Chapter 3, Selling one's own grandfather's land without a twinge of conscience

Zhao Shouzheng is nothing more than a completely useless scholar; in this situation, what ideas could he possibly have

Is it true? Zhao Shouzheng's face immediately lit up with joy as he looked towards the two officials for confirmation

"Uncle Er, my father asks you to come over, as there are matters to discuss" Zhao Xian was clearly more affected by the blow than Zhao Shouzheng, and even his speech became weak and lacking in energy

Zhao Hao was originally concerned about his identity and did not want to attract too much attention. However, he could no longer hold back and quietly tugged at Zhao Shouzheng's sleeve, softly reminding him:

He pushed against the armrests of the chair with both hands, pretending to rise and said

Zhao Shouye was anxious and flustered, solely focused on quickly rescuing the old master and restoring life to its proper course. Now, with the three of them taking turns to pressure him, he was completely thrown into disarray.

Alright, I will sign, sign.

"How long will this drag on?" The fifth-rank official, hearing this, said with an impatient expression: "Our department is still waiting for a response!"

Not long after, Zhao Shouzheng and his son followed Zhao Xian into the front hall

"I apologize, Lord Zhao, but I cannot compromise the established rules for your family." The wealthy merchant, with a protruding belly, reclined in an official's chair, casually stroking the rosewood armrests as he said indifferently, "Moreover, although your family possesses quite a few items, how many of them are truly valuable? We at 'Deheng Tang' are only reluctantly offering you a price of twenty thousand taels out of respect for Lord Guo. How is it that when it comes to you, it becomes a matter of taking advantage of your family?" We at 'Deheng Tang' are only reluctantly offering you a price of twenty thousand taels out of respect for Lord Guo. How is it that when it comes to you, it becomes a matter of taking advantage of your family?"

Zhao Shouzheng was very concerned about his son. Seeing this, he stopped his actions once again and quietly asked, "What is it, son?"

Yet Zhao Hao continued to shake his head incessantly

He then followed along, intending to make Zhao Shouzheng more vigilant

In the view of the two officials, his procrastination was clearly an attempt to avoid co-signing the promissory note, seeking an excuse to escape from the past

Fearing that circumstances might change, the seasonal doctor preemptively spoke up before Zhao Hao:

Before the ink had dried, Zhang Yuanwai was about to put away the IOU, but was stopped by Zhao Shouye

Your esteemed father has offended Gao Xinjing, and indeed, he will suffer greatly. Moreover, this time, such a significant issue has been uncovered! Seeing that he was indeed frightened, Doctor Ji took the opportunity to say: "Fortunately, our department, considering the friendship among colleagues, intervened on his behalf, which has secured a glimmer of hope for your esteemed father"

Dun Dun, the seasonal doctor coldly swept a glance at the Zhao family, and ominously said: "If the hole cannot be filled, then even the immortals will find it difficult to save you. By that time, not only your esteemed father, but your entire family will suffer!"

"Younger brother, just sign it, stop procrastinating," Zhao Shouye urged. "If we delay any longer, that man with the surname Gao will take drastic measures against father!"

However, at this moment, Zhao Shouye's gaze fell upon the wealthy merchant dressed in a fox fur coat and a brocade robe, wearing a similarly lined fox fur hat.

Let's first see what it is before we discuss it

Zhao Hao suddenly pushed his right elbow, causing the brush to draw a long ink mark on the promissory note

He finally put pen to paper, ready to sign his name.

This time, the Jingcha was entirely managed by him! The censor beside him also chimed in.

However, I heard my uncle sigh and say: "There is no need to worry about so much anymore; saving father is the priority. Hurry and sign here; once you sign, father will be safe and sound, and he can also be reinstated to his official position"

Fortunately, Zhao Hao was quick-witted and swift, catching him just in time, which prevented Zhao Shouzheng from falling flat on his backside

"That's great, as long as father is fine!" Zhao Shouzheng was as happy as a child and was about to put pen to paper

Then Lord Zhao should sign quickly, with such a large sum of silver, we at Deheng also need time to prepare

"Seasonal Minister, do not be anxious; I am merely speaking. If Brother Zhang is unwilling, then so be it." Zhao Shouye hurriedly accompanied his father's former subordinate with caution. These days, he had been shouldering the situation alone, and he was already exhausted, no longer displaying the slightest arrogance of a Deputy Minister's son.

The Zhao residence is a large courtyard with five sections in depth, consisting of the entrance hall, the front hall, the main hall, the inner residence, and the back courtyard where the servants live.

Zhao Shouzheng turned around and saw his nephew, Zhao Xian, the eldest grandson of the Zhao family, approaching with a look of utter dejection

At this moment, all the rooms in the back house have been locked by the buyers, leaving Zhao Hao with nowhere to go. Moreover, he is also concerned about this Zhao Er Ye, who is not well-versed in worldly affairs

"Which Lord Gao are you referring to, Lord Gao? Is it Gao Gong or Gao Xinzhen?" Zhao Shouzheng asked in terror

Alright... The three exchanged glances, understanding that he was guarding against the possibility that in the future, his brothers would refuse to acknowledge the debt, leaving him to bear this enormous burden alone

... ...

Father has his reasons; Uncle Er will understand once he goes.

"Sigh, very well." Zhao Shouzheng glanced worriedly at Zhao Hao and said softly, "My son, find a sheltered place to stay for a while; I will be back shortly."

How serious is it? Zhao Shouzheng's gaze was indeed drawn back by him

Brother Zhao, you have always disregarded mundane affairs, and you may not yet be aware of how serious your father's troubles are

"Brother Zhang, isn't this interest rate a bit too high?" Although Zhao Shouye was dressed in a home robe, he was still a dignified sixth-rank official of the court. At this moment, he was surprisingly lowering his voice and being humble before a merchant. "I didn't negotiate the price for the items in the residence with you, so can't we be a bit flexible on the loan?"

The elder Zhao Shouye from the residence was also in the front hall, trying to muster his spirits to entertain two officials and a man dressed as a wealthy merchant.

How to say everyone is in the same boat

After the censor finished speaking, the official from the Ministry of Revenue exchanged a glance with Master Zhang.

It has always been your father who is in charge, and there is no need to consult me. Zhao Shouzheng shook his head and said: Everything should be decided by him

Zhang Yuanwai placed his middle finger on the table and pushed a promissory note that had been placed there earlier in front of Zhao Shouye

Both officials were dressed in blue official robes; one had a white pheasant insignia representing the fifth rank on his chest, while the other bore the insignia of the Xie Zhi, a mythical creature. Although the latter's rank was lower than that of the former, he was nonetheless an imposing figure as a law enforcement officer.

Oh. Zhao Shouzheng slapped his forehead, finally putting down his pen and focusing on the document. He couldn't help but gasp, saying: "A loan of 50,000 taels, with an interest rate of 9 out of 13! Such a high interest, how can this be repaid?"

"Younger brother, come quickly and sign the document." After the brother paid his respects to the two officials, Zhao Shouye called him over to sign and seal.

"It is all over..." Zhao Shouzheng's legs went weak, and he sat down on the ground.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao secretly exclaimed: "Is it a matter of interest? The fundamental issue is that this fifty thousand taels cannot be borrowed, alright!"

"Alright, elder brother." Zhao Shouzheng then took the pen and was about to sign next to his brother's signature.

Seeing him with red-rimmed eyes, trembling slightly as he signed the IOU with a clenched pen, the three of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief

Who in Nanjing would still lend money to your family? If Master Zhao still finds fault with this and that, it would be better to seek someone more capable.

At this moment, those individuals receiving the property had already finished ransacking the inner chambers and the main hall, and were currently in the front hall of the Zhao residence, counting various furnishings and collectibles

"Who else could it be but the esteemed high official?" Minister Ji cupped his hands towards the north and said solemnly, "Is it not the current Imperial Teacher, the Prince's Guardian, and the Deputy of the Cabinet, Gao Xinzhen?"

The two officials nodded without saying a word

... ...

Please wait, such a significant matter should also require my younger brother to sign as well

Let us speak frankly, your father has offended Lord Gao!" The words were pronounced by Doctor Ji, each word articulated clearly.

At this moment, however, there was no confusion. The three of them smiled without speaking

"Be quick about it, let's get this over with." The inspector, who had been wearing a stern expression, also spoke up: "Our office has a report every five days, it must be submitted tomorrow, and no one will be able to cover for it then"