Fu Tian’s plan had already taken shape back in Shangming Town. Following Steward Li’s lead, five conspirators had been uncovered, but could there still be others hidden away?
Previously, he had never been involved in the family business, but after passing through Shangming Town, he realized just how much power the Stewards wielded—and how great the temptations they faced were.
All the revenues from the rice shop and the estate were controlled by the Stewards.
As long as the shop and estate submitted their accounts on time each year, unless there was an obvious and major discrepancy, the Dongjia would rarely bother to audit the books.
This time, it was only after collecting all the accounts for a thorough review that the extent of the problems was revealed.
So he thought it best to summon all the Stewards together—not only to root out those conspiring with Steward Li but also to reform the current system.
Whether it was to curb the power of the Stewards or to make the shop’s revenues truly transparent, it would be a long and arduous process.
But at the very least, the accounts for the shop and estate needed to stop being so murky.
“If you want to do it, then go ahead,” Fu Youqin said, this time showing no doubt about Fu Huo’s ability. Instead, there was a look of relief in her eyes.
“But remember, don’t rush. Most of these Stewards have served the Fu Family for over ten years. Going too hard on them will only discourage the others.”
Fu Tian nodded. His goal was simply to straighten out the current chaotic rules and weed out the pests—not to wipe everyone out.
Since the plan was set, Fu Tian immediately sent messengers to each shop and estate, summoning all the Stewards to gather in Sifang Town.
For this assessment, he even had an unused summer villa tidied up for their accommodation.
Without sparing effort to gather them all, Fu Huo did not intend to be overly harsh on the Stewards. After all, there were indeed parasites, but many had also worked diligently for the Fu Family.
The loyalty of those people could not be dampened.
Zhou Chuanqing had once told him: the art of managing people lies in winning their hearts.
To make these Stewards work properly, aside from intimidation, there needed to be visible benefits dangling in front of them.
Expecting the horses to run without feeding them was foolish. To fully control these crafty Stewards, a balance of benevolence and severity was necessary.
The very first day everyone arrived at the villa was when Fu Tian made his “show of force.”
Within three days, even the Stewards from the farthest estates had arrived the night before.
The villa, located just outside Sifang Town at the foot of Qitian Ridge, was spacious and naturally cool during summer—originally built as a summer retreat.
Although Fu Tian himself had seldom visited, this time it came in handy.
The villa was cleaned thoroughly. Nearly twenty Stewards were assigned to four separate courtyards, each served by attendants who took care of their needs meticulously.
The Stewards, initially anxious, felt some relief upon seeing the villa. At least for now, gathering them all did not seem like the Dongjia was out to punish them.
After settling in, familiar Stewards gathered in small groups to quietly discuss the purpose of the meeting.
The messengers had only said the Dongjia invited all the Stewards to Sifang Town for a talk, without elaborating, leaving everyone uneasy.
Those feeling guilty huddled together, trying to guess what the new Dongjia’s intentions were.
“Do you think… the Dongjia found out?” a skinny man whispered nervously. He was the most timid among them, always fidgeting at the slightest hint of trouble, terrified of being exposed.
A chubbier Steward scoffed, “The ledgers were adjusted before. If they’d found anything, they’d have acted already. Why wait until now?”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Besides, if the Dongjia really wanted to crack down on us, why bother gathering everyone here?”
His words made some sense, and the group seemed convinced—until the skinny Steward added cautiously, “But… Steward Li isn’t here this time.”
They were all linked by Steward Li, working and sharing the spoils together. So the fact that all the Stewards had come except him made the skinny man particularly uneasy.
The others fell silent at this.
“Maybe he’s tied up with something,” another Steward said with a forced smile. “You know he’s the only one managing two shops in Shangming Town. He’s got it tougher than us…”
Yet none had heard any news from Steward Li. They didn’t know he had already been replaced in Shangming Town, so they could only grasp at straws to comfort themselves.
Their anxiety grew. Before they could discuss further, an attendant came to announce that dinner was ready and invited the Stewards to take their seats.
The banquet was lavish, with exquisite dishes and delicacies. Fu Tian did not appear; only Fu Ji came to relay a few words, assuring the Stewards to enjoy the meal as the Dongjia would arrive the next day.
The uneasy Stewards tried to cozy up to Fu Ji, probing to learn what major matter had prompted the gathering.
Fu Ji smiled as he pocketed the silver they offered, but his words were tight-lipped: “The Dongjia has his plans. You’ll all know by tomorrow morning.”
The Steward who tried to bribe him flushed with anger and stormed off.
Fu Ji pocketed the money with a smile and reported back to Fu Tian. By withholding any information and keeping Fu Tian from showing up, they forced the guilty to expose themselves.
With guilty consciences, even soft beds couldn’t grant rest. The next morning, several Stewards had dark circles under their eyes and looked worn out.
“Your looks are rough. If the Dongjia sees, it won’t be good,” teased a cheerful, Buddha-like plump Steward who had been promoted only recently.
He was relatively new among the Stewards and was often excluded from the older group’s private dealings. Though he once resented this, now he was thankful for it.
The skinny Steward shot him a glare and whispered “Shut up.” He had tossed and turned all night, haunted by worst-case scenarios.
Before Fu Tian even made a move, his own fear was overwhelming, so the plump Steward’s teasing struck a nerve.
“Liu Shun, enough!” a companion grabbed him, warning in a low voice, “Pull yourself together. You think the Dongjia doesn’t know you’re hiding something?”
Liu Shun, the skinny Steward, wiped his face hard and forced a grim smile before joining the group toward the main hall.
***
The main hall had been arranged with small tables, each set with fruit, snacks, and wine, designed to seem like a casual gathering to ease the Stewards’ nerves.
Yet everyone’s eyes kept drifting to the empty Grand Secretary’s chair at the head of the room, making it hard to believe this was an ordinary banquet.
This was a Humen Banquet, and some might not leave alive. Everyone thought silently.
After making them wait for nearly half an hour, Fu Tian finally arrived, accompanied by Fu Ji.
He entered with a smile and apologized, “Sorry for the wait, everyone. Are the fruit and snacks to your liking?”
Seeing the young man step in, the group was momentarily stunned before quickly recovering and replying in unison, “Everything is perfect, thank you, Dongjia.”
The atmosphere lightened as each plotted their own schemes. Seeing Fu Tian instead of the formidable Fu Youqin was a relief.
If it had been her, they might have had to drink to their doom. But this boy was barely out of his childhood, unlikely to cause a storm. As long as they flattered him well, all would be well.
“My mother is ill and has entrusted me temporarily with the business…” Fu Tian smiled, his clear voice revealing his youth.
The Stewards silently calculated in their minds. A young Dongjia taking over the business could actually work to their advantage.
When he finished, one Steward quickly complimented him, “Young Dongjia, you are talented and promising. The rice shop business is sure to flourish under your guidance.”
Fu Tian smiled shyly, “I’m still young. The reason I gathered you all is that there are many unresolved issues in the business. I need all of you to discuss them with me.”
“Any difficulties, please speak freely!”
“We are all willing to share your burdens and solve your problems!” The room echoed with agreement.
Fu Tian’s lips curved, a bright gleam in his eyes as he said warmly, “In that case, I’ll be straightforward.
“A few days ago, I visited Shangming Town and found the rice shop warehouse completely empty…” His smile remained, but the Stewards’ expressions stiffened.
He continued, “After a long talk with Steward Li, he confessed everything to me…”
Fu Tian frowned slightly, troubled. “But out of old loyalties, he still refuses to name his accomplices…”
“Would any of you Stewards be willing to help me find these pests who have been embezzling from the Fu Family?”
The hall fell silent. Beads of cold sweat appeared on Liu Shun’s forehead; his panic was nearly visible.
Yet Fu Tian seemed oblivious to their reactions, maintaining his gentle smile as he said, “No need to be nervous. Just write down any suspects and your reasons on a blank sheet of paper—no names required. I will have Ji Shu verify everything and ensure no innocent person is wrongly accused.”
Fu Ji then handed each person a blank sheet and ink.
“I have other matters to attend to first. Please submit your papers to Ji Shu in two hours.”
Everyone stared at him like ghosts. Fu Tian’s faint smile never wavered, but no one felt this young boy was easy to deal with.
This move was ruthless, pitting everyone against each other. Tension tightened the room as all eyes warily scanned their neighbors.
Fu Ji stood with folded arms in the corner, his presence impossible to ignore.
The plump Steward gave a nervous laugh, his voice unintentionally sharp, “I say… Young Dongjia has spoken. Everyone should fill out the forms truthfully, alright?”