Chapter 64: Need to Pay More!

Inside Zhang Yunxiu's residence.

Han San stood with his hands hanging down, looking respectful as he reported matters to Zhang Yunxiu one by one.

Zhang Yunxiu nodded from time to time in response. Once he finished, he asked, "That fellow, did he really come down from Longhu Mountain?"

"Longhu Mountain my foot, he's just a peddler selling fake medicine," Han San replied with a grin, baring his teeth.

"What kind of fake medicine was he selling?"

Zhang Yunxiu pressed further. Han San's cheeks flushed red, and after hesitating for a moment, he muttered, "That guy was selling damn aphrodisiacs, but they didn't have any effect at all, and that's how he ended up in my hands."

You tried them? Zhang Yunxiu swept a strange glance at Han San; Han San lowered his head and said nothing.

After a long silence, Han San suddenly thought of something, his eyes turning venomous as he gritted his teeth and said, "Young Master, that guy is the type who'd walk through a door with his mouth leading the way; why don't we just find an excuse and finish him off?"

"No need," Zhang Yunxiu shook his head firmly. "He's just a con artist; it would be effortless for us to kill him, but I'd feel like I was dirtying my blade by killing him."

Han San thought that made sense, and he stopped dwelling on it.

Zhang Yunxiu then added, "Right, go tell your men that we are setting sail by July at the latest.

Let them get familiar with things first, so they don't make a fool of themselves when the time comes."

"Don't worry, Young Master. My men have traveled far and wide; naturally, they don't fear the wind and waves at sea," Han San promised, patting his chest.

"Good, then I'll see what you're capable of when the time comes."

As he said this, Zhang Yunxiu stood up and patted Han San on the shoulder.

Han San nodded and smiled, then said a few more flattering things. Zhang Yunxiu's ears were calloused from listening, so he waved him away.

Meanwhile, the preliminary selection ended in a very short time.

The commoners participating in the Princess's husband selection numbered at least several thousand, if not ten thousand.

After the first round of screening, it was whittled down to about a hundred people in the blink of an eye. Then, a second round of screening followed, leaving only a dozen or so.

The third round left only three, reserved for Zhang Jing to screen personally.

The highest bidder wins; no cheating the young or old.

In the blink of an eye, midsummer had arrived. Zhang Jing's residence was bustling with activity, the heat stifling, with merchants and Junior Officials coming to pay their respects from morning till night.

Zhang Jing hid away to enjoy some peace, having his steward Wang Ning receive them on his behalf.

At noon that day, Zhang Jing was on duty at the Directorate of Ceremonial when he suddenly saw someone sneaking in.

He looked up and saw it was his own steward, so he frowned and barked, "You dog, what are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to keep a good watch at the residence?"

Scolded like this, Wang Ning shuddered and hurriedly explained his purpose: "Master, there is a fellow who insists on seeing you, and he is very generous with his money."

"How much?" Zhang Jing asked, narrowing his eyes.

Wang Ning held up three fingers.

"Three thousand taels?"

"Thirty thousand taels!" Wang Ning said, swallowing hard.

Hiss. Zhang Jing was taken aback, and his heart began to warm up.

He was also a man who loved rolling around in piles of money; now that silver was being delivered to his door, how could he refuse?

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Jing gave a few instructions and hurried home.

As soon as he stepped into the living room, he saw a wealthy merchant in brocade robes waiting there; it was none other than Liang Mancang.

Seeing Zhang Jing in his python robe and jade belt, Liang Mancang dared not be negligent, bowing and saluting, "This humble one, Liang Mancang, greets Zhangin."

Zhang Jing chuckled, walking toward the main seat while gesturing for Liang Mancang to sit. Once they were seated, a maid served them tea.

Zhang Jing took a small sip, glanced sideways at Liang Mancang, and said unhurriedly, "I heard you have something you want to see me about?"

"Yes," Liang Mancang said, pulling a silver note directly from his bosom.

Zhang Jing took a look and saw the amount was ten thousand taels; it was a note from the Baoxiang Firm, the largest bank in the capital.

"What is the meaning of this?" Zhang Jing felt a heat in his heart, but on the surface, he still asked coldly.

"This ten thousand taels is just a deposit. If my son can truly be chosen as the Imperial Son-in-law, I will offer the remaining twenty thousand with both hands," Liang Mancang said, getting straight to the point.

"Well now, you certainly have a lot of nerve. You actually dare to bribe me and ask me to help you engage in favoritism and malpractice!" Zhang Jing arched his brows, his eyes hanging as he barked, "Aren't you afraid I'll have you arrested and sent to the authorities for punishment?"

Damn it, acting like a whore while still wanting to set up a memorial arch for chastity.

Liang Mancang cursed inwardly, but his face remained flattering: "How could this be considered a bribe? I have always admired you, Eunuch; this money is just a token of respect from this humble one."

"Hahaha, they all say you businessmen are good with words, that you could talk a dead man back to life; now I've seen it for myself." Zhang Jing burst into a laugh and took the silver note.

Before Liang Mancang could breathe a sigh of relief, Zhang Jing continued to ask, "Do you know who that Princess Yongning is?"

"I know, she is a Princess."

Zhang Jing shook his head with a smile. Liang Mancang looked confused and asked, "Is she not a Princess?"

"She is the apple of the Late Emperor's eye, the Current Emperor's sister by the same mother, and the biological daughter of Li Taihou." Zhang Jing stood up as he spoke, paced to the window, and stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing away from Liang Mancang.

Liang Mancang followed and asked cautiously, "Then, what does Eunuch mean?"

"Thirty thousand taels is not enough; you need to add more money!" Zhang Jing turned his head to look at Liang Mancang, opening his mouth like a lion. "I won't extort you; one price, fifty thousand taels. As long as your son is still breathing, I guarantee he will become the Imperial Son-in-law."

At this, Liang Mancang hesitated.

Thirty thousand taels might hurt his bones and muscles, but fifty thousand would very likely bankrupt him.

Moreover, if he were to raise the silver now, he would have to sell many of his shops at a loss, which made his heart ache.

"Eunuch, to tell you the truth, this humble one really only has these thirty thousand taels..."

"Oh, then I think we'd better forget it. Wang Ning, show the guest out!" Zhang Jing's expression changed instantly; he flicked his sleeve and walked away.

Liang Mancang grabbed Zhang Jing abruptly, begging, "Eunuch, I agree, I agree. Please give this humble one some time; at the latest, within one year of my child becoming the Imperial Son-in-law, I will offer the remaining forty thousand taels in full."

"Heh, do you really think this is a vegetable market where you can haggle? Do you have any idea how much risk I'm taking to help you? I'm only taking fifty thousand taels from you to buy a Princess; your family must have had blue smoke rising from their ancestral graves."

Zhang Jing hung his triangular eyes and cursed.

Liang Mancang continued to plead, "Eunuch, please grant this humble one some more time. Two months at the latest; within two months, I will definitely gather the funds."

"Fine, since I see you are sincere, I will give you two months."

"Many thanks, Eunuch, many thanks, Eunuch."

Liang Mancang thanked him repeatedly; Zhang Jing waved his hand, and Liang Mancang, understanding, lifted his robes and walked out.

At this moment, Wang Ning seized the opportunity to slip in, smiling ingratiatingly: "Master, you are truly brilliant. With just a few casual words, you had this kid spinning in circles, heart and soul, ready to cough up his money."

"You'd better learn a thing or two."

"Yes, this lowly one still has much to learn from you, Master." Wang Ning gave a sycophantic smile.

"Right, send someone to keep an eye on the Liang family now. Since he is short on money, he will surely sell his shops at a low price. As soon as he puts them on the market, we will snap them up!" Zhang Jing suddenly thought of something and reminded him.

"Rest assured, Master, this time we will surely strip this wealthy household to the bone!"

(End of chapter)