Chapter 62 Spending Money Like Water
Faced with Sun's coercion, Zhang Jing clenched his fists. No matter what, he would not let Sun take his younger brother away. His mother was still worried about him before she passed away, and he had promised his mother.
His classmate came to cause trouble, and although he didn't get anything out of it, he probably won't be able to borrow money from his acquaintances now.
When that person goes back, he will definitely speak ill of him or threaten other classmates. As for the teacher, since he is in business, he probably won't get away with it.
Even a hero can be brought down by a single penny, let alone five taels of silver.
"Brother, that's the only thing Mother left behind, we can't sell it."
Zhang Fang wiped away his tears, his face resolute. He was serious about selling himself; it wasn't just talk.
The family has run out of money, and my eldest brother has always been a good student. If he studies hard for another two or three years, he might be able to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. It would be a pity to give up now.
If he sold himself into slavery and settled in a decent wealthy family, he would receive a monthly allowance, and occasionally, if he acted cleverly, he would receive a reward. This money would be enough to cover Zhang Jing's daily expenses for writing materials.
"Nonsense!"
Zhang Jing's expression was serious. If his younger brother were to become a slave, he would rather not study at all!
His mother made him study only to help him understand things, never expecting him to become successful. It was his own love of reading that kept him going all these years, and the family's original savings were all put to him.
"Well, have you made up your mind? If you can't come up with the money, I can take Zhang Fang with me."
Sun smiled broadly, convinced that Zhang Fang would ultimately leave with her.
She had already inquired and found out that most of Zhang Jing's classmates were from poor families. There were only a few wealthy students, and they looked down on him, let alone asked him to lend them money.
If you can't pay, you'll be sent to the authorities, and with that stain on your record, your future will be ruined.
"We've thought it over, here's the money."
Before Zhang Jing could speak, Zhang Fang answered first. "But not now, at least wait an hour."
There was a matchmaker in town, but he had to find a matchmaker first to sell himself, and then give the money he received to Sun.
"Get lost after you get the money. We brothers never want to see you again."
If he had previously considered himself an adopted child after being abandoned by his own mother, and had long since let go of that feeling, now he harbors deep resentment towards Madam Sun.
Before his aunt, whom he had treated like a mother, was even cold from her body, Sun was already trying to drive them to the brink of despair.
"You want to sell yourself?"
Jiang Baozhu stepped forward and looked at Zhang Fang. The little boy had a pair of defiant eyes, like a little calf, so clear about love and hate, which was exactly the kind of personality she liked.
Faced with his aunt who treated him like her own son and his cruel mother, Zhang had a clear sense of right and wrong. He believed that if his family didn't mistreat this boy, he wouldn't go wrong in the future.
There is a connection between people, and Jiang Baozhu really likes this boy.
"Can you buy me back?"
Zhang Fang was stunned, then asked.
"Sure, twenty taels of silver. You just need to put your fingerprint on the indenture."
Jiang Baozhu had already prepared the indenture; it was just a pretext. With the indenture in hand, she wasn't afraid of Sun Shi trying to take her away.
"No!"
Zhang Jing was about to stop him, but he was no match for Zhang Fang. He quickly bit his thumb and then pressed his fingerprint on the signature area.
Zhang Fang practiced calligraphy; he recognized all the characters in the indenture and had looked at it without any problems.
He's too young, not a strong laborer, and can't be sold for twenty taels of silver. This price is very reasonable, and the way he looks at Jiang Baozhu is clear; he doesn't seem like a wicked person.
"Little brother!"
In just a short while, Zhang Fang had become a servant, a blow that Zhang Jing found unbearable, causing him to tremble. He had just returned to the room to retrieve the ginseng, but he was a step too late.
"Dr. Sun, here is five taels of silver, for the medicine my elder brother owes."
Zhang Fang returned the silver to Physician Sun and asked Zhang Jing for several dozen coins, saying, "Consider this as interest. Thank you, Physician Sun, for being willing to give us medicine on credit."
Zhang Fang harbored no resentment towards Physician Sun; on the contrary, he was extremely grateful. Few shops in town were willing to offer medicine on credit.
Jiang Baozhu nodded, even more certain of her decision, but she still needed to talk to her parents about it when she got home.
"Young man, this old man is sorry for you."
Sun Langzhong, his back hunched, was too ashamed to face the two brothers, and turned away with faltering steps.
The changes happened too fast; a maverick suddenly appeared, completely ruining the Sun family's carefully laid plans.
She wanted to take Zhang Fang back, so she had no choice but to make a deal with Jiang Baozhu.
"Miss, how about I offer you twenty-five taels for my son's indenture?"
The extra five taels of silver pained Sun's heart.
"You think you can buy someone away for twenty-five taels? You're being incredibly naive. It's not worth it for less than five hundred taels."
Jiang Baozhu remained silent, but Lin Yuesha immediately made an outrageous demand. Even if Madam Sun had five hundred taels, she wouldn't be willing to pay it.
"Is a little brat worth that much? Five hundred taels could buy me so many sons!"
Madam Sun gritted her teeth and finally left angrily with her maid.
The courtyard gradually calmed down.
“Zhang Fang, right? You stay here and handle your aunt’s funeral arrangements with your older brother. I’ll bring people over to help later.”
Jiang Baozhu glanced at the sky; it was already past noon. If she didn't go to the carriage shop to find the driver soon, he might be in a hurry and go back to the Jiang family to deliver the message.
Without saying much, Jiang Baozhu and Lin Yuesha jogged back to the market, where the coachman was sweating profusely and searching for someone.
"Miss, I'm so glad you're alright. It was a false alarm."
The driver wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and said breathlessly.
"Uncle, is there a carpenter's shop nearby? Let's go there first."
On the way, Jiang Baozhu had already told Lin Yuesha her idea. Her parents loved her and wouldn't object to her plan of acting first and informing her later.
Zhang Fang will be the son of the Jiang family from now on, so he must have his own house, and all the furniture and everything else must be remade and purchased.
Jiang Baozhu had made up her mind: she would first build a study for Zhang Fang and hire a better tutor for him to continue his studies.
"ah?"
The coachman, not understanding his young mistress's meaning, saw Jiang Baozhu nod and hurriedly drove the carriage toward the furniture shop.
There are several furniture shops in town. To save time, Jiang Baozhu wants to choose ready-made furniture, have it altered to the size, and pick it up within three days.
Naturally, the price will be higher.
Before leaving, Madam Xu gave the two twenty taels of silver. Lin Yuesha had just paid for the seal and handed over the silver. Now, seeing that Jiang Baozhu had pulled out all the silver notes from her purse, her eyes lit up.
No wonder they're rich; they've really kept their wealth hidden!
A fine rosewood desk cost over a hundred taels of silver, which Jiang Baozhu spent without batting an eye.
Lin Yuesha covered her face; she was still a poor wretch struggling for two taels of silver.
"Go to the clothing store."
Having already ordered the desk, a complete set of cabinets, and a large bed, Jiang Baozhu was still not satisfied and made arrangements to go to the clothing store in the county, because there were no good clothes in the town.
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