Shen Yaozu sneaked over to the separate residence one evening.
He looked a wreck: his silk robe crumpled like pickled vegetables, dark rings beneath his eyes.
Bursting through the door he grabbed Shen Xian’s sleeve.
“Third Brother!
Save me!”
“Hold on.” Shen Xian stepped sideways away.
“Tell me what trouble you are in first, and then I shall decide whether to help.”
“I‑I owe fifty taels to the Treasure‑Coin Gambling House…” Shen Xian lowered his voice, speaking as though committing theft.
“That month kneeling in the ancestral hall left me bitter.
I went out trying to win back my losses, and then… Third Brother, you absolutely must help me!
We are blood brothers!”
“Same father, different mothers,” Shen Xian corrected him.
“Where was that brotherly bond when you tried to send me to the mineral mine?”
Shen Yaozu’s face flushed red.
“That‑that was Mother’s scheme!
I was merely dragged along!”
“Fine, you were dragged along.” Shen Xian nodded.
“I can lend you money, on three conditions.”
“Name them!”
“First, write an IOU for fifty taels, one‑percent monthly interest, due in six months.
Press your thumb‑print.”
“You would charge interest to your own brother?!”
“Second: I shall not hand the silver directly to you.
I will accompany you to the gambling house, and settle the debt in front of Duanzhi‑Liu.
Once paid, you tear up your old gambling note.
That stops you gambling it away again the instant you leave.”
Shen Yaozu choked.
“And the third condition?”
Shen Xian smiled amiably.
“You go and apologise to Father.
Admit you gambled once more, swear this is the final time.
After your apology, you come back and perform one errand for me.”
“What errand?”
“I have not thought of it yet.” Shen Xian finished drafting the IOU and slid it over.
“I shall inform you later.
Sign.”
Half an hour later at Treasure‑Coin Gambling House.
At the sight of Shen Xian, the coarse‑fleshed Duanzhi‑Liu twitched.
“Young‑Young Master Shen…”
“Brother Liu, long time no see.” Shen Xian set fifty taels of silver on the table.
“Clear my elder brother’s debt.”
Duanzhi‑Liu bowed obsequiously and reached for the old gambling slip.
“Wait, Brother Liu.
One more thing.”
“Speak, young master.”
“From today onward, Shen Yaozu falls under my protection.” Shen Xian smiled faintly.
“If he ever gambles here again, tell him he must choose: either dice games, or my copy of the pawn‑shop receipt from Ruifeng Pawnbroker.
Choose dice, and that receipt will be posted on the county‑notice wall tomorrow morning.”
Duanzhi‑Liu paled.
“Rest assured young master!
Our establishment… we shall cross the street if we spot Eldest Young Master in future!”
“Wise man.”
Outside the gambling‑house, Shen Yaozu trotted after Shen Xian, looking at him as though he were a deity.
“Third Brother… when did you get such a hold over him?”
“Greed is his weakness,” Shen Xian walked on without turning his head.
“Greedy men carry their fatal flaw in their own pockets.
Now go kneel in the ancestral hall.
Remember: your apology must sound sincere, your self‑criticism thorough.”
“What about that errand you wanted me to complete?”
“Patience.” Shen Xian waved him off.
“Elder brother stands in place of a father.
This younger brother is short on funds this month.
Help me find a solution — from your own private savings.”
Shen Yaozu froze on the spot, staring at Shen Xian’s receding back.
It dawned on him: those fifty taels he owed felt as though he had voluntarily walked straight into a robbery.