From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"Make way, make way."

"Make way, everyone!"

At the end of the long street, the sounds of clamor could be heard in the distance.

Lin Jizhi was patrolling the street with several hangers-on when he saw a procession approaching from afar, with a rather grand entourage.

"Oh ho, isn't that Second Master Jiang?"

He squinted and looked closely, recognizing the leader as Jiang Cong, whom he had seen in front of the government office a few days ago. He couldn't help but wonder, "What's the purpose of such a large-scale operation?"

"Hey, what do you think is in that box?"

A hanger-on beside him asked in a low voice.

"Who knows? Should we go up and check them?"

"Ha, you go if you want, I wouldn't dare."

"Me? Of course I'm not going either."

The group chattered incessantly, giving Lin Ji a headache. He quickly waved his hand to stop them, saying, "Stop making a racket and follow me." As he spoke, his eyes darted around, already showing a probing look.

Not long after.

Jiang Cong and his entourage then stopped in front of the government office.

He dismounted, gently straightened his clothes and hat, a slight hesitation in his expression before he composed himself. He then, accompanied by several stewards, had his identities verified and headed straight for the inner yamen. Lin Jizhi stroked his chin, not in a hurry to return and report, but simply followed closely behind at a distance.

"Second Master."

The Jiang family steward, who was accompanying them, had already spotted the person following them and asked Jiang Cong in a low voice, "Someone is following us. Should we stop them?"

"Let him be."

Jiang Cong shook his head slightly, not stopping his steps, and said calmly, "This is the government office, not the Jiang family's private residence." He paused, then said in a low voice, "Moreover, these are turbulent times, it's better to remain still than to make a move, lest we create unnecessary complications."

"Yes."

……

As soon as the group arrived outside the study, they were stopped by the guards at the gate.

"stop!"

The constable shouted sternly, puffing out his chest, "This is the place where the young master conducts his confidential business. No one may enter without being summoned. Who are you, and what is your purpose?"

"My name is Jiang Cong, from the Jiang clan of Jinyang."

Jiang Cong bowed slightly, his demeanor calm and composed: "Today I have come to the yamen with gifts to apologize and request an audience with Registrar Gu to express Jiang's apologies in person."

"Originally from the Jiang family."

The constable replied indifferently, not yielding an inch: "Clerk Gu is not in the mansion today and will not receive any guests."

Jiang Cong frowned slightly, cupped his hands again, and spoke with a more earnest tone:

"We do have important business to attend to, concerning the presentation of gifts, so please inform us in advance."

"No need to send a notification."

The constable replied curtly, "The clerk has already instructed that if Jiang has any matters to attend to, there is no need to seek him out; he can simply go to the Second Division to consult Lord Zhu."

"Zhu Hong?"

Jiang Cong's expression suddenly darkened.

He never expected that after his father and elder brother personally visited the prefect to plead their case, the power to handle the matter would still remain in the hands of a local constable.

Jiang Cong was unwilling, but patiently said:

"I only wish to see Clerk Gu briefly; I would not dare to disturb you further."

The constable, not wanting to waste any more words, simply raised his hand coldly and waved it away:

"The clerk is not here, everyone..."

Please make yourself at home.

Jiang Cong gritted his teeth in anger, but he was helpless. He could only suppress his rage, flicked his sleeves, and said coldly, "Let's go!"

Behind the colonnade.

Lin Jizhi witnessed this scene and was overjoyed.

"Tsk tsk, another day of being humiliated."

He muttered to himself, "I was so eager to get Manager Gu to take charge, but the magistrate didn't say a word and just pushed the blame onto that kid Hong. Hah~ that was a real slap in the face." The more he thought about it, the more relieved he felt. He couldn't help but let out a low "heh" and dashed off towards Class Two like the wind.

He was eager to tell Zhu Hong about the exciting show that was about to unfold.

……

Class 2 dormitory.

"So many things have happened in Jinyang lately?"

After hearing Zhu Hong finish speaking, Cao Wanhai's dark face contorted into a bitter expression. He slapped his thigh and howled, "If I had known this would happen, I would rather die than take that job! You guys had quite a show in the city."

"And me?"

"But I'm stuck in that godforsaken, desolate valley, eating nothing but bread every day, dying of loneliness." He became increasingly aggrieved as he spoke, turning to glare at Wang Zhenshan, his voice deepening:

"Boss, it's all your fault!"

"Since you just said you wouldn't send me out, I won't do it again no matter how much you urge me."

Wang Zhenshan simply leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and glanced at him indifferently.

That seemingly indifferent gaze made Cao Wanhai involuntarily shrink back, his voice immediately lowering: "No... it was just a casual remark."

Before the words were finished, a hurried shout came from outside the door.

"Hong boy! Hong boy!"

A figure rushed in through the door; it was Lin Jizhi.

His eyes darted around aimlessly. "Huh?" He was surprised to see a familiar, burly figure sitting in the room. He was startled at first, then exclaimed, "Cao Wanhai? When did you get back, you charcoal head?!" In his excitement, he completely forgot about his mission to deliver the message, pointing at Cao Wanhai and saying:

"You, Cao Wanhai."

"You've been slacking off for so long, and not a word from you. I thought you'd been killed by those scoundrels from Jingu Garden."

Cao Wanhai turned around, grinning to reveal a set of white teeth:

"You have such a foul mouth, you never hold back." With that, he strode forward, patted the man's shoulder with his large palm-leaf fan, and laughed, "I've been out here eating and sleeping in the open, while you've gotten even rounder and rounder in the city."

"fart!

"I've been incredibly busy these days."

Lin Jizhi was startled by his slap, but wasn't angry. Instead, she punched him in the chest with her other hand: "I won't talk about it beforehand. Tell me quickly, what's the situation outside these days?"

"What's the rush?"

Cao Wanhai rubbed his chest and chuckled, "You're already in such a hurry to interrogate me, barely stepping through the door and before I've even had a sip of tea?"

"Interrogate you? I'm afraid I'll get my mouth dirty."

Lin Jizhi rolled her eyes, plopped down on the stool, and crossed her legs. "But speaking of which, did you manage to gather any important information on this trip?"