, you can ask the previous owner to come and question him. If not, you can directly ask the officials now!"
The other apprentices also nodded and chimed in upon hearing this.
"Yeah, we don't know where you got this information from, it's all nonsense!"
"We do business in this pavilion every day, and the owners are frequent visitors. I'm sure everyone has eyes and can see how the owners treat people!"
Indeed, they had already sealed the news about Lu Manager poisoning people, so apart from Er Zhu who helped with it, no one else knew about this incident.
However, the news about embezzling money was well known to everyone.
They didn't misjudge Er Zhu - he was indeed a clever one. It wouldn't be appropriate for Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen to say this themselves, as it would seem like they were making excuses given the current situation.
But if the pavilion's people said it, it was different - it refuted what that person claimed as lies.
Secondly, with the apprentices helping to speak for them, it indirectly proved that Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen did not oppress the apprentices as those instigators claimed.
Otherwise, why would the apprentices still help them?
"Yeah, it seems like what they said about Lu Manager being caught for embezzling money, I've heard of that."
"Right? I think I've heard that too."
"I remember that as well."
Hearing Er Zhu and the apprentices' words, the civilians present also reacted.
They recalled that they had indeed heard about this incident before, but had been misled by those people earlier and temporarily forgot.
"What do you mean 'seems like'? This is a fact, I even went to the officials to watch the commotion back then! He embezzled a lot!"
"They even used the money he embezzled to acquire fields and properties!"
"I remember this incident clearly, but I've never heard of the poisoning incident."
"Neither have I, I found it strange when someone mentioned it just now!"
"I only remember that it was clearly for embezzling money that he was caught and the manager was replaced, how did it suddenly become that he was caught for poisoning people?"
"Yeah, I remember it that way too. We all remembered it was for embezzling money, so I don't know who was talking nonsense earlier."
"Exactly, it's impossible for us to misremember the crime committed by the same person, right? To forget one incident but remember another?"
"That should be impossible, right?"
Hearing the crowd's words, those few instigators looked at each other, shrinking back and falling silent.
"That's right, I can also testify for First Class Pavilion about this incident. The previous manager of First Class Pavilion embezzling the winehouse's money was a case handled by our local officials."
At that moment, a voice rang out from outside the crowd.
It was Lin Yun and the others, who had brought Hu Jun along.
"Constable!" The two officers who had arrived earlier also called out upon seeing Hu Jun.
Turning to look at Hu Jun and the carriage following behind him, they couldn't help but be stunned.
Before they could ask anything, the Old County Magistrate swiftly got off the carriage.
Behind him, they carried a large plaque that clearly displayed the words "Meritorious for Rescuing One Hundred Children."
Walking over, the Old County Magistrate grinned widely upon seeing Gu Jinchen.
"Brother Gu, I've brought the plaque that was left behind last time!"
"You were the chief contributor in rescuing over a hundred children back then, so this plaque must be arranged for you."
"???"
None of the civilians of Yiyang Town present didn't recognize the Old County Magistrate. Hearing his words, they were all stunned.
"What does the County Magistrate mean by this? The owner of First Class Pavilion has also rendered meritorious service to the officials?"
"Jinchen, this plaque was specially commissioned by the County Magistrate, you should accept it."
Seeing Gu Jinchen and the others staring at the plaque with an indescribable expression, Hu Jun couldn't help but speak up with a chuckle.
The plaque was truly massive, with the words written in an enormous size. Holding it in one's hands could lead to instant social death.
Even Hu Jun couldn't help but laugh every time he saw it.
When he heard this address, the common people present were stunned again. The old county magistrate had just addressed the owner of the First Class Pavilion as "Brother Gu", and now the court bailiff was calling him "Jinchen".
They recognized the name Gu Jinchen, as a proclamation bearing that name had been posted in the town for quite some time.
He had rescued so many children, how could they not have an impression of such a great hero?
Yet, although they knew of this person, few had actually seen him.
Now, hearing the old county magistrate and Hu Jun address him, they finally realized who he was.
The owner of the First Class Pavilion was none other than the great hero who had recently captured the human traffickers and rescued the children, earning great merit!
Upon realizing this, they were all astonished.
At the same time, they felt somewhat ashamed of their earlier thoughts, and angry at the person who had misled them.
The owner was a great hero.
A hero who had rescued so many children could never be a treacherous villain!
Combined with what the First Class Pavilion attendant had said earlier, they felt that there may have been some misunderstanding today.
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