Chapter 355: Transaction
Editor: Atlas Studios
Wu Shancai became nervous. Only then did he remember to ask, “What was the commotion outside just now about?”
The servant said happily, “Master, we successfully forced the Jin soldiers to retreat. Everyone is celebrating.”
Wu Shancai was stunned on the spot. He was both glad and annoyed. Previously, he thought that the Jin soldiers would definitely take down the city gate tower, so in despair, he only focused on glaring at his son. He did not expect the West Camp to really succeed in forcing the Jin soldiers back.
What should he do now? Was Mu Yangling here to settle scores with him?
Feeling conflicted, Wu Shancai did not know if he should hide.
However, Wu Jin jumped up in joy and even fell because of the numbness in his legs. However, this did not affect his mood. He shouted, “Hurry up and invite her in. Hurry up.”
Wu Shancai glared at his son and said, “Invite her in to catch me?”
Wu Jin was stunned. Only then did he remember that his father was a sinner who tried to run away at the last minute. His eyes turned red, and he immediately hugged his waist and cried, “Father, what should we do?”
Before Wu Shancai could scold him, Wu Jin immediately pulled Wu Shancai to the study. “Father, I remember that there’s a secret room in the study. Hide there. I’ll go deal with them.”
Wu Shancai was instantly relieved, but he knew that this matter could not be avoided. He had already made up his mind that he would not admit this matter even if he was beaten to death. Hence, after pushing his son away, he called the servants to invite Mu Yangling in.
Wu Shancai thought that Mu Yangling would bring soldiers over. Unexpectedly, she only brought Xu Shi in unsteadily.
With a grin, Magistrate Wu said, “Magistrate Wu, how’s your health? The guards said that you fell in the courtyard because you were anxious about the battle on the city gate tower. Are you alright?”
After a pause, Wu Shancai replied with a smile, “I’m fine.”
Smiling, Mu Yangling nodded. “It’s good that you’re fine. My father isn’t around, and General and the others haven’t returned either, so I can only represent the West Camp to visit. You’re so supportive of the West Camp’s resistance against the enemy. When General comes back, General will definitely treat you to a feast at the Red Taste Restaurant.”
Wu Shancai could not figure out what Mu Yangling’s intentions for a moment, so he asked in confusion, “My support for the West Camp in resisting the enemy?”
“That’s right. Have you forgotten? Not only did you ask your son to help me go to Changju County overnight to ask for the bow, but you also generously donated 30,000 dans of grains to the soldiers of the West Camp. If this isn’t support for our West Camp to resist the enemy, what is it? The supplies donated by Mingshui County, Changju County, and the other counties will also be delivered in two days. When the time comes, they will be stored in the warehouse with the batch of grains you donated. Because you donated a lot, I specially came over.”
Wu Jin looked at his father in surprise and shouted in delight, “Father, you donated so much grains?” Then, his eyes turned red again. Feeling touched, he said, “I misunderstood you.”
Wu Shancai really wanted to cover his son’s head with the teacup lid on the table.
However, Mu Yangling said, “Old Master Xu donated 2,000 dans at once because he was inspired by you. It can be seen how charismatic you are.”
Xu Shi stroked his beard and nodded with a smile. “This is what we should do.”
Wu Shancai immediately stopped talking. It was obvious Mu Yangling was asking him to use money to buy peace.
Previously, he had already escaped to the city gate. Now that Qi Xiuyuan had something on him, although it would not kill him, it would dim his future career prospects. Since Mu Yangling had suggested an exchange, it was not impossible for him to donate 30,000 dans of grains.
However, grains were precious now. Considering one dan of grains was worth nearly two taels of silver, that was nearly 80,000 taels of silver. Wu Shancai’s heart was bleeding.
Wu Shancai glanced at Xu Shi. It was obvious that this old man had also been bribed. This was good too. It saved him from having to bribe him again. However, what about the guards who had been detained?
As for the bailiffs, their eyes were also bright.
Mu Yangling quickly dispelled his concerns and said, “Magistrate Wu, since the crisis has been resolved, I can take away the guards I sent to protect you, right? By the way, I heard that when the battle outside the city was intense, you even ran to the south city gate to give porridge to the people who were about to flee far away? Your Excellency is too kind-hearted, but it was really too dangerous at that time. Moreover, the south city gate was not big. However, it’s fine now since the situation in the city has already stabilized. I’ll get someone to allocate a plot of land not far from the government office for you to give out porridge. Many people in the city have suffered from the war and their homes have been destroyed. Your Excellency is indeed a magistrate to have so much empathy for your citizens…”
Wu Shancai only prayed that Mu Yangling would shut her mouth quickly. If it was in the past, he would definitely not admit it no matter what. However, he was feeling guilty now. Although his heart was bleeding, he still had to grit his teeth and say, “This is what I should do.”
At this moment, Wu Jin also understood that his father was being blackmailed. Otherwise, why would he be willing to take out grains to serve porridge to the poor?
Only then did the beaming Mu Yangling take the detained guards with her and leave.
After being angry for a while, Wu Shancai felt relieved. Anything that could be resolved with money was not a big deal. With his mind at ease, he trembled. He first got someone to fetch his wives and grandson back. Then, he got someone to inform his concubine and her son to hurry home. Only then did he wash up and go out to look for the squires.
Since he was going to give out porridge and donate money, he refused to be the only one. It was better to suffer alone than to suffer together, and none of those squires should escape his fate.
Mu Yangling, who had gone out, bowed gratefully to Xu Shi. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Xu.”
“No, no. This is what I should do. It’s rare to see someone as benevolent as you, Miss Mu.” Xu Shi looked at Mu Yangling happily. If not for the fact that his youngest grandson was already married, he would definitely think of a way to make Mu Yangling his granddaughter-in-law.
When Mu Yangling heard that Wu Shancai had escaped to the south city gate and was forced to return, she panicked. It was not because of Wu Shancai, but because she felt pity for Wu Jin.
Although Wu Jin was a profligate son and often teased young women, the most outrageous thing he did was to stand by the window of the teahouse and ogle at the young women with shining eyes. Aside from flirting a little, the farthest he went was to spend money to take in handmaids. The good thing was that he never forced people and would give up after being rejected. Therefore, although Mu Yangling wasn’t much fond of him, she didn’t particularly dislike him.
Although Qi Haoran bullied him every time he saw him, he would sometimes bring him along to play, which was atypical of him. From this, it could be seen that Wu Jin was not a bad person. Coupled with his performance in guarding the city this time, Mu Yangling did not want him to be implicated.
Although Wu Jin didn’t commit any crimes, his father’s act of fleeing at the last minute would definitely implicate him. He wouldn’t die, but the situation wouldn’t be any better if he was demoted and lost his assets.
Wu Jin wasn’t good at his studies and didn’t have much ability. Considering he was also weak, who knew if he would die just like that?
Of course, the most important thing was that Qi Xiuyuan and Wu Shancai had been interacting for five years and had long understood each other’s temper. It was better for Wu Shancai to stay than for him to leave.
Who knew what kind of magistrate the Imperial Court would send to Xingzhou Prefecture if Wu Shancai left at this critical moment?
In that case, why not that person be Wu Shancai? At least they still had something on him.
However, if Xu Shi had not suggested donating grains, Mu Yangling would not have been able to think of an excuse for Wu Shancai.