Chapter 106: Provocation (Begging for Monthly Tickets!)

"Why is it that offering money didn't work, but the sight of a meal actually draws people in?" Dong Bingfeng, a man of few words, was also thoroughly puzzled this time.

Zhao Jin said with a smile, "How many people eat two meals a day? When there's no farm work, some only eat one meal a day. Kids our age are still growing, and no amount of food is ever enough. Seeing a promise of a full belly naturally moves them."

Ji Xiang and Shi Manqiang could also eat three full meals a day. Their family circumstances were far worse than Zhao Jin and his friends, yet still considerably better than ordinary households. In such an environment, they naturally couldn't understand that feeling.

Ye Wenshu and the others grew happier the busier they got. Each document was worth ten wen, and they had copied quite a few last night. All they had to do now was fill in the names on the spot—very convenient. They were so busy they couldn't even spare the time to eat at the restaurant as previously agreed, and had to send someone out to buy food instead.

People have a herd mentality. Originally, everyone was hesitating and wavering. Now, seeing so many people lining up, many who had no prior intention also stepped forward to join.

"Uncle Ji, hurry up and prepare dinner. Don't try to save money for me—make sure they eat their fill." Seeing the large crowd, Zhao Jin promptly handed another ten taels of silver to Ji Xiang's father.

Ji Xiang's father grinned so widely he couldn't close his mouth. This was big business, and paid in cash. He hurried back to get busy, but before he left, Zhao Jin stopped him and gave a reminder: "After washing all the used bowls and chopsticks, you must boil them in hot water. I'll pay for the firewood. You absolutely must remember this."

Although no one understood why, seeing how serious Zhao Jin was, Ji Xiang's father hastily agreed.

The reason he said this was because Zhao Jin wanted to ensure as much disinfection and hygiene as possible.

The line grew longer and longer, and there were always some who tried to cut in. With Zhao Jin watching from a distance, those twelve men dared not slack off in the slightest and directly dragged the offenders out.

Everyone saw that Lu Da yank a man out. The young man was hot-tempered; after being pulled out, he immediately started cursing and looked ready to start a fight. Unexpectedly, Lu Da shoved him straight out. He stumbled back seven or eight steps and sat down hard on the ground. After getting up, he slunk away dejectedly.

"Lu Da's got quite the strength. All that food he eats is worth it after all!" Chen Sheng said with a chuckle.

Working for Zhao Jin meant enduring hard training, going out to fight, and getting parental consent. Although many people signed up, once filtered by these three conditions, few actually qualified. Some even asked if they needed errand boys or servants to wait on them. These people, of course, were not selected.

Once the crowd thinned out, the total number of qualified recruits for the day was only twenty-seven. They signed the contracts and were told to report tomorrow morning. Zhao Jin then said to Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang, "Many people you know are already working for a living. My terms are better, so there are bound to be some willing to come. That's why I asked you to look—you need to hurry up."

He gave the same instruction to Dong Bingfeng. The three of them quickly agreed. Sun Dalei brought over the title deeds for the residence and the goods yard, totaling seventy taels of silver. Zhao Jin first gave ten taels as a deposit, saying he would pay the rest gradually. Sun Dalei agreed readily.

Over on the other side, Ye Wenshu finished organizing the day's contracts and came to Zhao Jin to collect payment. Zhao Jin directly gave him a round sum of five hundred wen for the three of them to divide among themselves. Ye Wenshu thanked him but didn't leave. Grinning, he said, "Xiao Jin, your father already gave instructions about the freight station. I'll go back today and complete the procedures for you at the Revenue Office. But this freight station needs a name. Have you thought of what to call it?"

Zhao Jin pondered briefly, then answered with a smile, "Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Ye. The shop will be called Xu'an Trading Company."

Xu'an? Ye Wenshu muttered the name, then offered insincere praise: "A fine name!"

The twelve men, including Lu Da, had already brought their luggage. That night, after giving the freight station a simple cleaning, they would stay there directly.

Everything was still in its early, rough stages. Zhao Jin didn't demand too many details, only arranging for them to clean the place thoroughly tomorrow before dispersing and heading home with his friends.

As soon as Zhao Jin got home, dinner was served. He Cuihua said that Zhao Zhentang had sent word back: he had to work a case through the night and wouldn't be home for dinner.

During the meal, He Cuihua chattered a bit more, saying that Xuzhou City was in chaos right now. According to the runner who delivered the message, all the bailiffs had gone to Zhouge Village. The Deputy Prefect and the Prefectural Judge had also gone there and set up a court right inside that manor, holding trials on the spot. With the city so unsettled, Zhao Jin had actually not even come home for lunch.

Zhao Jin responded with a smile, and Mu Shulan cleverly chimed in from the side. Before long, they had He Cuihua laughing cheerfully as well. "Xiao Lan, you haven't even married into the family yet, and you're already speaking up for Xiao Jin," she said with a grin.

This made Mu Shulan blush bright red, and she fled straight back to her room. Watching the girl's retreating figure, He Cuihua said to Zhao Jin with a beaming smile, "We'll pick a good day in the middle of the year to get you two married."

"Mother, isn't that too early!"

"Early for what? Settling down early will help you calm your restless heart."

The dinner conversation was very pleasant, but before bed, Zhao Jin dared not relax. Imitating his father's arrangements, he placed empty bowls at the entrances of the courtyard and the house, then brought his spear into the room and placed his saber under his pillow before finally going to sleep.

In such a vigilant state, it was naturally impossible to sleep well. However, the night passed without incident. When Zhao Jin got up for his morning run, he found nothing out of the ordinary anywhere.

When Wang Zhaojing caught up, he asked with a smile, "Brother Zhao, what is the meaning behind those two characters, 'Xu'an'?"

"Since we are in Xuzhou, it naturally means ensuring peace and safety for this region," Zhao Jin answered with a smile.

Wang Zhaojing was stunned. After running a couple more steps, he said, "Brother Zhao, your ambition is truly grand."

Morning run, breakfast, then out the door. Zhao Jin felt that life had settled back into a calm routine. The raid on the kidnappers' den, the night attack on Cheng Tongtou, subduing the God of Wealth Temple—though these events had happened only days ago, they already felt distant.

Lost in thought as he walked, just as he turned the street in front of his house, he saw Ji Xiang running towards him.

So early—what was Ji Xiang doing here? Zhao Jin immediately took in Ji Xiang's appearance: his face was bruised and swollen, his body covered in dust, and his clothes torn in several places.

"What happened?"

"Big Brother, a dozen thugs stormed into my house this morning and smashed everything. They even overturned the meals prepared for over there. My father was beaten too. I didn't even have time to grab a weapon before that gang punched and kicked me. Before they left, they said, 'Master Huang's shin is bleeding, so your family will pay with ruin. If you don't accept it, come try your luck south of the city!'"

Ji Xiang spoke with a hoarse voice. Zhao Jin's brow immediately furrowed. Ji Xiang continued, "My father went to other families to scrape together the meals. They'll definitely be delivered on time..."

"That's a minor issue. Let me ask you: those people didn't use weapons? And they held back their blows?" Zhao Jin asked urgently.

At this question, Ji Xiang was also stunned. He finally realized: given what they had done that day, if the other party was seeking revenge, it certainly wouldn't have been as simple as a beating and a smashed shop. Having his limbs crippled or his house set on fire were both possibilities. At the time, being beaten had filled him with rage, but thinking carefully, the other side had indeed held back.

Seeing Ji Xiang nod, Zhao Jin pondered for a moment, then sneered, "The key to this matter lies in that last sentence. It seems they want us to go south of the city to seek revenge."

"Big Brother, what do we do?"

"Go gather everyone. We'll meet at the goods yard!"

Zhao Jin walked quickly towards the goods yard. After crossing two streets, he saw Shi Manqiang running over as well. Zhao Jin's heart lurched. He carefully examined Shi Manqiang's condition and found that aside from a slight bruise at the corner of his mouth, he had no other problems.

Before he could even ask, Shi Manqiang said furiously, "Big Brother, this morning, Big Head Huang's men tried to smash my family's shop. My father and the workers drove them out. Those thugs were still shouting as they left, saying if we don't accept it, go south of the city to Big Head Huang's place and settle it for real."

The Shi Family Blacksmith Shop had quite a few blacksmith masters. Men who hammer iron all day are all strong, and there was no shortage of tools. Those thugs really couldn't gain any advantage there.

"Head to the goods yard first!" Zhao Jin said with a dark expression.

When they arrived at the goods yard, Ji Xiang's father had already brought two men to deliver the meal: baked flatbread, stuffed buns, and pickled vegetables. The quantity was sufficient. The men were devouring the food with relish. Zhao Jin, however, noticed that Ji Xiang's father's face was bruised and swollen, and his hand was wrapped with a cloth strip, clearly bandaging a wound.

"Uncle Ji, tally up the cost of the smashed items, and also the meals that were overturned this morning. Add the cost of seeing a doctor for your injuries as well. I'll pay you for all of it together," Zhao Jin said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Ji Xiang's father quickly bowed and said, "How could I accept that? I can't let Young Master Jin bear the expense."

His tone was very apprehensive. Zhao Jin shook his head and said, "Uncle Ji, Da Xiang and I are brothers. You are my elder. I can't accept such formality from you. And I absolutely must pay. Whoever did this, I will make them pay back double!"

Hearing Zhao Jin speak this way, Ji Xiang's father froze for a moment, wiped the corner of his eye with his hand, then nodded and said, "I'll do as Young Master Jin says. Da Xiang has found himself a good friend!"

With Ji Xiang running around to summon everyone, the group quickly assembled. Seeing the miserable state of Ji Xiang and his father, along with Shi Manqiang's bruises, everyone was enraged.

"Damn it, let's go south of the city right now and hack that Big Head Huang to pieces," Chen Sheng roared.

"To say it so brazenly and openly—it might not be Big Head Huang," Wang Zhaojing analyzed coolly.

Zhao Jin waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Whether it's Big Head Huang or not, we still have to go. Going might mean walking into a trap, but not going means we won't be able to keep the God of Wealth Temple in line."

Hearing this, Ji Xiang gritted his teeth and said, "Big Brother, this little matter of mine is nothing. If it's a trap, going will bring trouble. Let's just not go and settle the score later."

Everyone looked at Zhao Jin. He gave a cold laugh and said, "Go? Why wouldn't we go? I refuse to believe these rabble in Xuzhou City can stop us brothers. Bingfeng, ride south of the city right now and notify Liu Yong. Tell him to bring everyone he can muster."

Dong Bingfeng answered, mounted his horse, and left. Zhao Jin swept his gaze around and said, "No one bullies our brothers. Everyone, ready your weapons—we move out!"

Everyone responded with a resounding shout. Sun Dalei was somewhat reluctant, but he voiced no objection.

Over the past two days, all the recruits had arrived and were now idling in the courtyard, gathered in scattered clusters chatting and laughing, completely relaxed and at ease.

After finishing his arrangements outside, Zhao Jin strode in. These people had all witnessed Zhao Jin's imposing presence the day before, and the moment they saw him enter, they immediately fell silent.