Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 94: Heavy Bait, Big Fish

In October, Huating County was already filled with a chilly chill.

Last night, there were a few random thunderclaps in the afternoon, pulling up cold rain all over the sky, bringing Huating into deep autumn overnight.

Just after noon that day, the Xu family mansion located in the northwest corner of Huating County became busy early.

The servants in the house all had solemn expressions as they shuttled back and forth like spirit geese, sweeping away the dirt in the mansion.

At the same time, four people strode into the main hall.

Walking in front was the eldest uncle of the Xu family, Xu Fan. He was fifty-four years old this year, but because he took good care of himself, he looked only about forty-seven or forty-eight years old.

He hasn't gained weight and walks with great vigor.

Following behind him were Xu Kun, the second master of the Xu family, and Xu Ying, the third master of the Xu family. Both were born to Xu Jie's second wife and were much younger than Xu Fan.

Walking last was a young man with bright eyes, handsome eyebrows and a cheerful face. He was Xu Yuanchun, the eldest son of Xu Fan and the eldest grandson of Xu Jie.

This man was a Jinshi in the second year of Wanli. He originally served as a Langzhong in the Ministry of Rites in Nanjing. Because Xu Jie passed away, he returned home to mourn.

As the few people left, the maids and servants in the hall saw them, hurriedly bowed, and then stood aside with their heads bowed.

Xu Fan waved his hand, signaling the servant to leave, and he took the lead to walk to the main seat and sit down.

After everyone sat down in order, Xu Fan looked around and said, "According to the news from the front, Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Jingxiu will arrive in Huating soon. We called you guys here to discuss how to welcome them."

"How about we go to meet him outside Songjiang Prefecture?" Xu Ying rolled his eyes and suggested, "Let's clean the road leading into the city in advance. There must not be any dust. We also need to catch up with the vendors and beggars on the roadside to avoid ruining his mood."

“When we enter Huating, we can lead him through the north city, let him see our shops and know our strength.” Xu Kun suggested.

"My two uncles, in my opinion, these are all empty talk. If we want to play, let's play something real." Xu Yuanchun smiled at the two of them, then turned his head to look at his father and clasped his fists, saying, "My family has nothing else but a lot of money. Not only the Zhang brothers, but also the followers who came, let's give each of them a generous gift first."

Listening to the three people's words, Xu Fan smiled and nodded: "All good, let's do as you say. Now, let's discuss how much Ruoxi's dowry should be."

Xu Ying and Xu Kun looked at each other with unpleasant expressions.

How could they not know what the boss meant? That was his daughter, and now they had called the two together to discuss the dowry. This was like a louse on a bald head, it was obvious.

After hesitating for a while, Xu Kun said, "In my opinion, we should give you one thousand acres of land, a dozen shops, and ten thousand taels of silver. Big brother, you pay 40%, and we each pay 30%. This way, our family won't lose face."

"Well, this adds up to tens of thousands of taels of silver, so it's not a disgrace to the Zhang family." Xu Ying echoed.

Smiling and shaking his head, Xu Fan did not speak, but turned to look at his eldest son and asked, "Zhengfu, Ruoxi is also your sister, tell me, how much dowry should be given?"

Xu Yuanchun stood up and stretched out a finger.

"How much is this?" Xu Ying asked, stretching her neck.

"Ten thousand acres of land." Xu Yuanchun said slowly.

"You're crazy!" Xu Kun cried out, "Ten thousand mu of land is worth more than 100,000 taels of silver. You're just giving it away as a dowry. Are you... are you crazy?"

"Cough cough." Xu Fan's face turned dark and he covered his lips and coughed twice.

Before Xu Kun could say anything more, Xu Ying grabbed him, shook his head at him, and looked at Xu Yuanchun and complained, "Nephew, it's not that we don't want to, but these ten thousand acres of land are too much, and our two families really can't afford it."

"Uncle, your third branch's land is not much, but it is not a small amount, tens of thousands of acres. Don't complain to me here." Xu Yuanchun didn't believe it at all and said confidently, "Just imagine, grandpa just passed away, and our family is guarding such a large family business. If there is no backing, won't we become a fat sheep in the mouths of others?"

"But the price is too high." Xu Ying muttered.

"Big?" Xu Yuanchun smiled and continued, "Our Third Aunt is the daughter of Lu Bing, a favorite of Emperor Jiajing. After Emperor Longqing ascended the throne, the Lu family was implicated by the Yan Party, and Lu Bing's son was sentenced to exile and confiscation of property. Third Uncle will not forget who saved the Lu family, right?"

Xu Ying blushed.

His family is where they are today thanks to that powerful figure in the cabinet.

"I have no opinion."

Xu Ying gritted his teeth and blurted out four words. Xu Kun took a deep breath, stared at the calm Xu Fan, clasped his fists and said, "Brother, when the old man passed away, you got the most of the family property.

Now that Ruoxi is your daughter, you should get the most. You pay half, and the third brother and I will think of a way to pay for the remaining half."

"can."

Xu Fan nodded in agreement.

Seeing that the matter had been discussed, Xu Fan and Xu Ying did not want to stay any longer, so they just bowed and invited each other to leave.

In a moment, only Xu Fan and his son were left in the hall.

"Husband, isn't ten thousand acres of land really a bit too much?" Xu Fan said with a bit of pain, "When Ruoling got married, we only gave her one thousand acres of land. If we give Ruoxi ten thousand acres, she will definitely come back and make a fuss." "Father, you can't catch a wolf without sacrificing your child. Only by laying a heavy bait can you catch this rich son-in-law." Xu Yuanchun replied immediately.

"But the price is too high. What if he eats our bait and runs away? What should we do?" Just now, considering his son's face, he did not say much. Now thinking about it, it really hurts.

"We heard that this guy is very philandering. He has more than ten women outside and spends his nights having fun."

"Who told you this?" Xu Yuanchun was stunned.

"Oh, do I need to listen to anyone? Those rich and powerful dandies, they all have sores on their heads and pus on their feet." Xu Fan was halfway through his speech when he suddenly realized what was happening and quickly stopped talking.

In his eyes, there are no fish that eat cats, but there are many cats that steal fish.

Ruoxi is a weak and fragile person, so she will definitely be bullied to death.

While Xu Fan was thinking, Xu Yuanchun chuckled and patted his chest to assure him, "Don't worry, father. According to the news from my peers in the capital, Zhang Yunxiu is not as bad as you say."

"Moreover, he is a close minister of the emperor, and he was selected as a scholar in this year's imperial examination."

"Can"

"Father! Just put your mind at ease. The more generous we are, the more they will feel guilty. We will not be able to mistreat Ruoxi in the future." Xu Yuanchun stood up, paced back and forth in the room, and suddenly looked at his father and said, "Grandpa often taught us that there are thousands of ways to make money in this world, but in the end there are only three."

"The lowest level is huge profits, which are made by cheating and deceiving people. The profits are gone in the morning and are not long-lasting. The middle level is business profits, which are well-connected and rich, just like Shen Wansan in the past. However, he is just a businessman and is nothing."

At this point Xu Yuanchun paused, and then spoke in sonorous words: "The best is power, being in a high position in the government, benefiting the world for ten generations, making clouds and rain with a flip of the hand, being the person who is second only to one person and above ten thousand people, ruling the world."

Merchants are merely vassals of the powerful.

Xu Fan was stunned for a moment before he asked tentatively, "If my family gives you 10,000 acres of land, after your mourning period is over, can you go to the key government office in the capital to serve?"

Xu Yuanchun smiled and nodded in response: "Look at Wang Zhuan, the Imperial Censor of Caojiang. He used to be a subordinate of Zhang Gelao, but now he has become a local lord and is in charge of the grain transport in the world, right?"

Now Xu Fan felt reassured.

"Okay, let's go all out this time. If we're going to gamble, let's gamble big."

"My father is wise."

On the other side, a team protected by more than a hundred Jinyiwei marched forward rapidly and arrived at the territory of Jiading, Suzhou in the blink of an eye.

Inside the carriage, Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Jingxiu sat opposite each other, each leaning on the side panels.

As the carriage swayed, the bodies of the two men swayed as well, and Zhang Yunxiu's face became increasingly uglier.

"You don't have to be nervous. The Xu family's daughter must be good-looking." Zhang Jingxiu thought he was worried, so he smiled and said, "Marry a virtuous wife, not a coquettish one. With the teachings of Elder Xu, Ruoxi's sister-in-law will definitely be good."

Zhang Yunxiu did not reply.

He didn't care what the woman looked like. What he cared about most now was how much dowry the Xu family could give to his future daughter-in-law.

With 240,000 acres of land, this family has a huge business. He would feel sorry for himself if he didn't make some money from it.

Just as he was thinking, the carriage slowly slowed down and then stopped. Zhang Yunxiu lifted the curtain and asked outside: "Han Saner, why did it stop?"

Han San rode back, dismounted and said, "Fifth Young Master, Eldest Young Master, we are about to enter the territory of Songjiang Prefecture. How about we take a rest today and wash off the dust on our bodies?"

"Okay." Zhang Yunxiu nodded, then looked at Zhang Jingxiu, "What do you think, brother?"

"I can't command your people. You decide."

Zhang Jingxiu laughed loudly, then got out of the carriage holding the front gear.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled bitterly and got off the carriage. Then Han San reported: "Sir, the brother who rode a fast horse to inquire about the Xu Guangqi you asked me to find has been found."

"Oh?! Is he still in Shanghai County now?" Zhang Yunxiu became excited.

"Yes, I have sent someone to hold him down. We are just waiting for you to go to Shanghai County." Han San said with great joy. Zhang Yunxiu kicked him and cursed, "I just asked you to find him. Who said I asked you to hold him down?"

"Aren't I afraid that this guy will run away and you won't be able to see him?" Han San looked aggrieved.

If this guy runs away, you will have to scold me.

Zhang Yunxiu looked embarrassed, slowly turned his back, and instructed Han San: "Send someone to watch him. Remember to be nice and don't disturb him."

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)