Chapter 5

Wan Baichuan had intended to regain some face, but he ended up angering everyone. The common people were full of disdain. Enraged, Qiao Tieshan gripped his axe tightly, like an angry tiger, staring at him intently.

Wan Baichuan hesitated, unable to resist glancing at Zhang Ke, who still held his chin high, arrogantly ignoring him. A man of high status, a hundred-household leader, seemed to be nothing more than a pile of filth, not worth mentioning!

The young man stood straight as a sword, proud as a green bamboo, not knowing what it meant to yield! Wan Baichuan's anger boiled, and he clenched the hilt of his sword, gritting his teeth, wishing he could slash this annoying kid in one stroke.

The air was tense, and everyone watched, speculating whether there would be a bloody fight.

"Wan brother, it's quite lively here. What's going on with my little brother?"

Everyone looked up sharply to see a lean middle-aged man in his thirties walk in. He wore a blue cotton robe and a dogskin hat, with bright, sharp eyes.

Almost everyone present knew him; he was Tang Bi, the town commander of Dacheng Fort. Both the town commander and the hundred-household leader were sixth-rank officials, responsible for criminal cases and leading troops. If the hundred-household leader was absent, the town commander would take over.

In Dacheng Fort, Tang Bi was a significant figure. His sudden appearance surprised everyone.

"What are you doing here? Do you want to see me humiliated?"

"Ha ha ha, Wan brother, your dignity is your own concern, whether you are humiliated or not."

"Hmph, what do you mean?"

Tang Bi looked at the furious Wan Baichuan, his smile unwavering, and said earnestly, "Wan brother, winter is the time when the Tartars raid for supplies. As a military leader, you should think about the safety of Dacheng Fort. If the defense commissioner hears about this, with so many people here, it won't be good for you!"

"There's nothing wrong with that. Debts must be repaid, it's only right!"

Wan Baichuan's words were strong, but he was thinking. Normally, he and Tang Bi had no conflicts, but they weren't close either. What was his sudden appearance all about?

"Wan brother, didn't you agree on the repayment terms? But you forced him to kneel. As your superior, it's not wrong for him to kneel, but the young man also needs his dignity. How about this: I'll have him bow at your house, and you can let it go!"

Tang Bi smiled at the crowd, "Fellow villagers, do you think this is fair?"

"Fair, very fair! Tang大人 truly lives up to his position in criminal affairs, he is reasonable!"

The crowd was stirred up, and Wan Baichuan knew that continuing would be pointless. He might as well wait for a better opportunity. It was only half a month, and he didn't believe a poor kid could come up with twenty taels of silver!

Wan Baichuan gritted his teeth and bowed to Tang Bi, "I'll give you this face, farewell!"

Watching Wan Baichuan leave, Zhang Ke could no longer hold on and collapsed.

"Second nephew!" Qiao Tieshan rushed to support Zhang Ke.

Tang Bi looked at Zhang Ke with interest and smiled, "Young man, you have spirit!"

Zhang Ke, though weak, still managed to bow and said, "Thank you, sir, for your fair words. I am deeply grateful!"

"Ha ha ha, I helped you because I see your skills and your backbone. How about joining my household as a retainer? I'll help you pay off the twenty taels!"

Hearing the word "retainer," the crowd's eyes lit up.

In the late Ming Dynasty, the military was in decline, and the troops were underfunded. Commanders often kept retainers as their elite forces. Though retainers were semi-slaves, they were well-paid, well-equipped, and close to their superiors, with many benefits. A low-ranking officer like Tang Bi could have no more than ten retainers, sometimes just three or five. Becoming his confidant in Dacheng Fort would mean almost untouchable power.

Not to mention, Tang Bi offered twenty taels, a princely sum. Zhang Ke was truly turning misfortune into fortune, and everyone wished they could accept for him.

But Zhang Ke thought differently. A proud穿越者, becoming a servant would be a laughingstock to his predecessors.

Moreover, he knew what would happen next. Tang Bi was not a significant figure, and it wasn't worth aligning with him. Even without grandiose goals of changing history or saving the world, following Tang Bi would likely cost him his life.

"Sir, I am deeply grateful, but I have a family to take care of. I cannot accept!"

Zhang Ke's words were polite, but Tang Bi detected a hint of disdain: What a proud kid!

Tang Bi had helped Zhang Ke to gain his gratitude and a capable fighter. He didn't expect the kid to be so ungrateful.

Tang Bi smiled, "Zhang Er, twenty taels is a lot. If you can't pay in half a month, Wan Baichuan won't be so lenient."

Tang Bi leaned in, staring at Zhang Ke, "Aren't you afraid of death?"

"Afraid!" Zhang Ke grinned, "But there are things worse than death. Sir, I will remember your kindness and repay it someday!"

Seeing Zhang Ke's resolve, Tang Bi stood up and walked a few steps, "Hmph, find a way to earn the silver, don't lose your life!"

"Thank you, sir, for the warning!" Zhang Ke managed a smile.

Suddenly, everything went dark, and he fainted.

"Ke, don't scare your mother!"

Shen Shi and Xue'er rushed over, and Qiao Tieshan quickly lifted Zhang Ke, "Sister-in-law, Second nephew has fainted. Let's take him to his room, and you should find a doctor quickly!"

"Right, I'll go right away!"

The Zhang family was in a flurry of activity, and the crowd dispersed. Zhang Er's name spread throughout Dacheng Fort, and everyone praised him as a true man!

...

"Doctor Zhou, how is Ke?"

"Nothing serious," Doctor Zhou smiled, "The wound on his side looks long but is just a flesh wound. He has a few bruises and cuts on his back, thighs, and abdomen, but none are severe. Apply some medicine, and he should be fine in ten to eight days. I've prescribed internal and external treatments, just follow the instructions!"

Shen Shi's hands trembled as she took the prescription, "Thank you, Doctor Zhou, thank you."

As she spoke, she searched for money, but only found a few coins, making her sweat.

"Sister-in-law, don't look anymore. This time, it's on me. Most of the money you borrowed came to me, almost costing your family. Consider it my atonement!"

Doctor Zhou said, picking up his medical bag and leaving.

"Doctor Zhou, wait!" Shen Shi hurried, "One thing at a time. You saved my son's life. We have no money now, but I can write an IOU and pay it back later."

"Ha ha ha, I don't want to be like Wan Baichuan. I'll note the cost. I see your son has potential. When he succeeds, don't forget me. Goodbye!"

Doctor Zhou left, and Shen Shi, watching his back, felt tears well up.

"There are more good people in the world, but why do the bad ones always get ahead?"

Qiao Tieshan frowned, taking a deep puff of his pipe, "Sister-in-law, there's no insurmountable obstacle. We'll find a way to get the silver!"

At that moment, there was a hurried knock at the door, and two young men entered.

The first was in his early twenties, with a square face and large ears, looking honest. He was about 1.65 meters tall, not very tall, but strong from years of hunting.

The second was taller, with a baby face, small but lively eyes, a high nose, and thin lips, always smiling. If not for a bear claw scar on his face, he would be a perfect young man.

They were Qiao Tieshan's sons, the honest one named Qiao Gui, and the baby-faced one named Qiao Fu. They were wrapped in animal skins, having just returned from hunting, without even going home.

"Father, what happened? How is Ke?"

"Shouting won't help. The doctor just left, saying it's not serious. He's resting now!"

"That's good, that's good!" Qiao Fu patted his chest, "Father, why didn't you protect Ke? Can his body take it?"

Shen Shi laughed, "Don't blame your father. If not for him, Ke would have suffered more!"

"Aunt, tell us what happened."

Shen Shi, still shaken, took a while to recount the events. The Qiao brothers were stunned, realizing how dangerous it was.

"Ke is amazing. I thought he was just a bookworm, but his skills are incredible, one against ten!"

Qiao Tieshan grunted, "A true man isn't just talk. It's about being decisive in critical moments. You two should learn from Ke!"

Qiao Gui frowned, "Aunt, Father, the priority is to gather twenty taels in half a month, or Wan Baichuan will come back."

"Ha ha ha! Let him come, I'm not afraid!" Qiao Fu puffed his chest, "I'm back, and so is my brother. With Father and Ke, and our hunter friends, we can handle Wan Baichuan's men!"

"All you think about is fighting. Do you want more trouble?"

Qiao Fu retorted, "Father, it's not our fault. Wan Baichuan is bullying us. With our archery skills, we can take him out with one arrow!"

"Nonsense!" Qiao Tieshan was exasperated, "He's a government official. Killing him is treason. The defense commissioner will investigate, and even the commander might get involved. Do you want to ruin everyone?"

Shen Shi added, "Nephew, I appreciate your heart, but we can't involve you. We'll find a way to earn the money. I've made over a hundred pairs of shoe soles. If we work hard, we might sell them for a good price, especially with the New Year approaching."

Qiao Tieshan shook his head, "Sister-in-law, I doubt it. People are getting poorer. They make everything themselves except salt. Shoe soles won't sell."

Qiao Gui thought, "Father, fur is valuable. What if we set more traps? If we catch a tiger or a bear, we'll be rich. A tiger skin can fetch over a hundred taels, enough for everything!"

"No, no!" Shen Shi shook her head, "Tigers are dangerous. If you get hurt, I'll feel guilty for life!"

"Aunt, don't worry. We're skilled, and we're family. It's worth the risk!"

"Not a good idea," Qiao Tieshan frowned, "Hunting tigers requires manpower, tracking, and traps. It could take months and yield nothing. Even if we catch one, we need to sell it. With only half a month, it's impossible."

One idea after another, but none seemed feasible. They gathered, their worries turning their hair gray. Finally, Qiao Tieshan said, "I'll go to other forts and borrow the silver. We'll get through this and find a way to repay it."

He stood to leave.

"Iron Mountain, no!" Shen Shi blocked the door, "Sister-in-law, borrowing got us into this mess. I can't let you suffer!"

"Sister-in-law!" Qiao Tieshan trembled, "This is our last chance. Do you want Wan Baichuan to report to the defense commissioner?"

Sister-in-law, you've helped us so much. I can't drag you down. Even if we borrow, I won't take it!"

Both were stubborn, and the standoff continued, making Qiao Tieshan pace anxiously.

"Cough, Uncle Qiao, don't worry about the money. I have a plan!"

"You have a plan? What is it?" Qiao Tieshan and the others turned, shocked to see Zhang Ke, leaning on the door, swaying.

"Ke!"