Chapter 26 Crow’s Mouth

"Why are you so excited about the emperor's family affairs? Okay, okay, I know you are a passionate young man..." Wang An pulled Chongzhen helplessly, and couldn't help but sigh that his rich cousin was really passionate.

Compared to myself who always wanted to "immigrate", I feel a little ashamed.

Chongzhen showed no sign of calming down, and said in a muffled voice: "Brother, are you serious? Is the father-in-law Zhou Kui really so unscrupulous?"

"Tsk, that's not all."

Wang An then told the story of how Chongzhen was raising funds for military pay and how Zhou Kui, who had a fortune of millions, shamelessly cried poor and even withheld half of the 5,000 taels that his daughter had donated to him.

After talking about the gossip like a gossipress, Wang An immediately regretted it.

Because his hot-blooded cousin's eyeballs were about to bulge out of his head due to anger, he couldn't help but worry that they would suddenly fall out.

Wang An tried desperately to signal to Wang Chengen, hoping that the housekeeper would persuade his cousin that anger was harmful to his health. However, Wang Chengen seemed to have a broken spine, with his head drooping on his chest, not even looking at his young master.

Just when he was at a loss, two thugs dressed as servants suddenly rushed in from outside the door. Without saying a word, they kicked over half of the counter and then shouted angrily, "Who is the shopkeeper? Get out here!"

Wang An stood up, squinted his eyes and looked at the visitor, and said with a smile: "I am the shopkeeper, what can I do for you?"

The evil man looked Wang An up and down, then suddenly slapped him in the face.

Fortunately, Wang An had been paying attention to the other party's movements and avoided it in time.

"Let's talk it over nicely!" Wang An smiled apologetically, but a cold light flashed in his eyes.

Wang Chengen glanced at Chongzhen, and when he saw Chongzhen nod, he calmly lifted his sleeves and moved closer behind Wang An, ready to protect him at any time.

However, the female workers who were washing clothes in the backyard heard the noise and ran out. Seeing someone making trouble, they immediately picked up tables, chairs and benches and came up.

They are all old women from the slums, and they are no strangers to throwing tantrums and fighting.

The two younger ones took the opportunity to slip out and greet the husbands of the female workers.

The female workers were very angry, especially the short and fat lady, who held the stool with both hands and said fiercely, "Who dared to come to our Doujia Shop to cause trouble? I tell you to crawl out!"

"Break your hands and feet!"

"Get out of here if you know what's best for you!"

The female workers echoed this.

Wang Chengen quietly withdrew and whispered in Chongzhen's ear, "I didn't realize this young master is so popular."

Chongzhen was still immersed in the grief of learning the true identity of his father-in-law, and did not say anything when he heard this.

The leading servant was so angry that he wanted to take action but was afraid of being beaten up by these old women. How could he face people with his face covered with scratches?

He could only say in a timid tone: "We are from the father-in-law's mansion. I advise you to be careful and not commit crimes!"

"The father-in-law's house! Zhou Kui?" Chongzhen suddenly stood up.

Wang An couldn't help but widen his eyes. They were just talking about Zhou Kui, and Zhou Kui's servant came?

Is it really not okay to gossip about others behind their backs?

Zhou Kui was not granted the title of Earl of Jiading until the third year of Chongzhen, when his grandson Zhu Cilang was granted the title of Crown Prince. Therefore, he did not have a title at that time, and the family servants called themselves the Father-in-law of the Emperor.

There is no other reason, the title of father-in-law is more intimidating than that of left general.

When the servant heard someone reveal his origins, he immediately became very proud and said, "You are quite knowledgeable, but can you call my master by his name? Boy, if you know what's good for you, give me two taels of tea money and I will let you go!"

Chongzhen was so angry that he laughed. He sneered, "You want to collect my tea money? Ask your master to do it!" "Hey, you are so arrogant, I think you will have a good beating!"

Wang An was protected by a female worker, and this slave wanted to take out his anger on Chongzhen.

Wang Chengen was shocked when he saw this and shouted quickly. Suddenly, seven or eight men with knives appeared out of nowhere.

It was the Jinyiwei in disguise beside Chongzhen.

Wang An mentioned before that Chongzhen always brought so many big men with swords with him, which made him feel oppressed. So before setting off, Chongzhen specifically instructed the Jinyiwei to hide and not appear without being summoned.

The servant was startled and retreated cursing.

Little did he know that Wang Chengen's shout was equivalent to saving his entire clan.

Otherwise, if this servant made any attacking gesture, he would be charged with the crime of assassinating the emperor.

The servant cursed and said, "Don't mess around. My master is the Left Commander of the Left Army Commander's Office. Be careful or he will send troops to encircle and suppress you."

Wang Chengen said angrily, "Come on, stop talking nonsense. Why are you causing trouble for this herbal medicine shop?"

The servant then remembered the important matter and said in a pretentious manner, "I heard that your herbal medicine shop has a kind of medicine that can cure back abscess?"

Wang An nodded, "So what?"

"What a coincidence!" the servant said, "My father-in-law is planning to open a big pharmacy, and he's in need of a secret herbal medicine. We're here to buy your prescription!"

Wang An immediately laughed in anger, "You also know that this is a secret medicine passed down from our ancestors. If I sell it to your master, how can it be considered an ancestral medicine? Unless you let Zhou Kui kneel down and call me grandpa, and kowtow seven or eight times."

Chongzhen rolled his eyes for the first time in his life. If Zhou Kui calls you grandpa, what should I call you?
The servant wanted to take action, but when he looked at the seven or eight female workers and then at the seven or eight men with knives, he realized that he could not bully anyone today, and he felt disappointed.

He pointed at Wang An threateningly and walked out.

Wang An and Chongzhen did not bother with such a servant, but just watched him leave coldly.

After the other party left, Wang An looked at Chongzhen with a bitter smile and said without hesitation: "Natural disasters, man-made disasters, corrupt officials, and even the emperor's father-in-law came out to harm the people. Do you think the Ming Dynasty will not perish?"

"My dear brother, it seems that our herbal medicine shop can no longer operate."

Upon hearing this, the female workers couldn't help but look sad.

Almost all of these families relied on working for Wang An to make a living.

Now that Wang An is gone, where can they find good customers to provide hot water?
Some of those who have a low tear point have already started sobbing.

Chongzhen did not ask why the business could not be continued. Although he was the emperor, he was not so out of touch with reality.

As the saying goes, the people should not fight against the officials, let alone the other party is the father-in-law of the emperor.

However, Chongzhen would never let his "Liu Bowen" be displaced, so he reached out and patted Wang An on the shoulder.

Chongzhen's eyes rarely showed a ruthless look, and he consoled him: "Brother, please be at ease. I have made some friends with the powerful in the capital these days."

"Give me a few days to find someone to mediate. I don't think Zhou Kui is so unreasonable."

Wang An sighed and was about to say, "Kid, you are too young," but when he met Chongzhen's sincere eyes, he couldn't bear to dampen the child's kindness.

He nodded and warned: "Remember not to spend too much money on connections. If you have that little money, you might as well invest in me!"

(End of this chapter)