Chapter Twelve: Generosity at Another’s Expense
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Madam Zhu finally agreed.
Once the plan was made, it needed to be put into action. The most important tasks were to recruit manpower, find channels to purchase brine, and cultivate salt fields in concealed, sunlit areas to begin large-scale salt drying.
Fortunately, from previous dealings with inns and restaurants, Madam Zhu had accumulated some capital. With more than a month remaining before the debt deadline, this money could be fully used for turnover.
In fact, for Madam Zhu, the current business carried very low costs, acting mainly as a middleman, merely shifting goods with little expense.
Uncle Zhong was cautious; he was assigned to contact the carriage and horse services.
Yu San’s connections were focused on grain transport and could even help contact people within the salt trade, making it easy to find someone to help buy brine from the salt fields.
However, finding an "agent" was more troublesome.
“Xiao Hao, what we’re doing now is a business that could cost us our heads. Who would take the risk to help us without asking why?” Madam Zhu pondered everyone she knew but found no suitable helpers for Zhu Hao.
Zhu Hao smiled reassuringly, “Mother, there’s no rush. For now, we can handle it ourselves. I expect the first batch of goods from Master Su will arrive in the next couple of days. We need to organize people to meet the boats at the Han River and transport some salt back to the city to display on the counter. Whether anyone buys it or not doesn’t matter. The key is to let others know our shop is still in business and our doors remain open.”
Zhu Hao was not anxious because he believed agents served mainly as a cover after the money was earned.
Since the money hadn’t arrived yet, why rush to find help?
These days, the authorities probably wouldn’t investigate the source of silver, right? If necessary, they could store it secretly or quietly accumulate wealth by buying land and houses.
The only concern was that the Ming dynasty’s household registration was very strict, forbidding casual cross-regional living and settlement. Only by wielding power could one break these shackles.
But where would such power come from?
…
…
On the last day of May.
As Zhu Hao predicted, Madam Zhu Jia arrived with Zhu Wan Jian and Steward Liu to demand the regular silver payment.
Madam Zhu greeted them with her family, showing utmost respect.
Madam Zhu Jia asked, “Daughter-in-law of the third son, a few days ago I agreed with you that you would pay forty taels of silver monthly to cover family expenses. Now it’s already the thirtieth. Is the silver ready?”
Madam Zhu hesitated, “Mother, haven’t payments always been made mid-month?”
“Isn’t it you who delayed until the end of the month? Have you paid anything for May?” Madam Zhu Jia’s tone was cold.
Zhu Wan Jian sneered, “Payments were always on time before, but this month not a single coin. If we don’t see the silver before nightfall, we’ll have to confiscate the shop.”
Madam Zhu had fallen into debt in May. The Zhu family usually took ninety percent of the shop’s profits, but now they imposed a fixed monthly payment of forty taels, leaving no room to breathe.
“Daughter-in-law, I’ll arrange for someone to bring the money right away…”
Madam Zhu glanced outside, “It’s not dark yet.”
Madam Zhu Jia’s face darkened as she beckoned Steward Liu, “Invite the local elders and ward elders here. I want to treat them to tea.”
Madam Zhu Jia’s move was steady and ruthless.
But she miscalculated.
Her plan had already been anticipated by Zhu Hao. If Madam Zhu had immediately produced the silver, Madam Zhu Jia would think the shop made money easily and demand even more unreasonable terms. So she deliberately created a flaw to make it seem like they were desperate.
Now by calling witnesses, it appeared to support Madam Zhu’s position, but in reality, it benefited them.
“How much is on hand now? Prepare it first to avoid trouble later.” Madam Zhu Jia stared at Madam Zhu and added, “I heard you still owe money outside, and one debt is about to mature. You’ll repay it early today, as I promised Master He before. You don’t mind, do you?”
Madam Zhu hesitated, “But Mother, Master He’s debt isn’t due for another seven days…”
Madam Zhu Jia shook her head, “Our Zhu family dislikes owing outsiders money. I’ve decided this for you. Prepare the silver together!”
…
…
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Madam Zhu returned to the backyard with Zhu Hao and Concubine Li and her daughter, wearing a troubled expression as if struggling to gather funds.
Only after passing behind the door curtain did her expression lighten.
Her son’s prediction had come true; everything was under control.
Today’s matter was not just about paying the family silver; Madam Zhu Jia came fiercely, intent on crushing her as a daughter-in-law and nearly cutting off all her paths.
“Mother, when you go out later, keep a low profile. The more aggressive the Zhu family gets, the better… The more embarrassed you look, the more brazen they become. In the end, we can fix the rule that the forty taels monthly payment remains unchanged!” Zhu Hao reminded his mother again.
“Hmm.”
If Madam Zhu had once doubted her son’s words, now she was resolved to follow them entirely.
About half an hour later, Madam Zhu returned to the front shop accompanied by Concubine Li. Zhu Hao and Zhu Ting stayed hidden in the back room, no longer appearing.
This was an adult matter, not much concern for the children.
Four local elders and ward elders were summoned. Curious neighbors and villagers from nearby areas gathered to watch.
The local moneylenders, always eager for trouble, saw that the rice shop opposite was clearly about to collapse and quickly gathered a crowd to watch the spectacle.
“Mother, it’s just a regular silver collection visit. Why call so many people?” Madam Zhu feigned strong resistance in the face of the tightly packed crowd at the door.
Madam Zhu Jia smiled coldly, “The third son’s family has its rules and the state has its laws. We invited witnesses because some matters are better discussed openly… I told you before that the family demands forty taels monthly. I allowed you to run the shop yourself, and you never objected, right?”
As soon as she spoke, the crowd erupted.
The moneylenders pushed through, shouting, “Forty taels a month? Madam Zhu… Master Zhu, are you running a rice shop or a money shop?”
Madam Zhu’s business had always been good; neighbors knew she made money but didn’t know how much. Now hearing that the family demanded forty taels every month, everyone was incredulous.
“Don’t think the family is just being harsh. Based on past revenues, it was over a hundred taels a month…” Madam Zhu Jia put herself on a moral pedestal from the start.
The crowd immediately protested, “A hundred taels? Why not say a thousand? Such a small shop—selling even a hundred thousand pounds of grain, can it really make a hundred taels? What a joke!”
“Typical—just picking on the daughter-in-law. Such a ruthless mother-in-law, no compassion for money…”
Voices grew louder. Zhu Wan Jian stepped forward to scold, “Shut up! None of you troublemakers’ business! If I say it’s a hundred taels, then it’s a hundred taels! What has the Zhu family’s business got to do with you?”
Madam Zhu Jia, unexpectedly gathering a crowd of “judges,” felt angry but held back.
“Everyone, this is the Zhu family’s matter. We discussed and agreed on it internally, and she didn’t deny it. Is there a problem?” She looked to the four respected elders for approval.
All four elders nodded.
One elder surnamed Song said, “If there are rules, then follow them. If you can’t pay the forty taels monthly, it’s reasonable for the family to reclaim the land and house. You haven’t paid this month, right?”
Madam Zhu Jia scanned the crowd; those who met her gaze all lowered their heads. Satisfied, she cleared her throat and walked slowly over to Madam Zhu, sighing, “Third son’s family, you heard that. It’s not that I want to make things difficult for you. The rules are set. From now on, when debts are collected, each side signs a receipt to prevent denial. By the way, Master He, why don’t you start collecting debts?”
A man in his fifties squeezed through the crowd, smiling as he presented an IOU. “Madam Zhu, the third lady of the Zhu family owes me ten guan. I’ve come personally to collect.”
Following Zhu Hao’s instructions, Madam Zhu looked anxious, “Mother, why take everything on yourself? The shop’s debt to Master He isn’t related to the family silver payment… Besides, I’m trying to find a way to gather the money and don’t know if I can do it in time.”
“Where will you get the money?”
Madam Zhu Jia asked coldly.
Madam Zhu was at a loss to answer.
Thinking her daughter-in-law was making excuses, Madam Zhu Jia pursed her lips.
“If you don’t have forty taels, at least have ten. Pay Master He first.”
“But…”
“No buts. Bring the money immediately!”
Madam Zhu grimaced and went behind the counter, opened the drawer, and took out ten taels of silver.
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Madam Zhu Jia waved her hand, “Scale.”
Everything was well prepared. Steward Liu took the scale from the servant and weighed it in front of everyone. Madam Zhu Jia arbitrarily applied a 3% discount plus interest, so Master He actually received eleven taels of silver.
“Mother, this is all top-grade silver. Why such a big discount?”
Madam Zhu’s face darkened, looking distressed.
“Business must be honest. Our Zhu family has always valued integrity. Master He, you’re welcome to tea later.”
Madam Zhu Jia generously spent others’ silver, feeling entitled, ignoring her daughter-in-law, and bidding Master He farewell.
After seeing Master He off, Madam Zhu Jia looked at her daughter-in-law, “I manage the Zhu household and am responsible for educating and disciplining the descendants. Now I’ve decided to let Master He reclaim what he’s owed. Do you have any complaints?”
Madam Zhu’s expression was restrained.
Being bullied yet forced to endure, the first duty of a virtuous woman was to uphold filial piety.
“I dare not,” Madam Zhu bowed her head.
Madam Zhu Jia said, “You should say ‘no,’ not ‘dare not.’ Such thoughts shouldn’t be in your heart. Now, let’s talk about the family silver you need to pay each month… It’s about time. Bring it out.”
Having unilaterally decided to repay the external debt first, it was now time to collect the family’s portion.
Madam Zhu Jia was determined to reclaim the land and house, leaving no room for compromise.
Madam Zhu’s face was full of worry; she bit her lip timidly, “I… I don’t have it yet.”
“So, the family can reclaim the house?”
Madam Zhu Jia’s expression softened slightly, sensing no obstacle now.
Madam Zhu lowered her head, “Mother, the debts owed to the shop by outsiders are substantial. I have sent people to collect them… Once these debts are recovered, it should be enough.”
Madam Zhu Jia frowned, saying no more.
Behind her, Zhu Wan Jian sneered, “Forty taels in debt? That much?”
Madam Zhu replied calmly, “There’s currently over thirty taels on hand, and just over ten taels outstanding.”
Hearing this, Zhu Wan Jian immediately grew anxious.
If Madam Zhu really collected the outside debts and paid the family’s forty taels in full today…
“Mother, I need to step out for a moment.”
Zhu Wan Jian’s eyes darted, preparing to intercept the debt collectors outside.
“Calm down!”
Madam Zhu Jia stopped her son and then turned to her daughter-in-law with a cold smile, “It’s reasonable to have some outside debt in business, but the rule is payment must be made before the end of the month…”
“Mother, it’s not dark yet, is it?”
Madam Zhu suddenly grew firm.
In truth, she had the silver. Not only for this month, but even for the next, though it was secured by mortgaging land and houses, it was enough to handle the immediate crisis.
Her son wanted her to buy time, partly as a lesson in human nature, to let her personally experience the ruthlessness of the Zhu family.
Madam Zhu Jia turned to Zhu Wan Jian, “If you have matters, go ahead. Remember to tell those who do business with the rice shop that it’s okay to owe a little outside debt occasionally and no need to rush repayment. But if they insist on paying today, they’re opposing the Zhu family and shouldn’t expect to run a peaceful business in this city… Hmph!”
If before Madam Zhu Jia had been restrained, trying to maintain her family head demeanor, now her words discarded even the last shred of face…
Whoever dares to repay my daughter-in-law and prevent me from reclaiming the land and house, just wait for misfortune!