第二十二章 (Chapter Twenty-Two)

Lao Zhang delivered his final demand to Long Shugu:

"Old Long! If the cash you owe ain't here by tomorrow, it's court for us! Any pleas, without the dough, you'll see me in the flesh! Signed, Zhang."

Long Shugu panicked and immediately handed in a letter of surrender, arranging to meet Lao Zhang at Taifengju Restaurant in Xinjiekou to negotiate all terms; all expenses for food and drink were to be paid by the weaker party!

The tactics on both sides were formidable, but from a historian's perspective, Lao Zhang ultimately held the upper hand over Old Long, despite the latter being an officer-an officer in the Salvation Army, a force more charitable than martial.

Both representatives attended on time, and the meeting at Taifengju Restaurant commenced.

"Old Long! Let's cut to the chase! You've blown through piles of silver, and now you play the fool with me? That won't fly!" Lao Zhang's entire posture radiated superiority over Long Shugu. He threw his head back, half-closed his eyes, and jabbed a finger in Old Long's direction.

"Let's talk it over slowly; no need to hurry," Officer Long replied with unshaken calm.

"If you ain't in a hurry, you're a spineless worm! Those shiny silver dollars with Old Yuan's mug-vanished without a trace! You don't care, but I do! No choice-it's court for us!" Lao Zhang turned his head away from Old Long, watching other patrons eat.

"If we go to court, Lao Zhang, you don't know the first thing about law."

"How so?"

"Look, nowadays if you go to court, you need a lawyer. Say you're fighting over a thousand dollars; the lawyer's fee alone could be five or six hundred. Once the lawsuit starts, it might drag on for three to five years, and the travel costs will bleed you dry. Even if you win, enforcing the judgment takes ages, but the lawyer's appearance fees and your expenses are all cash upfront. If you skimp and don't hire one, I will, and lawyers have a knack for twisting wrong into right."

"I've got friends in legal circles," Officer Long continued, his tone measured but firm. "They all say the same: better to swallow an insult than get tangled in a lawsuit, unless you're dead set on a fight no matter the cost. Lao Zhang, think it over calmly. Best we settle this peacefully. If you don't buy it and insist on court, then I, Old Long, will have to oblige!"

Lao Zhang's eyes rolled as he did a quick mental tally of all his ledgers and past dealings. Then he said:

"Whether to sue or not is my call; you can't be the plaintiff anyway. True or false, I've no time to ponder your words. But Old Long, our friendship matters; no need to tear into each other and give folks a laugh. So, what's your move?"

"Pay back slowly."

"Don't jerk me around, Old Long! I've heard that line five hundred times if I've heard it once!"

"You got a solution or not?"

"Yes! But I doubt you'll go for it!"

"Let's hear it!"

"Same as before: with a daughter like yours, why not get some betrothal gifts to clear your debts?"

"Without someone reliable to handle it, those gifts won't drop from the sky, will they?"

"Look here!" Lao Zhang pointed at his own nose. "Your daughter might as well be mine. If you're willing, Lao Zhang promises: I'll do right by a friend!"

"What's your scheme?"

"Listen, have you met Sun Ba?"

"Isn't he that simple-minded country squire?"

"Old Long, don't sell him short! Well, now! A country squire? He's got a good heart, good learning. And he's a born moneybags!"

"His money's his own."

"Maybe it could be ours! Sun Ba's not old; he's only around thirty. He once told me he wanted to marry a schoolgirl. I filed it away, but when I saw your Feng, it clicked. With her looks and learning, and Sun Ba's character and standing, they're a match made in heaven. But I never breathed a word to you."

"Not outright, but did you hint?"

"Old Long, old pal, don't fight me on every word!" Lao Zhang deliberately yielded a point, showing weakness to Old Long, for a man can lose his head over winning an argument. "If you're truly willing, I can talk to Sun Ba. If it works, the girl's set, you clear your debts-two birds with one stone, eh? Now, name your price."

"Three hundred thousand dollars."

"Old Long!" Lao Zhang chuckled. "Don't sell yourself short! Even the president wouldn't shell out three hundred grand for a bride!"

"If I'm selling, I want it worth my while; for five coppers apiece, I could buy a handful!"

"This ain't a sale; it's a proper marriage, with a red sedan chair carrying her out! The betrothal gifts aren't a body price!"

"Then, no written deed?"

"Well-even if we write one, there are ways and ways."

"Lao Zhang! Let's lay our cards on the table: if we write a sale contract, it's got to be over ten thousand; without it, we can talk over a thousand. Luckily, the money goes through your hands; you deduct my debt. Even if only one copper's left after that, we'll buy a packet of jasmine tea-a little token to mark the 'occasion' of selling my own daughter. Ain't that a fine thought?"

"You're a true friend, give me your hand!" Lao Zhang extended his hand and gave Officer Long's a hearty shake. "No sale deed, but a marriage certificate is a must!"

"As you handle it; handle it well, and your money's safe. Otherwise, if the money vanishes again, I, Long, won't be held responsible for the delay. With my daughter, Sun Ba's money, and you in the middle, that's the deal. I await good news!"

"Good friend! Come on! Treat me to a cup of celebration wine today!"

The weaker party's duty to cover food and drink was spelled out in the letter of surrender, so Officer Long had no choice but to order some wine and dishes to treat Lao Zhang.

The meeting at Taifengju Restaurant adjourned, and outside the wind howled with renewed fury. Lao Zhang strode homeward bravely and cheerfully into the north wind, as if the world's gloom and tumult were his ideal domain!