The Middle-aged Shopkeeper hesitated and said, "Young Master, it has been several months since the agreed-upon period. According to the rules, overdue properties belong to my Wu Family Pawnshop."
Liu Jin heard this, waved his hand, and asked, "Stop the nonsense. Just tell me how much it costs. I want to redeem that house."
The Middle-aged Shopkeeper heard this and still hesitated, slowly saying, "Young Master, it's not that I don't want you to redeem it, but that house has already been sold. It now belongs to someone else and is no longer in the Wu Family Pawnshop's possession."
Zhao Teng, who was standing nearby, frowned, a fierce look on his face. He drew the sharp blade from his waist and coldly shouted, "What audacity!"
"How dare you sell my elder brother's house? Do you believe I won't wipe out your entire Wu Family?"
The Middle-aged Shopkeeper trembled upon hearing this. He had intended to retort.
But when he saw the bronze seal and black ribbon on Zhao Teng's waist, he knew the person before him was a Qian Shi official.
To reach this rank at such a young age, he must have powerful backing, and his Wu Family would likely find it difficult to provoke him.
Moreover, this person was merely a follower, so the young man leading them must hold an even higher position.
Thinking of this, his legs shook like a sieve. In the dead of winter, his back was already soaked with cold sweat, and his face was bitter.
He quickly bowed and scraped, continuously begging for mercy, "Several noble sirs, that house has already been sold. I... I... I can't redeem it."
At this point, the Middle-aged Shopkeeper gritted his teeth and said with a trembling voice, "How about the noble sirs wait a moment? My Wu Family will immediately send someone to buy it back."
Liu Jin frowned upon hearing this. He naturally understood the Wu Family's intention. To avoid offending him, they would surely send people to forcibly reclaim the courtyard.
If that happened, wouldn't it harm the innocent? Although he had power and influence, there was no need to cause trouble for others.
The person who bought and lived in his courtyard was probably not a wealthy individual; otherwise, they wouldn't have sought such a secluded small courtyard.
He immediately waved his hand and said indifferently, "Since the land deed is not with you, it has nothing to do with your Wu Family. I will personally go and redeem it."
After saying this, Liu Jin led the people around him away from the place and took a carriage towards his old residence.
The Middle-aged Shopkeeper watched them leave and felt a sense of relief, almost collapsing to the ground.
After all, the young man's aura was too strong. Any slight mistake could indeed lead to the demise of his Wu Family.
Soon, the carriage and a dozen fine horses slowly arrived in an alley in the western district of the city.
The carriage stopped outside a somewhat dilapidated gate. Liu Jin lifted the curtain and stepped out. Looking at the familiar courtyard before him, a sense of peace slowly rose in his heart.
After a moment of silence, he reached out and knocked on the wooden door, asking, "Is anyone home?"
Soon, a questioning voice came from inside, "Hmm?"
"Who is it?"
The wooden door was pushed open, and a young man in a gray long gown walked out.
Looking at the dozens of people gathered outside, he showed no sign of panic, his expression remaining calm and composed.
He asked with a puzzled look, "Gentlemen, what brings you to my home?"
Liu Jin looked at the young man's calm and composed demeanor and was slightly taken aback.
He was only around twenty or thirty years old, yet he showed no sign of distress when faced with the imposing presence of dozens of people.
Without further ado, he directly stated his intention, "I am Liu Jin. This courtyard you are living in is my former old residence. Are you willing to return it to me? I am willing to pay double the price to purchase it."
The young man was slightly stunned upon hearing this, not because of the price, but because the name surprised him.
After observing for a moment, he smiled, clasped his hands, and politely said, "So it is Marquis Liu Jin here. I apologize for not coming out to greet you; please do not blame me."
Liu Jin was not surprised to hear this. Since returning to Zhuo Commandery, his name had already resounded throughout the city, so it was normal for someone to know it.
However, what puzzled him was that this young man knew he was a Marquis, yet he remained so calm and composed.
One should know that ordinary commoners would involuntarily tremble and show humble and respectful expressions upon hearing that someone was a Marquis.
He had a suspicion that the person before him was not simple.
Liu Jin's spirits lifted, and he asked with a smile, "May I know your esteemed name, Brother?"
The young man did not put on airs, smiling and cupping his hands, "Marquis, you are too kind. I dare not claim an esteemed name. I am Jian Yong, courtesy name Xianhe, and I serve as a minor official in the commandery."
Liu Jin was startled to hear this, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes!
He hadn't expected that this young man was the famous Jian Yong.
Historically, this person was Liu Bei's civil minister and strategist, and one of his earliest followers. He was not only remarkably loyal but also extremely capable, a rare talent.
What puzzled him, however, was that Jian Yong and Liu Bei were fellow townsmen and good friends. Yet, this Jian Yong was still in Zhuo Commandery. Could it be that he had not yet followed Liu Bei?
Thinking of this, he immediately asked, "You seem to be a fellow townsman and good friend of Brother Xuande, aren't you?"
Jian Yong heard this, smiled, and nodded, politely saying, "What the Marquis said is not wrong; Xuande and I are indeed fellow townsmen and good friends."
"I also heard Xuande mention that he had a good brother, like kin, who recommended him to serve as an official in the commandery. That person must be the Marquis, I presume?"
Liu Jin heard this and chuckled, not refuting the matter.
After all, he knew that Liu Bei liked to leverage influence to elevate his own status and position.
He glanced at the surrounding neighbors, who were growing in number, and the occasional clamor.
Liu Jin frowned slightly and asked with a smile, "Xianhe, aren't you going to invite me in to sit for a while?"
Jian Yong heard this, quickly patted his forehead, and respectfully said, "Oh, I almost forgot about that! Marquis, please don't be offended!"
Immediately, he led Liu Jin and Zhao Teng and a few others into the courtyard.
Liu Jin looked at everything around him, feeling a deep sense of familiarity. It was still simple and spacious, without any damage.
Jian Yong, standing nearby, saw this and explained, "Marquis, please rest assured. Since I purchased this courtyard, apart from the bedding and tableware, everything else is exactly as it was before."
Liu Jin heard this, and an indifferent voice came, "Although I have feelings for this residence, it no longer belongs to me. Even if it were damaged, I wouldn't say another word."
"So, Xianhe, you don't need to worry."
Jian Yong heard this and couldn't help but look at Liu Jin with increased respect.
With his current status, he could easily reclaim this courtyard; there was no need to be polite with him.
It seemed that what Xuande said was not an exaggeration. Liu Jin was indeed a man who valued scholars and would not look down on impoverished scholars like them.
Soon, they were seated in the simple hall.
After glancing around, Liu Jin looked at Jian Yong and asked with a smile, "Since Xianhe is a fellow townsman and good friend of Brother Xuande, why haven't you gone with him? Instead, you remain here in Zhuo Commandery?"
