Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Tang Mo vs Tang Gang

At Qiu Shi Courtyard, Auntie Wang led Fang Da in. Tang Mo was still basking in delight, and Xin An gave a light cough and said: “Prepare yourself.”

Tang Mo hurriedly rubbed his face, cleared his throat, and walked out with composure. In the courtyard, Fang Da and the others saluted Tang Mo, then, in front of Tang Gang, handed the thirty percent of the silver into Tang Mo’s hands and said: “This is what the master prepared for the eldest young lady and our son-in-law. The master and madam hope that the son-in-law and the eldest young lady will be in perfect harmony, and they wish the son-in-law a splendid future.”

He had not said that this was originally the marquisate’s thirty percent; there were too many ears about. Judging by how the son-in-law’s eyebrows looked ready to fly off his face with joy, he clearly knew.

Excited and tense, Tang Mo longed to grab the silver at once, yet he still remembered to be polite and said: “How can I accept this?”

“A gift from an elder cannot be refused; please accept it,” said Fang Da. He then stepped aside and pointed to several large chests and said: “These are Huaijiang local gifts the master and madam prepared for the son-in-law and the eldest young lady. There are the newest fabrics and teas, tea sets and porcelain, and items for appreciation. Please have a look.”

There were six large chests, each one packed full. Xin An only glanced over them and then instructed Auntie Wang to sort and store everything. She did not say a single word about giving any of it to Tang Gang.

“Steward Fang, you have worked hard. Auntie Wang…” Xin An said. Auntie Wang smiled and presented the prepared rewards to Steward Fang and to the porters. After they had given thanks, Steward Fang led his men away.

Just then Madam Wang arrived. Seeing Tang Gang there, she feigned surprise and said: “Marquis, what are you doing here?” Her look all but asked: what is a father-in-law doing in his daughter-in-law’s courtyard?

Tang Gang’s heart was full of pent-up fire. Lately his days had gone poorly; ever since both sons married, he had had hardly a smooth day. It truly felt as if everyone was making things hard for him. He said: “Second, come with me to the study.”

Tang Mo grinned and said: “Perfect timing. I also have something to ask Father to help smooth over. Please, Father.” Tang Gang paused in surprise, then left with hands clasped behind him. Tang Mo winked at Xin An and followed.

Madam Wang did not yet know that the Xin family had given thirty percent of the silver to Tang Mo. She only knew that all the Xin family’s chests had been carried into Qiu Shi Courtyard and had hurried over, worried that the small-minded Tang Gang would take issue. Xin An invited her inside and told her everything.

“It was my father’s idea; Uncle Fang has already explained the reason to Father,” Xin An said.

Madam Wang blinked, then her eyes filled with laughter. She said: “I wondered why your father came to Qiu Shi Courtyard; so this was it. With this, you two will have much more silver at your disposal, and doing things will be far easier.”

Xin An lifted her eyes and said: “Mother, Father will likely be unhappy, will he not?”

“Why should we care?” Madam Wang increasingly paid no heed to Tang Gang. She said: “That is the second boy’s father-in-law giving to him. It is proper and reasonable; nothing for us to worry about.” Then she added, thoughtful: “It is your father’s goodwill I am thinking about. We must consider how to repay it.”

Xin An said: “My husband making steady progress is the greatest repayment. Father also hopes in the future to rely on this son-in-law to bring the Xin family’s business to the capital.”

“As he should,” Madam Wang replied. Thirty thousand taels of silver is something few ever see. She knew that taking such silver demanded a return, and she resolved to warn Tang Mo later. He must never follow his father’s old path of assuming he could take without giving. How could such a relationship endure?

Xin An smiled and offered to set aside a portion of the new gifts for her. Madam Wang waved it off and said: “The tea you gave me before is still plentiful, and the fabrics are not yet made into clothes. You two are at the stage when you must reciprocate with gifts; keep these for yourselves. However,” she hesitated slightly, then added: “if convenient, pick two items for your uncle. He loves tea.”

“There will certainly be a share for Uncle, and one for Cousin too,” Xin An said. “He can drink it himself, gift it to classmates, or present it to his teacher; in any case, it will be useful.”

“We should also send something to Second Uncle’s household, and a share for the elder cousin’s wife. She brought me grapes several times earlier,” Madam Wang said. Her heart swelled with feeling, and she said she would go offer incense to the Bodhisattva and ask for continued protection upon them.

In the study, Tang Mo chose to strike first. Bowing, he said: “Father, Commander Liao recently assigned me a task, and there are some parts where I would like your guidance.”

Tang Gang said: “Speak.”

“The capital needs to expand a market to meet the people’s daily needs,” Tang Mo said. “We must clear out thirty-eight households. Among them is one that is an Imperial Court lord’s ancestral property. He absolutely refuses. The Ministry of Works has no way to handle it and has passed the matter to the Northern Garrison Army. Commander Liao has handed it to me. I already went to call upon Lord Zhang. As soon as he heard my purpose, he threw me out. He said that the day his ancestral property is demolished will be the day he and I perish together.”

In times without war, the Northern Garrison Army had nothing to do but odd jobs, and they had to swallow their anger. Tang Mo sighed and said: “I truly had no way forward, so I came to ask Father.”

Tang Gang sat without speaking, because he knew the matter would be difficult. Tang Mo had never intended to rely on him; he only wanted to use the matter to block whatever Tang Gang might say next. He continued: “If Father also finds it difficult, I will think of another way. Fortunately, my father-in-law cares for me; with funds in hand, I can act with greater ease.”

Tang Gang suddenly realized he had been led into a trap; the boy wanted to use this to stop his mouth. He said: “I have told you, the Xin family is the purse your grandfather left to the Tang family; it is not yours alone.”

“Father jests,” Tang Mo replied calmly. “I know the proper measure and would not dare entertain such a thought. But I have no reason to refuse my father-in-law’s goodwill. I can only work more diligently at my post and strive to succeed, to repay him in some measure. Moreover, I hold office now. If I do my job well, the marquisate also gains in reputation. It is proper that I receive an appropriate share of the household funds; do you not agree, Father?”

Meeting Tang Gang’s eyes without flinching, he added: “Elder Brother and I are both your sons. You ought to give me some opportunities as well.”

In the end, Tang Gang could not bring himself to demand that he hand over the money. He only raised his eyes and said: “It is good that you have ambition. Since that is so, as your father I shall give you opportunities.”

He still had to consider his reputation, and he was a father after all; he would not push things too far and leave people a handle to gossip. What was more, Madam Wang now spared no one with her tongue, and many matters in the household could not proceed without her. If he thoroughly enraged her, it would in fact harm his eldest son.

Ultimately the pressure fell upon Tang Rong. Sibling rivalry was commonplace, and he was confident that the legitimate eldest son he had so carefully trained could not possibly lose to the younger. It would also serve as a trial for Tang Rong; [he intended to make the second boy a grindstone for his firstborn’s blade].

Therefore, when he spoke to Tang Rong about Tang Mo, he praised him fulsomely and said: “Marriage truly changes a man. He is modest and filial; no matter how late he returns, he goes to pay respects to your grandmother, and she praises him without cease. I originally thought he would suffer in the Northern Garrison Army, yet he is doing quite well, which shows he has some ability. You are blood brothers; when he encounters difficulties, you must give him your full support.”