Chapter 323

What else can I do? Naturally, I look with my eyes!

Qin Feng let out a heavy sigh and said wistfully, "Looking with my eyes is helpless."

"For those people, I really am helpless." He narrowed his eyes, raised the wine jug high, poured himself a bowl of wine, then took a small sip, thoroughly enjoying it.

I could find a pile of memorials in the Court's statutes to punish them, but I can't—not only can't, I even have to pay out of my own pocket to treat that bunch of grandsons to food, drink, and flirting with beauties. Then I have to smile and ask them to give me a little face, so during my tenure as magistrate of Yunan County they won't cause trouble and will support me in every way.

I am a local parent-official, but in some people's eyes I am nothing but a miserable dog that crawled over Shenxian Ling, not even knowing my own surname or what I am.

Qin Feng scoffed, looked at Chen Wuji, and said, "Those last words aren't mine; I usually don't curse myself like that. They're what some people say behind my back, and it just so happened that my men overheard them."

Look, this is their view and attitude toward me. You ask what else I can do? Old Chen, we must train the troops ruthlessly; once we truly have five thousand soldiers, the Laborers will immediately go kill those grandsons.

Chen Wuji lowered his eyelids slightly, "But I want to act now!"

Qin Feng stared, then said, "They aren't Qiang people from afar; they are the true local tyrants of Yunan. Strike one, and a swarm will come. This foul stench might leave us with nothing in an instant—you're not joking with me, are you?"

Chen Wuji nodded, "The Cao family is already ready to act, and they also have outside help."

"But I haven't yet figured out where this outside help comes from; perhaps it's from Hezhou or the prefecture."

Qin Feng remained silent for a while, merely sipping his wine like tea, "We should wait a bit longer, wait a little more; maybe then it'll be alright, but right now it's too rushed."

"However, they probably picked this moment on purpose, not giving us a chance to grow strong."

Having said that, Qin Feng suddenly cursed, "Damn it, a meat-pie seller ought to be selling meat pies, not meddling in fights and brawls; the key is we might not even be able to beat them."

After a while, he finally seemed to have made up his mind, he firmly patted Chen Wuji's shoulder and said with some heroism, "Since they plan to strike first, we certainly can't just sit and wait; you should prepare how to do it, and start preparing."

"These past few days I've sent people to thoroughly investigate who they're colluding with and what allies they've gathered outside, to first clarify the situation before considering how to act."

"Good." Chen Wuji's expression grew somewhat solemn, and he nodded heavily.

The local tyrants of Yunan, the Qian family behind the Hengtong Business Business Business are now his allies; he also has a certain degree of cooperation with See Mountain and Li Si Fencha.

Hearing Qin Feng's meaning, the local tyrants of Yunan all have intricate connections behind them, and they have even long ago agreed to advance and retreat together.

This matter is indeed something Chen Wuji did not know.

Given this premise, if he wants to target the Cao family, he must first investigate the backgrounds of these three families.

Yunan's local forces are overly mixed, and Chen Wuji's current strength hasn't reached the point of absolute suppression; he can only act cautiously, otherwise he's likely to bring disaster upon himself.

Knowing Self and Enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles; so let's first gather intelligence.

After making up his mind, Chen Wuji didn't linger any longer at the xianya; he left, turned right, went straight across, and entered the Charitable Aid Hall.

The old man was, as usual, basking in the sun, with a medical book covering his face.

Hearing the movement nearby, he took the bamboo slips from his face, narrowed his eyes at Chen Wuji, and said, "You brat, staying up late not sleeping also keeps us from sleeping."

Chen Wuji found a small stool and sat beside Zhang Lao, saying, "Last night there wasn't much commotion either; how could you, old sir, be disturbed? That can't be right."

"'What the ears hear really isn't much, but the heart's turmoil is great.' Zhang Lao laughed."

"'A single stone stirs up a thousand waves; you and that Qin lad are too eager, moving too fast easily invites trouble.'"

"'You mean Magistrate Qin?' Chen Wuji asked."

Zhang Lao nodded and said slowly, "In Yunan city, back in the day, the xianya staff would rise each morning to wash the streets, laying down yellow earth as a footing; otherwise there'd be nowhere to set foot."

"'The people inside and outside this city, the natives are few. They're all tough characters from various places, forced to come here; this bunch huddles together—who would easily submit to whom? Those with profitable ventures all want a share; if talks break down, they meet with weapons, and they prefer to settle things with fists and swords.'"

"'How many years has it been quiet? I can't quite recall, but now it's about to erupt again.'"

Chen Wuji shook his head, "Old Master, it's not that I want this city to fall into chaos; it's that some people's ambitions are getting out of hand, and even my appearance breaking the balance can't be used as an excuse."

"'But you're still too hasty.' Zhang Lao slowly shook his head."

"'Take it slow—people eat grains and grow the seven emotions and six desires; I don't know about their seven emotions, but their six desires are all top-notch. Take it slow, find their weak point before acting; that's better than how you're acting now.'"

"'Old Master, do you think looking for their weak point now is too late?' Chen Wuji asked."

Zhang Lao chuckled, "As long as you do it, it's not too late."

"'Young man, I stand corrected.' Chen Wuji clasped his hands, 'Old sir, could you also give me a pointer while you're at it?'"

In this city, Zhang Lao is an exceptionally unique person; even Yang Tiejiang mentioning him shows a look of deep reluctance to speak further—this old man's strength or influence must be enough to make everyone feel wary.

This city is like a vast cultivation world—strength is everything.

As long as your fist is strong, others will be honest and obedient.

But, as Chen Wuji's nominal master,

this old man will insistently make Chen Wuji study medicine, yet won't meddle in other matters.

"'Just a few idle words; this old thing of mine has nothing to point out.' Zhang Lao waved his hand."

"'I heard you get along fairly well with that little girl from See Mountain?'"

Chen Wuji nodded, "It's not exactly great, but we've had a few business dealings."

"'Go talk to her, or sleep with her.' Zhang Lao said slowly."

Chen Wuji:???

"'Old Master, you're not joking with me, are you?!' he asked in disbelief."

Sleeping with her…

Just like that, she came out all lively and spirited?

Zhang Lao lifted his eyelids, glanced at Chen Wuji, and said, "What joke am I making with you, kid? That girl's father loves to hear gossip all the time; he even specially notes the goings‑on of the widow next door bathing. If you could take that old fellow as your father‑in‑law, things would go much smoother for you thereafter."