Another Match
"Five hundred taels of silver," Zhao Yuankun said again.
"What?" Zhao Yuanliang's eyes widened in surprise.
Zhao Yuankun frowned. "You don't think this position just fell from the sky, do you? If you don't bribe your way in, who would give you this position? I spent 1,500 taels of silver on mine."
He scoffed, "This is all I got? It was only through years of cultivating connections. Otherwise, there are plenty of people in the capital lining up for this position with money in hand. How could it possibly be your turn? Let alone five hundred taels, even five thousand taels would be more than enough for many people."
That's the truth.
The wealthy and powerful families in the capital are not short of money; what they lack is power, vacant positions, and the future of their children.
In other words, the Earl of Suiping's Residence had few members. Other families, which one didn't have dozens of members? These young men stayed at home doing nothing and causing trouble. Even if it cost more money, the elders were willing to ask for an official position for their young men.
If you do well, you can rise in rank. In addition to your monthly salary, you'll receive various other incomes, and you'll always recoup your spending. Most importantly, if you get promoted, your entire family will benefit. One person can help another, and the family's overall status will rise.
Zhao Yuanxun wasn't unwilling to spend money in the past, but even with silver in hand, he couldn't find a way to use it.
Thinking about this, Zhao Yuanliang had some doubts again.
Five hundred taels of silver to secure such a position? Zhao Yuankun wasn't joking with him, or trying to swindle him out of his money, was he? Otherwise, how could it be the exact amount of money he happened to have?
"Then I thank you very much for your guidance, Third Brother." He raised his hand and cupped it to Zhao Yuankun. "However, you know the situation of our second branch of the family. We have no savings. The only reason we haven't starved is thanks to the land difference compensation you gave me, Third Brother. Now the family needs to eat, and repairing the house costs money; although Lady Wei was not good, she was still my wife, and I need to go and collect her body, which also costs money."
He sighed deeply, "I really can't come up with these five hundred taels of silver. How about you lend it to me first, Third Brother? Once I take office, I'll find a way to take back the two shops under the Lady Wei's name, and then use the shops to offset the silver you lent me?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuankun felt an urge to throw the tea on the table at Zhao Yuanliang's face.
I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone this shameless.
Even though this deputy Capital Guard Command had connections, he still spent a thousand taels to bribe him. Now, he's asking Zhao Yuanliang for five hundred taels, yet he hasn't offered a single coin, trying to get something for nothing.
If it weren't for the people from the Office of the Grand Steward hinting that he should put one of his own in the position, he would have hoped that Zhao Yuanliang would support him after taking office, so that he would be more trusted by his superiors in the Office of the Grand Steward Department. He wouldn't have cared about Zhao Yuanliang at all.
"You give me two hundred taels, and I'll advance you three hundred taels, but you'll have to write an IOU. Otherwise, we'll call it even," he said with a stern face, clearly displeased.
Seeing his reaction, Zhao Yuanliang stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll take two hundred taels. But there's no need for an IOU, is there? We're brothers, writing an IOU would be too formal. Don't worry, I'm not dishonest. I'll always repay what I borrow. Besides, I'll have to use the shop as collateral later."
Zhao Yuankun suppressed his anger. "Fine, hurry up." If he dawdled any longer, he wouldn't be able to hold back and would hit him.
Zhao Yuanliang then gestured for Zhao Xing to bring over the box, and counted out twenty silver ingots for Zhao Yuankun —money that Zhao Yuankun had just given him yesterday.
Zhao Yuankun told a servant to carry the bundle of silver, then stood up and said, "Tomorrow, go to the county with your elder brother to transfer the land deeds. I'll make the arrangements the day after tomorrow, and you might be called to take up your post the day after that. Don't wander around these next few days, lest you get lost."
Zhao Yuanliang was pondering how he should go to Zhao Yuankun's house and cause a scene if Zhao Yuankun broke his promise and took the two hundred taels of silver without any further action, and then bring his whole family to his house for a feast.
Upon hearing Zhao Yuankun's words, which seemed to indicate he wasn't being deceived, he was overjoyed and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "In that case, I'll be waiting at home for your good news."
Zhao Yuankun's emotions calmed down a bit, and he stood up. "It's getting late, so I'll take my leave."
Zhao Yuanliang rose solicitously, intending to see Zhao Yuankun out.
Zhao Yuankun took a couple of steps and said, seemingly casually, "I see your house is a complete mess. You really can't do without a mistress. Besides, if you're going to be an official, do you expect to come home every day to deal with household chores?"
Zhao Yuanliang sighed deeply, "There's nothing we can do about it."
Judging from the situation just now, he knew that relying on just two concubines would not be enough to keep the household in order. Not only would it not work, it would make things even more chaotic.
But even his insistence on handing the household over to Concubine Xue didn't work; Concubine Xue couldn't control the household.
Concubine Wang, in her quest for power, just had two worthless vases smashed. If she weren't allowed to participate in managing the household affairs, who knows what kind of trouble she would cause.
She was pregnant, and at the peak of her beauty. Even though she was prone to causing trouble, Zhao Yuanliang couldn't bear to sell her, so he could only make do with her.
"I heard from a friend that the Lady Wei is in the next couple of days," Zhao Yuankun said.
Zhao Yuanliang was taken aback, and a sense of sorrow welled up within him.
Despite having been husband and wife for so long, and despite how Zhao Yuanliang had wanted to strangle Lady Wei when he was angry in the past, he still felt a tightness in his chest when things really came to this.
"You can't do it this way. You finally got a job, and if you let your family drag you down and mess it up, it'll be a real problem. Matchmakers are unreliable; they never tell the truth. I'll ask your third brother's wife to keep an eye out for you. Marrying a widow or a divorced woman with a generous dowry could ease your family's situation."
This time, Zhao Yuanliang was genuinely grateful.
He bowed to Zhao Yuankun and said, "Thank you, Third Brother."
"Alright, you're still injured, no need to see me off. Brothers, no need to be so polite." Zhao Yuankun waved his hand and walked out.
As he reached the door, he nearly bumped into Zhao Ruyu, who was carrying snacks and about to enter the house.
Zhao Ruyu had been frightened by Zhao Ruxi and was in low spirits. She had no intention of getting involved in the power struggle between Concubine Xue and Concubine Wang and planned to go back to her room to rest.
Unfortunately, she had to move the furniture in her courtyard, and there was nowhere to rest. She could only stand there, listening to her two concubines and Zhao Rurui arguing, while also supervising the maids and servants as they moved things to prevent them from breaking anything.
Because the second branch of the family no longer distinguishes between the inner and outer courtyards, Zhao Yuankun followed the maid in and happened to pass through the chaos of moving things, where he was seen by Zhao Ruyu.
Remembering Zhao Ruxi's words, Zhao Ruyu felt a chill. After thinking for a moment, she quickly went to the kitchen and brought a snack to Zhao Yuanliang.
There was a servant guarding the door of Zhao Yuanliang's room, and she didn't want to eavesdrop, so she planned to barge in without announcing herself. Unexpectedly, she overheard Zhao Yuankun's last few words.
"Third Uncle," she said with a smile to Zhao Yuankun, "I just saw you arrive and was about to bring in some snacks to welcome you. Are you... leaving already?"