Zhang Sheng didn't receive the same treatment as Song Yi; Chief Clerk Xie and Judge Qin didn't even bother to look at him.
The suffocating atmosphere made Zhang Sheng unable to lift his head. Cold sweat poured down his back, and he trembled, stammering, "Butler Xie, Doctor Qin, I..."
In a flash, Zhang Sheng finally realized that both of them knew everything he had done, and that no matter how much he struggled and argued, he was just a clown.
Knowing is one thing, but finding an excuse is another: "The young one..."
Chief Secretary Xie shushed him, his tone unhurried: "Turn around and see who's here."
Zhang Sheng's whole body stiffened, and he almost turned his entire body around. Upon seeing this, his pupils constricted. Butler Xie then called for his parents.
Chief Clerk Xie waved his hand, and the two men were pushed in. The door slammed shut. "Zhang Sheng colluded with outsiders to replace our store's valuable medicinal herbs. Such treacherous behavior deserves to be punished by the authorities, even if I kill him on the spot."
As soon as the words were spoken, Zhang Sheng and the others turned pale. Zhang Sheng's parents knelt down with a thud: "Steward Xie, please forgive Zhang Sheng this time, considering his young age. Zhang Sheng will definitely repent and change his ways!"
Repent and turn over a new leaf?
Chief Secretary Xie never believed this, especially since it came from a gambler.
Qi Chenglang, who was standing by, casually took out the IOU with Zhang Sheng's fingerprint on it, and somewhat awkwardly gestured it in front of Zhang Sheng's parents: "Did Zhang Sheng tell you? He owes the casino more than three hundred taels of silver..."
For these two IOUs, he became a thief, only to be thoroughly ridiculed by Zhang Yuankai upon his return.
Thinking of this, Qi Chenglang's gaze toward Zhang Sheng became even more hostile. It was all because of this bastard that he had ruined his reputation!
When Zhang Sheng saw the IOU, he was stunned. Then his whole body went limp and he couldn't even kneel up straight. He wanted to argue, but he couldn't say a word.
Mr. Zhang was also shocked by the amount on the IOU, and muttered, "More than three hundred taels of silver. Even if we sold our whole family, we still couldn't pay back that much money."
He turned around and slapped Zhang Sheng hard on the back several times: "You unfilial son, why did you gamble? You've really lost your mind!"
Why gamble?
It's because he's not satisfied with the status quo and doesn't want to memorize those medicinal herbs every day, but rather learn how to prepare and dry them little by little.
Although he sold himself into slavery, he never intended to be a slave for life; this idea reached its peak after hearing about Xin Liang's policies.
If the news that His Highness Prince Wen was going to build a mansion in Xinliang had spread earlier, he would have gritted his teeth and refused to become a servant!
Thinking about it this way, Zhang Sheng became even more indignant: "Why did I gamble? It's all because of you! My elder brother couldn't afford the dowry when he got married, so you sold me to pay for it. Who will you sell when your younger brothers get married?"
This is what he is most unwilling to accept.
They're both sons, why should he be sold?
Mr. Zhang was stunned, his lips trembling for a long time without uttering a single word.
Xie Changshi said impatiently, "Stop with the nonsense, what I need now is a solution."
Zhang Sheng burst into tears: "Butler Xie, I didn't want to go to the casino. My cousin took me there, saying that a little gambling is harmless fun."
"I was never favored at home since I was little, and all the money I earned from selling myself went to my family, so I was very panicked. I just wanted to save more money. I never thought I would owe so much money!"
Gu Yuzhi pursed his lips and said silently, "Manager Wen, Teacher Shu, I feel like what Zhang Sheng said was insincere."
Just like when Fifth Brother made a mistake and was punished, he cried and said he was pitiful. Fifth Brother is not pitiful at all. He was the most pitiful one, but he didn't cry.
Even Song Yi, who was in even more pitiful condition just now, didn't cry.
Thinking about it this way, Gu Yuzhi found Zhang Sheng even more annoying.
Chief Secretary Xie bluntly saw through his little scheme: "Don't talk about saving money. You eat and live at the clinic and receive a monthly allowance. Where would you need to spend money?"
Zhang Sheng's face was as white as it could possibly be.
"I'm asking you for a solution, not listening to your complaints," Xie Changshi said impatiently. "If you say another word, I'll send you to meet the King of Hell right now!"
Gu Yuzhi's eyes widened, and just as he was about to ask, Wen Xiuzhu said, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry. Chief Secretary Xie only said that to scare Zhang Sheng."
“Zhang Sheng is a selfish person, so he can be tempted to gamble and will betray his master for money. Similarly, as long as you find Zhang Sheng’s weakness, he will turn against the people in the casino.”
Wen Xiuzhu finally understood what had happened today and why Chief Secretary Xie had made His Highness listen to it.
One reason was to make His Highness understand the harm of gambling, so that even if he became a leisurely prince in the future, he would not be curious about it.
Secondly, this incident will help His Highness understand that even the most powerful enemy has a vulnerable side, and as long as one analyzes the situation calmly and finds the weakness, one can strike decisively.
Gu Yuzhi nodded repeatedly, tilted his head and thought for a moment: "What is Zhang Sheng's weakness?"
He suddenly laughed: "It's him! Chief Clerk Xie just threatened to kill him. To save his life, he'll definitely listen to Chief Clerk Xie."
At times like this, Gu Yuzhi would sigh and say, "Xie Changshi is really clever!"
Just as Gu Yuzhi had thought, Zhang Sheng panicked immediately upon hearing this: "Steward Xie, I know that the mistake I have made has angered both heaven and man, but I haven't succeeded yet, have I?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Changshi's expression grew even colder, and Zhang Sheng trembled with fear: "I'm not trying to excuse myself, I just feel that I can make amends. Please, Steward Xie, show me the way."
"How can you make amends?" Xie Changshi didn't seize the opportunity to reveal his purpose. "Once disloyal, always untrustworthy. If I use you again, wouldn't I have to worry every day that you'll run off to the casino to prove your loyalty again?"
Zhang Sheng held up four fingers: "I used to work for the casino because they had my IOU and threatened to sell me to Quanzhou to work as a male prostitute. I had no choice. But now, Steward Xie, you've helped me get the IOU back. I have nothing to fear from the casino!"
"I swear! If I ever betray the Wen family again, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"
In a short while, Zhang Sheng's mood had changed from fear to ecstasy.
The Wen family retrieved the IOU, and Butler Xie learned what the casino was planning, so he no longer needed to worry or live in fear.
Zhang Sheng restrained himself from laughing out loud.
What do you call this? A sudden glimmer of hope after a period of despair!
Gu Yuzhi looked at Manager Wen and asked, "What kind of official is a male prostitute? Why are you selling him all over the whole prefecture? Aren't there any in Changzhou?"
Wen and Shu were shocked. If Chief Secretary Xie found out about this, Zhang's life would be over by tonight!
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