Chapter 319: Future Father-in-Law, Let Your Future Son-in-Law Pay His Respects

"How much money?" Zhong Susu chose to compromise.

"One hundred thousand!" Zhong Yushi named a sky-high price.

"Father, are you mad? Carrying so much money at once—don't you fear being robbed on the road like a fat sheep? No, no, this much money is a curse; it'll drag the whole family down with you."

Zhong Yushi considered carefully; his daughter's words seemed reasonable. He was currently on the fringes of the officialdom, and overall, the people around him still followed the rules.

Once they left the capital, they'd be leaving the realm of enforced order; expecting others to follow the rules would be naive.

Human nature is mad, and cruel. When money is before them, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness—filial piety, loyalty, chastity, and justice—all mean nothing. Only the blade matters.

Gleaming silver is the root of disaster and calamity. Kill the entire Zhong family with one slash, report it as an epidemic, pay off witnesses with silver, and the matter vanishes.

He was a River Yushi, having witnessed too many dark sides of human nature.

The capital is still relatively decent—it's beneath the Son of Heaven's feet. To preserve the Emperor's dignity, even a little caution toward the Embroidered Uniform Guard keeps everyone mindful of appearances, and basic order is maintained. There are still lawless acts, but they're not brazen; at least there's some semblance of decorum.

For instance, when Chen Guanlou saved Zhong Susu, even the jailer Hu did a show of "imprisoning" her in the women's cell to silence others. Only after completing all procedures would he release her.

Outside the capital, it's truly a mix of dragons and snakes—money over life. Lawless acts and chaos abound. The more remote the place, the more likely absurd events become.

The world curses him as heartless and ruthless, responsible for countless families shattered and lives lost. Yet few realize that many of those lives were willingly given—victims themselves, eager to trade their own lives for silver to change their families' fates.

He wasn't making excuses; this was the truth. A grotesque reality. Hard to imagine from within the capital, but in the provinces—especially impoverished ones—such outrageous realities unfold daily.

He didn't demand the victims' lives; yet they wept and wailed in disappointment, feeling their lives were worthless. Any glance from an official meant their life had value—could be exchanged for silver.

To many, having a price on one's life mattered more than living.

Officials in the capital don't understand why the people in the provinces rebel. Zhong Yushi, having spent years in the provinces, dealing constantly with rivers, understood perfectly why the common folk rose up.

Currently, only a few prefectures have rebels.

If things continue like this, rebellion across the entire empire is inevitable.

The capital is the empire's sole exception. The old Emperor values decorum—he never harms the capital. The people there live a hundred times better than those in the provinces.

The one time he did harm them was during the deposed Crown Prince's rebellion, which caused the greatest impact: soaring prices, especially grain. The capital's people screamed in outrage, calling the old Emperor a fool.

But this is nothing!

Go to the provinces and see—this level of inflation is nothing compared to the poverty of the common folk. They're blissfully unaware of their own fortune.

This exile is a three-thousand-li journey; who knows how many dangers await? Money is essential, but not too much.

Zhong Yushi gritted his teeth. "I'll give ten thousand taels now. The rest, send after I'm settled. You know—whether the whole family lives or dies, whether we avoid being the first cannon fodder—depends entirely on how much sincerity you show."

"If you deliberately delay, the whole family will die because of you. Your sister will be raped and tossed into a ditch like trash. Your brothers will have their heads cut off, left without even a whole corpse. The Zhong line will end. You're a Zhong daughter—can you be so heartless?"

Exile is just the appetizer; the real trial begins after arrival. Zhong Yushi had no good way to deal with those soldier thugs—only silver could open doors.

"Ten thousand taels is too much. Father, you've lived in luxury for years—you clearly have a massive misunderstanding of ordinary prices."

Across the wall, Chen Guanlou spat out his tea. How could Zhong Susu, ignorant of true prices, dare lecture Zhong Yushi on them?

"Ten taels are enough for a family of five or six to live a full year—that's the real price. Ten thousand taels? Not just the yamen runners will want to kill you; even villagers along the road will turn murderous. For the family's safety, five hundred taels are enough."

"Five hundred taels? To drink wind?!" Zhong Yushi was furious. "Don't talk about prices. At least five thousand. Less than that, and I can't sleep at night."

Money gives courage.

Zhong Yushi's safety threshold was five thousand taels. Less than that, and he felt bankrupt, panicked.

Zhong Susu was dissatisfied: "How about this—convert part of it into jewels to carry. They're inconspicuous on the body, and many people don't understand their true value—easy to deceive. Also prepare a thousand taels in small-denomination banknotes, a few dozen taels in silver coins, and a dozen or so copper coins. How's that?"

"My daughter thinks so thoroughly. You're right—don't carry too many banknotes. Do it your way. Hurry—today must be settled. Tomorrow, the whole family goes into exile. We won't meet again for years, perhaps never." As he spoke, Zhong Yushi forced out a few tears, cultivating the image of a doting father.

Zhong Susu hesitated. "Father, don't worry. Once I'm free, I'll find a way to send you money and goods—enough to keep everyone alive. When the empire grants a general amnesty, there may still be a chance to return."

"It's hard!" Zhong Yushi wiped his tears, genuinely sorrowful, speaking rare honest words. "Too many people despise me—they'd gladly see me die on the road. Don't forget: hire some skilled men from the beating guild to secretly escort us."

"From now on, stay by Chen Guanlou's side and live well. Don't dream of anything else. Even if your heart resists, this is your fate. Compared to your sisters, you're already lucky."

"Chen Guanlou may be lowly, but he's educated and knows propriety. Behind him stands the Hou Fu. Once you enter his household, make sure to visit the Hou Fu often—befriend the ladies and young mistresses. In the future, the whole family may depend on their connections to escape."

Across the wall, Chen Guanlou was in excellent spirits. His cheap father-in-law had many flaws, but he was clearly responsible in guiding his daughter. As for the talk about cultivating ties with the Hou Fu for the Zhong family's benefit—he tuned it out entirely, pretending he hadn't heard.

Such a good father-in-law had surely raised a fine daughter—she must be virtuous.

His heart swelled with joy.

He'd originally only intended to take her as a concubine—but now he seriously considered marrying her properly. Zhong Susu as the principal wife was perfectly suitable.