Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

"I, Shi Qian, am deeply grateful to you, sir, for saving my life!"

After leaving Kaifeng Prefecture, Shi Qian was still shaken but also grateful as he bowed to Gao Zhao in thanks.

"Ah, we're all just men of the martial world, quick to help those in need, no need for thanks!"

Gao Zhao waved his hand, looking nonchalant. He had a good impression of Shi Qian. He was a grateful person, and how bad could he be? Compared to Lu Zhishen, who seemed generous but was actually treacherous, Shi Qian was much better!

Damn it, what kind of good person would go and beat someone up by using someone else's name?!

Truly cunning and hateful!

Gao Zhao felt a surge of anger rising in his heart when he recalled Lu Zhishen's face!

My monthly allowance was cut off, all because of this guy!

If he hadn't framed himself, he wouldn't have received the Beggars' Sect's invitation, Gao Qiu wouldn't have stopped paying him, and he wouldn't have been moved by the Song Dynasty's great cause to stop.

No, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. I have to get him!

Gao Zhao's eyes darted around as he looked at Shi Qian and asked, "Brother Shi, now that you're out of prison, what are your plans for the future?"

Shi Qian was admiring Gao Zhao's noble character when he heard this, and paused, saying bitterly, "I am penniless and have no one to rely on. Now I can only prepare to leave Tokyo and wander the world!"

Gao Zhao clicked his tongue, frowned slightly, and asked again, "May I ask what skills you possess, brother?"

Shi Qian hesitated, but seeing Gao Zhao's sincere gaze, he had no choice but to confess, "I dare not hide anything from you, young master. I have no special skills, except for my ability to scale walls and roofs. Over the years, I have made a living by doing petty theft. I am ashamed, ashamed..."

"Alas, Brother Shi, why belittle yourself? In the past, Lord Mengchang had three thousand retainers, but in the end, he only managed to escape by relying on petty thieves and scoundrels!"

Gao Zhao patted his shoulder and said gently, "I feel quite ashamed after hearing what you said, brother. I'm not someone who willingly degenerates; it's just that life forces me to do this!"

Shi Qian looked up at Gao Zhao, his eyes slightly red, with only one thought in his mind: He understands me!

He was proud of his light-footed skills, but ashamed of his profession!

If there were no other way to survive, who would choose to become a thief!

Seeing his expression, Gao Zhao knew he had guessed his thoughts, so he said, "Since you have such ability and a willingness to repent, and you have nowhere else to go anyway, why not come with me? I will find an opportunity to recommend you to join the Imperial Guard, where you can make meritorious contributions, bring glory to your family, and wouldn't that be wonderful!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Qian was greatly surprised and quickly cupped his hands in greeting, asking, "May I ask your name, benefactor?"

Gao Zhao smiled without saying a word, but Gao Yi jumped out from behind him and exclaimed, "My young master is the son of Gao Taiwei, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards!"

"It's actually the young master in front of me! I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness!" Upon hearing this, Shi Qian's heart trembled, and he hurriedly knelt down on the ground.

He realized from the beginning that Gao Zhao was no ordinary person, otherwise he would not be able to freely enter and leave the Kaifeng Prefecture prison, but he never expected that the other party had such a powerful background!

The son of the Commander of the Palace Guards—no wonder he dared to casually say he'd recommend him for the Imperial Guards!

Can you stop downplaying it? Those Imperial Guards are under his father's command!

"Oh, why such a grand gesture!" Gao Zhao quickly helped Shi Qian up, smiling slightly. "When I associate with people, I only care about compatibility. As for status and position, they only make people uncomfortable!"

"Young Master, your upright character is truly admirable!" Shi Qian said solemnly, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I, Shi Qian, am willing to offer my humble skills in return!"

"Good!" Gao Zhao laughed heartily, patted Shi Qian on the shoulder a few times, and then said, "Now I have something for you to do!"

Shi Qian immediately straightened his back and blurted out, "Whom does the young master want to steal? Just tell me!"

Gao Zhao choked for a moment, then said seriously, "I just said I wanted to use your skills for good, how could I let you steal again!"

Shi Qian was deeply ashamed, yet grateful. Everyone looked down on thieves, but Gao Yanei treated him like a normal person.

"What does the young master need me to do?"

"I need you to help me find someone's whereabouts!" Gao Zhao whispered in his ear.

Shi Qian listened and nodded frequently. This matter was not difficult for him. After asking a few more questions about the relevant details, he agreed.

"The matter may not be accomplished, but you must be careful! Don't let a small thing lead to a big loss!" Gao Zhao reminded Shi Qian again, and then ran back to Kaifeng Prefecture to find the Yu Hou.

When the commander of the guards saw him return, he was startled, thinking that he had changed his mind and was going to make some demands again.

Seeing his nervous expression, Gao Zhao went straight to the point: "I was in such a hurry that I forgot to tell you where that fat monk was!"

Upon hearing this, the officer relaxed and quickly said with a dry laugh, "It's alright, young master, there's no need to be so polite!"

"Since I promised you, how could I go back on my word!" Gao Zhao waved his hand and said, "That fat monk lives in the vegetable garden near the Dongyue Temple at the Great Xiangguo Temple!"

The officer's eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, young master!"

"We're even!" Gao Zhao waved his hand and turned to leave.

When they came out again, Shi Qian had disappeared, leaving only Lu Qian and Gao Yi.

"Let's go!" Without wasting any words, he headed straight for the Xiangguo Temple, which was not far away.

"Young master, are you really going to hire a thief to keep by your side?" Gao Yi, who was following behind, asked with a worried expression.

Gao Zhao turned his head and glanced at him sideways, sneering, "At least they won't betray me!"

Gao Yi was greatly embarrassed upon hearing this and remained silent. He felt that his future was bleak. He was not valued in the Gao family and had now offended the young master. His future was worrying!

Lu Qian changed the subject, asking, "Young Master, where are we going?"

"Let's go get revenge on that fat monk!"

"Ah!" Gao Yi exclaimed, "That monk is fierce!"

"If you're scared, then go back!" Gao Zhao snorted coldly and quickened his pace.

The two dared not leave and had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow!

Kaifeng Prefecture and Daxiangguo Temple are not far apart, separated only by the Bian River, and can be reached by crossing the Zhou Bridge.

As we approached the vicinity of the state bridge, a glance around revealed a long alley to the east, near the Great Xiangguo Temple. The shops on both sides had vermilion doors and high eaves, and the alley was bustling with people, yet there was no trace of the usual market noise. The people coming and going were either wealthy merchants in brocade robes or brokers carrying documents.

"What is that place?" Gao Zhao asked curiously.

"That's Jieshen Alley," Lu Qian explained. "It's a place where gold, silver, and silk were traded; pawnshops, intermediary shops, and brokerage firms were mostly located here!"

"Let's go take a look!" Gao Zhao became interested and took the lead.

The two were used to his unpredictable nature, so they had no choice but to follow along.

Walking into Jieshen Lane, one sees magnificent buildings with wide facades, giving them a solemn appearance.

As Gao Zhao walked, he looked around and saw that lending, pawning and foreign exchange transactions were bustling, with amounts often reaching tens of millions of strings of cash, which was astonishing!

He then walked to a trading shop and saw people buying and selling salt certificates, tea certificates, and incense certificates, so he watched for a while.

He found it interesting, so he struck up a conversation with the shop manager. Seeing that he was well-dressed and had two attendants with him, the manager did not dare to neglect him and began to explain things to him.

As Gao Zhao listened, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he thought of a way to make money!