After the cannon fodder father and daughter married into the family, the whole family regretted it

Master Chen picked up the teacup, savored it carefully, and after a long while, he said, "There is a deputy minister in the Ministry of Revenue, named Zhu, who has some friendship with me. He was recently on a business trip and passed through Huai'an Prefecture. He revealed some news to me."

"Further south, in Zhejiang Prefecture, pirates have appeared in the waters. The imperial court intends to send troops to fight, but the treasury is limited."

"The Ministry of Revenue proposed to impose donations and recruit officials."

Master Chen glanced at Fang Jin's expression and reminded him, "Even though the officials who received donations may not be as legitimate as those who passed the imperial examination, they are still officials, and ordinary people cannot compare to them."

Fang Jin was silent for a long time.

He has been studying since he was young in order to become superior to others one day.

Unfortunately, fate was cruel and he failed in the exams many times, so Qin Yan's child, who hadn't even grown all his hair yet, became a scholar.

He was unwilling to accept his fate.

"Sir, how do I make a donation?"

"There are only three vacancies. The prefectural magistrate, 100,000 taels! The inspector, 50,000 taels! The county magistrate, 10,000 taels!"

Master Chen spoke in a steady tone.

Fang Jin couldn't help but gasp.

Where did he get the ten thousand taels of silver?

The Tongpan was a sixth-rank official, the Supervisory Commissioner was a seventh-rank official, and the County Magistrate was a seventh-rank official.

None of the three can be considered high-ranking officials, yet they want so much money.

"Sir, I..." He opened his mouth.

Master Chen raised his hand to interrupt, "This is your only chance. Master Zhu will be leaving in three days. Fang Jin, please consider this carefully. The decision is yours. I'm raising this matter because I've noticed you've become increasingly depressed. Otherwise, it's safer to take the imperial examination."

Apart from anything else, officials who are Jinshi graduates can climb up step by step and get promoted as long as they perform well and have achievements.

Officials who were born into a family through donations had basically no room for advancement and would spend their entire lives in the same position.

Fang Jin left in a daze.

He didn't know what to do.

After years of studying hard, he was told since childhood that he was a rare talent and would definitely achieve great things.

He also firmly believed in his talent for studying, but he was just unlucky and was implicated in several dangerous situations.

But in these three years, he failed the exam once, and he didn't understand why.

He wanted to ask someone with connections to see the test papers of those who had passed the exam.

But there was no way out. Because of the previous imperial examination cheating incident, the investigation has been very strict in recent years.

He was already thirty-five years old and didn't have many chances left. But Qin Yan was like the rising sun, and he passed the imperial examination in one fell swoop.

Maybe in a few years he will be able to pass the imperial examination or even become a Jinshi.

Fang Tong wouldn't know how to be proud then, he couldn't let himself be outdone! He was the eldest son of the Fang family, he was the hope for the Fang family's glory.

His father had one hand broken off for him.

Thinking of this, Fang Jin paused and his eyes gradually became firm.

After the current emperor ascended the throne, he repeatedly opened up the imperial examination system and valued talents, but the corresponding donations were rarely used.

If he missed this opportunity, he didn't know if there would be another one like this.

As long as he had enough money, he could become an official, a county magistrate, or even a magistrate.

Fang Jin knew that even if he passed the imperial examination after much difficulty, his starting point would only be a county magistrate if he came from a poor family.

If there is no one to help you in the officialdom, it will also be difficult to advance.

By this calculation, it is no different from the official position he donated.

After trying to comfort himself, Fang Jin made a plan.

Since there is an opportunity to donate, he cannot just aim to be a county magistrate. He should become the magistrate of the prefectural capital, which is a higher rank and allows him to come into contact with more powerful people.

Only one hundred thousand taels are needed.

He couldn't come up with 100,000 taels. Even if he sold his house in the capital, his fields and shops, he still couldn't raise enough.

He was reluctant to sell it.

The Wang family is rich.

Just like Hongxiu said, the Wang family has no male heirs, and he is the son-in-law of the Wang family. From now on, everything in the Wang family will belong to him.

So it shouldn't be difficult for him to ask the Wang family to pay 100,000 taels to buy him an official position.

Fang Jin's heart was burning with passion, and he had forgotten the shame that Wang Fujiao had brought him by divorcing her in public.

Those who achieve great things are not careful about the little things.

He just has to be patient for now. Once he becomes an official, the Wang family will no longer be able to control him.

By then, there will be plenty of ways to deal with this shrew Wang Fujiao.

Feeling furious, Fang Jin quickened his pace and soon arrived at Wang's house.

He went up and knocked on the door, but no one responded for a long time.

Fang Jin gritted his teeth, lifted his robe, and knelt at the door of the Wang family.

The servant of the Wang family saw it while lying on the crack of the door, his eyes lit up, but he was not in a hurry to open the door, but ran towards the yard instead.

"Master, Master, you are so wise! If the son-in-law really comes, he will kneel at the door. Do you want to invite the young lady?"

The servant reported excitedly.

Mr. Wang sneered. It was not that he was good at calculating, but that Fang Jin was greedy enough to covet his property.

He waved his hand and said, "Don't rush to inform the young lady. Let them kneel at the door for an hour to sober up. If they haven't left, come and inform me."

"Yes, little one, let's do it right now."

The servant took the order and left.

The sun is shining brightly and the heat is at its peak. It is noon now and even the farmers in the fields have to go home to avoid the sun.

Fang Jin knelt on the bluestone slab, feeling dizzy and dazzled by the sun, and his knees were burning and painful.

He moved around secretly a few times, but did not dare to stand up, for fear that all his efforts would be wasted.

Sweat broke out on his forehead, and even the breath he exhaled was hot.

Fang Jin glanced at the tightly closed door of the Wang family, and the resentment in his heart continued to grow.

He knew that the Wang family did it on purpose to intimidate him.

It was clearly the shrew Wang Fujiao who was rude first. He put aside the past grudges and came to apologize, but the Wang family still dared to treat him like this. They are really ungrateful.

An hour later, the Wang family's door finally opened.

But the servants seemed not to notice him, the son-in-law, and hurriedly drove away in the carriage.

A quarter of an hour later, he came back and helped a white-haired old man out of the car. The old man was holding a medicine box in his hand and was obviously a doctor.

Fang Jin felt dizzy from the sun. He opened his eyes and took a look, but he had no idea what the Wang family was up to.

This time he was finally able to enter the yard.

"Doctor Wan, please follow me to the backyard. Our young lady is still waiting."

After the servant finished speaking, he raised his eyebrows and glanced at Fang Jin.

"Sir, if you go straight ahead you will reach the front hall. I will not show you the way for now."

After saying this, the servant really took Doctor Wan away.

Fang Jin was left almost frozen in place. This was really a trick to fool him.

He didn't believe that anything could happen to Wang Fujiao. When she beat someone in the morning, she was very strong.

He lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. The servants of the Wang family still called him son-in-law, which proved that Mr. Wang did not want to lose such a good son-in-law.

Apart from him, few people were willing to marry Wang Fujiao. Moreover, Wang Fujiao was pregnant with his child, so he was the only one she could rely on in the future.

Fang Jin felt confident and after a moment of hesitation, he calmly headed towards the front hall.

lobby.

Landlord Wang sat in the main seat, with two accountants standing to his left, clacking away on their abacus.

Listening to the continuous sound of abacus, Landlord Wang narrowed his eyes and took a sip of tea.

"Master, the silk business has earned a total of three thousand taels in the past six months."

"Two batches of tea sent to Beijing were damaged by moisture, resulting in considerable losses."

The two accountants walked one in front and one behind.

"Oh? How much loss?" Mr. Wang looked at them unkindly.

"Two thousand taels." The accountant lowered his head and responded in a low voice.

Mr. Wang snorted coldly, which meant that he had been busy for more than half a year and had only earned a thousand taels.

There was no expression on his face, but anger was boiling in his heart.

What? The tea got wet, so they lost two batches. The person he sent to deliver the tea had been doing this for over ten years. How could he not handle such a small matter?

If it rains on the road, the goods must be placed in the warehouse in advance, and there are special people to check them day and night.

If there is still a problem, it is because of people's hearts.

He did business with the Bo family and seemed to be making a lot of money.

But the servants in the Bo's Mansion are not so innocent either, each one is more greedy than the other.

In the past, they only asked for a bribe of one or two hundred taels, but now they have set their sights on his goods.

Mr. Wang was filled with disdain and wanted to get out of this muddy water even more.

"My son-in-law greets my father-in-law." Fang Jin bowed, as if he had not heard their previous conversation.

Mr. Wang came back to his senses. He waved his hand and asked the two accountants to go down first.

His sharp gaze fell on Fang Jin.

"It's Fang Jin, what brings you here today?"

Hearing the alienation and displeasure in his tone, Fang Jin quickly corrected his attitude and became more humble.

"Father-in-law, I was drunk and behaved badly, which upset Jiaojiao. She was pregnant and went back to her parents' home in anger. It's all my fault. I'm here to apologize and take Jiaojiao home."

As he said this, he knelt down again.

This is how human kneecaps work. Once they become soft, they will never be able to harden again.

There was a cold light in Mr. Wang's eyes.

"Fang Jin, I'm not worthy of being called your father-in-law."

"You and Jiaojiao have a shallow marriage. Since it's already broken, there's no need to force it. As a father, I don't want to see Jiaojiao sad for you anymore."

Fang Jin's body stiffened slightly, and he pursed his lips before speaking.

"Father-in-law, the fault for what happened today is all mine. I have admitted my mistake. It is up to you to decide whether to punish me or not. Please give me another chance."

For the sake of a hundred thousand taels, for a chance to turn things around, and to avoid being oppressed by Fang Tong, he was willing to bow his head temporarily.

Fang Jin secretly clenched his fists and told himself that Han Xin also endured the humiliation under his crotch before he achieved his future glory.

Mr. Wang looked at him quietly and didn't say anything for a long time.

Fang Jin felt a little unsure.

After thinking for a while, he suddenly opened his outer robe, revealing his smooth back.

"My son-in-law was not well prepared, so he should be the one to take the blame."

Mr. Wang stroked his beard and felt that Fang Jin was more daring than he thought.

"Fang Jin, I, Wang, have lived for most of my life and have only had one daughter. I treat her like the apple of my eye."

"Jiaojiao is sometimes ignorant. She was wrong to do such a willful thing as divorcing her husband in public. I'm afraid you are also resentful in your heart."

"I dare not." Fang Jin said hurriedly.

Is he really afraid or just pretending not to dare? Master Wang knows.

He continued, "I thought, since your life is better now and you have other thoughts, why not take this opportunity to break up with Jiaojiao to avoid further embarrassment in the future."

"Logically, I shouldn't interfere in your backyard affairs, but since you two have gotten to this point, I, as your father, have to say a few words."

"I know my daughter. She's very straightforward and won't tolerate any injustice."

"I've already done a lot for you by tolerating He before, but you now take roast chicken as your concubine."

"Roasted Chicken has been serving Jiaojiao since she was little. In Jiaojiao's heart, she is no different from a sister. Even rabbits don't eat grass near their burrows. Fang Jin, no matter how lustful you are, you should have some sense of morality."

Mr. Wang looked serious and his tone was full of condemnation.

"Jiaojiao is pregnant and is naturally sensitive and suspicious. Instead of being extra considerate and caring, you keep looking for other women outside. Fang Jin, do you have a conscience?"

Fang Jin lowered his head and listened to the lecture, his face full of shame.

But in his heart he could not help but think of what Hongxiu said. When the wife of a wealthy family becomes pregnant, she will take the initiative to take a concubine or arrange for a maid to stay with her husband.

It was obvious that Wang Fujiao was jealous and forced He to divorce him, which caused him to lose his composure for a moment.

Furthermore, Wang Fujiao was too spoiled. Even when He was pregnant, she was not so irritable. She worked in the fields and cooked at home without missing a beat.

"It's my fault. I've failed the imperial examinations for years, and I feel guilty towards my parents and Jiaojiao. I can't let her enjoy happiness with me. I was in a bad mood and drank too much, so..."

Fang Jin's face was full of regret, and his eyes were filled with melancholy.

Looking at the situation like this, if Wang Fujiao were here, she would probably be soft-hearted again.

But as a man, would Mr. Wang be fooled by his few words?

What self-blame and shame? Who would take two concubines out of guilt towards his wife?

It's just half-truth, half-false, switching perspectives, and confusing the audience. Mr. Wang has used this statement many times.

For example, his feeling of being down because of repeated failures in the exams is true, but his feeling of guilt towards his parents and wife is false.

For example, he was unhappy and resentful because he failed the exam, could not become an official, and could not live a good life, but he had to say that he could not bring Jiaojiao to live a good life.

Finally, he developed a lustful desire to take a concubine, but he insisted on saying it was due to excessive drinking. If anyone could have sex while drunk, why didn't he make a move on the servant? And why did he choose the rather attractive roast chicken instead?

Oh man.

Mr. Wang was disdainful in his heart, but the anger on his face was less than usual. He sighed deeply.

"Now that things have come to this, you can go back."

"father in law!"

Fang Jin became anxious and kowtowed three times.

From childhood to adulthood, he had never kowtowed so sincerely in front of his biological father.

"Please forgive me this time. I want to see Jiaojiao and tell her in person. You know that divorcing a husband is not something that can be done."

"Humph, do you think that a daughter of the Wang family doesn't have the confidence to divorce her husband?"

Mr. Wang slammed the table and asked angrily.

"That's not what I meant. It's just a matter of marriage, and it concerns both families. There's no need to rush into it, as if it were a child's play."

"Father-in-law, I'm deeply in love with Jiaojiao. This time there was some misunderstanding. I will definitely change in the future."

Fang Jin gritted his teeth and said, "I'll divorce Hongxiu when I get back."

For the sake of one hundred thousand taels, he could only temporarily let Hongxiu down. I think Hongxiu could understand.

He didn't notice that Mr. Wang's eyes were looking at him more and more coldly.

What a heartless and ungrateful Fang Jin.

"Forget it, since you are asking sincerely, I will give you a chance to meet Jiaojiao."

"Jiaojiao is such a whiny child. She complained of a stomachache the moment she came back. I've consulted several doctors, and they all said her fetus is unstable and there are signs of miscarriage. Fang Jin, if you provoke her again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Mr. Wang looked threateningly.

"I dare not. I already regret it." Fang Jin's eyes were full of concern: "I wonder how Jiaojiao is doing now?"