A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 230 Song Wenuan Returns to the Jianghu
Xu Xianchun's expression was indeed rather unpleasant.

One was that he used to be confident that he was invincible in Guancheng, but he was kicked to the ground by two outsiders.

It also shattered his self-esteem.

I never imagined that this good-for-nothing would always look down on me.

Wang Bao wasn't stupid; the fact that he could take a beating and come here to freeload meant he had a brain.

After all, just surviving is difficult enough. He has never been to school, and hunger has been a constant companion to him since he can remember.

My biggest dream is to be able to eat my fill every day.

But the people in Guancheng all despise him for being a good-for-nothing, and they think it's not worth it for the riddle-solving people to hire him.

"Master Xu has arrived."

Wang Bao wore a simple, honest smile.
"have you eaten?"

The shopkeeper immediately felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.

We already lost money today, and the worst part is that the students at this table kept joking around.

Then I noticed that his package contained what appeared to be a weapon with a mace, but he didn't have any money.

He was still somewhat worried about not receiving the money.

If Xu Xianchun were to cause a scene in the shop, the cost of the tables, chairs, and benches would be forgiven.

The key issue is that it will scare away many diners, and if business doesn't pick up today, the losses will be even greater.

Xu Xianchun snorted, pushed past Yu Zhouxun, and sat down opposite Song Xuan:

"You've got some nerve, attacking us government officials and instead of running away, you're brazenly eating here!"

"Who are you?"

Song Xuan picked up his teacup: "Are you here to pay my bill?"

Snapped.

Xu Xianchun slammed his fist on the table in a fit of anger:

"you!"

"Too deceiving!"

Yu Zhouxun never expected that the bully who had just humiliated them in the woods would now only dare to sit opposite Song Xuan in a helpless rage.

I have absolutely no desire to do anything.

He was greatly surprised.

Even Wang Bao raised an eyebrow slightly.

He couldn't understand why Xu Xianchun, who was usually domineering, was so polite to this passerby.

In the past, they would have flipped the table long ago!
No one can leave.

Something's definitely not right!

Song Xuan put down his teacup and glanced casually at Xu Xianchun across from him:
"do you have any opinion?"

Xu Xianchun couldn't hold back any longer.

He has never suffered such injustice in his entire life!
Wang Gongshou's eyes widened.

He glanced at Xu Xianchun, the young man who had bullied him, and then at Song Shier sitting next to him.

He had long heard that Song Xuan was talented.

But he knew absolutely nothing about the existence of force.

Because Wang Gongshou had just been wronged, he was able to quickly sense this emotion from Xu Xianchun, who had also been wronged.

Xu Xianchun straightened his body and stared at Song Xuan, saying:
"Tell me your name if you dare."

"Oh dear, I'm not changing my name or surname." Song Xuan then lifted his leg and placed it on the bench:
"My name is Song Wenuan, and I'm known as Horse Archer."

"Song Wenuan?"

Xu Xianchun clearly didn't believe that this was his real name, as for the nickname "Horse Archer"!

Who would use the title of "clerk in the county government" as a nickname?

Especially considering he was dressed in a scholar's robe, he was definitely not some lowly official from the county government.

"Master Xu, why waste words with him?"

The servant in white spoke up:

“I have already sent someone to find the county constable. He dared to beat us constables, so he should be locked up first. He can tell us everything himself then.”

Song Xuan chuckled: "You'd better call over the powerful backer behind you so I can take a look."

"Shut up," Xu Xianchun hummed.

"Shut up!"

"I say you."

Bai Yi was stunned for a moment, not understanding why Xu Xianchun, who was usually so domineering, would be so polite.

Could it be that this person named Song Wennuan on the other side is really capable?

Xu Xianchun noticed that Song Shier didn't take the threat from Bai Yi seriously at all.

It's obvious they don't respect the county magistrate, let alone the county constable.

Although Xu Xianchun is a bastard, he's not brainless.

If his brother-in-law offends someone he shouldn't, it could implicate his family.

Will they still be able to run rampant in the countryside then?

His father had warned him long ago that once his brother-in-law lost power...

Just look at Guancheng, how many people wish they could come over and trample on you!
Therefore, Xu Xianchun felt that Song Xuan was both capable and had a powerful background, so it was best not to provoke him easily.

But no matter what, he had to get his brother-in-law to come over.

If one could establish a relationship with a high-ranking official in Tokyo.

Paying a price is fine, but as long as my brother-in-law gets promoted, that's a good outcome.

The shopkeeper was stunned by what he saw, and he was even more suspicious of Song Xuan's true identity.

Could he really be a dragon crossing the river?
Even the local bullies have to obediently bow their heads and admit their inferiority!

"Song Wenuan, right?"

Xu Xianchun kept replaying the kick he received in his mind.

"My name is Xu Xianchun, let's be friends."

"Sure, I love making friends."

Song Xuan changed the subject:
"How about I put this score on your head today?"

Xu Xianchun never expected that the person in front of him would not give him the slightest bit of face.

He always got to eat and drink for free.

Who would dare to take advantage of me?

However, Xu Xianchun was somewhat frightened by Song Xuan's kick, and at this moment he had no choice but to speak:
"Shopkeeper, put this money in my account."

The shopkeeper didn't dare say anything more and quickly agreed.

Today's trade really resulted in a loss.

When did Xu Xianchun ever pay the bill?
Because of Xu Xianchun's obedience to the little bully, Wang Bao took another look at the rough-looking man in front of him.

He really isn't an ordinary person.

Otherwise, why would Hsu Hsien-chun act like a good boy, not daring to utter a single word?

When Yu Zhouxun saw this scene, he felt a surge of satisfaction!
That meal was truly enjoyable.

Otherwise, you'd miss out on a great show.

Wang Gui chuckled, spat, and then chewed the bone.

"Shopkeeper, bring another serving of this roasted lamb, and this, and another serving of this. Master Xu must not have eaten yet."

Wang Bao chuckled.

Anyway, he still has room in his stomach, and he must have his first full meal of his life today!

The shopkeeper, of course, dared not offend Xu Xianchun, and ordered the kitchen to serve the dishes.

Regardless, he still has good judgment.

The outsider who came today must be a strongman!
Otherwise, they would never have made Xu Xianchun so humble.

Xu Xianchun glanced at the good-for-nothing Wang Bao and ignored him.

Unsurprisingly, it was Wang Bao, that good-for-nothing, who deliberately approached Song Wennuan because she was from out of town, just to freeload.

There shouldn't be any connection between the two.

Otherwise, Wang Bao wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state all these years.

To be honest, Xu Xianchun also disliked his excessive eating and kicked him out of the team.

Seeing that Song Xuan was so confident and didn't take him seriously at all, Xu Xianchun dared not speak disrespectfully.

The only way is to wait for his brother-in-law to arrive and test this man's abilities.

Song Xuan didn't bother to pay him any attention.

Wang Gui had almost finished eating, but Wang Bao called him again, so he slowly started eating along with him.

On the contrary, Hsu Hsien-chun was already furious.

Finally, as the men were all thinking their own things, the county magistrate of Guancheng arrived late.

The shopkeeper and a group of servants quickly stepped forward to inquire.

County Magistrate Zhou waved his hand, glanced at his brother-in-law, and saw him huddled there like a quail.

He understood immediately.

That means someone dealt with him, leaving him completely helpless.

In order not to make a big fuss, he could only sit there and wait for me to take charge of things for him.

County Magistrate Zhou first sized up the student who hadn't moved an inch; he was of decent appearance.

Especially when the good-for-nothing Wang Bao was sitting next to him.

"Xianchun, what happened?"

Even though Bai Yi had already told him on the way here.

However, as is the way of being an official, sometimes you have to pretend you don't know what you do know.

Only in this way can one advance or retreat freely!

Xu Xianchun lost all his fighting spirit and was completely defeated by Song Xuan.

He could only honestly say that Song Wenwen and the others looked like fugitives, so he asked the county magistrate to come and investigate them personally.

County Commandant Zhou acknowledged this and then asked Xu Xianchun to stand up and sit opposite Song Xuan.

"I am the county magistrate of Guancheng. I have been tracking down a ruthless bandit who committed a family massacre. Everyone is required to undergo questioning, but you refuse to comply, is that it?"

Song Xuan did indeed chuckle:
"I don't think County Magistrate Zhou has the guts to actually suppress bandits, but he certainly has the audacity to use the suppression as an excuse to make money!"

County Magistrate Zhou became increasingly convinced that the student before him was probably someone's son.

And the grade is not low.

Otherwise, they would never have met an official like themselves with such rudeness.

The fact that the two students didn't dare utter a sound is clear evidence of this. In any case, officials are officials, and ordinary people are ordinary people.

When ordinary people meet officials, they are inherently several levels below them!

"A bunch of nonsense."

County Magistrate Zhou pointed at Song Xuan: "Do you have any witnesses or physical evidence?"

"Wang Gongshou, were there any marks on the copper coins that were stolen from you?"

"Of course there is. That was money I earned with great difficulty as a clerk. I count it every day. So I had one coin tied up with a red string. That's why he took it."

Wang Gongshou was furious when he heard this and pointed at Bai Yidao who was standing to the side.

"Don't make false accusations, Magistrate Zhou! He's slandering me!"

"He slandered me!"

"Take out the money."

County Magistrate Zhou certainly knew the quality of the men under his command.

Seeing that the person still wouldn't comply, he slammed his fist on the table and said, "I'm telling you to hand over the money."

Bai Yi was so frightened that he quickly handed over all the money in his purse.

County Magistrate Zhou clutched his purse: "With so many copper coins, what if he also has a red string?"

Wang Gongshou shook his head repeatedly:
"No, that copper coin has a missing corner. I deliberately tied it with a red string so that I could spend it smoothly in the future."

Because this money was hard-earned, Wang Gongshou was very clear about the value of his copper coins.

He had been saving money for a long time for this study abroad trip.

Then he mentioned some other characteristics.

Such as large characters, long characters, narrow characters, small characters with wide borders, etc.

County Magistrate Zhou didn't even open the purse; he simply tossed it to Wang Gongshou.
"No need to say anything more, it's your money. I'll teach this guy a lesson later."

Bai Yi's face was pale.

That was accumulated through many days of exploitation.

Just like that, someone else got the benefit for nothing!

But since County Magistrate Zhou had spoken, he dared not say anything more.

Wang Gongshou held the full money bag, a moment of hesitation flashing through his mind.

Because only twenty coins of this amount belonged to him.

If I could keep it for myself, my mother would have less to do, and my younger siblings would be able to eat some meat and nourish their bodies, instead of being as thin as starving dogs.

Wang Gongshou closed his eyes, his mind still in turmoil.

“This is ill-gotten gains. I only want back the twenty coins that belong to me.”

"But what about Mother!"

Wang Gongshou's hands were trembling as he gripped the money bag tightly, desperately trying to keep it for himself.

But in the end, he couldn't get over his own inner conflict.

All the money I earn is clean and honest.

He immediately opened his money bag and took back his twenty coins.

After Zhou, the county magistrate, saw that the matter had been resolved, he stared at Song Xuan, unsure of how to interrogate him.

At this point, under no circumstances should we take him back to the county government office to investigate.

Because anything is possible!
County Magistrate Zhou dared not gamble on the man before him; he was of commoner origin, only tall and strong.

If he gambles wrong, he might be exiled to Lingnan, and his career would be over.

If someone wants to deal with you, they have plenty of ways to do so.

Just like his henchmen who purged innocent passersby.

Snapped.

Just as County Magistrate Zhou was pondering, Wang Gongshou threw the money bag onto the table in front of him.

"I only want the money that belongs to me."

Now even Song Xuan and the others looked at Wang Gongshou.

Anyone could see that this thin boy was born into poverty.

Not only were his school uniform patched, but he also wore straw sandals.

Not the kind of person who forces themselves to endure hardship in order to temper their will.

Rather, they truly grew up enduring hardship from a young age.

Xu Xianchun was surprised and doubtful. How could there be such a fool in the world who would not take advantage of a good deal?

County Magistrate Zhou had seen this kind of person before, so he didn't offer any further advice.

He originally intended to settle the matter with money, and the extra money would be used to shut him up.

Song Xuan spoke up, saying, "They bullied you two, are you going to refuse medical expenses?"

Upon receiving Song Xuan's reminder, Yu Zhouxun nodded immediately.
"Shi Er Lang is right."

Yu Zhouxun picked up the money bag again and put it into his sleeve.

In fact, Song Xuan admired Wang Gongshou, a person with a "stubborn mind".

Because these kinds of people have their own principles!
"Twelfth Brother, right?"

County Magistrate Zhou touched the thumb ring on his hand:
"Then you shouldn't have attacked government officials so recklessly."

"Who attacked the government officials?"

Song Xuan snorted and laughed:
"I thought they were bandits robbing passersby in the woods, so I knocked them all down and tied them up, waiting to go to the government office to report the crime after we finished eating."

"I never imagined that their backer was the government. No wonder they are so fearless."

County Magistrate Zhou lowered his eyes and realized that the student opposite him was not someone who could be easily dismissed.

"Besides, which one of them is a government employee?"

Song Xuan stared at County Lieutenant Zhou opposite him and smiled, "I hope County Lieutenant Zhou can point it out to me."

Outsourcing.

It's all outsourced.

The number of government offices is limited.

Not everyone is qualified to receive a government salary.

Many people without official positions try to get by by following those with official positions, hoping to earn a living by serving them.

This model has been around for a long time.

This became even more pronounced during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

To get a permanent position, besides accumulating seniority, most of the time you also need to buy your way in with money.

Wang Bao kept eating; the mutton was really delicious.

You can fill your stomach and watch a show at the same time.

Even the life of a god couldn't be better than this.

From Song Xuan's words, he could tell that Song Twelve definitely came from an official family, and that his father held a rather high-ranking position.

Wang Bao was not the only one who made this judgment; even County Magistrate Zhou felt the same way.

But Wang Gui, who knew the truth, thought that a county magistrate, a minor official, was not worthy of putting on airs in front of his twelfth brother.
Anyway, he ate the meat without saying a word.

Song Xuan stood up and stretched.

In the sweltering summer heat, with so many people gathered around, the smell was rather unpleasant.

"Is County Magistrate Zhou here to find out what happened?"

Song Xuan pulled out a folding fan and smiled:

"I need to get a room to shower and rest for a bit. I've been traveling a lot and I smell a bit strong, even I can't stand it."

County Magistrate Zhou heard his brother-in-law's summons because he wanted to confirm whether the person in front of him was the son of an official.

If that's true, then treat them well; it would be a good way to build a positive relationship.

If not, then that's another story.

In Guancheng, this small piece of land, there are plenty of ways to deal with him!
"Okay, then I won't bother you any longer. I'm leaving."

County Magistrate Zhou stood up quickly and decisively.

An official like him wouldn't bow to a commoner.

Neither the shopkeeper nor the group of servants expected that after Xiao Zhou's backer arrived, they were rebuked a few times and left without uttering a word.

What exactly is Song Xuan's identity?

Wang Gongshou held his copper coin, immersed in the joy of having it returned.

He not only made new friends and got a free meal, but most importantly, justice was served, which made him very satisfied.

Yu Zhouxun touched the thick purse, and all the grievances he had suffered in the woods vanished.

When he returns to Tokyo, he won't be in such a sorry state that he has to prepare for the provincial examination.

As soon as County Magistrate Zhou left, the servants hurriedly followed.

Xu Xianchun glanced at Song Xuan, wanting to memorize his appearance, and quickly followed him out.

When no one was around, County Magistrate Zhou stopped in his tracks.

"What are you up to, kid?"

"I'm warning you, don't do anything reckless."

"I can't afford to mess with him because of his arrogant attitude!"

Xu Xianchun was deeply afraid after being kicked down by Song Xuan.

In particular, that kick completely shattered his arrogance.

"Brother-in-law, how could I dare to provoke him?"

Xu Xianchun sighed:
"I thought I was invincible in Guancheng, but he knocked me down with one kick and I was still in pain and fully conscious."

“Song Wenwen’s subordinate also kicked me unconscious, which shows that he couldn’t control his strength at all.”

"That's why I'm a little afraid of that Song Wennuan."

After listening to my brother-in-law's personal experience, I realized that although it is said that the poor are scholars and the rich are warriors.

However, both literary and martial arts training require a lot of money.

The girl named Song Wennuan had a bird-shaped jade pendant hanging from her waist, which was clearly not an ordinary item.

However, since his own official position was still low, he naturally did not know which prime minister's son he was from in the capital city of Tokyo.

The two timid students sounded like they spoke with a Tokyo accent, but Song Wenwen's Tokyo accent wasn't strong, indicating that she hadn't lived in Tokyo much as a child.

Many high-ranking officials won't immediately bring their families to live in Tokyo because the cost of living there is extremely high.

"So, he's very skilled?"

"good."

Xu Xianchun said very solemnly, "Brother-in-law, I want to learn martial arts from him."

"What's the matter?"

(End of this chapter)