The male supporting character was actually myself.

However, upon seeing the scene before him, he couldn't help but frown.

Dozens of people, young and old, huddled in the small space in the courtyard, all looking at them with terrified and helpless expressions.

Upon hearing that the two young masters of the Marshal's Mansion had come to collect the debts in person, people living nearby rushed over to watch the spectacle. The walls and trees were immediately surrounded by layers upon layers of people. Even under the blazing firelight, no one dared to make a sound as they all stared intently at the scene unfolding in the courtyard.

"Jiang Chen, we're here to collect debts, not to rob and plunder. Look at the children your men have scared!" Seeing this, Li Dongchen felt he should use a stark contrast to win favor, so he frowned slightly and scolded, "Why aren't you making them leave right now?"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, finding it amusing to herself.

Is this the kind-hearted character the scriptwriters created for him? Trying to gain favor when there are many onlookers—that's a really underhanded tactic. But his level is just too low; he thinks he can outmaneuver me with such a paltry scheme?

"Second Master!" Zhang Mingyuan was displeased and wanted to stand up for him to save face.

Your master's second master brought a large group of men to embolden you, Li Dongchen, and you turned around and accused him of trying to improve your own reputation. You're using others' reputations to glorify yourself, turning a simple debt collection into a power struggle. It's disgusting!

Jiang Chen raised his hand to stop him from speaking, then turned to his subordinates and smiled, "Since our brother doesn't need our help, we'll step back and come back whenever he needs us."

After saying that, he flicked his cloak, grabbed the reins, turned his horse around, and went out of the courtyard. Zhang Mingyuan's face darkened slightly as he waved his hand to signal, and the horse neighed and quickly left, taking out all the torches that were burning brightly in everyone's hands.

"Creak, bang!"

Jiang Chen watched as his men withdrew to the street as ordered. He bent down slightly on his horse to close the courtyard gate and then smiled at Lieutenant Li, saying, "You heard it too. My elder brother thinks that I'm leading too many men and scaring the children, so I'll wait here for orders. I'll only charge forward when my brother tells me to so as not to affect his performance."

Lieutenant Li gave him a deep look, neither responding nor objecting, and held the riding whip in his hand with his eyes slightly closed.

The sound of horses' hooves came and went quickly, and in an instant, the entire courtyard, which had been as bright as day illuminated by torches, became dark.

Li Dongchen blinked hard but still couldn't recover. After suddenly losing the light source, they were both a little dazed and confused as everything went dark.

"Sir, I am Li Erlaizi. May I ask your name?"

Li Erlaizi was enjoying himself on the kang (a heated brick bed) after smoking opium when he suddenly heard a commotion outside. He looked out the window and saw Li Yexiao. He was so frightened that he almost ran away without even putting on his shoes.

Before he could figure out how to escape, Li Yexiao suddenly led his men out, leaving a frail-looking scholar standing in the courtyard.

He suddenly remembered the rumors circulating that the second son of the Li family was ruthless and a scoundrel, while the eldest son of the Li family was always kind-hearted and couldn't bear to see pitiful people.

Judging from the fact that the scholar rebuked Li Yexiao just now and he didn't even dare to say a harsh word back, this refined young master must be Li Dongchen, the eldest son of the Marshal's Mansion, right?

Looking around, he saw that the courtyard was already surrounded, and there was no way he could escape under the watchful eyes of everyone. So, Li Erlaizi, who was known for his swindling and cheating, decided to take a gamble. He came out of the room barefoot, hunched over and panting, but after taking only a few steps, he collapsed to the ground.

"Sir, is there something you need from me?"

Upon hearing the weak and hoarse response, Li Dongchen subconsciously took a step forward.

But obviously few of the people living in the courtyard could afford oil lamps. In the pitch black, he couldn't see anything and stepped into the sewage, which immediately soaked his shoes and filled the air with a sour smell. Li Dongchen got goosebumps all over his body and cursed Li Jiangchen in his heart for tripping him up without even leaving him a light!

"I am the eldest son of the Li family, the young marshal Li." He suppressed his nausea and discomfort, carefully choosing his words to make them sound gentle, and explained in a soothing tone, "I saw on the loan agreement that the money you borrowed is overdue for six months, and you still need to repay twenty silver dollars, including principal and interest..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Erlaizi lay on the ground and sobbed softly, "Young Marshal, it's not that I'm refusing to pay, it's just that I really have no money! Look at my poor family and broken business, I've been a bachelor for most of my life and all I have left are these few ancestral houses that can barely keep me sheltered from the wind and rain."

I was forced to borrow money from the bank to pay for medical treatment.

Look at me, so sickly. I haven't found a wife or children to serve me tea and water at my bedside. I... sigh! When I first fell seriously ill, I didn't have the money to treat it, and I wouldn't have survived. I had no choice but to mortgage my ancestral home for fifteen silver dollars.

And so, he barely managed to save his life, having spent every last penny.

For the past six months or so, I've been barely surviving, sometimes starving and sometimes full. Forget about paying back the principal and interest to the money lender, I can't even come up with a single silver dollar right now!

"Young Marshal, please have mercy on me, I'm all alone, sick, and poor. Please, have mercy and give me a few more days. Wait for me, wait a little longer, and I'll find a job and earn money. I promise I'll pay you back! If you take this ancestral home, I won't even have a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Autumn is almost here, and winter is approaching. I'll freeze and starve to death if I have nowhere to stay warm..."

A grown man knelt on the ground, sobbing and wailing, and Li Dongchen's heart softened upon hearing it.

Looking up at the figures of onlookers in the courtyard, on the walls, and in the trees, he sighed, took out his wallet from his pocket, and handed over two silver dollars. "You're already in such dire straits. It would be heartless of you to come and collect debts here. You can owe the money from the bank for now. This is a small token of my appreciation. Take it and buy some food and get some medicine. Once you're better, find a job and start earning money as soon as possible. Otherwise, you'll eventually freeze or starve to death if you just sit around and do nothing."

"Thank you, thank you, Young Marshal!" Li Erlaizi was overjoyed and took the money, then kowtowed repeatedly on the ground.

He originally just wanted to fool this rich kid and give him a few days' grace so he could hide away and have some time to hang out. He never expected that he could earn two silver dollars by making up a few lines of lyrics and wailing a few times!

This is enough money for me to smoke opium for a while. The fool from the Marshal's Mansion didn't come to collect debts; he's practically a god of wealth!

With money to be had, Li Erlaizi fully displayed his acting talent, clutching the two silver dollars with tears of gratitude, showering Li Dongchen with compliments, praising him as a bodhisattva descended to earth, an unparalleled good person.

"I know how hard life is for poor people."

Li Dongchen felt a great sense of accomplishment, having finally been able to help one of the suffering masses. His kind heart was also greatly satisfied. He smiled and waved, saying, "Everyone, please disperse. I'm really sorry for disturbing you so late at night."

Everyone gets sick sometimes, and taking out a high-interest loan for medical treatment is a last resort. Don't worry about paying back the loan while you recover. I'll talk to the head manager and see if we can reduce the amount. Just focus on getting better.”

After saying that, he proudly opened the door and walked out amidst Li Erlaizi's grateful words. Looking at the displeased steward, he said with full confidence, "Our Marshal's Mansion doesn't lack these few silver dollars. We can't force people to their deaths for money!"

I'll grant him a longer grace period. If Li Erlaizi's illness doesn't improve, I'll take money from my account to pay off his debt. It's not much money, so why take away his ancestral home and drive him to despair?

If the military governor's office continues to be so aggressive, how can the people under its rule live in peace and prosperity?

Eliminating poverty is the responsibility of those in power. There are still so many impoverished people in Yucheng who can't even afford to eat. It's our dereliction of duty that we haven't done our job properly. How can we use harsh methods to collect debts and commit such heinous acts?

The head manager of the money shop was so angry that his beard was trembling. "You, you only listened to one side of the story and decided to reduce the amount. It doesn't matter if it's a dozen or so silver dollars from this shop or a dozen or so silver dollars from that shop. Wouldn't our money shop go bankrupt? How can you do business like this!"

With a written contract signed in black and white, he should have known what kind of responsibility he would bear if he chose to borrow money and couldn't repay it. How can it be simply wiped clean like that?

If he felt it wasn't a good fit, he could have simply not lent the money. Paying back debts is a fundamental principle; no matter what, he has to repay this debt! The money lender only repossessed the collateral; how is that considered driving him to his death? How is that considered pushing him to the brink?

Faced with the old, rigid manager's questioning, Li Dongchen pointed to the open gate and said loudly, "Do you see those people living in the courtyard? Those are dozens of lives lost!"

You're going to take away houses for just a few dollars? Where will these people live when winter comes? Won't they freeze or starve to death? Manager, I don't blame you for being in a high position and living a life of luxury, but I, Li Dongchen, will not allow you to use any means to collect debts and disregard human life!

"Since my father has entrusted me with the management of the money exchange, I should have full authority over it. The money exchange in the commander's mansion is none of your business!"

"Snapped!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Chen lashed out with his whip, slicing it less than ten centimeters from Li Dongchen's face.

A sudden, sharp crack startled Li Dongchen, who took two steps back. He touched himself and realized the whip hadn't landed on his face, which relieved him.

"Brother, you've forgotten the rules of the Marshal's Mansion after only four years away from home, haven't you?" Jiang Chen pointed his whip at his nose and said coldly, "Who allowed you to speak to your elders like that?! I just told Father that I wanted to get along well with you, so I won't whip you now."

Apologize to the head manager immediately!

All you ever talk about is some grand sense of righteousness and benevolence. Don't forget who you've been living off since you were a child! You went abroad to study, and your family's money just flowed out like water for you to spend. Where did all that money come from?

It wasn't all earned penny by penny through the various industries owned by the Marshal's Mansion!

I've fed and clothed you, and you've raised a heartless ingrate who's generous with other people's money. Being brothers with you, Li Dongchen, is the worst luck I've ever had. At this rate, we won't get a single penny of principal or interest back; in fact, we'll have to pay out of our own pockets. Do you really think running a money exchange is a charity?

Let me tell you, you can help in an emergency, but not in a life of poverty.

People like Li Erlaizi deserve to be poor! He's lazy and doesn't know anything about farming, squandering his family's fortune. And he thinks he can live a life of luxury like you, doing nothing and still having tons of money to spend? Ha, what a pity, he doesn't have a capable younger brother like Night Owl to take the blame and support him as a powerful young master.

"Apologize to the head steward! Don't you dare glare at me like that! Even if my father came, I'd take another beating to make you apologize!"

After saying that, he raised his whip as if to hit someone. Li Dongchen, who was standing on the ground, looked up at Li Jiangchen, who was riding on horseback. His momentum had already been reduced. When he looked at Lieutenant Li, he saw that the other party had a gloomy face and did not intend to stop him. He was indignant, but he was afraid of being beaten and bowed and said a perfunctory apology.

"I'll settle the score with you later!" Jiang Chen shouted, cracking his whip, "Guards!"

"exist!"

Zhang Mingyuan, who was outside the street, heard everything clearly. When he heard the call, he and his brothers responded in unison, then rode their horses, carrying torches, and followed their master into the courtyard in a grand procession.

"Li Erlaizi, get out here!" Jiang Chen's confident shout startled Li Erlaizi, who trembled before he could even run away. A burly man grabbed him by the ear and dragged him off his horse.

Jiang Chen glanced at the man's abnormal complexion and knew he was on opium again. He couldn't help but sneer, "What? Trying to swindle the Marshal's Mansion? Do you really think I'm a paper tiger that's easy to fool?"

"Second...Second Master..." Li Erlaizi said with a fawning smile, his voice trembling, "I'm sick, really! That young marshal just now..."

"He's a damn young marshal!" Jiang Chen cracked his whip and roared, "Tell me the truth, how many families live in this courtyard? How much is the rent for each family? Think about it carefully. I'll ask them one by one later. If any family's rent is wrong, I'll give you a beating. If you tell me honestly, Second Master will spare you the pain."

He clearly hadn't expected Li Yexiao to ask such a trivial question, and shuddered as he hurriedly replied, "There are eight households living here in total. Except for the room I sleep in, all the others are rented out. Rent... rent..."

Li Erlaizi glanced guiltily at the onlookers and whispered a few numbers.

"Oh, the rent for this house alone is thirty copper coins a month. You don't have a wife or kids to support, so this rent is enough for you to live a life of plenty." Jiang Chen's smile faded, and he glared at him, demanding, "What did you do with the money you borrowed from the money lender?"

Faced with the ruthless Li Yexiao, who could stop children from crying at night, Li Erlaizi was so frightened that he almost wet his pants. He hurriedly knelt down on the ground and begged like a pestle, "Second Master, please spare me this time."

"I... I lost money gambling back then, and I was also addicted to opium. I couldn't afford to keep going, so I thought I'd mortgage the house to get some money to tide me over, and then pay it back to the money lender once I collected the rent. Who would have thought... once I had money, my hands would itch. I always felt like I could win big and live a life of luxury for the rest of my days. So... all that money went to gambling, finding women, and smoking opium..."

Jiang Chen lazily retracted his whip and said, "Since you dare not lie to me anymore, I'll let you off the hook. Men, take this house away. From now on, without the orders of the Li Family Bank, Li Erlaizi is never allowed to set foot in this courtyard again!"

As for these tenants, they can continue to live here since they have paid their rent.

The Marshal's Mansion has always been lenient in its dealings; otherwise, it wouldn't have allowed this opium-addicted gambler to default on his debts for half a year before finally coming to collect. You have all suffered undeserved misfortune and lived in fear. From this day forward, you will be able to live in this courtyard rent-free for six months.

Mingyuan called the money exchange's clerk over to take inventory and hand over the property, and also to write formal lease agreements for each tenant, allowing them to stay for free for another six months after their rent expired.

With time to recover, those who want to move out can look for a new place in advance.

Those who wish to continue renting should take the lease slip to the manager to pay the rent and continue living there.

Zhang Mingyuan responded loudly and went out to call the money shop's clerk in. The money shop manager gave Li Dongchen a deep look, shook his head helplessly, and sighed inwardly.

A kind heart cannot command an army, and righteousness cannot manage finances. It seems that this pampered young master, who has never experienced the harsh realities of society, has been out of touch with the world for too long. Judging from his inexperienced and overflowing compassion, he is incapable of managing either military or financial power. Otherwise, the territory conquered by the commander-in-chief would not last more than a few days before being swallowed up by other covetous forces!

"Second Master! Second Master, please grant me a few more days. I will pay back the money. You can't take my house!"

Seeing that his long-term stable meal ticket was about to be taken away, Li Erlaizi became so anxious that he jumped up and down, his previous feigned sickly appearance completely disappearing. He threw a tantrum and begged, "Young Marshal, please have pity on me! It's getting colder and colder. If you take away my house, I'll have nowhere to live and I'll freeze to death!"

Jiang Chen crossed her arms and smiled slightly, "Look at you, so lively and healthy. You could easily find a job and support yourself. How could you freeze or starve to death? What? Can't find a job? I can help you find one."

How about going to mine in the mountains to the north? Food and lodging are provided. If you work hard for two years and live frugally, you can even save up some money for retirement.

My older brother gave you two silver dollars, didn't he? That was a favor he did, I didn't stop him. Two silver dollars could buy two rooms in a remote location and settle down. You see, even if you're down on your luck now, you're still much better off than these renters, right?

Wanting to have money without wanting to work? There's no such thing as a free lunch…

Listening to Li Jiangchen's efficient arrangements, Lieutenant Li looked at the head manager expressionlessly and said in a deep voice, "The second young master handled this matter appropriately."

Upon hearing this, Li Dongchen felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water, a chill running through him from head to toe, inside and out.

It wasn't until he was sitting in the sluggish carriage that he calmed down and secretly clenched his fist, vowing that he would be ruthless in collecting the debts!

He wanted to act with benevolence and righteousness but was forced into a corner. If he wasn't ruthless, he wouldn't be able to seize power and realize his ideals and ambitions. So he had to be even more ruthless than Li Jiangchen! And handle things more skillfully than him!

Otherwise, it would be a small matter if such a good opportunity to control the bank slipped through my fingers, but a big matter if I would be looked down upon by my father and those in power!

Only then did he belatedly realize his younger brother's intention in pushing the money shop onto him.

Li Jiangchen didn't deliberately set a trap by targeting the money shop. Instead, he dragged Lieutenant Li along under the guise of maintaining order, using the opportunity to create a stark contrast, so that his father and the head manager would believe that he was not as good at handling money shop affairs as Li Jiangchen.

In this way, there's no need for open or covert struggles; when faced with a choice between the two, the father will definitely lean towards handing over the power to him!

Chapter Nine: First Attempt to Modify the Plot

Li Jiangchen, you heartless scoundrel!

No, that's not right. With his barely-educated and dim-witted brain, he definitely couldn't have come up with such a brilliant plan. It must be Zhang Mingyuan secretly plotting to trick him, damn it! The Zhang family is all the same!