Chapter 3, The Creditor Comes to the Door

Yucai and I share a bond akin to that of brothers; we are not merely brothers, but rather closer than brothers. He was recently appointed as the steward of finances by the Zheng Hall of Bishan, yet he passed away at a young age, truly a case of heaven being jealous of talent. Just thinking about it brings me great sorrow. Manager Pan bowed respectfully to the spirit tablet in the hall, his face filled with grief.

Han Xiufeng walked quickly to open the door. On such a hot day, Manager Pan was surprisingly wearing a long gray cloth gown, a melon-shaped hat on his head, and a pair of black cloth-soled boots on his feet. Following him was a young man in his twenties, dressed in a chestnut red silk jacket, holding a folding fan. Upon seeing Captain Guan sitting under the yellow cassia tree glaring at him, he was so frightened that he hurriedly put down the fan.

Han Xiufeng was in no mood to entertain his feigned compassion and said, "Manager Pan, the deceased has passed, and the living continue on. Let us return to the main topic."

Han Si, your family has its own difficulties, and my family has its own difficulties as well. If everyone seeks leniency, how can I still keep my business open?

Brother Pan, what are you saying? Who would willingly live a life burdened with debt? If there is money, it will naturally be repaid, but currently, there is no money. Brother Pan, you are making unreasonable demands.

For five generations, the Zhu family has been engaged in the profession of mortuary work, dealing frequently with the deceased. Each of them is regarded as unlucky, and they are not well-received anywhere. He is aware of this reality, and as creditors are about to come knocking, he simply squats alone in the corner of the wall

"Han Si, are you planning to never return it for a thousand years, or to never repay it for ten thousand years?" asked Pan Changsheng, the second son of Manager Pan, in a sarcastic tone.

"Esteemed nephew, you are too kind; then we, father and son, shall impose upon you. " The head constable Guan and the shopkeeper Pan were acquainted; in fact, from the moment he entered, he had been watching the head constable closely. Common folk fear officials, but he was not afraid with a powerful uncle to back him. From a distance, he cupped his hands in a salute and said: "Head Constable Guan, you are indeed a rare visitor. What brings you from the county office to Zuo Ma?"

"Alright, let us get back to the point." Han Xiufeng, not wanting to beat around the bush any longer, put down the teapot and said sincerely: "Manager Pan, as mentioned earlier, it is only right to repay debts. Our Han family has never, does not, and will not engage in the despicable act of defaulting on debts in the future. However, we truly cannot come up with that much money at this moment. Could you possibly grant us a few years' grace to allow us to repay slowly?"

"Manager Pan, you are too polite. There is always tea to drink, but let us first discuss the matter at hand." Head Constable Guan, having served in the yamen for so many years, maintained a stoic expression, exuding authority without anger.

Han Xiufeng seemed completely unconcerned, arranging the tea stool and sitting upright. At that moment, a knock was heard at the door.

Do not flatter him any further, or he will become even more oblivious to the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth

The family has encountered a great change, and Aunt has lost her composure as a woman. Everything is now under the control of her nephew Han Xiufeng. The mother and daughter are hiding in the backyard, weeping and wailing. Upon hearing that Captain Guan has arrived, it seems as though another pillar of support has emerged. They can no longer afford to cry and hurriedly pull the younger sister to wash the dishes, scrub the pots, light the fire, and prepare the meal

"Dear nephew, please rise, there is no need for excessive formalities," Manager Pan first returned the gesture with cupped fists, then helped Han Xiufeng to his feet. They returned to the courtyard and sat down opposite Captain Guan, and again clasped his hands in greeting: "Captain Guan, it has been quite a while since we last met, hasn't it? You rarely come by, why not stop by my shop for a cup of tea?"

Manager Pan speaks too highly of me; I am well aware of Changsheng's character. He speaks frankly and is straightforward, a person of strong principles and integrity

Old Pan Jia, Pan Changsheng, did not dare to approach the head of the guards, instead standing in the corner with a pillar, speaking in a strange tone: "The scribe, the head of the guards, and the coroner are all here, what a grand occasion."

Esteemed nephew, you possess profound understanding and righteousness, truly deserving of being called the steed of the Han family. Changsheng, did you hear that? Take note!" Manager Pan set down his teacup and smiled at Han Xiufeng, saying: "Esteemed nephew, Changsheng has not studied for long and lacks experience; ultimately, it is my fault for not educating him properly. You are magnanimous, so do not hold it against him.

Come and offer a stick of incense for my adoptive brother, and take the opportunity to see my younger sister-in-law and my little sister

Although the head of the guards plays the role of a gatekeeper, he is not in the mood to exert his authority. He endures the pain and stands up, sitting on the soft cushion just brought by the young girl. Holding the tea bowl, he anxiously asks, "Si Wazi, can your idea really work? Is Manager Pan really that easy to talk to?"

Didn’t I just mention it? I share a brotherly bond with Yu Cai. He has finally managed to climb to a high position and is set to take up his post in Bishan, so I can only find ways to help him raise money. " Manager Pan pulled out a promissory note from his sleeve and continued to speak earnestly: " Captain Guan, you have seen the world, just take a look, if it weren’t for our brotherly bond, would I only charge him a fraction of the interest? "

This kind of matter is something the head catcher has seen often, and he coldly said: "Manager Pan, since there isn't much money in the cabinet for circulation, why did you still lend so much money to Yu Cai?"

Han Xiufeng had no choice but to pull over a mat and kneel in gratitude

Is anyone there, dear nephew Zhixing? It is your Uncle Pan!

Manager Pan's second son, Pan Changsheng, was recognized by Han Xiufeng, who smiled slightly at him. He then turned around and performed a bow of respect to Manager Pan, saying: "Manager Pan, why have you only just arrived? Xiufeng has been waiting for quite some time. Please, come inside."

The interest rate is indeed not high, and can even be considered reasonable

Brother Pan, what are you saying? Han Xiufeng heard this clearly. While inviting Manager Pan to have tea, he turned back and said: "Who doesn't know that I, Han Si, and my recently deceased second uncle made a living in the yamen? Most of our relatives and friends are naturally people from the yamen. Moreover, it is only right to repay debts. I, Han Si, have also studied the classics for a few years; how could I not understand this principle? How could I possibly engage in oppression by virtue of power?"

"Dear nephew, do not rush. Changsheng, you should also say a few less words." Manager Pan put down the teacup, raised his head to survey the courtyard, and feigned a look of helplessness as he said: "Dear nephew, Head Constable Guan, I cannot compare with those wealthy pawnshops and banks in the city. We are engaged in a small-scale business. You may not believe it, but the capital we have on hand is only a few hundred taels. We truly cannot afford to extend any credit; otherwise, this pawnshop, which barely makes any profit, will not be able to continue operating."

After finishing lunch, the creditor did not come, but many of the lively neighbors from the Han family arrived. When they knocked on the door, they used various excuses, and upon seeing a constable lying under the yellow cassia tree, they all quickly hid away. The villagers were afraid of encountering officials, and Han Xiufeng was already accustomed to this.

Do not rush, do not rush, let me first offer a stick of incense to Brother Yucai

Zhi Xing is the courtesy name of Han Xiufeng, which was given by Han Yucai during his lifetime. Manager Pan studied in a private school for a few years, yet he was not even a child scholar, but he always regarded himself as a scholar. He addressed his juniors as 'worthy nephews' and referred to those with academic titles as 'students'.

The son is being aggressive, while the father pretends to be the good guy; the two of them are clearly playing the roles of the tough guy and the soft guy.

Manager Pan said, "What is spoken is held in hand," as he pretentiously brushed off nonexistent dust from his clothes. He stepped over the threshold into the main room, took a stick of incense, lit it, and placed it in the incense burner before the spirit tablet. With his hands clasped together, he bowed deeply several times, then instructed his second son to kneel and pay respects, his expression solemn, making it unclear to those who did not understand that the father and son were there to mourn.

"Whether it works or not will soon be revealed." Han Xiufeng emerged from the room carrying a wooden box, which he gently placed on the stone bench

However, Han Xiufeng did not believe that he was so kind-hearted. He lowered his head to glance at the IOU: "Manager Pan, my uncle raised money for that substitute county magistrate to take office, and I only learned later that he was doing the job of a 'belly servant' for that short-lived county magistrate. However, I think besides what is written on the document, you and my uncle must have had some private agreement, right"