The rise of the poor

"Brother Zhu, when you were not here, the uncle ordered the steward to pay 200 taels of silver to the account in the name of elders for him to use first. The steward told me, and I asked the steward to ask him why he paid so much money, and he said yes Exam preparation. I think 200 taels of silver is not a small amount, so I will wait for Brother Zhu to come back, and Brother Zhu will decide to pay."

"Although the family has spent a lot of money recently to build the Zhurong Commercial Bank, the money in the account is still enough."

When Zhu Pingan changed his clothes and had supper, Li Shu sat aside and picked a shrimp for Zhu Pingan, and said in a low voice.

"Of course not! Why do you need 200 taels of silver to prepare for the exam! As far back as I can remember, my uncle used the pretext of preparing for the exam to ask for money from my grandparents and father and uncle every now and then. I always go out with some friends, eat and drink, and enjoy the snow and moon!"

"Grandfather and grandmother always spoiled my uncle, which made my uncle develop the bad habits he has today. The bottomless indulgence of my grandfather and grandmother made my uncle make mistakes again and again, but I can't just watch him make mistakes again and again."

After Zhu Pingan heard this, he refused with the attitude of being responsible for his uncle. He couldn't understand his uncle's temperament very well. What's the preparation for the exam? exception.

"Is this okay? Your uncle came all the way from his hometown. Will he blame us for not thinking about family affection and spreading bad things about you? Why are you forgetting your roots? Why are you rich and don't recognize poor relatives?"

Li Shu squinted her eyes, held her chin, and said softly, like a lazy Persian cat.

"This is to be responsible to my uncle. Even if my uncle doesn't understand, it's okay to pass some rumors back. My reputation in my hometown is much better than my uncle's. My old family trusts me more than my uncle."

Zhu Pingan gently held Li Shu's jade hand and said with a smile.

This is really not Zhu Ping'an's exaggeration. In the eyes of the old family, Zhu Ping'an's credibility absolutely crushes his uncle Zhu Shouren.

The image of the uncle Zhu Shouren has long been notorious in the village. Whether it is bringing a prostitute back from a study tour, or being blocked by a gambling shop begging for money while gambling outside, the uncle has long become a negative example for the villagers in educating their children.

It's not that Zhu Ping'an is boasting, he is definitely the child of the neighbor's family that the villagers talked about when educating their children.

Such a positive and negative situation made Zhu Pingan invincible in the village public opinion circle.When the uncle went back to spread the word, if he said good things about himself, it would be fine. If he said bad things about himself, the villagers would only think that the uncle spread rumors and caused trouble, and they would be jealous of his talents.
Before the supper was finished, the uncle ordered someone to call Zhu Ping'an, saying it was something important.

When Zhu Ping returned to the front yard, the uncle, Hu Wei, and Xia Qiang had already put on the clothes that Li Shu had prepared.

The cotton clothes are made of high-quality silk and satin, and there is also a cloak, which is also a popular style in Suzhou.

The uncle put it on and admired it in front of the mirror over and over again, and slowly paced in front of the mirror with his hands behind his back, looking like a human again.

When Zhu Pingan entered, the uncle was still admiring himself in the mirror.

Seeing Zhu Ping'an enter the door, the uncle quickly waved, "Nephew, come here, uncle has something important to tell you."

"Uncle, tell me." Zhu Ping stepped forward and said.

"That's right, nephew, uncle, I've been a little tight recently, and it will be time for the imperial examination again in a while, nephew, please lend me 300 taels of silver, so that I can prepare for the exam with my heart." The uncle said with a normal face, as if asking Zhu Ping'an borrowed 300 taels of silver, just like borrowing a pen, simple and casual.

"How much does uncle want to borrow?"

Zhu Ping'an couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth when he heard that. Just now, the steward had to pay 200 taels of silver from the account of the mansion, but now it took only one meal, and it has increased to 300 taels. The usury will have to bow down when he sees you.

"Not much, not much, 300 taels." Uncle Zhu Shouren said casually with his hands behind his back.

"Why?" Zhu Pingan asked speechlessly, 300 taels, not much? !How much silver is that? !
"Because you have."

Uncle Zhu Shouren replied with a natural expression, as if saying that 1+1 equals 2 is just as natural.

shit!
Your reasoning and logic are too damn impeccable!
Even though Zhu Ping'an knew his uncle's character, he was still defeated by his brazenness at this moment.

"Uncle, do you know how much my annual salary is?" Zhu Pingan asked with a slight smile.

Uncle Zhu Shouren shook his head.

"Uncle, let me tell you. As a fourth rank, my monthly salary is twenty shi, equivalent to about six taels of silver. For 300 taels of silver, I need to save for four or five years without eating or drinking. I am not enough to be an official now. One year, how come 300 taels of silver."

Zhu Pingan said speechlessly.

"Hehe, nephew, you can't lie to me. Although your monthly salary is only twenty shi on the surface. But secretly, the filial piety of the officials below, the worship of the gentry and merchants, and various other incomes, you That’s the amount at least for one month. How can it take four or five years, one or two months is enough.”

Uncle Zhu Shouren laughed after hearing this, stretched out two fingers, and said clearly.

Zhu Pingan was completely speechless, "Uncle, I don't know what other people are like, but I am an official, and I only have one income, and I have no other income except salary."

"What? You only have a salary?! Oh, my virtuous nephew, you are really too young to be an official. Why are you studying so hard?! You are such a prodigal, how much less money do you have to collect? .One month is less than 100 taels, two months is 200 taels, half a year is 600 taels, and a year is more than 1000 taels. No, no, during the Chinese New Year, the etiquette is three times more important, at least 500 taels a year Two silver coins. This is Suzhou, the richest city in the world, a first-class place with a lot of money, and this gift must be at least [-]% to [-]%. You are really a nephew who is reckless, how much money you have missed."

Uncle Zhu Shouren said with a distressed face, and pointed at Zhu Ping'an with an expression of hatred for iron.

Before Zhu Ping'an could speak, Uncle Zhu Shouren did his part and said, "So, I should have come to help you a long time ago. I'm still late. But don't worry, nephew, I'm here. Everything is different, with me here, let me help you, and I guarantee that you will never worry about money again."

What the hell!

what do you mean? !You want to accept gifts and bribes for me? !Zhu Pingan almost spit out a mouthful of old blood.

"No, uncle. I, Zhu Pingan, am an official. I am not seeking money. I will never accept gifts or bribes. This is my bottom line. Don't mention it again, uncle. Please also remember, uncle, don't use it in my name." , accept a penny, or my nephew will be merciless, and the national law is ruthless." Zhu Pingan warned the uncle with a serious face.

"Ahem, ahem, I just test my nephew's integrity, yes, my nephew has passed my test. If my nephew accepted just now, uncle, I have to give a good lecture to my nephew."

Uncle Zhu Shouren coughed, made a 180-degree turn, and said out of breath with his face flushed.