Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1222: Night Raid

After Young Master Dou had intimidated that individual, he fixed his gaze upon the gathered villagers and declared, "And all of you, listen carefully to this Young Master. Form a proper queue to enter the bank. Anyone who dares to cause chaos or fight over their turn will end up just like that fool a moment ago."

Qin San Lang likewise stepped forward, shouting to the villagers, "I am here under orders to maintain order at the bank. Everyone must conduct yourselves peacefully and in an orderly fashion, and bring your bamboo cards and household registration to enter. Any person who dares to make trouble will be apprehended and severely punished at the government office!"

One secured the situation through a stark example, while the other utilized the threat of reprisal, instilling fear in the villagers. Those who had been lurking in the crowd, seeking opportunities to sow discord, were also thoroughly intimidated.

Witnessing their subdued demeanor, Young Master Dou felt a surge of satisfaction. Ha, if only they had been this compliant from the start. They wouldn't have needed him to make a show of force with a mere chicken to get them in line. What was the point of such pretense?

"Bamboo card number one, present your card and household registration to enter the bank!" With a resonant shout from Young Master Dou, the bank officially commenced operations. "Manager Dou, you have prior experience overseeing a bank; the responsibility now rests with you. Do not commit any errors, lest we both face dire consequences!"

"Yes, Young Master, please be assured, I understand completely." Manager Dou's entire team had been directly transferred from the bank in Hushan Prefecture by Young Master Dou. They had traveled swiftly for three days and, after a single night of rest, were already becoming acquainted with the new bank's lending operations.

"Shopkeeper, I hold bamboo card number one, and I hail from the Zhang family residing in Willow Leaf Lane, West City. Here is my household registration." Zhang Gui proved to be quite astute. While others were still prostrating themselves at the government gate, pleading with Lord County Magistrate to address the tax imposition, he had already set up camp at the entrance of the newly established bank, thus naturally securing the foremost bamboo card.

"Master Yu, please verify the household registration; Wenzi, prepare the contract, ensuring the interest terms are clearly stated; Ah Wu, prepare the silver." Manager Dou orchestrated the proceedings with practiced efficiency.

Henceforth, the lending process would follow this sequence: first, verification of the household registration, followed by the signing of the contract, and finally, the disbursement of the silver.

"Bamboo card number two, proceed!" A servant belonging to the Dou family stood at the bank's entrance, calling out the numbers sequentially.

In the initial stages, the process unfolded at a somewhat sluggish pace, causing Young Master Dou such anxiety that beads of sweat soaked his back.

However, after the passage of an hour, the tempo accelerated, permitting three groups of individuals to be processed simultaneously. This development finally allowed Young Master Dou to exhale in relief, though he continued to scurry back and forth, his mind consumed by worry, perpetually fearing some mishap.

Fortunately, no malevolent individuals dared to stir up trouble under the bright light of day.

...

County Magistrate Zheng was also restlessly pacing within the confines of the government office, periodically inquiring, "Steward, has there been any untoward incident at the Dou Ou Bank yet?"

"No, Sir, please rest assured." Steward Zheng thought to himself, truly, Sir, how many times must I answer until my throat is parched? Nothing has transpired: "Commander Qin has a history of dealing with river bandits, and furthermore, the Dou and Ouyang families have shadow guards stationed there. Even if formidable bandits were to attempt a raid on the bank, they would undoubtedly be repelled. You may set your mind at ease."

County Magistrate Zheng dabbed the perspiration from his brow and responded, "It is not a matter of not wanting to be at ease; it is that I dare not. Currently, the government offices and the esteemed noble families of all the prefectures are observing our Tianfu County. If their endeavor succeeds, it will be well and good. But should they falter, even I, as the county magistrate, shall face punishment!"

As the county magistrate, he bore the ultimate responsibility for sanctioning the establishment of such a novel bank within the county. Consequently, he was too apprehensive to even venture a visit, fearing that if Young Master Dou and his associates failed, it would inevitably implicate him, thereby jeopardizing the Zheng family's standing.

Steward Zheng, though also quite apprehensive, sought to comfort County Magistrate Zheng, stating, "Sir, when compared to the possibility of execution for failing to collect taxes, the bank's situation presents a far more favorable alternative. With Master Ouyang lending his support, we need not be excessively fearful."

County Magistrate Zheng remained unconvinced and continued his anxious pacing, constantly fearing an official report of the bank's insolvency, widespread villager riots, or even a brazen robbery or arson attack on the bank.

But providence seemed to favor them. County Magistrate Zheng remained in a state of worry for the entire day, and as dusk began to settle, no distressing news from the bank had yet arrived, finally allowing a measure of peace to descend upon him.

However, County Magistrate Zheng's relief was premature, for while the day passed uneventfully, the true peril often lurks in the darkness of night.

As darkness enveloped the land, Qin San Lang arrived promptly and had Young Master Dou personally address the villagers still lingering outside the bank. "All of you with numbers exceeding one thousand five hundred are to depart with Dou Zhi. I have arranged lodging for you, though it lacks beds, it will provide a place for rest. Do not cause a disturbance by refusing to leave—any household found remaining will receive no silver loans!"

Young Master Dou held their financial futures in his hands, instilling enough fear in the villagers to quell any potential troublemaking.

Dou Zhi announced, "We have only managed to process up to the number eight hundred and thirty-three so far. Even if those of you beyond one thousand five hundred wait here all night, it won't be your turn. Instead, come with me to the separate courtyard to rest; there are also two large pancakes for you to eat."

"Two large pancakes? There’s food too? Are they made from wheat?" The villagers had been waiting the entire day, most having brought only a single meal of dry rations, and were already famished and lightheaded.

Dou Zhi replied: "No, they are the Gu Family’s renowned golden bean pancakes. They are more popular than wheat pancakes and are a famous snack in Tianfu County, highly sought after by affluent families."

Recently, the Young Master had expended over one hundred thousand taels of silver, truly feeling the financial pinch, and had become rather miserly, unwilling to distribute wheat pancakes freely to the villagers.

However, Dou Zhi was adept at persuasion, and with his carefully chosen words, the villagers became content, nodding in agreement: "Alright, alright, we will accompany you, but we are truly starving."

"Hurry along now." Young Master Dou felt a surge of exasperation; why was it that in his role of lending money to farmers, he also had to provide meals? As a shrewd merchant, engaging in such acts was a profound insult to the ancestors of the Dou Family!

But the Young Marquis had indicated the possibility of an ambush that night, and it was imperative to disperse the majority of the villagers waiting there.

The reason for not driving everyone away stemmed from the bank's prior declaration that loan processing would continue through the night. If they were to cease operations, any potential nighttime assailants would sense something amiss and likely hesitate to attack.

The Young Marquis had reasoned that those who wished ill upon the new bank's opening would undoubtedly attempt to disrupt it. Therefore, instead of passively waiting, it was strategically superior to draw the enemy out and confront them all at once.

Young Master Dou wholeheartedly concurred, thinking to himself: Indeed, the Young Marquis demonstrates remarkable intelligence and capability; he is truly admirable!

With a rustling of movement, the villagers all rose and followed Dou Zhi, accompanied by a contingent of Dou family retainers.

...

As evening deepened, the bank continued its operations, diligently processing loan matters for the villagers in the front hall, while covertly positioning numerous individuals in the rear courtyard.

You Ping and the others, the shadow guards of the Ouyang family, the shadow guards of the Dou family, and the operatives personally supported by Young Master Dou himself were all lying in wait, concealed within the darkness.

Yet, no attack materialized throughout the night. It was only as dawn approached that a group launched an assault from a distance, firing projectiles laden with pine oil.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The fiery projectiles impacted various sections of the bank. Some struck the ground, while others hit the wooden structures, setting doors, pillars, and windows ablaze with the intensely burning pine oil.

"Fire! Fire! Everyone, help extinguish the blaze!" the bank's personnel cried out in unison, simultaneously striking gongs to summon assistance in combating the flames.

The assailants outside, believing the bank to be in disarray, intended to infiltrate amidst the chaos and destroy the villagers' loan contracts.

Although the silver stored in the vault could not be spirited away in such a short timeframe, the destruction of the loan contracts would result in a complete financial ruin for the Dou and Ouyang families!

Heh, you intend to perform benevolent acts, do you? Very well, allow us to assist you in achieving total obliteration!