Standing Surety

Third Master Du was somewhat wary. After a moment's thought, he softened his tone. "Young Master Wang has refined tastes and lofty sentiments. A vulgar fellow like me wouldn't understand. I'm a businessman, and business has its rules. A three-day extension is fine, but Young Master Wang must stand surety and sign the contract."

Wang Yang naturally didn't want to sign, and he could have found an excuse to refuse. But that could lead to unpredictable consequences, and refusing might arouse the other man's suspicions. After all, if he belonged to a great clan and promised the money could be repaid in three days, why would he be afraid to sign?

So, unwilling though he was, he said calmly, "Bring me the contract."

Third Master Du produced the contract and ordered his men to fetch a brush, ink, and seal paste from the Village Head's house. Worried there might be a trap in it, Wang Yang read it carefully:

"On the thirteenth day of the fourth month, Yongming Year Seven, Zhang A-Nü of Tangzhu Village borrowed six thousand cash from Du Shubao of Jiangling County, accruing six hundred cash in interest each month, for a term of one year. Should repayment be delayed, Du Shubao shall be permitted to take Zhang A-Nü's daughter, Black A-Wu, as security for the debt. This contract is made by mutual agreement, with signatures and fingerprints as proof.

Lender: Du Shubao

Borrower: Zhang A-Nü, age twenty-six

Guarantor: Black Han, age thirty."

It really was a usurious loan! Ten percent interest every month!

What Wang Yang didn't know was that most loans at the time charged one part in ten. Blackhearted though Third Master Du was, his interest rate met the "industry standard."

Du Shubao was presumably Third Master Du's real name.

By then, the brush and ink had arrived. Third Master Du stared at Wang Yang. "Please sign your name after the guarantor, young master."

Wang Yang calmly took up the brush, wrote "Wang Yang" beneath the guarantor's name, and added his fingerprint. Third Master Du narrowed his eyes slightly as he studied the name.

At the sight, Black Han's eyes instantly reddened. A-Wu bit her lip, her little fists clenching without her realizing it.

Third Master Du said, "You must also write your age, young master."

Wang Yang set down the brush. "I can't be bothered. Leave it at that. Why write my age over such a trifling sum?"

Third Master Du swallowed his anger, took his leave, and departed. His expression remained distinctly ugly all the way.

He had been plotting for a long time, and tonight should have been the night his plans came to fruition. Instead, some youth of unknown identity had appeared from nowhere, not only ruining everything but taking the debt upon himself.

If the fellow's identity was false, or he couldn't repay the money, that would be easy enough to handle. But if he really could repay it in three days, another plan might be needed.

Just then, one of his men asked, "Third Master, is that fellow really from the Langya Wang clan?"

Third Master Du's gaze darkened. "True or false, we'll know once we investigate."

"Young Master Wang, you're our family's great benefactor! Whether I must climb a mountain of blades or plunge into a cauldron of boiling oil, Black Han will do whatever you command!"

"Young master, A-Wu was wrong! A-Wu shouldn't have taken a share of your porridge! Tomorrow morning, A-Wu will make you something delicious!"

Father and daughter knelt on the ground, looking utterly earnest in their pledges.

Wang Yang smiled. "A-Wu, go back to your room and sleep. I need to discuss something with your father."

Little A-Wu kowtowed and obediently returned to the west room.

Wang Yang's expression grew serious. "How long have you been planning this?"

Black Han looked bewildered. "Young master, what do you mean? Planning what?"

"I can help you, but I don't like being used. You have one last chance to tell me the truth."

The borrowing date on the contract was the thirteenth day of the fourth month last year, exactly one year ago today. Wang Yang didn't believe Black Han had been unaware that Third Master Du would come to collect today, much less that bringing him home had been pure coincidence.

Seeing Wang Yang's expression grow darker, Black Han immediately kowtowed. "Please calm your anger, young master! I'll tell the truth! I was worried Third Master Du would come to collect, but I truly wanted to help you too! I knew you hadn't yet found somewhere to stay, so I wanted to invite you to my home. It wasn't entirely because of Third Master Du!"

Somewhere to stay? He hadn't even known where his next meal was coming from!

Wang Yang knew Black Han was already sparing his dignity with that phrasing. To be fair, Black Han had attended to him well these past two days. Besides, if he hadn't testified last night, calling an Attendant Gentleman of the Cavalier a Cavalier Attendant, Wang Yang might already be behind bars. Now, by offering him meals and lodging, he had also solved the problem of food and shelter.

But Wang Yang still needed to give him a warning. If Black Han thought he was a softhearted fool, or someone who didn't notice when he was being used, something similar might happen again.

Wang Yang's face was expressionless. "So you brought me home to shield you from Du San's blade?"

A chill ran through Black Han, and he hurriedly explained, "That was never my intention! I only thought someone of your standing would surely frighten Third Master Du off and make him go after that woman for the money, or at least give me a little more time. But who knew..."

Black Han couldn't go on. What he left unsaid was: Who knew Third Master Du wouldn't even give the Langya Wang clan face!

As he had imagined it, Third Master Du might not forgive the entire debt, but he would at least reduce the interest. He might even say that repaying the principal alone would suffice. After all, this was a fine opportunity to make connections with a son of a great house.

But who knew what madness had seized Third Master Du!

Not only had he refused to reduce the interest by a single coin, he had actually made Young Master Wang sign as guarantor on the spot!

Did he doubt Young Master Wang's identity? Or had he seen the young master's plain clothing and looked down on him?

Wang Yang finished for him. "Who knew he would make me repay the money for you."

"No! Young master! I won't take this money from you for nothing! I'll count it as a loan from you, and I'll certainly pay you back!"

"Pay me back?" Wang Yang gave a bitter smile. "But what if I told you I couldn't come up with the money either?"

Black Han froze.

"What if the people coming to fetch me don't arrive in three days?"

"What if, even after they arrive, I still have no money to repay your debt?"

Black Han had already considered such a possibility. Thirteen thousand two hundred cash was no small sum, and Young Master Wang seemed to be one of the less influential members of his family. Besides, he was in trouble himself, so it would be perfectly understandable if he couldn't produce the money.

It was only because Wang Yang had agreed so readily that Black Han had mistakenly assumed the money wouldn't be a problem for him. Thinking it over now, he realized this had merely been the young master's delaying tactic.

He steadied himself, a flash of grim resolve crossing his eyes, and said quietly, "Leave Jingzhou as soon as day breaks, young master. I'm the first guarantor. This will fall on me."

Wang Yang asked, "What do you intend to do?"

"I have my own way."

"What way could you possibly have? You'll take a blade and fight him until the fish dies or the net breaks. But have you considered what will happen to A-Wu if you die?"

Black Han kowtowed through his tears. "If you can take A-Wu away, young master, I'll serve you as an ox or a horse in my next life to repay you!"

He knew this request was terribly unreasonable. Quite apart from Wang Yang having no ties of kinship to A-Wu, she was on the military register and had been pledged as collateral in the contract. There was no room for her to flee now. Whether Third Master Du sent his own men after them or the authorities issued a warrant, they might not even escape Southern Commandery, let alone Jingzhou.

But Wang Yang still had his status as a member of a great clan to back him. Even without proof of identity, however far his family had fallen, he could at least overawe people. If his daughter went with him, she might still have a chance to live.

Wang Yang sighed. "That won't do. Little A-Wu is far too sharp and sly. I couldn't handle her."

Thinking Wang Yang had refused to take his daughter away, Black Han sank into despair.

Then he heard Wang Yang say, "Let's divide the work clearly. You'll still look after A-Wu, and I'll raise the money."

Black Han's head shot up. He could scarcely believe his ears!

His voice trembled. "Young master, you..."

Wang Yang smiled gently. "What, don't you believe me?"

"I do, I do! It's just... we only have three days. Where will you raise so much money, young master?"

Wang Yang stretched and slowly recited, "Within books lie houses of gold."

Black Han didn't understand Wang Yang's words, but the confidence on his face gave him an inexplicable sense of reassurance. At the thought that he had finally saved his daughter, he burst into great, wracking sobs.

Meanwhile, A-Wu, who had been hiding behind the wall and eavesdropping, had also dissolved into a little bundle of tears. This handsome Young Master Wang, the Prince of Langya, really isn't a bad person after all, she thought.