Chapter 7

Gao Fangping stroked his chin and said, "Tell me, what do you think? I believe you must have heard about what happened at the Zhang family today. This prison in Kaifeng may seem solid, but in reality, it's full of leaks. You are a hero, and you must have many friends among the constables, prison guards, and in the martial world. So, you must know what happened at home."

"In the past, I misjudged you, young master, you are indeed very smart," Lin Chong said. "I have seen through Lu Qian's true colors. It's a bit strange, why did such a smart person like you do so many foolish things before, being led around by the nose by a scoundrel like Lu Qian?"

"There are many reasons for that, and I'm not one to explain much. What's done is done. No point in looking back, only forward. What I want to know is, what do you think of my actions at the Zhang family today?"

"It's a bit like... a good person, I can't quite put it into words," Lin Chong replied.

"Good, that's the feeling I want you to have," Gao Fangping nodded. "Now, I ask you, is it possible to pretend that nothing happened in the past?"

Anger flashed in Lin Chong's eyes, but he then said dejectedly, "What difference does it make whether we pretend it happened or not?"

"If you bear a grudge, I won't blame you. But I will consider you an enemy and eliminate you. It's simple; I don't want a top-notch expert who hates me to be alive," Gao Fangping said.

Lin Chong found him despicable, but upon careful thought, he realized that this man was not wrong. It was human nature, and what had happened could not be undone.

After a moment's hesitation, Lin Chong said softly, "What if Lin Chong can let it go?"

"Then it's simple. If we can reconcile, killing isn't a glorious thing, and I really don't like causing harm to others; it's exhausting. I won't explain the past mistakes, nor can they be undone. But I will try to minimize the damage in the future. The Kaifeng Prefecture has already sentenced you to exile in Cangzhou, and the Imperial Guard cannot change this. Unless I have the courage to bind myself and go to Kaifeng to clear my name, but my father would skin me alive first. So, your exile is inevitable. However, I will tell you about the dangers and villains on the way. Additionally, I can guarantee the safety and dignity of Zhang Zhen娘's family."

Lin Chong asked, somewhat excitedly, "Really?"

"Really. Just like I believe you when you say you won't bear a grudge, you must also trust me, because without trust, you can't do much," Gao Fangping said.

Lin Chong asked softly, "What will happen on the way to exile?"

"Be careful of Lu Qian. Don't leave any lingering issues, or your wife will never be at peace," Gao Fangping said as he got up to leave. "After dealing with Lu Qian, don't make things difficult for the Kaifeng constables escorting you. Go to Cangzhou obediently, let them complete their duty, and I will arrange for someone to set fire to a place and find a dead prisoner to burn in your place. From then on, there will be no Lin Chong. When you return to Bianjing, I will give you a new military registration, and you can live a good life with your wife."

Stopping at the prison gate, Gao Fangping added, "Tomorrow, you will have a golden tattoo on your face, but Fu An said that for fifty guan, they won't actually tattoo you, just paint it on. After the fire in Cangzhou, you can wash it off. Also, you must endure the beating in Cangzhou; I don't have enough money to bribe everyone. Before setting the fire, remember to move the grain, as farmers work hard to grow it, and the government stores it with difficulty. Your house and fields will be temporarily mortgaged to me. I need to give the constables thirty guan, otherwise, they might scald your feet with boiling water on the way. This is money, and when you return, you can pay me back, and I will return your house and fields."

Lin Chong was left with a head full of circles, watching this scoundrel leave...

Outside, Fu An, looking like a loyal thug, guarded Gao Fangping and said, "Young master, let's go back, this place is unlucky."

Walking through the bustling market, Gao Fangping said with a sinister smile, "Thirty guan for the constables, fifty guan for the tattoo artist, a total of eighty guan. I wonder how much these three will actually get?"

Fu An's eyes darted around, and he burst into tears, "Young master, you are wise, please spare me. It's not just them; others also need to be bribed. The actual cost is around fifty guan. I deserve to die, I am greedy, please spare me this time."

"Scoundrel, you stole thirty guan from me. Do you know how many years a poor family could live on that? Pay me twenty guan, or I will tattoo your face and send you to Cangzhou instead," Gao Fangping slapped him hard on the back of the head.

Fu An breathed a sigh of relief, pulled out a large silver ingot, and handed it to Gao Fangping.

Gao Fangping happily accepted it, knowing it was money Fu An had swindled from the treasury, which was essentially swindling his corrupt father. Keeping it as private funds was a good idea.

Gao Fangping then instructed, "Go to the Zhang family and get Zhang Zhen娘 to bring me the deeds to her house and fields."

"Young master, isn't that too harsh? Didn't you say we should try to be good people?" Fu An was depressed, knowing that Lin Chong's martial skills were formidable, and he would be in trouble when he returned.

"You don't understand. She was planning to sell her property to help her husband. Besides, with Lin Chong in exile, her father, Zhang Jiaotou, also faces exile. There are many ruffians in Tokyo, and as a woman, she would be vulnerable. If we don't take care of it, others will seize her property. We are just keeping it safe for her. If other ruffians come to the Imperial Guard to ask for it, do you think our 800,000 troops will let them get away with it?" Gao Fangping explained.

"Young master, you are wise and brave," Fu An said, lacking in education...

"The position of commander in the personal guard has been vacant. Lu Qian has been diligent, and I thought he would get the position, but the young master privately promised it to Xu Ning, the instructor of the Golden Lance Corps."

In the military council of the Imperial Guard, a trusted commander reported this, expecting Gao Qiu to angrily denounce it as usual.

However, Gao Qiu merely said, "Oh," and stroked his beard, thinking for a moment. "My son has truly come to his senses. He has shifted his focus from coveting others' wives to observing and understanding people, which is good."

Pausing, Gao Qiu asked, "What do you think of Xu Ning?"

A commander familiar with Xu Ning replied, "Reporting to the Imperial Guard, Xu Ning is always low-key, with a relatively gentle and meticulous personality. His martial skills are outstanding, and his twelve-foot hook spear is unmatched by anyone except a few like Lin Chong. In detail, he has no major flaws and is an excellent choice for the position of commander."

Gao Qiu nodded, "That's good. Lu Qian is meticulous and almost flawless in his work, but he is too ambitious and ruthless, with a strong sense of self-interest. For this reason, I never considered him for the position. Since this is my son's first arrangement, let's see how it goes."

He then called for a clerk to bring a blank appointment document, filled it out with the title of "Brave and Righteous Instructor," and handed it to his subordinate, "Send it to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War for approval."

This was a ninth-rank military position, and although Gao Qiu's word was final, the formalities still needed to be followed, with the Ministry of Personnel's approval and the Ministry of War's record. As for the position of commander, it was entirely up to the Imperial Guard...

The Gao family was a military household, with several hundred personal troops stationed in the compound, and thus had a large training ground for drills.

The position of commander of the personal troops had been vacant for a long time. Lu Qian was indeed capable, but the corrupt father never gave him the position, so he couldn't command the troops. Moreover, Gao Qiu was more concerned with appearances, so he never paid much attention to the training of the personal troops.

These personal troops were tall and imposing, good for show, but otherwise useless.

Now, Xu Ning had gathered everyone for training. As an instructor with outstanding martial skills, he couldn't stand these show-offs, and he began to scold and whip them.

However, as a newcomer, and only because the young master had ordered him to come, many of the personal troops did not obey him, and even argued and resisted on the training ground.

"Hmph, who do you think you are, just a newcomer. Don't think the young master's order gives you the right to command us. We'll see what the Imperial Guard says," a squad leader sneered as he approached, "Xu Instructor, think carefully before you command my subordinates. We have been loyal to the Gao family for years, while you were cooling your heels somewhere else!"

"Ha ha ha!" The squad leader's insults were met with cheers from his subordinates.

Xu Ning's face turned green with anger, and he almost threw down the whip and walked away, ready to give up the position.

If he were to command other imperial troops, it would be much easier, and he could use harsher methods. Unfortunately, the squad leader was right; these personal troops had been loyal to the Gao family for years, and they had a sense of seniority and pride.

The other troops, though not directly opposing, were happy to watch the commotion.

Just then, the frivolous and carefree Gao Fangping arrived, walking with a swagger.

The squad leader, feeling triumphant, approached to complain but was cut off by a whip lash across his face.

"Ah!" The squad leader clutched his bleeding face and knelt, "Young master, please spare me, I don't know what I did wrong!"

"Guess what you did wrong," Gao Fangping smiled.

"Your subordinate..."

The squad leader dared not speak rashly, knowing the young master's unpredictable nature.

Seeing he had no excuse, Gao Fangping said, "Get up!"

"Thank you, young master," the squad leader stood to one side.

Gao Fangping walked a few steps in the center of the training ground, hands behind his back.

Despite his frivolous appearance, Xu Ning was taken aback. Beneath the facade, there was a hint of authority.

Stopping, Gao Fangping raised his voice, "Soldiers, disobeying orders, not training, and not responding to your superiors. Do you think this is right?"

Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to speak. It was a rhetorical question; in any era, soldiers must obey orders, participate in training, and follow commands.