I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 368 Taking the bait
Whether it was his imagination or not, the maid seemed to be subtly stroking his waist and lower abdomen as she tied his belt.

Just as Tian San was about to grab the maid's mischievous hand, the maid stepped back and said, "You're dressed, sir."

Tian San was so aroused that he couldn't wait to speak. He licked his lips, wanting to say something, but Meng Liang, who was waiting outside, kept urging him on. Tian San had no choice but to be patient.

Anyway, I'm going to stay in Jin Zhang Chun, so I'll always have a chance to win her over.

Tian San lived a very carefree life at Jin Zhang Chun. Every day, he only needed to stand in the lobby and watch the guests to make sure they didn't cause trouble. Occasionally, when he was in the mood, he would gamble a few rounds and win every time. He had enough money to buy dozens of acres of good farmland.

What Tian San was most proud of was that Feng Shu would find various reasons to come to his side every day, either to give him pastries and fruits, or to hand him a handkerchief. Yesterday, she even secretly asked him about his foot size, saying that she would make him a pair of boots.

In this world, besides one's own mother and wife, what other woman would willingly make shoes for a man?

Tian San was certain that Feng Shu's heart belonged to him.

Just then, he had long been tired of his wife's haggard appearance. Once he had saved up some more money, he would redeem Fengshu from Jinzhangchun and marry her in a grand and glorious manner!
If his wife, who had been living a sallow-faced life, knew what was good for her, she would obediently ask to be divorced. Considering that she had given him two children, he wouldn't be so heartless as to kick her out of the house. He would let her stay at home as a servant, which would be a way to give her a place to live.

If you don't know what's good for you, humph!
As Tian San was lost in thought, he suddenly caught a glimpse of Feng Shu running out from the backyard and saying something in his direction, but it was drowned out by the noise in the main hall and he couldn't hear it clearly.

Just as Tian San was hesitating whether to step forward, he saw two burly old women grab Feng Shu's arms and drag him back to the backyard.

What's going on? Tian San couldn't hold back any longer. He told Meng Liang and ran to the backyard.

"Miss Fengshu, you'd better save your energy! Without a contract of indenture, what good will it do to escape from Jin Zhang Chun? You're a sensible person; runaway slaves are beaten to death with sticks!"

Another old woman played the good cop, saying, "The shopkeeper taking a liking to you is a blessing you've accumulated over several lifetimes! Once you enter the house, you'll be a concubine, enjoying the finest food and drink to your heart's content. This is a good thing that many people would kill for! Why don't you want it?"

Tian San's mind went blank. What did that old woman say? The shopkeeper has taken a liking to Feng Shu?
What can he do then? How can he possibly win against the shopkeeper?
The old woman who spoke first looked at Tian San, who was standing dumbfounded not far away, with a contemptuous expression. "Men, money and power are the most important things. What's the use of having a silver tongue? You talk a good game all day, but you can't even redeem yourself from servitude. Bah! Useless!"

The old woman's words were like a wake-up call, instantly opening up Tian San's senses. Yes, he could redeem Feng Shu from his servitude!
"I'll redeem him!" Tian San shouted. "I'll pay for Feng Shu's redemption!"

Feng Shu turned around in disbelief, his red and swollen eyes filled with disbelief.

Tian San strode in front of Feng Shu, took out all the silver in his pocket and threw it into the old woman's arms, "Here is two hundred and thirty taels, is that enough to redeem Feng Shu?"

The handkerchief containing the silver was not tied tightly, and the silver was scattered all over the ground. The old woman didn't pick it up, as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world, "Two hundred taels? Are you trying to send money to a beggar?"

The old woman stepped forward, her expression fierce. "Jin Zhang Chun has a daily turnover of hundreds of thousands! Every maid and servant working at Jin Zhang Chun is carefully trained and nurtured by the manager. They are even more precious than the daughters of wealthy families. They are worth more than two hundred taels, even two thousand taels!"

Tian San was stunned by the scolding. Two thousand taels? He had never even dreamed of having so much money!

“Third Brother, don’t worry about me anymore. From the day I entered Jin Zhang Chun, I knew this day would come,” Feng Shu reached out and grabbed Tian San’s sleeve. “I had already resigned myself to my fate, but I never expected to meet Third Brother.”

“I know my third brother treats me well, but,” Fengshu sobbed uncontrollably, “it’s just that I’m unlucky.”

Tian San's mind was in complete chaos after Feng Shu's words.

What should he do? Is he really going to betray Fengshu?
No, he has long considered Fengshu his woman. What kind of man can't protect his woman?
"I'll go raise the money right now!" Tian San said. "You're not allowed to bully Feng Shu anymore!"

"Raise the money? Do you have a way to raise three thousand taels of silver before sunset?" "Before sunset?"

The old woman pointed to the red lanterns hanging under the eaves, "Tonight is the auspicious night for the shopkeeper to take Feng Shu as his concubine!"

Tonight! Tian San's vision went black. Where could he borrow three thousand taels of silver in such a short time?
"Third Brother, let it go," Feng Shu forced a smile. "I've accepted my fate. I'm sure you'll find a woman a thousand times, ten thousand times better than me in the future!"

No, never again.

The two old women exchanged a glance, then reached out and grabbed Feng Shu's arm, trying to drag him away. Tian San held onto Feng Shu's other arm tightly, refusing to let go, and continued to hurl insults and curses at him.

The two old women were so angry that their eyes turned red, and they raised their hands and slapped Tian San hard across the face!
Tian San's face was swollen from the beating.

"Third Brother!" Feng Shu screamed.

"What's going on here?" Meng Liang was drawn by the noise from the backyard. "The guests are all asking!"

"Manager, it's Tian San causing trouble!" the old woman complained. "We were just about to help our aunt get ready, but Tian San is stopping us from doing our makeup!"

Meng Liang stepped forward and grabbed Tian San, "What are you doing? Why aren't you going back to your duty? Don't you want your money back?"

"Brother Meng, lend me three thousand taels of silver!" Tian San wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and the tip of his nose. "I need to redeem Feng Shu from his servitude."

Meng Liang looked on in surprise and doubt, his gaze shifting back and forth between Feng Shu and Tian San for a long time. He sighed and said, "I'm just a lowly manager, where would I get three thousand taels of silver?"

"Brother Meng!" Tian San knelt on the ground. "Please, please think of a way to help me and Feng Shu!"

"Brother Tian, ​​what are you doing? Get up!"

"If Brother Meng doesn't help me, I won't get up!"

"You, sigh!" Meng Liang had no choice but to say, "I do have a method, but it's too risky."

"What method?" Tian San asked hopefully.

Meng Liang pointed to the front yard, "Bet!"

Tian San's pupils contracted.

“Jin Zhang Chun’s daily turnover is hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. With a bit of luck, you can win it back in just a few rounds.”

"But if we lose, we can't blame anyone else!"

Tian San glanced at the eagerly awaiting Feng Shu, then recalled his undefeated gambling luck since entering Jin Zhang Chun, and stood up, saying, "I'll bet!"

Meng Liang seemed reluctant to let it go, "Brother Tian, ​​you should think this through."

“Brother Meng, there’s no need to say anything more,” Tian San said, looking at the old woman. “I’ll go into the game now, and I’m sure I’ll win back three thousand taels before sunset. Until I get back, no one is allowed to touch a hair on Feng Shu’s head!”