From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"A newly recruited constable."

Su Zongyao lowered his head, suppressing his anger, and said calmly, "His name is Zhu Hong."

"Captain?"

Jiang Cong raised an eyebrow, his tone full of disdain and contempt:

"A mere newly appointed minor official can kill members of my Jiang family? You're quite the 'competent' father."

The veins on Su Zongyao's forehead were bulging, and his fists clenched tightly.

"Traitor."

He gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath.

"Wait a minute," Jiang Feng, who had been observing from the sidelines, suddenly looked up and asked, "What was that person's name?"

Seeing that Jiang Feng had asked him a question, Su Zongyao dared not be negligent and quickly cupped his hands in greeting:

"Replying to Young Master Feng,"

His name is Zhu Hong, a newly selected officer by the yamen this year.

A glint of light flashed in Jiang Feng's eyes, and a playful smile appeared on his lips: "So it was him."

Jiang Cong glanced sideways:

"Young Master Feng, do you recognize this person?"

Jiang Feng didn't answer, shifting his gaze from Jiang Zongyao to the cowering father and son. "Who are these two?"

"Feng, Young Master Feng!"

"I am the head of Zhu Hong's household."

Although Zhao Lai did not recognize the identity of the young man in brocade robes in front of him, he could tell from the attitude of the crowd that he was a powerful and influential person who was not easy to offend. So he trembled and repeated what he had said earlier.

"Oh? So you are his master."

Jiang Feng inquired about Zhu Hong and learned that he was originally an apprentice who collected corpses.

"Yes, it is indeed a commoner."

Jiang Feng sized up Zhao Lai and his son, then said softly, "Jiang Chengzhi is a member of the Jiang family, and it is our Jiang family's duty to uphold justice for him. You two..." He paused, then sneered:

"On what grounds?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lai panicked and looked at Su Zongyao. Su Zongyao shook his head, indicating that he should still produce the contract and follow the previous agreement.

"Young Master Feng,"

"This humble citizen has a contract with Zhu Hong! And..."

Zhao Lai immediately came to his senses, took out a yellowed paper contract from his pocket, raised it with both hands and presented it, saying in a trembling voice, "My family is willing to bear witness to this with our lives."

Jiang Feng picked it up casually and looked down to read it.

(A contract for selling oneself into servitude and becoming a disciple)

Zhu Quancai, who signed the indenture, is now destitute and willing to sell his nephew Zhu Hong (age 14) to Zhao's mortuary as an apprentice for five taels of silver.

Note:

After being sold, he was at the mercy of the bishop's care and use.

Life, death, illness, and old age have nothing to do with the Zhu family. Words are meaningless; this contract serves as proof.

The thirty-first year of the Longqing reign

An auspicious day in the month of Guiyue.

Contract signatory: Zhu Quancai (signature)

Middleman:

Granny Wang (signature)

……

After reading it, Jiang Feng nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips: "Good stuff." He tossed the contract back, then looked down at Zhao Lai, who was kneeling on the ground, his expression quite meaningful:

"This matter."

"I'll make the decision for you."

Zhao Lai was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you so much, Young Master Feng! Thank you so much, Young Master Feng!"

"only……"

Jiang Feng spoke casually, saying slowly, "To accomplish this, you'll have to make a trip to the government office." He paused slightly, glanced up, a flash of cold light passing through his eyes, and calmly instructed, "Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), in front of the government office."

"Sound the drum for petitioning!"

Zhao Lai's joy froze instantly, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. "Deng... Dengwen Drum?"

The petition drum at this government office has remained silent for a century.

How solemn!

The sound of the drum resounds throughout the city, reaching even the prefectural governor. No one is to be disturbed. Anyone who strikes the drum, regardless of right or wrong, will first be punished with fifty strokes of the divine rod that directly shakes the soul. If the accusation is false, their entire family will be implicated.

"Young Master Feng, this, this..."

Zhao Lai's lips trembled, and he was almost in tears: "That Zhu Hong is a constable in the yamen. If I were to beat the drum, I'm afraid it would only bring trouble upon myself."

"What? You're not going to take revenge?"

Jiang Cong stepped forward, looking down at them with a cold, sharp gaze: "Young Master Feng is willing to stand up for you, and you still dare to make excuses? You truly don't know what's good for you."

Zhao Lai was so frightened that he almost lost his mind, and kept hitting his head on the ground.

"Father, Father!"

Zhao Gui, who was standing to the side, had already turned pale and was quietly tugging at his father's sleeve.

Zhao Lai had no time to pay him any attention. After some thought, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind. He pressed his son's head down hard and kowtowed heavily to Jiang Feng: "Young Master Feng, I am willing to go! I am willing to beat the drum!" He felt helpless. If he did not agree today, he would probably die immediately.

Only by agreeing to this matter can there be a glimmer of hope.

Jiang Feng nodded slightly, his face showing approval: "Don't worry, go knock on them at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow." He left the two with hope:

"We'll get there too."

The Jiang family will handle all subsequent matters.

Upon hearing the promise, Zhao Lai's lifeless heart began to stir slightly, and he hurriedly prostrated himself in gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Young Master Feng!"

Jiang Feng gently waved his sleeve, his voice clear and cold:

"Alright, let's go back."

Zhao Lai repeatedly said "Yes," not daring to linger any longer. He hurriedly helped up Zhao Gui, who was already weak all over and ashen-faced. The father and son were in a sorry state, tumbling and crawling all the way out of Qingyan Xiaozhu.

……

After the two left the Jiang residence.

"father!"

Only then did Zhao Gui dare to speak, "Are we really going to go to the yamen and beat that drum?"

"You dare not not knock!"

Zhao Lai glanced back at the imposing gate tower, then slapped Zhao Gui hard across the face: "If we don't knock, we're all dead now."

Zhao Gui covered his face, tears welling up in his eyes.

"But, but what about Zhu Hong?"

"Shut up!"

Just as Zhao Lai was about to rebuke him again, a sleek blue horse suddenly appeared, its hooves pounding the setting sun as it slowly approached from the street corner. The figure on horseback was tall and strong, dressed in a black official robe, with a sword at his waist, and his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.

The father and son looked up and froze on the spot.

Head constable Wang Zhenshan?

His gaze swept over them coldly, and Zhao Lai and his son hurriedly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Chief Constable Wang!"

Seeing this, Wang Zhenshan didn't even lift his eyelids.

He had already investigated Zhu Hong and knew the deeds of Zhao Lai and his gang. Disgusted by them, he simply rode his horse straight past them and headed towards the gate of the Jiang residence.

"father."

Only after the sound of horses' hooves had faded into the distance did Zhao Gui raise his head and timidly ask, "Officer, what brings you to the Jiang family?"

"Why are you asking questions you shouldn't be asking?!"

Zhao Lai dared not utter another word, grabbed Zhao Gui, and hurriedly disappeared into the alley.

*

*

In front of the Jiang Mansion gate.

The green horse came to a stop with light, quick steps, and Wang Zhenshan landed on his feet.

Hearing the sound of hooves, the gatekeepers lazily raised their eyes, but upon seeing the figure, their drowsiness vanished instantly. "Officer Wang!" they exclaimed, quickly straightening up, forcing smiles, and bowing respectfully.

"What brings you here today...?"

He hadn't finished speaking.

Wang Zhenshan ignored them and strode through the group.

"this?"

The guards were taken aback.

When he came to his senses, Wang Zhenshan was about to crash into the Jiang residence. The head servant hurriedly tried to stop him, stammering, "Lord Wang!" He was sweating profusely and his tongue seemed to be tied in knots.

Whom do you want to see?

"I'll go and inform them right away."

Wang Zhenshan paused, turned his head, and his tiger-like eyes flashed coldly. "An ultimatum?" A cold smile appeared on his lips as he lifted his leg.

"boom!"

The gate exploded with a loud bang.

The guards' expressions changed, realizing something was terribly wrong, but none of them dared to utter a sound.

Wang Zhenshan strode in, his voice booming like a bell, causing the snow on the eaves to fall in a flurry: "The one in charge of the Jiang family, get out here!"

His voice echoed throughout the Jiang residence:

"The official regulations have been issued!"