Chapter 85: Reunion

With the matter resolved, Zhao Zhentang was in light spirits. He had also had a bit to drink at noon, so his speech was less guarded than usual. He smiled and explained, "Do you know about private salt?"

Zhao Jin nodded, then shook his head. He had heard the term "private salt" mentioned when his parents chatted, and also heard others talk about it during martial training, but he wasn't clear on the specifics.

"Official salt is a monopoly, but everyone handling it along the way wants to skim profit. Mixing half a catty of dirt into every catty of salt is considered having a conscience, and the price is still high. Private salt, on the other hand, isn't adulterated much and is fairly priced. Anyone who can use private salt does..."

Zhao Zhentang smiled and explained. Private salt evaded national taxes, so the authorities investigated it very strictly. However, private salt offered enormous profits, so government officials and local gentry were often involved. But large quantities of private salt ultimately had to be sold to every household, and this salt couldn't be openly displayed in shops for sale. So, bulk private salt was transported by salt smugglers to a few locations with convenient transport, where various peddlers would then go to pick up their stock and distribute it. This was what they called "salt dividing."

"... One-Eyed Qi was originally selling in the Xuzhou Guard territory, but he was caught by the guard's salt patrol. Not only were his salt and money confiscated, but he was also to be sent to the authorities for punishment. I took pity on him and pleaded for his release..."

So that was how it was. Zhao Jin asked a few more questions and learned that the Xuzhou Guard, besides garrisoning the area, also had the duty of maintaining public order. The Xuzhou Guard actually had three teams of its own: river patrol, salt patrol, and bandit patrol, responsible for the canal, salt affairs, and public security respectively. The canal was the most lucrative, salt affairs second, and bandit patrol the most miserable. Zhao Zhentang had served in the bandit patrol years ago. In recent years, with the opening of the Jia Canal, Xuzhou had declined, and the river patrol was no longer viable either.

Zhao Zhentang was in high spirits for conversation, and Zhao Jin listened happily. But as they talked, Zhao Zhentang's eyelids grew heavy, and he leaned back and fell asleep right there.

Zhao Jin could guess why his father was so exhausted. He had been busy all last night and had been running around for his son's matter today; he certainly hadn't had time to sleep and had only now relaxed.

The horse cart jolted and swayed violently. Zhao Jin's mind wandered as well. He always said he wanted to leave his name in history and make himself stronger, but so far, nothing seemed to have changed. He still practiced martial arts daily with his friends, and the path and direction for the future remained vague. Five years had passed; he needed to hurry.

When passing through the city gate, Zhao Zhentang woke up. He paid the carter some silver, and father and son got off and walked. After walking in silence for a while, Zhao Zhentang spoke, "That case last night—Cloud Mountain Temple was unwilling to let it go at first, but then Wang Youshan's side sent word, and the matter was settled."

After a few more steps, Zhao Zhentang said in a deep voice, "Those friends you've made are all quite good. Keep maintaining those ties; they'll be able to help you a lot in the future."

Zhao Jin nodded. He knew this was Wang Zhaojing asking his father to help. He also recalled what Wang Zhaojing had said before leaving last night: "I will also think of some ways." At the time, Wang Zhaojing's expression was relaxed, and Zhao Jin thought it was just his calm personality. Now, it seemed that for the Wang family, this truly wasn't a big deal.

When they reached the front of their home, Zhao Jin saw his mother, He Cuihua, looking around anxiously. The moment she spotted the two of them, she visibly relaxed.

"You've really gone wild out there, not even coming home for lunch. Hurry up and dust yourself off. Xiaolan is waiting for you inside!" After a couple of nagging remarks, He Cuihua went back to cooking on her own.

Zhao Zhentang had kept what really happened a secret. Although He Cuihua vaguely sensed something was off, she didn't know the truth, so she wasn't that anxious.

Zhao Zhentang glanced at Zhao Jin with a smile and said, "That girl really has her heart set on you."

With both parents saying this, Zhao Jin felt his scalp tingle. The household already seemed to regard Mu Shulan as his future wife. Although he didn't feel any resistance in his heart, wasn't it a bit too early?

Seeing Zhao Jin return, Mu Shulan was overjoyed. After chatting for a bit, she ran off to the kitchen to help with cooking and tidying up.

"Dad, can I go out to practice martial arts tomorrow?"

"Go ahead, but be cautious and careful."

This answer proved that everything had returned to normal.

The next day, Zhao Jin still got up on time. After a quick wash, he went out for his run. He hadn't run far when he saw specks of green at the corner of the street. This discovery immediately lifted his spirits—spring had finally arrived.

When he ran to the front of the Wang family home, he saw Wang Zhaojing, dressed in close-fitting attire, already waiting there. From a distance, he waved at Zhao Jin in greeting.

"You're going to run today too?"

"Seeing Brother Zhao run every day, I figured there must be great benefits, so I got up today to try it as well."

Wang Zhaojing said this with a smile and started running alongside Zhao Jin. They hadn't gone far when Zhao Jin stopped, cupped his fists solemnly, and said, "Regarding yesterday's matter, I originally wanted to shoulder the responsibility for everyone. But because I hadn't thought it through beforehand, I nearly brought trouble upon us all. It was all thanks to Brother Wang persuading your esteemed father to help. I offer my thanks here!"

He spoke with gravity and bowed deeply. Wang Zhaojing hurried forward to support him and said, "Brother Zhao, saying this between brothers creates distance. You were willing to bear the responsibility for us brothers; what does it count for me to ask my family to step in?"

Having accompanied his father through officialdom since childhood, Wang Zhaojing was accustomed to polite formalities. He had expected that after this exchange, Zhao Jin would insist on thanking him again, requiring at least a round of polite refusal. He hadn't expected Zhao Jin to straighten up crisply and say with gravity, "Good. We are friends, we are brothers. I will thank you once for this matter and remember it for a lifetime. Let's continue our run."

With that, he turned and started running. Wang Zhaojing hurried to catch up. Only after running some distance did he react, saying with a smile, "Brother Zhao is truly straightforward."

A smile also appeared on Zhao Jin's face as he replied easily, "I am only straightforward with my brothers!"

Wang Zhaojing was taken aback. His expression turned solemn, and he nodded, running along.

After the run, he returned home for breakfast. Mu Shulan had gotten up early and was bustling about with He Cuihua, preparing the morning meal. Zhao Jin noticed that the once lively girl had changed quite a bit. Compared to before, Mu Shulan now seemed more timid and clung to him more, as if she only felt at ease when she could see him. During meals, she also tried her best to sit close to him.

In contrast to Zhao Jin's discomfort, Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua watched with great delight, their faces full of the expressions of in-laws appraising a daughter-in-law.

"Stay alert on the road!" Zhao Zhentang gave this reminder before heading to the yamen for duty.

After tidying up, Zhao Jin prepared to leave for martial practice. Before stepping out, he thought for a moment and said to his mother, "Mom, I'm taking Xiaolan to practice with me."

He Cuihua paused, then scolded with a laugh, "You don't even trust your own mother? Go on, go on!"

This was also for safety's sake. With the girl by his side, he didn't have to worry about her being abducted. More importantly, there would be at least six fully armed people at the training ground, so no one would dare cause trouble.

Upon hearing Zhao Jin's suggestion, Mu Shulan was delighted. She changed her clothes and then took Zhao Jin's hand as they went out the door.

Zhao Jin walked very cautiously the entire way, constantly looking around and even taking a few detours to see if anyone was following them. Normally, Mu Shulan would have asked curiously, but now the girl just followed quietly, saying nothing at all.

It seemed Wang Youshan's intervention had been very effective. No one was following them, and everything was normal. When Zhao Jin arrived at his second uncle's front door, he saw Chen Sheng and Dong Bingfeng already waiting there.

Chen Sheng had a long saber resting on his shoulder and kept glancing toward the intersection. Seeing Zhao Jin, he quickly strode over and punched him in the chest, laughing as he said, "You're really something, saying it's fine and it is fine. Even my dad praised you when he got home and told me to get closer to you!"

Dong Bingfeng scratched his head and said, "My dad originally wanted me to stay with relatives in Pizhou for a few days, but last night he told me to keep coming to practice and said Brother Zhao, you're no simple person."

"I'm still the same as ever. Let's go train!" Zhao Jin said with a smile. He could see that Chen Sheng and Dong Bingfeng were genuinely happy that he was safe and sound. This kind of concern from friends and brothers was truly moving.