Chapter 40

Du Sanye stepped out of the village gate, staring at the ox cart in the distance, his face dark. One of his subordinates, seeing no one around, stepped forward and said, “Third Master, if all else fails, we should just use force.”

Du Sanye cursed, “Use force? What nonsense! If I could use force, wouldn’t I have done it long ago? Why would I bother with all this scheming? Above orders say not to stir up legal trouble unless absolutely necessary—so tell me, how exactly would you use force?”

The subordinate smiled apologetically, “Third Master, if you bribe the right people beforehand, the legal trouble will just vanish on its own.”

“I told you you’re stupid, and you prove it! No one was paying attention until you started bribing up and down—now you’re drawing eyes! I don’t even know where this Wang clan of Langya came from!” Du Sanye muttered, his face grim.

One subordinate asked in surprise, “He’s really a Wang of Langya?”

“I don’t know if he’s real or fake, but Liu of Neye and Yu of Xinye are definitely genuine.”

Upon hearing this, the subordinates all exchanged silent whistles. What had seemed a simple matter had now dragged in two of Jingzhou’s greatest clans! They’d kicked a iron plate!

Du Sanye thought: Since this is entangled with these people, brute force won’t work—I must find a way to bypass them...

On the other side, Wang Yang soothed the Tong Luozhu and let them leave. Yu Yuling asked in confusion, “Brother Wang, you spoke harshly to Du San, yet you were so gentle with this minor official?”

Wang Yang replied, “Du San is a wolf—you show weakness, and he’ll overpower you. This Tong Luozhu is timid, avoids trouble, and came here only under orders. No need to humiliate him further. Besides, he’s responsible for local security—‘the county magistrate is less powerful than the local officer.’ If I scold him too harshly, he’ll harbor resentment and might take it out on He Han’s family.”

“I’ve learned. ‘The county magistrate is less powerful than the local officer’—that’s an interesting saying.”

“Young Master is amazing! The bad people are afraid of you!” Little Awu ran over to Wang Yang.

Wang Yang bent down and pinched Awu’s small nose: “You’re amazing too—you held back crying for so long.”

“I didn’t cry! I didn’t cry!” Awu immediately denied it, embarrassed by the memory of her loud sobbing.

“Oh, I must’ve misremembered—Awu is truly brave!”

Yu Yuling watched this scene, feeling moved: Brother Wang treats people so naturally—even the servant’s daughter is treated with such warmth. His handling of the Tong Luozhu and Du San was also masterful. What a fine friend to have!

Wang Yang then led He Han and Awu to thank Yu Yuling. Seeing He Han’s hesitant expression, Wang Yang knew he had something to say, so Yu Yuling returned to the cart to wait.

After Yu Yuling left, He Han told Wang Yang he would return to camp tomorrow. Wang Yang asked, “You’re going back. What about Awu?”

“Awu’s fine. A year ago she could already stay alone. Auntie Zhao is the kindest— I’ve already asked her and a few neighbors to help if anything comes up.”

He pulled a small blue pouch from the bottom of the chest: “Young Master, this is the three thousand cash you lent me from the county school. I’m returning it.”

Wang Yang was surprised: “Three thousand? You didn’t redeem your knife?”

“I was worried—”

“Didn’t I say not to call yourself ‘this humble servant’ when no outsiders are around?”

He Han looked embarrassed but obeyed: “I was worried you had other plans, so I didn’t redeem the knife.”

“Take five hundred cash to redeem the knife; also, you borrowed five hundred from Ding Jiu—pay him back one thousand five hundred.”

“What? That’s too much!” He Han winced. Even if he wanted to give extra, two or three hundred cash would be enough.

“Not too much. Tell him this is my repayment, and the rest is interest.”

Borrowing for just two days at two hundred percent interest meant Ding Jiu made a hefty profit.

Since his arrival, He Han and Ding Jiu were among the first to interact with Wang Yang, knew many of his affairs, and after returning to camp, might still speak to Xue Duizhu and Wang Wenshu about details from Baying Village.

Wang Yang didn’t know whether Xue Duizhu truly intended to abandon him, but if anything went wrong with Ding Jiu, it might become a bomb at any moment.

Giving more money serves three purposes: First, to prevent Ding Jiu from harboring resentment—after all, he lent money expecting high returns; if unsatisfied, he’d be bitter.

Second, to demonstrate my status and capability, to intimidate Ding Jiu and deter any treacherous thoughts.

Third, to let Ding Jiu taste sweetness, so he’ll cherish our ‘friendship’—and that cherished loyalty might one day yield unexpected results.

After setting aside Ding Jiu’s share, Wang Yang said, “As for the remaining thousand cash, we each take five hundred.”

He Han hurriedly refused: “I—I won’t take it! Young Master just paid off our huge debt—how could I take your money again?”

Seeing He Han firmly refuse, Wang Yang simply kept half the cash and said, “Enough. The cart’s still waiting—I’m leaving.”

“Young Master! Young Master! You’re the most trustworthy person in the world!” Little Awu suddenly jumped out, blocking the gate.

Wang Yang paused: “Where did that come from?”

“Last time you said you’d bring me candy, and you really made Father bring it back! People who keep their word are so rare! You’re the trustworthy Young Master, the promise-keeping Young Master! I always said—good-looking people are trustworthy!”

Wang Yang looked at Awu’s wide, hopeful eyes and instantly guessed her wish. He patted her head and asked:

“Awu, you want to go to Jingzhou City, don’t you?”

Awu’s big eyes instantly sparkled:

“Can I? Can I?! I heard the city market is open every day, ten times livelier than our village fair every year!”

“I did say I’d take you next time, but today is impossible,” Wang Yang apologized.

He’d just borrowed a large sum from Liu Zhao and left the manuscript to come out. If he returned to the city and still didn’t work on the writing, he’d be letting Liu Zhao down. Liu Zhao wouldn’t say anything, but between people, things are mutual—you can’t take advantage of kindness.

Awu’s bright eyes dimmed instantly. He Han quickly said, “Awu, be good. Young Master is busy. Father will take you. Step aside, don’t block the gate.”

Awu murmured “Mm,” knowing her father would return to camp tomorrow and couldn’t take her into the city anytime soon. Still, she stepped aside, lowering her head to stare at her straw sandals.

Wang Yang’s heart softened. He patted Awu’s head: “Today really isn’t possible. How about this—I’ll come pick you up at noon tomorrow, and we’ll spend the afternoon exploring Jingzhou’s great market?”

Little Awu jumped three feet in the air.

Inside the county school, Liu Zhao stood before his study door, looking anxious.

Why hasn’t he returned yet?

That’s not right!

What’s wrong with Zi Jie? Didn’t I tell him to bring Zhiyan back quickly?

A servant hurried over: “Master!”

Liu Zhao’s face lit up: “He’s back?”

“No, Master Zong sent word—he’s moved into his new residence and invites you to visit.”

Liu Zhao was deeply disappointed. He took the invitation and saw only one large character: “Invite.” He couldn’t help laughing.

Such an invitation style—throughout all of Jingzhou, there couldn’t be a second person.

But scholarship comes first—he couldn’t attend. He said, “Tell him I’m occupied today and cannot come. Send my bamboo pen set and stacked-stone inkstone as a gift.”

Another servant arrived. Liu Zhao exclaimed, “He’s back?”

“A reply from Xisha Zhou.”

Liu Zhao had an elder cousin named Liu Qiu, a devout Buddhist who lived in seclusion on Xisha Zhou outside Jiangling City, often exchanging letters with the Second Imperial Prince, Prince Jingling Xiao Ziliang, who also believed in Buddhism. Prince Jingling was known as the Virtuous Prince and was the Emperor’s most cherished son after the Crown Prince, holding the high post of Situ and assisting in governance.

Recently, Liu Zhao had asked Liu Qiu to seek help from Prince Jingling regarding the county school’s downsizing. Now, finally, a reply had come. He quickly took it and read.

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Let drunkenness honor this fine festival, no need to climb heights to bid farewell to setting suns. May all companions enjoy themselves today—Happy Mid-Autumn! I’ll drink mine—yours, at your leisure!