Chapter 25 So That's How It Is

  Thank you for the suggestions from several readers, thanks a lot.

  "Sū, Sū brother, you're not being considerate enough! Such a big thing happened and you didn't even call me!"

  Liu Zhongji suddenly came out of the room, took out a piece of silver from his bosom and threw it to the madam.

  Su Tiancheng was greatly surprised, as Liu Zhongji had already gotten drunk, how did he sober up so quickly.

  "So it's Leigongzi, nice to meet you."

  The ill-intentioned Liu Zhongji went forward, pretending to greet Lei Kui, but actually punching Lei Kui's abdomen. Lei Kui's face turned pale, but he couldn't say a word.

  "Mother, let's settle today's dispute in the study. If anything gets damaged, I'll pay for it."

  The procuress wore a sullen face, not knowing what to say. Liu Zhongji's identity was clear to her, and she couldn't believe that the Su Tiancheng in front of her was also a Shengyuan. But Lei Kui's background wasn't simple either. If things really got out of hand, she would definitely be in trouble.

  "A few young masters are all bookworms, coming here is just a guest of mine."

  "Don't worry, mom, nothing will happen, Brother Su, Brother Lei, you guys say so too."

  Entering the room, Leiguai's attendants, lined up in a row, knelt inside.

  Su Er Tong has taken action, tying up several small servants tightly. Having experienced killing people before, this little thing now is nothing. He didn't show any mercy and tied up Lei Kui Gui's servant like a rice dumpling.

  "Lei Guigui, about what just happened, you'd better give me an explanation. Otherwise, I'll be in a bad mood and we'll keep fighting. You might end up with a broken arm or leg, then spend several months recovering at home. In the future, when we meet again, it won't be pleasant."

  Entering the room, Leigui's expression eased a lot.

  "Su Tiancheng, you have the ability, the mountain won't move but the water will flow, let's see who comes out on top."

  "Bang, bang, bang..."

  Su Tiancheng didn't show any courtesy and slapped Lei Kui three times with a raised hand, leaving him dizzy.

  "Lei Guigui, are you taking me for a joke? Are you thinking of trying it out?"

  Lei Gu's expression changed again, what's going on with this world? The previously weak and incompetent Su Tiancheng, how could he have such a big change? Especially the eyes and attitude just now, it's really like anything can be done.

  Lei Kui finally felt afraid.

  When facing different people, say different things, doing things is the same. Leiguo Gui is just a nobody, so Su Tiancheng won't be polite, and he won't show mercy when taking action. He doesn't worry about Leiguo Gui retaliating at all. Since receiving help from the old beggar, he has been feeling that there is a force backing him up.

  Having traveled back to the Ming Dynasty, in order to stand firm in this chaotic world, one must show strength, and on the basis of that strength, display sufficient wisdom, only then can one become a strong person.

  Lei Kung's unscrupulous attitude once again confirmed his judgment, things may not be so simple, Lei Kung may not have done it on purpose, but there must be some atmosphere that affected Lei Kung.

  "Lei Guigui, give you a cup of tea time, if you don't want to say anything, I will break your two legs and make you lie in bed for the rest of your life. If you don't believe it, there's no need to open your mouth."

  "I said, I said..."

  Lei Kui's expression had completely changed.

  He found that Su Tiancheng's expression was completely different, and he had already shown coldness. If he still treated him in the same way as before, he would really have to pay a heavy price.

  "Master Su, this has nothing to do with me. You're distributing grain, coarse salt, and seeds to the tenants of the Su Manor, isn't that making many people uncomfortable? Many people are discussing it, I just feel a bit uneasy hearing about it. What right do you have to do such things and attract everyone's attention, that's why I'm doing this."

  Lei Guigui's words were not yet finished, Su Tiangong thought of the old man's words. The old man had said that doing so would have an effect, and how others would view it. It turned out that he had gone against everyone's interests. This was just like a grain transaction, where four silver coins per stone was clearly marked, but he sold it for three silver coins per stone instead. What could others do?

  The wealthy households in Pingyang Prefecture all have land and tenant farmers. The harvests for the past two years have been poor, and they have suffered disasters. It is likely that all of these wealthy households are primarily concerned with their own interests, and whether or not the tenant farmers can survive is not within the scope of their concerns.

  This is a conventional coldness.

  Now if I were to turn the tables, these wealthy families would think me a fool at first, throwing silver into the water, but after some reflection, they will surely discover the problem.

  Su Tiancheng's face showed a cold smile once again.

  "Lei Kui, let's not dwell on today's matter. If you're not satisfied, you can come find me anytime. However, I must declare beforehand that if we clash again next time, I won't guarantee what the outcome will be. Even if it means the entire Lei family comes after me, I'll take them on."

  "It's over, it's over, there won't be a next time."

  "Take your running dogs and get out of here."

  Lei Kui Guai had just left the room when Liu Zhong Ji couldn't wait any longer and spoke up.

  "Su brother, that's great! A person like him should be well taken care of. I didn't expect you to put your words into action, impressive!"

  "Brother Liu, I'm also helpless, you didn't see what just happened."

  "Haha, can imagine, as for what was said about Leigui, if he dares to make any move, I, Liu Zhongji, am not a vegetarian either."

  Liu Zhongji quickly changed the subject.

  "Su brother, what you've done is really bold, I heard about it and was shocked."

  Su Tiancheng turned serious, Liu Zhongji and his relationship was not bad, himself was also a scholar, such a person must be won over, at least in the future is a helpful helper, some things can be done to explain, if Liu Zhongji can understand, that means there is a need for further socializing in the future.

  "Brother Liu, I have also seriously considered these matters. This year and last year, including the year before, the tenants suffered disasters. I went down to take a look, and the tenants are no longer able to make ends meet. They're selling their children, not to mention paying rent and taxes. Just being able to survive without starving is already quite good. In such circumstances, if the landlord doesn't consider their actual problems and just exploits them, what will be the outcome? It's predictable. I personally feel that keeping the tenants' hearts is a wise move. If all the tenants leave, who will cultivate this land? Won't we still not collect any grain?"

  Liu Zhongji hesitated for a moment.

  "Hmm, that makes sense. It seems that Brother Su is indeed a man of great vision and insight."

  "Brother Liu, don't say that anymore. I'm doing this, and who knows how many big shots I've offended? They must be grinding their teeth in anger."

  "What's wrong with this? Brother Su can rest assured, I am firmly in support."

  Lei Kui Gui left, the madam quickly entered the room, there were some things she still had to explain, after all both of them were scholars, and they did have a certain status.

  "Master Su, Master Liu, I'll have a few girls come in."

  "It's alright, mom, I've caused a lot of trouble today and feel really bad about it. I'll come again another day."

  The madam didn't try to retain them, Su Tiancheng smiled and thought that the madam was thinking that Lei Kui would soon come back looking for trouble. If they continued to stay here with Liu Zhongji, who knows how much more trouble there would be?

  Just as he walked out of the brothel, Liu Zhongji spoke again.

  "Su brother, your family's land will probably change its name and surname soon."

  "Why did Brother Liu say that?"

  "You should know that your elder brother is already studying at the Imperial Academy and has become a student, so your family's land will definitely be transferred to his name. I thought you had become a scholar and the land would be transferred to your name."

  Su Tiancheng suddenly came to his senses, the Su family's property, including the land, were all under Su Huawen's name. Since Su Huawen had no official title, he would have to pay taxes on these lands. If they were transferred to Su Tianhao or himself, according to the Ming dynasty law, students and candidates for imperial examinations could be exempt from paying taxes. He had been a candidate for a long time, but these lands had never been touched, which meant that his wife did not want to leave him any wealth.

  This is a very critical issue, if it can't be sorted out, maybe after working hard for others, they will end up doing something that benefits others.