Chapter 380: Chapter 197: Rules_1
At the second watch, seeking the rosy hues of dawn.
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If that were the case, it indeed would be a comfort to get through the days. The worry is, people like Shouren and Lady Gu, who are used to being waited on hand and foot, might not be able to adapt to the lifestyle of tenant farmers.
However, on second thought, human potential is unpredictable, and without any other options, they would have to adapt, though the process might be tough.
Watching Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu move things out again, Manman pulled out a purse from her embrace, took out some silver and Copper Coins, and handed them to Old Master Lian.
"Grandpa, I took twenty Tales of Silver from the previous four hundred Tales for expenses we might incur while going into the city to collect debts," Manman said, "We were lucky to meet good people, and didn’t spend the money, so you keep it."
Then Manman told Old Master Lian where the money had been spent.
The largest expense was the Coachman’s reward, next was the money for hiring the ride back and forth, and after that was the tea and pastries she offered to Imperial Doctor Shi at the teahouse.
"Afraid that I wouldn’t be able to enter the Song Residence, I borrowed Imperial Doctor Wang’s letter of introduction from Brother Youheng. Later, when I met Imperial Doctor Shi who is the Shen Family In-Law, if he hadn’t sent a carriage and servant to escort us into the Song Residence, collecting the debts wouldn’t have gone so smoothly," she continued.
"That’s to be expected," Old Master Lian said. He wouldn’t have minded if she had spent more, as long as the debts were collected successfully.
"I’ve just been to town and returned the letter of introduction to Brother Youheng, and also bought some New Year’s gifts. Brother Youheng is returning to the county seat for the New Year, and it’s convenient for him to take the gifts back," Manman added.
"The gift should not be modest, you should spend more," Old Master Lian nodded, looking at the remaining silver and Copper Coins.
"Grandpa, there’s something I went ahead and did without discussing with you," Manman said with a smile.
"What’s that?" Old Master Lian asked.
"Brother Erlang and Brother Sanlang followed us into the city and played a big part in bringing Uncle and the others back. Well," Manman looked around, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi were smiling at her without uttering a word.
"Seeing we had some money left, I gave each of them a bit," Manman spoke.
Old Master Lian was slightly startled, his face wearing a smile, but he sighed inwardly. He had entrusted the debt collection to Old Fourth’s family because he saw Manman’s cleverness and her ability to deal with the people from the main house. Old Fourth’s family was united, but it would be difficult to command obedience from other members of the household with just his authority.
Was this the bravery that comes with the promise of generous rewards? The child’s words weren’t truthful; she probably didn’t decide to give Erlang and Sanlang a share because there was money left over but had likely promised them in advance.
Old Master Lian’s feelings were complex at the moment. He thought about how Shouren and Lady Gu had only lowered their heads after hearing that he had vomited blood and his life was uncertain. He was still alive, but if he didn’t personally intervene, his authority had already been undermined. What if he hadn’t survived this time?
It was fortunate, or perhaps unfortunate, that young Manman could see so deeply into human nature.
But without such cleverness, the money wouldn’t have been recovered.
"I left the matter in your hands, and I won’t inquire about how the money was spent. To have recovered the money and paid off the debts is a great achievement," Old Master Lian declared.
"Grandpa, you mustn’t blame Brother Erlang or tell anyone. Brother Erlang is getting married and doesn’t have even One Wen Money to his name; it’s difficult to face situations." Manman said. Erlang had immediately gone to buy gifts for the girl from the Zhao Family after getting the money. Sanlang, however, didn’t buy anything and saved the money in his pocket.
"Alright, I won’t tell," Old Master Lian laughed. He had guessed where Erlang’s money had gone and sighed that his grandsons were all grown up. "Manman, keep the money for yourselves; you three buy something for yourselves. I know that without you, this money would not have been recovered."
Manman did not take the money but just smiled, and Xiao Qi grinned.
"Grandpa, we have already bought something for ourselves," Wu Lang spoke up.
"Oh?"
"We bought paper and brushes, and also two sticks of ink and two Inkstones," Xiao Qi gestured. Now each of the four siblings had a set of the Four Treasures of the Study.
"Good, good," Old Master Lian nodded with a smile.
"Grandpa, those items were also purchased with the money from here," Manman explained, "I was afraid you would be reluctant to spend the money, so I bought them on your behalf."
The trip to the county town for debt collection cost no more than six Tales of Silver. The gifts for Erlang, Sanlang, and their own purchase of stationery were a little over one Tale of Silver. The New Year’s gifts for Brother Youheng cost around seven Tales of Silver, plus the grape wine, which wasn’t included in the cost, and the earlier items were less than eight Copper Coins in total.
