I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 12 A Night Visit to the Li Residence

Chapter 12 A Night Visit to the Li Residence

No secret stays hidden forever, and bad news travels fast, especially when it involves the scandalous affair of Lord Wang, the highest-ranking official in Hanshan County. The newly appointed magistrate of Hanshan County, Lord Wang, having been punished according to family rules, imprisoned his own old steward in a fit of rage. The news spread throughout Hanshan County that very day.

Wang Wenzhou and Lord Wang's family background and heroic deeds immediately became the talk of the town among the people of Hanshan.

That evening, the brothers Li Yinshui and Li Jinshui were drinking and chatting about the farce that had happened in court the day before. Suddenly, a family member announced that Magistrate Wang had arrived.

Li Yinshui hadn't quite figured out Lord Wang's character yet, but he was certain of one thing: Lord Wang was ruthless, a man who would seek revenge for any wrong done to him and would show no mercy to his own family.

"Second brother? What brings Lord Wang here today?" Li Hechen's father, Li Jinshui, asked.

Li Yinshui thought about it and concluded that it was most likely because of his nephew's fainting, since he couldn't think of anything else that might be related to Lord Wang.

“Brother, I’m afraid we’ll have to spend some money today. Li Hechen is really outrageous. As a yamen runner, he fainted after standing for a little while. Lord Wang has come in person, he must be trying to get something from us. Keeping Hechen’s job shouldn’t be a problem.”

Li Jinshui nodded, feeling utterly disappointed. The little brat was always causing trouble for his father. And now, another one was coming to ask for money. Did you think it was easy for his father to earn a living?

The two brothers hurriedly went to greet Wang Wenzhou.

When Li Jinshui saw Wang Wenzhou, he almost burst out laughing. This Lord Wang's appearance was really not very good.

"Lord Wang, please come in." Li Jinshui respectfully invited Wang Wenzhou into the living room.

Wang Wenzhou glanced at Li Yinshui and said, "Li the Clerk is here too. I only learned today that Li Hechen is actually Li the Clerk's nephew. Li Hechen fainted yesterday because of official business. I came here specifically to offer my condolences. Where is Li Hechen?"

The Li brothers exchanged a glance. Sure enough, Lord Wang had come for this matter.

"My name is Li Jinshui, father of Li Hechen. Please wait a moment, sir, I'll call that boy over right away." Li Jinshui bowed apologetically and turned to find his son, Li Hechen.

Li Hechen had been lying in bed since returning yesterday; he was truly terrified. He woke up at home to find his pants were wet. He figured that since Lord Wang hadn't bothered him yesterday, he could probably escape unscathed. He was thinking about when he could find an excuse to mention to his second uncle that he wanted to resign from his post. That way, he wouldn't see Lord Wang, and the matter would be considered settled.

But Li Hechen never expected that Lord Wang would actually come to his house. Now he was really doomed.

"Father, I have something to tell you." Li Hechen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Li Jinshui's face darkened, and he slapped Li Hechen across the face, saying coldly, "Wait a minute, Lord Wang is here, waiting for you. Whatever it is, we'll talk about it after Lord Wang leaves. You bastard, you've been drained dry in the brothel. You're such a coward, you can faint if you stand for a while."

Li Hechen had never dared to tell his father about beating Wang Wenzhou. After much internal struggle, he finally decided to tell his father first, so that he could be prepared. But before he could even speak, Li Jinshui pulled him into the living room.

"Brother Li, I've missed you so much! I never imagined it was you who fainted yesterday." Wang Wenzhou smiled and warmly embraced Li Hechen when he saw him.

This action left Li Hechen dumbfounded. Could it be that Lord Wang really considers me a brother? It's true what they say, no fight, no friendship! Lord Wang is such a principled man, not at all vindictive, he's so loyal.

"Lord Wang, do you know each other?"

Seeing the two so affectionately, the Li brothers were overjoyed. Li Jinshui was especially proud; his son was truly remarkable, managing to become sworn brothers with the county magistrate. The Li family's ancestral graves were emitting auspicious smoke; thinking of this, Li Jinshui's eyes welled up with tears.

“Of course we know each other, don’t we, Brother Li?” Wang Wenzhou patted Li Hechen on the shoulder.

Looking into his father's ardent gaze, Li Hechen felt very proud. Finally, he had earned his father's respect. He smiled and nodded, putting one hand on Wang Wenzhou's shoulder, and said proudly, "Lord Wang and I hit it off immediately yesterday and had a great time drinking together."

Wang Wenzhou's expression changed, and he complained, "Brother Li, you're being too polite. We're good brothers, how can you call me Lord Wang!"

"Brother, it's my fault!" Li Hechen quickly bowed and apologized.

The Li brothers were dumbfounded. When did Li Hechen become so capable? His usual friends were all street thugs. They never expected this boy to be so successful, managing to befriend someone like the county magistrate.

"That's more like it!" Wang Wenzhou winked at Wang Qiang and said with a smile, "Brother Li and I really became friends after a fight. Isn't that right, Xiao Qiang?"

"Pfft!" Wang Qiang couldn't help but laugh, and said calmly, "Of course, the injury on my master's head was inflicted by Li Hechen. Sir, how much should we ask for the medical expenses?"

"Nonsense! My relationship with Brother Li is such that I need medical expenses? Xiao Qiang, you've gone too far!" Wang Wenzhou's face darkened, and he began to put on a show.

Li Hechen was dumbfounded. What was Lord Wang up to? They were just being friendly, calling each other brothers, and now he was suddenly demanding medical expenses? Was it all a lie, and was Lord Wang really trying to extort money? For a dignified county magistrate to do such a despicable thing was utterly shameless! Thinking of this, Li Hechen's face changed, realizing that his father was going to have to pay up this time.

Li Yinshui glanced at his nephew, Li Hechen, whose face was ashen. He understood then: the injury on Lord Wang's head was indeed inflicted by Li Hechen. Yesterday in court, Li Yinshui had initially thought Wang Feng was going to handle the case of his assault. He had even thought that the clueless man was doomed. He never imagined it was his own nephew who had done it.

"The medical expenses must be paid! Of course they must be paid! Brother, hurry, go get the money." Li Jinshui quickly winked at his brother.

As the saying goes, a prefect who wiped out his entire family, a county magistrate who ruined his family, and his nephew who beat Lord Wang to such a state. He was also a ruthless character who didn't care about his own relatives. Li Yinshui quickly reminded his elder brother to spend money to avoid further trouble.

Wang Wenzhou waved his hand and said mysteriously, "Oh dear! Clerk Li, my friendship with Brother Li started with a fight. It would be too much to bring up money."

"Yes, sir, we came on foot. A thousand taels of silver should be transported by cart, but we don't have one, so we can't carry it. I think we should just give you gold instead." Wang Qiang chuckled inwardly, thinking to himself, "Young master, we already agreed that if you take the money, you'll return it to me immediately."

Lord Wang immediately demanded a thousand taels of silver. Li Jinshui's liver ached. He turned to look at his beloved son and sighed deeply. Alas! What a wretched son!

Li Jinshui swallowed hard, steeling his resolve. He had to pay the money, but he simply didn't have that much cash at home. He could come up with a thousand taels of silver, even though he knew Wang Wenzhou was extorting money. It pained him, but risking his life for a thousand taels wasn't worth it. Li Jinshui had no choice but to accept the loss.

"My lord, could you grant me a few more days?"