Chapter 60

Sun Datou shook the IOUs in his hand with a cold laugh.

"Only six hundred taels were at three percent interest. The other six hundred were at nine percent. We run a legitimate business. We assessed before lending. Knowing your family couldn’t raise more than six hundred taels, how could we possibly lend Ding Chi so much?"

"Ding Chi urgently needed money and voluntarily agreed to borrow another six hundred taels at nine percent interest. Our boss, being benevolent and righteous, lent him six hundred taels in his personal capacity."

"Impossible!" Ding Zhuang roared, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Sun Datou retorted, "It's written in black and white. You can't deny it."

Ding Zhao, Xia Lizheng, and Ding Shan stood up to examine the documents again. Initially, they had only looked at the first IOU, which stated three percent interest, but the second one listed nine percent interest.

With a nod of sadness and anger, Ding Zhao confirmed to Ding Zhuang, "There's another IOU at nine percent interest."

Ding Zhuang swayed and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Ding Shan quickly went over to help him sit down.

Ding Zhao, though furious, had to accept the situation. He took out a pile of coins and small silver pieces, saying, "Here are thirty-four strings of coins and four taels of broken silver. This is all we have. For the remaining thirty-four taels, we ask Sun to be lenient and allow us to borrow at three percent interest for another three months."

Sun Datou declared, "Our boss is angry, saying the Ding family lacks credibility and doesn't want to lend you money anymore. The deadline is today, and not a penny less will be accepted."

Ding Zhao, veins throbbing with anger, still pleaded, "Please show mercy, sir. Speak on our behalf for an extension."

Sun Datou shook his head, "The boss has made it clear: today is the final deadline, and we will no longer deal with your Ding family."

Ding Zhuang, with bulging eyes, declared, "Even if you kill us, this is all we have right now. We have no more money, only our lives. Take my old life if you must."

Sun Datou scolded, "Your old life isn't worth that much. Using people to repay debts isn't unheard of. We'll take your children as payment."

Ding Zhao angrily retorted, "We don't sell our children. We've repaid over a thousand taels, are we going to cheat you out of a few dozen taels?"

Sun Datou snorted, "You're not cheating, you're repaying. If you can't repay, use your children to cover the debt. Daring to play tricks with our pawnshop, you're really tired of living."

He then turned to everyone in the room, bowing and saying, "Paying debts is a matter of course. Let everyone here witness that the Ding family can pay but chooses not to. You can't blame us then."

Using children or daughters-in-law to settle debts was not uncommon. The Ding family had three children who were worth some money, so their request to use the children to offset the debt seemed plausible.

Everyone present knew that Ding Zhuang cherished his grandchildren and would never agree to sell his children.

Ding Er Zuzu, trembling, said, "We do have three children in the family, but even selling all of them would not cover the debt. Please, sir, grant us a few more days of leniency."

Xia Lizheng also spoke up, "Surely we can't let this lead to a loss of life? Please, go back and plead with your boss to allow them to extend the loan at three percent interest."

Sun Datou's expression softened, suggesting, "I'll give you a way out. I've heard your little girl is quite promising. Properly nurtured, she could bring prosperity to your family in the future. Our boss says the girl is worth fifty taels, plus your house. This way, you'll still have some money left, a place to live, and a way to survive. Selling the girl for such a price is an act of kindness from our boss."

"Our boss also said buying this little girl is like betting on a stone. If she turns out as good as Ding Hongbi said, she could be trained into a top courtesan or famous prostitute, potentially fetching thousands of taels."

Ding Zhuang leaped up, his eyes bulging with fury, and roared, "I'll chop you to pieces if you dare lay a finger on Xiang Xiang!"

Ding Zhao also shouted, "We won’t sell Xiang Xiang."

Sun Datou's face hardened, "What, you want to default on the debt?"

The enforcers inside started cracking their knuckles, ready to seize the girl by force.

Xia Lizheng quickly stood up, bowing and saying, "Gentlemen, please calm down. Allow us to persuade the Ding family."

Xia Lizheng and others quietly began persuading Ding Zhuang and his son.

"An average three-year-old girl would sell for five or six taels at most. They're offering fifty taels and your house; it's a good deal for you."

"The pawnshop spending so much to buy Xiang Xiang surely won't mistreat her. She might even have a better life than with you."

"A girl will eventually belong to another family, what’s there to hesitate about? Selling her ensures a better life for her and your family."

"Exchanging one granddaughter for the safety of the whole family and a house is worth it. We can't afford to offend the pawnshop; this outcome is the best."

  ……

Ding Zhuang and Ding Zhao realized why the pawnshop waited until so late to collect the debt. They had cut off their options to borrow money from the county, forcing them into a corner where selling Xiang Xiang seemed the only way out. Not selling her would make it look like they had the means to pay but chose not to, legitimizing the pawnshop’s claim.

The pawnshop wouldn’t make a losing deal. Willing to pay so much for Xiang Xiang meant they likely intended to send her to an unsavory place.

His eyes reddened with emotion, Ding Zhuang exclaimed, "If you're willing to sell your children, that's your business. I, Ding Zhuang, will never sell my granddaughter."

Sun Datou sneered, "So, you're planning to default on your debts? Everyone present, don't blame us then. They have the means to pay but refuse." He waved his hand, "The child is in the east wing, go and seize her to settle the debt."

Ding Er's ancestors and others, annoyed by Ding Zhuang's shouting, secretly blamed him for failing to grasp the situation, even less competent than a woman in critical times. However much he cherished the girl, he shouldn't jeopardize the entire family.

"Hold on!"

Both Ding Zhuang and Ding Zhao shouted in unison, leaping up.

Ding Zhao said, "It's late in the Shen hour now, there are still a few hours until tomorrow. Give us time to raise the money."

Sun Datou sat back, "It seems you’re not completely out of options. Fine, I'll give you one more hour. If you fail to borrow the money, don’t blame us for being unkind."

Apart from the Guo family in the county town, no one could muster such a large sum.

Ding Zhao still looked pleadingly at the people in the room, hoping that small contributions would add up.

Apart from Ding Shan, the others averted their eyes.

Selling the girl could save the entire family, yet Ding Zhuang and his son were unwilling.

Ding Shan, sweating, said, "I can borrow six strings of coins, that’s all I have. We need to survive, and Qingzi needs medicine."

Xia Erbo hesitated, "My family can lend three hundred wen."

Ding Shuan said, "My family can lend another two hundred wen."

Ding Zhao bowed to them in gratitude, then said, "I'll go to the Xia family’s house."

If Xia Yuanwai was willing to help, he could also provide such an amount. Yesterday, Ding Zhuang had thick-skinnedly sought Xia Yuanwai's help, but he was refused even an audience.

With no other options left, Ding Zhao had to swallow his pride and beg once more.

In the east wing, Zhang Shi and her two companions were glued to the window, listening to the commotion outside.

Hearing that the pawnshop's men intended to forcefully sell her, Ding Xiang was terrified.

"Thank you, Melanie Love Quanquan, for the 2400 QiDian coins, and thanks to Song Amei, 202205082112343688, Sesshoumaru Shinmorin for your rewards... The end of the month is near, continuing to ask for monthly votes..."