Notes on Longevity

Chapter 234 While the world strives for fame and fortune, Cheng Han discusses marriage.
Inside the main hall of the Zhao residence, Zhao Wuyong and An Zhilan sat at the head of the table, while Yang Chenghan sat with his head down to Zhao Wuyong's side. An Zhilan wanted to offer some words of comfort upon seeing his appearance, but Zhao Wuyong shook his head to stop her. He then smiled and looked at Yang Chenghan, asking, "Do you know why I summoned you here today?"

Yang Chenghan was filled with shame upon hearing this. He raised his head and replied, "I know."

Zhao Wuyong said "Oh" and asked, "Then tell me."

"After Uncle handed the shop over to his nephew, the silk merchant Gu Yi was supposed to receive a share of the profits as previously agreed, but in the end, he didn't mention taxes at all. And I even waived six months' rent for them. If the government hadn't come to collect taxes today, I probably wouldn't have known. This is all my fault for being negligent, and I beg Uncle to punish me."

After Yang Chenghan finished speaking, he got up from his seat and came to Zhao Wuyong. Then he lifted his skirt and knelt down in front of the two of them.

Ignoring Zhao Wuyong's objections, An Zhilan quickly helped Yang Chenghan up and carefully brushed the dust off his knees. "Han'er, this has nothing to do with you. Blame your uncle."

An Zhilan helped Yang Chenghan up, glaring at Zhao Wuyong with a coquettish look.

Yang Chenghan was completely puzzled, but Zhao Wuyong laughed loudly, "Who said I called you here today for this matter?"

Yang Chenghan was even more confused, then turned his gaze to An Zhilan. An Zhilan gently patted his shoulder and said, "You silly child, why don't you think about where this is first?"

Yang Chenghan blurted out, "The Zhao family."

An Zhilan stared at him and continued, "And then?"

Yang Chenghan frowned, pondered for a moment, and then seemed to suddenly realize something. He said, "Those merchants came from Wu Kingdom. Wu Kingdom is currently facing difficulties in trade, so they came to Huangzhou to do business with my uncle. My uncle is the head of the merchants in Huangzhou. Even if they are stupid, they would not do something so obviously foolish."

“That’s right,” Zhao Wuyong also stood up and came to Yang Chenghan’s side, saying, “In Huangzhou City, who would dare to play these petty tricks against me?”

"So this was Uncle's idea?"

Yang Chenghan was slow to realize what was happening, but they didn't understand why Zhao Wuyong was doing this.

Zhao Wuyong patted Yang Chenghan on the shoulder and then walked to the entrance of the hall, saying, "In the past three months, your uncle has come to know your business skills. You are meticulous and thoughtful, but there is one thing you haven't noticed."

An Zhilan released her grip on Yang Chenghan's hand and nodded to him, which Yang Chenghan understood. He came up behind Zhao Wuyong, bowed, and said, "Please correct me, Uncle."

"Striving for fame and fortune."

These four simple words caused Yang Chenghan to frown deeply and remain silent.

"We are businessmen, and what do businessmen value most? Profit. Of course, it's not just businessmen who are vying for profit; everyone in the world is pursuing profit."

"Just like when Lu Ya and Li Chengru came to Huangzhou, the merchants, officials, and gangs of Huangzhou all flocked to them. Why was that? They were all vying for fame and fortune."

"Merchants seek out door gods; if someone with such a reputation is in their household, everyone will give them some face."

"Officials seek a career in government. You should know that Li Chengru's titles of Martial Arts Alliance Leader and Number One in the World were personally bestowed by His Majesty. If you can get in touch with him, even if your career path becomes difficult, you will have a better chance of success."

"As for the fighting between gangs, it's just a matter of who can get them back and who will reign supreme in Huangzhou City."

"Though the language may be a bit rough, that's the truth."

"However, there is one thing you did very well. Gu Yi's silk is indeed excellent, as can be seen from the amount of fabric sold in the past three months. In the past, although we could sell quite a lot by cooperating with other merchants, the profits were not as good as Gu Yi's thousand bolts. And the fact that you waived half a year's rent for them is exactly the 'profit' I wanted to achieve."

“We are businessmen, not philanthropists. Our Zhao family has over a hundred members, and everyone needs to eat, wear clothes, and have shelter. Our priority should be our own family, not others. He wanted to do business with us, and I agreed, but why are you offering to waive six months' rent?”

"The monthly rent is five taels, and it's thirty taels for half a year. It doesn't seem like much, but if you spread it over the hundred or so people in the Zhao family, then apart from personal maids like Wan Dou and Li Hua, the other maids only get three to five hundred coins a month. If you add that, it's not even enough for their monthly wages, not to mention the wages of guards like Qin Hua and Zhou Bei."

Thirty taels is nothing to the Zhao family, but they still have to be careful with their money.

"What your aunt said before, 'Give before you take, seize the advantage before you win,' is absolutely right, but there must be a limit, a sense of proportion."

“Although these three are competing for profit, at least they are honest with me. So, it’s understandable that you’re giving them a six-month rent waiver, Uncle. But not everyone is like them. When greed blinds them, it’s hard to distinguish between humans and demons.”

"do you understand?"

Yang Chenghan was even more ashamed after listening to Zhao Wuyong's incessant talking. He knelt down and kowtowed to him, saying, "Nephew understands."

Zhao Wuyong quickly helped Yang Chenghan up and said, "It's not that your uncle is blaming you, but I just hope you can understand that one cannot be too kind-hearted in business. Just find the right balance and keep a proper sense of proportion."

"Nephew understands."

"Alright, let's get down to business." Zhao Wuyong pulled An Zhilan back to the head of the table, and Yang Chenghan also returned to his original position. Then, Zhao Wuyong took out a letter from his sleeve and pointed to it, saying, "Three months ago, I wrote a letter and sent it to the village. It was for Brother Yang."

"Now his reply has arrived, what do you think?"

"If you have no objections, we can choose a date to finalize the wedding arrangements."

"Marriage?" Yang Chenghan took the letter from Zhao Wuyong's hand and asked, full of confusion, "Whose marriage?"

"You take a look first."

Yang Chenghan's reaction brought smiles to the faces of Zhao Wuyong and his wife.

He took out the letter, read it through the strong, vigorous handwriting, and was shocked. He stood up in alarm, staring at Zhao Wuyong and his wife in disbelief, and asked, "Uncle, the marriage you and Father talked about is between me and Yunchu?"

Zhao Wuyong looked at Yang Chenghan and said, "It's just a marriage, why are you making such a fuss? Just tell me what you think of this marriage?"

At this moment, An Zhilan also spoke up: "Han'er, let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart. Your uncle and I only have this one child, and we've cherished her like a precious jewel since she was little. We've been completely satisfied with everything she does. It's just a pity that over the years, no one in Huangzhou City has caught our eye. Only after you came did we both feel a surge of joy. So, your uncle and I took the liberty of writing a letter to Brother Yang, expressing our thoughts. Moreover, you and Yunchu are a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman. After you two get married, your uncle will entrust the Zhao family to you after he passes away. It will undoubtedly be a beautiful story in Huangzhou City."

Holding the envelope, Yang Chenghan could hardly believe his ears. With a slight tremor in his lips, he slowly uttered a few words: "Does Yun Chu know?"

Zhao Wuyong and An Zhilan exchanged glances upon hearing this, sensing a glimmer of hope. An Zhilan quickly approached Yang Chenghan and said, "Don't worry about Yunchu for now. What you need to do is keep this to yourself."

Zhao Wuyong also spoke up, saying, "Don't worry about the shop for now. Spend more time with Yunchu. When your relationship has deepened, we will naturally talk to her about it."

Yang Chenghan felt his legs go weak. "Uncle, how about we call off this marriage? Chenghan just wants to do business with you now."

Zhao Wuyong said "Eh" and laughed, "Business matters are not as important as your marriage. Listen to your uncle."

At this point, Zhao Wuyong seemed to realize something, then frowned and said, "Or perhaps you look down on Yun Chu?" Yang Chenghan was immediately startled and quickly explained, "No, no. Yun Chu is gentle by nature and very peaceful."

Zhao Wuyong laughed loudly, "That's settled then. We're all family, so don't say this or that to your uncle. I'll be more at ease after I die knowing that Yun Chu will be with you from now on."

"Uncle, be careful what you say."

"Uncle will live to be a hundred years old."

"Alright, alright." Zhao Wuyong stood up and said, "After lunch today, I'll go practice martial arts with Yun Chu."

"Yes"

After dinner, Yang Chenghan moved a folding chair to sit where Zhao Yunchu practiced martial arts. He watched from afar as Lihua and Wandou cheered for her. Zhao Wuyong had told him to stay with Zhao Yunchu and teach her martial arts from today onwards, but his mind was elsewhere. After briefly explaining a few key points of sword practice, he sat there, feeling restless and agitated.

He couldn't understand why Zhao Wuyong and An Zhilan would arrange such a marriage for him, and why they didn't tell Zhao Yunchu, but waited until they had spent more time together and the time was right before bringing it up. Were they afraid that she wouldn't agree?

Yang Chenghan sighed heavily. He came to Huangzhou to do business, not to discuss marriage. Thinking of this, he suddenly had an idea: to run away from the marriage!

They fled back to the capital, then back to Yangjia Village, but wouldn't that damage the harmony between the two families?
Yang Chenghan was now in a dilemma.

Just as he was pondering this, Zhao Yunchu, leading Lihua and Wandou, arrived in front of him. Zhao Yunchu's call of "Brother Chenghan" pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Huh?" Yang Chenghan stared blankly at the three people in front of him and asked, "What's wrong?"

Reminded by Lihua, Zhao Yunchu noticed that Yang Chenghan seemed preoccupied and said, "Nothing, it's just that you look so troubled?"

Pear Blossom and Wan Dou, standing nearby, nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Yang Chenghan sighed helplessly, "It's nothing, it's just that the matter of collecting taxes from silk merchants is bothering me."

Zhao Yunchu asked in confusion, "I heard about the silk merchants from my father, but it has nothing to do with you."

"But I still can't get over it." Yang Chenghan shook his head repeatedly. He was unsure how to face Zhao Yunchu. Should he treat her as his fiancée or as a younger sister?

Yang Chenghan felt a sudden headache.

When Zhao Yun saw Yang Chenghan's appearance, she lost her interest in practicing swordsmanship. She suggested, "Why don't we take Brother Chenghan out for a walk to clear his head?"

Wan Dou was overjoyed to hear this and said, "I've been practicing swordsmanship with Miss these past few months, and I haven't been able to visit my brother in a long time."

Pear Blossom gently slapped her on the head and said, "When did you start practicing swordsmanship? Besides, look at your small frame, Miss's sword is almost taller than you."

Without a word, Wan Dou grabbed Li Hua's leg and bit her. Li Hua was terrified and cried out, "Miss, look at her!"

"If you don't behave, you won't see your brother today." Zhao Yunchu smiled and led Wandou up. Hearing her "threat," Wandou had no choice but to let go and make a face at the pear blossom in Zhao Yunchu's hand.

The three of them playfully teased each other, which made Yang Chenghan laugh. He asked, "Does Wan Dou have an older brother?"

“Yes,” Zhao Yunchu put Wandou back on the ground and hugged the sword to her chest, saying, “But he’s not my biological brother, just like me and Chenghan. However, her brother is a江湖人 (jianghu person), and it seems that he went through something in the past. He doesn’t dress up normally, and every time I see him, he is drunk, disheveled, and looks distracted.”

Yang Chenghan was a little curious, but too embarrassed to ask further, so he said, "Since I have some free time today, let's take Wandou to meet her brother."

Upon hearing this, Wan Dou shouted loudly, "Yay!"

Pear Blossom quickly covered her mouth and said, "Master and Madam are taking a nap. If you wake them up, you won't be able to see your brother, and you might even have to go to the dark room to reflect on your mistakes."

Wan Dou nodded in alarm, and Li Hua then moved her hand away.

Yang Chenghan looked at Wan Dou with surprise. Although she was small in stature, her voice was very loud. Whenever she cheered for Zhao Yun Chu, her voice was the loudest.

While the four were talking, Zhao Wuyong and An Zhilan, who had already woken up, stood together, watching them with silly smiles. "Master, do you think their marriage will work out? Yun Chu is spoiled rotten. I'm afraid if I mention marriage to her, she'll..."

Zhao Wuyong interrupted her, saying, "This can't be rushed. Let them get to know each other for a while. But compared to your concerns, I'm more worried about Cheng Han."

An Zhilan asked, "What do you mean by that, sir?"

Zhao Wuyong replied, "Didn't you see that Cheng Han has been sitting there ever since lunch? If Yun Chu hadn't gone to find him, he doesn't know how long he would have been sitting there."

"Won't Cheng Han run away from the wedding?" An Zhilan suddenly felt a pang of panic.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuyong laughed loudly and said, "When have you ever seen a man run away from his wedding?"

"What if something happens, sir?"

Zhao Wuyong said, "Don't worry, that's impossible. Cheng Han has been learning business from me, so he understands the implications. If he runs away from a marriage that both families have agreed to, how will our two families face each other in the future?"

"Then what are you worried about?"

"What I'm worried about is whether Cheng Han will find a reason to refuse this marriage."

An Zhilan found Zhao Wuyong's statement rather baffling. "Since you're certain Han'er won't elope, isn't it pointless for you to say this?"

“Running away from marriage and refusing marriage are two different things, and the people hurt are different.”

An Zhilan poked Zhao Wuyong's head with her finger with a hint of helplessness and said, "I'm not worried about Han'er anymore. On the contrary, I'm afraid you'll corrupt Han'er."

What do you mean by that?

An Zhilan said, "Whether it's running away from the marriage or refusing to marry, in the end, it's both families that get hurt. Don't apply your business acumen to your children. If they can make it work, great; if not, we'll see later."

After saying that, An Zhilan pulled Zhao Wuyong back into the house.

Meanwhile, after the four of them made up their minds, they changed into the clothes they had worn when they left and headed in one direction of Huangzhou City.

(End of this chapter)