Chương 9: Chapter 5 Usury - Contract_1

"Apart from Old Jin, who else could readily produce so much silver?" Lian Shouren spoke unconvinced.

"But that's usury." Lian Shouli, who had been bowing his head in silence, suddenly said in alarm.

So Old Jin lent out money at usury rates! God, no matter the era, the term 'usury' always seems smeared with blood and tears. Turning to usury is like quenching thirst with poison.

If it were a matter of borrowing money to save a life, resorting to usury could be excused. But the reason the Lian Family needed to borrow at such rates was unacceptable to Lian Manman.

"Dad, you always say that we mustn't touch usury. You've also told us brothers countless stories of families ruined and lives lost because of it," Lian Shouxin said, "We still have a whole family to support. Dad, we can't borrow at usury."

For Lian Shouxin, a man of straightforward honesty, to speak so adamantly, it gave Lian Manman a new appreciation for him.

Old Master Lian's face was stern, and he didn't speak. He didn't want to borrow at usury either, but...

Fearing that Old Master Lian might have his mind changed by his two younger brothers, Lian Shouren hurriedly said, "Those are the ones who couldn't repay. Our case is different; we're just borrowing to get through a rough patch. Once Huahua marries into the Song Family, we can immediately repay the debt. Once she's a part of the Song Family, it'll make it decent to discuss marriage arrangements for her brothers and sisters. And when I become an official, I could even pull a few strings for you folks to become the households of officials as well. Five hundred taels of silver is nothing, even five thousand, fifty thousand are mere trifles. Don't adopt the narrow-minded view of tenant farmers, only looking at the present. You need to set your sights further."

As he spoke, Lian Shouren even stretched out an arm, gesturing towards some distant place.

"Five hundred taels might be a trifling amount to you, big brother, but even if our family sold the house and land, it wouldn't add up to five hundred taels," Lian Shouli said.

Lian Manman nodded. Lian Shouli was being too polite; he should be asking Lian Shouren that if five hundred taels were such a small amount, why didn't he just produce it instead of borrowing at usurious rates.

"Once we borrow this money, can Huahua guarantee to repay it?" Lian Shouyi asked. He didn't care about borrowing the money, as long as he didn't have to repay it.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Second Uncle, I guarantee I'll repay the money," Lian Huahua spoke up quickly.

"Then just borrow it. We might as well borrow an extra two or three hundred, as Erlang is also looking to get married," Lian Shouyi said.

"Second brother, shut your mouth." Old Master Lian, hearing this, became so angry he couldn't contain himself, "We're already struggling for five hundred, and now you want to borrow another two or three hundred? Do you think silver falls from the sky?"

Lian Shouyi didn't take the scolding to heart and merrily took a seat off to the side.

"Dad, we need the money by tomorrow, and we have to speak to Old Jin early," Lian Shouren said.

Old Master Lian sighed deeply.

"Dad, I'll go to find Old Jin right now." Seeing that Old Master Lian did not object, Lian Shouren quickly put on his shoes, climbed down from the kang, and headed out to the eastern end of the village to find Old Jin.

Lian Huahua said she wanted to wash her face and climbed down from the kang as well, heading towards the west room together with Lady Gu and Lian Duo.

"Manman, should I reheat the dough drop soup for you?" Lady Zhang asked Lian Manman.

Feeling genuinely hungry, Lian Manman simply nodded. Lady Zhang carried her back to the West Wing Room and quickly reheated the dough drops, bringing the bowl to Lian Manman.

"Manman, eat slowly, mom needs to cook dinner." Lady Zhang said, "Xiao Qi, your brother and sister are going to help mom cook. You keep your sister Manman company."

As she spoke, Lady Zhang took Lian Wulang and Lian Zhizhi with her to the Upper Room to prepare dinner.

Lian Manman lifted the bowl. The noodles were somewhat coarse, and the oil was scant, but they still gave off a natural wheat fragrance.

"Xiao Qi, eat with me," Lian Manman said after taking a bite, noticing Xiao Qi standing there watching her, his big eyes blinking rapidly.

"Second sister, I'm not hungry," Lian Xiaoqi said, "I don't like eating dough drop soup."

Lian Manman, seeing through Lian Xiaoqi's obvious reluctance, couldn't help but smile.

"I can't eat this much by myself. We'll eat together, and I won't tell mom," Lian Manman said.

Lian Xiaoqi thought for a moment but still shook his head.

"Second sister, you're injured. You must want to eat the dough drop soup."

After saying this, fearing Lian Manman would once again offer him the dough drops and also fearing he couldn't resist his own cravings, he quickly scurried off.

After finishing the dough drops, Lian Manman's thoughts on the Lian Family's need to borrow at usury preoccupied her, and she stepped out of the West Wing Room.

"Second sister." Lian Xiaoqi had been squatting on the ground playing with stones. Seeing Lian Manman come out, he hurried over, wiped his hands on his pants, grabbed Lian Manman's hand, and said, "Mom asked me to stay with you."

"Okay." Lian Manman lifted her head and saw Lady He leaning against the doorway of the East Wing Room across from her, cracking melon seeds and spitting the shells everywhere.

bình luận bình luận của 0

Bình chọn

GỬI QUÀ TẶNG

Load failed, please RETRY