Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 69 Loyal Little Fatty
Chen Qing had inquired about Mr. Yang's background. He was from Hejian Prefecture in Zhili Province. He had committed a crime in his hometown and had fled to Jiangnan with his daughter to avoid trouble. They had been wandering the world for two or three years until they met Chen Qing in Deqing and finally found a place to settle down.

Chen Qingyuan had no doubts about this identity and background. Moreover, martial arts seemed to be popular in Hejian Prefecture, so it made even more reasonable that this Mr. Yang knew some kung fu.

After spending several months together, Chen Qing still trusted Mr. Yang quite a bit.

If it weren't for Prince Jiang mentioning the White Lotus Sect to him yesterday, he would never have associated Mr. Yang with the White Lotus Sect. But the chubby boy had just mentioned it yesterday, and today Mr. Yang inexplicably brought up folk religious sects, which immediately put Chen Qing on alert.

He looked up and examined Mr. Yang carefully. After a while, he tentatively asked, "Which folk religion would you like me to write about?"

"That depends on how you plan and strategize, young master."

Mr. Yang looked at Chen Qing and said, "Young Master's talent far surpasses mine, and his understanding of folk religious sects is naturally much greater than mine."

Chen Qing blinked, looked at Mr. Yang, and said, "As far as I know, the largest religious sect in the folk religion seems to be... the White Lotus Sect?"

Upon hearing these three words, Mr. Yang's expression changed slightly. He shook his head and said, "I'm afraid the White Lotus Sect is not an option. The White Lotus Sect has too much influence, and many ordinary people believe in it. It's best not to get involved."

"Moreover, I've heard that the White Lotus Sect once rebelled, and the government is still cracking down on them. It's best not to get involved."

He looked at Chen Qing, thought for a moment, and said, "I have heard that there used to be a sect called Ming Cult, which was once very widespread, but now it has almost disappeared, and the government does not pay much attention to it. Young master, you can write about the Ming Cult."

"It might have a miraculous effect."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing glanced at Mr. Yang silently and sighed, "Sir, you seem to be very familiar with these folk religious sects."

"I am a country person."

Mr. Yang said with a smile, "Since the imperial power does not extend to the countryside, there are many missionaries in the villages, who often gather at night and disperse at dawn."

"As you know, young master, I make a living by storytelling. My old master didn't pass down much knowledge. Besides the traditional things, there are some strange and interesting stories that I have to find out by myself."

“Back in my hometown, I attended several White Lotus Sect gatherings. I wanted to see what the White Lotus Sect members looked like and ask them about the White Lotus Sect’s history. Over time, I learned more about it.”

Chen Qing thought for a moment and then asked, "Sir, how many members does the White Lotus Sect have?"

"There are too many."

Mr. Yang thought for a moment and replied, "In the general public, there are probably several hundred thousand."

Chen Qing's expression changed slightly.

Mr. Yang waved his hand and said, "But it's not very effective; at most, it can only help collect some incense money."

He looked at Chen Qing and said with a smile, "This kind of thing is more common in my hometown of Zhili, but less so in Jiangnan. If you are interested, I can take you to Zhili to have a look sometime."

Chen Qing nodded and smiled: "If I have the chance, I will definitely go and see it with you, sir."

At this point, he glanced at Yang Xiaohuan, who was still busy in the courtyard, turned to Mr. Yang, and asked, "I really don't know much about folk religious sects. Since you have personally experienced them, I have a few questions I would like to ask you."

Without hesitation, Mr. Yang replied, "Please ask, young master."

Chen Qing looked at him and asked, "What is your opinion on the White Lotus Sect, sir?"

Mr. Yang stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then said, "To be honest, sects like the White Lotus Sect have too many followers, a mixed bag of people, and countless branches within the sect. You could say that."

"Most of the people in the church are not good people."

Mr. Yang looked at Chen Qing and sighed: "The White Lotus Sect also has many of these practices, such as extorting money from the people by using supernatural powers, cheating and swindling, controlling people's lives and deaths, and even some treacherous methods like harvesting life and breaking branches."

"Generally speaking, the main reason why sects like the White Lotus Sect exist is because the imperial court cannot control the countryside."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing did not respond, but simply listened quietly.

Mr. Yang looked at Chen Qing at this point and changed the subject: "However, if we say that 70% of the White Lotus Sect is bad, the number of government officials is far more than that."

“Once the court commits evil deeds and implements wicked policies, causing widespread suffering among the people, the White Lotus sect may seize the opportunity to rise up and rebel.”

"So I think..."

Mr. Yang looked around, then coughed and said in a low voice, "I think the existence of a sect like the White Lotus Sect is not necessarily a bad thing. At least it can prevent government agencies from acting so recklessly."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing couldn't help but look around and said with a wry smile, "Sir, you really believe me? Saying such things, aren't you afraid I'll report you to the authorities?"

Mr. Yang looked completely innocent.

"Isn't this what you asked, young master?" He looked at Chen Qing and said with a smile, "Besides, there's no third person here. Even if you go to the government to sue me, I won't admit it. At worst, I'll just get a few lashes."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing smiled, but the way he looked at Mr. Yang was still somewhat off.

Even now, he still doesn't believe that this Mr. Yang in front of him is a member of the White Lotus Sect, but he has a feeling.

He likely had some connection with the White Lotus Sect.

The two chatted for a long time before Chen Qing got up and had breakfast with Mr. Yang and his daughter. Then he left Niluo Lane and went to Deqing Bookstore.

For the next two or three days, everything was calm.

During this time, apart from the daughter of Prince Jiang coming to see Chen Qing to discuss martial arts novels, Chen Qing did not encounter any suspected members of the White Lotus Cult, nor did he encounter the suspected Imperial Guards mentioned by the chubby boy.

On the morning of the fourth day, Young Master Chen got up early to finish next month's manuscript. He had just ground the ink and hadn't even started writing when he heard the little fat boy's voice outside.

"Chen Qing, Chen Qing!"

Chen Qing put down his brush and stepped out the door, only to see the chubby Prince Zhou enter his own courtyard before he could even open the door.

Chen Qing stepped forward, about to bow in greeting, when the chubby boy, with a tense and sour face, waved his hand, indicating that Chen Qing should not bow.

After he got closer, he sighed to Chen Qing, "The people from the Yingtian Yiluan Division have come to arrest me."

As he spoke, he pointed outside.

Chen Qing followed his gaze and saw that there were indeed about ten people standing at the entrance of the courtyard, all around thirty years old.

"I'll be talking to them about Tian in a little while."

He looked at Chen Qing and continued, "These past few days, quite a few people have tried to come looking for you, but I've stopped them all. After I leave, they'll most likely still try to come looking for you."

Chen Qing did not answer, but looked curiously at the dozen or so men standing outside and said with a smile, "Young Prince, you really have a grand entrance. It was actually the Yiluan Division that sent people to invite you to return to Tian."

"The local officials didn't dare to arrest me by force."

The chubby boy snorted, "It's nothing special."

As he spoke, he looked at Chen Qing and said, "I came here for two reasons: first, to say goodbye, and second, to discuss a business deal with you."

The chubby boy said to himself, "Last night, I thought about it seriously. From now on, you don't need to send me manuscripts anymore. Just send me printed copies of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' directly."

He looked at Chen Qing, pondered for a moment, and said, "Before we sell them here in Deqing, send them to Yingtian a while in advance, and then agree on a time for them to be sold together."

At this point, the young prince patted Chen Qing on the shoulder and said with a smile, "I'll give you every penny you pay for what you sell it for in Deqing. As for the extra money I make in Yingtian, we'll split it 50/50."

Chen Qing understood; this chubby kid wanted to be his distributor!
He blinked: "Young Prince, are members of the royal family allowed to engage in business?"

"Of course not."

The chubby boy waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I'll find someone else to do it for me."

He said with his hands behind his back, "My old father gives me too little money each month, so I earn some myself to support myself."

At this point, he grabbed Chen Qing's sleeve and walked outside: "The one who came to arrest me today is a commander of the Yingtian Yiluan Division. Come on, I'll take you out to meet him."

“I’ve already spoken to him. If you have no connections after I return to Bianzhou, go to Yingtian and ask him to arrange for you to join the Yiluan Division in Yingtian.”

"Although it's far inferior to the one in the capital."

The chubby boy patted his chest and said, "That's enough to keep you from being bullied at home."

Chen Qing was somewhat surprised: "Would he listen to the young prince on something like this?"

"I'm just introducing you two; whether he listens to me or not is another matter."

The chubby boy looked at Chen Qing and said with a smile.

"From now on, it will depend on your own abilities."

(End of this chapter)