Chapter 2, The Bride Snatching (Middle)

Why aren't you going

Tang Wenzheng threw the reins to his attendant, feeling both worried and angry. Hu Buwei should still be unaware that his son had kidnapped his daughter. Tang Wenzheng managed to keep his composure; he took a few steps forward, approached the carriage, and leaned close to Hu Buwei's ear, whispering a few words to him.

Tang Tiehan discerned the implied meaning behind the words of that fellow, clearly suggesting that his father was inferior to the other’s. In a fit of anger, he slapped the man, causing him to spin around twice on the spot. After venting his frustration, Tang Tiehan regained some composure. Although he was hot-tempered and impatient, he was not foolish; he understood that his father held a sixth-rank position, which was significantly lower than that of the other. Not to mention, just the back entrance of the Ministry of Personnel was far more grand and imposing than the front door of his own home. In the vicinity of the horse market, it had always been Tang Tiehan who bullied others, but today he found himself on the receiving end of such treatment, leaving him in a state of agitation.

Even if there is resentment in his heart, he must suppress his anger as he enters the carriage. Hu Buwei, at this moment, summoned his personal guard, Hu Tianxiong, and whispered a few instructions in his ear. After receiving the orders, Hu Tianxiong immediately spurred his horse and galloped towards the direction of the Ministry of Personnel.

With this thought in mind, Hu Xiaotian naturally was not afraid of making a big scene. He laughed heartily, picked up the girl in the red dress who was still sleeping on the ground, and walked towards his room.

Hearing Tang Wenzheng's words, Hu Buwei, who was known for his composure, could not help but turn pale with anger. How could this be? His son had actually done such a thing? In fact, Hu Buwei did not know his son particularly well, not because he lacked concern for him. Throughout his son's life, he had done everything possible to ensure his comfort. Unfortunately, his son was born with a mental disability, and there had been no communication between them. It was only half a year ago that the boy suddenly regained his sanity and was able to speak. However, his words and actions were inexplicably strange. The two had rarely communicated. While Hu Buwei was surprised, he also found the situation quite odd. Nevertheless, it was a gift bestowed upon him by heaven.

Hu Xiaotian had some fondness for the father of this Minister of Revenue in the past, after all, he had been raised in luxury and comfort. However, ever since Hu Buwei took it upon himself to arrange the engagement, Hu Xiaotian immediately understood that this father regarded him as a political pawn, completely disregarding his son's personal happiness.

The sound of hooves suddenly ceased, and an anxious yet respectful voice came from the front: "I am Tang Wenzheng from the Ministry of Rites, and I have urgent matters to discuss with Lord Hu!"

Hu Xiaotian has been troubled by this marriage proposal for the past few days. Hearing Hu Fu say this, he thought, why not just go all out and forcibly take the woman? What if my reputation suffers? I am determined to ruin my name; as long as I do not commit any substantial wrongdoing, the worst that can happen is a bit of criticism. Since my father holds the rank of third grade in the current dynasty, this small matter should be manageable. I will seize the bride; I want the Li family to know that I intend to ruin this marriage proposal. They want to find me an incredibly ugly cripple as a wife? Not a chance. I am determined to ruin my name; as long as I do not commit any substantial wrongdoing, the worst that can happen is a bit of criticism. Since my father holds the rank of third grade in the current dynasty, this small matter should be manageable. I will seize the bride; I want the Li family to know that I intend to ruin this marriage proposal. They want to find me an incredibly ugly cripple as a wife? Not a chance.

The subordinate suggested that someone should first go to inform his father, the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Chariot Department, Tang Wenzheng, and also have family members go to the Jingzhao Prefecture to beat the drum and seek justice. Today, they are in the right, as the Tang family has been wronged, so they are not afraid of the matter escalating.

A group of servants stared at his back in astonishment, realizing that this young master was not foolish at all, but definitely quite lecherous! Hoover nudged Liang Dazhuang with his arm: "Dazhuang, go persuade him..."

At the moment when Tang Jialao San, Tang Tiexin, was beating the drum to seek justice at the Jingzhao Prefecture, it coincided with the time of the court's adjournment

Hu Buwei had his son at the age of thirty-five. His wife, the Hu Yang clan, bore only this child in her lifetime. Although Hu Buwei is known for his cunning nature, he has always treated his wife's family exceptionally well. To this day, his feelings for his wife remain unchanged; he has never taken a concubine nor has he had any emotional entanglements with other women. During this period, his wife went to their hometown in Jinling, and he has been preoccupied with political affairs, inevitably neglecting matters concerning his son. Little did he expect that such a significant event would occur just five days after his wife left. Hu Buwei couldn't help but feel a bit of a headache; however, being a veteran official who has served two dynasties and is skilled in strategy, his expression quickly returned to calmness. He said to Tang Wenzheng, "Brother Wenzheng, please step into the carriage for a discussion."

At this moment, Tang Wenzheng felt as if his heart was about to be consumed by fire, wishing he could sprout wings and fly directly to the Hu family to rescue his daughter from their clutches. However, he was acutely aware of the other party's identity; Hu Buwei was the Minister of Revenue, a third-rank official of the current dynasty, someone whom a mere sixth-rank official like himself could not afford to offend. Even if the reasoning was on his side, he did not dare to recklessly bring the matter to the Emperor's attention. Moreover, his daughter was still unmarried, and if this matter escalated... even if he could successfully rescue his daughter, it was likely that her reputation would be tarnished. The thought of this made Tang Wenzheng increasingly distressed and resentful.

The Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei, sat in his carriage, contemplating the marriage alliance between the Hu and Li families. Li Tianheng had gained the deep trust of Crown Prince Long Yeqing, having previously saved the prince's life from an assassin, thus earning the prince's profound gratitude. The current emperor is already sixty-three years old, and his health and vitality are evidently declining day by day. He has repeatedly hinted at the intention to pass the throne to the crown prince, indicating that the day of the prince's ascension is not far off

Tang Tiehan angrily said: "His father is an official, my father is also an official. He has taken my younger sister, and even if we go to the emperor to seek justice, we are not afraid."

The Tang family has three sons, but only one daughter, named Tang Qingxuan. She is regarded as the apple of her father's eye by Tang Wenzheng, the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Horse Department, and her three brothers indulge her in every way. This has led to her arrogant and spoiled nature. If it were not for her excessively willful and arrogant temperament, galloping through the streets on horseback, and striking others with her whip at the slightest disagreement, she would not have encountered the trouble she faces today

When a sixth-rank official encounters a third-rank dignitary, dismounting is a basic courtesy. Although Tang Wenzheng had a fiery temperament and held Hu Buwei in contempt for his character and reputation, he still maintained a demeanor of utmost respect on the surface. These officials from the capital were already well-versed in the intricacies of court politics. To establish a foothold in the ever-changing court, one must first learn the art of pretense and flattery. Even if one harbors deep resentment, not a trace of it can be shown on one's face. The character for 'endurance' is like a knife above one's head, allowing the flames of anger to burn within.

The reason why Hu Buwei acted this way has another unknown aspect; he had previously offended Long Yeqing, who is now the Crown Prince of Dakang and has never held a favorable opinion of him. Although Hu Buwei has made various attempts to remedy the situation over the years, it seems that the effect has been minimal. With each new emperor comes a new set of officials, and there is a fear that the new emperor will engage in a massacre upon ascending the throne. At that time, not only would he be unable to retain his official position, but he might also lose his life. Hu Buwei gasped in shock, relieved that he had already prepared an escape route. It appears that the effect has been minimal; with each new emperor comes a new set of officials, and there is a fear that the new emperor will engage in a massacre upon ascending the throne. At that time, not only would he be unable to retain his official position, but he might also lose his life. Hu Buwei gasped in shock, relieved that he had already prepared an escape route. With the connection to Li Tianheng, Hu's family should be able to ensure their safety.

It is foreseeable that with the ascension of Long Yeqing to the throne, Li Tianheng will undoubtedly be favored. As the in-law of Li Tianheng, even if I cannot advance further, I can ensure that my current position remains as stable as Mount Tai.

Tang Wenzheng was tall and broad-shouldered, with a dark complexion. In this regard, all three of his sons inherited these traits. In contrast, his daughter Tang Qingxuan had skin as fair as snow and features as beautiful as a painting. Anyone who had seen her in person would find it hard to believe that Old Tang could father such a beautiful daughter. However, when it came to temperament, Tang Qingxuan was very much like Tang Wenzheng.

Hu Buwei slowly drew back the curtain in front of the carriage, only to see the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Chariot Department, Tang Wenzheng, dismounting from the back of a snow-white steed. Although the Chariot Department is one of the six ministries, it is subordinate to the Ministry of War and has no direct connection to the Ministry of Revenue, which is presided over by Hu Buwei. Tang Wenzheng is merely a minor official of the sixth rank, yet he holds considerable renown in the capital. He is skilled in the art of horse appraisal and is known as the contemporary Bole. The Minister of War, Zhang Zhize, places great trust in him, and the two share a close friendship in private.

Upon reaching this point, Hu Buwei could not help but reveal a hint of a knowing smile at the corners of his lips. However, when he thought of Li Tianheng's paralyzed and unattractive daughter, and then of his own son who had suddenly regained his normal rationality, a sense of guilt subtly emerged within Hu Buwei. It truly felt like a compromise to have his son marry the daughter of the Li family, but for the future and status of the Hu family, he could only sacrifice his son's personal marital happiness.

Tang Wenzheng dismounted, but Hu Buwei did not intend to come out of the carriage. With a smile, he said, "Who would have thought it was you, Brother Wenzheng? It has been a while since we last met." He did not inquire about the matter that Tang Wenzheng sought him for, but he had already surmised that there was indeed a matter at hand. As the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue of Dakang, Hu Buwei was in charge of the territory, land, household registration, taxes, salaries, and all financial affairs and documentation of Dakang. He wielded significant power, with subordinates responsible for minting money, such as the Money Law Hall and the Baquan Bureau, as well as overseeing the three treasury departments of the Ministry of Revenue and managing the granary office responsible for transportation and grain distribution. He was undoubtedly the financial lord of Dakang. In Hu Buwei's view, it was highly likely that Tang Wenzheng was seeking his assistance regarding financial matters. Previously, the emperor had entrusted the construction of the General Mountain Horse Farm to Tang Wenzheng, and it was Hu Buwei who had facilitated the funding for that project.

Tang Tiehan, in a state of agitation, was pulling at his hair and shouting curses outside. He ordered someone to bring a log to break down the door. However, not all of his subordinates were foolish; one of them stopped him and said, "Brother, this is the Minister's residence. We must not act recklessly. Minister Hu is the financial benefactor of the Great Kang and enjoys the favor of the current emperor."

Hu Fo, being somewhat older and having experienced much, understood that forcibly seizing a woman was a violation of the royal law and had already breached the Da Kang legal code. He quietly advised, "Young Master, if this matter were to reach the ears of the Master, he would certainly hold you accountable. If it were to spread, it would also have a negative impact on your reputation. After all, you have just become engaged to Miss Li; if this were to reach their ears..." What Hu Fo said was the truth; the speaker had no intention, but the listener had a purpose.

A sudden clatter of hooves approached rapidly. Hu Buwei heard the sound of the guards drawing their swords outside. His two personal bodyguards were both exceptional fighters, with extraordinary vigilance. The guard, Hu Tianxiong, shouted, "Who goes there, daring to block Lord Hu's carriage?" The forcefulness of his words already indicated that he had discerned the identity of the visitor; he could at least be certain that the other party's official rank was lower than Hu Buwei's, otherwise he would not have dared to speak with such authority. The intricacies of the officialdom are well understood.

That person sighed: "They are a third-rank official!"