Chapter 18: Acting as Guarantor

Du Sanye felt wary, paused, then softened his tone: “Wang Young Master is a refined man of high taste—I, a common merchant, cannot understand. I’m in business, and business has its rules. I can extend repayment by three days, but you, Wang Young Master, must act as guarantor and sign the contract.”

Wang Yang certainly didn’t want to sign, and could easily think of an excuse to refuse. But doing so might trigger unpredictable consequences, and refusing would raise suspicion. After all, if he was a scholar-official family member who promised to repay in three days, what reason could he have to refuse signing?

So though reluctant, he calmly said: “Bring the contract.”

Du Sanye produced the contract and ordered a subordinate to fetch ink, brush, and seal paste from the village clerk’s house. Wang Yang, suspicious of trickery, examined it closely:

“On the thirteenth day of the fourth month of Yongming Seven, Zhang Anu of Tangzhu Village borrowed six thousand cash from Du Shubao of Jiangling County, with monthly interest of six hundred cash, for a term of one year. Should repayment be delayed, Du Shubao may seize Zhang Anu’s daughter, Hei Awu, as collateral. Both parties agreed willingly; this writing serves as proof.”

Lender: Du Shubao

Borrower: Zhang Anu, age twenty-six

Guarantor: Hei Han, age thirty

It was usury indeed! Ten percent interest per month!

Wang Yang didn’t know that, at the time, most lenders charged exactly one-tenth; Du Sanye might be cruel, but his interest rate conformed to industry standards.

This Du Shubao must be Du Sanye’s real name.

The ink and brush had now arrived. Du Sanye fixed his gaze on Wang Yang: “Young Master, please write your name after the guarantor.”

Wang Yang picked up the brush calmly and wrote “Wang Yang” beneath the guarantor’s name, then pressed his thumbprint. Du Sanye stared at the two characters, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Hei Han, seeing this, his eyes instantly reddened. Awu bit her lip, her small fists clenching unconsciously.

Du Sanye said: “Young Master, you must also write your age.”

Wang Yang set down the brush: “Too much trouble. Leave it as is. Such a small sum—why write an age?”

Du Sanye swallowed his anger and took his leave, his face dark throughout the journey.

He had planned for days—tonight was meant to be the day of triumph. Yet an unknown boy had appeared out of nowhere, not only ruined his plan, but taken on the debt himself.

If this man’s identity was fake, or if he couldn’t repay, that would be easy to handle. But if he truly repays in three days, he’d have to think of another plan.

At that moment, one of his men asked: “Third Master, is that man truly from the Langya Wang clan?”

Du Sanye’s gaze turned grim: “True or false? A single check will reveal it.”

“Wang Young Master, you are our great benefactor! Whether it’s climbing a mountain of knives or diving into boiling oil, whatever you command, Hei Han will obey!”

“Young Master, Awu was wrong—not to share your porridge! Tomorrow morning, I’ll cook you something delicious!”

The father and daughter knelt on the ground, swearing solemnly.

Wang Yang smiled: “Awu, go back to bed. I need to speak with your father.”

Little Awu bowed her head and obediently returned to the western room.

Wang Yang’s expression turned serious: “How long have you been planning this?”

Hei Han looked bewildered: “Young Master, what are you talking about? What planning?”

“I can help you. But I dislike being used. This is your final chance to tell the truth.”

The loan date on the contract was last year’s fourteenth day of the fourth month—exactly one year today. Wang Yang didn’t believe Hei Han didn’t know Du Sanye would come today to collect. Nor did he believe Hei Han bringing him home was pure coincidence.

Hei Han saw Wang Yang’s expression darken further and immediately kowtowed: “Young Master, please don’t be angry! I speak truly! I feared Du Sanye would come to collect, but I truly meant to help you! I knew you didn’t know where to stay, so I invited you here as a guest—not solely because of Du Sanye!”

He didn’t just not know where to stay—he didn’t even know where his next meal was coming from!

Wang Yang knew Hei Han had already given him face by saying so. In truth, Hei Han had served him well these past two days. Besides, last night, if Hei Han hadn’t testified that the Attendant-in-Ordinary was actually an Attendant-in-Attendance, Wang Yang might now be a prisoner. Now he’d offered food and lodging—solving Wang Yang’s basic needs.

But he still needed to press him. If Hei Han thought him a fool or someone easily exploited, similar incidents might happen again.

Wang Yang’s face was expressionless: “So you brought me here to use me as a shield against Du San’s blade?”

Hei Han shivered and quickly explained: “I had no such intention! I only thought your status would scare Du Sanye away, make him go after that woman for payment—or at least give me more time. But who knew...”

Hei Han couldn’t finish. The unspoken words: Who knew Du Sanye wouldn’t even respect the Langya Wang clan?

In his original plan, Du Sanye wouldn’t forgive the debt, but at least he’d reduce the interest—or even say only the principal needed repayment. After all, this was a chance to befriend a high-born youth.

But who knew what madness had seized Du Sanye!

Not only did he refuse to lower the interest, he demanded Wang Young Master sign as guarantor on the spot!

Did he suspect Wang Yang’s identity? Or did he look down on him because of his plain clothes?

Wang Yang interjected: “Who knew he made me repay your debt.”

“No! Young Master! I won’t take your money for free! This is a loan from you—I’ll repay you!”

“Repay me?” Wang Yang chuckled bitterly. “But what if I can’t afford it either?”

Hei Han froze.

“What if the people coming to fetch me don’t arrive in three days?”

“What if they do arrive—and I still can’t pay your debt?”

Hei Han had already considered this scenario. Thirteen thousand two hundred cash was no small sum. And Wang Young Master, seemingly a lesser branch of his clan, was himself in distress—unable to pay was understandable.

But Wang Yang had agreed so easily that Hei Han assumed the money was nothing to him. Now he realized—it was merely a delaying tactic.

He steadied himself, a look of resolve flashing in his eyes, and whispered: “At first light, Young Master, leave Jingzhou. I’m the first guarantor—this falls on me.”

Wang Yang asked: “What will you do?”

“I have my own way.”

“What way? You’ll grab a knife and fight to the death. But have you thought—what happens to Awu if you die?”

Hei Han wept as he kowtowed: “If Young Master will take Awu with you, I’ll serve you as ox or horse in my next life!”

He knew this request was outrageous. Not only were Awu and Wang Yang strangers, but Awu was registered as a soldier, pledged as collateral on the contract—now she had no chance to flee. Whether Du Sanye sent his men to hunt her or the authorities issued a warrant, neither could escape Jingzhou, let alone Nan Commandery.

But Wang Yang still carried the weight of scholar-official status. Even without proof, even if his family was fallen, he could still command respect. With him, Awu might still have a chance.

Wang Yang sighed: “No. Little Awu is too clever—I can’t handle her.”

Hei Han thought Wang Yang refused to take his daughter, and sank into despair.

Then Wang Yang said: “Let’s divide responsibilities clearly. You keep Awu. I’ll raise the money.”

Hei Han snapped his head up, unable to believe his ears!

He stammered: “Young Master, you...”

Wang Yang smiled gently: “Don’t believe me?”

“I believe! I believe! But... only three days left. Where will you get so much money?”

Wang Yang stretched lazily and murmured: “There’s gold in books.”

Hei Han didn’t understand Wang Yang’s words, but seeing his confidence, he felt inexplicably reassured. Thinking he’d saved his daughter, he burst into tears.

Meanwhile, Awu, hiding behind the wall and listening, was also in tears, thinking: This handsome Langya Wang Young Master... isn’t a bad man after all.