I am a prince in Zhutian Films

Chapter 353 Song Yinzhang Elops

"Ouch!"

A scream startled Sun Sanniang in the teahouse. She rushed to the railing and saw Fu Zifang covering his head on the other side of the stream.

Seeing this, Sun Sanniang immediately became angry.

"Fu Zifang, you skipped school again and you dared to hit someone. I will beat you to death."

It's not Sun Sanniang's fault that she was so angry. She had high hopes for her son and was already very angry when she saw him skipping school, not to mention that Fu Zifang dared to hit Zhao Wei with the ball.

Zhao Wei was a general and a member of a noble family in the imperial court. He was not someone they could afford to offend. If Zhao Wei was unhappy, a beating would be the least of his worries. She didn't even dare to think about a more severe one.

In a small county like theirs, the sons of officials can bully the people and act tyrannically, without regard for the law. A general, who is many ranks higher than the county magistrate, must be even more terrifying.

Didn’t you see that those private salt dealers were killed without any hesitation?

Thinking of this, Sun Sanniang couldn't bear it any longer, picked up the broom and rushed out of the tea shop.

She first bowed to Zhao Wei and apologized: "General Zhao, I am really sorry. It is my fault for not raising my son properly and offending you. I will go and catch him now and ask you to punish me."

Zhao Wei waved his hand and said, "It's just a child's prank. Madam Sun, you don't have to do this. But you'd better discipline him in the future. If you let him continue to do this, he will cause trouble sooner or later."

Sun Sanniang was grateful and terrified: "Thank you, General. I will go and teach that bastard a lesson now."

After saying that, she picked up the broom and chased in the direction Fu Zifang escaped.

Zhao Pan'er, who was in the house, also came over to plead for Sun Sanniang and her son. Although she felt that Zhao Wei would not be so stingy, it is better to be safe than sorry.

But just as she started, she was interrupted by Zhao Wei.

"Madam Zhao, I'm not that petty." Zhao Wei shook his head and laughed, and said something else: "Madam Zhao, I see that you don't seem to be very sad about the destruction of the tea shop. Why is that?"

Ever since she knew Zhao Wei's identity as a general, Zhao Pan'er's attitude towards him changed drastically. She was no longer flattering him, but was cautious.

"General Zhao, my fiancé is a scholar. After I marry him, I will no longer run the tea shop. Now that the tea shop is destroyed, I am sad, but I feel relieved when I think about the day that this day will come."

"I see." Zhao Wei suddenly smiled, and then sighed: "Scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, although merchants are at the bottom, many people don't understand that if there were no merchants in the world, the world would not be able to circulate at all."

Zhao Pan'er was a little surprised and asked curiously, "General Zhao, from what you said, you don't think merchants are lowly?"

"We all make money by our own abilities, so why do we think we are lowly?" Zhao Wei asked, "Why, as the owner of a tea shop, you can also be called a businessman, do you think you are lowly?"

Zhao Pan'er shook her head: "Of course not, I have never felt that I am lowly, but everyone in the world is like this, I thought..."

"I think so too." Zhao Wei smiled: "Merchants are still very important. At least in my opinion, merchants should not be the lowest class in society. The truly lowly people in the world are criminals and people who do not engage in any production."

The low status of merchants is a problem left over from history, but it cannot be said that it is completely unreasonable for the rulers to suppress the social status of merchants.

Think about it the other way around. What would it be like if businessmen had a high enough status, had money and power, and became part of the ruling class?
Do the consortiums control the country?
In this case, there are already many facts from later generations that prove that it is a wrong path.

Therefore, businessmen’s social status can be improved, but they cannot get involved in power.

As for how to strike this balance, we need to think carefully about it.

"Aren't businessmen just not engaged in production?"

According to the education Zhao Pan'er received, a businessman is someone who does not engage in production.

Zhao Wei shook his head: "In my opinion, business is also a kind of labor."

Zhao Pan'er didn't understand, but seeing that Zhao Wei had no intention of continuing, she didn't dare to ask more.

However, she became more and more curious about Zhao Wei. You know, even an ordinary person looked down on businessmen and could point at their noses and scold them for being full of the smell of money.

Not to mention the world's scholars and the high-ranking aristocratic nobles, whose disdain for businessmen is ingrained in their bones.

Zhao Wei was obviously a scholar among the nobles, but he did not look down on businessmen. This was something she had never seen before.

"Madam Zhao, if you go to Tokyo in the future and encounter any troubles, you can go to Youranju in Tokyo City. Maybe I can help you."

"Thank you, General Zhao."

Zhao Pan'er said this, but she didn't feel that she was in any trouble, let alone go to find Zhao Wei. But she had to say that she was flattered that Zhao Wei, with his status, could say such words to her.

Just then, a woman's voice came from the stone bridge outside.

"Sister Pan'er, Sister Pan'er."

Zhao Wei turned his head and saw a carriage parked on the stone bridge. Two women and one man were standing on the bridge. One of the beautiful girls was looking over here. It was obviously her who had just called people.

Zhao Pan'er was a little surprised: "Yin Zhang, why are you here?"

Song Yinzhang asked with concern: "I heard that bad guys came to the tea shop, so I rushed over. Are you okay?"

Zhao Pan'er shook her head and apologized to Zhao Wei before walking to the door of the teahouse to greet people.

"Yin Zhang, Yin Ping."

As she was speaking, she saw a strange man following her and her expression changed slightly.

"Who is this?"

The man bowed, and Song Yinzhang introduced him a little embarrassedly: "Zhou Lang, he was afraid that I would be anxious, so he sent me here."

"Zhou Lang?"

Zhao Pan'er was slightly surprised, her eyes full of inquiry.

Song Yinzhang looked back at the man embarrassedly, and the other man took a step forward.

"My dear Zhou She, I have met Miss Zhao. Yin Zhang mentions Miss Zhao to me at least ten times a day. When I saw her today, she was indeed full of energy and extraordinary."

Zhou She had a smile on his face, but Zhao Pan'er felt uncomfortable no matter how she looked at him and could only hide her feelings with a smile.

"Please come in."

Several people came in from outside, and Zhao Wei and the other four naturally saw them and heard their conversation at the door.

"So she is Song Yinzhang. She looks just like that." Li Wu's tone was quite indignant.

He had been to Qiantang Jiaofangsi several times with Zhao Wei, so he naturally knew that Song Yinzhang had never shown up to receive them.

In his opinion, Song Yinzhang was ungrateful.

However, his voice was not loud and did not attract the other party's attention.

In the drama Meng Hua Lu, Zhao Pan'er is the protagonist, and Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang also have considerable roles, and they can be said to be the second and third female characters.

Perhaps in the eyes of many people, Song Yinzhang, who was sixteen or seventeen years old, looked young and innocent, with outstanding looks and a thin figure. She gave people a feeling of fragility that made people love her and feel pity for her. She was a standard beauty, but Zhao Wei thought that she was just average-looking, not even as pretty as her maid Yin Ping. So Zhao Wei did not say anything about Li Wu's evaluation, but continued to read the information collected by Zhao Huai'en and others.

Zhao Huai'en did mention it, "That Miss Yin Zhang is pretty good, but her taste is not very good."

Without raising his head, Zhao Wei replied, "It's not not very good, it's very bad."

"Master, what about the night banquet?"

"After Madam Zhao has received them, ask her. If she doesn't want to tell you, don't force her."

"clear."

Not long after, Zhou She came out with a face full of anger and rushed towards the carriage angrily, and then Song Yinzhang hurriedly chased after him, stopped Zhou She and kept persuading him. After persuading him, Song Yinzhang hurried back and told Zhao Paner about his relationship with Zhou She.

But the two of them started arguing after not talking for long. Even Zhao Wei and others who were outside could hear their quarrel.

Not long after, Song Yinzhang came out indignantly and left with Zhou She.

Zhao Pan'er watched them leave with a complicated expression.

She never thought of stopping Song Yinzhang from pursuing happiness, but she saw at a glance that Zhou She was not a man worthy of trust.

"Madam Zhao, it seems that your sister has met a villain with ulterior motives."

Hearing Zhao Wei's voice, Zhao Pan'er turned around and said, "General Zhao, can you see that Zhou She is not a good man?"

"I think I have some vision in judging people. This man's steps are unsteady, and it's obvious that he is a playboy who has been drained of his wealth by alcohol and sex. Your sister is still young, and it's easy for her to be deceived by the sweet words of playboys."

"Yin Zhang is quite smart. She has been in the Jiaofangsi for so long and has never been deceived by a man. But this Zhou She used the words of deprivation and his wife to deceive Yin Zhang, so Yin Zhang was deceived."

Zhao Pan'er naturally knew exactly what Song Yinzhang was thinking. It was only a dozen days, so it was impossible for him to fall deeply in love with Zhou She. The most important thing was that being freed from citizenship was something Song Yinzhang had always dreamed of, which gave Zhou She an opportunity.

"Who wouldn't want to get rid of her status as a lowly woman? Her intentions were not wrong, but it's a pity that she didn't meet the right person. She is too naive. But she is your sister after all. Are you going to just leave her alone?"

"Of course I have to. I think Zhou She came here just for Yin Zhang's money, but I am in charge of Yin Zhang's money. As long as Zhou She doesn't see the money, I believe he won't be able to hold on."

Zhao Pan'er has seen too many money-hungry playboys like Zhou She. If he doesn't see the money, he will turn against him in a matter of days.

"Then aren't you worried that he won't get the money, which will be bad for your sister?"

Zhao Pan'er's expression changed slightly: "No way, Yin Zhang is from the Jiaofangsi, how dare he do anything to Yin Zhang?"

Although the women in the Jiaofangsi hated themselves for being of low status, to some extent, the Jiaofangsi was also a guarantee for the women of low status, especially vocal masters like Song Yinzhang, who were the Jiaofangsi's treasures and most people did not dare to make any plans against them.

This is also the reason why Song Yinzhang dared to reject Zhao Wei again and again.

Zhao Wei smiled faintly: "Who knows? Anyway, I only know that if a person gets crazy, he can do anything."

Zhao Pan'er was startled and stammered, "No, no way? Yin Zhang is the best pipa player in the Jiaofang Division. Would Zhou She dare to do that?"

As she spoke, she lost her confidence.

"No, I have to find Yin Zhang and ask her to be careful of Zhou She."

Zhao Wei grabbed her and said, "What's the point of you going now? If she would listen to you, she wouldn't have left with Zhou She just now."

"Then I can't just ignore it." Zhao Pan'er said anxiously.

"Don't worry." Zhao Wei let go of her hand, turned around and ordered: "Huai En, ask someone to investigate Zhou She, Sun Qian and Li Wu, keep an eye on him, and secretly protect Zhao Niangzi's sister. If there is no great danger, don't take action."

"It's your son."

Zhao Pan'er stared blankly at Sun Qian leaving, full of doubts, "General Zhao, why are you helping us?"

"Why?"

Zhao Wei smiled and gave an explanation that was not really an explanation.

"Maybe I feel that you and I are meant to be together. You've protected your sister so well. You're going to Tokyo, so it's impossible for me to protect her forever. It might not be a bad thing to let her suffer a little."

Zhao Pan'er nodded and saluted, "General Zhao, thank you very much."

Zhao Wei waved his hand and said, "By the way, I heard that Madam Zhao has a painting of a night banquet. To be honest with you, that painting is about a noble in Tokyo City. I came to Qiantang this time, and Gu Qianfan from the Imperial City Department came here for that painting."

"Night Banquet?" Zhao Pan'er looked puzzled. "I wonder what Night Banquet you are asking about, General Zhao?"

Zhao Wei looked at Zhao Pan'er deeply and said with a smile: "Since Madam Zhao doesn't know, then forget it. By the way, Madam Zhao, are you really not going to open your tea shop?"

"It's closed, at least not for the near future. But if you want some tea, you can come over tomorrow and I'll make it for you."

"Let's talk about it tomorrow." Zhao Wei shook his head, stood up and said, "It's getting late today, I'll take my leave first. If there is any news about your sister, I will send someone to inform you."

Knowing that Zhao Wei came for the Night Banquet, Zhao Pan'er knew that she was in trouble. At this moment, God knows how much she hoped that Zhao Wei would leave quickly. She immediately saluted and said, "Thank you, General Zhao. Take care!"

Zhao Wei smiled faintly, said nothing more, and left the tea shop with Zhao Huai'en and Liu Sheng.

The next day.

Zhao Wei personally went on the field to train Shuangxi. After making Shuangxi lie down again, he called Zhao Huai'en to discuss the problems of Jiangnan Shipping Company.

There are so many questions that it would never end.

It was not until Sun Qian came back from outside that Zhao Wei and Zhao Huai'en realized it was already evening.

I have to say, once you focus on something, time always passes very quickly.

"Sir, that Zhou She eloped with Miss Song on a boat, and Sun Qian followed them. I came back to ask you if you want to stop them?"

"Elope?" Liu Sheng exclaimed, "Are they so bold?"

Zhao Wei was also a little surprised. He was not surprised that Zhou She eloped with Song Yinzhang, but was surprised at Zhou She's eloquence.

"That guy is quite good. He met Madam Zhao yesterday and knew that she didn't agree. The next day, he tricked Song Yinzhang into eloping with her regardless of everything. He's quite good at talking."

"A playboy like Zhou She is good at sweet talk, but that Miss Song is also quite silly." Zhao Huai'en said with a smile.

Zhao Wei smiled and nodded: "Don't worry about Song Yinzhang for now. People always have to suffer in order to grow. Just go and inform Madam Zhao."

Watching Sun Qian leave, Zhao Huai'en smiled and asked, "Is the Patriarch interested in that Miss Zhao?"

Zhao Wei did not refute and said with a smile: "You can see it."

"Madam Zhao is indeed good, but her status... I'm afraid His Majesty and His Majesty will not agree."

“Do I need them to agree?”

Zhao Huai'en was stunned, then smiled and said, "That's true, but that lady Zhao has someone else in her heart, so the head of the family still needs to work hard."

"If you have time to criticize me, why don't you think about how you can work hard to defeat Zhang Haohao."

Zhao Huai'en: "..."

Zhao Wei laughed and asked Shuangxi to order dinner.

Sun Qian came back alone when dinner was almost over.

"Sir, Madam Zhao is not in the teahouse, but I met Madam Sun. She said that Madam Zhao heard that Madam Zhao had eloped with Zhou She and was anxious to find someone to help."

Zhao Wei stood up from his seat instantly: "Are you sure?"

"determine."

Zhao Wei's eyes fixed, and he said in a deep voice: "Shuangxi, Sun Qian, you two stay here to look after the house, Liu Sheng goes to prepare the fast horses, you and Huai En come with me."

Seeing this, Liu Sheng quickly agreed and followed Zhao Wei out the door.
Zhao Wei did not know the residence of Yang Zhiyuan, the judge of Liangzhe, but Zhao Huai'en and Liu Sheng knew it.

It was already late at night, and the three of them rode their horses at full speed, heading straight for Yang's Mansion.

(End of this chapter)