Chapter 130: Stepping Up

After giving his instructions, as he was leaving he made a point of saying they would come collect the food boxes tomorrow.

They had originally ordered two meat dishes and a jug of wine, but the restaurant sent six dishes, a whole jar of wine, and even specially made scallion flatbread.

Once the waiter had left, He Cuihua stared at the food and drink on the table in a bit of a daze. Zhao Zhentang reached out and cracked the clay seal with a slap. After pouring himself a cup, he said with a smile, "Look at that. Your son may stir up trouble, but he's also made something of a name for himself. It used to be that when he was out, people would say, 'That's Zhao Dadao's son.' Now when I'm out, people say, 'That's Young Master Zhao's father.' It's flipped around."

He Cuihua sat there in a trance, unable to process it for a moment. In a sense, Zhao Jin really had made something of himself now.

"Xiao Jin, since you're set on walking this path, you should still go get a job as a constable at the yamen. Having that official status makes things easier." After a moment of stunned silence, He Cuihua spoke these words.

Hearing this, Zhao Jin nearly sprayed the food in his mouth across the room, but then he thought about it — his mother wasn't wrong. It just felt incredibly awkward.

Zhao Zhentang merely chuckled, tilted his head back and drained a cup of wine, then exhaled in satisfaction and said, "Fine wine. Xiankelai is really generous, giving us a jar of three-year-old Old Knife."

"Three-year-old Old Knife?" The name caught Zhao Jin's attention. This wine seemed about the same as the so-called "good wine" he'd drunk at Bone Zhang's place at noon.

Seeing Zhao Jin's interest, Zhao Zhentang smiled and poured a cup, passing it to him. "Getting a taste for it? Have a cup?"

Zhao Jin took it. He Cuihua frowned slightly but said nothing. After learning about the bloody battle south of the city, both she and Zhao Zhentang felt their son had become a man. Zhao Jin had no craving for alcohol — he drank for other reasons. He took a shallow sip, then handed the cup back to Zhao Zhentang.

The wine was very ordinary, and impure — full of impurities. Even the cheapest liquor back in his day wouldn't have been like this. Yet even this kind of wine was praised as good. Clerk Li from the Punishment Office and his father were both seasoned drinkers; they drank a lot and certainly wouldn't be wrong about it.

Zhao Zhentang ate his dinner with great relish. By the end, even He Cuihua had a smile on her face, though she kept fussing and reminding Zhao Jin to be careful.

Since they already knew about the incident south of the city, there was no need for the father and son to speak in riddles. Zhao Jin laid out everything that had happened over the past few days very clearly. When he mentioned that the monk Ruhui had come to broker peace, Zhao Zhentang visibly relaxed.

"The Mu family owed us a favor. This time, it's been repaid." Zhao Zhentang saw the situation very clearly.

When they heard that Zhao Jin had collected over two thousand taels of silver that afternoon, both husband and wife were shocked. He Cuihua immediately said, "Quick, bring all that silver home and keep it here. It's too worrying leaving it outside."

"Mother, I want to keep this money for my work. I've recruited quite a few people — their food, clothing, and monthly wages all cost a lot. This money won't last more than a few years."

At Zhao Jin's reply, He Cuihua glanced at Zhao Zhentang and said the exact same thing: "What on earth did your second uncle teach you all those years?"

"Who cares what Zhenxing taught him? The point is, Second Brother wouldn't harm him. Let him do as he pleases. With me looking after things in Xuzhou city, nothing too serious can happen." Zhao Zhentang had the final word.

Even though his father said it was fine, Zhao Jin still carefully set up small traps around the courtyard and the house, and only slept after placing his blade under his pillow.

Perhaps it was the wine, but Zhao Jin slept very deeply that night. When he woke, his body still felt a little weak.

After the morning run, they headed to the goods yard together. Wang Zhaojing was carrying a bookcase by himself. He greeted everyone and said that from now on he would need to spend time reading and writing every day, so his martial training would be reduced. The provincial exam was next year, and last night while working on practice essays he had discovered gaps in his knowledge.

The group of three walking together now included Chen Hong, who was brimming with enthusiasm.

When the few of them arrived at the goods yard, the scene there gave them a start. Nearly a hundred people were waiting, most of them young men around fifteen or sixteen, and Liu Yong was standing at the intersection craning his neck to look.

Spotting Zhao Jin and the others, Liu Yong hurried over and said excitedly, "Big Brother, people started coming our way before dawn. They all want to become household guards — from inside the city and outside both."

Zhao Jin paused for a moment, then said with a smile, "Looks like the news of yesterday afternoon's visits has spread. Now everyone thinks we're reliable and wants to come work as our retainers."

Recruiting new men still had to wait for Ye Wenshu and the others to arrive. It only counted once the official contracts were drawn up one by one. Zhao Jin and his group went into the courtyard first.

"These days, the servants of wealthy households live better than ordinary families. But those household servant positions are all passed down through generations — the son does the job after the father, and outsiders rarely get in. Now that Big Brother's operation is taking off, they all want to get in and enjoy the good life." Ji Xiang understood this very well, because he had tried several times to get a position in a wealthy household and failed every time.

Ji Xiang's words gave Zhao Jin something to think about. Today, Ye Wenshu arrived about the time it takes to burn one stick of incense later than Zhao Jin's group — still very early. When he walked into the courtyard, he was grinning so wide he couldn't close his mouth. More people meant more profit, so of course he was happy.

"Uncle Jiang, when recruiting, make sure to explain and ask clearly. Being my household guard means hard training and risking your life. Mention that bloody battle from a few days ago. And it must be written into the contract: if they're injured, I'll pay for treatment; if they die, I'll pay compensation. I don't want anyone without the guts and readiness for that." Zhao Jin's instructions were very clear.

Hearing this, Ye Wenshu's expression turned a little awkward. Zhao Jin smiled and added, "Whether it works out or not, each one counts. Just report the total number to me when the time comes, Uncle Jiang."

"How could I accept that?" Ye Wenshu's face broke into a blooming grin.

With yesterday's silver and the several hundred taels coming in every month from now on, Zhao Jin naturally didn't care about this small sum for Ye Wenshu.

Tables and chairs were set up over there, and the recruiting began one by one. Zhao Jin, meanwhile, had the thirty-some household guards assemble on the goods yard and personally supervised their training.

The young men who had come to apply watched with awe and reverence. Zhao Jin called out one command after another, and those thirty-some men executed various formation changes, uniform and precise.

In truth, the household guards' foot drill was still far from Zhao Jin's standards, but after several days they had built a certain foundation. To an outsider's eyes, it looked extremely impressive.

Standing at attention, marching in step, forming ranks, changing formations — it didn't look particularly special, but the young onlookers felt that these men were woven together like a single rope, forming one cohesive whole. If they could be part of that, how magnificent it would be.

The drilling household guards also sensed the envious gazes around them. They strove to perform even more precisely, straightening their backs even more.

They had been drilling for less than two hours when several more waves of visitors arrived. Their purposes were much the same as yesterday's — to build good relations and offer gifts. But their information was not very up-to-date, and their status and wealth were hardly worth mentioning. Zhao Jin had Liu Yong receive them directly.

After the fourth wave had been sent off, Butcher Li arrived with four men. The smile on Butcher Li's face was even more humble and deferential than before. Seeing the household guards training on the field and the young men lined up to apply, his expression grew even more reverent.

"Young Master Zhao — no, Master Jin — yesterday the whole city was in an uproar!" Butcher Li stumbled over his words, switching to a more respectful form of address.

Zhao Jin called Shi Manqiang over to take charge of training the household guards, then stepped aside to receive Butcher Li.

After that one flattering remark, Butcher Li produced another small bundle and said politely, "This is thirty taels of silver. Some more of Yan Heilian's share has been collected. By the end of the month, I'll definitely make up the full amount for Master Jin."

Zhao Jin took the silver and had Liu Yong pass it to Chen Hong. All income and expenses were now handled by Chen Hong. Seeing Zhao Jin's indifferent expression, Butcher Li laughed dryly and added, "From my own side as well, I can hand over a bit more at the end of the month. I'll bring it to Master Jin then."

Seeing Zhao Jin nod, Butcher Li unconsciously let out a breath of relief. Zhao Jin waved toward Sun Dalei, who came over with a middle-aged man. Zhao Jin pointed at the man and said, "This is the bookkeeper I've hired. Let him set up the accounts for your side first. Give him your full cooperation. From now on, he'll spend a few days at your place every month to audit and check the books."

The middle-aged man looked a bit timid. Hearing Zhao Jin's words, he quickly gave Butcher Li an ingratiating smile. Butcher Li's expression was somewhat strained, but he still laughed dryly and agreed, "Master Jin is doing me a favor. I will certainly cooperate fully."

"Cooperate fully and there won't be any trouble." Zhao Jin said this with a smile. Butcher Li could only nod.

He had thought that after this they would each go about their business. Zhao Jin was just about to turn and leave when Butcher Li spoke up with a smile: "Master Jin, a few of the headmen under Yan Heilian are refusing to fall in line. They've banded together and want to set up their own operation. I've been thinking — this is all Master Jin's property now. If we send men to fight and wipe them out, we'd just lose money and men. With Master Jin's fearsome authority, I'd like to ask you to go over and intimidate them into submission."

Zhao Jin's brow furrowed. He swept a glance at Butcher Li, who immediately shivered. Just as Butcher Li was about to speak, Zhao Jin nodded and said, "Go gather your men, then send word to those defiant headmen. In half an hour, I will go with you."

Butcher Li was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly.

Zhao Jin returned to the courtyard. He assigned Liu Yong to oversee the recruiting of new men and Shi Manqiang to train the household guards.

Today, Sun Dalei had brought the bookkeeper, as well as a shopkeeper from his family's business who was stationed in Xuzhou. This man was very familiar with the procedures for opening a shop and had also been asked to come help.

Because Wang Zhaojing needed to review his studies, he too was left behind this time. He handled matters prudently and thoroughly, making him just the right person to coordinate affairs on all fronts.

This time, Zhao Jin only brought Chen Sheng, Sun Dalei, Dong Bingfeng, and Ji Xiang. He told everyone to arm themselves and prepare to move out. Wang Zhaojing came over and asked in a low voice, "Brother Zhao, wouldn't it be safer if we all went together?"

"No need. Since Cloud Mountain Temple has made peace with us, in broad daylight no one would be so reckless as to set a deadly trap." Zhao Jin said in a deep voice.

Wang Zhaojing nodded, then suggested, "Brother Zhao, should we bring the household guards?"

Zhao Jin glanced at Butcher Li, who was standing off to the side, and said with a faint smile, "This Butcher Li invited us over precisely to take our measure. Since that's the case, let's go put on a little show for them. Bringing too many won't demonstrate our true ability."