Chapter 242
Although Zhan Feiyu was young, her actions were ruthless, and the elders of the Liu family grew solemn. The hot-tempered Eighth Elder angrily said, "It's just giving the jailer some silver, and we didn't do anything to her. Do you think our Liu family should pay with our lives?"
"Although the Seventh Branch acts a bit domineering, what the Eighth Elder says is right. That maid wasn't forcibly taken. Let the Seventh Branch apologize," the Third Elder seconded with a stern face. He was the most protective of his own.
Although the Seventh Branch was a collateral branch, they were still part of the Liu family. Moreover, there were reasons for the incident. It was just a maid. Did Zhan Feiyu really want to fall out with the Liu family over a maid?
Liu Heyu glanced at the elders who completely disregarded the situation. They were accustomed to relying on their seniority, but they didn't consider that Zhan Feiyu didn't even give Chancellor Chen face. What was the imperial merchant Liu family in her eyes?
"Great Grandfather, Zhan Feiyu's lawsuit not only accused the Jin family but also didn't spare Vice-Prefect Wu. For the Seventh Branch to escape isn't something that can be solved with just an apology," Liu Heyu said, her exquisitely made-up face clouded with solemnity. "Once it goes to court, it can't be settled privately."
"That's for sure. She's Scholar Gu's disciple, and this time she's in the right! The Seventh Branch will lose a layer of skin even if they don't die," Liu Hejin said with a carefree laugh, completely ignoring the Eighth Elder's glare.
The Eighth Elder's fiery temper flared up instantly. He slammed the table and roared, "I think she's eaten the heart of a bear and the guts of a leopard! Do they think our Liu family is made of tofu!"
Fiddling with the teacup in his hand, Liu Hejin didn't even lift his eyelids. "It's useless for you to get angry at me. There are still forty-eight corpses hanging on the city walls. Prefect Chu's face doesn't matter, so our Liu family can't expect anything."
The atmosphere in the study immediately became heavy. The elders, proud of their status, always believed that the Liu family's name was resounding in the Jiangnan Circuit. However, the reality was before their eyes.
"Forced servitude and bribing jailers. If Prefect Chu, no matter how biased towards Zhan Feiyu, heavily punishes the Seventh Branch, the Liu family's face will be completely lost," the First Elder sighed. A tree lives for its bark, and a person lives for their face! The Liu family's reputation was trampled underfoot; how would they have the face to see their ancestors in the afterlife?
Unlike the elders' anger and helplessness, Liu Hejin, as if it were none of his business, stood up. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
"Hejin!" The Eighth Elder's temper flared up again.
The First Elder also gave a warning glance. Liu Hejin rolled his eyes and sat back down. "Fine, I won't go. Eldest Sister, you are the head of the Liu family. Say something."
Liu Heyu ignored him and spoke to the elders with a serious expression. "Our Liu family is strong, but only in the Jiangnan Circuit. There are many imperial merchants in the Great Qing Dynasty besides us. If the Liu family loses face, other imperial merchants will surely mock us. This is only the first point."
"Secondly, if it gets out that the imperial merchant Liu family has offended the current Grand Academician, it won't just be gossip. The Liu family's businesses outside will be affected, especially those dealing in silk, porcelain, and jewelry."
The Liu family's businesses were so large that they covered almost every aspect of life, food, clothing, housing, and transportation. Those with less ability in the Liu family ran small businesses, selling goods to ordinary people.
The direct descendants of the Liu family, in addition to controlling these workshops, also held the flagship industries under their control. These items, often costing hundreds or even thousands of taels, were bought by officials and nobles. Once they knew the Liu family had offended Scholar Gu, these shops would have to close down.
Upon hearing that it would affect their business, which meant they would have no money to spend in the future, Liu Hejin sat up straight. "Heyu, go and talk to Zhan Feiyu. At worst, we'll compensate with money!"
"Heyu, you still have to make a trip," the First Elder nodded in agreement. Firstly, they were too proud to bow to a young girl. Secondly, Zhan Feiyu was only a nine-year-old girl, and it was not appropriate for the First Elder and the others to appear.
Liu Heyu was already accustomed to the elders pushing her forward whenever something happened. She didn't show it on her face and smiled. "I can go, but Zhan Feiyu is a scholar and likely not very interested in money."
The Liu family had subdued so many people, each of whom was driven by money. Even Liu Hejin, a dandy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, loved money.
However, scholars of the Great Qing Dynasty did have integrity. Even if they didn't regard money as dirt, it was impossible to make them bow with just a little silver.
Seeing the elders with worried expressions, Liu Heyu slowly said, "Why not take out Hefeng's assets?"
"That's fifty thousand taels of silver!" Even the most greedy Sixth Elder's eyes were turning red. It wasn't five thousand or fifty thousand, but a full fifty thousand taels of silver!
Even if the royal family married off a princess with a dowry of a hundred li, in reality, the total dowry would not exceed ten thousand taels.
"Even if we don't say it now, can we guarantee we can keep this money? It's better to do a favor," Liu Heyu said meaningfully, glancing at the guilty Liu Hejin.
Giving away fifty thousand taels of silver to an outsider made the Liu family elders feel as if they were being cut, but for the long-term consideration, they had no choice but to agree.
Finally, the First Elder made the final decision. "Heyu, go and test Zhan Feiyu's attitude. If it's really impossible, then take out the fifty thousand taels of silver."
"Don't worry, Great Grandfather. Zhan Feiyu is a smart person. As long as we are sincere enough, she won't fall out with the Liu family," Liu Heyu smiled, but she had her own considerations.
After the elders and the head of the Liu family left, Liu Hejin was still slumped in his chair. He glanced at Liu Heyu, who was sitting upright in the main seat, and said sarcastically, "Eldest Sister, your intentions are not hidden from me!"
Opening the account book handed over by the steward, Liu Heyu didn't even look up. "What? Do you want to go and talk to Zhan Feiyu about the Seventh Branch's affairs?"
"I'm not going!" Liu Hejin disliked dealing with smart people, especially educated smart people. They were too shrewd. Before they could say a few words, his background was already figured out. The key was that he couldn't see through the other party at all, which was too frustrating.
Liu Heyu picked up her teacup and took a few sips of tea, then lowered her head to continue looking at the account book. "Since that's the case, shut up. No matter what I do, the money you get each year will only be more, not less!"
"Alright, my brother is relieved now." Liu Hejin smiled triumphantly. This guarantee was enough.
...
Xinglong Inn.
Confucius said, "Guan Zhong's capacity is truly small!"
Someone asked, "Is Guan Zhong frugal?" He replied, "Guan Shi had three residences, and his official duties were not shared. How can he be called frugal?"
"Then Guan Zhong knew ritual?" He replied, "The ruler erected a screen at the gate, and Guan Shi also erected a screen at the gate. The ruler, for the sake of friendship between two rulers, had a stand for the wine vessel, and Guan Shi also had a stand for the wine vessel. If Guan Shi knew ritual, who would not know ritual?"
A clear reading voice sounded. Zhan Feiyu sat up straight, her gaze focused, seemingly unaware of Yin Wuyan's arrival.
"Fat girl, if you're tired from studying, you can rest," Chong Guang chuckled. Was the fat girl planning to use studying to dodge a disaster?
Zhan Feiyu looked back and immediately stood up, her face blooming into a smile. "Big Brother, you're back? It's good timing, I have something I don't understand."
The attitude of seeking advice must be correct! As for Chong Guang, who was gloating, Zhan Feiyu directly ignored him. "Big Brother, what do you think of Guan Zhong? Confucius considered him overly utilitarian and small-minded."
Chong Guang leaned over and quickly scanned the book on the table. The passage Zhan Feiyu had just recited was easy to understand. Confucius said, "Guan Zhong's capacity is truly small!"
Someone asked, "Is it because he was too frugal?"
Confucius replied, "Guan Zhong had three public residences, and the people who managed his affairs each managed one task and did not hold multiple positions. How can this be called frugal?"
Someone else asked, "Then was Guan Zhong considered a person who knew ritual?"
Confucius replied, "The ruler's palace had a screen, and Guan Zhong's gate also had a screen. The ruler, for the sake of friendship between two rulers, held a banquet and performed the ritual of placing the wine vessel back after drinking. Guan Zhong also performed the ritual of placing the wine vessel back when entertaining guests. If Guan Zhong's behavior is considered knowing ritual, then who doesn't know ritual?"
Yin Wuyan glanced at Zhan Feiyu, who was humbly seeking advice. The little girl's attitude was proper, and it seemed she genuinely had doubts about her studies. "What do you think of Guan Zhong?"
Zhan Feiyu stood respectfully to the side. "Confucius once affirmed Guan Zhong's benevolence and virtue, praising him for helping Duke Huan of Qi to summon the feudal lords nine times to jointly resist the invasion of foreign barbarians..."
Chong Guang, who had just pulled up a chair and sat down, was stunned. "Didn't you say he was criticizing Guan Zhong? Why are you still praising him? Isn't Confucius contradictory?"
Interrupted halfway through her speech, Zhan Feiyu glared at Chong Guang unhappily. However, her dark, round eyes had no killing power when glaring at people, like a little wild cat, fierce and cute.
Unfortunately, before Chong Guang could gloat, Yin Wuyan, who was sitting beside him, took the book from his hand and looked at him with cold, merciless eyes. Chong Guang immediately sat up straight, no longer daring to be presumptuous.
Yin Wuyan placed the book back on the table. "Continue."
Zhan Feiyu spoke again. "Confucius believed that without Guan Zhong, we would all have unbound hair, our robes opening to the left, and be subjects under the rule of barbarians. However, while he praised Guan Zhong's great achievements, he also criticized Guan Zhong for his narrow-mindedness, lack of frugality, and ignorance of ritual."
"Great elephants do not roam rabbit paths; the greatly enlightened are not bound by minor details," Yin Wuyan said, glancing at the thoughtful little girl. "Are these two similar in meaning?"
"Those who accomplish great things rarely pay attention to their daily lives. Their vision and perspective are focused on the long term, so they overlook the details," Zhan Feiyu nodded. This was perhaps another way of saying that those who accomplish great things are not concerned with minor details.
Because they have broad minds, great magnanimity, and grand vision, such people are capable of supporting the world and do not notice whether their daily lives are rich or frugal.
"How did Guan Zhong's three houses come about?" Yin Wuyan asked again.
Zhan Feiyu replied, "Duke Huan of Qi bestowed them according to ritual... I understand."
This was a reward from the king, and Guan Zhong could not refuse it, so he could only accept it. He was wholeheartedly devoted to the great cause of supporting the world.
Zhan Feiyu was still thinking, but footsteps were heard from outside the door. He Nuan said, "Miss, Seventh Master, Madam Wu and Madam Wei are here."
"Are they here to apologize?" Zhan Feiyu smiled wryly. "Big Brother, should I go and see them? You should wash up and rest first."
Yin Wuyan had been away for a day and a night. Although his appearance showed no fatigue, his eyes were bloodshot.
A moment later, in the courtyard.
"Ladies, please sit. Nuannuan, serve tea," Zhan Feiyu beckoned to the two of them.
The small courtyard of Xinglong Inn cost ten taels of silver per day. Not only was the small garden exquisitely and elegantly decorated, but the tea caddy also contained good tea from before the Qingming Festival. The money was well spent.
"So this is the little prodigy of Nanxuan Prefecture. It's true that hearing about you is not as good as meeting you. You are so refined and elegant. If my daughter were as intelligent as Miss Zhan, I, as her mother, would be smiling in my dreams." Her clear voice was laced with laughter. Madam Wu was indeed straightforward. When praising someone, her face was full of smiles, as enthusiastic as if the person who had put Zhan Feiyu in prison was not her.
Walking over in three steps, Madam Wu was about to get close to Zhan Feiyu, but upon seeing the wound on her right hand and the bandage on her left arm, her smile stiffened for a moment. Then, she smiled again and said, "Miss Zhan, I must apologize to you. This is truly a case of the dragon king's temple being flooded by the dragon's own temple. It's also my carelessness that caused you to suffer grievances. My heart..."
Madam Wu was definitely capable of bending and stretching! Not only did she apologize verbally, but she also wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. Then, she quickly said, "All mistakes are mine. This gift is my apology. You must accept it, otherwise, I will really have to spend a few days in jail. How could I have been so foolish?"
...
A moment later, in the courtyard.
"Ladies, please sit. Nuannuan, serve tea," Zhan Feiyu beckoned to the two of them.
The small courtyard of Xinglong Inn cost ten taels of silver per day. Not only was the small garden exquisitely and elegantly decorated, but the tea caddy also contained good tea from before the Qingming Festival. The money was well spent. Walking over in three steps, Madam Wu was about to get close to Zhan Feiyu, but upon seeing the wound on her right hand and the bandage on her left arm, her smile stiffened for a moment. Then, she smiled again and said, "Miss Zhan, I must apologize to you. This is truly a case of the dragon king's temple being flooded by the dragon's own temple. It's also my carelessness that caused you to suffer grievances. My heart..." "So this is the little prodigy of Nanxuan Prefecture. It's true that hearing about you is not as good as meeting you. You are so refined and elegant. If my daughter were as intelligent as Miss Zhan, I, as her mother, would be smiling in my dreams." Her clear voice was laced with laughter. Madam Wu was indeed straightforward. When praising someone, her face was full of smiles, as enthusiastic as if the person who had put Zhan Feiyu in prison was not her.
Walking over in three steps, Madam Wu was about to get close to Zhan Feiyu, but upon seeing the wound on her right hand and the bandage on her left arm, her smile stiffened for a moment. Then, she smiled again and said, "Miss Zhan, I must apologize to you. This is truly a case of the dragon king's temple being flooded by the dragon's own temple. It's also my carelessness that caused you to suffer grievances. My heart..."
Madam Wu was definitely capable of bending and stretching! Not only did she apologize verbally, but she also wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. Then, she quickly said, "All mistakes are mine. This gift is my apology. You must accept it, otherwise, I will really have to spend a few days in jail. How could I have been so foolish?"
...