Chapter 23

Zhang He is a young steward in the Zhang family's household. In his youth, he learned a few martial arts techniques and was known for his bravery and ferocity. After getting married, he was chosen by Master Zhang to be in charge of the town gate of Zhang Town.

Originally, Zhang Town had no city walls, and the imperial court had explicitly stipulated that only county towns could build walls three zhang high. However, that was an old rule from the previous dynasty. Now, with the country in turmoil, although the Li Tang dynasty has stabilized, it has not yet unified the nation. In such times of chaos, Master Zhang, being benevolent and righteous, funded the construction of the city walls to protect Zhang Town.

Since the city walls were built by the Zhang family, the government did not station any troops there. Therefore, Master Zhang also had his family soldiers patrol the area. From another perspective, Zhang Town was like an independent kingdom, nominally belonging to the county but actually controlled by the Zhang family.

Although the city walls were only about two zhang high, they provided a sense of security to the residents of Zhang Town. The position of gatekeeper was a good one, with plenty of opportunities for profit. Over the years, Zhang He had gained a lot, but he never forgot his duties and remained loyal to his post.

Today, Zhang He was about to close the iron-wood gate, which was over a zhang high and nine inches thick, when a loud shout came from outside. Zhang He didn't hear what was said, but having been a gatekeeper for years, he knew it must be villagers who had arrived late and wanted to enter the town.

Zhang Town closed its gates at the third hour of You (around 5 PM), a rule known by all residents. However, Zhang He still instructed his subordinates to pause and leave a small gap for people to enter.

Zhang He poked his head out and saw three people running up, covered in dust.

"Who are you? Don't you know the rules of Zhang Town?" Zhang He glanced at the three, seeing that they were poor, and his face darkened as he sternly demanded.

A young man in a faded white robe, with a clear and bright appearance, bowed respectfully. "Sir, we come from Ning Village. I am Ning Wuxie, this is my brother Ning Bo Wu, and my cousin Ning Wushuang. We are preparing to take the county examination and have come to pay our respects to Master Zhang."

"County examination? You?" Zhang He glared at Ning Wuxie.

Zhang He had never read books, but he knew that not everyone could take the county examination. The Tang dynasty inherited the brilliant culture of the Sui dynasty, and the imperial examination system was even more sophisticated. Those who could take the county examination were all exceptional talents, and to take it at sixteen was even more remarkable.

In fact, this was partly due to the remote location of Zhang Town, similar to how a small county might produce a university student from the capital.

"One of you is Ning Zhongyuan, the prodigy who made a name for himself in the county four years ago. He was the only one from our town to pass the child examination," a quick-witted subordinate whispered to Zhang He, occasionally glancing at Ning Wuxie with admiration.

Zhang He was taken aback, then remembered who Ning Zhongyuan was. The child examination was a test that every scholar could take at the age of twelve, held annually by the county. However, almost no one passed. In the past four years, only one person from Ning Village in Zhang Town had passed.

This caused quite a stir, and Zhang He had heard many praises for Ning Zhongyuan from Master Zhang. Calculating the time, passing the child examination at twelve meant that one could take the county examination at sixteen, which was exactly now.

With this thought, Zhang He's stern face suddenly broke into a smile. He squinted his eyes and quickly pushed open the gate, stepping out and bowing politely. "Ah, it's Master Ning! Please, come in. The master has been thinking of you. If you hadn't come, he would have sent someone to Ning Village to fetch you."

Zhang He, a tall and imposing figure, now looked fawning, which made Ning Wuxie frown slightly but remain composed, smiling faintly. "Master Zhongyuan doesn't deserve such praise. I should have come to pay my respects long ago, but my mother is old and cannot be left alone."

As he spoke, Ning Wuxie walked into the town, followed closely by Ning Bo Wu and Ning Wushuang. Zhang He deliberately lagged behind Ning Wuxie by half a step, his smile unchanged. "Master Ning is truly filial. Fortunately, you arrived just in time. Tomorrow is the day to go to the county."

He led Ning Wuxie and his companions to a grand mansion and smiled. "Master Ning, this is the Zhang residence. Allow me to inform the master."

Ning Wuxie nodded and watched as Zhang He entered the mansion, looking around.

What a grand mansion! Two stone lions guarded the entrance, and the door was studded with red-painted nails. A red cloth-covered plaque hung under the eaves, bearing the characters "Zhang Residence" in neat regular script, with a bold and imposing style.

The grand entrance suggested that the interior would be equally impressive.

The mansion faced the street, and as townspeople passed by, they all showed a deep sense of respect. Ning Wushuang, who had never traveled far, was amazed by the grandeur and secretly admired Ning Wuxie's calm demeanor.

Ning Bo Wu chuckled, his hair disheveled, carrying a wooden box and gripping a black iron staff, looking exceptionally fierce, but his occasional silly laughter revealed his simple nature.

Before long, Zhang He returned with a well-dressed elderly man. Zhang He bowed. "Chief Steward, this is Master Ning Zhongyuan."

Approaching Ning Wuxie, Zhang He introduced him. "Master Ning, this is the chief steward of the residence, Uncle Fu."

The elderly man had a ruddy complexion, white hair, and a spirited look. He examined Ning Wuxie and smiled, bowing. "Master Ning, it's been four years, and you look even more handsome..."

Seeing Uncle Fu, Ning Wuxie recalled the old man who had delivered rice to his family after he passed the child examination four years ago. He smiled. "I remember you, Uncle Fu. Four years have passed, and you still look as vigorous as ever."

"Uncle Fu, Master Ning, you chat. I'll take my leave..." Zhang He, being a shrewd person, bowed and left when he couldn't join the conversation.

Seeing that Ning Wuxie still remembered him, Uncle Fu stroked his beard and laughed. "I'm old, not like you young people. Is this your brother?"

He glanced at the fierce-looking Ning Bo Wu and sighed, thinking what a pity it was that he was simple-minded; otherwise, he would have been a formidable warrior on the battlefield.

Ning Wuxie quickly introduced Ning Bo Wu and Ning Wushuang to Uncle Fu.

"Good, Master Ning, follow me. The master is waiting for you inside. If you hadn't come, he would have sent me to fetch you."

Laughing, Uncle Fu led Ning Wuxie and his companions into the Zhang residence, passing by a rock garden and through a corridor.

Inside the mansion, pavilions, terraces, and artificial hills and ponds created a beautiful landscape. At one point, Uncle Fu called two maids. "Take these two gentlemen to the guest rooms. Master Ning, please come with me to see the master."

Ning Wuxie nodded, instructing Ning Wushuang to take care of Ning Bo Wu, and then followed Uncle Fu to a small building.

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