At the age of eight, he impersonated the orphan of a military officer and went to the martial world.

Wang Quanfu, being a shrewd man, immediately understood and put on a smooth smile: "Brother Li, you're overthinking it! What kind of talk is that?"

"Brother Li, you've mentored an old friend and are now testing the martial arts of a younger generation. Seeing your nephew's astonishing skills, you're delighted and have not only generously donated money to help him with his training but also provided a large amount of money and grain to aid the disaster victims under his name! Such noble character truly makes you a model merchant of Fengming County!"

"I admire Brother Li so much that I will definitely spread the word about his kindness and righteousness so that everyone in the city will know!"

Upon hearing this, Master Li was taken aback at first, then his face broke into a wide smile. He patted Wang Quanfu on the shoulder heavily: "Hahaha! Brother Wang! There's definitely a reason why you've managed to thrive in Fengming County!"

"Perfect! Absolutely perfect! I'll leave this matter to you, brother!"

The two exchanged a glance and burst into laughter, as if they were old friends.

The awkwardness and calculations from before have long since vanished in this new "win-win" situation.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan came out carrying several exquisite wooden boxes of different sizes, from which a faint fragrance of medicine emanated.

He bowed again to Master Li to express his gratitude: "Thank you very much, Uncle, for your generous gift."

With a beaming smile, Master Li personally saw Zhang Yuan and Wang Quanfu off at the gate of his mansion, his attitude as warm as if he were bidding farewell to the most distinguished guests.

As the oxcart creaked away and disappeared around the street corner, the smile on Master Li's face vanished instantly, replaced by a serious and somber expression.

He ordered the steward in a stern voice, "Everyone present in the backyard today is to be gag! Anyone who dares to speak ill of or leak information will be severely punished according to family rules!"

"Yes!" the butler replied sternly.

"Furthermore," a shrewd glint flashed in Master Li's eyes, "Immediately arrange for people to spread the word, embellishing the story, that 'Our Li family, in gratitude for Commander Zhang's loyalty and bravery, and seeing the exceptional martial arts skills of his son, Qingyang, has specially gifted him a healthy ox and twenty bushels of coarse rice to aid the disaster victims of Zhangjia Village!'"

"We need to let the whole city know!"

"And also, take that cow," he pointed to the backyard, "clean it up, put it on a saddle in the street, and with gongs and drums, escort it all the way to Zhangjiazhuang outside the city! Make sure everyone along the way sees it!"

"Understood!" The butler understood immediately and turned to do so.

This is to solidify the Li family's reputation for "generosity and benevolence," and to use this dead ox to prove that Zhang Qingyang's strength is no exaggeration!

On the other side, on the oxcart.

The smile on Wang Quanfu's face hadn't completely faded. He rubbed his hands together, looking at Zhang Yuan with a hint of smugness: "Nephew Qingyang, how did it go? How did your uncle's talks with Master Li go? Haha, everything's settled!"

"With the trade routes improved, we've gained another profitable business, ensuring our business is worry-free for at least three to five months!"

Zhang Yuan, holding the wooden box containing the elixir, nodded: "Congratulations, Uncle."

Wang Quanfu leaned closer, his tone a mix of boasting and self-aggrandizement: "Also, regarding the matter of protecting the Li family's reputation, your uncle has taken care of it for you."

"I promise to help you spread his good reputation for mentoring old friends, testing younger generations, and being generous with his money."

"Yes, I will keep my mouth shut," Zhang Yuan replied.

"Hehe," Wang Quanfu suddenly chuckled slyly, lifted the carriage curtain, and called out to one of his capable servants outside, "Wang Liu! You're quick on your feet, go now!"

"Go to the East Market, the West Market, and any crowded teahouses and taverns, and tell me in detail, vividly and accurately, how Master Li deliberately made things difficult for Young Master Zhang today, how he set up a gambling game, and how Young Master Zhang killed the ox with three punches of his bare hands, winning convincingly! Remember, make it exciting!"

The servant named Wang Liu responded and quickly left.

Zhang Yuan was genuinely surprised this time. He turned to look at Wang Quanfu, his eyes filled with obvious doubt: "Uncle? Didn't you just promise Master Li...?"

"Haha, silly nephew, your uncle is teaching you a lesson!" Wang Quanfu stroked his imaginary beard smugly, exuding the air of a seasoned veteran. "In these gossip tales, the worst thing is for both sides to give the same story! That's called collusion! Anyone who hears it will immediately think it's an act, fake, and it won't spread, nor will it last long!"

He lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming: "Only when the two sides say different things, when there's conflict and contradiction, will it be fresh, exciting, and intriguing enough to make people want to investigate!"

"Everyone loves stories with plot twists, reversals, and dramatic ups and downs! That way, your reputation as Zhang Qingyang, who 'killed an ox bare-handed at the age of eight,' 'possessed superb martial arts skills,' and 'possessed both wisdom and courage,' can spread throughout Fengming County and even reach the prefectural city in the shortest amount of time!"

"As for Li Decai? Heh heh," Wang Quanfu chuckled like an old fox, "he doesn't care about that at all!"

"What he really cares about is getting on your good side as a promising 'prodigy' and 'future powerhouse'! As long as you remember the cow, rice, and medicine he gave you today, remember his 'contribution,' and think good things about him in the future, what does his little 'misunderstanding' and reputation matter?"

"He'd love to get even more involved with you! Reputation? He doesn't care what outsiders think of the Li family, as long as you can see his 'sincerity,' that's enough!"

Zhang Yuan listened quietly, his eyes deep, as if digesting Wang Quanfu's vivid "lesson in public opinion manipulation".

There was a moment of silence in the carriage, then he slowly nodded, his voice calm and even:

"I see. Uncle is very knowledgeable in this matter. Qingyang has learned a lot. I will remember Uncle's teachings today."

Upon hearing this, Wang Quanfu's smile widened, and he slapped his thigh, about to say something more, when he suddenly met Zhang Yuan's clear yet all-seeing gaze. His heart skipped a beat, and a strange chill rose within him.

He quickly coughed awkwardly twice and waved his hand to cover it up:

"Ahem, well, cousin... cousin acts differently from outsiders, completely different! You're family, family..."

He chuckled awkwardly, turning his gaze to the car window, no longer daring to meet Zhang Yuan's eyes, which seemed to see right through people.

The oxcart creaked forward, carrying the two people with different thoughts, and merged into the bustling streets of Fengming County.

The sensational story of "eight-year-old prodigy Zhang Qingyang killing a yellow ox with three punches bare-handed, and wealthy merchant Li Decai losing a bet but being convinced and giving the ox rice" is like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, about to create huge waves in Fengming County.

————————————————————

In the afternoon, the market in Fengming County was still bustling.

A flatbed cart pulled by a strong mule slowly made its way through the crowded streets amidst the shouts of the Li family servants.

On the cart, the carcass of a huge yellow ox was tightly bound with thick ropes.

The cow's eyes were wide open, and its death was clearly visible.

The shocking indentation at the neck bone is particularly striking.

The sight itself is horrifying enough.

Not to mention the small flag on the carriage that read "Li Family's Relief for Zhang Family Village," and the servants' deliberately slowed pace and slightly exaggerated posture.

"Look! The Li family really sent over a cow! It's huge!"

"Tsk tsk, have you heard? This is what Master Li lost a bet with that young master of the Zhang family!"

Someone had already received the news from the Li family and spoke up triumphantly.

"What kind of bet? Tell us quickly!" The crowd couldn't wait any longer.

"Hey! What a ridiculous story! They say Master Li didn't believe that Young Master Zhang Qingyang could kill a cow at the age of eight, so he put him to the test in public with a ridiculously high stake! And guess what? Young Master Zhang, with his bare hands, just three punches! Only three punches! He beat the cow to death!" The speaker's tone was full of excitement, as if he wanted to tell a shocking story.

It was as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

Immediately, the sounds of people talking about it arose from the streets and alleys.

"Hiss—bare-handed? Three punches? My God, is this for real? He's only eight years old!"

"How could it not be true? Didn't you see that Master Li accepted his loss and came with drums and gongs to deliver the ox? How could it be fake?"

"The Li family really went all out this time...? How righteous!"

"Hey, benevolence? I doubt it! Didn't you hear they lost the bet and had no choice? Otherwise, would they be so quick to agree? Why weren't they this 'benevolent' when Captain Zhang was around?"

"You can't say that. At least the cattle and rice are real, and it's true that those poor people in Zhangjiazhuang are able to survive."

……

Not far away, at a simple tea stall.

Several porters and merchants who were resting were also discussing the matter, and their words were full of admiration for the "benevolence and righteousness" of the Li family.

"Master Li has really been generous this time, giving twenty bushels of coarse rice and a cow. That should be enough to sustain Zhangjia Village for a while. What a kind act!"

"Yes, a truly rare and philanthropic person..."

"Hmph!" A lean man nearby, sipping coarse tea, couldn't help but let out a cold snort. His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough. "A good deed? What do you know!"

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.

At the tea stall, Wang Liu put down his teacup, lowered his voice, and spoke with a smug air of "I know the inside story."