Chapter 123: Assessment (Begging for Monthly Tickets!)

Upon hearing this news, Zhao Jin was momentarily stunned, then shouted to the family servants, "Halt and stand at attention."

He then called over Lei Cai, who had been watching from the side the whole time: "Go to the Cloud Mountain Trading House right now and gather information. I want to know the full details of what happened."

Lei Cai nodded in agreement and hurried off in that direction. After giving that order, Zhao Jin spoke to Liu Yong: "Xiaoyong, you, Bingfeng, and Dalei go to Black Tiger Temple. Cloud Mountain Temple has ties with all sorts of people in the city, from the highest to the lowest. With a fire breaking out over there, we need to guard against any trouble at Black Tiger Temple."

The three of them acknowledged the order and also left in haste.

As everyone dispersed, Zhao Jin calmly continued the training. He even called over Chen Sheng, Wang Zhaojing, Shi Manqiang, and Ji Xiang, having them supervise the training together. Originally, with Zhao Jin alone watching them, the family servants already found it unbearable. Now, with five people watching at once, it was truly a bitter ordeal. The slightest mistake would be caught and punished. Fortunately, a minor error only meant three strikes with the staff, so it wasn't too injurious.

A while after the others had left, Zhao Jin suddenly had a realization: the fire at the Cloud Mountain Trading House was very likely connected to Mu Shulan's second uncle.

Last time, when monks from Cloud Mountain Temple sent people to tail Mu Shulan, the Cloud Mountain Trading House was set ablaze in retaliation by members of the Smelling Incense Sect. After Mu Shulan's father died suddenly and Cloud Mountain Temple sent kidnappers to abduct girls, the Smelling Incense Sect certainly wouldn't let the matter rest. Mu Shulan's second uncle was so ruthless, having wiped out dozens of lives; Cloud Mountain Temple was definitely on the list for payback.

However, although Cloud Mountain Temple was called a temple, it was actually a large manor with over a thousand able-bodied men and tight security, making it very difficult to go there and cause trouble. But dealing with the Cloud Mountain Trading House inside the city was very easy. Moreover, both the Smelling Incense Sect and Cloud Mountain Temple were major powers. A real fight between them would surely end in mutual destruction, so any retaliation would be measured. Burning down the Cloud Mountain Trading House was a warning, just enough to make a point.

Not long after training resumed, Lei Cai returned with news.

"... The Cloud Mountain Trading House has been mostly burned down. Two shop assistants had their faces burned, but there were no other casualties. Everyone says the fire at the Cloud Mountain Trading House broke out suddenly, and it started simultaneously in several places like the warehouse and the firewood shed. It was fortunate it happened during the day; if it had been at night, the people inside probably wouldn't have made it out... The yamen runners have already gone there. Because there was a smell of burning pine torches at the scene, and everyone says a fire this fierce must have been set deliberately..."

Lei Cai's account further confirmed Zhao Jin's theory. It seemed this was retaliation solely aimed at Cloud Mountain Temple and wouldn't involve anyone else.

From that moment on, however, Zhao Jin's expression turned gloomy. Everyone assumed he had thought of some critical matter, but they never imagined Zhao Jin's mood had soured simply because he was thinking about Mu Shulan's departure.

It was almost dark when Ye Wenshu and the others finally arrived, their faces filled with extreme fear. They hurriedly explained that the yamen had suddenly assigned them tasks, and they couldn't get away for a while.

However, aside from idlers and children, there were no applicants of suitable age here today. It seemed the number of young men who were bold, daring, and willing to sell themselves into servitude had been exhausted.

Zhao Jin smiled and offered the silver they had agreed upon beforehand. Ye Wenshu hastily tried to refuse, only accepting it in the end. He left with a face full of gratitude.

The day passed uneventfully. Zhao Jin could roughly imagine the future: a long period ahead would be spent in monotonous, tedious training, just like those years of martial practice before.

"Remember to do extra practice when you get home. Don't end up being worse than the family servants when the time comes," Zhao Jin nagged, a rare occurrence.

The group parted ways halfway, each heading home. Chen Hong walked while doing mental arithmetic, nearly tripping several times. It was only when Chen Sheng grabbed him by the back that he steadied himself.

Wang Zhaojing and his attendant for the day, Uncle He, walked in silence for a stretch. Seeing that there was no one around, Wang Zhaojing finally said in a low voice, "Uncle He, you don't need to follow me tomorrow. Nothing will happen to me over there."

The middle-aged man carrying the book box smiled slightly and said, "Young Master, it's true you won't come to harm there. But whether this humble one follows or not is for the Master to decide. This humble one must also add a word of caution: Young Master spent an entire day there without ever opening a book. Young Master must not neglect his studies!"

Hearing this, Wang Zhaojing frowned and said, "The county exam tests the Four Books and Five Classics, and the provincial exam still tests the Four Books and Five Classics. I know the books by heart and can handle the exam essay topics without issue. Practice makes perfect, true, but going over the same material again and again is truly tiresome."

Uncle He smiled but said nothing. Wang Zhaojing also felt he had spoken too much, and master and servant fell silent once more.

After returning home, Wang Zhaojing went to his study to read by himself, while Uncle He headed to Wang Youshan's study.

Everyone in the Wang household knew Uncle He's status was out of the ordinary. Upon arriving there, Wang Youshan's personal attendant led him inside.

Seeing him enter, Wang Youshan, who was in the middle of copying a text, set down his brush and asked, "You followed Jing'er to observe today. How was it?"

"To answer the Master, the Young Master will face no danger there. Though his friends are young, their martial skills are not weak. They have also experienced killing and bloodshed, and can protect each other well," Uncle He replied respectfully.

Wang Youshan pondered for a moment, then spoke again: "I do not understand military or martial matters. I recall the person who recommended you said you hail from the Yansui region and have even been to the Western Regions beyond Hami Garrison, widely experienced and knowledgeable. What do you make of this Zhao Jin?"

"To answer the Master, this humble one finds it very strange. This Zhao Jin actually knows methods for drilling troops, and not only does he know them, he can personally go down to the field and conduct the drills," Uncle He said with a hint of puzzlement.

Wang Youshan smiled and said, "Zhao Jin's father, though he works as an executioner and serves in the yamen, is also a Company Commander of the Xuzhou Guard, born into a hereditary military officer family. Through constant exposure, it's not strange that he knows how to drill troops."

Upon hearing this, Uncle He couldn't help but laugh. Wang Youshan frowned and looked at him. Uncle He quickly bowed and said, "Master, please forgive me. Master, you may not know this, but in the guard posts of our Great Ming, where would you find anyone who truly understands troop drilling? A family that can still remember some spear and staff stances is already considered one that hasn't forgotten its roots. And this humble one finds more than just this one thing strange. Zhao Jin's method of drilling troops is also different from our Great Ming's."

Wang Youshan slowly shook his head. "Never mind the differences. Since that's the case, let them continue their tinkering. I am leaving for Nanjing tomorrow to visit friends. You don't need to follow him openly every day; just protect him from the shadows."

Tonight, Zhao Zhentang finally came home for dinner. His face was full of exhaustion; it seemed the case had come to a close for now.

The family of three sat at the dinner table, all in low spirits. He Cuihua even set out four sets of bowls and chopsticks, then took one away. When she returned, she kept wiping away tears.

Zhao Jin knew his mother was missing Mu Shulan. He felt uncomfortable too, but what was done was done; he couldn't dwell on it forever. He decided to change the subject and asked, "Dad, was that fire today set by the Smelling Incense Sect people?"

Zhao Zhentang no longer avoided discussing such matters with Zhao Jin. He first nodded, then after a moment's thought, said, "It should be. Xiaolan's father died suddenly, and the Smelling Incense Sect's Xuzhou branch was in chaos for a while. It's said Cloud Mountain Temple was heavily involved. This fire was likely a warning."

Hearing this, Zhao Jin was also stunned. He hadn't expected this to be connected to Cloud Mountain Temple as well. Could it all be for Xiaolan? He immediately dismissed the thought. If things had escalated this far over a girl, Cloud Mountain Temple would be unbelievably foolish, and fools certainly couldn't have grown so powerful.

"Dad, is Blackface Yan backed by Cloud Mountain Temple? Today, that Pig-Butcher Li came looking for me and said Blackface Yan took his whole family and fled the city yesterday at noon," Zhao Jin added.

This time it was Zhao Zhentang's turn to be stunned. He slammed the table in fury and cursed, "That scum! How dare he have such gall? Isn't he afraid of being sliced to death by a thousand cuts?"

After venting his anger, Zhao Zhentang spoke: "Blackface Yan's older brother is the abbot of Cloud Mountain Temple's Pizhou Lower Temple. Here in Xuzhou city, he relies entirely on his brother's backing. Usually, he doesn't even pay attention to the yamen. It seems that by killing those six monks, you've already made an enemy of Cloud Mountain Temple. Otherwise, they wouldn't keep coming after you like this."

"What are you two talking about? Xiao Jin, you need to stay away from fighting and killing. Don't make your mother worry at home," He Cuihua's attention was indeed diverted, and she quickly admonished Zhao Jin.

It seemed his mother, He Cuihua, still didn't know about yesterday's killings. Zhao Jin smiled and explained, "Mom, don't worry. Dad and I were just chatting idly."

After that, father and son, Zhao Zhentang and Zhao Jin, tacitly said no more, and both sped up their eating.

Once they finished, He Cuihua went to clear the table. Zhao Jin thought for a moment and said, "Dad, there's a broken spot on the courtyard wall. Let's go outside and take a look!"

Zhao Zhentang paused, immediately understood, and silently strode out the door. Once father and son were in the courtyard, Zhao Zhentang glanced back at the house, then said, "Since you've done that deed, don't be afraid of your mother finding out. Someone will tell her sooner or later anyway."

"Dad, that's not what I meant..." Zhao Jin shook his head, then recounted the details of Pig-Butcher Li's visit today to Zhao Zhentang.

Zhao Zhentang shook his head and said, "So, in other words, the southern part of the city has fallen into your hands. At your age, to accomplish something like this, and without relying on adults... truly..."

His words were filled with deep emotion. Zhao Jin said in a low voice, "Dad, I want to purge all of Cloud Mountain Temple's influence from within the city!"

At these words, Zhao Zhentang was instantly stunned, looking at Zhao Jin as if he were a stranger. After a moment, he frowned and asked, "Did your second uncle teach you this too?"

Zhao Jin did not answer. Zhao Zhentang shook his head and said, "Cloud Mountain Temple never had many men in the city to begin with. Just go ahead and act. If you run into any difficulty, come find me."

His father's reaction was far too nonchalant. Zhao Jin was instead surprised and couldn't help asking, "Dad, does Cloud Mountain Temple really not have many men in the city?"

According to Zhao Jin's preconceived notion, the center of Xuzhou was surely Xuzhou city itself, and Cloud Mountain Temple must have considerable business and territory within the city.

"Why would they station so many people in this poor, miserable place? Cloud Mountain Temple's foundation lies in its several lower temples outside the city. You've already subdued those. You need to ask more questions and talk more with people; you can't just take things for granted like this." Zhao Zhentang smiled and patted Zhao Jin on the shoulder.