Chapter 4: Why the Urgency of the Same Root Decoction

Song Huan was furious, pointing at Song Nan's nose and scolding, "You dare to insult me? Someone, break his dog legs and teach him not to act wild again"

In the eyes of the Yan family and Song Huan, Song Nan and her son had long been erased like a speck of dust; over the years, they had forgotten that there was still another line of blood related to the late Master Song in this world

The two servants were taken aback, and Zhang San retorted, "What life-threatening matters could my young master possibly have, based on your nonsense?"

Song Nan sighed and said: "They really are two watchdogs, looking down on others with their dog eyes"

Song Nan turned around and carefully scrutinized Song Huan for a moment. Noticing that his eyebrows, eyes, mouth, and nose indeed resembled his own, he confirmed without a doubt that Song Huan was born of the Yan family. He then clasped his hands and smiled, saying: "Greetings, elder brother. I am Song Nan, and I pay my respects to you."

Li Daniu felt a bit anxious. Although he had a brave temperament, he was still a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth. Moreover, the poor naturally harbor a sense of fear towards the rich, making him appear at a loss while standing beside Song Nan

Song Huan lifted his brocade robe and stepped down the stairs, walking towards the willow tree. A dozen or so servants hurriedly followed, quickly surrounding Song Nan and Li Daniu in the middle.

The Song residence is located on East Gate Street within Jingyangmen, featuring a grand red-painted door adorned with beast-shaped rings and copper nails, exuding considerable majesty. The Song family has prospered for several decades; although Song De's official achievements are rather average, he excels in commerce after resigning due to illness. Furthermore, the Yan family's background is also that of a prominent household in Weizhou, and with no sons in the Yan family, the entire family fortune has been passed down to the Yan family. With this substantial capital, Song De was able to rapidly expand his wealth.

Song Nan patted Li Daniu on the shoulder to offer comfort, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in salute, saying: "Please kindly inform me, I wish to see your master"

Indeed, it is precisely for this reason that the Yan family is so domineering and aggressive, while Song De is soft-hearted and unable to stand tall in front of the Yan family. The arrangement for Song Nan and her son on Beida Street back then was also the result of desperate pleas.

The housekeeper frowned and looked at Song Nan, saying: "Who are you again?"

Song Nan reached out to push Li Daniu aside, offering him a grateful smile. He then turned to the two imposing servants and said: "This matter concerns the life and death of the Song family. If you are unwilling to report it, that is fine. However, if your master encounters an accident, you two will likely not be able to escape responsibility. You may consider your options. I will wait here for the duration of an incense stick. Once the time is up, I will leave without hesitation, so do not come to me for help then"

"Stop right there! My Song family has a long-standing tradition of poetry and propriety, and we are a respected family in Weizhou. There is no need to ruin our reputation over a lowly wretch; Song Nan, what is your intention in causing trouble here for no reason? Are you unable to make ends meet and seeking my charity for some silver to get by? This can be easily resolved. Someone, go and ask the steward to bring a few taels of silver to send this beggar away, as if we were feeding a dog."

"You wretched scoundrel, are you cursing my Song family with calamities of life and death? You have quite the audacity," Song Huan exclaimed.

Song Nan smiled and said, "Brother Daniu, I have decided to be friends with you, so there is no need to worry. I am not worried about what you are worried about. In this world, there are always things that must be faced; avoidance is not a solution. You will get used to it in the future. I want to take you, Brother Daniu, to enjoy all the riches and honors of the world, starting from today."

Song Nan said: "Elder brother, your words are quite venomous. We share the same father; I am the lowly one, but what are you? Should I respond to you by calling you the lowly elder brother?"

The steward on the steps nodded and said, "That is also true." He turned around and waved his hand at Song Nan, saying, "Did you hear that? We have seen many people like you who come to seek connections and benefits. Don't foolishly think you can establish any kinship; it is useless."

The commotion drew the attention of the townsfolk, who stopped to watch, and soon dozens of people had gathered around, inquiring about what had happened. Song Huan calmed himself; he did not want to be accused of instructing his servants to beat someone in public. Although such matters were trivial to him, even if the local officials came to apprehend someone, it would merely be his servants who would take the punishment, and he could settle the matter later by giving them some reward for their injuries.

Brother Nan, let us leave. If the people from the Song residence turn hostile, it would be fine if I get hurt, as my skin is tough and my flesh is thick. But if you get hurt, that would be troublesome, and I would have no way to explain it to Madam Song

Li Daniu lowered his head to look at the clothes he was wearing, patches upon patches, with several large holes worn through. His spirit instantly deflated, leaving him devoid of even the desire to argue.

The two exchanged glances, and Zhang San turned his head and walked inside, running to report with a "dong dong dong" sound.

When the sun rose about ten feet high, Song Nan and Li Daniu arrived outside the Song residence. Looking up at the tall gatehouse, Song Nan secretly sighed, reflecting that although they were born of the same father, their fates were vastly different. One lived in a grand mansion, while the other struggled to make ends meet.

The two gatekeepers, dressed in brand new blue short shirts, were chatting with their arms crossed. Upon seeing Song Nan and Li Daniu approach, they stopped their conversation. One of them stepped down the stairs, looked Song Nan and Li Daniu up and down, and then, with arms spread wide and a fierce glare, said: "This is the Song residence, not a place for beggars. Go away, do not disturb."

The servant mocked, "Look at the ragged clothes you are wearing; aren't you just a beggar? Leave quickly, lest you suffer the consequences"

The servant murmured Song Nan's name twice, then turned to another servant leaning against the door frame and said, "Brother Zhang San, do you know this Song Nan?"

Indeed, the two servants did not disappoint Song Nan. Although they spoke harshly, they were inwardly apprehensive. This young man, despite his ordinary attire, did not behave like a destitute person seeking to establish connections. Moreover, when it comes to matters concerning the life and death of the master’s family, it is better to believe there is something rather than nothing. If there were truly a significant issue, how could the two of them bear the responsibility? Initially, they were simply reluctant to take a step to report, as it would not be worth it to implicate themselves.

Moments later, a commotion began to rise at the entrance of the Song residence. Before long, a group of over ten servants surrounded a young gentleman as he emerged. This young gentleman was dressed in luxurious attire, with a fair complexion and facial features somewhat resembling those of Song Nan. It was evident that he was Song Huan, the eldest son of the Song family.

The two servants almost regretted hitting the wall; how could they not withstand their guilt and go report it? On Zhang San's face, there were five distinct handprints, which were left after he had just reported Song Nan's name and received a slap from the eldest young master.

Song Nan turned and quietly stood under a large willow tree by the roadside, not even glancing at the two people. He understood such individuals all too well; in the future, the reason Song Nan was able to rise to an executive position in just a few years was not only due to his genuine abilities but also his profound understanding of interpersonal relationships. The mindset of small individuals is primarily to assert their presence, which is why the old saying goes, "The King of Hell is easy to see, but the little ghosts are hard to deal with." However, they are absolutely unwilling to take responsibility; they will undoubtedly report to others. Apart from having genuine abilities, he also had a deep understanding of interpersonal relationships. The mindset of small individuals is primarily to assert their presence, which is why the old saying goes, "The King of Hell is easy to see, but the little ghosts are hard to deal with." However, they are absolutely unwilling to take responsibility; they will undoubtedly report to others.

Two servants, having been scolded, immediately rolled up their sleeves and walked down the steps, shouting: "Looking for a fight, are we? Coming to the Song residence to act recklessly without even inquiring first."

The servants glared fiercely, ready to pounce. Song Nan shouted loudly, "Who dares? In broad daylight, do you dare to beat someone in the street? This is a public road, not your Song residence. The laws of the Ming Dynasty are no joke; fighting in public can lead to forty strokes of the rod. Anyone who is not afraid of being thrown into the county jail, come and try to touch me."

Li Daniu sensed that the situation was not good. Although he felt somewhat anxious, he still reached down to pick up a stone from the ground and held it in front of Song Nan, glaring and saying, "What do you want to do?"

However, Song Huan did not want to proceed in this manner. He could clearly sense that Song Nan had come prepared. Song Huan was also a person of considerable cunning; before he fully understood the purpose of Song Nan's sudden arrival, he did not wish to act rashly.

Zhang San disdainfully said: "How would I know them? As the saying goes, wealth is found in the deep mountains, and distant relatives come from afar. How many years has our Song family not had people claiming to be of the Song surname come to seek kinship? They are merely here to bask in our glory. The young master has instructed that such people should be completely ignored."

Song Nan said: "My surname is Song and my given name is Nan. If you go in and mention my name, your master will know immediately"

"Over there, standing under the willow tree, is that wretched person who still hasn't left," Zhang San pointed at Song Nan and Li Daniu under the willow tree.

Song Huan angrily said: "Who is your elder brother, you wretched spawn, what are you doing here?"

Song Nan coldly laughed and said: "Today's matter cannot be resolved with just a few taels of silver; I must receive every bit that is rightfully mine, and I will take it all back."

The large residence, with its four entrances and eight exits, had around thirty to forty servants and maids guarding it. Song De's eldest legitimate son, Song Huan, was not a weakling. After Song De's passing, Song Huan took charge of the family business and established connections with several officials from the Weizhou Prefecture, becoming increasingly arrogant and imperious.

Li Daniu rolled his eyes and thought to himself: Stop dreaming; if I can get through today’s ordeal, I will be grateful to heaven and earth. However, the tone in which Nan Ge spoke seemed as if he had become a different person; it felt as though he was not joking.

Hahaha... The crowd of servants burst into laughter. Although the remark was not particularly funny, in order to enhance the atmosphere, they forced laughter from the depths of their throats even if it was not amusing.

"Where is that scoundrel? How dare he come to my house and speak nonsense? You are all fools; what major life-and-death matters could I possibly have? It is clear that he is here to annoy me." The young gentleman's face was filled with anger as he reprimanded the two gatekeepers.

Li Daniu angrily said: "Who is the beggar? You are the beggar!"