After Zhulan and Zhou Shuren sat down, Zhang Datie looked at the sons of the Zhou family. Zhou Shuren did not hide anything from his sons, but what Zhang Datie wanted to say was very secretive. Zhou Shuren and Zhulan looked at each other, and their eyes fell on Rongchuan at the same time.
Rongchuan felt uncomfortable being stared at and didn't know why his uncle and aunt were looking at him.
Zhang Datie had been selling himself as a servant since he was young, and he was very good at observing people's words and expressions. Looking at the reactions of Zhou Shuren and his wife, he understood. Even if he didn't say it, the Zhou family would have guessed it, and they should have guessed it. As time went by, Rongchuan's face gained more flesh and became more open, and he looked less and less like a member of the Zhang family.
Zhang Datie went over what he was going to say in his mind and said, "It seems that Mr. Zhou has already guessed it. I am here today for this matter. Rongchuan is indeed not my biological son. I can tell you what I know, but I have conditions."
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren thought to themselves that this was indeed the case. They had been hesitant. Although they had seen many news reports about biological parents abusing their children in modern times, in ancient times, men were particularly valued over girls, and no matter how many sons there were, the eldest son should not be abused. As Rongchuan opened his mouth, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren talked about it privately.
Especially after the male protagonist came and said that he looked kind, Zhou Shuren kept this in mind. According to the male protagonist's rule, the male protagonist would not talk nonsense. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were even more certain that there was something wrong with Rongchuan's background.
However, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren did not expect Zhang Datie to take the initiative to say it. He came here today not to win back Rongchuan, but to tell the truth. It was indeed unexpected.
Rongchuan's reaction was the biggest. He did have doubts in his mind, wondering which parents would treat their own children like this. But later he stopped thinking about it. Unexpectedly, his fantasy turned out to be reality.
The boys in the Zhou family are really inexperienced and know even less about the dirty deeds in the backyard. They have never thought about it in this regard and their reactions are quite big.
Zhou Shuren leaned back in his chair. He felt uncomfortable and didn't want to waste time. "Tell me your conditions first."
Zhang Datie knew that he was in a passive position. The Zhou family had already guessed it, and now he was asked to state the conditions first. He didn't dare to ask for too much. He pursed his lips. The Zhou family was really annoying. "Don't you want to know Rongchuan's identity?"
He didn't believe that Zhou Shuren was not anxious.
Zhou Shuren was not in a hurry, because he and Zhulan were afraid that Rongchuan would be cannon fodder. They just let things take their course. Of course, it was mainly because he was too weak now and could not be a backer. So what if Rongchuan knew it now? Who knows, the sooner he knew it, the sooner he would be cannon fodder!
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "I am not anxious about Rongchuan's life experience. Don't force it. Rongchuan doesn't need to ask for what he deserves. It's useless to know what he doesn't deserve. Why bother yourself with troubles?"
Zhang Datie, “… .”
He really wanted to curse people, especially the well-educated Zhou family members. It was okay for them to be cunning, but why did they read so many books!
Zhulan was anxious, and felt sorry for Zhou Shuren who was enduring the pain. Her face darkened and she said impatiently, "Are you going to tell me or not? If not, leave."
Zhang Datie heard that they really wanted to chase us away. How could he do that? He couldn't ask for too much. He could only lower the standard. "First, it's very simple. Let Rongchuan swear that he will never retaliate against us no matter what in the future. Second, give me one hundred taels of silver."
Originally, he had more demands. He analyzed Zhou Shuren carefully and felt that Zhou Shuren should have no problem passing the imperial examination. His idea was to ask for one hundred taels of silver, and have the family land registered under Zhou Shuren's name so that he would not have to pay taxes in the future. He could use the silver saved at home to buy more land and earn a lot of money every year in the future. However, he was afraid that Zhou Shuren was too cunning, so he had to lower his demands.
Zhou Shuren looked at Rongchuan, "What do you mean?"
Rongchuan has calmed down. He wants to know his background, but it's too much to ask. He doesn't want his uncle to spend money. He already owes his uncle and aunt too much. Thinking about his uncle's words, he also realized a lot. "Uncle, I don't want to know my background. Just like you said, I will know it naturally when the fate comes. If the fate doesn't come, then it is not what I should have."
Zhou Shuren was satisfied. Rongchuan had a good understanding. He should have said this to Rongchuan instead of Zhang Datie. A person's character was very important. He was not wrong about Rongchuan. Although this kid was not as scheming as Changlian, he was also good. He was also very smart and had a good character. In addition, he had a talent for studying. It was hard to judge who would be more promising in the future between this kid and Changlian.
Zhou Shuren hummed, looking at Zhang Da's pale face, what a failed negotiator, "Twenty taels, you decide whether to say it or not, if you don't, leave."
Zhang Datie really wanted to turn around and leave, but he couldn't. If he left, he would have no more coins. "Okay, give me the money first."
Rong Chuan was stunned, "Uncle, why do you have to spend money?"
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "Although we will know when fate comes, sometimes knowing it in advance can give us a certain control over the future and give us peace of mind. Knowing ourselves and the enemy will ensure victory in every battle. It is naturally good to know it in advance."
Zhang Datie, “… .”
Could he go back on his word now? But looking at Zhou Shuren's half-smile, he knew that since Zhou Shuren dared to say it, he would not give him a chance to go back on his word.
He didn't dare to go back on his word, for he was really afraid that Zhou Shuren would seize this matter and send him to the government office!
Rongchuan was stunned. Whatever his uncle said made sense!
Boss Zhou was not surprised. That's just how his father was. What his father said was always reasonable.
Zhou Laoer also learned a lot today, but compared to his father, he is still too naive to cheat people.
Chang Lian clenched his fists excitedly. This was what he wanted to learn.
Zhulan paid attention to Rongchuan and also saw Chang Lian. Chang Lian's eyes looked familiar. Chang Lian completely admired Zhou Shuren!
Zhulan took out the silver and handed it to Zhang Datie. Zhang Datie looked at the twenty taels with frustration, thinking that he could get rich today, but who would have thought that there were only twenty taels. He took the silver and said, "I was sold to several masters and finally came to the capital. There was war at that time, and the capital was a must-fight place. Everyone fought in the capital. The capital was in chaos at that time. The master was rich and was targeted. Someone came to the house in the middle of the night and I saved the master's life."
Zhang Datie raised his leg and said, "I lost a leg. The master of the family was grateful for my kindness in protecting him. Because my leg was broken, he showed me mercy, released our family deeds, and gave us a lot of silver. The turmoil in the capital was soon over, the new dynasty was established, and our family was also enslaved."
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren didn't urge him to get to the point. They didn't know whether Zhang Datie's words were true or not, so they could only analyze useful information from Zhang Datie's words.
Zhang Datie continued, "My leg was injured and I couldn't travel long distances. I had to take care of it. I had already left the master's house and we couldn't go back, so we rented a house to take care of it. I hoped that I could recover soon and return home soon. It took us more than half a year to take care of it. Later, it was winter, so we took care of it for another winter. In the spring of the second year of the dynasty, we planned to return home."
Having said this, Zhang Datie paused.