The Great Jin, Autumn of the Ninth Year of Jinghe.
On this day, the weather was clear and brisk, a rare good day.
Early in the morning, Lu Zhihao, just leaving the Yichun Courtyard, sat in the carriage, still somewhat tipsy and feeling a bit stifled, so he opened the carriage window to get some fresh air.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped in front of an archway.
Lu Zhihao asked somewhat sullenly, "Why have we stopped?"
The driver said, "Young master, we can't go any further ahead."
"What's going on?"
He stuck his head out and saw a crowd gathered at the alley, with festive decorations at the entrance, as if there was some celebration.
He could vaguely see the signboard with the words Chen Mansion on it.
He asked, "Whose house is holding a celebration?"
The servant attending him volunteered, "I'll go find out."
Then he got out of the carriage.
After a while, the servant returned, looking a bit odd, and said, "Young master, do you remember that Chen Ming?"
Chen Ming?
Hearing this name, a surge of deep hatred flashed in Lu Zhihao's eyes, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Of course I remember. If it weren't for him, how could I have been kicked out of Jin Yuansheng? And locked up by the old man for half a year."
Last year, he was still the prime steward at Jin Yuansheng, relying on his brother-in-law's connections to secure a lucrative position, and life was so good and smooth.
But then a rash youngster showed up, went to the old master to report him, claiming he was abusing his position and lining his pockets!
Recalling this incident made Lu Zhihao grind his teeth in hatred.
Was that greed?
At Jin Yuansheng, all stewards did the same; it was an unspoken rule. Didn't the old man know? He could only turn a blind eye.
But then he encountered a tactless and rigid fool.
Once the under-the-table rules were exposed, the old man wouldn't let it slide, taking the opportunity to make an example.
And he ended up being the example.
Not only was he dismissed, but he was also confined for half a year. No matter how he begged his brother-in-law afterward, he couldn't return to Jin Yuansheng.
He wanted to severely punish that rash youngster, then get rid of him to vent the anger in his heart.
But unexpectedly, even the old shopkeeper spoke up for that fellow, and his brother-in-law didn't want to make a fuss, which would look bad, so it all came to nothing.
Soon after, he heard that youngster became a Ninth Grade Martial Artist and established ties with the Huo Mansion.
Afterward, his sister attempted to deal with that youngster's brother but failed, receiving a scolding from his brother-in-law, who ordered her not to take any further action.
The more Lu Zhihao thought about it, the more annoyed he became, kicking the servant out of frustration, "Why are you bringing him up so early in the morning? What bad luck."
The servant rubbed the place where he was kicked, smiling wryly, "I didn't mean to bring him up on purpose. The road ahead is blocked because their family is celebrating a housewarming."
"What did you say?"
Lu Zhihao was stunned. He felt a surge of inexplicable anger rising in his heart.
This is Xiushui Street, and the house prices here are not cheap. The Chen Family, a year ago, was already quite down-and-out, spending everything to get Chen Ming out of jail.
How did they manage to turn their fortunes around in just one year?
Seeing his enemy prosper was more painful than being killed.
At this moment, discussions could be heard outside, "Which family is this? So many guests have come."
"I heard it's the two Chen brothers, who run a pharmacy, the owners of Chunhe Hall on Fragrance Street..."
"Chunhe Hall, oh, I know. Their cold medicine is quite effective. So it turns out it belongs to their family."
"I heard a year ago, Chunhe Hall was almost bankrupt. But then the second son of the Chen family suddenly had a revelation, becoming an official Martial Artist. The Chen Family turned things around, and in just a year, they've acquired such a large estate..."
"So it's that Chen family's second son. I hear he's a disciple of Old Huo, not yet twenty, handsome and still unmarried..."
"..."
Listening to the young women and housewives on the roadside praising Chen Ming made Lu Zhihao feel worse. He couldn't stand it any longer and ordered, "Driver, let's find another route."
The driver said helplessly, "Young master, the back is completely blocked. We can't turn around for the moment."
Lu Zhihao turned around, indeed seeing several carriages tightly packed behind, unable to turn around at all.
He was almost driven mad with frustration and could only shut the carriage window in anger.
Outside, the discussions continued to pour in.
"...Ah, becoming a Martial Artist sure is nice. If my boy could have such a future, I'd be willing to give up ten years of my life."
"I heard the second son of the Chen family has taken in many children, specifically giving them an introduction to Martial Dao. The tuition fees are much lower than at the martial arts halls. Otherwise, why not let your Xiao Er try it out?"
"Is that true?"
"Of course, it's true. Look, those kids in blue clothes are his disciples; don't they look spirited?"
When Lu Zhihao heard this, a thought struck him. He opened the carriage window again, looking toward the Chen Mansion.
Sure enough, he saw a group of children, each just over ten years old, wearing matching uniforms, lined up neatly in two rows, congratulating the Chen family on their housewarming.
The ten-year-old children wore solemn expressions, their movements uniform and natural, forming an imposing momentum that impressed the onlookers.
Lu Zhihao felt a mix of shock and anxiety, seeing that youngster had trained a group of children to such an extent.
Anyone would believe they were a military formation!
At the same time, a smile appeared on his face, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The servant next to him noticed his suddenly improved mood and asked, "Why is young master laughing?"
"I'm laughing because this youngster doesn't understand the rules, bringing about his own destruction."
Lu Zhihao laughed heartily, gloating as he said, "Here in Qingfeng City, taking on so many disciples isn't something you can do freely."
The servant was puzzled, "Are there people who regulate taking disciples?"
Now in a great mood, Lu Zhihao patiently explained, "If you take on three or five disciples, naturally no one will bother you. But if you suddenly take twenty or thirty, someone will surely intervene. Just wait, there'll be a good show soon."
The servant reminded, "Young master, don't forget. Your brother-in-law forbids you from dealing with this Chen Er."
"This time, he's the one digging his own grave; what does it have to do with me?"
...
...
Chen Mansion.
Outside was bustling and lively, but inside the backyard, Chen Ming was entertaining distinguished guests, specifically Deng Ziyang, Guan Peng, and Zhuang Xiaotian.
Ten months had passed, and Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian had successfully passed the martial examination, joining the Six Gates and being assigned to small county towns.
This time, their term had just ended, and they returned to report back coinciding with his move, so they came together to congratulate him.
As for Guan Peng, he was less fortunate; he failed the political examination and was eliminated.
Rumor had it that his grandfather had been a bandit, wanted by the Six Gates long ago. Unfortunately, this was discovered by the Six Gates.
This time, the four of them reunited, all very happy.
Chen Ming could clearly see the changes in the three of them. Naturally, Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian were spirited and proud, ending their usual year-long probation period early, about to be officially appointed.
Once officially appointed, they'd be Ninth Grade officials!
On the other hand, Guan Peng had tanned and spoken less.
Mostly, the three would talk while he listened, rarely expressing any opinions.
Chen Ming felt a bit wistful, thinking that everyone has their own fate.
Deng Ziyang also noticed Guan Peng's silence and asked, "Second brother, what are your plans for the future?"
Guan Peng lifted a cup from the table and said, "I've already joined Wanlong Trading Company and am about to go to sea."
The three of them were taken aback.
"What, you're going to sea?"
"Are you crazy?"
"That's far too dangerous."
Seeing their reactions, Guan Peng smiled slightly, with a somewhat indescribable meaning, "Though the waves at sea are fierce, the rewards are equally substantial. Wanlong Trading Company promised me that if I'm willing to go to sea, they'll teach me the Wan Family's 'Green Wave Skill'. If I don't give it a shot, I won't be content."
"So, don't try to talk me out of it. I've made up my mind. I'm here this time to bid you farewell. You all are my brothers and best friends, so wish me a smooth journey."
Saying this, he raised the wine cup before him.
Chen Ming and the others were left speechless, raising their cups and drinking with him.
For a moment, a sense of solemnity pervaded among the four of them.
Seeing them act this way, Guan Peng said, "What are you doing? It's not like I'm going to my death. Don't worry, I treasure my life more than you do. I won't die easily."