Chapter 41

Those two men didn’t make any move, turned around, and left. Zhao Jin was taken aback. If they were servants of the Mu family, these two wouldn’t have been so disrespectful. But if they were something else, Mu Shulan could directly give them orders.

Zhao Jin didn’t ask about it face-to-face. Chen Sheng and his brother didn’t show any signs, but when Zhao Jin turned back, he noticed that the old steward of the Chen family was looking back at those two men. The older and more astute could tell something was off.

The apprentice delivering pastries was waiting at the cargo yard. Seeing Zhao Jin, he hurriedly handed over a steaming hot package.

After seeing his father’s authority in front of Tong Tou in the morning, Zhao Jin finally understood the meaning of the phrase “buying pastries still requires money.” With Zhao Zhentang’s influence, asking for pastries from any family was actually giving them face.

This was just a fleeting thought for Zhao Jin. He immediately noticed that the cargo yard was unusually quiet. Usually, dozens of children would wait to touch the plaques, with more than a dozen others watching from outside. Now, there were fewer than twenty in total.

Young Master Wang Zhaojing from the Wang family had already arrived. Behind him was a middle-aged man, who was a first-time visitor. He wore a short blue robe and looked strong and calm. Zhao Jin, who had developed some discernment, could tell that this middle-aged man was a martial artist and not a weak one. When Wang Zhaojing saw Zhao Jin, he smiled and walked over.

On the other side, Sun Dalei had also arrived, looking around. What surprised Zhao Jin was that Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang had also come, and Liu Yong was wandering around there.

The young men at the cargo yard came from both poor and wealthy backgrounds. Today, those who came were all from better-off families. Yesterday, the few ruffians who left had shouted out the names of those from ordinary families, knowing that they couldn’t afford to offend the wealthy.

Liu Yong wasn’t named and had a carefree personality, so it was normal for him to come today. But Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang, who were named by the ruffians, should have stayed home to help or explain the situation in advance.

If these two young men came to avoid trouble, their character would be very poor. As he pondered this, the young men had already gathered around him.

One of the greatest bonds in life is fighting together, which greatly enhances the friendship among young men. This has been true from ancient times to the present. After yesterday’s group beating, everyone had become much closer.

"Why are there so few people today?" Chen Sheng grumbled, but no one responded. Wang Zhaojing smiled but didn’t speak. Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang exchanged glances, seemingly making a decision, and walked up to Zhao Jin, saying, "Big Brother Zhao, those ruffians said they would cause trouble at our homes and named me and Ji Xiang. We don’t know what to do. We discussed it last night, and Big Brother Zhao, you have ideas. Please help us!"

These words were simple and direct, but it was not easy for competitive young men to say them. Boys of this age are least willing to show weakness and ask for help, especially in a place where they compete in martial arts. Lowering their status to ask for help is even more uncomfortable.

After saying this, Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang were embarrassed, their faces turning red with worry, fearing that their request would be rejected. In fact, they were out of options. Those ruffians were adults, and Zhao Jin was a child. They didn’t know if Zhao Jin could solve the problem.

Zhao Jin felt a warmth in his heart. They truly regarded him as a friend and brother, otherwise, they wouldn’t have come to him for such a difficult matter.

He hesitated for a moment, but Wang Zhaojing spoke up, "Those ruffians are not worth mentioning. I can solve it by asking my elders, but if my family finds out, they will definitely scold me..."

Zhao Jin coughed, suppressing a laugh. Wang Zhaojing was about the same age as everyone else but was much more mature. He was trying to use this situation to gain favor and establish authority. But Zhao Jin laughed because, at this age, such tactics wouldn’t work on Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang. It would be better to be straightforward. He wondered how Wang Zhaojing’s family had raised him to be so calculating.

Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang initially looked pleased at Wang Zhaojing’s words but then became disappointed.

"I... I... will go to my mother and have her talk to someone. You don’t... don’t have to worry." Instead, Sun Dalei spoke up, taking charge.

This fat boy had some cunning but was still a straightforward person. Chen Sheng didn’t think much about it because he knew this matter was trivial and could be resolved with a word.

Wang Zhaojing and Sun Dalei’s words set the stage for Zhao Jin. Only then did Zhao Jin smile and wave his hand, saying, "Don’t be afraid, it’s already taken care of!"

The young men were stunned for a moment, then their faces lit up with joy. Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang exchanged glances, not knowing what to say. Sun Dalei chuckled, "I told you it was a small matter."

"Big Brother Zhao, I..." At this age, children don’t even know how to be polite. Shi Manqiang stuttered, unable to speak. Zhao Jin waved his hand generously, smiling, "We’re brothers, no need for formalities. We’re together every day; this small matter is nothing."

Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang were speechless, just nodding their heads vigorously. Sun Dalei patted their shoulders hard, causing them to cry out in pain, but then they laughed. Chen Sheng and Chen Hong were also laughing. Mu Shulan gave Zhao Jin a big thumbs up.

Zhao Jin noticed a hint of disappointment on Wang Zhaojing’s face, then he looked at Zhao Jin with a look of disbelief, perhaps even a bit of admiration.

"Those people are here," someone said nervously, and everyone looked toward the entrance.

The five ruffians from yesterday appeared at the entrance, and the young men immediately tensed up, instinctively moving closer to Zhao Jin. Chen Sheng, however, waved his stick excitedly and said, "They came just in time. Let’s beat them up again!"

Thinking of yesterday’s victory, everyone’s courage grew a bit. Wang Zhaojing was surprised, "Why are they back?"

Zhao Jin understood the meaning of these words but didn’t bother to respond. He turned to see that the middle-aged man Wang Zhaojing brought had turned toward the entrance, his face showing disdain.

"Brother Jin, I’ll go call them back!" Mu Shulan tugged at Zhao Jin’s hand and said softly. Zhao Jin smiled but didn’t speak.

With everyone’s nervous anticipation, Zhao Jin parted the young men in front of him and walked forward, looking like he was going alone.

"Wait for me, how can you go alone!" Chen Sheng shouted, grabbing his short stick and running out. Sun Dalei scratched his head and followed, Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang, though looking grim, also came out resolutely. Wang Zhaojing hesitated for a moment, then smiled and walked forward. Liu Yong looked around, bit his lip, and finally came out, standing behind Sun Dalei, hidden from view.

Just as the young men were about to start fighting, the five ruffians who entered the cargo yard immediately knelt down, slapping themselves on both sides, their cheeks swollen, and said in a muffled voice, "Young masters, we were blind and did wrong. Please forgive us."

After saying this, they bowed their heads repeatedly. Seeing this, the young men were stunned. When the ruffians appeared, everyone thought Zhao Jin was bluffing. Seeing this, they knew it was real. The more observant noticed that the ruffians walked unsteadily and had many bruises on their faces.

Zhao Jin said he would solve the "big problem," and he did. Everyone looked at Zhao Jin differently. And when Zhao Jin said "we’re brothers," having such a capable friend made everyone happy.

Fifty slaps and fifty bows later, the ruffians were dazed but dared not complain. They staggered away. After the bailiff left in the morning, Tong Tou had taken out an axe and made it clear that if the young masters were unhappy, he would chop them up and throw them into the river outside the city. With such a threat, who wouldn’t be obedient?

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**End of Chapter**