The Republic of China: From Storyteller to God

Huang Feihong fell silent upon seeing the seal Zhao Tianhu produced.

Although Zhao Tianhu was a shameless rogue, he wasn't entirely wrong in what he said.

Repaying debts is justified.

Even if Huang Feihong wanted to uphold justice, he couldn't use his power to force Zhao Tianhu to give up the debt.

However, he and Chen Xiangwan were only nodding acquaintances, and he couldn't afford to give Chen Xiangwan so much money to pay off her debts.

For a moment, Wong Fei-hung was somewhat embarrassed.

Ding Ding Deng!

Footsteps sounded again from the stairwell.

Then, Aunt Thirteen, lifting her skirt, hurried up from downstairs.

Seeing the tense atmosphere above, she was startled and quickly went to Huang Feihong's side, asking in a low voice, "Feihong, what's wrong?"

When Zhao Tianhu saw her appear, he raised an eyebrow and revealed a lewd smile.

What are you doing here?

Wong Fei-hung stepped aside to block her view, frowning as he turned back: "Didn't I tell you to go back to Po Chi Lam and wait for me?"

"I'm afraid something might happen to you..."

Thirteen Aunt felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at by Zhao Tianhu.

"Master Huang."

Just then, Chen Xiangwan on the stage spoke.

He bowed to Huang Feihong and Liu Che, saying, "And to this brother Luo Yonghao, I, Chen, would like to express my gratitude for your righteous assistance."

Luo Yonghao?

Master Huang was taken aback and looked at Liu Che with a puzzled expression.

Didn't he say yesterday that his surname is Liu and his given name is Che?

Chen Xiangwan straightened up and said solemnly, "What happened today is entirely my own fault and has nothing to do with the two of you."

As he spoke, he turned to Zhao Tianhu: "Chief Zhao, I, Chen, am not breaking my word or deliberately delaying the repayment deadline. I am simply short of money."

I have entrusted the sale of my house to Shi Aping. No matter how much it sells for, I will return it all to you.

I can only try to figure out how to make use of the remaining money.

If you insist on taking them all back today, then there's nothing I can do.

"I only have this one life now. If you want it, take it!"

"Don't try to play dumb with me, I've seen this trick a million times."

Zhao Tianhu did not want his life.

Once a person dies, they lose everything. He has no use for Chen Xiangwan's worthless life.

What he wants is money.

Zhao Tianhu glanced at Huang Feihong and softened his tone: "It's clearly written on the contract that if you don't pay on time, I'll cut out your tongue."

However, since Master Huang is here, I'll let you off this time out of respect for him.

As he spoke, he pulled out a finely crafted, subtly shimmering red cardboard contract from his pocket and threw it at Chen Xiangwan.

"I knew you couldn't come up with that much money. Here's a contract. If you sign it, I'll cut your interest in half and let you pay it back in installments."

Chen Xiangwan took the red contract in her hand, opened it, and her expression changed drastically.

He had been trying his best to maintain his dignity from beginning to end, but at this moment he could no longer hold on and broke down, slamming the red contract hard to the ground.

"Bah! Zhao Tianhu! Keep dreaming! I, Chen, am not a prostitute in your brothel!"

Even if you beat me to death, I will never sign this contract of servitude!

Zhao Tianhu seemed to have anticipated his reaction, and instead of being annoyed, he gave a forced smile and reminded him, "Have you thought this through? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Huang Feihong stepped forward, picked up the red contract, and unfolded it to examine it.

Thirteen Aunt curiously came closer and whispered the terms of the red contract.

"Party A agrees to extend Party B's repayment period to twenty years... Party B agrees to give 80% of all its income to Party A as repayment and interest..."

After watching it once, Wong Fei-hung couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.

No wonder Chen Xiangwan broke down; this contract really is a contract of servitude.

This contract seems to extend the loan term for Chen Xiangwan from one year to twenty years, which seems to alleviate Chen Xiangwan's pressure.

However, the interest is calculated based on a 20-year period.

If Chen Xiangwan really signs this contract, then 80% of his income for the next twenty years will have to be used to pay off Zhao Tianhu's debts.

This means Chen Xiangwan will have to work for Zhao Tianhu for the rest of her life.

This contract was clearly prepared by Zhao Tianhu for the prostitutes in his brothels.

This is clearly treating Chen Xiangwan like a lamb to the slaughter, forcing her into prostitution!

Even the income earned by prostitutes from their clients was split 50/50 with the establishment.

Chen handed over 80% of his total income that night.

These conditions are even harsher than selling oneself into servitude; no wonder Chen Xiangwan was so angry.

"Zhao Tianhu".

Huang Feihong shook the red contract in his hand and sneered, "Are you trying to force a good woman into prostitution?"

"If they're asking for an exorbitant price, we'll negotiate on the spot!"

Zhao Tianhu said nonchalantly, "Any clause we're not satisfied with can be discussed! Anyway, with you, Master Huang, upholding justice, we're at ease, right?"

He gave a wink to the group of Shahe Gang members.

"yes!"

"That's right!"

The thugs all chimed in.

"You're dreaming!"

Chen Xiangwan clenched her teeth in anger, her eyes bloodshot, looking ready to fight to the death.

He was forced to tell stories earlier, but he managed to endure it.

Now, however, he's being forced to risk his life because of a contract that sells him into servitude.

"What? You don't want to sign?"

Zhao Tianhu sneered, showing no fear whatsoever.

He had seen many people like Chen Xiangwan and knew their Achilles' heel very well.

Like Huang Feihong, Chen Xiangwan was a man who cared about his reputation.

You can control him with just one sentence.

Re-emerging the contract seal, Zhao Tianhu said disdainfully, "Fine, then let's go with the old contract. You still owe me 523.5 silver dollars, including principal and interest. If you don't want to sign, pay up!"

In an instant, Chen Xiangwan felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, and the hot blood rushing into her brain quickly cooled down.

This is precisely his Achilles' heel.

Repaying debts is justified.

He owes money and won't pay it back, so why should he fight to the death with others?

Reason prevails everywhere; no matter how vast the world is, it cannot surpass the power of reason.

Even the righteous and chivalrous Wong Fei-hung remained silent at this moment, unable to say anything.

But if we ask him to repay the money, how will he repay it?

Five hundred silver dollars is no small sum.

An average person's annual expenses are only thirty to fifty dollars.

Five hundred silver dollars is enough to buy a nice house in Guangzhou with three rooms on each side and three courtyards deep.

Where was he supposed to get so much money all at once?

A chill ran through Chen Xiangwan, and she sadly lowered her gaze.

It turns out he wasn't Qin Shubao, who had fallen from grace, but rather Xiang Yu, the King of Chu, who was at his wit's end.

Is he really facing death today?

Just as he was in despair, Liu Che slowly spoke.

"I thought it was a huge debt, but it's only a little over five hundred dollars?"

His voice sounded particularly abrupt in the silence.

All eyes were on him.

Aunt Thirteen peeked out from behind Wong Fei-hung and asked curiously, "Who is he?"

Upon hearing Liu Che speak, Zhao Tianhu's expression immediately turned cold.

This kid has ruined his plans time and time again; he's asking for it!

"Brother Ping, come here."

Liu Che beckoned to the broker behind Huang Feihong, signaling him to come over.

The broker glanced at Zhao Tianhu and the others with a troubled expression, hesitated for a moment, and then carefully stepped forward.

Liu Che placed his cudgel on the table, smiled, and flicked open his folding fan: "I think Mr. Chen's house is quite nice. I'd like to rent it for five years!"

Mr. Chen, could you give me a discount on the rent and paperwork, round it up to five hundred and twenty-three and a half yuan? How about that?