A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 229 The Rules of Freeloading
The weather is getting hotter and hotter.

The two students were thoroughly tormented by the local bully, Xu Xianchun.

One of the older men was named Yu Zhouxun, and he had a respectable appearance.

One of the young men was named Wang Gongshou, and he hadn't grown very tall yet.

Wang Gongshou had been sulking.

He truly hadn't expected that there would be such detestable servants within the territory of the Song Dynasty.

Yu Zhouxun watched as the soldiers at the city gate were causing trouble, rummaging through things in a very rude manner.

He sighed softly; the laws of the Song Dynasty were still not enough to deter them.

To Yu Zhouxun's surprise, these soldiers did not ask for money or anything from him.

It's all about "having fun".

Wow, what a joke!
Wang Gongshou was even more inexplicably furious upon witnessing this scene.

Instead, Yu Zhouxun pulled him back, signaling him not to make a fuss.

Let's rest in Guancheng tonight and take a boat directly tomorrow, so we don't have to go through this trouble.

They both wanted to experience the local customs and culture.

I never expected to encounter such a distressing situation.

Young Wang Gongshou never expected to encounter such a troublesome person after going out.

If he were to pass the imperial examination and become an official, he would certainly have to put some order on him.

Neither students nor ordinary citizens should be treated this way!
That's absolutely humiliating.

Yu Zhouxun also passed the Kaifeng Prefecture examination and became a Jinshi in the fifth year of the Tiansheng era.

Wang Gongshou was the top scholar in the imperial examination of the eighth year of the Tiansheng era. After being personally selected by Emperor Zhao Zhen, he was given the name Wang Gongchen.

Yu Zhouxun and Wang Gongshou obediently accepted the examination.

Unlike those white-clad servants in the woods before, who teased them just to amuse Xu Xianchun.

At this moment, the group of people, still tied to the tree, were wailing and discussing what to do next.

Song Xuan and Wang Gui walked quickly and arrived directly at the city gate.

The two students were tall and strong, and the soldiers guarding the city did not dare to stop them, letting them in directly.

Judging from their appearance and the fact that they were carrying broadswords, they looked like scholars who didn't study hard, but whose families had some means to send them to school.

The soldiers standing guard at the gate had seen far too many people.

At a glance, you can tell who you can bully and who you shouldn't mess with.

Wang Gongshou stood in the doorway, enjoying the cool air, and raised an eyebrow as he watched the soldiers not even glance at the scholar carrying the broadsword.

"Brother Yu, should we bring a broadsword with us next time we go out?"

"Bring a broadsword?"

Yu Zhouxun had some doubts.

After all, they both looked rather thin and weak, so carrying a broadsword wouldn't be very intimidating!
Upon seeing Yu Zhouxun's reaction, Wang Gongshou sighed deeply and immediately stepped forward:

"My fellow students, I am Wang Gongshou, a student from Kaifeng Prefecture, who is traveling to the Taishi Academy in Xijing for further studies. I wonder if you two are also going there?"

Song Xuan's eyes had already spotted the two people resting in the shade at the city gate. One was tall and the other short, both quite thin.

"Ok?"

Song Xuan stopped in his tracks, scrutinized the two of them, and, confirming that they were the ones Xu Xianchun had dealt with, nodded repeatedly.

"good."

"I am Song Xuan, a student of Yingtian Academy."

"Is it Song Twelve?"

Yu Zhouxun asked in surprise.

"Ok?"

Now it was Wang Gongshou, Song Xuan, and Wang Gui's turn to be surprised and suspicious.

After all, we didn't know each other at all.

"I especially like Shierlang's Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

Yu Zhouxun hurriedly took out a bound volume of Romance of the Three Kingdoms from his bag.

Song Xuan took it and looked at it; it was produced by Master Lei's shop. A smile immediately appeared on his face.
"It's down."

Yu Zhouxun chuckled twice.

He really hadn't expected Song Shier to be so tall and imposing, and also quite handsome.

He is indeed extremely talented!

"I also copied down Shierlang's 'Shuidiao Getou' and often take it out to study it."

Wang Gongshou never imagined that this person was none other than Song Twelve, who was famous throughout Tokyo.

After all, the song "Shuidiao Getou" spread to Tokyo in just a few days.

The crowd did not recognize Song Xuan, but they had long heard of Song Twelve.

The Journey to the West is very much in line with what children say, and everyone claims to be the Monkey King.

However, the story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms was so popular in the entertainment districts of Tokyo that people wanted to hear it again and again.

We eagerly anticipate a new chapter for Song Twelve.

Whoever gets firsthand information will be incredibly popular at the entertainment venue that day!

Yu Zhouxun appeared extremely excited:
"I never expected to run into Twelve Lang in Guancheng."

"I forgot to introduce myself. I am Yu Zhouxun, a student from Kaifeng Prefecture. I have already passed the preliminary examination and am preparing to travel and broaden my horizons before participating in the provincial examination."

"Oh?"

Song Xuan politely returned the greeting and introduced the people next to him:
"Wang Gui, my brother, is highly skilled in martial arts and is responsible for protecting my safety."

Upon hearing Song Xuan's introduction, Wang Gui immediately straightened his back and politely bowed.

Wang Gongshou and Yu Zhouxun quickly bowed to Wang Gui.

This young man is so young yet he can carry a broadsword.

Coupled with the soldiers' reaction just now, they also agreed with Song Xuan's words.

Since everyone shares the same goal, they can naturally travel together.

The four of them arrived at an inn, where Yu Zhouxun and Wang Gongshou hesitated.

After all, Wang Gongshou lost his father at a young age, leaving his mother to raise four children alone in Xianping County, Kaifeng Prefecture, to make a living.

He was the eldest son and shouldered the heavy burden of the family with his mother, living a very simple life.

He was furious at being extorted for some copper coins.

That was my and my mother's hard-earned money!

That's why they're so persistent.

As for Yu Zhouxun, he was an orphan from a young age and barely survived on the charity of his family.

So the two of them stood at the entrance of the inn, hesitating for a moment.

Song Xuan then put his arm around them and said:
"You two don't need to worry about money. I saw that you were being harassed by someone. I taught them a lesson, and they will definitely not be satisfied."

"When they come looking for us, they will reimburse us for both our meals and lodging."

Wang Gongshou was still hesitating.

Because he genuinely wanted the bad guys to be punished as they deserved.

Yu Zhouxun laughed and said:

"Thank you for your kindness, Twelve. We just wanted to try the meat porridge and hot and sour soup here, then spend the night here and take a boat to Xijing early tomorrow morning."

He was more mature than Wang Gongshou and genuinely felt that this was just Song Xuan's way of putting it.

A strong dragon will not overwhelm a local snake.

Behind him is a county constable and a county magistrate.

Because of this petty squabble, unexpected things may happen.

If things go wrong, you might end up in jail, at the mercy of others, which would be a really bad thing.

Before Yu Zhouxun could say anything more, Song Xuan pulled him into the shop.

Wang Gui had already started calling the waiter to serve the dishes; the group was about to have a big feast.

Once Wang Gongshou was seated on the bench, Yu Zhouxun felt it inappropriate to get up again.

"It's just a meal, nothing serious."

Song Xuan then took off his bundle and gently placed it on the bench:
"Besides, we're in the same industry, and Brother Yu likes my books, so what's a little treat for the two of you to a meal?"

When Yu Zhouxun heard that what Song Xuan said made sense, he stopped resisting.

Wang Gui wiped the sweat from his face; the weather was incredibly hot these days.

Wang Gongshou had also heard Song Xuan's "Shuidiao Getou," and immediately inquired:

"I wonder how Brother Wang disciplined those scoundrels?"

"That's right, kick them one by one, knock them all to the ground and make them wail."

Song Xuan wiped the sweat from his face:

"Anyway, they don't have any real skills. What kind of damn Director Zhou from Guancheng is he? He's not worthy of the title!"

Wang Gui laughed upon hearing this.

Because the person in front of him is the leader of the three scourges of Lema Town, and he is none other than Little Zhou Chu.

These people have no real skills, but they dare to act arrogantly just because they have some connections. It's not difficult for them at all.

Yu Zhouxun was somewhat impressed by Song Xuan's tone.

After all, most people would just swallow their anger and keep quiet when faced with this kind of situation.

Only a small minority dare to rebel.

Wang Gongshou listened with pleasure, but he also had a question in his mind.

"Song Twelve has always been good at writing stories. Can that young man next to him really take on ten people at once and defeat them all smoothly?"

However, the precocious Wang Gongshou did not voice his doubts.

After all, Song Xuan had been very enthusiastic, so there was no need to raise such a question.

The waiter quickly served cold dishes such as chicken skin with sesame tofu, rice noodles with sesame filling, and sugar-coated shaved ice with cold dumplings to help Song Xuan and his companions cool off.

We'll serve the hot dishes later.

Song Xuan took a sip and immediately felt incredibly refreshed.

Wang Gongshou and Yu Zhouxun also felt much more comfortable.

Once he took a sip of the cool drink, Yu Zhouxun couldn't bring himself to leave.

Before Song Xuan and his companions had to wait long, the restaurant served a full table of dishes, including braised carp with noodles, roasted mutton, roasted mutton, and fried mutton intestines.

Wang Gongshou subconsciously swallowed. Yu Zhouxun did the same.

When it comes to food, the older brother is better than the younger brother.

Lamb is such a precious meat!

They really hadn't eaten it all these years.

"Twelfth Brother, this meal is going to be expensive."

Yu Zhouxun still maintained some composure, but his stomach had already betrayed him.

"Enough with the chit-chat, let's eat! I'm starving!"

Song Xuan immediately turned on his flashy mode.

Yu Zhouxun initially tried to be reserved, but neither Song Xuan nor Wang Gongshou held back, taking a bite of the mutton with gusto.

I was drifting along on the boat, and I didn't feel like eating anything.

Once you're grounded, your appetite will be whetted.

Yu Zhouxun stopped hesitating and began to eat the mutton with great enthusiasm.

He had been craving this for a long time.

The shopkeeper standing to the side had his eyelids twitching as he watched these four starving ghosts being reincarnated.

They all seem to have never eaten anything good, and besides, how much money can students possibly have?

He was already starting to have some concerns.

Because the person next to me, after finishing their meal, wanted to get up and leave.

"Oh, this customer hasn't paid the bill yet."

The waiter quickly stopped him.

"I don't have money, and I don't have life either."

The scoundrel immediately squatted down, clutching his stomach.
"I know the rules. Don't hit my stomach, or I'll dirty your floor, disturb the guests, and make me suffer for nothing."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and pointed tremblingly at the squatting rogue:

"Call me."

Several of his men punched and kicked the scoundrel until he was curled up on the ground.

The shopkeeper was ruthless. If you were just trying to get a free meal, you could be nicer, but he also ordered wine!
How can this be done?
Seeing Song Xuan eating while looking around, the shopkeeper quickly came over:

"Gentlemen, please do not worry. These petty scoundrels must be taught a lesson, otherwise how can I continue doing business?"

"Understood, understood."

Song Xuan put down the lamb bone in his hand:

"If the four of us can't pay, are we just going to beat us up and that's it?"

The shopkeeper was stunned by these words, and the waiters who were about to attack all stopped and looked at Song Xuan.

They must have spent a lot of money on this meal today. It would be too much of a shame to just eat such a feast and then get a beating.

Wang Gongshou, who was swallowing his greasy food, was somewhat dazed.

No, we don't have money to pay for this meal?

On the contrary, Yu Zhouxun didn't care at all; even if someone skipped out on the bill, he was capable of keeping up.

Anyway, I don't know anyone here.

The main reason was trust in Song Xuan's brother's skills.

"Sir, please don't joke around."

Song Xuan took a sip of the cold drink and smiled:

"He owes you a few dollars, just put it on my tab. There's no need to beat him up."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper quickly thanked him.

Wang Gongshou continued eating, feeling that Song Twelve was quite bold.

If you can treat a complete stranger to a meal, you can certainly treat someone who eats and drinks for free.

wrong.

I'm just eating and drinking for free.

After Wang Gongshou finished speaking, he looked sympathetically at his colleague who was lying on the ground eating and drinking for free.

But the person lying on the ground wouldn't have it:
"No, I can't give it to you, otherwise I'll have suffered this beating for nothing."

"Hey."

The shopkeeper pointed to the scoundrel on the ground:

"Wang Bao, don't push your luck! Do you think you can come into the store again next time?"

"Then you have to get a beating too, otherwise this beating will have been for nothing, which is against the rules."

Wang Bao sat up from the ground, determined to argue his case for his own interests.

Song Xuan munched on the fruit the shopkeeper had given him, finding it quite amusing.

Nowadays in Songcheng, he can't find this kind of program at all.

The shopkeeper was clearly very angry:
"I think you're just here to cause trouble!"

"Either you hold me accountable for a meal, or don't put my debt on someone else's. I, Wang Bao, may be poor, but I'm poor with confidence. I will never owe anyone a favor!"

Song Xuan listened to this scoundrel's remarks and found that there was actually a logic to them.

This kind of person has a certain ability to argue.

The shopkeeper seemed disgusted; as long as money came in, he was fine with it and would never give him a chance to eat there again.

He casually said, "Okay, then I'll make a note of it for you, is that alright?"

“Okay.” Wang Bao stood up with a smile on his face, acting as if nothing had happened.
"Then you have to give me a written agreement."

The shopkeeper was so angry at this scoundrel that he pointed at Wang Bao, but couldn't say anything.

The shopkeeper glared at his employees, noticing that they were sweating profusely from hitting someone and were panting heavily.

He then realized that the beating of Wang Bao, who was freeloading, had not been relaxed.

The shopkeeper could only return to the counter in a huff and write a note for Wang Bao, that scoundrel.

Wang Bao took it with a grin and ran to Song Xuan:

"I hope you can take a look at it for me, young master, and see if it's correct?"

Song Xuan shrugged, indicating it was all oil: "Hold it up and I'll show you."

After reading it once, Song Xuan nodded:

"No problem, bro, do you do this often?"

"How can it be!"

Wang Bao carefully put away the document, then sat down to the side and, as if they were old friends, picked up a small lamb chop from the plate and started eating it.

"I haven't eaten for two days, so I came here for a meal."

Wang Gongshou was greatly surprised.

Although he knew the hardships of life from a young age and often went hungry.

But he still only ate one meal a day. While helping his mother with chores, he often got up before dawn, and even woke up in the middle of the night to read a book.

Through years of hard work, Wang Gongshou was already able to write excellent articles when he was just a teenager.

He wanted to choose an academy to study at and listen to the masters' lectures, but the academies in Tokyo were too expensive, and he simply couldn't afford them.

People in the countryside already have to tighten their belts to make ends meet, let alone move to the city.

However, his friend Yu Zhouxun said that Qian Weiyan, who worked in Xijing, was very generous.

Especially for gifted students, the academy can provide them with the means to study.

Wang Gongshou said he was coming to study abroad, but he also wanted to use the guise of studying abroad to explore new avenues.

Only in this way can the burden on the family be reduced.

Because Yu Zhouxun followed this path.

Therefore, Wang Gongchen had experience with situations where he hadn't eaten for two days; he simply drank more water.

My mouth feels very sour.

What do you do for a living?

"Unemployed, I'll be a layabout, giving directions and carrying things around."

Wang Bao patted his belly:

"Growing strong means getting hungry quickly. My mother starved to death trying to raise me, this big-bellied man!"

"Where's your dad?"

He ran away when he was three years old, and I don't know where he went.

The people present fell silent for a moment.

Song Xuan asked the waiter to bring him a basin of water to wash his hands, and then he patted Wang Bao on the shoulder:

"She does have some strength."

"I wonder if you need help carrying the bags, or if you need an escort? There might be bad guys along the way."

In order to fill his stomach, Wang Bao immediately began to sell his wares.

Anyway, judging from the food on the table, they didn't seem like people who were short of money.

Do you think it's appropriate for us to freeload?

Hearing Song Xuan's question, Wang Bao began stuffing the remaining food into his mouth, pretending not to hear.

After he finally swallowed it, he took the initiative to speak:

“I advise you not to do this, young master. You are an outsider, while I am a local. This meal will cost at least several hundred coins. You could easily end up in the county jail.”

"The amount of food I ordered was not large; there's no need to drag me to the county government."

"Hahaha."

Song Xuan nodded repeatedly: "What you said makes sense. I would like to hire you, but I'm afraid you won't dare!"

"What wouldn't I dare to do as long as I can fill my stomach?"

Wang Bao continued to stuff food into his mouth, even eating the remaining rice in the bowl with the vegetable soup.

"I beat up Xu Xianchun, the young director of Guancheng, and tied him up in the woods outside the city. I guess he should be free by now, and maybe he's looking for me all over the city."

"Young master, please don't boast like that."

Wang Bao chewed on his rice mixed with soup.
"What kind of damn Zhou Chu is this? I can take him down with one punch."

"But relying on being the county magistrate's brother-in-law, that young master really thinks he's that good at martial arts?"

"Oh, is it so?"

Song Xuan tapped the table, signaling Wang Bao, who was stuffing rice into his mouth, to look up.

Guan Cheng Xiao Zhou's expression wasn't very good!
(End of this chapter)