Chapter Thirteen: There Is Always a Taller Mountain

The crowd watching suddenly erupted in uproar.

“Wow, are there really people like this?”

“Yeah, they demand their own daughter-in-law repay others’ debts quickly, but won’t let others repay their daughter-in-law. Are they determined not to give up the shop?”

“They’re clearly bullying an orphaned widow!”

“Who would dare do business with the Zhu family from now on?”

The neighbors couldn’t stand it anymore; in front of Mrs. Zhu, they loudly discussed the matter. A few village elders exchanged glances, surprised at how shameless the Zhu family’s behavior was.

Zhu Wanjian shouted, “What business is it of yours? Move aside, don’t delay my important matters!”

He was about to leave when he saw Uncle Zhong and Yu San entering through the main gate.

In front of everyone, Uncle Zhong said to Mrs. Zhu, “Madam, the debt has been recovered.”

“What?”

Zhu Wanjian was furious and rushed forward, trying to snatch the bag from Uncle Zhong’s hand.

Housekeeper Liu tried to intervene but had no chance.

It is despicable, though somewhat reasonable and legal, to stop others from repaying a debt; but to resort to outright grabbing…

Do you think the onlookers are blind?

Having been warned by Zhu Hao, Uncle Zhong was mentally prepared. He twisted his waist to dodge, then handed the silver bag to Mrs. Zhu.

Mrs. Zhu opened the black cloth bag, revealing silver ingots inside. A relieved smile appeared on her face as she straightened her back and said, “Mother, the money is enough.”

Madam Zhu’s face turned pitch black, her gaze murderous.

Housekeeper Liu calmly stepped forward, “Madam, are you sure the silver is sufficient? The silver’s fineness doesn’t seem great. At a 95% fineness rate, you need at least 42 taels and 1 qian. No problem, right?”

Mrs. Zhu widened her eyes. “Housekeeper Liu, you haven’t even inspected the silver I prepared, yet you come out saying the fineness is poor?”

Housekeeper Liu smiled without arguing further.

Zhu Wanjian rolled his eyes, “Who can really say for sure about silver? What if it’s adulterated? I think 95% is too high; 90% is more reasonable!”

“Wow!”

The crowd once again burst into astonished murmurs.

So many people bullying an orphaned widow, twisting logic with every word, claiming their reasons were valid.

Now even the fineness of the silver became a controversy?

Someone shouted loudly, “Why not just say it’s 50% fine! I’d melt it down, and it’d be worth more than 90%…”

Mrs. Zhu ignored Zhu Wanjian’s provocation and took out silver she had prepared long ago. She weighed out 42 taels and 1 qian herself, then approached the old lady. “Mother, the silver is calculated at 95% fineness, please see for yourself…”

“Ninety percent! No negotiation.”

Madam Zhu was ruthless and spoke little. Her gaze seemed to pierce and devour.

Mrs. Zhu hesitated, then took 2 taels and 3 qian from the counter and handed them to Housekeeper Liu. “Please weigh this carefully. Once we step outside, no turning back.”

Housekeeper Liu didn’t believe Mrs. Zhu could produce 44 taels of silver.

But after weighing, there was no problem at all.

Madam Zhu’s face flushed deep red as she glared fiercely at Mrs. Zhu. “Third daughter-in-law, I allowed you back into the Zhu family for your own future. Even if your husband is gone, you can’t serve your husband but you can still raise children. As a chaste widow, why must you expose yourself and disgrace the Zhu family name? Our Zhu family is a lineage of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; we cannot tolerate any stain on our family traditions.”

Mrs. Zhu remained unmoved, her voice resolute. “Mother, let’s follow the rules. I want to protect what my late husband left behind as much as possible. Furthermore, this shop, the house behind it, plus dozens of acres outside the city, even if sold all together, wouldn’t be worth a thousand taels of silver. I can earn that back in two years with surplus… Isn’t steady progress better? Mother?”

Zhu Wanjian sneered, “So what if it’s managed by the family? You think you can’t earn back this money? Does that make you capable?”

Madam Zhu shook her head and no longer engaged with her “stubborn” daughter-in-law.

She rose and walked to the door, looking out at the gathered townsfolk.

“Listen carefully, my late husband was an actual Embroidered Uniform Guard captain. Our family discipline is strict. Today, I tried to teach the younger generation here, but if she insists on exposing herself and disgracing the family, it is because I failed to discipline her.”

“I hereby declare: if anyone dares to do business with her in the future, even something as small as trading rice, official grain, or salt, it will be regarded as opposing the Zhu family. The Zhu family will never allow them to have a good life!”

Having failed several times to reclaim the property, Madam Zhu resorted to intimidation—not only threatening her daughter-in-law but also threatening the common townsfolk.

Qian Chuanzi was the first to jump in, “The old madam is right. Nowadays, a woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent. Isn’t it better to stay home and take care of the children? Mrs. Zhu, you should listen to your elders!”

“Qian Chuanzi, what business is it of yours? Do you feel that Mrs. Zhu does business more honestly than you? Can’t beat her, so you come to cause trouble?”

“Who in this neighborhood doesn’t know Mrs. Zhu is a good person? What bad family tradition has she done?”

“That’s just wanting to accuse her without reason!”

The neighbors were outraged and spoke up in defense of Mrs. Zhu.

Madam Zhu didn’t bother arguing with these petty townsfolk. She knew most were timid and afraid, only voicing complaints but who would actually dare enter the shop?

As long as her daughter-in-law’s business suffered, her goal was achieved.

Before leaving, Madam Zhu glanced sideways at her daughter-in-law with a sinister look. “Third daughter-in-law, now that the rules are set, follow them and take care of yourself! I’m leaving!”

Then the group departed in a grand procession.

…

…

“Hahaha, interesting, really interesting.”

At that moment, on the second floor of the teahouse diagonally opposite the rice shop, someone was watching the scene unfold with great interest.

Seeing Madam Zhu leave the rice shop with a sullen face, the person laughed uncontrollably.

It was Su Xigui.

The accountant standing beside him asked puzzled, “Master, we lent money to that mother and son just to watch this family tear itself apart?”

Su Xigui cursed, “You ignorant fool, do you need me to teach you how to do business? This is strategy! They obviously have the money but didn’t pay at first, then delivered a sudden blow. This kind of tactic is worth understanding deeply…”

The accountant was disgruntled, “Master, aren’t you afraid that mother and son might use this tactic against us?”

“Do I need to worry about that? In this world, whether you have tactics or not doesn’t matter, as long as you follow the rules. This small city of Anlu is full of hidden talents. I thought Madam Zhu of the Zhu family was the top player, but it seems… there’s always someone better.”

After enjoying the show, Su Xigui was about to leave.

Suddenly, someone hurried up the stairs, taking brisk steps to the tea table.

“Master, Huang Fantai sent a letter urging you to return to the provincial capital immediately,” the messenger panted.

Su Xigui frowned, “What’s the matter? I haven’t finished my business here.”

The man said, “Huang Fantai sent word that in Jianggan and Huguang regions, banditry and chaos are rampant. There seems to be a well-organized group specializing in robbing merchant caravans, with fatal incidents happening frequently.”

Su Xigui nodded, “If my guess is right, it’s probably related to unrest in Gan territory… Fine, I’ll leave right away and go to Wuchang Prefecture to see what’s happening.”

The accountant asked, “Master, what about our salt trade with the Zhu family?”

“Just find someone to handle it. Not a single pound of salt we owe can be shorted. When delivering the salt, keep the accounts clear—no mistakes allowed.”

As he said this, a faint smile appeared at Su Xigui’s lips. “If they still can’t pay, and we have to seize their fields and houses, it’ll be easier without me in Anlu. I don’t believe the local officials would dare to protect the Zhu family.”

The accountant nodded in relief, “Master is right. If they really can’t pay, no one can argue when we take their land and houses.”