Chapter 50

Today, Zhao Jin and Wang Zhaojing both entered the arena for the martial arts competition. Before the match began, Zhao Jin looked towards the entrance, but the little girl had not yet arrived.

The number of young people gathered at the cargo yard could be described as a sea of people. Many of the younger and weaker children did not want to fight, but they were excitedly looking for high places to watch the commotion.

Chen Sheng's younger brother, Chen Hong, was familiar with the scene. Without Zhao Jin's instructions, he went to recruit children to help as referees.

This martial arts competition was surprisingly intense. Sun Dalei fought his way to the finals. The reason was that the unarmed youths could not defeat him, and the few strong ones who used weapons could not adapt to Sun Dalei's weapon. The big, fat Sun Dalei's immense strength, combined with a large hammer, knocked many people down or pushed them to the ground. Even Chen Sheng was hit in the chest by the massive hammer, causing him to stumble and fall.

Zhao Jin's matches were also tough. He knocked down Dong Bingfeng and then threw Wang Zhaojing, who had proposed an unarmed match, to the ground before facing Sun Dalei.

The final match was not as difficult. After observing Sun Dalei's fighting style, Zhao Jin decided to use a hit-and-run strategy. However, he was almost knocked down by Sun Dalei's weapon. Anyone who thought Sun Dalei was slow would be in trouble; he reacted quickly within his close combat range.

But Zhao Jin used a feint, causing Sun Dalei's move to miss. He then darted to the side, wedged the wooden pole between Sun Dalei's legs, and with a strong push, Sun Dalei lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Zhao Jin had seen this move in Zhao Zhenxing's demonstration and used it successfully this time.

As soon as Sun Dalei fell, cheers erupted. Wearing imposing armor and wielding a large weapon, the big, fat Sun Dalei had seemed like a monster in the competition, and everyone thought he was invincible. Zhao Jin's victory was like Wu Song defeating the tiger, and everyone felt relieved and cheered spontaneously.

Before Zhao Jin could react, Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang laughed and rushed over, lifting him up. Chen Sheng and Wang Zhaojing also joined in, and even Sun Dalei, who had just gotten up from the ground, did not get angry but smiled and came over. Liu Yong also joined, and many children followed.

Everyone lifted Zhao Jin up, shouting, "Zhao Jin, first place! Zhao Jin, mighty!"

Being tossed in the air, Zhao Jin felt excited and punched the air. Regardless of whether he would be remembered in history, this moment was worth it. He had gained friendship and brotherhood.

After a while, they finally put Zhao Jin down. Everyone laughed and compared their bamboo armor. Zhao Jin was amazed by the creativity and ideas of the young people. He had only provided a framework, and they had created such impressive and imposing bamboo armor.

As they were chatting happily, someone outside shouted, "Those five scoundrels are here." All the young people looked over. The children, not understanding the gravity of the situation, had seen these five scoundrels slap themselves and kowtow every day, and they had become contemptuous. Yesterday, when the scoundrels were kowtowing, some children even threw clumps of dirt at them. They did not realize that when they encountered similar scoundrels on the street, they would usually run away or be scared stiff.

The ones who truly had confidence were Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng, who had won through their real skills.

When the five scoundrels were punishing themselves, Zhao Jin had glanced at them and then ignored them. This time, however, he wrapped up about twenty pieces of pastries and walked towards the five scoundrels. The other young people were surprised and also stood up to follow.

The five scoundrels were slapping themselves, and some children were already throwing clumps of dirt at them. The scoundrels seemed numb; their faces were swollen and bruised, some areas even black from the injuries.

Zhao Jin walked up to the five scoundrels, and more clumps of dirt were thrown. Zhao Jin frowned and looked back. Many people immediately stopped, but a few who did not understand the situation continued. Before Zhao Jin could speak, Liu Yong ran over and slapped two of them, shouting, "Can't you see Brother Zhao in front of you?" The entire area immediately fell silent.

Liu Yong knew how to handle things, and Zhao Jin noted this. He stood there, coldly looking at the five scoundrels.

Under Zhao Jin's cold gaze and the presence of some tall young people behind him, the five scoundrels, who had been numb, became fearful. They started slapping themselves harder and then kowtowed. Their foreheads were also bruised, and if it were not for the cold weather, they might have become infected.

Zhao Jin still did not speak. The scoundrel with the triangular eyes, Chen Er'gou, finally panicked and said while kowtowing, "We were blind and offended the young master. We will never dare to stay in Xuzhou again."

After kowtowing, the five scoundrels struggled to stand up. They did not dare to look at Zhao Jin, fearing they might offend him again.

"Wait!" Zhao Jin said.

At his words, the five scoundrels trembled. They could not defeat Zhao Jin, and his father was someone they dared not provoke. They were very afraid of Zhao Jin and had suffered greatly over the past few days, wondering what he would do next.

To their surprise, Zhao Jin took out a string of copper coins and threw them on the ground. These were two hundred new copper coins, the kind used by wealthy families for New Year's gifts. In the market, they were more valuable than the crudely made "leather money" and "shell money," and two hundred could be used as three hundred.

"Take it to buy some medicine," Zhao Jin said.

"We... dare not..."

"Don't talk so much, take it quickly!" Zhao Jin raised his voice. The lead scoundrel trembled and quickly picked up the coins.

"You haven't eaten for days. Take this to eat!" The scoundrels looked very weak, and their voices lacked strength. When they saw Zhao Jin throw the package of pastries in front of them, their faces, which had been wooden, showed signs of hunger.

Scoundrels who preyed on children would not fare well. After offending someone like Cheng Tongtou, they would not be able to stay in the southern part of the city. They would not go to decent families and had no means of living, so they could only suffer from hunger and hardship.

"Thank you, young master, thank you!" The five scoundrels, realizing what was happening, spontaneously knelt and kowtowed again. After kowtowing, they crawled over to untie the package and started eating greedily.

They ate so quickly that they choked, and tears streamed down their faces. The young people, seeing the scoundrels' pitiful state, were speechless. However, they did not understand what Zhao Jin was doing and were confused.

The twenty pastries were quickly devoured. Zhao Jin turned and said, "Distribute the pastries according to yesterday's rules. Erhong, you do it!"

Chen Hong happily agreed, and the other young people's attention was drawn to the distribution. The few who remained with Zhao Jin did not move; the pastries no longer attracted them. They were more interested in what Zhao Jin would do next.

The five scoundrels, who should have left after eating, were now subdued by Zhao Jin. They looked to him for guidance in everything they said and did.

As the others noisily ate the pastries, Zhao Jin's side became quiet. He approached and asked, "You said you were leaving Xuzhou and not staying here?"

Hearing this, the five scoundrels' wooden expressions changed, showing sadness, and some even shed tears. For people of that era, leaving their hometown was a last resort.

"Brother Tongtou has given the order. We five must leave the city tomorrow, or we will not live," one scoundrel said fearfully.

Zhao Jin pondered for a moment and said, "Follow me."

The page turns, and the advertisement begins.

The page turns, and the advertisement ends.