Chapter 39 Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Wei Shusheng did not sign the IOU.
He was so frightened that he almost ran away.
But when he left the Jiang family, he didn't even know where to go.
The current residence is also the Jiang family’s house.
If he doesn't return Chu Shan's money, it will definitely affect the Jiang family's reputation, and there's no point in thinking about marriage.
Not only that, he will definitely be kicked out of the Jiang family.
His family, his family is not as kind as the Chu family.
Although the Chu family runs an escort agency and is usually rude, they are polite to scholars.
For a moment, Wei Shusheng actually felt a little regretful.
If he didn't break off the engagement with the Chu family, it would be nice for him to marry Chu Shan, who can barely read or write.
At least I don’t have to pay back the money, and I don’t have to live under the Jiang family’s roof.
He had spent the Chu family's money before, but had never been wronged.
The more Wei Shusheng thought about it, the more regretful he felt. He wished time could go back so he could go back to that time.
If he turns back now, maybe it's still too late?
Otherwise he could go and beg Chu Shan. She appears tough on the outside but has a soft heart. If he begs her nicely, maybe this matter will be over.
I also let Chu Shan become the wife of a juren. No matter what the Jiang family is, I think the Jiang family will not suffer any loss and will not pursue me.
The more Wei Shusheng thought about it, the more excited he became.
He wanted to win back Chu Shan, so he would not despise her even though she was not good at writing.
Although the Chu family is not as well-off as the Jiang family, at least they would not treat him like that.
Thinking of Chu Shan's residence, Wei Shusheng ran straight towards the inn.
At the South City Inn, Chu Shan was feeding the horses in the backyard.
Everyone will come over soon and ask for money.
She thought that once she got the money, she could return to Binzhou.
Her parents, brothers and sisters must be worried about her, so it would be better for her to go back early.
As for other people making fun of it, it’s no big deal.
It's not her fault.
"Chu Shan!" Wei Shusheng trotted over and subconsciously wanted to hold Chu Shan's hand.
The two have been an unmarried couple for many years and have held hands.
Chu Shan frowned and looked at him. She used to think that scholars were strong-willed people, but now seeing his face full of sorrow and pleading, she found it weird.
"Are you blaming me?" Wei Shusheng pleaded with every word, "I'm sorry Chu Shan, I really know I was wrong. I was bewildered and listened to my mother's words and came to the capital to seek refuge with my cousin."
Thinking that my cousin is my relative, I will definitely help him a lot.
My cousin is a girl from the capital, so she must be more gentle and virtuous.
Who would have thought that the people in the capital would be like this and not give him a chance to discuss.
Wei Shusheng thought about it, his tone was obviously more sincere, and he added: "I said this not to shirk my responsibility of paying back the money, but just wanted to understand that I still want you to get married."
"When I become an official, I will definitely return all the money to your family. Now, I just want to win you back."
What this means is that he will definitely pay back the money and he still wants to continue the engagement.
"In this way, the Chu family will not be talked about in Binzhou, and we can go back to the way we were before." Wei Shusheng said this emotionally and wanted to hold Chu Shan's hand.
These words sounded quite unbelievable to Chu Shan.
The man surnamed Wei left without saying a word, making the Chu family a laughing stock for a long time. Now he begged for mercy with earnest words and said he would return the money.
What on earth is he thinking?
"So you also know that if you act this way, the Chu family will be talked about." Chu Shan said slowly, "You know everything."
"So I have to make amends." Wei Shusheng said and started crying, "Let's go back to the way we were before, okay?"
Su Yinyin and others at the backyard door stopped and looked at each other.
Xu Xiaomei wanted to step forward, but Li Yunjing stopped her and shook his head slightly.
Su Yinyin subconsciously looked at Master Zhang and saw that he was frowning and had no intention of coming forward.
It's really hard to go forward.
No matter what choice is made, it is Sister Chu Shan’s decision.
Fifteen years is not a period that can be explained away with just one sentence.
Fifteen years of days and nights, fifteen years as an unmarried couple.
This is not only an emotional issue, but also a conflict between time and life.
How many fifteen years are there in a lifetime?
Besides, there is the Chu family’s reputation in Binzhou.
If Wei Shusheng comes back, his family's reputation can be saved.
Moreover, the status of a juren is indeed different.
As long as they have this son-in-law who is a juren, the Chu family's business will be better.
Besides, there is also Sister Chu Shan’s feelings.
She is the only one who has the final say on how to choose.
Even if Sister Chu Shan chooses to forgive, they can't say anything. They are not involved in the situation and have no right to help make a choice.
Master Zhang clenched his fingers tightly. He rarely panicked, but at this moment he was a little confused.
But he was determined and wanted to take everyone away. Eavesdropping was not a gentleman's behavior.
"not good."
Chu Shan shed tears, then wiped them away and talked about another thing: "I used to think, and even my family thought, that it was normal for you scholars to look down on my family."
"After all, you said that everything is inferior except reading."
"But I've come into contact with some scholars recently. They also study and take exams, but they don't look down on me."
"Whether you can read or not, it has nothing to do with communication."
"You are just lucky enough to have a father who is a scholar and my family's help, so you can become a scholar, not because you are really noble and virtuous." Chu Shan said all the frustrations in her heart in one breath, "I hate you, not because you spent my family's money."
"I really hate that you rely on your status as a scholar to bully and abandon my family, as if the Chu family is worthless in the eyes of you scholars."
"I can't read, so you should look down on me."
"That's not true. My family earns our own money and escorts our own convoys. We are much better off than you."
"Now, you still want to use your status as a scholar to coax me into forgiveness. What does the humiliation my family suffered before mean? You, an official, slapped my family in the face, and now you want compensation. Should my family be grateful for your forgiveness?"
"I, Chu Shan, won't do that now, and I won't do that in the future."
Wei Shusheng listened to Chu Shan's words and simply refused to believe his ears.
He is willing to come back and pay back the money.
Why don't you agree?
He is a juren!
It’s a juren!
As long as he is the son-in-law, the Chu family will be better off, and all the grievances will turn into praises.
Why doesn't it work?
"It is better to be straightforward and be attacked than to be crooked and be safe."
He who is upright and incorruptible would rather be killed than compromise.
Mr. Zhang was referring to Chu Shan.
Xu Xiaomei's eyes lit up. She had read so many books, but for the first time she knew what a true gentleman was.
A true gentleman is Miss Chu Shan who can barely read or write.
Whether one can read or not, how much knowledge one has, and whether one is a gentleman are two completely different things.
Chu Shan turned around and looked at Master Zhang, and subconsciously asked, "What do you mean?"
She didn't know what it meant, but Wei Shusheng did, so he was hit even harder.
It seemed that he wanted to make a few more arguments, talking about interests, gains and losses, success and failure, and the pursuit of perfection.
But he felt ashamed in front of Chu Shan, who didn't read the books of sages.
Wei Shusheng staggered away. It was not good to read too many books at this moment, as a few words from others could make him lose his temper.
It was snowing heavily outside, making him shiver with cold. Wei Shusheng had nowhere to go on such a snowy day, so he had to return to his residence.
There were already several people standing here.
Chu Shan hasn't come yet. It seems that after the conversation in the backyard of the restaurant, they are no longer coming.
He directly sent a group of strong servants over with only one purpose: to ask for money.
Chu Shan's mind has changed.
Before, when I asked for money, I only wanted money, but now I just want money.
There is nothing more to say to such a person.
But how could Wei Shusheng have any money?
The few dozen taels of silver he had left were given to him by the Chu family after he passed the imperial examination.
A group of strong men surrounded the yard, which scared Wei Shusheng's old mother so much that she even wanted to call the police.
But what's the point of reporting to the police? He has already signed the account book, which means he accepts the responsibility.
What else can you do about paying off debts?
This matter cannot be known to too many people, otherwise Wei Shusheng's life will become even more miserable.
One day, Wei Shusheng knocked on the door of the Jiang family tremblingly and borrowed 2,400 taels of silver from them. He had to pay the remaining 21 taels himself.
As for the IOU, it was naturally eight thousand taels of silver, which had to be repaid within three years, otherwise there would be interest.
Mrs. Jiang also said that originally there was no interest, but it was because he hesitated for a whole day.
Two thousand four hundred taels became eight thousand taels.
There will be interest in the future.
If you calculate carefully, it is actually even darker than the previous IOU for 10,000 taels of silver.
But what else could he do? He had no other choice but to sign the contract.
When Wei's mother came to discuss the marriage again, the marriage partner had changed.
After this incident, she would never marry her own daughter to Wei Shusheng, and would definitely marry her concubine's daughter instead.
Wei Shu was so angry that his eyes widened, but there was nothing he could do.
After all the trouble, he was tied to death on the Jiang family's boat.
On November 14, Chu Shan exchanged more than two thousand taels of silver for silver notes and kept them close to her body.
The matter was finally settled, and her fifteen-year marriage no longer needed to be mentioned.
"Thank you all, from now on you will be my friend, Chu Shan. If you need any help, just let me know." Chu Shan was still wearing coarse clothes and bowed to everyone.
Su Yinyin said: "Sister Chu Shan, are you going back to Binzhou now?"
"Well, it will take at least a month to go back, so I'd better leave early." Chu Shan continued, "My family has a good relationship with an escort agency in Beijing, so it's just right for me to follow them back to Binzhou, and the journey will be safe."
Chu Shan comes and goes as she pleases, which is indeed her character.
Everyone knows it and has no intention of stopping them.
After all, the Chinese New Year is coming soon. If I don’t go back, the weather will be cold and I won’t be able to go back for the New Year.
Master Zhang hesitated for a moment, and just as he was about to say something, he heard someone in the distance say, "Chu Shan, Chu Shan, your parents and brother are here!"
Parents and younger brother?
Chu Shan hurried over, and it turned out to be her family’s friend from the escort agency in the capital.
As he spoke, everyone followed.
Su Yinyin looked at the dusty Chu family members with tears in their eyes, obviously they were chasing after Sister Chu Shan.
"It's good that no one is hurt. We won't fight with the officials. It's just a matter of money and face. Forget it."
"Yes, ever since you left home, the family has been very worried. So we let your brother and sister-in-law take care of the household affairs, and we came here with the escort."
"Sister, where is that guy surnamed Wei? I must beat him up."
Master Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and was happy for Miss Chu Shan.
Her family came over to support her.
"Don't worry, I've got my money back. I didn't suffer any loss. I even beat him up several times."
"I was planning to go home."
Su Yinyin looked at him subconsciously.
Well, let’s not talk about it.
Xu Xiaomei and Li Yunjing are both experienced people, and they don’t know whether they should say it or not.
Chu Shan was already prepared and was about to go home. Now that her parents and brother have come to pick her up, she is even more determined to go back.
After her family had rested for two or three days, she followed the family car back to Binzhou, back to her hometown!
Never come to Beijing again!
After her family came, Chu Shan's expression became different. She obviously felt more like she was at home. She looked cheerful and free.
Her younger brother went in the dark and beat up the man named Wei again to vent his anger.
While she was resting at home, another incident caught everyone off guard.
When Su Yinyin heard the news in the store, she was completely dumbfounded.
"The Jiang family was arrested for corruption!"
"The account books from more than ten years ago were dug up, and they were all records of Mr. Jiang's corruption in the local area!"
Yuan Rui’s words flashed through Su Yinyin’s mind.
If the Jiang family did not have land, shops or other businesses, it would be impossible for them to give so much silver.
If it is given, it must be corruption and bribery.
This, this really makes Yuan Rui right? !
In the past few days, everyone was so happy about getting the money and sad about Sister Chu Shan leaving that they actually forgot about this matter!
What Su Yinyin didn't expect was that this matter was really related to Sister Chu Shan.
The Nancheng government even found them and asked them if they had received any debt. From that debt, they found evidence of corruption when Lord Jiang was exiled.
However, the government did not confiscate the money.
Because after investigation, they found out that there was also a Mr. Wei involved in this matter, and it was Mr. Wei who signed the usury loan with the Jiang family.
The Chu family is here just to collect debts normally.
The omissions and deficits are only related to Mr. Wei.
During the investigation of the case, it was also discovered that Mr. Wei had reached an agreement with the Jiang family to ensure that the embezzled money would be returned to the Jiang family after he was sent out.
When this case came out, the whole capital was in an uproar.
Mr. Wei hasn't even become an official yet, but he's already thinking about corruption?!
He has to pay back eight thousand taels within three years, which means he has to embezzle at least two or three thousand taels of silver a year?
Is this still a human being?
And his future in-laws' family, Lord Jiang, were even more greedy when he was sent out, otherwise he would not have come up with such a bad idea.
Su Yinyin heard from Li Shusheng and the others that it seemed that they had found out that the war had forced various places to provide food and fodder, and Lord Jiang took the opportunity to make money and hid a large sum of money.
He only restrained himself after being transferred to the capital.
But his family is used to spending lavishly and doesn't know how to do business, so he wants to find someone reliable to continue making money outside.
Only then did they find Wei Shusheng.
In short, after a thorough investigation, the Jiang family is basically destined to be exiled.
Wei Shusheng was not originally deeply implicated, but this time he angered the government and the public.
He just passed the imperial examination and became an official and engaged in corruption before taking the imperial examination. If he is let off lightly, the candidates for the imperial examination next year will definitely follow suit.
This kind of case must be punished by killing the chicken to scare the monkey.
Not only was Wei Shusheng stripped of his official position, he was also beaten and exiled, so that students all over the world could see the consequences of being an official without integrity.
"He's already thinking about making money before he even becomes an official. What will happen if he really becomes an official?"
"That's right. It's not too much to behead such a person."
"It's really abominable that such a person is still reading the books of sages!"
"Have you heard? I heard from Wei Shusheng's fellow townsman that he has a marriage in his hometown, which was arranged when he was young, and the money for his studies was paid by that family."
"Then why is he still the future son-in-law of the Jiang family?"
"Why else? Once you pass the imperial examination, you will naturally not want the old friends anymore."
"Oh my god, this person is not only vicious, but also ungrateful. He is really not a good person."
"This guy too, if he had been good to his previous fiancée's family, how could he be implicated in such a thing."
While everyone was expressing their feelings, they also felt that Wei Shusheng's ex-fiancee's family was lucky to have escaped such a vicious person by accident.
If the two families were to get married, given Wei Shusheng's character, he would definitely engage in corruption and bribery in the future, which would inevitably implicate the entire family.
That girl is truly a blessed one.
The Chu family members who were still in the capital were scratching their heads.
It seems to be true!
Not only did his family get back the money they had accumulated over the years, but they also avoided disaster. If they had married such a person, the whole family would have suffered.
The last bit of depression in my heart disappeared, and the whole family was happy.
Very good!
They are so lucky!
Chu Shan gradually came out of her sadness and smiled more often.
But they also packed their luggage faster and prepared to return to Binzhou for the New Year.
He also has to tell this "good news" to his fellow villagers, and those who make fun of his family should just shut up!
However, the whole family tacitly avoided another topic and decided to take their time in finding a marriage for Chu Shan.
The whole family was frightened by this incident.
Even if you want to find one, you have to avoid people with different social status and especially avoid people who are scholars.
That's why Master Zhang and others came over frequently. The rough-minded Chu family didn't think anything of it at all. They just kept thanking them and shared the Binzhou specialties they brought with everyone.
Even though Su Yinyin, who was known as the Little Matchmaker, was there, Chu Shan's parents kept thanking them for their company.
Su Yinyin quickly said, "Sister Chu Shan is really good, we didn't help her much."
After saying that, she looked at Master Zhang again.
When everyone was ready to leave, Master Zhang took two steps behind, standing shoulder to shoulder with Miss Chu Shan, and said, "I think they will be exiled in the spring. I will write to let you know when the time comes."
Chu Shan was indeed curious about this matter, and thanked him sincerely, saying, "Then leave my home address, but if you want to send a letter, you can give it to the escort agency."
After leaving her home address, Chu Shan didn't realize anything. When she looked up, she met Mr. Zhang's eyes, which made her feel quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, he avoided her in time.
Master Zhang said, "I hope this incident will not make Miss Chu Shan prejudiced against scholars."
You know what, she almost got it.
But Chu Shan is a girl who speaks her mind: "Originally there was, but you and Mr. Li are very good together, aren't you?"
Although he was an educated person, he did not bully them by taking advantage of his literacy.
Chu Shan almost patted him on the shoulder and told him not to think too much.
Master Zhang opened his mouth, obviously wanting to say something, but he didn't say anything. He just looked at Miss Chu Shan and said, "Have a safe trip."
Even if Chu Shan was slow to speak like this, she could still notice something was wrong. She looked at Master Zhang in shock and asked, "You?"
Since he was discovered, Master Zhang simply bowed and said, "I hope Miss Chushan doesn't mind. If I have offended you, please speak up."
"What have I done to deserve this?" Chu Shan blurted out.
This is indeed what she really thinks.
After experiencing what happened to Wei Shusheng, even the most confident person would think more.
Even if you already have the answer in your heart and know that it is not your fault, you can't help but think too much.
Mr. Wei first looked at family background and then knowledge.
She didn't qualify for either, so she became an ex-fiancée.
Although Wei Shusheng's conditions were not good, he was chosen as a son-in-law by officials in Bian Jing.
How does Mr. Zhang, who is obviously more outstanding, knowledgeable, and from a better family background, treat her?
How could she have deserved such honor?
Master Zhang smiled, his eyes sparkling, and said bluntly: "If you can ride alone for 800 miles to the capital, you can do it."
"You are determined to get an explanation, and would rather break than bend. This is virtue."
"Comparing the two, I am not as good as you."
Chu Shan is capable, courageous, and has the backbone to never give up.
Wei Shusheng came to her in tears and begged her to change her mind, promising her countless benefits and a bright future.
Many people probably nodded.
After all, a quick calculation will show that if you endure the grievances, you can get a lot of "benefits".
But she didn't want it, because she knew that those things came at a price, and the price was dignity.
Even though she comes from a humble family and has never been educated, her dignity cannot be trampled upon.
If she were to package up this integrity and dignity and sell it for a good price, she would no longer be Chu Shan.
The only thing that could support a girl like her to travel 800 miles to the capital was her dignity and backbone.
The rest is worthless.
In Mr. Zhang's heart, her pride is what a scholar pursues.
Whether or not you study has nothing to do with pride.
These words were spoken one by one by Master Zhang, leaving Chu Shan stunned.
Is this still her?
Apart from anything else, educated people are indeed good at praising others.
Chu Shan stared at Master Zhang, just like when she chose him from the crowd to look at the account book, with scrutiny and trust.
Su Yinyin looked back and quickly pulled Yuan Rui's sleeve: "Yuan Rui, look."
"Little Matchmaker has added another achievement to her record." Li Shusheng said in shock.
Xu Xiaomei had not expected this either. She was pleasantly surprised and asked, "Mr. Zhang, can such a difficult marriage be successful?"
That seems to be the case.
The Chu family, who were originally about to leave Beijing and return home, stopped again.
He even witnessed the Jiang and Wei families being imprisoned.
And families from backgrounds they could not even imagine coming to propose marriage.
Isn't this happening a bit fast?
Their family is ready and will arrange a marriage for their daughter in a few years.
"It is indeed the capital city. There are many opportunities in big cities."
The Chu family was scratching their heads and simply used the money from the Wei family's compensation to buy a house in the capital.
Let’s talk about whether the marriage will be successful or not. It’s not a loss to buy a house in Bian Jing.
They were happily talking about their wedding.
Wei Shusheng, who was in prison, was heartbroken when he learned that the Chu family had used money to buy a house in the capital.
Why!
Why can the Chu family live so well?
I also bought a yard in Beijing.
If he had not abandoned his fiancée Chu Shan, this yard might have been his.
If he had married Chu Shan honestly, he would now be in the study with his wife in his arms, reading, waiting for next year's imperial examination.
If he had not curried favor with the Chiang family, he would not have been imprisoned and become a corrupt scholar condemned by everyone!
He has already thought about how to make money before he even becomes an official. Anyone who hears this will curse him.
"It's all your fault!" Wei Shusheng cursed at the cell next door, "Jiang, you are the one who caused my downfall!"
"You also lent money at high interest rates and tricked me into corruption in the future. It's all your fault!"
The Jiang family was in the cell next door. They heard Wei Shusheng cursing non-stop. They could endure it at first, but later they started to curse back.
"What makes you a good person?"
"We have raised you and your son for fifteen years. We just wrote a letter and you came running over. Can you blame us?"
"To be honest, my family never thought about you coming back. It's been fifteen years! Even a dog would understand human nature! What about you? You just took the money they gave you and ran away!"
"It's so funny. I was just casting a wide net. Who knew someone like you would take the bait?"
"Let me tell you the truth! The one you want to marry is not my sister at all, but the concubine I bought! You green-headed bastard."
"Anyone who marries someone like you will be in trouble for the rest of their lives!"
"Oh, now they are marrying into a family of scholars. It seems that only by leaving you can we have better luck!"
"My family is so unlucky, it must be related to you!"
The two families who had fallen out kept cursing each other, while the prison boss who was guarding the cell watched the show with joy.
Dog bites dog, it's so fun!
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