As Zhi Liang and the others walked forward, they heard someone calling out to him from behind.
Zhi Liang turned around and saw this person running towards them. The newcomer was dressed in silk and satin, with a claw on his head. He was wearing a green robe, a white collar, and white sleeves. The big debate was hanging behind him.
"I don't know you!" Zhi Liang asked in surprise. "Oh, of course you don't know me. I'm a clerk from the magistrate's office in Luoyang.”The person introduced himself. When Zhi Liang heard this, he thought to himself,'The magistrate's yamen? I have never dealt with the yamen. Why are they looking for me? Thinking of this, Zhi Liang asked,"Then may I ask why you're looking for me?"”
"I have something to do." The shop assistant smiled apologetically. Our young master has booked a banquet in the restaurant and plans to treat you to a meal. He specially asked me to come and treat you!”The more Zhi Liang listened, the more confused he became. He thought to himself, I don't know any young master of the magistrate. Why is he treating me to a meal? Thinking of this, Zhi Liang hurriedly waved his hand and declined,""Little brother, please reply to the young master. I thank him. I still have something to do at home and have to go back immediately. I don't dare to accept this favor! Thank you, thank you!" Zhi Liang turned around and was about to leave. "Master Zhi, you're wrong!" The shop assistant quickly stepped forward to stop him. This was called disrespectful! Ask around, who has the young master of the magistrate treated to a meal? Now that the banquet has been booked, if you don't go, it'll be too embarrassing. Do you think the young master of the magistrate can beg you for anything else? I just want to make friends with you. How can you not go?”
When Little Shen and the rest heard this, they also felt that it made sense, so they advised Zhiliang,""Big brother, please go. It's hard to refuse such a kind offer. Don't worry about the family. If you come back late, we will take care of auntie.”When Zhi Liang heard this, he thought to himself, I might as well go. I can't afford to offend the people in the government. Besides, I have to find out why he invited me to dinner.
The book was short, and Zhi Liang said a few more words to Little Shen and the rest before following the shop assistant back. It didn't take long before the two of them arrived at a restaurant on the side of Empress Temple's slanted street. This restaurant was called "Tianyi Restaurant" and was very famous in Luoyang.
The waiter led Zhi Liang to the second floor. The shopkeeper and a few waiters led the way." Number three!”The shopkeeper shouted in a drawn-out tone, and the shop assistant let Zhi Liang enter the third private room. When he entered the house, he saw that he was really lavish. The floor was painted red, and the walls were painted white. The pattern on the ceiling was novel and the color was simple. The whole room was bright and the spittoon buckets were inlaid with gold.
In the middle of the room was a round table surrounded by chairs. On one of the chairs sat a young man with a fair complexion, a broad forehead, a pointed chin, and a slightly drooping eye corner. There was a red mole on the left side of his nose. He was wearing a white sleeve wrapped in silk, with a long braid pulled behind him. He held a fan in his hand. According to the weather, there was no need for a fan at this time. He did not use the fan to enjoy the shade, but to play with it. Looking at the fan again, there was a flower carved from ivory and inlaid with a few gems. It was really a priceless treasure.
"Young Master, Master Zhi is here."”Then, he turned to Zhi Liang and said,"Master Zhi, this is the young master of the magistrate. His official name is Zhang Jici."”At that time, the magistrate of Luoyang Prefecture was from Zhenghongqi. His name was Zhang Shuqiao, and Zhang Jici was his only son. At that time, the magistrate was the chief executive and held the power of life and death in Luoyang. He was in charge of millions of households. Who dared to offend him?! His son, Zhang Jici, was a small magistrate! Officials and private people on both sides, far to meet near.
Didn't Zhiliang understand this? He quickly bowed and said,"Young Master, I, Min Zhiliang, greet you!"”Zhang Jici bowed and smiled apologetically."Forget it, forget it. Don't stand on ceremony.”"Sigh, thanks for sitting." Zhi Liang replied and sat down. The servant thanked him for the tea. Zhi Liang was a straightforward person. As soon as he sat down, he wanted to make things clear, so he asked Zhang Jici,""May I ask, Young Master, why did you call me here?”"Hey, Teacher Zhi, why are you so polite? What lecture? I don't have any other intentions. I just want to be friends with you.”Zhang Jici said with a smile. "Aiyo, I don't dare to climb up. I'm just a commoner. How dare I make friends with Young Master?”Zhi Liang hurriedly declined. "We'll be brothers on the shoulders," Zhang Jichi continued. Ever since my father and I took office, I heard that there was a martial arts expert surnamed Zhi in Luoyang. I had the intention to do so, but I never had the chance. Just now, when I brought people to the temple fair, I saw you helping that old man practice his fists, legs, and saber. I was watching from outside. It was really an eye-opener! Only then did I know that you were indeed a martial arts expert. To tell you the truth, I have loved martial arts since I was a child and have practiced a few times. Among the eighteen weapons, my favorite is the saber. The saber you practiced just now really made me very happy. I plan to learn a few moves from you.”
When Zhi Liang heard this, he thought to himself, Oh, this person wants to learn martial arts from me, that's why he's so hospitable. When he thought of this, the doubts in his heart dissipated. Zhi Liang nodded." Alright. As long as Young Master is interested, you can give me any orders at any time. I'll use as much power as I can."”"Good, good! A straightforward person! Set up a banquet!"
Not long after, the banquet was held. Do you think the banquet organized by the young master of the magistrate will be able to pass? Then, he looked at the monkey's nest and delicacies on the table. They were all expensive dishes. Zhang Jici personally filled Zhi Liang's cup with wine and let him eat and drink. He was very enthusiastic. Zhiliang actually didn't know how to drink. Before the banquet, if you said drink, you would get drunk. You said you didn't want to drink, but it was difficult to refuse his kindness. After a glass of wine, his head felt a little heavy.
Zhang Jici ate and drank as he shook his head and asked Zhiliang,""Master Zhi, who did you learn this martial arts from?”"I have many teachers, but they are all nameless people.”Zhi Liang replied. "Oh, your martial arts skills are really high and your kung fu is deep. Especially your saber technique, it's amazing! What kind of saber did you practice just now?" Zhang Jici asked with great interest. "Six Harmonies Blade." Zhiliang replied. "I'm asking about that knife. Is it the one you're carrying now?”Zhang Jici asked with a smile. "Oh yes," "Can I touch it and open my eyes?”As he spoke, Zhang Jici stretched out his hand. "Look at what you said. What's wrong with taking a look? Just tell me!" Zhi Liang untied the treasured saber and handed it over with both hands.
Zhang Jichi took the knife, pulled it out of the sheath, and started playing with it in the room. There was a sound, and white light shot out in all directions, piercing people's eyes. When he finished practicing, everyone praised him. Zhang Jici held the treasured saber in his hand and looked at it for a while before putting it back into its sheath. However, he did not return it to Zhi Liang, but praised,""This is really a good saber! What's the name of this saber?" Zhi Liang smiled apologetically and replied,"It's called the Dragon Qilin Treasure Saber."”"This name sounds pretty good!" Zhang Jichi said. Can it cut through gold and jade?" "Yes. Otherwise, how could it be called a treasure? If you don't believe me, you can try."
Zhang Jichi sent a waiter downstairs to find two stove hooks that were several times thicker than chopsticks. He raised his knife and gently touched them. With a clang, the stove hooks broke into four pieces, like cutting carrots. He then looked at Zhang Jici, who was jumping up and down in joy, and said,"I was wondering if this was passed down from my ancestors or a gift from a friend.”Zhi Liang was a very honest person, and he never made up lies. He told Zhang Jichi about the process of getting the knife. When Zhang Jichi heard this, he sighed,"Sigh, you're really lucky. You spent fifteen taels of silver to get a treasured saber!" But I, as the young master of the magistrate, have always been looking forward to getting a good saber. I have no place to buy it even if I have money! Hey, let's drink, let's drink!"
The two of them drank for a while more. When Zhi Liang saw him, why didn't he return my saber? He fiddled with it endlessly in his hands, but considering his face, if he wanted it, he would seem stingy. After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Zhang Jici coughed lightly and said,"Zhiliang, I have a small request. How about this? Give me this knife and tell me a number. As long as it's fair and reasonable, I'll give you however much you want. What do you think?" "This…"
When Zhi Liang heard this, his face darkened. I'm not short of money. How can I sell a saber? Oh, so that's why you invited me to dinner! "Young Master, I'm sorry!" It's not that I'm trying to give you face, but no matter how much you give me, I won't sell it. Why? I love knives the most in my life. This knife is my lifeblood. I'm prepared to wear it for the rest of my life until I die. I can't sell it!"
After Zhang Jichi heard this, he thought to himself," Yo! It was really hard to buy or sell with money! Thinking of this, he said,"Zhiliang, think about it again. Don't be too harsh." Didn't you spend fifteen taels of silver to buy it? I'll let you make a small fortune and give you 150 taels. How about it? You can take this money to the streets and buy a better knife!”"Young Master, don't continue. I won't sell it to anyone!" Zhi Liang flatly refused. "Alright, alright, alright. If you don't want to sell it, then don't sell it. Forget it! Let's drink!" As he spoke, Zhang Jici filled Zhi Liang's glass again. Neither of them said anything.
Zhi Liang could tell that Zhang Jici was a little unhappy, and his little face was dark and stern. He thought to himself, How tasteless this wine is! He stood up and said goodbye. "Young Master, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first. I'm afraid that my mother will miss you. Give me back the knife." "Hmm…okay…this…Zhiliang, how about this?”Zhang Jici stammered. "I'm not selling!" "Two hundred taels! I'll give you another fifty taels. Is that enough?”"Even if you add another five thousand taels, I won't sell it!”Zhang Jici bargained a few times, but Zhi Liang was still determined not to sell. Zhang Jichi's face darkened and he said,""I say, Zhi, you're so unreasonable! I'm not trying to pick on you, but what kind of status do you have as a young master? I treated you to drinks in a first-class restaurant, talked to you, and wanted to use so much money to buy your knife, but you just don't understand. If you want an ordinary person, forget about spending money to buy it. Seeing that this young master likes it, you won't need a single cent and will give it away for free! Hahaha! Let me tell you this. I'm 21 years old this year. From the day I was sensible, no one has ever rejected my face! Zhiliang, if you don't agree today, don't even think about leaving this restaurant!”
When Zhi Liang heard this, he was greatly displeased. Why do we have to sell our things to you? Oh, is it illegal not to sell it? He thought so in his heart, but he said with a smile on his face,"Young Master, I want to ask, is there such a rule in the laws of the Qing Dynasty that it is illegal not to sell your beloved things?”" It... this..." Zhang Jici was speechless. "No, right?" Zhi Liang continued. Without me, I'm not afraid! Even if you give me ten thousand taels of gold, I won't sell it!”As he spoke, Zhi Liang reached out to snatch the knife and turned to leave.
Zhang Jici looked at the food on the table and slammed the table with his gun, causing it to shake a few times. What a good Zhi Liang, how dare you disrespect me?! Just you wait, I'll make sure your family is destroyed!
Dan Biao Zhiliang flung his sleeves and left the restaurant, walking home in one breath. He did not dare to tell his mother, afraid that the old lady would be worried and frightened. He lay on the bed and thought to himself, If I offend the officials, can I bring any trouble? No! My surname is Zhi. I serve my mother with filial piety. I don't do anything that breaks the law. I don't eat anything that violates the ban. No matter how fast the government's knife is, it won't kill innocent people. Thinking of this, Zhi Liang is relieved. If a person was too honest and got too many points, he would become a good-for-nothing. He did not think about it, the world was so big, and there were all kinds of strange things. From then on, he continued to practice martial arts every day. He did what he had to do. Unknowingly, a month had passed and he had forgotten about this matter.
On this day alone, Zhi Liang was sitting idly in his room when suddenly, there was a chaotic noise outside, followed by the sound of knocking on the door. Zhi Liang listened carefully. It was his own door that was smashed, and there was a hurried shout mixed in,"Open the door! Open the door!" He thought to himself, This is not a good sign! What was going on? Thinking of this, he quickly got up and went out to open the door.
As soon as he opened the door, a group of officials barged in. Whoosh, everyone stood in the courtyard. Zhi Liang took another look and saw that the person in the lead was Chief Li, who was in charge of the case. He couldn't help but be stunned and asked,"Everyone, what's the matter?"
Boss Li sized up Zhi Liang and said,""Hmph, hmph, I don't come to the temple for no reason! Is your name Zhiliang?" "That's right, it's me." "I'm sorry, sir has ordered you to make a trip to the yamen!”Before he finished speaking, a few officers had already put the chain around Zhi Liang's neck.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhi Liang hurriedly broke free and said,"What are you doing? I didn't break the law, and I didn't do anything bad. Are you arresting me for no reason?”"Why don't we go and catch someone else? Why don't we just catch you?" Boss Li was amused. Whether it's reasonable or not, let's talk in court. We only care about arresting people, not questioning them! Take him away!"
Their quarrel had alarmed the old madam in the upper room. The old lady rushed out as if she was jogging. When she saw that her son had been locked, she was anxious and asked,"Son, what's going on!" "Mother, I don't know either!" "Son, you can't go, you can't go!”The old lady cried and shook her son's hands.
The guards rushed forward like wolves and tigers, pushing the old lady to the side and dragging Zhiliang out of the courtyard.
With this commotion, the neighbors also knew about it, and people came to take a look. Little Shen was so anxious that his eyes were red. Everyone stared at him, but no one dared to say anything.
Zhi Liang thought to himself, I'll just go with them, what can they do to me? If you have a complaint, I have a complaint. I have a mouth under my nose and I will argue with them. Thinking of this, he turned to comfort his mother,"Mother, don't worry and wait at home. I'll be back in a while.”The old lady sobbed as she watched her son being taken away.
When they arrived on the street, the people who were watching the show naturally lined up in two long lines along the two sides of the street. Most of them recognized Zhi Liang. Especially in the area where Zhi Liang lived, they all sent people to follow him.
Zhiliang was brought to the magistrate's office by a guard and locked on a pillar at the door. After a long time, the sound of drums could be heard in the courtyard.
Not long after, Boss Li came out again with a few business trips. He came to Zhi Liang and said,"Master Zhi, I'm sorry. Let's make a trip!"”With a series of clattering sounds, the servant unchained the chains and brought Zhi Liang to the court.
Zhiliang had never fought a lawsuit in his life, so this was his first time. When he entered the court, Zhi Liang looked up and was so scared that he shivered. He saw some people holding torture instruments and standing on both sides with angry eyes. They were like little ghosts in the temple. Looking at the center, there was a table in front of the four screens. Behind it was a person sitting on a high-back chair. This person had a sharp mouth, monkey-like cheeks, cockfighting eyebrows, and a hooked nose. His face was horizontal and he looked to be in his sixties or seventies. His face was treacherous and he radiated the light of a traitor. Needless to say, this was an official position.
Zhi Liang stood below, dumbstruck and speechless. The person sitting in the hall was Zhang Jici's father, the magistrate of Luoyang Prefecture, Zhang Shuqiao.
Zhang Shuqiao slammed the table and said,""Criminal, why didn't you kneel when you saw me?”The people on duty took a step forward and reached out to grab Zhi Liang's neck, kicking and hitting him."Kneel down, kneel down!" Zhi Liang knelt on the ground with a thud and said,""This lowly one greets Your Excellency!" Zhang Shuqiao asked for his name, address, age, occupation, and so on, then said,""Yes, Zhiliang, do you know why I brought you here?”"I don't know." "How about this? I see that you have outstanding looks and delicate skin. However, you must confess the truth and tell me all the crimes you have committed. If you dare to quibble in court and deceive me, you are asking for trouble! Tell me, what crimes have you committed? What laws had he violated? Tell me quickly!" On both sides, people shouted.
Zhi Liang hurriedly kowtowed and said,"Lord Qingtian, I accept your request!" Although I, Zhi Liang, am not a descendant of a famous family, I have been taught by my parents since I was young and have never done anything illegal. What do you want me to confess? I'm innocent!" "Hmph, hmph, you look honest on the outside, but you're really treacherous on the inside. You actually tried to quibble with me in court! Alright, looks like you won't shed tears until you see the yellow river! Men, bring Feng Si!" When Zhi Liang heard this, he thought to himself, Who is Feng Si? What does it have to do with me?
Just as he was thinking, he heard the sound of shackles outside the door. It didn't take long before two guards carried a person into the hall. Because this person's torture tool was too heavy and he was a cripple, he had to be supported by two people.
Arriving at the court, this person knelt and said,""Kowtow to the First Master!" Zhi Liang stole a glance and could not help but gasp.
If you want to know who it is, look at the next chapter.
Grass Sweeping School|| Exclusively launched by Celestial Reading Network|| gd.cnread.net
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