Chapter Thirty: Collecting a Debt

Wang Wu and Zhao Mu immediately stepped to either side of Wen Zhi.

"Wen Zhi, what is going on?" Wang Wu whispered, staring at Ma San and his men.

Wen Zhi swallowed hard and replied, "Brother Wang, didn't you say you were going out? You should just go; I can handle this alone."

Wang Wu frowned, vaguely guessing the truth.

Ma San looked at Wen Zhi with a sneer. "Gatekeeper Wen, you talk a big game! There are five or six of us here today. Do you really think you can take us all on by yourself?"

Wen Zhi retorted instantly, "Five or six? I’ve never backed down from thousands, let alone a few like you!"

Zhao Mu’s eyes shifted; he was increasingly convinced that Wen Zhi and Wang Wu had once been members of the legendary Trap-Breaking Battalion.

"Pfft!" Ma San scoffed. "Such bravado, Gatekeeper Wen. If you’re so formidable, why didn't you show this spirit when you were being reprimanded by your superior the other day?"

Wen Zhi clenched his fists, his face hardening with rage.

Ma San stepped back nonchalantly and continued, "What’s the matter? Are you trying to welch on your debt? We had an agreement, and the five days are up. It’s time to pay..."

Before he could finish, Wen Zhi’s expression turned ferocious. "I told you, we’ll talk outside! Don’t disturb my brother here!"

As Wen Zhi tensed to charge, Wang Wu grabbed him firmly, asking sternly, "Wen Zhi, what is actually happening?"

Seeing Wen Zhi restrained, a look of disappointment crossed Ma San’s face. He quickly resumed his mocking tone: "What could be happening? He borrowed money from us and now wants to welch. Even if he takes this to the capital, I’m not afraid!"

"What?" Wang Wu asked, turning to Wen Zhi in surprise. "You borrowed money? How much?"

Wen Zhi’s face was deathly pale. He had indeed borrowed money, but he never expected them to show up so quickly—and to humiliate him in front of Wang Wu and Zhao Mu.

"Ma San! That’s enough!" Wen Zhi’s muscles tensed as he roared, "We agreed to pay today, and the day is not yet over!"

Ma San laughed mockingly. "I’ll give you one more day, but I don’t believe you can scrape up the silver that fast!"

Wen Zhi trembled with rage, but he was powerless. In truth, besides looking after Wang Wu and Zhao Mu, he had been desperately searching for work. Despite holding his official credential, every potential employer seemed to have conspired against him, refusing to hire him. Since Wang Wu had come to rely on him, he couldn't let his brother go hungry. Driven by desperation, he had borrowed high-interest "usury" money. It wasn't much, but with the interest compounding, it had become an unpayable sum.

"Get out!" Wen Zhi glared at Ma San. "I’m going to find the money now! Everyone, get out!"

Ma San stood his ground. "We’ll wait right here. We aren't leaving until you bring us the silver."

"You!" Wen Zhi was incandescent with rage, itching to throw them out by force, but Wang Wu held him back tight.

Zhao Mu looked back. The commotion at the door had drawn a crowd, both from within the courtyard and from the street outside. Yet, he noticed Wen Zhi’s wife was nowhere to be seen. He didn't know if she was involved, but he had to prepare for the worst.

"Ma San, is it?" Zhao Mu stepped forward. "Since this is a debt, there must be a loan agreement. Where is it?"

Ma San glanced at Zhao Mu. "You’re that fellow who makes the pickled fish, right?"

Zhao Mu looked at him with disdain. "You know about the pickled fish?"

Ma San licked his lips. "I heard the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion is serving pickled fish and chili-oil poached chicken. A pity they’re always sold out; I haven't even had a taste yet."

Zhao Mu snorted. "Don't change the subject. If there's a debt, show the proof."

Ma San smiled dismissively and pulled a document from his robes. "Look closely. This bears Gatekeeper Wen's personal signature and his thumbprint!"

Zhao Mu frowned. "Brother Wen, how much did you borrow, and how much is owed now?"

He hadn't spent the two taels of silver he’d received from Qin Jian. If the debt was less than that, he could pay it off for Wen Zhi. While it would disrupt his own plans, it was better than watching Wen Zhi suffer.

Ma San tucked the note away and chuckled, "It’s not much. Gatekeeper Wen borrowed one tael, and now he only needs to pay back twenty."

Zhao Mu’s pupils contracted sharply. According to Wen Zhi, he had only borrowed the money five days ago. In just five days, it had multiplied this much! It was more outrageous than any scam he had ever heard of in his past life.

Wen Zhi was equally stunned. "How can it be that much? We agreed it would be two taels!"

Ma San grinned. "You must have misheard, Gatekeeper Wen. We said two taels if paid the next day, four on the third, eight on the fourth, and today is the fifth day."