Taking Kickbacks

Night.

It was around seven or eight o'clock.

Xu Qing left his home. He was heading to Spring Breeze Pavilion today. According to what Du Luan had told him, Spring Breeze Pavilion had already been placed under Xu Qing's management and protection.

Starting today.

Seventy percent of all of Spring Breeze Pavilion's earnings—its net earnings, that was—had to be handed over to Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. The remaining thirty percent belonged to Xu Qing, for him to distribute as he pleased.

Xu Qing's duty was to watch over Spring Breeze Pavilion and deal with anyone who wanted to cause trouble.

Outside Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Xu Qing saw the candlelight filling the entire building, along with its swallows and orioles. He could not help sighing inwardly. Who would have thought that only a few days later, when he returned here, he would be the great owner of Spring Breeze Pavilion?

The vicissitudes of life were truly unpredictable.

At this time.

On the top floor of Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Inside a room.

First of all.

Ever since Spring Breeze Pavilion had received Azure Hawk Martial Arts School's protection and become one of its properties, it had been managed by Spring Breeze Pavilion's shopkeeper, Hu Gongquan.

"You'd better be careful later. Tonight, Azure Hawk Martial Arts School is sending someone to oversee Spring Breeze Pavilion. Use your eyes and your brains. Do not offend him."

Hu Gongquan was a middle-aged man with a moustache shaped like the character eight. He glanced at his trusted aides: Sister Chunlan, the madam of Spring Breeze Pavilion; Lu Xiaoer, its senior attendant; and Wang Dali, the leader of its thugs.

There were three of them in total.

These three, together with Hu Gongquan, held the highest positions in Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Besides them.

Spring Breeze Pavilion's top courtesan, Lan Xin, also had a little say in matters.

There was no one else.

"Shopkeeper."

Lu Xiaoer curled his lip and said disdainfully, "What Azure Hawk Martial Arts School disciple? What the hell is he? In my eyes, you're the real boss of Spring Breeze Pavilion."

"Lu Xiaoer is right."

Sister Chunlan nodded.

"Shopkeeper, just give the word, and I'll take some men to beat that guy up today. We'll let him know who really calls the shots at Spring Breeze Pavilion."

Wang Dali was indeed a burly man, standing over six feet tall.

"Shut up!"

Hu Gongquan was so frightened that his face went slightly pale. "You ignorant fools who don't know the height of heaven or the depth of earth! That's a disciple of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. If you dare offend him, I'll be collecting your corpses tomorrow."

"Keep yourselves in check. And bring the accountant over. Have him prepare a fake set of books for us. You all know we've pocketed quite a few kickbacks."

"If it gets discovered, even if we don't die, we'll be skinned alive."

"Yes, yes, yes."

"..."

Wang Dali and the others were also badly startled.

The first floor of Spring Breeze Pavilion.

"Sir, this way, please."

The moment Xu Qing arrived, a scantily dressed courtesan came over with a flattering smile. She took his arm and spoke in a sweet voice.

"Mm."

Xu Qing nodded and followed her inside. It was still the familiar scene. "Where's your shopkeeper? Tell him to come see me."

"Ah?!"

The scantily dressed courtesan froze. She looked Xu Qing over, her gaze and expression filled with surprise. "Sir, what business do you have with our shopkeeper?"

"Go find someone to notify your shopkeeper. Tell him the person sent by Azure Hawk Martial Arts School has arrived."

Xu Qing looked around and casually sat down in one of the chairs. "Tell him to come see me immediately."

"This..."

The courtesan was greatly alarmed. She did not dare say or ask anything further, only hurriedly replied, "I'll report to the shopkeeper right away."

"Mm."

Xu Qing gave a slight nod.

Around them.

Some of the patrons looked over. Those nearby had also heard Xu Qing's conversation with the courtesan, so they scrutinized him several times.

At the same time.

Whispers rose around them.

Not long after.

"Sir, you've finally arrived. Ever since yesterday, when the orders and news reached this humble one, I've been craning my neck and eagerly awaiting your arrival."

Hu Gongquan wore a thoroughly obsequious expression.

"You're Spring Breeze Pavilion's shopkeeper?"

Xu Qing smiled.

"Yes, yes."

Hu Gongquan nodded. "This humble one is Spring Breeze Pavilion's shopkeeper, Hu Gongquan. Of course, from today onward, you are Spring Breeze Pavilion's master. Whatever you say goes. In your eyes, this humble one is nothing but a fart, absolutely nothing."

"Heh."

Xu Qing merely smiled.

"Ah?!"

Suddenly.

Sister Chunlan gave a startled cry. Her eyes widened as she stared blankly at Xu Qing. She had remembered now—no wonder he had looked so familiar.

"It... it's you!!!"

Sister Chunlan was completely stunned.

After all.

Just a few days ago.

Xu Qing had come to Spring Breeze Pavilion, and Sister Chunlan had received him personally. Yet Xu Qing had not spent a single coin, which had angered her for quite some time. That was why she remembered him so clearly.

Because of that.

Sister Chunlan recognized Xu Qing.

Therefore.

Sister Chunlan was so shocked.

She thought to herself.

Just a few days ago, this man had been a pauper who could not even produce a single coin. Coming to a brothel without being able to pay even one coin—how humiliating was that?

Now.

Only a few days had passed.

The pauper Sister Chunlan had sneered at had transformed in the blink of an eye into an official disciple of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. He had even climbed straight above their heads, becoming their immediate superior.

Shocked.

Utterly shocked.

Stunned.

Completely stunned.

For a moment.

Sister Chunlan could hardly accept it.

"Chunlan, what are you jumping around for?"

Hu Gongquan glared at Sister Chunlan. "Why aren't you quickly bringing Lan Xin and the others over? Tonight, they are to properly attend to Sir."

"For them to serve Sir is a blessing they cultivated over several lifetimes."

"Gulp!"

Sister Chunlan swallowed. After Hu Gongquan's rebuke, she quickly came back to her senses. "Sir, there are too many people on the first floor. It's too noisy. Let's go to an elegant room upstairs."

"Fine."

Xu Qing stood up.

"Sir, this way, please."

Hu Gongquan respectfully led the way for Xu Qing.

In the blink of an eye.

Inside an elegant room on the top floor of Spring Breeze Pavilion.

In the room.

Xu Qing sat by the bed. At his side were now two ravishing beauties, alluring and stunning, each carrying a natural fragrance.

Among them.

The beauty on his left, with a fox-like face, was Spring Breeze Pavilion's top courtesan, Lan Xin. She was exceptionally beautiful, with a seductive figure, and possessed a peerless skill at playing the flute.

On Xu Qing's right was a beauty with an oval face. She had an obedient, adorable temperament, even carrying the refined air of a young lady from a scholarly household.

This oval-faced beauty was called Zi Yan.

She was only a little inferior to the top courtesan.

Lan Xin peeled grapes for Xu Qing, while Zi Yan kneaded his feet and pounded his shoulders.

It truly was enjoyable.

"Sir."

Hu Gongquan gave a signal, and the accountant waiting outside entered the room. At Hu Gongquan's side, Sister Chunlan, Lu Xiaoer, and Wang Dali all stood with lowered heads, respectfully waiting.

"These are Spring Breeze Pavilion's account books. If you have time, you may examine them."

Hu Gongquan said, "If there are any issues, please feel free to ask."

"Mm."

Xu Qing signaled to Lan Xin. Lan Xin paused, then understood. She glanced at Hu Gongquan before obediently bringing the account books before Xu Qing.

It had to be said.

The account book was rather thick. It detailed Spring Breeze Pavilion's daily expenses and earnings. At a rough glance, there did not seem to be any major problems.

However.

Back in his previous life on Earth, Xu Qing had been the chairman of a listed company. He had weathered all manner of storms and encountered accounting matters more times than he could count.

Therefore.

Xu Qing only gave the books a cursory glance before seeing that they were fake—and a hastily fabricated set of false accounts at that.

"Interesting."

Xu Qing smiled, sat upright, and casually tossed the account book onto the floor. His gaze swept across everyone present. "Hu Gongquan, you've got some nerve. You dared fabricate false accounts."

"How many lives do you have!?"

Thud!

Hu Gongquan dropped to his knees.

"Sir! My dear Sir! You mustn't make such wild accusations! This humble one has always been diligent and conscientious. How could I possibly do something like falsify accounts?!"

Hu Gongquan cried out in grievance.

"Heh."

Xu Qing shook his head. Taking up the account book, he spoke calmly, "Spring Breeze Pavilion's expenses last month should have been three thousand five hundred eighty-two taels and eight coins, yet you changed them to four thousand one hundred thirty-seven taels and five coins."

"The total net earnings last month should have been two thousand five hundred eighty-seven taels and seven coins, yet you changed them to two thousand taels and five coins."

"And also."

"The month before last..."

"The month before that..."

At this moment.

Xu Qing spoke word by word. Through this hastily prepared false account book, which had been made in such a rush that it revealed many tiny clues, and by combining those clues with the specific figures...

Xu Qing had actually deduced Spring Breeze Pavilion's true monthly expenses and income.

Most importantly.

They were exactly identical to what had been recorded in the real account books.

Not a single coin off.

"Th-this... this... this..."

At that.

The accountant's eyes widened. His gaze at Xu Qing was filled with boundless shock, and his legs went weak as he collapsed to the floor with a thud.

Besides him.

Sister Chunlan, Wang Dali, Lu Xiaoer, as well as Lan Xin and Zi Yan, were all dumbfounded. Their eyes were filled with awe as they looked at Xu Qing.

"Hu Gongquan, what else do you have to say?"

Xu Qing smiled without really smiling.

"Sir! My dear Sir! I was wrong! I truly was wrong!!!"

Hu Gongquan no longer dared entertain even the slightest ulterior thought.

"Tell me."

Xu Qing's tone was indifferent. "How much in kickbacks have you pocketed altogether over the past year?"

After that.

Hu Gongquan and the others honestly confessed everything.

Spring Breeze Pavilion had been open for three years in total.

During the first two years, Hu Gongquan and the others had been relatively honest and did not dare pocket much in kickbacks. Even when they did, it was no more than a hair from nine oxen. But beginning in the third year, their appetites had gradually grown larger, and they had pocketed more and more kickbacks.

Adding it all up.

The kickbacks Hu Gongquan and the others had taken totaled 10,080 taels of silver.

After it was divided up,

Hu Gongquan took the Big Head, taking away half the silver. Sister Chunlan, Lu Xiaoer, and Wang Dali split the remaining half equally.

"Whatever you took, spit it all back out."

Xu Qing's tone was calm. "Otherwise, your corpses can sink into the river tomorrow. There happens to be a river twenty li west of Qingbei Town."