The male supporting character was actually myself.

Lieutenant Li, still with his stern face, replied, "Young Master, you're too kind. It was the Second Young Master who did the work of accompanying us on this debt collection trip; you should be thanking him."

"Heh, then thank you, little brother." Li Dongchen emphasized the word "little brother."

Li Tianxing frowned upon hearing this;

Jiang Chen pretended not to understand and smiled sheepishly, "Brother, you're too kind. We're brothers, not strangers. There's no need to be so polite in the future. You've just returned and aren't familiar with the situation in Yucheng. Just let me know if you need any help!"

"Father, I'll go change my clothes first and then see the head manager of the bank."

"Go on, you left the head manager waiting for half the day and even made him come to your door in person. Remember to apologize first! The head manager has been working diligently in charge of the bank all these years, you have to respect him."

"I understand, Father. I will study hard under the head manager."

The farce finally came to an end amidst the scene of filial piety between father and son. Taking advantage of Li Dongchen going to his own courtyard to change clothes, Jiang Chen quickly returned to his own courtyard, where Zhang Mingyuan was indeed back and waiting for him.

"Brother, tell me the truth, what exactly did the boss go out to do this afternoon?"

Upon meeting, he preemptively spoke with a serious expression: "The old man just gave the eldest son a severe beating, saying that he was too lazy for not going to the money exchange, but I don't think it's that simple."

Oh, right, before the eldest brother was brought back, the old man said he wanted to call off my engagement with Ziqiu. Damn it, do you think that kid might have been trying to sabotage me? Why would he suddenly start this whole "calling off the engagement" thing?

Zhang Mingyuan's expression hardened, and he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

His mind was in turmoil, after all, he felt guilty towards the second young master after witnessing that scene.

The second young master is a very good person, righteous and magnanimous. He's always ready to stand up for others when something happens! He's especially devoted to his younger sister, so it's really a shame she's been let down like this…

Jiang Chen urged impatiently, "Brother, say something! The old man's attitude is very firm. If we don't do something, Lieutenant Li will break off the engagement tomorrow. If Ziqiu, a dignified and virtuous girl, is really broken off, how will she stay in Yucheng afterward?"

"Young Master, please don't be anxious. We need to figure out the whole story."

Zhang Mingyuan took a deep breath to suppress his guilt and asked, "Besides the boss suddenly 'disappearing' today, has anything else happened? Think carefully and then tell me the whole story in detail."

Since Zhang Mingyuan resigned from his position at the trading company to work full-time for the original owner, the intelligent and brave man has taken on a series of roles, including strategist, enforcer, and trusted follower. The original owner trusts him and consults with him on everything.

"Let me think about it." Jiang Chen mentally went through the whole process. "First, the boss quietly went out the back door. You followed him and then sent back a message saying that he was wandering around Qiushui River. I didn't take it seriously."

As the sun began to set, I was talking to the old man in his room when the steward brought over the head manager of the money exchange.

One said he didn't see the boss today; another said the boss went out after lunch, and someone mentioned that things weren't peaceful in the city last month because of the bandit incident, and wondered if the boss had been kidnapped without his men.

I know where he is, but I don't dare to say it outright. How can I let the old man know that I sent someone to follow him?

Then the old man got anxious and started yelling for soldiers to go out and search.

I figured it wasn't a big deal; all we had to do was find the boss around the Qiushui River area and clear up the misunderstanding. So I took some men and walked around the river. I didn't see the boss or you at the time, but luckily a waiter at the teahouse said he'd seen the boss, so I called the teahouse owner over and asked him a few questions.

When I get back, I'll tell the old man it won't be long..."

He pretended to hesitate for a few seconds, then suddenly slapped his thigh. "Then Lieutenant Li came into the room, looking like he had something to discuss with the old man. Then I was kicked out while they whispered among themselves in the room."

Then the old man angrily shouted to withdraw his troops and ordered the steward to take the servants to the Qiushui River to wait and tie up the eldest son.

Before I could even figure out what was wrong, he said he wanted to call off the engagement. Everything seemed so connected; I had no idea what went wrong.

Zhang Mingyuan's face turned pale upon hearing this.

The second young master was a reckless and uncouth man, naturally lacking the ability to read between the lines. Judging from his description, the problem must lie with Lieutenant Li. Otherwise, why would the commander-in-chief, who had been so anxious before sending out elite troops, suddenly withdraw his forces and leave people waiting at Qiushui River?

It's clear that Lieutenant Li knew exactly where the other party was!

In other words... when my sister and Li Dongchen were having a secret rendezvous at the villa, it wasn't just me who saw it from the courtyard... Lieutenant Li must have been watching from somewhere at the time!

It's over! It's completely over!

Zhang Mingyuan's face turned ashen, and he almost collapsed to the ground. If only he knew about this matter besides Ziqiu, Xiuer, and Li Dongchen, it would be fine, as there would be room for maneuver no matter how things were handled.

But now it's clear that Lieutenant Li and the Marshal both know!

What humiliation would it be for a ruthless warlord to learn that the fiancée he had arranged for his own son was intimately involved with his eldest son?! Given the warlord's temperament, the Zhang family would soon be destroyed...

Zhang Ziqiu, you single-handedly caused the deaths of more than a dozen members of your entire family!

"Brother? What's wrong, brother?" Jiang Chen pretended to be completely unaware, helping him sit down and asking, "Have you figured something out?"

Countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Mingyuan's mind in an instant.

Should I confess to the second young master? Beg him to spare the Zhang family of more than ten people, considering that I may not have made any great contributions but I have worked hard?

Should we go to the commander-in-chief and apologize with thorns on our backs?

Or... before the Marshal's Mansion retaliates, I should hurry home, pack up my valuables, and have my dozen or so family members run away?

Where could they possibly run to? The entire area within a hundred miles of Yucheng is the Li family's territory. Are they going to head south or north?

"Second Master!" The servant trotted in and whispered, "The master is all set and is reconciling accounts with the head manager of the bank. Lieutenant Li wants you to take some men over there."

Jiang Chen patted Zhang Mingyuan on the shoulder, startling him so much that he almost jumped up. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he hurriedly nodded and replied, "Okay, okay, I'll count the manpower right away!"

"Brother, are you alright?"

"It's alright, it's alright, let's go take care of business first."

Seeing the other party's panicked and preoccupied appearance, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, knowing that he had guessed that Lieutenant Li and Li Tianxing knew about the secret rendezvous, and it seemed that he was very worried about the Marshal's Mansion's retaliation.

Encourage him to run away with his whole family?

Or should we try to keep Zhang Ziqiu here so we can continue with our plans?

He was unsure for a moment whether going with the flow would be more beneficial to the development of the situation.

Night had fallen.

Before setting off, everyone ate a simple meal, waiting for the young master to return victorious from his first battle to enjoy the highest-level celebration banquet prepared by the commander!

“Young Master, for our first attempt at debt collection, let’s start with something simple.” The steward, bribed by Jiang Chen, handed over an IOU and explained, “This is from Li Erlaizi of the East City, who mortgaged his ancestral courtyard house to get fifteen silver dollars from the money shop and has been in arrears for six months.”

The debt, including principal and interest, needs to be repaid to twenty silver dollars. If they refuse to repay, we will take back their ancestral home, and that will settle the matter. You can come today to make things clear and resolve the issue on the spot.”

The head manager of the money exchange squinted at it and nodded in agreement.

When doing something for the first time, it's best to start with something simple and clear. This will boost morale and help people understand the debt collection process. The manager's arrangement was quite appropriate.

"Giddy up!" Jiang Chen rode a tall, magnificent horse, flicking his whip and letting his cloak flutter in the wind, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.

Zhang Mingyuan led about twenty thugs, all dressed in short shirts and trousers, looking very capable, riding horses closely behind their master.

Li Dongchen, having been beaten and being a scholar, could only sit in the carriage with the elderly head manager, lifting the curtain to look outside.

Lieutenant Li, who was in charge of bringing up the rear for this operation, rode his horse slowly behind the carriage, his face as cold as ever, seemingly lost in thought.

A dozen or so money shop clerks followed behind the carriage. Tonight, with the second young master's henchmen there, they were just there to make up the numbers; they didn't need to do the fighting themselves.

"Li Yexiao is out in action again. I wonder who's going to be in big trouble!"

"Tch~ They're bringing so many people with them at night, they're probably going to collect debts again, since it's not easy to catch people during the day."

"They call it loan sharking, but when it comes to collecting debts, they practically drive people to their deaths. Li Yexiao deserves to die a horrible death!"

"That's not right either. If you think the interest rate is too high when you borrow money, you don't have to borrow it. They're not forcing you to lend money."

"Exactly! They didn't mention the high interest rates when they borrowed the money, but now they're crying and begging when they can't pay it back. Where were they before? They didn't cheat, scam, or force anyone to buy or sell. Paying back debts is a matter of course!"

"Pah! Why would someone borrow money from loan sharks if they weren't desperate? Defending the wicked, people's hearts are truly unpredictable."

"Those who borrow money at exorbitant interest rates are either indulging in drinking, gambling, whoring, or slacking off; there aren't many good people among them. This is what they call 'the wicked will be punished by the wicked'..."

…………

Sitting in the carriage that was moving along, Li Dongchen felt uneasy as he listened to the whispers of the people on the street about how ruthless Li Yexiao was and how they guessed that the eldest son of the Li family, who had just returned from studying abroad, was in cahoots with him.

I am clearly a proud scholar with ideals and aspirations, and a kind heart that cannot bear to see the suffering and misery in this world. However, I was born into a marshal's family and have such a disreputable younger brother. I am ashamed and feel that I have violated the conscience of a scholar!

He clenched his fist and secretly vowed that he must stay true to his principles and treat the people kindly, and never be like his younger brother who would do anything for fame and fortune!

Li Erlaizi lived in the slums in the east of the city.

Most of the residents here are refugees who fled from other war-torn areas and ended up here. They barely have a place to live by renting the cheapest old house, and they can make a living by doing small business or renting land to farm.

Therefore, upon entering this area, one is immediately greeted by a strong, sour stench mixed with the noise of children crying and adults shouting. The narrow streets are dark, and the occasional flickering kerosene lamp from a dilapidated house only adds to the cramped feeling.

“Young Master, Li Erlaizi is a local of Yucheng. His ancestors left behind a courtyard with four main rooms and four side rooms. He is a lazy and good-for-nothing who indulges in eating, drinking, gambling and whoring. He squanders all the money from renting out the house.”

The head manager sat upright like a mountain, his back straight, and said in a deep voice: "Li Erlaizi is a notorious scoundrel. He will do anything to cheat, swindle, and deceive. This is your first time collecting debts, and with the second young master and Lieutenant Li here, you don't need to worry or waste your breath on him."

"If you don't repay the money, just give the order for the second young master to take the house with his men. This courtyard is worth at least twenty silver dollars; our money shop won't lose money."

The thought of becoming a local bully who forcibly occupied people's homes weighed heavily on Li Dongchen's mind, and he nodded listlessly, "Thank you for your guidance, Manager. I know what to do."

Anyway, I can just say a few polite words and leave the bad guys to Li Jiangchen, who doesn't care about his reputation. When is a better time to use a free gun?

Jiang Chen, who was the first to arrive at Li Erlaizi's house on horseback, frowned upon seeing this.

The small courtyard housed no fewer than six families, including infants, elderly people in their eighties and nineties, and young people with blank expressions. Without exception, they were all dressed in tattered clothes and looked emaciated, a stark contrast to my group, who were dressed in bright clothes and riding tall horses.

"Second Master, these are all tenants renting from Li Erlaizi's house, and they are all... quite pitiful."

Seeing this, Zhang Mingyuan spurred his horse to his side and whispered, "Given the boss's temper, he can't stand these kinds of things. This debt collection trip probably won't go smoothly. Lieutenant Li is watching closely. Second Master, watch my signals and don't give the boss the chance to use you as a pawn."

Chapter Eight: Compassionate officials cannot command troops, and righteous officials cannot manage finances.

Seated high on their steeds, a menacing crowd carrying weapons and holding blazing torches instantly filled the narrow streets and chaotic courtyards.

The firelight flashed and the horses neighed. The poor people, who had never seen such a scene before, shrank back and dared not utter a sound.

"Young Master, please." The steward came over and lifted the curtain to invite Li Dongchen to get off the carriage.

After all, as the main person in charge of collecting debts, he must personally take the lead and establish his authority in front of everyone. No one can take this step for him, otherwise wouldn't that be overstepping the bounds of the eldest young master who controls the finances?

Li Dongchen bent down and got out of the car. His eyes swept over the poor people who were hiding like quails in the firelight. When he saw the fear in their eyes, his heart sank.

Does this mean he's categorizing himself as a villain like Li Yexiao?

No! I must let everyone see that I am completely different from that ruthless and wicked younger brother!

When I take charge of the General's Office in the future, I will surely be loved and respected by all people for my benevolence and righteousness!

Today is a great opportunity. If the people of the city know that I, Marshal Li, am a kind-hearted and righteous person, they will surely support me to become the next Marshal.

Does the father still want to give half of the family property to Li Jiangchen?

Ha, dream on! Let him wait until he goes to the underworld to keep his lowly mother company!

The young marshal must be me, Li Dongchen; the marshal's mansion will definitely be mine. From now on, I must win the hearts of the people with benevolence and good deeds, defeat Li Jiangchen, and take control of the marshal's mansion as soon as possible to implement new reforms under my rule. This is the first major thing I need to do after returning from studying abroad.

"Where is Li Erlaizi?" Li Dongchen straightened his finely made clothes, tried his best to straighten his back which was still burning with pain, and tried to appear as a gentle and refined scholar. He took a paper fan in his hand and stepped into the courtyard.