Chapter 19

(Crying and rolling on the ground begging for votes...)

Over the next few days, Chen Xiliang left home early and returned late, exhausted, but he did not relax his children's studies at all. No matter how late or tired he was, he would personally check their progress and explain any difficult points.

Chen Ke also went out every day, and even Er Lang couldn't stop him. Seeing that his return to the academy was approaching, he felt it was necessary to have a serious talk with his younger brother.

One day, as Chen Xiliang was about to leave, Chen Ke was about to follow, but Chen Chen grabbed him by the arm: "Don't go yet."

"Where are you going again?" Chen Chen asked sternly.

"Didn't I tell you, I have something to do," Chen Ke said, shaking off his hand but stopping.

"What exactly is it?" Chen Chen asked suspiciously. "You've been so mysterious, and you won't tell me when I ask."

"It's not the right time yet," Chen Ke said. "When the time comes, I'll tell you first."

"No, you have to tell me today," Chen Chen insisted. "I'm about to go back to the academy. If you keep running around like this, what will happen to Wulang and Liulang? What if you get into danger?"

"Alright, fine..." Chen Ke had no choice but to tell the truth. "I've been out these past few days investigating the families who owe us money."

"Investigating them..." Chen Chen was incredulous. "What do you plan to do?"

"Obviously, to get the money back!" Chen Ke said, rolling his eyes. "Debts must be repaid, it's only right!"

"Nonsense!" Chen Chen was angry. "Father couldn't get it back, what makes you think you can?!" He then put on a serious tone. "Sanlang, haven't you noticed these past few days? Father has the highest hopes for you among the four of us. You're naturally talented, but if you don't focus on your studies, you won't have a future."

"I have to get the money back!" Chen Ke insisted stubbornly. "Everything started because of me, I can't act like nothing happened!"

"Sanlang, no one blames you," Chen Chen said earnestly. "Father will take care of everything. You just need to focus on your studies!"

"How can I focus?" Chen Ke said, his face dark. "Come with me to a place."

"What about the house?"

"Wulang is there."

Chen Chen then locked the two younger brothers in the house and followed Chen Ke to the riverbank outside the city.

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The Glass River flowed slowly, creating wide mudflats on both banks, so ships had to dock at the wooden pier outside the city. From the pier to the warehouse, a distance of nearly two li, goods were transported by porters pushing wheelbarrows.

Sanlang led Er Lang, hiding behind a hay stack at the pier, his eyes scanning the porters. Finally, he pointed one out to Er Lang.

Following his gaze, Er Lang saw his father. He was stunned, rubbing his eyes in disbelief, but the scene remained clear—those hands gripping the handle, the harness around his neck, pushing a creaking wheelbarrow, trembling as he crossed the pier. It could only be Chen Xiliang.

After careful consideration, Chen Xiliang decided to work at the dock.

Working at the dock was not as easy as it seemed. One needed a reliable person to vouch for them, pay a fee to join the trade, and rent a wheelbarrow. They also had to buy simple tools like baskets and poles.

It took a day to complete all the procedures, and then he had the right to work regularly, ensuring a steady income. There was work almost every day at the dock, and as long as one was willing to work hard, the income was quite substantial, and the costs could be recouped quickly.

But everything is difficult at the beginning. Others could push 700 to 800 pounds with ease, but for him, the wheelbarrow was hard to handle. He used all his strength but still couldn't maintain balance, almost tipping over after just a few steps. If not for the foreman who anticipated this and caught the cart, the goods would have fallen into the water.

But he was a very resilient person. If he couldn't push 500 to 600 pounds, he would push 200 to 300 pounds, just making more trips.

By today, he had basically mastered the technique of handling the wheelbarrow, and he could push 400 pounds, earning the admiration of his coworkers who had initially expected to see him fail.

But Er Lang only wanted to cry. He jumped up, ready to call his father back home, but Sanlang held him down.

Chen Ke tightly covered his mouth and dragged him to the edge of the reeds, both panting heavily.

"Why did you stop me?" Er Lang asked, his eyes red.

"You're too young to understand a man's pride," Chen Ke said, wiping the sweat from his forehead, his tone filled with deep admiration for Chen Xiliang. "A true man must shoulder all the burdens. Unless you can find a way to ease his burden, any attempt to stop him is an insult."

"But I'm three years older than you..." Chen Chen said, feeling depressed.

"That's why I brought you here," Chen Ke turned to Chen Chen, looking at him deeply. "What do you think?"

"..." Chen Chen was silent for a moment, then said firmly, "Tell me, what do you plan to do?"

"We have eleven debtors, six of whom are in Qingshen County. I've been investigating these six families these past few days," Chen Ke finally revealed his intentions.

"Is there any chance of getting the money back?" Chen Chen's attitude changed, now filled with hope.

"Unfortunately, no," Chen Ke shook his head with a sigh. He had thought the debtors were just taking advantage of Chen Xiliang's kindness, but after a few days of observation, he realized each family had their own difficulties—some were truly destitute, and others had multiple creditors, making it impossible to pay anyone.

While this was the worst news for the creditors, it at least showed that people in the Song Dynasty were still honest.

Not having money was not the problem; the problem was having money and not paying.

"The reason Father can't get the money back is that he doesn't want to add to their troubles. We can't go against his wishes," Chen Ke smiled. "So, we'll help them in their time of need!"

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The next morning, as soon as Chen Xiliang left, Er Lang and Sanlang instructed the two younger brothers to stay at home, promising to bring back some good food for lunch.

But Wulang and Liulang refused to be locked up again, clinging to their older brothers' hands, insisting on going with them.

Chen Chen looked at Chen Ke; today, he was the main actor, but Sanlang was the director.

"Bring them along," Chen Ke smiled. "It'll be a treat for them."

Liulang cheered.

Each brother led a younger brother out of the house. Chen Ke first took them to the front street to the Pan family carpentry shop, saying he had ordered something there. Just as he was about to step in, Chen Chen, feeling anxious, pulled him back. "Sanlang, we only have 150 coins."

"Don't worry, it's free, and they'll even give us some extra money," Chen Ke said, then pulled Liulang into the shop. The shop was small, so Er Lang and Wulang stayed outside.

Passing through the front of the shop where finished furniture was displayed, they saw the owner, Master Pan, leading two apprentices working in the yard.

Seeing them, Master Pan was not angry but instead smiled warmly. "Sanlang, come in and sit down."

"Master Pan, this is my younger brother, Liulang," Chen Ke introduced.

Little Liulang greeted Master Pan politely.

"Good, good," Master Pan smiled, patting Liulang's head and handing him a small wooden sword. "Take it and play."

Liulang, who had few toys, looked hopefully at Sanlang.

"How much?"

"What money? It's just scraps," Master Pan laughed heartily.

"Thank you, Uncle," Sanlang said, and made Liulang thank him too.

"You're welcome, you're welcome," Master Pan took out a key from his pocket and walked to the counter. "Speaking of money, you've sold over ten official hats chairs, and I lost this round." He opened a drawer and took out five strings of iron coins. "Here are your five guan, and the item you ordered is also ready. Don't forget to have the neighbors witness it when you leave."

Though he said he lost, his face was filled with genuine joy. "Sanlang, if you have more designs like this, remember to come to me for a bet."

"Who knows if I can come up with more? I'll try my best," Sanlang put the money in his pocket and picked up the wooden box in the corner. "Is this it?"

"Of course, it took me two days of careful work," Master Pan asked curiously. "What do you need this blacksmith's item for?"

"To forge iron," Chen Ke's answer didn't choke Master Pan, but it was unexpected.

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As soon as Chen Ke reached the door, the merchants on both sides poked their heads out, smiling and asking, "Sanlang, did you win or lose?"

Chen Ke knew the principle of not showing off wealth, but there were rules in the trade. If you won money, you had to show it to everyone to prove the loser didn't cheat. He had no choice but to hold up the iron coins high, and the crowd cheered as if they had won.

Er Lang, who had been confused, immediately understood. "Sanlang, you actually bet with someone?!"

"Don't make a fuss," Chen Ke threw the money to him. "Let's go."

'Guānpū' means participating in a competition, more straightforwardly, it's like a wrestling match where you bet on items to win money. The Song people were addicted to gambling, from the nobles to the commoners, almost everyone gambled.

'If modern laws were used to catch gamblers, everyone would be arrested,' Chen Ke thought the first time he saw this widespread gambling. Walking down the street, he realized that all the goods from the vendors could be sold or bet on, as long as both parties agreed on the price.

For example, a water jar that costs ten coins to buy could be bet on for five coins. If you won, you got the item; if you lost, you lost the money. It was simple and easy, as long as you had money and items.

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The child who doesn't rest on weekends and continues to update should get a recommendation vote! ! ! ! !

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