22: Chapter 22 Cao Yuan Comes to Deliver Silver!
Cai Wenjing said, "Cao Yun has committed an offense, so he definitely cannot continue as Banner Master. Let this position be given to you. However, Zhao Zilong, do not be happy too soon. The banner you are taking over consists entirely of Cao Yun's men. Whether you can win them over to use for yourself is not something I can help you with; you can only rely on yourself."
"I know."
Zhao Zilong said, "However, Deputy Director Cai, I wonder if I might be able to use your banner when the time is appropriate?"
Cai Wenjing studied Zhao Zilong seriously for a good while before slowly speaking, "Do not go too far."
Zhao Zilong could not help but smile. He said, "Deputy Director Cai, please take your time eating. I am going to check on Zhao Xiaotian."
Cai Wenjing nodded.
Zhao Zilong then went to the kitchen.
The sound of a carriage arose outside the courtyard, and before long, it stopped at the courtyard gate.
Cai Wenjing looked over. She did not need to think to know that it must be Cao Yuan who had come.
Sure enough, after a short while, Cao Yuan walked into the courtyard alone.
Upon seeing Cai Wenjing sitting in the courtyard eating breakfast, Cao Yuan was startled.
For Cai Wenjing to be here so early, could it be that she is living together with Zhao Zilong?
What is the relationship between the two of them?
"Deputy Director Cai is here too. Good morning."
Cao Yuan had a smile on his face.
He had a square face, thick eyebrows and large eyes, and an air of wealth.
However, between his brows, there was an air of ruthlessness and gloom.
"County Lord Cao is quite early as well."
Cai Wenjing smiled faintly.
Cao Yuan responded with a smile, "It is all for that rebellious son of mine; I have no choice but to do this."
He walked over to Cai Wenjing's side. Cai Wenjing continued to drink her porridge without any intention of standing up.
Cao Yuan lowered his voice and spoke slowly, "Deputy Director Cai, I can stake my life on the guarantee that my rebellious son would absolutely not collude with the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty. Therefore, I ask that you please raise your hand high and let him live. I only have this one son; I truly cannot watch him meet with disaster."
"If you are willing to spare my rebellious son, I will surely keep this favor engraved in my heart and will definitely repay it in the future."
Cai Wenjing set down her porridge bowl, raised her hand to gently wipe the corner of her mouth, and said, "County Lord Cao, whether Cao Yun has colluded with the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty or not, I will investigate this matter clearly myself. I will certainly not wrong Cao Yun."
"However, even if Cao Yun has not colluded with the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty, he ultimately kidnapped the family of an official and attempted to murder an official. According to the law, this is punishable by beheading."
"That rebellious son of mine did indeed go too far. Fortunately, no great disaster occurred. I must trouble you to help me think of a way, Deputy Director."
Cao Yuan accompanied his words with a fawning smile.
Cai Wenjing sighed slightly and said, "County Lord Cao is an Imperial Uncle-in-law; I must give you this face. How about this, County Lord Cao: as long as the involved party does not pursue the matter, I will punish Cao Yun normally here, and then I will naturally release him."
"Of course, I must remind you, County Lord Cao, that this is on the condition that Cao Yun has not colluded with the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty."
"That goes without saying. In that case, many thanks to you, Deputy Director."
Cao Yuan let out a sigh of relief. Cai Wenjing was quite reasonable after all, giving him, this distant Imperial Uncle-in-law, some face.
Now, as long as he could persuade Zhao Zilong to relent, everything would be fine.
As for Cao Yun colluding with the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty, Cao Yuan was clear that it was absolutely impossible.
"He is in the kitchen."
Cai Wenjing said casually.
Zhao Zilong, who already knew that Cao Yuan had arrived, had absolutely no intention of coming out of the kitchen and was pretending completely not to know.
He was currently discussing with Zhao Xiaotian what to have for dinner.
"Dad, what is a hot pot? Is it really that delicious?"
"It is definitely delicious. Zhao Xiaotian, Dad tells you, once you eat hot pot, I am afraid you will not want to eat anything else. Later, you will go to the Fuzheng Division with Dad, and after we finish our business, we will go prepare. At noon, we will eat hot pot at home."
"Mm."
"Dad, someone is here."
Zhao Xiaotian was facing the kitchen entrance and saw Cao Yuan appearing there.
Zhao Zilong naturally heard the commotion, but he pretended not to know. He said, "Zhao Xiaotian, after we eat hot pot, Dad will make you something else to eat later. I guarantee they will all be things you have never seen before."
Zhao Xiaotian could not help but swallow his saliva.
"Ahem, Lord Zhao."
Cao Yuan gave a light cough and called out to Zhao Zilong.
Now Zhao Zilong could no longer pretend. He slowly turned around to look at Cao Yuan.
"County Lord Cao, why have you come?"
He had a look of surprise on his face.
Cao Yuan was dissatisfied with Zhao Zilong in his heart, but in order to save Cao Yun, he could only endure it.
Cao Yuan said, "Lord Zhao, is it convenient for you to come out and chat?"
Zhao Zilong nodded and walked outside. When he reached Cao Yuan, Zhao Zilong said, "County Lord Cao, please."
Cai Wenjing was no longer in the courtyard but was standing outside the courtyard gate.
Zhao Zilong exited the kitchen and could see half of Cai Wenjing's body.
"County Lord Cao, my humble abode is simple; please forgive the poor hospitality. County Lord Cao, please sit. Zhao Xiaotian, pour a bowl of water."
"Lord Zhao, there is no need for such courtesy. I will leave once I have finished speaking with you; the County Office still has a pile of matters waiting to be handled."
Cao Yuan said with a bitter expression.
Zhao Zilong said, "County Lord Cao, I wonder what business you have come to find me for?"
Cao Yuan did not pretend with Zhao Zilong anymore. He said, "Lord Zhao, I am already aware of what that rebellious son of mine has done. Rest assured, I will definitely give you an explanation and will not let you suffer any grievances in vain."
Zhao Zilong said, "County Lord Cao, you speak too seriously. Although your son nearly caused my death, according to the law, it is punishable by beheading. As such, he is only getting what he deserves. I do not really have any grievances. This matter has nothing to do with you, County Lord, so please do not trouble yourself over it."
Cao Yuan stared at Zhao Zilong. Was this human language?
He really wanted to slap Zhao Zilong a few times. Did I trouble myself for your sake?
That was for my son; you are quite shameless.
"Lord Zhao, I will not beat around the bush with you. Let me put it this way: I do not want that rebellious son to die. As for how to not pursue the matter regarding my son, feel free to state your conditions. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly satisfy you. I hope you will raise your hand high and spare my son's life, and not let me, a white-haired man, send off a black-haired one."
It was clear that Cao Yuan could bend and stretch. He lowered his posture significantly, and while saying this, he even bowed slightly and cupped his hands toward Zhao Zilong.
Such a person is often the most terrifying. Zhao Zilong's brows furrowed slightly.
He knew that if he did not agree to release Cao Yun, Cao Yuan would definitely retaliate against him, and even Cai Wenjing would not be able to protect him.
After all, hidden arrows are hard to guard against.
However, Zhao Zilong was not willing to let Cao Yun off easily. He had already thought about it last night; even if he released Cao Yun this time, he had to make the Cao family pay a price.
At the very least, he had to secure huge benefits for himself.
Zhao Zilong said, "County Lord Cao, it is not that I am petty, nor is it that I do not want to give you face. It is truly that your son does not treat me like a human being. First, he took my wife, then he kidnapped my son, and finally, he wanted to kill me. With all these things, how can you expect me to be willing to let him go?"
"Furthermore, even if I could swallow this anger, what about my reputation? He took my wife, and this matter has already spread. The neighbors in the street are now all pointing fingers at my spine."
"If it were not for having a child, I would not have the face to live in this world."
"Moreover, suffering from an empty purse, even if I wanted to move away from this place and stay away from these troubles, I am unable to do so."
"County Lord Cao, my heart is bitter."
"Lord Zhao, I fully understand your feelings and circumstances. Since you have the intention to leave this place of trouble, I will naturally help you. You are lacking silver, right? How much do you want? Feel free to say it."
Cao Yuan was a cunning old fox; how could he not see Zhao Zilong's intention? He wanted silver.
However, he knew that in order to save Cao Yun, he had to pay some price this time. Even if he was being fleeced, he had to accept it.
Since Cao Yuan was so direct, Zhao Zilong did not want to act too much either. He said, "Fifty thousand taels."
Cao Yuan's brows knit together. He knew he would be fleeced, but he did not expect Zhao Zilong to be so ruthless, actually asking for fifty thousand taels right off the bat.
Why not just go rob someone?
He was originally prepared to take out at most twenty thousand taels, and now it was thirty thousand more.
Even though Cao Yuan was not short of silver, at this moment, it was extremely painful for him.
"Lord Zhao, do you really want fifty thousand taels?"
Cao Yuan's tone was somewhat heavy.
Zhao Zilong said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "If it were not for the sake of the friendship with you, County Lord, I would not want the silver. If you, County Lord, do not want to give the silver, I will not force you."
"Fine, I will give you fifty thousand taels of silver, Lord Zhao. Later, I will send someone to deliver the silver notes."
"Rest assured, County Lord. Once I receive the silver notes, the matter between me and your son will be wiped clean, as if it never happened."
"That would be best."
After speaking, Cao Yuan gave a light snort and left.
Zhao Zilong had a beaming smile on his face. Earning fifty thousand taels of silver in one go—he had struck it rich! With normal expenses, he would not be able to spend it all in a lifetime.
And he was also going to be promoted to Banner Master; it was truly a double blessing.
"It seems I really need to move to a new residence, and I must hire a few servants to attend to things."
Zhao Zilong had a smile on his face.
After Zhao Xiaotian finished breakfast, he took Zhao Xiaotian and followed Cai Wenjing to the Fuzheng Division.