Chapter 10, For Unforeseen Needs

"A poor family but a rich journey, the travel expenses will definitely be provided, and they will be sufficient." Manager Pan pondered for a moment, then lightly patted his arm and instructed, "In a few days, I will go to the city to the ticket office to exchange some silver notes, and I will gather five hundred taels for you. But you must hide it well, and never let Han Si know. Once you are on the road, you will be his attendant, and he cannot neglect you. Wherever he goes, you will follow; whatever he eats, you will eat; if he does not eat, you will starve together, and we will see who can outlast whom."

I understand that if he cannot make up for the deficiencies and cannot hold an official position, we will not only fail to collect interest on the silver we lent out, but we may not even recover the principal! I will definitely listen carefully and ask thoroughly; I will not take action without complete assurance.

Despite the fact that Pan Changsheng appears very well-dressed and is often referred to as the young master by everyone when he goes out, he actually lives a rather constrained life. Whenever he wants to take some money from the cash register to go out for drinks with friends, he has to consider the expressions of Manager Pan and Pan Changxi. He does not dare to argue with his father, but he has had numerous disputes with Pan Changxi over money matters. On one occasion, after drinking too much, he even lost control and got into a physical fight with Pan Changxi.

Father, you can rest assured, I will not cause any trouble

When Manager Pan is not at home, everything on the counter is decided by Pan Changxi

Then just come back, one cannot die away from home after all

Pan Changsheng did not want Han Xiufeng to take advantage, and he chuckled, saying, "I know, I just said I didn't bring any money"

The three brothers of the Pan family, with the eldest brother Pan Changxi being the most capable

"Listen to me, " thinking of this troublesome son who is also his own flesh and blood, who was very adorable in his childhood, Manager Pan felt a pang in his heart. He pulled him to sit beside him, tears streaming down his face, and said: "Changsheng, letting you go so far away, your father is also worried. But you can't just go out and be idle all the time! Once you are out, you must learn to take care of yourself. No matter what happens, do not be reckless..." Once you are out, you must learn to take care of yourself. No matter what happens, do not be reckless..."

Father, our loss today is not due to his cleverness, but because he works at the county office and has a group of unscrupulous yamen runners backing him up, which ties my hands and feet. However, once he steps out of the office, he is no longer the clerk of the county, but merely a nominal substitute inspector. Therefore, I have no concerns; if he dares to play tricks on me, let him see how I will outsmart him!

One cannot say that one leaves without any money. Before setting off, I will prepare for you two strings of copper coins and about ten taels of loose silver. If he tries to be cunning and finds himself in a difficult situation, he can only spend the silver he knows about. Once that is exhausted, let us see how he will manage. In any case, be wise and act according to the circumstances.

I have noted it down

I know, I am not a three-year-old child. Pan Changsheng was quite impatient with this remark and asked eagerly, "Father, what about the travel expenses? Since I am going out like this, you cannot send me off without some money for expenses."

Next, he is going to associate with Han Si, and Pan Changsheng is even more eager to build a good relationship with the Han family. He subconsciously asked, "Father, what about that little coroner?"

What if Han Si cannot make up for the deficiency and cannot hold an official position

Manager Pan suddenly recalled that the person before him was not someone to be underestimated, and couldn't help but smile: "Indeed, however, once we step outside, we are all fellow townsmen, and we should look out for one another. Remember what your father said: in any situation, it is better to trust a fellow townsman than an outsider, for the hearts of outsiders can be treacherous."

Furthermore, the five hundred taels of silver notes hidden on him are reserved for emergencies. However, if he truly has a chance to make up for the shortfall and is in need of funds, you should take out the silver notes at a critical moment to provide him with timely assistance. But you must be certain, as you should only do so if you have at least an eighty to ninety percent assurance.

"Alright, alright, are you trying to drive me to my grave?" Manager Pan slammed the table and pointed at his two sons, scolding them: "It is said that harmony in the family leads to prosperity in all matters. Yet here you are, arguing behind closed doors and even with the doors open, not caring that others might laugh at you!"

"Letting you interfere, letting you interfere in a business that you have already ruined!" Manager Pan glared at him fiercely and said earnestly, "Changsheng, you are already 20 years old, married with children, and you are now a father. You should understand some things. The journey to the capital is over a thousand miles; behave yourself along the way, listen to Han Si, and do not cause any trouble. The outside world is not like riding a horse; if you provoke someone you cannot afford to offend, even having your legs broken would be considered light punishment. The journey to the capital is over a thousand miles; behave yourself along the way, listen to Han Si, and do not cause any trouble. The outside world is not like riding a horse; if you provoke someone you cannot afford to offend, even having your legs broken would be considered light punishment.

Let the little coroner be, our family is already unfortunate enough! Inviting him to drink, do you think our home isn't gloomy enough?

Why have I gone too far? I am merely stating the facts

Manager Pan was furious and said with a stern face: "Changxi, say a few less words! It was I who suggested that Changsheng go to the capital with Han Si to testify. Experiencing the outside world is certainly better than idling at home."

Pan Changsheng felt very wronged and said with a bitter face: "Father, it is not that I wish to be idle, but you do not allow me to intervene in the matters of the cabinet!"

"What could I possibly have to do? Even if there is something, you have your brother and your younger brother here, right?" Manager Pan thought for a moment and then said, "Changxi, the head of the guard won't be able to return to the city today. Take some money from the drawer and go buy some pig's head meat, peanuts, and a few jin of wine from the street. Later, invite him and Han Si to come over for a drink. It's better to resolve enmities than to deepen them, especially since your younger brother is going to the capital with Han Si to provide testimony. He will need Han Si's assistance along the way."

Father, after I leave, you must take care of yourself

However, Pan Changsheng did not believe that Pan Changxi was genuinely concerned for him. He slapped his thigh with a folding fan and shook his head, saying: "Elder brother, a good man should aspire to great things and not remain in this remote and impoverished place. What success can we achieve here? The reason we suffered such a significant loss today is that we have not seen the world and fell for Han Yucai's nonsense. I will go to the capital with Han Si to provide testimony, and it will be a good opportunity to gain some experience. If he can fill the vacancy and become an official, serving as his attendant would also be a means of livelihood."

Oh, as if I never said anything

This reassures me, and you need not worry about home; your wife and children will be taken care of by your sister-in-law and brother-in-law. No matter where you go, do not forget to write a family letter and send back the ticket number.

Father, you saw and heard everything today. It is not that I wanted to argue, but my elder brother went too far!

The reason why Manager Pan allowed him to accompany Han Xiufeng to the capital to testify was also to prevent him from continuing to lead such a carefree and idle life

Pan Changxi was quite reasonable, and without a moment's hesitation, he said: "Father, I will go right away"

It is easy for you to say, but have you considered that he is going to the capital, not to the county town? Have you thought about how much money it will take for the round trip?

Elder brother, so this is what you are worried about! Pan Changsheng became displeased, suddenly stood up and pointed at Pan Changxi, roaring: "I knew you couldn't stand to see me spend a little money. Father is still here, this family is not for you, Pan Changxi, to take charge of! Moreover, it was Father who asked me to go with Han Si. You’ve only been in charge for a few days and you’ve already forgotten who your son is, not even listening to Father’s words!"