Chapter 18: The Unpredictable World

‘It won’t always be like this!’ Han Gang thought fiercely. In the current situation, no matter what method he used, he had to get himself a position to protect himself. He only regretted that Li Lazi was pressing too hard, and it wasn’t the time to sort things out.

Even without the time to slowly pursue his studies, Han Gang was still unafraid. After all, this was an era dominated by scholars. In Qinzhou City, with its hundred or so officials, how many were literati! He had knowledge, talent, and a decent appearance, and his teacher was well-known. How could Li Lazi touch him? Han Gang had intended to take a steady path, but with the situation at hand, it wouldn’t hurt to move a bit faster. He had to make people understand the consequences of provoking him, Han Gang!

Han Gang suddenly spoke, addressing Lady Han: "Madam, just stabbing Li Lazi a few times won’t satisfy the anger, and it would also ruin our family. From what I see, the sudden appearance of the document for the corvée duty must have its roots in the city. Li Lazi is just borrowing the power of Huang Daliu and Chen Ju. Why don’t we go to the city under the pretext of fulfilling the corvée duty? There must be a way, and staying in the village will only lead to despair!"

If Han Qianliu had said this, Lady Han would definitely have been furious. But coming from her most beloved youngest son, she could listen. After hesitating for a long time, she reluctantly said, "Do we really have to let Li Lazi have his way? Fine, your father does know a few people in the city!"

Han Gang smiled and shook his head, "Father is old, let me go to the city instead!"

"How can that be?" Lady Han and Han Qianliu’s faces changed dramatically. They only had this one son left; if anything happened, who would take care of them in the future? Han Qianliu quickly said, "Third Brother, your illness isn’t fully recovered, and you’re only eighteen. How can you go?"

Han Gang still insisted. In the current situation, staying in the village offered no opportunities. Only by going out could he carve out a path, whether to deal with Li Lazi and his backers like Huang Daliu and Chen Ju, or to secure a position for himself. Many villagers dared not leave their hometown and were left to the mercy of the county clerks and the village head.

These scoundrels thrived by isolating the higher officials from the common people, profiting from both sides. But Han Gang was different. Scholars traveling the world was a tradition passed down from their ancestors, and he, coming from the future, saw leaving his hometown as a trivial matter. Going to the city to seek justice was as simple as eating and drinking, not a big deal at all.

"Father, Madam, let me go. What can you do if you go to the county? How many officials and gentry do you know? No one would risk their position over vegetables, right? Without any connections, the land by the river will eventually be sold!"

"Can you really succeed if you go?"

"Father, Madam, do you really think I’ve been idling for the past two years of my studies?" Han Gang stood up and pointed eastward, "I studied under Mr. Hengqu, and many of my classmates are from official families, even some who have given up their positions to listen to Mr. Zizhou’s teachings. Even if Li Lazi is a relative of Huang Daliu and they have influence with Chen Ju, Chen Ju himself is just a clerk, and Huang and Chen have no official positions. Why should I fear them?"

"But Chen Ju has absolute power in the county, even the magistrate has to give him some leeway. If you offend him, there’s no place in Qinzhou for you to stay." Han Qianliu’s frown deepened. Chen Ju’s reputation was too great; even the county magistrate wouldn’t easily offend him. In his view, his son, though young and with a bright future, would be no match for Chen Ju.

"So what? Chen Ju has been in the Chengji County office for over twenty years, and his family has held power for nearly a hundred years. The officials in the county office follow his orders, and he practically rules the county. Not to mention, he has connections in the military. But the county office is just a turn away from the state office. Let alone a mere clerk, even the magistrate of Chengji County doesn’t rank high in Qinzhou. If our family is ruined, with my status as a scholar, I can go directly to the state office and appeal. Do you think the governor would beat me?"

Han Gang had already made up his mind and continued, "Since Li Lazi has started it, I can’t be blamed for finishing it. My elder brothers died in battle, and I have just recovered from a serious illness. Now that Li Lazi is openly bullying us, it’s the perfect time to appeal. If he wants to ruin our family, I must make him suffer the consequences, or I would be a failure as a son!"

Han Qianliu and Lady Han lowered their heads to consider Han Gang’s words. Han Gang felt someone tugging at his clothes. Turning back, he saw Han Yunni using her two delicate, white fingers to gently pull at the corner of his robe. Her small, oval face looked up at him, her gem-like black eyes blinking, making her look like a pitiful little puppy, timid and fearful, which stirred Han Gang’s heart with sympathy. He didn’t need her to remind him; he would have brought it up himself. Such a good girl, he couldn’t bear to see her hurt.

"Father, Madam, there’s one more thing I need to say!" The Han couple looked up at the sound of his voice. Han Gang knelt down and said seriously, "Yunni has worked hard these past few days, doing all the difficult tasks. It’s amazing that she, at such a young age, can endure such hardship. I must repay her kindness and not let her down."

Han Yunni was still a bit young to be taken in as a concubine, which would probably happen in a few years. But Han Gang was afraid that something might happen to her while he was in Qinzhou City. In this era, except for the primary wife, other concubines and servants were just valuable items that could be sold. Han Gang didn’t want to go to the city, secure the family’s land, and return home to find that the little girl had been sold.

"Third Brother, Mother knows what you’re worried about!" Lady Han saw through the hidden concerns of Han Gang and Han Yunni, showing a sharpness that belied her role as a farmer’s wife. "Yunni has been with us for four or five years, always careful and diligent. Over the years, she has become a daughter of the Han family. Selling children is something even beasts wouldn’t do. Third Brother, don’t worry. Yunni, I will take good care of you, and the Han family will never sell its children, even if we have to sell our land and house!"

Lady Han’s words were firm and resolute, making Han Gang overjoyed, and Han Yunni was moved to tears, her face like a rain-soaked pear blossom. "Mother..."

Lady Han gently hugged the little girl and stroked her hair, "Silly child, why are you crying? If I didn’t say it, wouldn’t you know it yourself?"

The next day.

Han Gang’s brows were still sharp and elegant, his expression calm and composed. He wore a blue robe and carried a small bag full of books on his back. At the ferry, he bid farewell to his parents and the little girl, who were reluctant to let him go, and boarded the boat alone.

Han Qianliu had wanted to accompany Han Gang all the way to the city, but Han Gang persuaded him otherwise. Li Lazi, who had delivered the document for the corvée duty to the Han family and was following them while picking his teeth and humming a tune, was greatly surprised to see Han Gang board the boat instead of Han Qianliu fulfilling the corvée duty. His face changed several times. The villagers who saw Han Gang board the boat at the ferry were either puzzled or unsurprised:

"How is it that the Han family’s Third Scholar is going to the city? Is he going to serve the corvée duty?"

"How can that be? He’s a scholar."

"Is he going to file a complaint? Won’t he fall into Huang Daliu’s hands?"

"Where does the Chengji County office rank in the Qinzhou city government? Han Third Scholar is a man of great talent; he can go to the state office if he wants. Can Huang Daliu block the door of the state office?"

"I think Han Third Brother is not simple. He’s been studying outside for two years, and he’s different now. Li Lazi has offended him badly; he’s bound to suffer."

"But it’s not just a matter of suffering..."