Liu Heng and Shylock depend on each other for life. Venice is not their hometown, they are just guests in Venice.
When a businessman named Antonio came to borrow money from Shylock, Shylock lent it to him.
But he made a request.
If Antonio fails to repay the loan on time, he will cut off a pound of his body to repay Shylock in money.
Antonio agreed, and his merchant ship was about to return, carrying many expensive goods.
As long as these goods are sold, not only can Sherlock's debt be repaid, but there will also be a lot of surplus.
Antonio happily left with the borrowed gold coins.
Sherlock sneered behind him.
He was much better informed than Antonio. From another wealthy businessman, he learned that a riot had occurred in Naples and all the ships passing there had been detained.
Antonio’s merchant ship will never return to Venice on time.
When the time comes, he can stand by and watch Antonio cut his flesh.
Shylock and Antonio have a grudge.
Because it was Antonio who spread the idea that Shylock was a loan shark.
Antonio regards Shylock as his stepping stone and uses Shylock to show it.
As soon as this rumor came out, Shylock's image became ruthless and profit-seeking, but Antonio was a kind and good businessman. More people did business with Antonio, and fewer people did business with Shylock. .
Shylock's business has been greatly affected, can he not hate Antonio?
Antonio is Shylock’s enemy, and Shylock wants to kill him whenever he gets the chance.
Not to mention Shylock’s actions are vicious, isn’t Antonio’s approach vicious by spreading rumors about Shylock, damaging Shylock’s image, and causing damage to Shylock’s business?
It’s just tit for tat.
As expected, the merchant ship did not return on time, and Antonio could not repay the gold coins he borrowed from Shylock on time.
Shylock takes Antonio to court and asks the judge to rule, asking for Antonio's pound of flesh.
In fact, this court dispute was very unfavorable to Shylock. The Duke, the supreme ruler of Venice, was on Antonio's side, not to mention others.
The only thing that is good for Shylock is that even the Duke cannot interfere with court regulations. If Antonio is obviously partial to Antonio and rejects Shylock's request, I am afraid that other foreign businessmen in Venice will distrust Venice and leave Venice.
The economy of Venice will be greatly affected by then.
Liu Heng knew what his father would endure in court. He ordered his servants to prepare some things, and then accompanied Sherlock to the court. There were many people in the court, all here to watch.
These people are all biased towards Antonio, and some are shouting that the court should rule Antonio victorious.
Antonio is accompanied to court by his friend Bassanio.
They accused Shylock in court of being ruthless and a devil.
Shylock was calm and composed, insisting that everything should be done in accordance with the provisions of the charter.
Seeing that Shylock was about to win, a young lawyer came to the court.
The lawyer said to Shylock: "You must cut off this pound of flesh from his chest; the law allows you, and the court awards you." (Excerpted from the original lines of "The Merchant of Venice")
Shylock laughed, and Antonio and Bassanio paled.
Cut a piece of meat from your chest!
That means Antonio’s death.
The medical conditions at this time were very poor. Without antibiotics, even a little trauma could kill a person.
The lawyer continued: "Wait a minute, there is something else. The covenant does not allow you to take a drop of his blood, it just says 'a pound of flesh'; so you can take a pound of flesh as promised. Go, but when cutting the meat, if a drop of blood leaks The blood of the Christians and your land and property will all be confiscated according to Venetian law." (Excerpted from the original text)
Shylock's smile froze on his face, and Antonio and Bassanio's expressions recovered. became ruddy and began to laugh.
Others also laughed, they all understood what the lawyer meant, and they all praised the smart lawyer.
Shylock said with an ugly face: "Then I am willing to accept the repayment; pay me three times the amount as agreed, and let Antonio go."
Bassanio will pay back the money.
But the lawyer stopped him and pushed further: "Don't be busy! This person must get absolute justice. Don't be busy! He cannot accept other compensation except the punishment as agreed."
She He said to Sherlock: "So you are ready to cut the meat. You are not allowed to shed a drop of blood, and you are not allowed to cut more than or less than one pound in weight; if the meat you cut off is slightly lighter or heavier than one pound, a little, even If there is only a slight difference, or just a hair, you will be killed and all your property will be confiscated."
Sherlock's face turned even darker: "I don't want the gold coins as compensation, I just want to take back mine. The capital is enough, right?”
But the lawyer refused to give up: “Businessman, you can’t get any money except risking your own life to cut off the pound of flesh.”
Liu Heng laughed angrily.
He used to admire this smart woman, but now, he just wants to beat her up.
"Okay." Liu Tiao suddenly said, "I will cut the meat on my father's behalf."
"Carlos." Sherlock said in shock, "Don't come out."
He can hurt himself, but he must not hurt his son.