Please pull the trigger for this world one more time.

"I...I told you, come with me!"

A young man in a police uniform said excitedly and somewhat stammeringly, "What good is it that you're here!"

"I'm not leaving, everyone's here!" a girl in an apron argued.

"Everyone? Where, where are you all?" the young man asked, pointing into the house. "It's the New Year, do we have rice, flour, oil...? Is it enough?"

"Never mind that, Sister Dafu hasn't come back yet..." the girl, who looked to be only a teenager, said defiantly.

"Han...Han Dafu?"

A hint of disdain and jealousy flickered across the young man's face. "She's not coming back! She's hooked up with a rich sugar daddy! She's gone! She's gone to Guangwu City to be an officer!"

"You're talking nonsense! Sister Dafu even gave me money before she left!" The girl's voice suddenly rose several decibels, and even cracked a little.

The young man, somewhat exasperated, grabbed the girl's arm. The girl instinctively resisted, but the difference in strength was too great, and she lost her footing and fell to her knees.

"Bang!"

The door was kicked open with incredible speed. Before the young man could even turn around, he felt something unusually cold and hard pressed against the back of his head.

"Let go."

A cold voice came from behind, followed by the sound of a safety lock being released.

The young man swallowed hard, and after letting go, he didn't dare to move. The girl stared blankly at the tall, unfamiliar figure at the door, forgetting for a moment to get up from the ground.

Mo Zian pointed his sidearm at the back of the young man's head, surveying the room—

Somewhat dilapidated but clearly repaired, there was an old stove burning coal in the middle, and a group of children of all ages huddled together on the other side of the large communal bed, watching themselves.

There was an iron pot on the stove, containing freshly stir-fried wild vegetables and mixed grains, but the rice in the pot was clearly not enough for all the children in the house to eat their fill.

A chilling killing intent, almost tangible, permeated the room. Mo Zian said, almost word by word, "Name, rank, and unit of service."

"Chen, Chen Mu, Patrol Section, Nanpai Street Branch, Tianhe Port Garrison Command, Corporal," the young man hurriedly replied.

"What is Article 4 of Chapter 1 of the Imperial General Military Regulations?"

Mo Zian's calm voice sent shivers down Chen Mu's spine, and a bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead and neck.

"Speak!" Mo Zian suddenly shouted.

Everyone in the room shuddered in fright. Chen Mu spoke with trembling lips, "Guangwu soldiers are not allowed to disturb civilian residences. Those who do so will be punished with ten lashes."

Those who commit serious offenses will be whipped twenty times and discharged from the military. Those who also engage in harassment of women, vandalism, looting, or theft will be executed on the spot...

Immediately, Chen Mu hurriedly explained, "I...I didn't harass a private residence, this...this is my house...Ju Zi, tell me!"

The girl on the ground seemed to wake from a dream and was about to say something when a clear voice, tinged with a slight hoarseness, came from behind Mo Zian.

"You blockhead, you're no longer part of this family." Han Dafu stepped into the house. "Chen Xing was kicked out a long time ago."

"Sister Dafu!"

The girl on the ground sounded very surprised, as if she had immediately found her pillar of support. She got up from the ground and hid behind Han Dafu.

The girl looked at Han Dafu with a questioning gaze, and the latter gave her a reassuring gesture.

Upon hearing Han Dafu's voice, Chen Mu's expression, which was turned away from Mo Zian, became extremely complex, and almost devoid of any positive emotions.

"Forget it, Lao Bi." Han Dafu reached out and pressed down Mo Zian's arm, saying only one word to Chen Mu, who had his back to him.

"roll."

Mo Zian watched as the young man in front of him walked out the door with his head down like a stray dog, and put his sidearm into the holster on his waist.

Mo Zian's face regained its usual gentle smile, and the lingering killing intent vanished instantly. "I am Mo Zian, Dafu. Won't you introduce me to everyone?"

Han Dafu placed the meat and a basket of eggs he was carrying on the table. "This is orange, her real name is Miao Xiaoju."

"Hello," Mo Zian said with a slight smile to Ju Zi.

"Y-hello." Orange looked at the tall figure in front of her, who was completely different from before, and poked Han Dafu's lower back with her finger. "Is this my brother-in-law? He's a little scary..."

"Forehead……"

The usually carefree Han Dafu blushed slightly, a rare occurrence for him, and froze for a moment before speaking in a somewhat wicked manner, "You talk too much, don't you!"

Miao Xiaoju realized that her words were a bit abrupt and stuck out her tongue.

Han Dafu glanced at a boy in the corner and asked her in a low voice, "Why is Zhuangzi here too? Where's his mother?"

Miao Xiaoju pursed her lips: "She remarried, to that wine jar guy from First Fourth Alley. Her child came here carrying a bag of cornmeal."

Han Dafu nodded and said nothing more.

At this moment, several children surrounded Han Dafu and tried to snatch the fried cakes from the paper bag in her hand. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Mo Zian secretly gave Miao Xiaoju a thumbs up.

Miao Xiaoju suddenly felt that the other party wasn't as scary as before.

......

the other side.

A man who looked to be under thirty, wearing round gold-rimmed glasses, walked hurriedly out of the Imperial General Business Office of Tianhe Port with a hint of joy and doubt on his face.

"Hey, Xiao Chen, what's the rush? Is something wrong at home?" A middle-aged man with five lotus flowers embroidered on his collar asked curiously from the doorway.

"We have an important guest at home, a deputy director," the man said politely. "There's no one in charge to entertain him."

"Oh, then we must hurry back. We scholars must not be impolite when it comes to hospitality," the middle-aged man said with a smile.

"The deputy director is right... Oh, the carriage is here. See you tomorrow."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

The man boarded the carriage and said to the driver, "Master, seven stones."

Seeing the driver's slightly stunned expression, the man seemed unfazed. After repeating his destination, he took out a small silk handkerchief from his pocket and began wiping his glasses.

This is his most valuable possession right now. When he entered the Business Bureau, in order not to appear shabby, he used his meager savings to specially get this pair of glasses, and then used the remaining money to buy a barely acceptable pocket watch.

The carriage traveled for about half an hour before stopping at a street corner marked by seven stone slabs.

"Your Honor, I'm the only one here..."

The man ignored the driver, paid the fare readily, and walked into the street corner on his own.

The man hadn't gone far when he was stopped by a scruffy man, about the same age as him, wrapped in a tattered cotton-padded coat.

"Oh my, doesn't this look like our Chen Xing, the man who flew out of our chicken coop? It's the New Year, why don't you lend a hand to our poor buddy?"

"Hey Er Tiaozi, if you're itching for a beating, go find a latrine, pick up a rock, and rub it against it. Don't come here asking for a beating from your old man again," Chen Xing said, squinting his eyes.

"No—absolutely not!"

The slovenly man said with exaggerated gestures, "Who are you, Lord Chen? Are you the same person as that 'Chen the Three-Fisted' from the lime factory? No, you're not the same person at all."

Even if you are the same person, and I can't beat you, your civil official robes will be ruined. How will you then enter the inner palace gates?

The slovenly man had Chen Xing completely under his thumb, but Chen Xing looked at his moon-white civil official robes, touched the three lotus flowers on his collar, and looked at the man with a concerned expression, as if he were mentally challenged.

"I have three of these winter uniforms," ​​Chen Xing said jokingly, rolling up his sleeves. "I also received three summer uniforms."

"I...I'm telling you, Chen Xing, hey, you..."

"Hey~~ Who let their pants down and exposed themselves?" A seductive but cold voice came from behind, and Chen Xing stopped raising his hand.

A well-dressed woman with an alluring demeanor approached Chen Xing. "Brother, are you really planning to make a move?"

"Otherwise what?" Chen Xing looked at the woman beside him. "You're pretty quick. I thought you'd be a while longer."

"Hey, didn't the aunt just promote me to head of the troupe? I'm so much freer now~~" The woman looked at the two burly men behind her. "You two brothers, treat this friend in front to something good. It's almost a holiday, so we have to make sure he's well-fed."

The slovenly man took off running, and only his voice could be heard fading into the distance.

"Chen Zao'er! You bastard!"

……

"This is Brother Xing, and this is Sister Zao'er," Han Dafu introduced to Mo Zian. "Here, they are the parents."

"Hello, I am Mo Zian, a comrade-in-arms of Dafu." Mo Zian stood up and gave a strong military salute to the man and woman who entered the room. "Nice to meet you, brothers and sisters. Please take care of me."

"Oh, you're too kind. You're a handsome young man. Hello." Chen Zao'er looked Mo Zi'an up and down.

"Hello, my name is Chen Xing. I wouldn't dare presume to offer my guidance; I'm merely a few years older than you." Chen Xing shook hands with Mo Zi'an. "May I speak with you privately for a few minutes?"

"Of course." Mo Zian nodded and went outside with Chen Xing.

Chen Xing took out a cigarette case, pulled out one, and offered it to Mo Zi'an, who politely declined.

Chen Xing glanced at Mo Zi'an with some surprise. Mo Zi'an smiled and explained, "Martial arts practitioners are strict with themselves. If my master found out, he'd probably break my legs."

"Strict family discipline is a good thing; it can fundamentally regulate one's character," Chen Xing sighed, lit a cigarette for himself, took a small sip, and then coughed twice.

"Dafu calls you Brother Xing, so I'll address you the same way."

Seeing Chen Xing nod, Mo Zian continued, "Brother Xing, do you have a bit of a cold? If you're not feeling well, why don't we go inside and talk some more?"

"Oh, it's not a cold, just a minor ailment from years ago, nothing serious."

Chen Xing said with a hint of helplessness, then paused slightly before continuing, "I've heard some things from Dafu, and I not only agree in principle, but I'm also very grateful to you. I've already gathered everyone who's willing to come; many of them have grown up and no longer live here..."

But I also have concerns. As you can see, they are all lonely children. Even if we are their parents, we are still different from their biological parents.

"Yes, it's normal to have concerns." Mo Zian nodded. "I think I should tell you about it again in person, Brother Xing. Just relaying it is just relaying it. Maybe after I tell you myself, Brother Xing, your concerns will be alleviated."

"Okay, I'm all ears."

Mo Zian gave Chen Xing a detailed account of his plans and arrangements for recruiting people, as well as the current situation.

Chen Xing listened attentively, and by the time Mo Zian finished speaking, he had just finished smoking a cigarette.

Chen Xing threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out. He pondered for a moment and said, "I trust Dafu, she trusts you, so I trust you too. Your qualifications are impeccable. I just have one last question—why did you choose this place? Is it because of Dafu?"

"Not entirely," Mo Zian replied decisively.

"Oh, could you elaborate?" Chen Xing asked, staring at Mo Zi'an's face.

"Of course." Mo Zian and Chen Xing looked at each other. "Because in some ways, I am also an unfortunate orphan, but I am also much luckier than all the unfortunate people."

Seeing Chen Xing's slightly stunned expression, Mo Zi'an asked, "Didn't Dafu say anything?"

Chen Xing shook his head.

"I was adopted by my master's family. My original home was burned down by the Chenhuan people."

Mo Zian turned to look at Chen Xing and said in a calm but sincere tone, "I am lucky. My master is my luck, but I have never become arrogant because of this luck."

I was just wondering if I could be lucky enough to be someone else's good fortune, or if I could lend a helping hand to someone when they're down on their luck.

After listening, Chen Xing remained silent for a long time. He lit another cigarette and his gaze toward Mo Zian underwent a qualitative change: "What's the youngest age you can recruit?"

"The youngest should be 11 or 2 years old," Mo Zian replied immediately. "Those who are too young will not understand. Those under 15 will be apprentices first, with room and board provided, but they will not receive wages."

"Yes, paying them wages would actually violate the Empire's Labor Law." Chen Xing nodded seriously. "But many of these children have never been to school."

"Then let's start by teaching them to read. We'll hire a tutor for everyone. It's not like we're going to have a major exam, so it won't cost much." Mo Zian gave Chen Xing a reassuring look. "Since they're apprentices, of course we'll start from the beginning."

"Okay!" Chen Xing nodded. "What about the employment contract? How long will it be?"

"It depends." Mo Zian pondered for a moment. "If it's a young adult, the minimum is ten years; but if it's an apprentice, the minimum is thirty years, and we'll..."

Chen Xing interrupted Mo Zian, "Don't worry, I understand. Let's do it this way. If there are any really stupid ones, or those who are ignorant and troublesome, just bring them back to them. That means they can't handle this job."

"Okay." Mo Zian extended a hand to Chen Xing. "I saw a really nice restaurant on the way here. I'll treat everyone. I'll also take this opportunity to meet everyone."

Chen Xing didn't hesitate and shook hands with Mo Zi'an.