Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 46: The fickleness of human nature

A few days.

Zhu Shenzhui came to Kang's tofu workshop again, but this time he saw that the tofu workshop, which usually had good business, was closed.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Shenzhui was slightly stunned. He walked closer to take a closer look and found that the door was indeed closed with the door panel drawn up, and even the Kang family sign hanging outside the door had been taken down at some point, he didn't know.

Frowning, Zhu Shenzui looked at the closed tofu workshop. At this moment, the owner of a nearby shop happened to go out and saw Zhu Shenzui standing outside Kang's workshop.

"Do you want to buy tofu?" the boss asked.

"Yes, why is the Kang family workshop closed today? Is there something wrong with the owner?"

"It's not that the owner has something to do, it's that we can't open the shop these days. If you want to buy tofu, go to another shop, Kang's Workshop... Alas..." The boss shook his head.

"What happened to the Kang family?"

"Something happened to the Kang family. Boss Kang and his second son were arrested and taken to the government. Didn't you know?"

"I don't know. I don't live here. I only come here every few days. When did it happen? Why was he taken to the yamen? What happened to the Kang family?" Zhu Shenzhui asked.

The boss whispered to Zhu Shenzhu that Kang's tofu had killed someone, and they were involved in a murder lawsuit, so Kang Tai and the tofu maker Kang Youlu were arrested and taken to the government. The Kang family has not been doing business for the past few days, and the lawsuit is not small. The Kang family has encountered such a big trouble, and it is unknown what will happen in the future.

"What? Tofu can kill people? This is impossible! How can tofu kill people?" Zhu Shenzhui said in surprise.

"Who knows? Logically, it shouldn't happen, but the person is indeed dead. This matter..." The boss shook his head and said, "It's hard to say... It's hard to say..."

"So there is no one in the Kang family now?"

"That's not the case. Boss Kang hasn't been arrested. Kang Tai's wife and the brothers' wives are all here. These days, Boss Kang has been looking for connections everywhere to get things done. How could he care about the business of the shop? Moreover, once this incident happens, the government may close the shop directly that day, and the business will definitely not be able to continue. By the way, if you want to buy tofu, go to the street in front. There is also a tofu workshop on the corner of the street. Although the craftsmanship is not as good as Kang's, it is not bad either."

The boss pointed in the direction of another street and said this. Zhu Shenzhui bowed and thanked him. Then the boss shook his head and went back to his shop.

After the boss left, Zhu Shenzhui did not leave. After thinking for a while, he went forward and knocked on the door. After knocking several times, there was finally movement inside.

A small door opened, and the person who opened it was Kang Youfu.

After not seeing Kang Youfu for a few days, he had changed a lot. He usually dressed neatly, but now he had an untidy beard and looked very haggard. He was so thin that his cheeks had lost some of their original shape.

Seeing that it was Zhu Shenzhui who came outside, Kang Youfu was slightly stunned, and then he forced a smile: "Sixth Master, why are you here..."

"I originally came here to buy tofu, but you...Brother Kang, I heard something happened in your family?"

"You heard about it too? Alas..." Kang Youfu sighed with a frown.

"I just heard the neighbor say a few words. By the way, what exactly is going on?" Zhu Shenzhui asked.

"This... come in and talk." Zhu Shencui and Kang Youfu have been on good terms these days, and they can barely be considered friends. Zhu Shencui came today, and it was not right for him to stand at the door and talk. Besides, the Kang family had encountered such a thing, and the news spread around in the past few days. There were all kinds of things said about the Kang family, and Kang Youfu didn't want anyone to pass by and see him and Zhu Shencui chatting like this.

After saying thank you, Zhu Shenzhui went inside. Kang Youfu closed the door and took a stool from the table and asked him to sit down.

Look at the deserted shop. Because of the closed door, the light inside the shop is very dim. The usually bustling workshop seems very depressed. There is still a faint bean fragrance in the air, but the busy figures of the past are gone.

Kang Youfu made a pot of tea. Zhu Shenzhui thanked him, took the teapot from him and poured two cups of tea. Then he asked what had happened to Kang's family.

Kang Youfu did not hide it from Zhu Shencui and immediately told him what had happened in his family. After hearing this, Zhu Shencui could not help but frown and asked Kang Youfu directly how such a thing could happen.

"Our Kang family has been making tofu for so many years, and the whole Pingyang Prefecture knows how well we make it. Besides, this tofu is freshly ground and made every day, so how could it kill people? We make so much tofu every day, and so many customers are fine after eating it, but it just so happens..."

"That's strange. It shouldn't be possible, but how could this person die? Have you asked about this?" Zhu Shenzhui was also puzzled. "I did ask about it, and the person is indeed dead, but it is absolutely impossible that he died from eating tofu from our family."

"What do you think...?"

Kang Youfu said: "I don't think he died of an acute illness, or he died from eating something else. But the trouble is that the victim's family insisted that he died after eating tofu from my family. There is no way to explain this matter!"

"What did the government say about this?"

"The government office is now detaining my father and my second brother, and the county magistrate has not officially opened the trial yet. I asked someone and they said that this is not a good thing. If things go wrong, my father and my second brother will have to face lawsuit. Once the verdict is out, it will be because of taking advantage of my family. I'm afraid my father and second brother..." As he spoke, Kang Youfu shed tears and wiped them with his hand. In the past few days, he has been begging for help and using all his connections to get his father and brother out, but no one was willing to help. As the days passed, the situation became more and more unfavorable to his family. If the verdict was really because someone died from taking advantage of their family, what would happen to his father and second brother?
In addition to this, there is also the legacy passed down from ancestors. The Kang family tofu workshop has been passed down for three generations, and Kang Youfu is the fourth generation.

The century-long foundation of several generations was destroyed just like that. What will the Kang family do in the future?
Although Kang Youfu is smart, he is just an ordinary person. With such a big thing happening in his family, especially with his father and younger brother now imprisoned in the government office, his family is almost devastated.

Right now, the whole family is in tears. My mother has fallen ill after learning about the situation, and my sister-in-law is not doing well either, especially since she is pregnant. Although he was not detained, he has been running around outside for his family's affairs these days, spending a lot of money, but with little effect.

"This matter is indeed strange. I think what you think makes some sense." Zhu Shenzhui said something fair, which comforted Kang Youfu a little.

"How was your run these past few days?"

"It has no effect. We are just ordinary people. We don't know any officials, let alone strong connections. What's more, our family is now involved in a murder lawsuit, and we don't even have time to hide." Kang Youfu said dejectedly.

Zhu Shenzhu nodded. This was indeed the truth. Such a lawsuit was indeed troublesome, especially since there were no connections to smooth things over. Just look at Kang Youfu's current condition to know how difficult his situation was.

"By the way, have you never gone to look for the Liu family? Hasn't your Kang family always been sending tofu to Master Liu Shancheng's family? The Liu family is not an ordinary family. Master Liu has a wide range of contacts, and there must be some favors after so many years of dealings. As long as the Liu family comes forward to say a word for your family, this matter should be resolved." Zhu Shenzhui suddenly asked. This matter was indeed strange, and as Kang Youfu said, it was definitely not a problem with their tofu. The key now was that the victim was holding on to the Kang family.

But this is not without a solution. As long as someone with weight says hello, this kind of thing should not be difficult to find out. Pingyang Prefecture is not without coroners. Find an old coroner to do a thorough examination and the truth will be revealed. Of course, even if there is a problem, isn't it also ambiguous? Many situations are feasible. The key is to have someone above you.

Judging from the situation of the Kang family, the most suitable family is Liu Shancheng's family. Liu Shancheng is a wealthy family in Pingyang Prefecture, and the Liu family has connections in the officialdom. Moreover, although the Kang family and the Liu family are only one tofu maker and the other is an old customer, after all, the two families have been dealing with each other for some years, and they are neighbors across the street. Considering this relationship, helping the Kang family is a piece of cake for the Liu family.

But who would have thought that when Zhu Shenzhui asked this question, Kang Youfu's expression was filled with loss, unwillingness, anger and resentment.

"What's wrong? Have you looked for the Liu family?"

Kang Youfu nodded silently.

"Have you seen Mr. Liu? What did the Liu family say?"

Kang Youfu clenched his fists and said with an unpleasant expression, "I went to the Liu family the day the incident happened. I finally met Mr. Liu and told him about the incident, begging him to help. At that time, Mr. Liu nodded and told me to go back and wait patiently. He would ask about this matter..."

"Isn't this okay? Since Mr. Liu is willing to help ask, then there should be hope for your family's matter." Zhu Shenzhui said with a smile, his expression slightly relaxed.

Kang Youfu shook his head: "I thought so at first, too. I thought that with Master Liu's help, my father and my second brother would be saved, and I kowtowed to him respectfully several times. But later I found out that Master Liu didn't take it to heart at all. After waiting for two days, I went to the Liu family to inquire about the situation, but surprisingly... surprisingly..."

"What happened?"

"I can't even get into the Liu family's door..." Kang Youfu's face looked extremely ugly.

"Is there something going on with the Liu family that makes it inconvenient to see you?" Zhu Shenzhui asked.

"I thought so at first, but I was turned away twice. It was an old servant of the Liu family who told me the truth because of our past friendship. Mr. Liu was just casually saying that he wanted to find out more. He had no intention of helping the Kang family at all."

"That's not all. I heard that after I left that day, the housekeeper of the Liu Mansion asked Master Liu if he wanted to handle this matter. Master Liu scolded him and said that the life and death of our Kang family had nothing to do with the Liu family. The Kang family has been giving away tofu for decades, and it's not like the Liu family didn't pay. We are just a seller and a buyer. Now that the Kang family is involved in a murder lawsuit, there is no need for the Liu family to get involved in this lawsuit."

"The old servant of the Liu family also said that Liu Qi went to the Liu family these days and met with Mr. Liu. As for what they talked about, he didn't know, but he thought it was nothing good. The Liu family will never help with the Kang family's affairs. They advised me not to put my hope on the Liu family, but to find other connections as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)