Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Yang Zhi was so excited after returning to the inn last night that he barely slept.

He began by reminiscing about the first half of his life. In order to revive the Yang family's reputation, he had been practicing martial arts since childhood, getting up before dawn and staying up until midnight, passing all the tests and finally achieving the highest level of martial arts proficiency!

He became an official through his unwavering perseverance and the privileges afforded to him by his ancestors…

Of course, my own efforts also played a role in this process!

Otherwise, why would the imperial court send him to transport the precious stones and flowers?

Isn't that because they're confident in their martial arts skills...?

The boat capsized, but it's not my fault; it's all because the wind and waves were too big...

In short, he has gone through countless hardships along the way, but it seems that there is an unseen hand that has been controlling his life all along.

Just when his career was starting to take off, some unexpected changes would always happen, bringing him back to square one!

Just like this time, even though the emperor has pardoned my crime, does that mean I am innocent?

Since I am innocent and have the grace of my ancestors, why won't you, Gao Qiu, reinstate me to my original position?

And those bastards in the Privy Council, did you take my money? If you did, why didn't you help me with the process?

Gao Qiu disagrees? Then go and talk to him!

They take the money and do nothing; do they have no professional ethics at all?!

After being filled with anger, she lamented her unfortunate fate, then remembered the young master Tong she had met, and became excited again.

He had a premonition that this encounter would drastically change his destiny.

Who is that?

Those are members of Tong Guan's family!

Of course, Tong Guan didn't have any children, but he did have brothers!

He needs someone to carry on his family line!

Given Tong Guan's standing in the Emperor's eyes, his son's future is sure to be bright!

It's laughable that before the banquet, when that young master Tong talked about the path to becoming an official, he thought he was just bragging!

Now that we know his identity, it's clear that this wasn't boasting; it was his career plan!

Alas, in the end, it was my own limited knowledge and shallow understanding that led me to this situation!

However, this young master Tong treated him differently. Upon their first meeting, he praised him and offered him wine!

This is absolutely the most crucial opportunity of my life!

Even the slightest benefit slipping through someone's fingers is something I would be more than happy to receive!

Given the opportunity, with your own skills, why worry about not being able to stand out and bring honor to your ancestors!

Thinking about this, Yang Zhi tossed and turned, unable to calm down for a long time.

He felt that even God was fed up with his unfortunate fate and had given him a huge punishment.

In a daze, he faintly heard the sound of the wheel of fate turning!

Finally, dawn broke, and Yang Zhi quickly got up, wanting to go find that young master Tong again.

But just as he was about to set off, he froze. If he were to just show up like this, it would inevitably seem abrupt, since they had only shared a drink together once and their relationship wasn't that deep!

If people misunderstand that I am trying to curry favor with him after knowing his identity, wouldn't that be a disgrace to me, Yang?

Yang Zhi paced back and forth in the inn, thinking it over and over, and decided that it was not appropriate to go directly to their door.

The best way is to pretend you don't know his identity, have another chance encounter, treat him as an equal, and then when he sees you're in a bad situation, he'll offer you a helping hand.

Of course, one cannot accept it directly; one must feign reluctance, even showing displeasure and saying things like "A gentleman does not eat food offered with contempt."

Then, under the other party's insistence, you reluctantly accept his kind offer.

That's more dignified!

But how can we bump into each other?

Waiting for him at his doorstep would be too deliberate. After thinking it over, Yang Zhi thought of Ma Xing Street. Since they met there yesterday, it meant that he frequented the area, and they might run into each other again today.

Once he made up his mind, he hurriedly went out. When he passed the front hall of the inn, the innkeeper looked down on him and told him in a sarcastic tone that he needed to settle his bill.

Yang Zhi felt a surge of anger, as if he were a tiger fallen into the plains being bullied by dogs. He felt an unbearable sense of frustration and gritted his teeth, vowing to make this opportunistic villain pay the price when he rose to prominence.

He suppressed his anger, gave a few perfunctory replies, and headed straight towards Ma Xing Street.

Once on the street, he stuck a straw marker on his knife and stood there looking around.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and a biting north wind blew through Ma Xing Street, chilling the air to the bone. Yet, Ma Xing Street was still bustling with activity, with vendors and peddlers calling out their wares along the street.

Yang Zhi was starving, cold and hungry. He couldn't help but swallow hard at the aroma wafting from the food stalls. He walked a little further away and continued to look around.

After waiting for a long time, his hands and feet were getting stiff, and he couldn't help but feel anxious. He thought to himself that he might not be able to see the innkeeper today, and that he would have to see the innkeeper's face again when he got back.

Just as my thoughts were wandering, a familiar figure suddenly came into view.

Seeing him walk past in a leisurely manner, Yang Zhi could no longer care about his composure and hurriedly shouted and chased after him.

Gao Zhao was not surprised to see Yang Zhi. After all, he had thrown out such a big bait yesterday, it would be strange if Yang Zhi didn't take the bait!

I just didn't expect them to be so impatient, arriving so early in the morning!

He looked Yang Zhi up and down, a faint smile on his face: "Brother Yang, here to sell your sword so early?"

He pulled his thin, old clothes tighter around himself, facing the biting wind, his face showing a look of dejection and sorrow. He deliberately suppressed his eagerness, cupped his hands in a fist and said, "Young Master Tong, what a coincidence, to run into you here."

"Ah, yes! What a coincidence!" Gao Zhao nodded dejectedly, "You're down on your luck selling your knife, forced by circumstances, while I'm struggling and taking a walk in the streets to clear my head. We're both in the same boat, it really is a coincidence!"

Seeing his expression, Yang Zhi realized that he was troubled by something and not being personally sullen. A thought struck him, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Young Master Tong, what troubles you? I wonder if I can help?"

Gao Zhao turned to look at him again, forcing a smile, and said, "Brother Yang, if you don't mind being a little late, why don't you accompany me for a walk?"

Yang Zhi was more than happy to agree and quickly accepted. This was a great opportunity to get closer to his partner, and he certainly couldn't miss it.

The two walked side by side for a while, then Gao Zhao found a food stall, sat down, ordered some food haphazardly, and began to eat with Yang Zhi.

Although Yang Zhi was starving, he dared not wolf down his food. After a few bites, he slowed down and took the initiative to start a conversation: "I see that you, sir, have an extraordinary bearing and are certainly no ordinary person. I wonder what troubles you?"

"Alas!" Gao Zhao sighed, putting down his chopsticks and cup, unable to eat, and said indignantly, "I have a partner who recently acquired a brothel and entertainment district, complete with gambling dens and brothels. He also has a man with some crooked talent who runs the district very well, making a fortune every day. Now he often boasts about it in front of me, which makes me feel extremely embarrassed!"

Yang Zhi was speechless for a moment after hearing this. Was such a trivial matter really worth worrying about?

These spoiled brats are really bored out of their minds!

However, although he thought this in his heart, he dared not show it on his face and continued to listen attentively to what he had to say.

"I wanted to send someone to smash up his market, but unfortunately he has a lot of thugs and ruffians under his command, and I have no one I can use. I can only watch him act so arrogantly, but I have to swallow my anger. It's so frustrating!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhi was about to offer words of comfort when a sudden inspiration struck him, and he burst into laughter: "Haha... I thought you were worried about nothing, young master! It's just a mere rogue, what's the big deal!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Zhao was overjoyed. He reached out and grasped Yang Zhi's hand, excitedly saying, "Brother Yang, what brilliant plan do you have to help me vent this anger!"

Yang Zhi picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food, and chewed it heartily. He smiled arrogantly and said, "What's so difficult about this? I'll go and do it!"