Chapter 26: Everyone sweeps the snow in front of their own door

  Two days later, guests arrived at Su's residence.

  This guest turned out to be Leigonggui's father, Leiwentong.

  Lei Wentong is considered a member of the gentry in Pingyang Prefecture. His three sons are all legitimate scholars, with his eldest son studying at the Imperial Academy as a student and becoming an exemplary monitor. The second and third sons are both students by birthright, but that's another story.

  To say that Leigui was able to bully Su Tiangong at first, it was also because of his identity as a Shengyuan, and he had passed the Shengyuan exam one year earlier than Su Tiangong.

  What made Levent proud was that his nephew was a jinshi, now serving as an official in De'an Prefecture, Huguang. Although he was only a ninth-grade zhuzi, he was still a formal official of the imperial court.

  A merchant's family having so many book lovers must be a respected one.

  Pingyang Prefecture has a business association because of the large number of local merchants, and the association plays a role in management and coordination. Although it is a civilian organization, sometimes its authority is even greater than that of the official government, and Lei Wentong is one of the people in charge of the association.

  To say nothing of Su Huawen, he didn't even have the qualifications to enter a business firm.

  Su Tiancheng had already formed an idea in his mind. In the past two days, he had obtained some information from Lei Kui's mouth. He estimated that after Lei Kui returned, he would definitely report back and exaggerate.

  The kid got bullied, went to the grown-ups to tattle, thinking of saving face, this is what a little brat would do. Now it seems that Leigui is just like that too, a total loser.

  If Le Wen Tong had never come to the Su Mansion, Su Tian Cheng might still have thought that Le Wen Tong was not bad, knowing that his own son was not very capable and also having a clear understanding of this.

  Unfortunately, Raven Tong arrived at Su's residence today.

  Su Tiancheng's heart was filled with contempt.

  Lei Wentong put on an air of a senior.

  "Kunyuan, your parents have all moved to Taiyuan Prefecture. There are some things that I originally wanted to discuss with Old Man Su, but for the time being, they can't interfere with matters in Pingyang Prefecture City, so I've come directly to you."

  "The matter of Pingyang Prefecture City Su Fu is naturally the responsibility of his juniors, I don't know what business Master Lei has."

  Lei Wentong's face didn't look good, in front of Su Tiancheng, he didn't need to hide his emotions, in his opinion, Su Tiancheng was just a little kid who didn't understand anything. When others met their elders, they were all respectful and obedient, whatever they said went, and wouldn't ask what was going on, this Su Tiancheng, wasn't he too arrogant?

  "Kunyuan, I don't know if it's true or not, but there's something going on with the Su family tenant."

  "What did Old Man Lei say about the tenant's affairs?"

  Ginger is old spicy, Leifengtong indeed can talk, not thinking of helping Leiguo Gui to save face, but from the perspective of tenants, to find their own problems, however, this is also nothing remarkable.

  "How dare you speak to me like that? What else can I do for you? You've already sent grain, coarse salt and seeds to the tenant farmers. Is there anything more I can do?"

  "Really? Is Old Master Lei also planning on doing this? If there's anything needed, I'll speak without reserve and respond to the fullest."

  "Good, good, good, you Kunyuan! You passed the imperial examination and became a scholar-official. How impressive! And yet, you dare to speak to me like this? Don't you know the rules?"

  "Master Lei, I really don't know what rules you're talking about. The tenant of the Su family is a matter for the Su family to manage. I sent grain, salt, and seeds to the tenant, did I do something wrong? I'm not familiar with it, but according to the Ming Code, there doesn't seem to be such a regulation. Please point it out to me."

  Lei Wentong's face had already turned very unsightly.

  He had thought that he would teach Su Tiancheng a good lesson, thinking that Su Tiancheng wouldn't dare to talk back. But unexpectedly, the Su Tiancheng in front of him was sharp-tongued and quick-witted, opposing him at every turn.

  "Kunyuan, since you said so, I'll speak directly. Do you know that in Pingyang Prefecture, there is a merchant association? All commercial affairs are managed by the Chamber of Commerce."

  "Junior knows, doesn't he, that Old Lei is still one of the people in charge of the Chamber of Commerce?"

  "Now that you know this, you should also understand that the merchants in Pingyang Prefecture, including those in subordinate counties, must follow the requirements put forward by the Chamber of Commerce."

  "The junior knows that the Chamber of Commerce is originally a guiding and coordinating body for commercial affairs."

  "You knew that, giving grain seeds to tenants and such a big thing, why did you take the liberty of doing it? You put the Chamber of Commerce in what place by doing so, is it because you think Old Su left Pingyang Prefecture City, your wings got harder?"

  "Master Lei, I didn't have such an idea."

  Su Tiancheng secretly sneered, this Lei Wentong is really not simple, old and cunning, actually thinking of using his own words against him. The Chamber of Commerce manages shops and merchants, he is a scholar and has no business experience, why should he listen to the Chamber of Commerce? If he argues from this perspective, wouldn't that be admitting to being a businessman himself? If the Magistrate finds out, who knows how he would scold him.

  "Oh, Kunyuan, you're saying this, are you feeling guilty about something?"

  Su Tiancheng shook his head and slowly opened his mouth.

  "Master Lei, there are a few things that I need to clarify with you. If not, Master Lei might misunderstand or I might offend him and cause some trouble, leading to serious consequences."

  "The first thing, I am a scholar, not a businessman. My father has always been in business and has now moved to Taiyuan Prefecture. I'm just guarding the ancestral home, taking care of this place. From the beginning of the year until now, I haven't done any business. I don't know what consideration Mr. Lei is coming from with his merchant association."

  "Secondly, I, Da Ming, have strict requirements for a person's identity. The divisions between scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are very clear. As tenants of the Su family, their identity is that of tenant farmers. According to Master Lei's meaning, they also belong to the merchant class. This point is not understood by me, your junior. If Master Lei has such a recognition, I can accompany Master Lei to the prefectural government to explain this matter and see how the Prefect determines it."

  "The third thing, I gave the tenant farmers food, salt and seeds, considering that they have been suffering from continuous years of famine, their lives are hard to sustain. In order to let them farm well and live a good life, does Master Lei think that I should not do this? If so, then I would like to ask for Master Lei's advice. Taking a step back, even if Master Lei is my elder, please advise me on what I should do. Should I just watch the tenant farmers sell their children, watch them starve to death?"

  Lei Wentong stared at Su Tiangcheng, his eyes wide with shock. He absolutely did not expect that Su Tiangcheng would say such a thing.

  If I don't respond, won't I lose face? Besides, there are still many people listening in this room.

  "You're a good one, Kunyuan! A bunch of nonsense, clever words and facial expressions. I came to the Su residence today as your elder, saw some things you did that weren't done well, and came with good intentions to remind you. Who would have thought you'd have such an attitude? You've really gotten on my nerves!"

  "I don't know what Mr. Lei wants to remind his junior about?"

  De Li wouldn't let him off easily, and Su Tiancheng certainly wouldn't either.

  "You, you, my intention is to tell you to be cautious when doing things, to consider them carefully. After all, you are a scholar, and you should think thrice before acting. And dealing with those tenant farmers, isn't it losing face?"

  "This statement is wrong, I really don't understand. Think about the county magistrate, who always emphasizes the importance of diligent governance and loving the people. With his noble body, he even personally visits farmers' homes to drive away the cold and ask about their well-being. Is it said that the county magistrate has lost face? Is it said that the county magistrate should not interact with the peasants at all? If there is such a reminder from Mr. Lei, I think you should take it seriously."

  Lei Wentong's face turned purple, his own words today were full of loopholes, and they were caught by Su Tiancheng, who refuted him bluntly.

  When he came to Su's house, he didn't think so much about it. What is Su Tiancheng anyway? In his impression, he was weak and timid, and in public gatherings, he couldn't even speak.

  Who would have thought that Su Tiancheng is now so formidable?

  "Alright, alright, you've grown your own wings, I won't say much to you anymore. Your affairs and the matters of the Su Manor, I will no longer interfere with. Just ask if you need anything, do as you please."

  Lei Wentong stood up and prepared to leave.

  "Boss Lei, slow down, I won't see you off, but I have one thing to say, don't blame me for speaking out."

  Lei Wentong turned his head to look at Su Tiangcheng, his eyes burning with anger.

  "Sweep the snow in front of your own door, don't mind the frost on others' tiles. For some things, Old Master Lei should ask Leigonggui and see what Young Master has done."