Chapter 4: The Father Who Tricked His Son
"Qian Zhao?!"
This call made Song Fu shudder all over. He turned his head quickly, his eyes full of surprise.
"Are you really... Chizhao?"
The corners of Song Qianzhao's mouth twitched and he was speechless for a moment.
Can't you even recognize your own son?
Song Qianzhao suddenly didn't want to say a word, but just nodded reluctantly with a cold face.
He noticed his son's expression was off, and he chuckled twice to cover up his embarrassment. "I've been traveling far away with my studies, so I've been away from home for most of the year. And you're growing up, so you're changing every day. So, as a father..."
Song Qianzhao shook his head and said indifferently, "You don't have to explain, the child understands."
Song Qianzhao couldn't help but understand. This kind of thing would be unbelievable in later generations. But in ancient times, it was normal.
Those who enlisted in the military could only return home once or twice a year. If the war was stalemated, they could not return home for three to five years, and it was not uncommon for them to not recognize their own children when they returned. As for scholars, once they reached a certain level of learning, they would travel far and wide, using the mountains, rivers, plants and trees as their scriptures and the various aspects of life in the market as their essays. Once they left, they would also be unable to return home for years.
When the father and son met, there was no mixed feeling of sadness or joy at reunion after a long separation, but instead an indescribable sense of alienation.
There seemed to be an invisible wall between the two of them. Song Fu did not uphold the authority of a father, and Song Qianzhao did not show any respect as a son.
Song Qianzhao casually sat cross-legged on the cushion. Song Fu wanted to scold him for his rude sitting posture, but he swallowed the words back when they came to his lips.
Seeing his son's cold attitude, Song Fu suddenly realized his absence over the years. A wave of guilt washed over him, but he couldn't bear to blame this son he rarely saw.
He rubbed his hands awkwardly, his eyes wandering, not daring to meet Song Qianzhao's. He subconsciously straightened his clothes, and finally forced a stiff smile: "It's my fault. I made a mistake and kneeled in the ancestral hall. I'm sorry to make you laugh."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Don't worry. From now on, your father will never leave you to travel far away. Now that your father has adopted you under your grandfather's name, you can stay by his side and learn from his true wisdom. There's no need to visit other masters."
Song Qianzhao curled the corners of his lips lightly, "Father, you are too serious. A son should hide his father's secrets. If you do something wrong, your son will naturally share your burden. After all, we are father and son."
Song Fu's eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "I never thought that during these years when I was away from home, you have learned a lot of reason. I am very relieved. After settling in Ruzhou a while ago, I was worried that you would be idle and neglect your studies. Seeing that you are so sensible now, I am relieved."
"The child has grown up and will naturally not cause you any trouble."
The father and son continued to chat for a while.
Song Fu described the fun he had encountered or heard during his travels over the years, hoping to deepen his father-son relationship.
But Song Qianzhao still found it difficult to get close to him.
Seeing that Song Fu's face was almost frozen from smiling, Song Qianzhao simply ended this tender scene and asked him directly about his mistake.
"Qian Zhao, I haven't done anything excessive. Your grandfather is making a big deal out of nothing. He punished me by making me kneel in the ancestral hall out of a momentary rage. When his anger subsides, I'll let you go. You can stay here first. When I'm out, I'll take you to see the world of the capital. The capital is very lively, especially around the Qinhuai River, with acrobatics, singing and dancing, and feasting..."
Song Fuxing enthusiastically described the lively scene of Qinhuai River to Song Qianzhao.
"Dad, can you please tell me what you did wrong that earned you the punishment of kneeling in the ancestral hall?"
Song Qianzhao interrupted Song Fu and said bluntly.
Song Fu was stunned. He had been talking for a long time, but his son showed no interest. Instead, he became interested in his mistakes.
He didn't feel embarrassed at all, and was even a little excited.
At that moment, he told the truth directly and talked about his bad luck.
"Qian Zhao, after your grandfather and I came to the capital, your grandfather transferred me to study at the Imperial College. The nobles in the Imperial College thought that I was not your grandfather's son, so they looked down on me. Therefore, I don't have many friends..."
Having said this, his expression suddenly darkened, and then returned to normal in an instant.
His expression was bright, his eyes sparkling. "However, your father has traveled extensively for years and is more worldly-wise than they are. In just a few days at the Imperial College, you've already met a group of learned peers. With them, you've composed poems, sang, read, and practiced calligraphy, and your knowledge has greatly improved! It's also because of them that you've truly experienced the bustle of the capital."
Hearing this, Song Qianzhao couldn't help but hold his forehead and close his eyes.
She didn't need to ask to know what Song Fu meant by the poem-writing and singing, and the appreciation of the capital's splendor.
It was nothing more than visiting the music camp, feasting, having fun, and indulging in wine and women.
If they could really study together seriously, how could Song Fu have come to this point?
However, Song Qianzhao did not interrupt, but just raised his hand to signal Song Fu to continue.
Song Fu smiled proudly: "Among all of us of the same age, my father is the most knowledgeable and learned, followed by Brother Wang. Brother Wang is a good man, knowledgeable, open-minded, and often willing to help others and donate generously..."
He winked at Song Qianzhao again and said cheerfully, "The most important thing is that this Wang Xian brother often helps my father get rich. My father has only been in the capital for a month, and with Wang Xian brother's help, he has earned a hundred taels."
Song Qianzhao frowned. She intuitively felt that the problem lay with the "Brother Wang" he was talking about.
If someone makes you rich for no reason, either he has an ulterior motive or he has evil intentions.
She never believes in pie-in-the-sky things.
As expected, his smile froze on his face, and he lowered his eyes and whispered, "It's a pity that your father had bad luck a few days ago. He lost three hundred taels, and also lost fifty taels from Brother Wang.
The creditor was pressing hard, and I, your father, had no other choice but to use your grandfather's imperial gift of a black rhinoceros belt to pay off the debt."
When Song Qianzhao heard this, the corners of his mouth twitched.
Selling the holy gift privately, and you think this is not a big deal?
Song Qianzhao was speechless.
But when he lowered his head and glanced at the brocade belt around his waist, he understood.
The divine gift is indeed a rare thing in ordinary people's homes.
But for a veteran like Song Jian who had served two emperors, it was not uncommon.
During the New Year holidays, the emperor would usually give some rewards to his close ministers.
During his twenty years of official career, Song Jian received countless gifts from the emperor.
It is estimated that Song Jian occasionally sold two pieces himself or gave them away as gifts.
When Song Fu was serving beside Song Jian, he probably saw Song Fu giving the holy gifts to others, so he did not take the holy gifts seriously.
But this time, the holy gift he sold was different from the other holy gifts.
If it weren't for this, Song Fu would never get angry for ordinary mistakes, but now even a junior like her is implicated.
"Qian Zhao, let me tell you that Brother Wang is a rare good man in this world..."
Song Qianzhao didn't pay any attention to Song Fu's reaction. He continued to talk to himself about that brother Wang.
Song Qianzhao didn't want to listen anymore and simply interrupted him, "So, you owed a debt, and that's why you stole your grandfather's Xuanqiong rhino and sold it?"
Song Fu was startled and quickly shook his head, saying, "I didn't sell it. I just pawned the Xuanqiong rhino to a pawnshop, and it was a live pawnshop. As long as I can collect enough money, I can get it back."
"Live pawn, do you have a pawn contract?"
“Yes, yes…”
He rummaged through his pockets for a while, pulled out a bill and handed it to Song Qianzhao.
She took the ticket and looked at it carefully, and saw that it said.
A rhinoceros belt, with a market value of one thousand taels of silver, was pawned for four hundred taels and pledged to Xiangyun Pawn Shop for a period of one month.
This is a live ticket.
There are two types of pawning: live pawning and dead pawning.
A living pawn is like a mortgage and can be redeemed when the time comes; a dead pawn is like a sale and both the money and the goods are cleared.
However, there was an obvious flaw in the piece of work in her hand.
First, the word "rhinoceros belt" is not specific enough. The quality of leather made from different rhinoceros species varies, and the price of rhino leather from different parts of the body also varies greatly.
The most expensive rhinoceros belt can be worth around 100,000 taels.
The cheapest rhinoceros belt is worth less than a hundred taels.
This can be seen from Song Fu's attitude towards him and his son.
The rhinoceros belt that Song Fu sold was of extremely high value.
But the pawnshop used the word "rhinoceros belt" to fool people.
Even if Song Furuo paid money to redeem it, he might not be able to redeem the original rhinoceros belt.
On this point, Song Fu was deceived.
Secondly, the promissory note only specifies the redemption period, but does not specify the amount of money to be paid upon redemption.
The pawnshop has its own rules, and the bill is vague. If the other party denies it, she has no choice.
Even if we take the case to court, it will probably be difficult to get an explanation.
Song Qianzhao held the pawn ticket and said to Song Fu helplessly, "Dad, you..."
She didn't believe that Song Fu would not notice such an obvious flaw.
Hearing this, Song Fu said confidently, "Don't worry, Brother Wang will guarantee this matter, so it's foolproof."
Song Qianzhao was silent for a long time, without saying a word.
With someone to guarantee it, this matter will naturally not be difficult to resolve.
But what if the guarantor turns against you?
If this matter was really as easy to resolve as Song Fu said, how could He Jingyi, a fourth-rank official, say that? Even if he stepped forward, he might not be able to resolve the matter.
Just now, he was just suspicious of the Brother Wang that Song Fu mentioned, but now she can judge that there is something wrong with the Brother Wang that Song Fu mentioned.
No one knew what tricks that man used to make Song Fu believe in him without a doubt.
Even if Song Qianzhao told him clearly that there was something wrong with Brother Wang, Song Fu might not believe him.
Song Qianzhao put the bill into his sleeve and asked calmly, "Dad, I don't know the name of the brother Wang you mentioned, and where he is from?"
"Brother Wang, like my father, is a student at the Imperial College, his name is Wang Ju. His elder brother, Wang Yang, is an Imperial Censor in the Metropolitan Censorate."
Song Qianzhao lowered his head in thought.
The Censor was of the sixth rank.
Although this position was not high, it was still a noble one, and he had considerable influence in the court. Compared with the third or fourth rank local officials sent out, he had more say.
She wrote down the two names, and then said, "Dad, which gambling house did you go to?"
"Lucky Gambling House."
"Lucky Gambling House!"
Song Qianzhao was obviously stunned for a moment, then forced a very unnatural smile and said, "Xiangyun Pawn Shop and Ruiqi Casino, aren't they on the same street?"
"The Ruiqi Casino is right next to the Xiangyun Pawnshop. Back then, the pawnshop owner saw how prosperous the Ruiqi Casino was. On a whim, he named the pawnshop Xiangyun, taking the auspicious sign of auspicious clouds and auspicious air, hoping his business would be as prosperous as the Ruiqi Casino."
Hearing this, Song Qianzhao was speechless.
Because from Song Fu's words, she realized that Song Fu was not just deceived, but it was most likely a setup from the beginning to the end.
A trap set for Song Fu.
Of course, this game is ostensibly aimed at Song Fu, but the real purpose is not to play.
Given Song Fu's status, he is not worthy of being the subject of much fuss.
The person behind the scenes who really wants to plot against him must be Song Jian.
And the brother Wang that Song Fu mentioned must be the key figure in this game of chess.
From the time Song Fu entered the Imperial College and made friends with students, to his visits to brothels and brothels, to his winnings in gambling houses and stealing rhinoceros belts to sell, Brother Wang was present in all kinds of incidents.
Since someone was deliberately plotting against Song Fu, he must have handled it thoroughly from beginning to end.
It must be difficult for her to resolve this matter.
She pondered over a plan to deal with the situation while asking, "Dad, do you know what's so special about Grandfather's rhinoceros belt?"
Song Fu thought for a moment, "I remember your grandfather said that the rhinoceros belt was a gift from Emperor Taizong, made from the skin and horn of the Xuanqiong rhinoceros."
Song Fu asked in confusion, "Why are you asking this?"
Song Qianzhao had a plan in mind, and said casually: "Nothing."
He chatted with Song Fu for a few more words, then got up and said goodbye, making an excuse that he had something to do.
Out of the ancestral hall.
She nodded to Xunjiu who was looking at her.
Then he said to the steward Huang who was waiting beside him, "Please help me get some money. I need to leave the house."
"Replying to the young master, the money that the son-in-law promised has been prepared, and the people sent by the accountant are waiting outside the mansion gate now!"
Song Qianzhao nodded and took Xunjiu out of the mansion.
When he reached the gate of the mansion, he saw a sturdy servant waiting with a bulging sack on his back.
The man was wearing the uniform of a servant in the mansion, and the bags on his front and back were so full that they weighed him down, causing him to hunch slightly.
In an era when silver and copper coins were the primary currency, forty taels weighed a full eight kilograms. If she were to carry such a weight, she probably wouldn't even be able to straighten her back. No wonder the accountant specially sent this sturdy attendant to help.
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