Chapter Thirty-Four: Collecting the Debt!

The sorghum they spoke of was the harvest from the Su family’s fields this autumn. Sorghum yields were high—one acre produced five pecks, and ten acres brought in a total of five bushels.

Local grain merchants offered five hundred coins per bushel, but the glutinous sorghum from Erlang Beach was particularly suited for brewing. If supplied to their own distillery, it could fetch as much as seven hundred coins per bushel.

However, the Su family’s distillery had struggled with unsold sorghum wine for years and could hardly absorb much more stock. Everyone had to find their own buyers. The eldest aunt entrusted the ‘eloquent’ and ‘quick-witted’ youngest uncle with the task. He did not disappoint; within days, he sold the red grain to He’s Distillery, the third largest in town.

This was no easy feat, for He’s Distillery was owned by a son-in-law of the Cheng family, who historically had nothing but disdain for the Sus. Yet the youngest uncle managed to sell the unsold grain at full price to He’s, earning himself the reputation of a sales genius!

He basked in the family’s praise, and the eldest aunt even promised him a tael of silver as a reward.

But when his affair with Cuicui was exposed, it became clear that this ‘sales genius’ had relied on nepotism—Cuicui had pleaded with her cousin, the daughter of Scholar Cheng and the mistress of He’s Distillery, who reluctantly agreed to buy the grain.

Of course, as long as the goods were sold, he was a hero; there was no need to fuss over the details. But in these times, business payments were always settled at year’s end, so the money would not arrive until the turn of the year.

Then, last month, disaster struck—He’s Distillery’s owner personally escorted a boatload of wine to the county, and at Dabing Beach, the vessel struck rocks and was lost, along with its master.

Now, He’s could not even pay wages, let alone settle debts. The eldest uncle had worried about this, which was why he hoped Su Lu would fail the examination—then he would not have to fret over the dilemma.

But Su Lu passed, and now his worries multiplied.

He dared not speak of it aloud. If Spring Brother learned the truth, with his temperament, he might refuse to attend the Wen Zhan Hall at all. Over the years, the eldest uncle had spent dozens, even hundreds, of taels of silver on Spring Brother’s education; how could he allow it all to go to waste now?

Fortunately, the scapegoat wife returned, so these matters no longer troubled him. After a quarrel with his wife, he took his blanket and went to sleep with the youngest uncle.

The rest he left to his wife—she always knew how to handle such things.

He did not worry she would reveal the truth too soon. When it came to her son, she was sharper than anyone; she would surely wait until Su Man had left home before broaching the subject.

~~~

Early the next morning, the family gathered to send off the youngest uncle, young aunt, and Spring Brother onto the boat.

Su Man also took the boat to Hejiang; from the county, it would be much easier to reach Luzhou. In truth, the eldest uncle did not want him to travel by boat—even in this season, the Chishui River was dangerous.

But the land route meant traversing steep mountains—two hundred miles could take ten days or more. The mountains were rife with wild beasts and even more dangerous tribes; the risks were greater than on water. Faced with two evils, they chose the lesser; so Spring Brother took the boat.

"Only when you try to leave these mountains do you truly understand how tightly they bind a man," the eldest brother said to Su Lu before departing. "I’ll go ahead, but you must catch up soon. One day, we’ll bring the whole family out of here!"

"Yes, big brother, we must leave!" Su Lu wholeheartedly agreed. Though he had only been here three or four months, living every day in a gorge surrounded by sheer cliffs had already worn him down.

"Good," Su Man nodded, bade farewell to his elders, shouldered his book chest, and boarded the boat.

"May you return in scholar’s robes, with a square cap, and bring glory home!" Su Lu shouted from the wharf.

Su Man waved back until their crooked little boat disappeared around the bend.

"Enough, wife, don’t cry. Didn’t Autumn Brother say Spring Brother will likely be a scholar when he comes back?" the eldest uncle withdrew his gaze and comforted his wife, who was still wiping her tears.

"That would be wonderful," she cheered up easily, quickly imagining only the best.

"You all hurry home for breakfast; I’m off to my post." The eldest uncle donned his helmet, tightened his leather straps, and headed along the riverbank to the Hundred House Station.

The others climbed the stone steps back to their home.

---

"Come eat, I’m starving," Jin Bao’er shouted as soon as he entered.

"Wait," the eldest aunt quickly brought out the dishes kept warm in the big pot.

Su Lu’s special treatment had ended now that his exams were over. He obediently joined the family in the main hall, eating the same sorghum cakes, with pickled vegetables personally pressed by the eldest aunt.

As they ate, the eldest aunt suddenly praised Su Lu, "I didn’t expect Autumn Brother to actually get into the academy. Aunt truly admires you—you are made for study."

"Mm-hmm..." Su Lu nodded, chewing his cake. He wanted to slap his aunt’s face with his success, but he still needed her for tuition.

He thought she was reconciled with him now that he had shown promise. But she sighed, "It’s just, there’s a debt we can’t recover, so your tuition may not be covered..."

Su Lu choked, and Su Youcai and Su Tai’s expressions changed; the atmosphere at the table plunged to freezing.

The old man glanced at his eldest daughter-in-law, his face dark. "How do you two run this household? Shouldn’t you have planned for something like this?"

"Father, there’s nothing we could do—plans can’t keep up with changes," she explained, bracing herself. "We had it all arranged, selling this year’s red grain for Autumn Brother’s fees. Who could have guessed the He family’s misfortune, and now the debt can’t be collected?"

"What about the money stashed away?" the old man asked, frowning.

"There was five or six taels, but Third Brother’s marriage cost a lot, and you wouldn’t let us pool gifts, instead giving the dowry to Third Brother’s wife. With Spring Brother’s exam expenses, not only is the money gone, we’re in debt."

She spread her hands, complaining, "Father, it’s always a time of spending in this family; whoever’s in charge, there’s no magic spell for money!"

The old man fell silent, rubbing his temples with a headache. After a moment, he turned to Su Lu, voice heavy, "Don’t worry, Autumn Brother. Since you’ve been admitted, the family will support your studies! Even if I have to sell the pots and pans or swallow my pride to borrow money, I’ll find your tuition."

"Grandpa, I’m only adding to the family’s burden..." Su Lu began, but his father stopped him.

Su Youcai spoke, "Father, don’t get worked up. There’s still nearly a month. We’ll try everything; if nothing works, then we’ll deal with it..."

The old man nodded, letting out a long, heavy sigh. He left the table and went out for a walk, his steps heavier than usual, as if he had aged years overnight.

~~~

Su Youcai and his sons hurried through their meal and retreated to their room.

The moment the door closed, Su Youcai flew into a rage, kicking the washbasin, which soared through the air.

Luckily, Su Tai was quick, diving to catch the family’s only basin.

But he landed hard with a thud.

"Second Brother!" Su Lu rushed to help Summer Brother up. Su Youcai apologized, "I lost my temper—are you alright, son?"

"I’m fine, tough as leather," Su Tai grinned, hugging the basin. "As long as the basin’s safe."

"Silly child," Su Youcai choked, looking at his two sensible sons. He could no longer hold back his tears.

He turned away, not wanting them to see his weakness, but he was at the end of his rope. A man’s pride, a father’s dignity—all crushed by mere coins.

---

"Old man, don’t cry," Su Tai said, awkwardly handing him the basin. "If you need to vent, kick it again."

"I’m not angry, son. It’s just that a single coin can defeat even a hero," Su Lu murmured, "Ultimately, I insisted on studying, adding extra burden to the family."

"Nonsense! To raise and not teach is a father’s fault. If you hadn’t passed, so be it. But since you did, I must send you to study—it’s a father’s duty!" Su Youcai hid his face in his sleeve. "I don’t deserve such good sons."

"Father, don’t say that," Su Lu had never realized how sensitive and fragile his father was deep down.

"You’re the best father in the world. Right, Second Brother?" He quickly encouraged him.

"Mm-hmm!" Su Tai nodded vigorously. "I really think so."

"Sigh." Su Youcai forced a smile, "You don’t need to comfort me. What kind of good father can’t even come up with a few taels of silver?"

"You’re not in charge of the household, so how can it be your fault?" Su Lu said firmly. "Besides, money is earned by people. We’re people too—if we don’t have it, we’ll find a way to earn it!"

"Autumn Brother is right," Su Tai chimed in, "I can go to Shawan to carry salt. One trip earns ten coins—carry a few more, and we’ll have enough!"

"You stop that nonsense. From the salt wells in the hills to the riverbank is five miles one way, and you get only ten coins for a round trip. Even beasts aren’t that cheap!" Su Youcai shook his head. "Besides, it’s year’s end—where is there any work to be found?"

"Yes, we need to use our brains, not work like beasts," Su Lu agreed, thinking he must find a way to earn money. Ah, he should have read more transmigration novels…

But it truly was difficult—the isolated mountains blocked every path to wealth.

~~~

The three sat around the table, brainstorming.

"Eldest sister-in-law may not be kind with her words, but she would never deliberately make things difficult for us. The family is truly in trouble," Su Youcai quickly collected himself and sighed, "We must not let the old man worry further—that would be unfilial. We must solve this ourselves!"

"Yes." Su Lu nodded, seeing his father set the tone for the family meeting. "How much does school cost, exactly? If it’s too much, I really won’t go."

"Tuition is two taels a year, plus books, paper, and ink—another tael and a half," Su Youcai counted on his fingers. "The academy provides free lodging, but you pay ten coins a month for lamp oil. As for meals, you must supply grain and firewood. Based on your brother’s experience, that’s two hundred fifty coins a month, but it’s paid monthly, so no rush."

Su Lu’s head spun listening to the costs. The Peaceful Academy was excellent, but its fees were high. Still, thinking of over a thousand people competing for sixty places, he couldn’t accuse them of greed.

Studying was simply expensive—it was no wonder the Su family was dragged into hardship.

He thought it over and said, "So, if I don’t stay or eat at school, it’s only three taels and five coins?"

"Exactly," Su Youcai nodded, "That’s just what the sorghum would have paid! So the best solution is to recover that debt!"

"Debts must be paid—it’s only right." He made up his mind. "Tomorrow, we’ll go collect it!"

ps. Next, enjoy Second Master Su’s debt collection tale. Please support Second Master with your monthly votes~~~~