Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 150 The high-interest loans from banks are really scary

Shen Yu smiled and said, "Then the total is 310 taels. We only need to borrow 280 taels from the bank."

Because Zhou Dalang's arrival had delayed the family quite a bit, they discussed what to do next and began to steam buns and cook porridge for lunch.

When the meal was delivered at noon, Shen Yu paid special attention, but he did not meet the two yamen runners, so he had no way to ask them who should pay the silver for the Zhou family's crime.

Shen Yu had no choice but to discuss with Li and asked Li to go to Mrs. Liu to inquire about the situation of the Zhou family. There was no need to mention the fact that Zhou Dalang wanted to sell the house to his family. Just inquire about the situation of the Zhou family's division and whether it was the same as what Zhou Dalang said.

When people were setting up their stalls in the morning, they were talking about it a lot, and the news spread all over the street. If this was true, people like Mrs. Liu would have known about it a long time ago.

Shen Yu planned to go to the money shop first to ask what the interest rate for the loan was.

Then go to He's place. He has a lot of experience and understands government affairs, so it would be a good idea to ask for her opinion.

After the two discussed it, they started to act separately. Li went to Mrs. Liu's house next door, while Shen Yu went straight to Huilong Money House to find Tian Qing.

Tian Qing was very happy when he saw that the person was Shen Yu.

These days, Shen Yu often came here to deposit some money, and the two of them became much more familiar with each other than before.

As soon as Tian Qing saw Shen Yu, he greeted her with concern: "Miss, are you all right? Good times will come after bad times. I hope everything will go well for you in the future."

Shen Yu thanked him with a smile and asked directly about the loan.

Tian Qing was not the type to talk nonsense, so he asked directly, "What do you want to borrow money for, young lady? What do you plan to use as collateral?"

Hearing that Shen Yu wanted to buy a shop, Tian Qing's expression was obviously much more relaxed: "That's no problem, young lady, how much do you want to borrow, where to buy the shop, our bank requires an on-site visit before lending."

Shen Yu briefly described the approximate location and the amount of the loan.

Tian Qing quoted an interest rate of 2/4 per month. If the interest exceeds one year, the principal and interest will be rolled together into the principal.

Shen Yu was secretly surprised when she heard this. She was mentally prepared that the interest might be high, but she didn't expect it to be so high.

If converted into annual interest, it would be 50.4%. If you borrow 280 taels and use it for one year, you will have to pay back a little more than 420 taels. If it exceeds one year, the interest will be compounded and you will have to pay back even more.

This is truly usury.

Shen Yu felt distressed just thinking about it, but he had to keep his expression unchanged and said with a smile: "Thank you, Brother Tian. I will go back and discuss it with my mother. If it is decided, I will definitely come to trouble you then."

After saying this, he said goodbye and left amid Tian Qing's earnest farewell.

After walking for a while, Shen Yu's shoulders slumped and he sighed helplessly. Why is the interest on this loan so high?

Unable to think of a better solution at the moment, Shen Yu had to put the matter aside for the time being, and carefully selected a basket of oily black and round chestnuts from the fruit shop on the street. He walked to the street, called a mule cart, and drove to He's house.

When they arrived at He's place, He was practicing calligraphy with Qiqi at the table. When she saw Shen Yu coming, she immediately smiled like a flower.

The two of them bowed to each other, and after Xu Ma took the small bamboo basket that Shen Yu was holding in both hands, He Shi took Shen Yu to the east room.

He asked Shen Yu to sit at the table in the outer room, and said with a smile: "We have been busy celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival these days, and have been worried about you. It's a mess outside, and your brother-in-law won't let us go out for a walk. You really suffered this time."

Shen Yu said with gratitude: "I was too embarrassed to come to my sister's place the day before yesterday after coming out of jail. If it weren't for my brother-in-law investigating the case, I wouldn't have been able to come out so quickly."

"I came here today because, firstly, my mother wanted to thank my sister's family and Mr. Lu, and asked my brother-in-law if he would be willing to come and see me when he is free on his day off. Secondly, I encountered something and wanted to talk to my sister about it and get her opinion."

He smiled and waved her hands, saying, "Don't mention the rest period. Since your brother-in-law came to Anping County, he has been in the county government office every day."

"Don't say you are my sister. Even those cases in the yamen, your brother-in-law investigates every case seriously. Don't mention it again when I say thank you for the drink. If you mention it again, it means you don't treat me as your sister." He said, reaching out and picking up an orange and handing it to Shen Yu.

Shen Yu had no choice but to nod in agreement, thinking that he would have to find another opportunity to thank him later.

After saying this, He said with concern: "What happened to you? Tell me and see if I can help."

Shen Yu told He everything about how Zhou Dalang came to his house early in the morning and wanted to sell his shop to him.

He listened carefully, pondered for a while, and said with a smile: "You are right to be cautious. Find out more about his background. If what Zhou Dalang said is true, this is a rare good thing."

He paused and said, "Your brother-in-law won't tell you about the affairs of the government office when he comes back, but it's not out of line to just ask who will pay the silver for the crime. I'll ask him tonight. If it's really all paid by Zhou Dalang, and he didn't get any silver, then the matter of selling the shop is probably true."

Shen Yu said with some embarrassment: "I have made an appointment with Zhou Dalang to ask him to come home early tomorrow morning and give him a reply. What should I say then?"

He smiled slyly and said, "Don't worry about whether this is true or not. Just agree to it first. You don't have to exchange the money for it tomorrow. I have heard about the shop over there in the market. It's a rare opportunity. Zhou Dalang took the initiative to ask you, so you can't let him go."

Shen Yu received He's support, and felt more confident, so he prepared to say goodbye.

He pulled Shen Yu and said with a smile: "Sister, why are you in such a hurry? Come with me."

Shen Yu thought that He had something else to say, so he stopped with a smile.

He said to Qiqi who had been writing on the table, "Be good, Qiqi. Auntie and I will be back soon."

Qiqi grinned sweetly and lowered her head to continue writing.

He took Shen Yu to the inner room and asked solemnly, "Fourth sister, if you buy this shop, how much money do you need?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu hurriedly said, "It's not a big deficit. I'm going to go to the bank and borrow some money, and that will be enough."

He shook her head and said, "Sister, you just don't treat me as your sister. It's so easy to borrow money from the bank. Just wait."

Shen Yu's face turned red with anxiety, and he was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

He turned around and took out a mahogany box with an exquisite small copper lock from the secret compartment beside the bed. She and Shen Yu sat on either side of the small table under the window and placed the small box on the table.

He said seriously, "Sister, how much money do you need?"

Shen Yu had no choice but to tell the truth: "I calculated that I have made some money from making small reunion cakes these days, plus the 120 taels that the county government wants to compensate me, the total is 310 taels. If I borrow another 280 taels from the bank, it will be enough."

He opened the box and took out four silver bills and handed them over.