Chapter 2: The Turning Point

  Scholars of the Ming Dynasty were generally respected, and those who excelled in their studies would be appointed to official positions. The status of civil officials and military generals was absolutely different, especially after Yuan Chonghuan's killing of Mao Wenshou, this disparity became even more apparent.

  Imagine, Mao Wenyong was the Left Commander-in-Chief of Ping Liao General Army, a first-class military officer in the Ming Dynasty, with no one to his right. Yuan Chonghuan was the Minister of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, commanding troops in Ji and Liao, but only as a second-class civil official. As a civil official commanding troops, he could directly lead Mao Wenyong, holding the imperial sword given by Emperor Chongzhen, without reporting to anyone, and directly kill Mao Wenyong, who also held an imperial sword. This shows that in the Ming Dynasty, the status of civil officials and military generals was fundamentally not on the same level.

  Two cavalrymen riding horses, upon hearing Su Tiancheng say that he was a scholar, were taken aback for a moment. The one in the back took a look around and did not see anyone else for the time being, but since the grass and trees were lush here, who knew if there was someone hiding behind them.

  Killing a few vagrants is no big deal, but killing scholars changes everything.

  "We were originally bookworms, but now we are soldiers of the Ningzhou Guard, following the military orders of Commander-in-Chief to help quell the bandits in Pingyang Prefecture."

  The remaining three soldiers rode over on horseback, with several human heads tied to the tails of two war horses, looking extremely bloody and terrifying.

  Su Tiancheng's body trembled slightly as he saw three soldiers on horseback speaking in hushed tones, one of whom had a vicious glint in his eye.

  The other two soldiers had been staring at him all along.

  "This is the countryside of Pingyang Prefecture, close to Xiangling County. The bandit leaders Gao Yingxiang and Wang Zishun have been harassing Pingyang Prefecture for half a year, operating in this area, including Jizhou, Taiping, Quwo, Zhaocheng, and Hongtong. Everywhere is filled with wandering thieves. You are a scholar, how did you end up here?"

  This remark is quite insightful, implying that Su Tiancheng is not a scholar at all, but a bandit who should be beheaded.

  Su Tiancheng himself couldn't explain it either.

  He has already discovered that the eyes of the interrogating soldier reveal a murderous aura.

  Sū Tiān Chéng's forehead broke out in cold sweat, facing the five mounted soldiers, even if he had a great skill, he couldn't do anything about it, on the contrary, they could kill him with ease.

  A scholar encounters a soldier, with reason unable to be explained clearly. Is it that having just crossed over, one must once again return home as a soul?

  The killing intent in the other's eyes was already revealed, Su Tiancheng clenched his fists, his own body was not bad, under all kinds of helplessness, he could only fight to the death, killing one would be enough, killing two would be a profit, damn it, this life had never killed anyone.

  "Master, master, how did you end up here...."

  A young servant ran up from behind, not very old, with a clear and handsome appearance, saw Su Tiancheng and the soldier confronting each other.

  The little servant saw the human head on the horse's tail, his face turned white instantly, and his body kept trembling.

  A series of impressions flashed through Su Tiancheng's mind, the young servant's name was Su Er Tong, and he was a foster son of the Su family. The so-called foster son meant that Su Er Tong's parents were both servants of the Su family, and from the day he was born, Su Er Tong belonged to the Su family, with a status similar to that of a slave.

  "Second Brother, the scenery here is not bad. I met a few military officers who were suppressing bandits. Luckily for them, otherwise I don't know if I would have been able to see you. By the way, Su Jun and the others, about ten of them, are still behind us, right?"

  Su Er Tong looked at Su Tian Cheng, and also saw the person's head on the horse's backside. He was stunned, his eyes wide with shock and amazement, unable to speak, only able to nod woodenly. What did Young Master mean? Was there someone else behind him?

  Several soldiers heard such words, their expressions changed, and the other party was indeed a scholar, and his family conditions were not bad, with many people following him, fortunately they did not act rashly just now.

  However, they will not let each other go easily. Everything was seen by this bookworm. If it gets out, their own heads might roll. Since he's a bookworm, he has no great strength, and with the sky about to darken, he can find an opportunity to kill him. He might even get a lot of money.

  As he saw the murderous intent in his opponent's eyes slowly dissipate, Su Tiancheng let out a sigh of relief. Although danger still existed, it had temporarily passed. He had already discovered that the soldier speaking to him was the leader among this group of soldiers, and might even be a small flag.

  We must find a way to get through this crisis.

  In an instant, Su Tiancheng had an idea, he gathered his vigilance and revealed a casual smile once again.

  "Gentlemen, I am Su Tiancheng, a student from Pingyang Prefecture, also known as Kunyuan. I was feeling a bit frustrated at home and decided to take a few days off to travel around. Just now, I saw some bandits and got scared, hiding in the bushes. If it weren't for all of you soldiers, I would have been in trouble. Thank you, gentlemen!"

  Su Tiancheng finished speaking and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to several soldiers who returned the courtesy.

  "I also brought some silver with me on this trip, but it's all being taken care of by my servants. If you gentlemen don't mind, I'll definitely repay your kindness once they arrive."

  It's said that Su Tiancheng brought silver, and several people's eyes lit up. What is the purpose of killing good people? Isn't it just for the silver? Unexpectedly, this Su Tiancheng was so foolish to say that he himself was carrying silver.

  A few people exchanged glances.

  The soldier who had spoken first continued speaking.

  "It turns out that Master Su is a Shengyuan, I apologize for the offense. We rushed from Zezhou to Pingyang Prefecture because of the bandits in Shaanxi who came to make trouble in Pingyang Prefecture. Eliminating the bandits is our responsibility."

  Su Tiancheng's face was filled with a happy and reverent smile.

  "I am but a humble scholar, having heard that the bandits have invaded many places in Pingyang Prefecture, including Xiangling, Jizhou, Quwo, Hongtong, Fenxi, Shilou and Yonghe. I am filled with indignation and regret that I cannot join the army to personally behead these bandits and serve our great Ming dynasty. Today, seeing all of you heroes, I feel deeply honored and must express my gratitude."

  These words came out of his mouth, and Su Tiancheng himself felt a sour taste. How come bookworms always have this kind of tone? Their speech is always so roundabout.

  A few soldiers finally had a smile on their faces, perhaps they thought that since they had met an ignorant bookworm who didn't understand anything, couldn't tell loyalty from treachery, didn't know human nature, and didn't know danger, it wasn't necessary to make a big fuss to deal with such a bookworm. They could just take the silver, kill the bookworm and his followers together, and if there were any maidservants, they could enjoy themselves for a while.

  After waiting for a while, the person still hasn't arrived.

  Su Tiancheng pretended to be in a hurry and spoke again to Su Er'tong.

  "Second child, why hasn't Su Jun come yet, this dog..."

  The two words "nucai" had not yet been spoken when Su Tiancheng stopped himself. Now it was the Ming dynasty, and only servants and underlings were referred to as such.

  Su Tiancheng looked anxious but couldn't utter any abusive language, and several soldiers laughed again.

  The soldier who had just spoken walked up to Su Tiancheng's side, stretched out his right hand and patted Su Tiancheng on the shoulder.

  Of course, if this were in the city, he wouldn't dare do such a thing. Anyway, this scholar, in his eyes, was already a dead man.

  "Su Gongzi, don't be in a hurry, waiting a bit won't matter."

  Su Tiancheng restrained the smile on his face. The opportunity was basically ripe. The soldier opposite him had no more murderous aura on his body. He was about to make a move.

  "The Emperor's wisdom is sacred, and he has dispatched all of you soldiers to Pingyang Prefecture to eradicate the bandits, ensuring peace in this region. As a scholar who has received imperial favor, I have no way to repay it, so on behalf of scholars, I pay my respects to all of you military officers."

  Having said that, Su Tiancheng lifted the hem of his brocade robe and prepared to kneel down and pay his respects.

  The kneeling of a scholar is a matter of great importance, with heaven, earth, ruler, parents and teacher being the only ones worthy of such respect. A soldier on horseback, no matter how boastful, would not dare to be so presumptuous.

  That is to say, when Su Tiancheng knelt down, the soldiers opposite him would come over to decline, and the rest would also kneel down to return the courtesy, this was the opportunity.

  The five soldiers all dismounted and stood in a row.

  "Master Su, you absolutely mustn't do this, we can't afford to."

  Su Tiancheng knelt down without hesitation.

  The moment he knelt down, his heart was filled with bitterness. He had traveled back to the Ming Dynasty and the first thing he did was kowtow. What kind of situation was this? At a critical moment when life and death were at stake, what couldn't be done for survival?

  But it's not that simple to kneel down, let's just say it's kneeling for the dead.

  Su Tiancheng knelt down, and the four soldiers also clasped their fists and knelt on one knee.

  This is standard military courtesy.

  The only soldier who spoke up did not kneel down, but walked over with a smile on his face to help Su Tiancheng.

  Everything is going as expected.

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