Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 270 Bastard

The Su family, a prominent family in Shawan, were scholars, but while they had a large business in the area, few of their members went on to become officials. The villagers gradually came to regard them primarily as merchants. It wasn't until Su Mingxing, who had been imprisoned by Lu Jia through Zhang Qi and his wife, acquired an uncle, Su Chen, who had passed the imperial examinations and entered officialdom in the capital, that the Su family's prestige began to rise significantly.

Su Chen's career was not smooth at first. He took the imperial examination three times before passing and served as a local official for more than ten years. In his early years, he used his connections to secure a position in the capital, rotating from the Court of Imperial Stud to the Six Ministries. Now he is a senior official in the Ministry of Justice.

A fourth-rank official is sufficient to maintain order in Tanzhou Prefecture, but under the emperor's nose, he is hardly up to the task.

Fortunately, Su Chen had good foresight in his early years. Taking advantage of his trip back to his hometown to visit relatives, he put in some effort in the Tanzhou government office and helped Zhou Sheng become the assistant prefect of Tanzhou.

Zhou Sheng then reciprocated by introducing him to his mentor, Liu Zheng. At that time, Shawan Wharf was becoming increasingly prosperous, and Liu Zheng was working in the Ministry of Works. He often needed to mobilize river works, and at such times, local Shawan merchants were in urgent need to take the lead. The Su family was just able to fill this gap.

Over the next decade, the Su family's influence grew steadily, and Su Chen's relationship with Liu Zheng became increasingly close. However, for safety reasons, few people knew this openly.

But ever since Su Mingxing was arrested, the Su family lost their position as the head of the Shawan Wharf Grain Merchants Association. The grain merchants at the wharf were no longer under their control, and Su Chen's life became difficult.

Later, Su Chenyuan wanted his family to take back control of the Chamber of Commerce, but then Zhou Sheng caused trouble, creating a huge problem in Shawan that the Su family could no longer handle.

Therefore, the Liu family is even more determined not to give up on making connections.

Before the Lunar New Year, Su Chen prepared a lot of New Year's goods and sent them to the Liu family. After the New Year, he voluntarily took on the task of helping the Liu family acquire two farms.

Just when it seemed that Liu Zheng had been appeased, trouble broke out in their own backyard: Liu Zheng was arrested for patronizing prostitutes!

Liu Zheng was ordered to reflect on his mistakes, and Su Chen counted down the days until his release. Finally, when the day arrived, he knocked on the door of the Liu family under the cover of night and presented the house he had prepared, along with the property deeds, to the family.

"As for Madam, there's no need for you to be too anxious. I've already urged my wife to go and persuade her. I've heard that Madam's attitude has softened recently, and I think she'll definitely return home in a few days."

Liu Zheng sighed twice, then gritted his teeth in anger. "I initially thought it was Guo Lu's doing, but who knew it wasn't him! If I find out who's behind this, I'll make sure they suffer a terrible fate!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the cups and plates on the table jumped up from his fist.

Su Chen was secretly alarmed and advised, "Fortunately, you escaped unharmed. So, although you were locked up for a few days, you were not seriously injured."

"But all the things that needed to be done have been delayed." Liu Zheng gritted his teeth. "Several things that Grand Secretary Yan entrusted to me have not been accomplished. I will have to go and apologize tomorrow."

Su Chen hurriedly said, "I wonder what it is that I can help you with, sir?"

Liu Zheng glanced at him and put down the cup he had picked up: "Earlier, Grand Secretary Yan instructed me to go to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for the silver for repairing the river, but I haven't received it yet."

"This sum of money is very important, but it's not easy to get. I've just been released from confinement, so it's inconvenient for me to go to the Ministry of Revenue immediately. Could you go there for me?"

Su Chen paused: "May I ask how much this sum of money is?"

"Three million taels."

Su Chen was suddenly startled. Three million was almost a year's revenue for the national treasury, and he was just casually asking for three million?

"I am not a member of the Ministry of Works, so I'm afraid Minister Lu will not see me."

“I’ll write a letter, you can take it with you.” Liu Zheng looked at him. “Minister Lu is one of our own, so it won’t be a problem for you to go in person. However, he is indeed not so easy to give up this sum of money.”

Su Chen then relaxed his tense chest.

……

When Yang Bonong came to the Ministry of Revenue under the pretense of delivering a letter, he met Shen Qingzhou on the way. He greeted him with a smile and then went to find Lu Jie. Lu Jie watched his son-in-law, who was always slow and diligently "drifting through life," through the window until Yang Bonong entered the door before turning around.

"The information Lu Rong brought back indicated that the people guarding Zhou Sheng had been rotated three or four times, but strangely, no matter which group of people was replaced, they were not under the command of the Yan family."

As Yang Bonong spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, and wrote several names on it. "These are the people who led the guards. They come from all walks of life, but none of their groups have any connection with the Yan family."

Lu Jie immediately took it. After looking at it, he frowned. "They are indeed unfamiliar faces. So, the Yan family hasn't had a chance to get close to Zhou Sheng until now?"

"Obvious!"

"Who did that?" Lu Jie asked with a puzzled look. "And who would be so persistent in guarding the Yan family's defenses time and time again?"

Yang Bonong sighed and shook his head. "I had my doubts about the Crown Prince. Logically speaking, the Yan family doesn't think the Crown Prince is a good candidate for the throne. They haven't taken the Crown Prince seriously all these years, and they even often cut back on the Crown Prince's food and drink. The Crown Prince must hate them."

"But if the Crown Prince has the ability to keep Zhou Sheng under his thumb like an iron barrel, why would he willingly allow himself to be bullied by the Yan family?"

Lu Jie frowned and put his hands behind his back: "The military generals in the court have never participated in factional struggles. Although the upright officials in the court always wish they could bring down the Yan family, they are like a pile of loose sand. Without a leader, they can hardly accomplish anything."

"If it weren't for the Crown Prince, who would have such resolve?"

"in addition……"

"Your Excellency, the Minister of Justice, Su Chenzhi, requests an audience."

Yang Bonong was about to speak when a voice from outside the door immediately interrupted him. He and Lu Jie exchanged a quick glance: "What's he doing here?"

Lu Jie's eyes flickered slightly: "Judging by the days, Liu Zheng should be out by now. He's the one who sent this person to find us, most likely because of that sum of money from before."

Yang Bonong was stunned.

Lu Jie gave him a look and gestured for him to go behind the screen. He then sat down and said, "Please invite Lord Su in."

Yang Bonong had just entered when Su Chen came in.

Upon reaching Lu Jie, he first bowed, then took out the letter from his bosom and presented it: "This humble official has been entrusted by Lord Liu to deliver this letter to you. Please take a look."

Lu Jie took it, opened it, and his eyes flickered again beneath his half-closed eyelids.

"How is Lord Liu?" He folded the letter and looked down.

Su Chen smiled obsequiously: "Your Excellency is in relatively good health, but you still keep the Grand Secretary's instructions in mind and dare not forget them. Lord Liu said that the Minister had promised to do something, and several months have passed in the blink of an eye. Please take the time to do it."

Lu Jie nodded, then glanced at him again: "Why did Lord Liu find Lord Su to handle this errand?"

Su Chen raised his eyes, cupped his hands and said, "I have received the favor of Lord Liu, so I will not hesitate to do this small favor."

Lu Jie unfolded his folding fan, gently waved it a few times, and said, "I understand. You can go back now."

Su Chen bowed and stepped back.

Once he was out of sight, Lu Jie slammed his fan shut. "Go investigate this Su fellow, how he became the Liu family's lackey?"

Yang Bonong stepped forward and said, "Yes."