Chapter 52: Is There Really a Father Like This? (Second Update)

52. Chapter 52: Is There Really a Father Like This? (Second Update)

He had originally followed along wanting to help. With those two mounted guards from his family present, things in the south of the city really wouldn't be difficult. He hadn't expected this martial family kid to be so genuinely warm-hearted. Zhao Jin smiled and said, "It's already been resolved. No need for help. I'll tell you the details tomorrow."

The words carried a sense of closeness. Dong Bingfeng's face immediately broke into a smile. He nodded, ran back, mounted his horse, and left. While still on horseback, he waved goodbye to everyone. The two personal guards behind him watched Dong Bingfeng, their faces full of encouragement and protective affection.

Originally, the youths hadn't had much of an impression of the newcomer Dong Bingfeng. They had even felt some aversion because this martial family kid's style was too ostentatious. But the warm-hearted gesture just now had greatly improved their impression of him, and they all waved goodbye as well.

Dong Bingfeng left with a face full of smiles. The group walked on in silence for a stretch. The Chen Sheng brothers looked around carelessly, unconcerned. Sun Dalei kept swinging the "great hammer" in his hand, clearly pleased with his ranking at noon. But Shi Manqiang, Ji Xiang, and Liu Yong, the three youths from the south of the city, were different. The looks they directed at Zhao Jin held some awe.

When Wang Zhaojing reached the south of the city, his reaction was somewhat different from the others. He seemed shaken by the poverty there, his face full of compassion. After observing Zhao Jin's conduct, he appeared thoughtful, and as they walked, his face was full of questions.

Once they walked out past Pengcheng Academy, the streets and buildings became much more orderly, and everyone's mood relaxed accordingly. Chen Sheng took his short staff and started horsing around with Sun Dalei, laughing and joking. Seizing this opportunity, Wang Zhaojing walked up to Zhao Jin and asked with a smile, "Brother Zhao, those five ruffians were guilty of all kinds of evil. Why did you still plead for them and grant them mercy? Shouldn't such villains be completely eradicated?"

As soon as he spoke, the youths instantly fell silent and all edged a few steps closer. It seemed Wang Zhaojing was not the only one curious and full of questions.

Zhao Jin stopped walking and asked in return with a smile, "They were guilty of all kinds of evil? What heinous crimes against heaven and reason did they commit?"

Wang Zhaojing was stunned. The other youths thought carefully. Although the five ruffians were detestable and frightening, the only things they had actually done were steal food and make verbal threats.

"Fifty slaps to the face and fifty kowtows every day is already humiliation enough. If they were simply driven out of the city like that, those useless ruffians who can only bully children, with injuries on their heads, how long could they survive?" Zhao Jin asked another question in return.

The youths fell into contemplation. The whole circle around him went quiet. Zhao Jin continued, "To demand several human lives as repayment for a minor matter is too ruthless and unnecessary. Since they have been punished and know they were wrong, that is sufficient. They should be given a chance to turn over a new leaf."

These grand principles were somewhat beyond the youths' comprehension. Wang Zhaojing could understand them, but he clearly did not agree. Zhao Jin smiled and walked on, then spoke again, "To push them into a desperate corner over a trivial matter—what if desperation drove them to seek revenge against us or our families?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhaojing jolted, his face showing a look of sudden realization. The other youths also understood this statement. They might not all know the idiom "do not pursue a desperate foe," but they had all heard the common saying "even a rabbit will bite when cornered."

If those thugs were pushed to desperation and truly decided to do something lawless and reckless, they really would have no way to guard against it.

Thinking of this, the youths looked at Zhao Jin with completely changed expressions, now filled with admiration and conviction. Wang Zhaojing said repeatedly, "Brother Zhao's consideration is truly thorough. My thinking was too narrow. Brother Zhao's skillful blend of grace and severity is truly remarkable."

Having been delayed for so long, they returned to Zhao Zhenxing's place much later than usual. Zhao Zhenxing's expression was very stern. He said solemnly, "In martial training, one cannot be negligent for even a moment. You've only trained for two months, and you're already this arrogant and complacent. What will become of you in the future?"

Zhao Jin didn't even have a chance to explain. He solidly received ten strikes from the rattan cane before training began. That evening, he trained for an extra two hours.

Zhao Jin bore no resentment for this. Strict teachers produce outstanding students. His second uncle's demands were for his own good.

Because the training went so late, Zhao Zhentang came over to take a look. He also knew that martial learning could not be neglected and did not disturb the training, waiting until Zhao Zhenxing called it to an end.

After the training was over, a smile finally appeared on Zhao Zhenxing's face. He said to Zhao Zhentang, "Big Brother, Xiao Jin has a good temperament. He can grit his teeth and endure hardship."

Zhao Zhentang gave a noncommittal grunt. They tidied up briefly, and the three of them walked home together.

It was already dark. Fortunately, the moonlight was bright, so they didn't have to worry about tripping as they walked. However, Zhao Jin noticed that his father and uncle were walking very cautiously, shielding him in the middle.

There were no streetlights to speak of in this era, much less any light pollution. Walking outside at night, you either carried a lantern or torch, or relied on the moonlight. Otherwise, it was pitch black. Quite a few thieves and villains came out at night, impossible to guard against.

The journey was quiet. Everyone knew it was unsafe at night, so few people were out. When they were almost at the entrance to their own lane, Zhao Zhentang stopped. Zhao Zhenxing reached out and grabbed Zhao Jin's shoulder, ready to pull him back at any moment.

Only then did Zhao Jin make out a figure standing at his doorstep. Before they could ask anything, the person at the door spoke first: "Brother Zhao, it's me!"

This "Brother Zhao" was naturally not addressing Zhao Jin. The voice sounded somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall who it was for a moment. Zhao Zhentang, however, relaxed and answered coldly, "Who's your brother?"

When they got closer, Zhao Jin finally saw clearly who was at the door. It was actually the father and daughter from the Mu family. Mu Shulan, whom he hadn't seen for several days, was standing to the side, her small face timid. The moment she saw Zhao Jin, she immediately brightened, shook off her father's hand, and ran over.

"I must return to Shandong for a period. My affairs are busy, and I have no mind to look after the child. I must trouble Brother Zhao to help care for this child for a while." Mister Mu still wore that same indifferent expression. Even when asking for a favor here, he wasn't particularly polite.

Zhao Jin was astonished to hear this. He thought to himself, who just dumps their child at someone else's house like that? And right around the Spring Festival, which everyone valued most. Was this man really her biological father? But looking at the resemblance between Mister Mu and Mu Shulan, only a father and daughter could look so alike.

Before Zhao Zhentang could answer, Mister Mu took out two silver ingots. They looked to be about twenty taels in total. Zhao Jin was shocked again. From his parents' idle chatter, he knew a middling household of four people spent less than ten taels in an entire year. This Mister Mu had produced so much in one go.

Usually, when Mu Shulan came over to eat, she ate ordinary meals with great relish, and her clothes and appearance were all very plain. He had assumed her family was of modest means. Now he dared not think so.

"Brother Zhao will inevitably incur expenses. Please accept this silver." Mister Mu's voice was clear and resonant, but his expression still did not look like that of someone asking a favor.

Zhao Zhentang's face was also very impassive. He took the silver smoothly, nodded, and was about to turn around. He clearly didn't want to say another word. And Mister Mu was just as direct. Seeing the other party nod, he turned his head and left directly as well, without even saying goodbye to his own daughter.

The little girl Mu Shulan, having not seen Zhao Jin for days, was very excited. She tugged at Zhao Jin's hand, chattering away endlessly. Zhao Zhentang turned his head to glance at the pair of children, shook his head, and called out to stop Mister Mu. He said coldly, "I can't be bothered to care what you're doing, but think about your daughter. She doesn't understand anything, and you're her only family..."

Mister Mu turned around and stopped. Hearing Zhao Zhentang's words, he couldn't help but pause for a moment, then slightly lowered his head. After raising it, he said, "I am not master of my own fate."

With that, he turned around again. But this time it was a little better; before turning, he cupped his fists in salute to Zhao Zhentang. Watching Mister Mu disappear into the darkness of the street, Zhao Jin couldn't help but shake his head. For all that politeness, he still hadn't said a single word of farewell to his own daughter.

Mu Shulan seemed unconcerned by her father's coldness. She grinned and waved a hand at his retreating figure, then went back to chattering happily with Zhao Jin.