Chapter 4

The courtyard of the Zhang family was already surrounded by a crowd of people, all stretching their necks and not daring to blink. Someone had actually kidnapped the son of the Wan family, which was a big commotion that hadn't happened in years!

Wan Baihu's face was red with anger, his cheeks twitching.

"Sir, this boy won't dare to kill the young master. We can rush in, save the young master, and then chop this boy to pieces. What do you think?" a subordinate flattered.

Wan Baihu was somewhat hesitant. Suddenly, he looked up and saw Zhang Ke using the back of a knife to sharpen it on Wan Anliang's forehead, back and forth. A chill ran down his spine. Zhang Ke's疯狂劲头 reminded him of another vicious person.

During the drought in Yizhou years ago, every household had nothing to eat. A man, after going hungry for two days, disappeared on the third night. Everyone thought he had left to beg for food. But the next day, he returned with two bloody Tartar heads hanging from his waist, went straight to the official's house, threw down the heads, and carried away two bags of rice, shocking the small town of Dachen Fort.

That man was Zhang Ke's father. If the father was a desperado, the son was a little madman!

The subordinate didn't see Wan Baihu's fear and said, "Sir, are you afraid we'll kill that boy!"

"Rubbish! I'm worried about my son!" Wan Baihu wanted to slap his subordinate.

Suppressing his anger, he said, "Zhang Erlang, there are laws in the country. You may not fear them, but you have your mother and sister. Do you really want to die?"

"What's the point of dying? Of course, I want to live, but someone won't let me. Sir Wan, since you talk about the law, why does the Great Ming Code stipulate that the interest on loans should not exceed three percent, and the annual interest should not exceed one hundred percent, yet Young Master Wan demanded fifty taels of silver for my woman?"

"This!"

There were always countermeasures to policies. Usury was very common in various places. For example, tenant farmers would borrow a stone of grain when they were short of food, and by harvest time, they had to repay two or three stones, with even more exorbitant interest rates, making it impossible to pay off even by selling their children.

But in such a public setting, it wasn't appropriate to say such things.

"Zhang Erlang, you speak logically. Tell me, what will it take for you to release my son?"

Zhang Ke smiled slightly, "I'll pay back the loan, but the extra interest must be removed. Today, your son came to my house to cause trouble, and I hit your people. We'll call it even!"

"Zhang Erlang, you're dreaming!" Liu San suddenly ran to Wan Baihu and said, "Sir, don't fall for it. Several brothers are still unconscious, and we don't know if they're dead or alive. You can't let him off!"

Zhang Ke didn't even bother to look at Liu San, sneering, "Sir Wan, is your son's life worth less than a few ruffians?"

"Get out!"

Wan Baihu swung his whip, striking Liu San's mouth, cursing, "Beast, it was all your doing. I won't let you off!"

Liu San shrank back and hurriedly retreated.

Wan Baihu's eyes darted around, then suddenly smiled, "Zhang Erlang, you're a man. I'll agree to your terms. And with everyone here as witnesses, I'll waive all the interest. As long as you can pay back the principal, it's all settled!"

Zhang Ke narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly, "Sir Wan, are there any other conditions? Let's get them all out."

"Ha ha ha, Zhang Erlang, you're indeed smart. As the saying goes, debts must be repaid, it's only right. I'm not rich either. Can you pay back twenty taels of silver in a month?"

Shameless!

When Wan Baihu spoke, including Qiao Tieshan and other onlookers, the same two words flashed through their minds. Some even looked at Wan Baihu with disdain. The old man was truly cunning, setting a trap for Zhang Ke. Waiving the interest was just a ruse!

For an ordinary farming family, seeing a few taels of silver in a year was rare. Whether it was twenty or fifty taels, it was an astronomical amount, which they might not earn even if they didn't eat or drink for three to five years.

But they heard that Zhang Erlang had read books and could write, so he might have a way to earn money. However, there was no way he could earn twenty taels in a month. When the time came to collect the debt, it would be justified.

Old foxes were cunning, and Wan Baihu was much more capable than his son, who only bullied others. Everyone was worried about the young Zhang Erlang facing this old fox!

Qiao Tieshan naturally saw through Wan Baihu's plan and wanted to suggest extending the deadline. But before he could speak, Zhang Ke laughed.

"A mere twenty taels of silver, why wait a month? Half a month is enough!"

Zhang Ke said this casually, as if it was no big deal. The surrounding people couldn't help but sigh and shake their heads. Zhang Erlang was still too naive!

What could be done in half a month? Did he think he could borrow from others, but who would help him when they knew he had a falling out with the Wan family? Zhang Ke, the young man, probably didn't know how much twenty taels of silver was. In the border region, this amount, if saved, could support a family of three for two years!

Wan Baihu, a seasoned veteran, didn't give him a chance to back out, laughing, "Young man, you have spirit. Let's settle it. Quickly return my son!"

"Wait!"

"What, do you want to back out?"

Zhang Ke sneered, "Nonsense, I just want you to write a document, stating that you will never pursue today's matter, and then I'll write a new IOU, with the villagers as witnesses!"

Putting it in writing and bowing to a junior, Wan Baihu found it hard to accept. In fact, he had a trick up his sleeve. Once his son was safe, he would incite the injured to report Zhang Ke.

Once the document was signed, his plans would fall through. This kid was quite shrewd!

Seeing Wan Baihu hesitate, Zhang Ke pressed the knife to Wan Anliang's neck, drawing a thin line of red.

"Old man, agree quickly, or I'll be dead, and you'll be childless!"

Young Master Wan screamed like a pig being slaughtered, making Wan Baihu extremely annoyed. How did he end up with such a useless son? Leading a group of people and still being kidnapped, and not only that, but also being such a coward.

Although he hated Zhang Ke, he had to admit that the kid's toughness made him look at him differently, far surpassing his own son.

Seeing his father not agreeing, Young Master Wan got desperate.

"Old man, the other day I helped you kidnap a farmer's daughter, just sixteen, younger than me, and she became my stepmother..."

"Brat, shut up!"

"I won't, it was you who framed her father and brother as bandits, and reported..."

"Little beast, do you want to kill your father?"

Wan Baihu was terrified. He only had this one son, who had been spoiled since childhood, and would say anything. If this scandal got out, he would lose his position as a hundred-household officer.

"Zhang Erlang, Anliang is just scared and talking nonsense. Quickly release him!"

"Not so fast, the document isn't finished yet. I want to hear what else Young Master Wan has to say!"

Wan Baihu, grinding his teeth, said coldly, "Zhang Erlang, a man of honor doesn't fight unfairly. Be smart, I'll have someone write the document."

Zhang Ke was just scaring the old man. Even if there were any dirty deeds, he couldn't do anything about it.

A subordinate brought ink and paper, and Wan Baihu wrote the document himself. Qiao Tieshan took it and handed it to Zhang Ke.

Taking the opportunity to face away from Wan Baihu, Qiao Tieshan worriedly said, "Nephew, are you sure?"

Zhang Ke thought, Uncle Qiao, you underestimate me. With my knowledge from a few hundred years ahead, I can surely find a way to earn some silver!

"Relax."

Zhang Ke carefully examined the document, finding no issues. He loudly said, "Sir Wan, let's sign and seal it!"

"Good!"

Wan Baihu signed and stamped the document, and Zhang Ke did the same. With the documents in hand, the matter was finally settled.

Relaxing, Zhang Ke felt pain all over his body. The wound under his ribs was still bleeding, and a layer of fine sweat covered his forehead. A cold wind blew, and he shivered.

"Nephew, are you okay?"

Qiao Tieshan, standing next to Zhang Ke, quickly supported him.

"Uncle Qiao, I'm fine. Let's take Young Master Wan back!"

Qiao Tieshan's touch felt the trembling muscles in Zhang Ke's body. The calm demeanor was all an act. Fighting against a dozen people and standing off with Wan Baihu for so long, no one was made of iron. Zhang Ke's endurance was impressive!

His handsome face, with a touch of masculine toughness, was bathed in the golden light of the rising sun, making him look even more impressive. For a moment, it was as if he saw the shadow of his elder brother.

"Good boy, the legacy of your brother lives on!" Qiao Tieshan, moved, had tears in his eyes.

Supporting the motionless Wan Anliang, Wan Baihu rushed over, grabbing his son and checking him over. Apart from a thin wound on his neck, he was unharmed.

"Take the young master home, and I'll settle accounts with this disobedient son later!" The servants quickly took Wan Anliang away, and the other ruffians were also dragged off.

Wan Baihu took a deep breath, then pressed his hand on the hilt of his sword, walking towards Zhang Ke step by step. His mouth twisted into a sinister smile, his fists clenched, and his eyes like daggers, piercing Zhang Ke.

Zhang Ke, enduring the pain, stood tall, only glancing at Wan Baihu from the corner of his eye, showing no fear.

"Zhang Erlang, no one has ever disrespected me like this. You're the first. I won't make it hard for you. Kneel and kowtow three times, and I'll let you go."

The words were not loud, but they thoroughly enraged everyone present. Just after signing the document, he was already reneging. How shameless could Wan Baihu be?

Qiao Tieshan, furious, demanded, "Wan Baihu, do you have any shame?"

"Ha ha ha, I agreed to extend the repayment period and not to pursue the injuries, but I didn't agree not to pursue the offense. I'm a sixth-rank officer, in charge of many people. If everyone disrespected me, would there be any law and order?"

Wan Baihu, gritting his teeth, said, "Zhang Erlang, kneel and kowtow three times, and I'll let you go. Otherwise, heh heh!" The old man's hand was on the hilt, ready to draw his sword.

The old man's face was twisted, and he growled, "Kneel!"

Zhang Ke didn't expect the old man to be so shameless in public.

Kneeling to a man who broke his word was worse than death. Zhang Ke tightly gripped his knife, concentrating all his remaining strength in his right hand.

All the onlookers watched intently. This young man had already given them a great shock. From the bottom of their hearts, they didn't want to see him kneel, but without a hostage, how could they stand up to the powerful Wan Baihu?

Give in, when you're in a low position, you have to bow your head. People are like weeds, trampled by thousands, and that's how they survive!

"Spit!" A thick spit landed on Wan Baihu's left eye. Zhang Ke sneered, "I kneel to heaven, earth, and my parents, but not to an old beast!"

"Good boy, you dare to insult me, I'll kill you!"

"Kill me then, I'd rather die than be a coward!"

Zhang Ke's muscles tensed, a wounded beast was even more terrifying! His life was already a bonus, and he was ready to die with the old man. Kneeling and kowtowing was out of the question!

If Wan Baihu took another step, Zhang Ke was ready to fight to the death! Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Honor your word, no reneging!"

The surrounding people suddenly came to their senses, shouting together, "Honor your word, no reneging!"

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