Chapter 9

During the slack farming season, the villagers began to stroll around, calling out to their children, adding a lot of vitality to Fang Family Village.

Fang Xing was a glutton in his previous life, and he certainly wouldn't neglect his stomach with such an opportunity.

After breakfast, Fang Xing held a bottle of black drink, sipping it as he went to Xin Laoshi's house.

The villagers' houses were all concentrated, and Xin Laoshi's house was the easiest to find, because there was a little girl with a runny nose.

When Xin Laoshi saw Fang Xing, he hurriedly picked up his daughter and then asked his wife, Ximei, to fetch water.

Fang Xing took a sip of cola, burped, and said, "No need to fuss. I came to see your martial skills. How about a demonstration at the door?"

Xin Laoshi stood at the door, a bit embarrassed, feeling uncomfortable with his empty hands.

Seeing this, Fang Xing took out a piece of chocolate from his pocket, tore off the wrapper, and put it in the little girl's mouth, making her laugh.

The sweet and smooth chocolate instantly won the heart of the little girl, who sucked her nose and enjoyed it.

Turning around, Fang Xing looked at the somewhat at a loss Xin Laoshi and said, "What are you waiting for?"

After Zhang Shuhui relayed the steward's words, Fang Xing did some investigation and found out that the Xin family had been serving the Fang family for three generations, so he came to see them.

Xin Laoshi, blushing and flustered, said, "Young Master, I don't have a knife."

"Wow! You can use a knife?"

Fang Xing pulled out the Tang knife from his waist without hesitation and threw it to Xin Laoshi.

However, when he threw it, he missed by more than a meter.

But just as Fang Xing thought the knife would hit the ground, Xin Laoshi let out a low cry, spun his body, and did a side flip. When he stood up, he was holding the Tang knife.

"Great!"

This move was quite impressive, especially without any preparation. So Fang Xing was already half-convinced. He picked up the little girl and said, "Let's start."

Ximei looked at her husband with some trepidation. She knew that today was the most important day for her family. If they could gain the Young Master's favor, their life would no longer be so hard.

The knife light quickly filled the entire front door, leaving Fang Xing speechless.

If this were in the future, he would be a top-notch expert, wouldn't he?

After performing a set of knife techniques, Xin Laoshi stood there, not out of breath or weak in the legs, holding the knife in his reverse hand, with a steady and solemn demeanor.

This had the air of a grandmaster!

Fang Xing was stunned for a moment. He kissed the little girl's dirty face with a sound, then handed her to Ximei and left.

"Move the whole family to the main residence tomorrow."

Was it that simple?

Ximei was so happy she didn't know what to do. She rushed out and shouted, "Haven't you knelt to thank the Young Master yet!"

"Ah! Oh!"

Xin Laoshi finally reacted, quickly knelt down, and kowtowed to Fang Xing's back, raising the dust on the ground.

"Young Master, your knife."

Fang Xing waved his hand without turning back, "It's yours."

Ximei looked at her dazed husband, feeling a bit sad, and quickly used the opportunity to pick up the little girl to hide her emotions.

"Big girl! Your butt is so dirty, you've dirtied the Young Master's clothes! And your face, oh! Hurry up, I'll take you to wash. The Young Master actually kissed you?"

The biggest news in Fang Family Village recently was that the somewhat simple-minded Xin Laoshi had become the Young Master's guard, and his whole family had moved to the main residence, enjoying a life of luxury.

Whenever Fang Xing left the main courtyard, Xin Laoshi would follow behind, holding the Tang knife, looking mighty and spirited.

But just as they left the main courtyard, a horse blocked their way.

Fang Xing said impatiently, "Whose horse? If you don't answer, I'll take it away!"

In this era, a horse was like a Mercedes-Benz, a Maserati, a symbol of status.

"Brother Dehua, I've come to congratulate you."

The horse's head moved, revealing a shiny face.

The last time Fang Xing got married, Chen Jiahui came, and Chen Xiao was said to be bedridden. But from the hidden anger on Chen Jiahui's face, it was likely that he had gotten into trouble.

Sure enough, as soon as he entered, Chen Xiao bowed deeply to Zhang Shuhui, presented a painting as a gift, and then said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, I'm going to freeload for lunch today!"

Zhang Shuhui, being virtuous, nodded and went to the kitchen to arrange lunch.

In the study, once they sat down, Chen Xiao said somewhat sheepishly, "Brother Dehua, I had a fight with Zhuang Hua a few days ago, and we both ended up injured. I missed the wedding, and I'm here to apologize."

Fang Xing laughed, "Only Uncle came that day, so I knew you must have had bad luck."

"I didn't have bad luck!" Chen Xiao said proudly, "That guy kicked me a few times, but I blackened his eyes. I haven't heard of him daring to go out recently, so his face must still be a mess."

Upon inquiry, Qin Meng learned that Zhuang Hua's father was Zhuang Bi, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Stables.

"So he's just a horse breeder."

Fang Xing immediately felt relieved, but he didn't know that the Deputy Director of the Imperial Stables was a fourth-rank official.

Chen Xiao, carefree, shouted for fresh food and to make up for his missed banquet.

Braised pork, sheep jelly, stir-fried kidney slices...

After a series of home-cooked dishes, the fresh food arrived.

Looking at the huge crab in front of him, Chen Xiao asked in disbelief, "Brother Dehua, what is this? It looks a bit like a spider!"

"Big crab!"

Fang Xing took out a short knife, cut off a leg, and ate it with chopsticks.

Chen Xiao was initially stunned, but seeing Fang Xing enjoying it, he quickly joined in.

"Indeed, it's delicious!"

Eating crabs was more common in the south during the Ming Dynasty. In the north, they were less interested in seafood and preferred mutton.

Thanks to the two emperors, the grasslands were now wary of the Ming, so a large amount of mutton could enter Beijing.

"Let's drink!"

As soon as the Maotai wine was opened, the aroma made Chen Xiao's mouth water.

"Brother Dehua, give me the wine."

Fang Xing held up the wine bottle and said, "This is the last few bottles. Jianzhong... let's save it."

Chen Xiao's courtesy name was 'Jianzhong,' which Fang Xing found a bit strange.

"Slurp!"

The wine glass was small, and Chen Xiao finished it in one gulp, then looked at Fang Xing's wine bottle with eager eyes.

The meal continued until around five in the afternoon, almost time for dinner.

"Brother Dehua, I'll be going now."

Chen Xiao, slurring his words, held a wine bottle with the label removed, thinking that the aroma in the bottle would give him a good dream.

"Go to hell!"

Seeing him staggering, Fang Xing immediately called Fang Jialun to arrange for him to sleep in the guest room.

"Xin Laoshi!"

"Young Master."

Xin Laoshi was very quick, running from the outer courtyard to the study in a flash.

Fang Xing felt a bit dizzy and rubbed his temples, saying, "Go to the Chen family and tell Uncle that Jianzhong is sleeping here."