Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 703 - 539: Drink a toast or suffer a penalty drink
Manager Xing lay on the ground, barely breathing. Gu Chengyu signaled to Ming Yan with his eyes.
Ming Yan quickly stepped forward to pull him up, "Don’t lie down pretending to be dead. I know the strength of my hits."
Gu Chengyu shook his head, insisting on taking punitive action instead of accepting the toast.
"Manager Xing, even you don’t believe what you’re saying, do you? Why was Accountant Xu from the restaurant dismissed, and why was Accountant Ding sent to the kitchen to help out? It’s truly laughable. My vast restaurant can’t even afford a helper in the kitchen?"
Manager Xing realized he really couldn’t escape today, so he opened his panda eyes that had been beaten black and looked at Gu Chengyu.
He was wrong, truly wrong. He’s just a servant; if the master wants you to live, you live; if they want you to die, you have to die.
What does it matter if he doesn’t admit it? As long as the owner says he tampered with the account books, he won’t be able to defend himself. Even if he argues, the owner won’t listen to his defense; it would be truly foolish to hold out any longer.
"Brother-in-law? I didn’t know you had the capability to take a concubine. The jade ring on your hand isn’t cheap, is it?"
Gu Chengyu felt there was no need to show mercy to such a person. Perhaps he behaved this way even with his previous master. Otherwise, even if the master suffered business losses, they wouldn’t have sold out his entire family.
Those who are useful would naturally not be sold, suggesting that Xing Yang wasn’t of much use to his previous master.
At that time, Gu Chengyu happened to need people, and Xing Yang was literate and could write, with some experience as a steward. Jingyuan Prefecture happened to be short-handed, so Gu Chengyu could only let Xing Yang take the position.
Previously, Xing Yang seemed honest, but now it appeared Gu Chengyu’s judgment was indeed mistaken.
"Sir! Accountant Ding has arrived," Ming Mo suddenly reported as he entered the study.
Gu Chengyu frowned. Accountant Ding was a bit late, arriving half an hour after the closing time. Could it be that Accountant Ding also wanted to take advantage and tamper with the account books?
When Accountant Ding entered, Gu Chengyu saw him holding a thick stack of account books.
"Owner, these are the account books from the restaurant for the past few months; they are all here. These three were recorded by Accountant Xu, these two by me, and the last one was recorded by Manager Xing."
Looking at the stack, Gu Chengyu felt a bit of a headache. These would need time to go through, and today they certainly wouldn’t be able to finish.
Accountant Ding hadn’t noticed there were other people in the room as he entered. When he turned and saw Manager Xing’s face covered in blood, he was startled.
Accountant Ding felt a chill rise at the sole of his foot, seeing the once arrogant Manager Xing in such a state.
He swallowed his saliva, not realizing that the usually smiling and gentle owner could be so ruthless.
He silently thanked his luck for not agreeing with Xing Yang earlier; otherwise, he might not have fared any better today.
This time, the owner surely won’t spare Xing Yang. Juxiang Building has branches in many states; this time, using Xing Yang as an example will surely serve as a warning to the managers in other states.
Accountant Ding’s guess was spot on. Gu Chengyu indeed intended to act accordingly. Today’s incident happened because he was at Juxiang Building by chance. If he hadn’t come, wouldn’t Xing Yang have deceived him?
For the past two years, Yu Tuanzi had been expanding Juxiang Building to other states. Whether similar situations occurred in other states was unknown to Gu Chengyu.
This incident with Xing Yang was an excellent opportunity to give the other managers a wake-up call. They shouldn’t assume that just because he stays in the Capital, he is unaware of the issues at the restaurants below.
Gu Chengyu casually flipped through one of Accountant Xu’s account books and found that the bookkeeping was very detailed. He decided to examine the books over the next few days, and if they seemed fine, he’d reconsider the person’s employment.
If someone was dedicated, he would consider rehiring them. After all, it’s hard to find a good accountant, and due to their own mistake, Accountant Xu was wronged, struggling to find work in the Prefecture.
Who would dare to hire someone with such a reputation circulating? Moreover, not paying the last month’s salary of Accountant Xu could tarnish Juxiang Building’s reputation if the word got out.
"On what grounds was Accountant Xu dismissed?"
Upon hearing Gu Chengyu’s inquiry, Accountant Ding promptly replied, "I’m not exactly sure. Previously, Accountant Xu had a few verbal disputes with Steward Xing. A month and a half ago, Manager Xing accused Accountant Xu of taking money from the accounts, causing discrepancies. It infuriated Accountant Xu, and they argued a few more times."
Accountant Ding recalled attentively, respecting Accountant Xu highly. Despite his age, Xu was an accountant for over twenty years, was very experienced, and often gave Ding guidance.
"I had heard it was about this issue. Accountant Xu eventually presented a detailed report of the expenses and receipts, matching them with my accounts, leading to Steward Xing’s cessation of his allegations!"
"What’s the deal with Manager Xing’s brother-in-law?" Gu Chengyu remembered that Dayou mentioned Xing Yang’s brother-in-law using his private room for meals, and according to Dayou, this brother-in-law frequently dined at the restaurant.
"Well?" Accountant Ding hesitated to speak, unsure if Gu Chengyu truly wouldn’t reinstate Xing Yang.
After all, it was true that Gu Chengyu lacked someone to manage the restaurant, and if Xing Yang returned, offending him would not be wise.
Understanding Accountant Ding’s concerns, Gu Chengyu reassured him.
"Just speak openly. For such a grave mistake committed by Manager Xing, punishment is inevitable."
Relieved by Gu Chengyu’s words, Accountant Ding spoke without reserve.
"Over a month ago, Manager Xing took a concubine; her family sells sesame seed cakes. She has a younger brother, notorious in the vicinity, known for his hooliganism and gradually lost all family wealth to gambling at brothels and gambling houses. After taking her in as a concubine, Manager Xing indulged her profusely, often giving money for her brother’s use."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu understood the situation.
It turns out that Manager Xing, in order to please his concubine, used the restaurant’s money to cover for her wastrel brother’s debts. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Such a person would inevitably spend money quickly, so it’s unsurprising that Manager Xing would move funds from the accounts.
"And this brother-in-law often dined at the restaurant free of charge."
Hearing this, Gu Chengyu grew angrier. Even as the owner, he had to pay for meals at the restaurant, so who was this brother-in-law?
"Hmph! Brother-in-law? The brother of a concubine dares to be called such? Manager Xing, you’re a slave, so how did you manage to take a concubine?"
Gu Chengyu’s question was directed at Manager Xing. Being a slave himself, it was impossible for him to take a concubine without the proper documents.
Realistically, this situation remained unprovoked because nobody pursued the matter! It’s very likely the concubine had no paperwork. Whether Manager Xing tried to have her sign a contract of servitude was unknown.
"Does he have any of his money here?" Gu Chengyu asked Ming Yan.
"I followed him back. He grabbed a small bundle before leaving, not knowing where he intended to hide it. After catching him, we broadly searched his courtyard, finding nothing, but we’ve sent someone to search again."
