Chapter 5

After all, Hoover was somewhat old and had experienced a lot. He knew that forcibly taking a civilian woman was a violation of the law and had already broken the Kang Dynasty's regulations. He whispered in warning, "Young Master, if Lord finds out about this, he will certainly blame you. If it gets out, it will also have a bad impact on your reputation. After all, you just became engaged to the Li family's daughter. If they hear about it..."

Hoover spoke the truth, but the listener had other intentions. Hu Xiaotian had been troubled by this marriage for several days. Hearing Hoover's words, he decided to go all the way. What if he forcibly took a civilian woman? What if his reputation was ruined? He was determined to ruin his reputation. As long as he didn't do anything truly bad, the worst that could happen was a scolding. Since his father was a third-rank official, such a small matter should be manageable. "I will take the girl, and I want the Li family to know. I want to ruin this marriage. They want to find me a hideously ugly cripple as a wife? No way."

Hu Xiaotian still had some affection for his father, the Minister of Revenue, who had always provided him with a life of luxury. However, after Hu Buwei arranged the marriage, Hu Xiaotian immediately realized that his father was using him as a political pawn, completely disregarding his son's personal happiness.

With this thought, Hu Xiaotian was not afraid to make a big fuss. He laughed and picked up the red-clothed girl who was still unconscious on the ground, carrying her to his room.

The servants watched him in shock. They realized that the young master was not foolish, but he was definitely a womanizer. Hoover nudged Liang Dazhuang with his arm, "Dazhuang, go and persuade him..."

"Why don't you go?"

Tang Tiehan was so anxious that he was scratching his head and ears, shouting outside and preparing to break down the door with a tree branch. His subordinates were not all fools, and one of them stopped him, "Brother, this is the Minister of Revenue's residence. We can't force our way in. Minister Hu is the financial god of the Kang Dynasty and is highly favored by the current emperor."

Tang Tiehan angrily said, "His father is an official, and mine is too. If he took my sister, we can still appeal to the emperor."

The man sighed, "He is a third-rank official!"

Tang Tiehan understood the implication, which was that his father was not as powerful as the other's. He slapped the man, making him spin around twice. After venting his anger, Tang Tiehan calmed down a bit. Although he was quick-tempered, he was not foolish. He knew his father was a sixth-rank official, far below the other's rank. Even the back gate of the Minister's residence was more grand and magnificent than his own front gate. In the horse market area, he had always bullied others, but today he was the one being bullied. He was so anxious that he was pacing around.

His subordinates suggested sending someone to inform his father, the Director of the Department of Carriages, Tang Wenzheng, and to have the family go to the Jingzhao Prefecture to report the injustice. Since the Tang family was the one being bullied, they were not afraid to make a big fuss.

The Tang family had three sons but only one daughter, Tang Qingxuan. She was the apple of her father's eye, and her three brothers also doted on her. This led to her becoming arrogant and spoiled. If she had not been so arrogant and reckless, riding her horse on the street and whipping people, she would not have encountered today's trouble.

When Tang Tiejun, the third son of the Tang family, went to the Jingzhao Prefecture to report the injustice, it was just after the court session had ended.

Minister of Revenue Hu Buwei was sitting in his carriage, pondering the marriage between the Hu and Li families. Li Tianheng was deeply trusted by the Crown Prince Long Yeqing, who had once saved the Crown Prince from an assassin, earning his gratitude. The current emperor was already 63 years old, and his health and energy were clearly declining. He had several times hinted at passing the throne to the Crown Prince, indicating that the day of the Crown Prince's ascension was not far off.

It was foreseeable that once Long Yeqing ascended the throne, Li Tianheng would be heavily favored. As his father-in-law, Hu Buwei would ensure his current status, even if he could not advance further.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Hu Buwei's lips. However, when he thought of Li Tianheng's paralyzed and ugly daughter and his son's sudden return to normal, he felt a twinge of guilt. Marrying his son to the Li family's daughter was a great injustice to him, but for the sake of the Hu family's future and status, he had to sacrifice his son's personal happiness.

There was another reason for Hu Buwei's actions that was not known to others. He had once offended Long Yeqing, who had never had a good opinion of him. Despite Hu Buwei's efforts to mend their relationship over the years, it seemed to have had little effect. A new emperor meant new officials, and he feared that the new emperor might carry out a purge. If that happened, he would not only lose his position but also his life. Hu Buwei took a deep breath, glad that he had already prepared a way out. With Li Tianheng's connection, the Hu family should be safe.

A rapid horse galloped towards him, and Hu Buwei heard the sound of his guards drawing their swords. His two bodyguards were top-notch, and their alertness was unmatched. Guard Hu Tianxiong shouted, "Who is blocking the way of Minister Hu?"

The horse stopped, and a worried but respectful voice said, "This is Director of the Department of Carriages, Tang Wenzheng, with an urgent matter to see Minister Hu!"

Hu Buwei slowly lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw Tang Wenzheng dismounting from a snow-white horse. The Department of Carriages was a department under the Ministry of War, not directly related to the Ministry of Revenue. Tang Wenzheng was a sixth-rank official, but he was well-known in the capital for his expertise in horse selection, earning him the title of "Bermuda of the present." The Minister of War, Zhang Zhize, relied heavily on him, and they were close friends in private.

Tang Wenzheng was tall and broad-shouldered with dark skin, traits inherited by his three sons. In contrast, his daughter Tang Qingxuan had fair skin and beautiful features, and anyone who saw her found it hard to believe that she was Tang Wenzheng's daughter. However, in terms of temperament, she was very much like her father.

When a sixth-rank official met a third-rank official, dismounting was a basic courtesy. Although Tang Wenzheng was quick-tempered and despised Hu Buwei's character and reputation, he still showed the utmost respect on the surface. The officials in the capital were well-versed in the ways of the court. To stand firm in the unpredictable political arena, one had to learn to be tactful. No matter how angry one was, it should not show on the face. Patience was a virtue, and one had to endure.

Tang Wenzheng dismounted, but Hu Buwei did not leave the carriage. He smiled and said, "I didn't recognize you at first, Brother Wenzheng. It's been a while since we last met." He did not ask what Tang Wenzheng wanted, but he had already guessed that Tang Wenzheng had a matter to discuss. As the Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei had immense power, overseeing the land, population, taxes, salaries, and all financial matters. He had the Money Law Hall and the Baoquan Bureau responsible for minting, the three treasuries of the Ministry of Revenue, and the Granary Office responsible for transportation. He was the financial god of the Kang Dynasty. Hu Buwei thought that Tang Wenzheng was likely seeking help with financial matters, as the emperor had entrusted the construction of the Junshan horse ranch to Tang Wenzheng, and the funding for the project had been provided by Hu Buwei.

Tang Wenzheng handed the reins to his attendant, feeling both worried and angry. Hu Buwei probably did not know that his son had taken his daughter. Tang Wenzheng was calm, and he walked a few steps forward, leaning close to Hu Buwei's ear and whispering a few words.

Even with Hu Buwei's composure, he could not help but change color when he heard Tang Wenzheng's words. How could this be? His son had done such a thing? Hu Buwei was not particularly familiar with his son, not because he cared for him less, but because his son had been mentally challenged from a young age, and they had never communicated. It was only half a year ago that his son suddenly regained his sanity and could speak, but his behavior was strange, and they rarely communicated. Hu Buwei was both surprised and puzzled by this, but he saw it as a gift from heaven.

Hu Buwei had this son at the age of 35, and his wife, Hu Yangshi, had only given birth to this child. Despite his cunning, Hu Buwei was very good to his wife and family. He had never taken a concubine or had any romantic entanglements. His wife had gone to her hometown in Jinling, and he had been busy with political affairs, so he had neglected his son. He had not expected such a big incident to happen just five days after his wife left. Hu Buwei felt a headache coming on, but as a seasoned official, he quickly regained his composure and said to Tang Wenzheng, "Brother Wenzheng, please come into the carriage and let's talk."

Tang Wenzheng's heart was burning with anger. He wanted to fly to the Hu residence and save his daughter, but he knew that Hu Buwei was a third-rank official, not someone he could offend. Even if he had the right on his side, he dared not rashly appeal to the emperor. Moreover, his daughter was still unmarried, and if the matter became public, even if she was rescued, her reputation would be ruined. Tang Wenzheng felt more and more sorrow and resentment.

Despite his anger, he had to suppress it and entered the carriage. Hu Buwei called his bodyguard, Hu Tianxiong, and whispered a few words to him. Hu Tianxiong then galloped towards the Minister's residence.

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