Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 51 Fairness and Integrity
People like Chen Huan, who were called child prodigies from a young age and have had a smooth life in their middle age, mostly share a common trait.

That means they are arrogant and extremely concerned about their image.

Because Chen Qing was not good at studying, or rather, not good at taking exams, Chen Huan, who was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), disliked him and felt that Chen Qing was not like himself.

Now that he has reached the point of being promoted to a high-ranking official in the capital, he urgently needs the cooperation of his entire family. Even if it's just an act, they must put on a show of family harmony and happiness, and not let anything go wrong that would delay his important trip to the capital.

However, Chen Qing, the eldest son who was always weak and obedient to him, did not give him face this time and even had a big argument with him, which Chen Huan could not accept.

He lost all face.

Most importantly, he also failed to achieve his goal of "family harmony," which is crucial for his promotion next year. If this fails, then he will lose face in Deqing.

At this moment, Prefect Chen was no longer as calm and composed as before, as if he had everything under control. Instead, he became somewhat irritable and even a little hysterical.

Clearly, this scholar had already "broken down".

Master Gu stood beside him, gently patted his back, coughed, and said quietly, "If Brother Zhaoming insists on breaking off the engagement, I am not obligated to marry my daughter to your Chen family. Since the engagement is broken off, the Chen family does not need to send Chen Sanlang over anymore."

Master Gu said quietly, "I've met that Chen Sanlang before. He's good-looking, but his manners are frivolous and he's not composed enough."

Chen Zhaoming took a few deep breaths before he could barely regain his composure. He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and his hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

After taking a sip of tea, Chen Huan's gaze sharpened again. He stood up, looked at Master Gu, and silently cupped his hands, saying, "It's a misfortune for our family to have such a rebellious son. I apologize for making Brother Chenglong laugh at us."

After saying this, he took his leave: "After I finish dealing with my family matters, I will give Brother Chenglong an explanation. I will try my best to make up for the favor I owed Brother Chenglong back then in the next few years."

After saying that, he took a deep breath and said, "I have some things to take care of, so I'll take my leave now. I'll come to visit Brother Chenglong again when I have time."

Master Gu escorted him all the way to the door. Before Chen Huanlin got into the carriage, Master Gu tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Brother Zhaoming, I can let go of the 50,000 taels of silver from three years ago. I can also help you with the arrangements for your trip to the capital."

"I only hope that Brother Zhaoming will help me with some small favors after he enters the capital."

Upon hearing this, before Master Gu could even offer any help, Chen Huan's expression changed slightly. He then shook his head firmly and said, "Three years ago, I almost got caught up in this very matter. There's absolutely no way I can help the person Brother Chenglong wants to rescue."

"Brother Chenglong."

Chen Huan hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, "This matter has been hanging in the balance for three years. We don't know when it will be settled. You'd better not think about it anymore."

The smile on Mr. Gu's face froze.

He was silent for a moment before saying, "Very well, I'll wait for Brother Zhaoming to repay the favor I did three years ago."

"If Brother Zhaoming does not return it."

Mr. Gu remained silent for a moment without saying anything.

Chen Huan had already sensed the threat in his words, and couldn't help but frown, but he stubbornly held back from speaking.

Because the Gu family does indeed have something on him.

Back then, it would have been too ostentatious to directly give money to the imperial envoy who was sent down to investigate the case. So, many things were handled through the Gu family's channels.

It's incredibly easy to leave some trace or evidence.

This evidence, while not enough to cost Chen Huan his life or fortune, was enough to ruin his political future.

"Brother Chenglong, rest assured."

Chen Huan strode towards the carriage: "I, Chen Zhaoming, keep my word and will never renege on my promise."

"A clean prefect for three years can amass 100,000 taels of silver." Chen Huan has been a prefect for over two years.

He wasn't exactly a corrupt official, but he wasn't exactly incorruptible either. Although he had embezzled a lot of money over the years, his income from years of official service, plus the Chen family's assets, meant that if all else failed, he could borrow some from Madam Li's family and scrape together enough to pay back the 50,000 taels.

The carriage creaked and groaned away quickly. Master Gu stood at his door, watching Chen Zhaoming leave. After a moment of silence, he shook his head and sighed, "Different people, different fates."

"I have longed for such a son so much."

After saying this, Master Gu looked up at the sky, then at the direction of the capital, shook his head, and returned to the Gu family compound with his hands behind his back.

Meanwhile, in the carriage on the other side, Master Chen rubbed his temples, hesitated for a long time, and finally uttered a few words.

"Go to the Deqing County Government Office."

The driver, a servant of the Chen family, immediately responded upon hearing this. He asked a passerby for directions and soon stopped the carriage in front of the Deqing County Government Office.

After the carriage came to a stop, Mr. Chen, sitting inside, closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, going through a difficult internal struggle.

He was wondering whether he should air his dirty laundry in public.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Huan finally made up his mind to resolve this matter and managed to utter a few words with difficulty.

"Go and deliver the visiting card."

"Yes." The servants of the Chen family quickly delivered the visiting card at the entrance of the county government office. After only about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Magistrate Hong, dressed in casual clothes, walked out with small, quick steps.

Chen Huan also got out of the car and looked up at Magistrate Hong.

Magistrate Hong forced a smile, bowed, and said, "When did Prefect Chen arrive in Deqing? He didn't even let me know so I could prepare in advance and give him a proper welcome."

Chen Huan waved his hand and said, "Since we are not from the same prefecture, there is no need to address each other by official titles."

He forced a smile and asked, "Brother, in which year did you become a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)?"

Magistrate Hong replied calmly, "I was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the fifth year of the Jingyuan era."

Chen Huan counted on his fingers.

“It has only been a little over five years since my brother passed the imperial examination.”

It is now the tenth year of Jingyuan.

Chen Huan said quietly, "I was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the eighteenth year of Jianxing."

Magistrate Hong said with a smile, "That gentleman passed the imperial examination more than ten years earlier than I did."

At this point, he remarked with emotion, "Judging from your current age, you must have passed the imperial examination when you were a young man."

The two men exchanged information about when they passed the imperial examinations. Magistrate Hong was very polite and invited Chen Huan into the county office for tea. After they were seated, Magistrate Hong poured tea for Chen Huan and said with a smile, "Mr. Zhaoming should still be in office at this time. Why have you suddenly come to Deqing?"

“I was just about to tell Brother Hong about this.”

Chen Huan looked at him and said quietly, "There's something I'd like to ask Brother Hong for help with."

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Hong's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "What is it, Mr. Zhaoming? Please speak frankly. As fellow officials, I will do my best to help in any way I can."

"It's not a big deal."

Chen Huan slowly said, "My eldest son inexplicably arrived in Deqing some time ago and stayed at the Gu family's place. He made me lose face for no reason. I came here today to take him back to Huzhou and discipline him properly."

"Who would have thought that this rebellious son would actually defy me?"

He looked at Magistrate Hong and said in a deep voice, "Please lend a hand, brother, and send a few constables to escort him back to Huzhou for discipline. I will definitely repay you handsomely in the future."

"Young Master Chen, how dare you defy Master Zhaoming?"

Magistrate Hong stood up abruptly, frowned deeply, and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Zhaoming, please sit here. I will immediately send men to arrest Chen Qing for his disobedience and send him to Huzhou in prison to avenge you!"

"There's no need to send them off in a cage."

Chen Huan waved his hand, looking somewhat embarrassed: "Just take them to Huzhou."

Magistrate Hong stood there stunned, and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Zhaoming, you are also a government official. You should know that the government can only arrest people if there is a crime."

"Without a pretext or orders from a superior, I would not dare to take such action. Otherwise, if the imperial court finds out, I will suffer more than just the loss of my post."

Chen Huan frowned.

"Brother Hong, you're not even willing to help with such a small favor?"

Magistrate Hong stood up, bowed, and smiled bitterly: "Your Excellency is wise. It's not that I don't want to help, but that I dare not. I am still new to this post and dare not make the slightest mistake."

"Otherwise, after you return to Huzhou, go to the prefectural government office. Once the official document is issued, I will immediately issue the warrant to arrest the person and escort him to the prefectural city!"

"it is good."

Upon hearing this, Chen Huan narrowed his eyes slightly and took a sip of tea.

"Brother Hong is really something..."

Mr. Chen let out a long sigh.

"Fair and impartial."

After hearing this, Magistrate Hong poured him some tea, hesitated for a moment, and pretended to be in a difficult position.

“Others will naturally handle matters officially, but Mr. Zhaoming came in person.”

When it comes to doing favors, there's a basic skill: no matter how difficult the matter is, you must always pretend it's very difficult.

Otherwise, this favor would be worthless.

Magistrate Hong sighed, looking troubled.

"This humble official is willing to help."

(End of this chapter)