Chapter Nine, your grandfather is still your grandfather

Sigh... Zhou Jijiang was struck at his sore spot, and he immediately slumped back onto the long bench, saying: "Let's focus on the present first, otherwise I won't be able to pass the examination in Jingcha..."

After all, being scolded wouldn't cost him a single penny, so he lowered his head and listened quietly, genuinely hoping that once Zhao Liben finished scolding, he would calm down and throw the Geng Tie harshly at his face

Naturally, the engagement was called off. However, Liu Yuanwai did not possess the unpleasant habit of the Hanlin scholars, and he spoke on behalf of Zhou Jizhao.

Sigh, the elder is feigning ignorance... Zhou Jijiang knows that Zhao Liben is forcing him to utter those two shameful words. He opened his mouth several times, yet could not bring himself to say them.

"Old Zhao, let's be clear about this. Regarding our marriage, you initially went to great lengths, treating guests and giving gifts, and you pleaded with me tirelessly before I reluctantly agreed." Zhou Jijiu said angrily, slapping the table at Zhao Liben.

Zhao Shouzheng could not help but clap his hands in admiration, saying: "Might cannot bend, poverty and lowliness cannot change; my father truly has integrity"

They need to pay more! Yet, Zhao Liben added in a low voice.

Zhao Liben has navigated the turbulent waters of officialdom for decades, and has long since refined his skills, naturally not as naive as his descendants

While speaking, he kept his eyes fixed on Zhao Hao, the librarian, and it was evident that this remark was directed at his grandson. "In the future, those two families will definitely come to you for demands. Remember, do not give them enough money, and do not yield under any circumstances"

A gentleman's words must be followed by action, and there is absolutely no reason for regret! You shall not retrieve the Geng tie! Zhao Liben, however, remained unyielding, throwing the two envelopes back to the two individuals, showing not the slightest willingness to negotiate

Liu Yuanwai did not forget to pick up two envelopes, while catching up with Zhou Jijiu, he turned back and said: "When your days become unbearable, we can discuss it then."

Over there, the wine minister of the Zhou dynasty is not so easy to deal with. He is a highly praised official of the pure stream, and has never been openly scolded like this; even if it is a veiled criticism, he cannot tolerate it.

"At least 10,000 taels." Zhao Liben stated his psychological price without hesitation. This was evidently far from the price offered by the other party, no wonder the elder was so furious that he wanted to close the door and unleash the dogs.

Annulment of engagement?" Zhao Liben snorted coldly and mocked the two, saying: "As soon as I returned home, you two followed right behind to annul the engagement?"

The sacrificial wine master laughed. However, Zhao Liben pretended to be confused while clearly understanding, deliberately teasing Master Zhou by saying: "I am now just a commoner, what virtue or ability do I have to let you and the books off the hook?"

Zhao Liben had originally maintained the composure of a former high-ranking official, but upon hearing Liu Yuanwai's words, he suddenly erupted in fury, pointing at his nose and berating him

Moreover, there is always a possibility in everything; if by chance money were to be obtained, would that not be delightful

... ...

"Father, have you lost your mind due to poverty?" Zhao Shouye was left speechless. He had sold all the valuable items in the house and had only managed to obtain a mere twenty thousand taels. His father actually demanded ten thousand taels for a marriage proposal that was clearly no longer viable. "Isn't this extortion?"

After a while, Zhao Shouye finally came to his senses and asked, "How much more do I need to add for you to be satisfied, Father?"

He glared with a dark expression, arms crossed, his cold gaze fixed on Zhou and Liu.

The atmosphere in front of the rear cover room was extremely awkward

Send off the guests

I am indeed a swindler, so what about it

Get lost! Zhao Liben kicked him in the butt.

Yes. Zhao Hao and his son were busy receiving instruction with respectful voices

It is truly a matter of necessity, and I sincerely hope that the esteemed elder will grant his approval. Liu Yuanwai cupped his hands towards him, his cheeks trembling as he said: "In that case, I am willing to offer an additional five hundred taels of silver for the ceremony..."

Zhao Hao secretly shot a glance at Liu Yuanwai, not expecting that this fat man with a fortune of one million would actually be a miser

As soon as Zhao Liben saw that these two unfamiliar individuals had actually arrived together early in the morning, he knew that it was a sure sign of trouble ahead

"Let us go," said Zhou Jijiujiao, sensing that the situation was unfavorable and deciding to retreat.

Zhao Liben handed two copies of the Geng letters to his second son and said lightly: "You just mentioned that you also want to stay in Nanjing. As your father, I am currently empty-handed, so I will leave these two copies of the Geng letters with you for your protection"

Zhou Jijiang, after all, comes from the Hanlin Academy and has experienced the world; he is still able to speak as usual under the intense scrutiny of Zhao Liben

Zhao Liben let out a cold laugh and then took out two pieces of red paper from his sleeve, which were precisely the marriage certificates of the daughter of Zhou the Sacrificial Scholar and Liu the Wealthy, both of whom had desperately sought after them.

He suddenly reddened his eyes and choked up, saying: "Old Zhao, just consider it a favor and let me go. I only became a successful candidate at the age of 41, and it is not easy to be selected for the academy by chance. If I offend the Prime Minister, my life will end at the fourth rank."

"If you don't get out of here, I'll have you thrown out!" Zhao Liben completely lost his temper, kicking over the table and shouting at his sons and grandchildren standing nearby: "What are you standing there for? Go get a stick!"

In fact, five hundred taels of silver is by no means a small amount; it could be equivalent to several hundred thousand yuan in later generations. Of course, compared to the wealth of Liu Yuanwai, it is indeed just a drop in the bucket

Sigh... Zhao Liben patted the shoulders of the two and chuckled, saying: "Anyway, your father is old and you are young. What does it matter if you delay marriage for another ten or eight years? It is they who cannot afford the delay. Remember, the longer you wait, the more benefits you will gain."

Ah, esteemed elder. To speak frankly, Gao Xinzhen is the imperial teacher, and the new ruler regards him as a support. With just a flick of his finger, he could crush us. I kindly ask you, esteemed elder, to show mercy and spare us this time

Zhao Shouye was greatly moved by the words and could not help but approach, saying: "Father, why don't I and the second brother each take a share?"

What do you know! This concerns the dignity and decorum of the Zhao family. Do you think such a trivial amount of silver can resolve this?!" Zhao Liben glared fiercely at his incompetent eldest son.

Earlier, when Zhao Hao and his son went out, he did not hold much hope. The old man was well aware that the two marriages he arranged for his descendants were based on profit. Now that he had been dismissed and had no chance of recovery for the rest of his life, it was only natural that others had no reason to share hardships with the Zhao family. However, expressing these thoughts would indeed dampen the spirits, so Zhao Liben chose not to speak up to stop it

After the two left, Zhao Shouye could not help but complain to his father, saying: "It has already become such a mess, what is the point? It would be better if father agreed to the annulment of the engagement and exchanged it for some silver to spend."

Mr. Liu was scolded by Zhao Liben to the point of being utterly humiliated, yet he found himself unable to retort. On one hand, Zhao Liben's words were all based on facts; on the other hand, the evidence was still in the other party's hands. Provoking the opponent would only bring about disadvantages without any benefits.

... ...

This is quite uninteresting, old man... Liu Yuanwai still refuses to get up.

Once you have made a promise, you cannot go back on it! Zhao Liben, completely unashamed, continued to argue vigorously: "Pah, you still consider yourself a paragon of virtue! If this kind of thing gets out, who would still regard you as a paragon of virtue?"

The courtyard fell silent at once.

At that time, you, this fat man, went to great lengths to treat me and give gifts, desperately pleading with me, and only then did I reluctantly agree to the marriage. Now that you see me in a position of decline, you want to break off the engagement. What a fickle and despicable person! Shameful! Detestable! Hateful!

He is leaving Beijing early tomorrow morning, clearly anticipating that those two would come knocking today, and indeed it was merely a matter of insufficient payment

The gaze of the three high-ranking officials naturally carries a considerable pressure. Moreover, the two are aware of their own shortcomings, and at this moment, Liu Yuanwai is at a loss for words, only hoping that Zhou Jijiang can withstand the situation