Zhao Jin had been a county magistrate and an imperial censor for many years. He was familiar with the laws of the Ming Dynasty and knew how to avoid risks. He suggested that Zhao Hao should not only have a legitimate reason to fight, but also try to scare the Qian family and induce them to sign a settlement document to prevent future troubles.

A wife beating her husband or a citizen beating an official to death was enough to scare the Qian family out of their wits.

But even if Zhao Shouye was beaten half to death and carried away, the Qian family would not necessarily believe that he was going to die. After all, he walked out of the Qian family’s gate by himself last night.

At this time, a key person who can gain the trust of the Qian family is needed to come forward and prove that Zhao Shouye is on the verge of death.

Constable Li Jiutian, who had had a conflict with him last time, is the best candidate.

People only knew that Li Jiutian went to Weijixian to cause trouble, but was slapped in the face by the deputy censor and sent to the county government office to be dealt with by the master. As a result, Li Jiutian lost his job in the Caijiaxiang area and became a hard labor constable with no benefits. He must have resented the Zhao family in his heart.

But he didn't know that Li Jiutian wanted to get the Zhao family's forgiveness more.

Although he was an official official with a certificate from the Ministry of Personnel, even the county magistrate could not fire him. However, the county magistrate had also made it clear that he could only be transferred back to Caijia Lane with the forgiveness of Zhao Jin, the Imperial Censor.

In the past month, Li Jiutian had tried his best and finally met Zhao Jin, but no matter how he kowtowed and begged, Zhao Jin only said one thing: "My brother forgives you, and I will let you go." So Li Jiutian changed to curry favor with Zhao Hao, but Mr. Zhao stayed at home every day, so he could not see him easily, let alone flatter him.

Li Jiutian was just worrying about it, when Zhao Hao called him over in the middle of the night and told him to act out a play today. When Li Jiutian heard this, he felt that he didn't need to worry too much, so he immediately patted his chest and agreed.

So he was waiting in the classroom early. As soon as the Qian family came to report to the police, Li Jiutian immediately took people out!

Earlier in the Qian family, he seemed to be handling the matter impartially, but in fact he was secretly cooperating with Zhao Hao to force Mr. Qian to submit...

Of course, Zhao Shouye's serious injury and dying appearance was also pretended.

~~

In the carriage, Zhao Shouzheng watched his brother using a wet towel to wipe the beeswax on his face.

"Pah, this chicken blood is too fishy..." Zhao Shouye stuck out his scarlet tongue, his face full of disgust, and he didn't look like he was dying at all.

"Brother, you should be content." Zhao Shouzheng couldn't help but laugh: "I originally wanted to break two of your ribs so that you can act more realistically..."

"That must be very painful." Zhao Shouye said with lingering fear: "I can't bear that pain."

"Fortunately, nothing went wrong and we got it done." Zhao Shouzheng was delighted and couldn't help but say proudly, "It turns out that there is nothing that cannot be accomplished when my son takes action."

"Yes, this time it's all thanks to Zhao Hao." Zhao Shouye also said with admiration: "Anyway, when I heard him calling for people to smash the Qian family, I was scared. I thought that the Qian family would definitely not let it go, and I don't know when the lawsuit will end."

He said with great satisfaction: "I didn't expect that his bluffing would scare the Qian family into not only signing the settlement document, but also offering five thousand taels of silver and five hundred acres of land."

"Brother has also made great sacrifices this time," Zhao Shouzheng sighed and said, "The government office won't be able to show up for a while, right?"

As the saying goes, you have to do your best to act. Zhao Shouye can't be on the verge of death today and go to work tomorrow, right? Even if a medical miracle happened, he still had to go through a recovery process and stay at home for a few months.

Otherwise, if Mr. Qian sees that he is full of life in just a few days, he will definitely not let it go!

"Of course." Zhao Shouye said indifferently, "But I don't want to be an official any longer. I'll rest at home for a few months and then see if there's a way to transfer to another place. Even if I'm demoted to a county magistrate, it's better than living in Nanjing, where I'm neither human nor ghost."

"Well, that's right. A tree that doesn't move will die, but a person who moves will live. It's good for you to move." Although Zhao Shouzheng was a little reluctant, he still had to consider his brother: "When you have time, talk to Zhao Hao and ask him to help you think about it."

"Yeah." Zhao Shouye nodded. After this incident, he already knew who would be the backbone of the Zhao family when the old man was gone.

~~

Back in Caijia Lane, Zhao Hao ordered Wu Yu to open a jar of silver, pick out thirty gold ingots weighing five taels each, and give them as rewards to thirty strong men.

The strong men were reluctant to accept the money. One of them who had followed him to Pawntu last time shouted, "Last time I was away for three days, the young master gave me two taels of silver, which was very generous. This time it's only half a day, I dare not accept so much."

"This time is different. We've made everyone bear the responsibility and started a war, so we should give you more." Zhao Hao stood on the carriage with his hands folded, smiling and said, "Just take it. At worst, you can do it for free next time."

"Okay, thank you, sir! I'll do you ten times for free!" The strong men happily accepted the money and left with many thanks.

Then Zhao Hao pointed at the remaining nine and a half jars and said to Zhao Xian: "You can use a few hundred taels of this silver to buy property, and deposit the rest in Wanyuanhao. Together with the land, it will be enough for your family to live comfortably."

"This..." Zhao Xian felt very uneasy when he saw that Zhao Hao did not take a penny. When he wanted to say something, Zhao Hao had already turned into the alley, stretching and yelling.

"Oh, I'm so tired, no one is allowed to disturb me, I want to sleep all day!"

~~

The incident passed quickly, and Zhao Hao's life returned to normal. He ate three meals a day and ate two meals a day, never tired of fine food, bickered with Qiaoqiao, taught students a lesson, occasionally showed up at the store, and recited introductory math, physics and chemistry textbooks at night. His life was too leisurely...

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. One day, Zhao Hao was enjoying the cool under the shade of a tree when he saw Zhao Xian peeking outside the door.

"Brother, come in and sit down." Zhao Hao sat up and called Zhao Xian in, saying, "The big watermelon was just delivered this morning. Let's have a taste together."

"I get to eat delicious food with my brothers." Zhao Xian was obviously much more relaxed, but he was still a little restrained in front of Zhao Hao.

This younger brother, who in my memory only knew how to make trouble, has become a completely different person since his family suffered a disaster. He makes people respect him from the bottom of their hearts.

Wang Wuyang, who was fanning Zhao Hao and reviewing his lessons, gave his seat to Zhao Xian. Then he put down his book, fished a watermelon from the well, and cut it into pieces and put it on a plate.

"Is everything settled?" Zhao Hao picked up the palm-leaf fan and fanned himself.

"Everything has been settled." Zhao Xian nodded and said, "Over at Dashiqiao, we rented a three-story courtyard and bought a few maids and servants. It's more than enough to take care of the three of us."

"That's good." Zhao Hao nodded. According to his idea, the farther away the uncle's family lived, the better. But Zhao Shouye might have been afraid of being bullied, and felt that it was safer to stay in Caijia Lane, where Zhao Hao had the final say, so he actually rented a house in this area.

Zhao Shouzheng was naturally very happy that he could meet his elder brother often. Zhao Hao didn't say anything nonsense, but he would never show up at his uncle's house in such a hot day.

Zhao Xian took out a land deed from his sleeve and said to him, "The Qian family has transferred the 500 acres of land to me. Your uncle asked me to transfer it to your name."

"No need." Zhao Hao didn't want to help others and then be branded as someone who took advantage of others, so he smiled and waved his hand, saying, "I'm very happy that uncle thought of me. Why not keep it for the old man to take care of in his old age?"

"Ah..." Zhao Xian's expression dimmed when he heard him mention Zhao Liben, "No news from the old man yet?"

"Yeah." Zhao Hao nodded and said, "Last time, my hometown sent me a message saying that the old man left a letter saying that he was going to travel and asked us not to worry. A few days ago, I asked Wu Yu to go to Xiuning again, but there was still no news."

"I don't know how much hardship he has endured out there." Zhao Xian's eyes turned red, and he wiped his eyes with his sleeves. He stuffed the deed into Zhao Hao's arms and said, "Since we are going to take care of the old man in his old age, it would be best if you, brother, take care of it."

When Zhao Hao saw the title deed, the name of the landowner had been changed to his own, and he knew that Zhao Shouye was determined to make peace with him.

After all, they were family, so he didn't want to distance himself from them. He picked up the deed and took a closer look at it. He was stunned.

Ogura Mountain?

Isn’t this the location of the famous Suiyuan Garden?

Zhao Hao's heart moved, and he didn't refuse anymore.

Then Zhao Xian gritted his teeth and said, "There is one more thing..."

"speak."

"My father asked me to study, but I'm really not cut out for it. I want to learn how to do business from you." Zhao Xian said in a low voice.

"How can that be? You are the eldest son and grandson of my Zhao family. I dare not lead you astray." Zhao Hao waved his hand quickly, pinching Zhao Xian's thoughts and said, "This matter must be decided by the old man, otherwise no one else's opinion will be of any use."

After a pause, he smiled at Zhao Xian and said, "Besides, when have you ever seen me doing business? I'm just an idler who gives random advice."

Seeing that Zhao Hao was not willing to compromise, Zhao Xian had to give up the idea temporarily.

ps. ** is coming soon, please vote, collect and comment~~~~~