Chapter 14: Lu Men Disciple (Part 1) 1/2

  The sister in Cao Peng's memory was a very gentle and virtuous woman.

  She seems to have the typical characteristics of a traditional Chinese woman. Hardworking and thrifty... In the fragmented memories left by her deceased husband Cao Peng, Cao Nan rarely got angry with people. Even when she was taken advantage of, she wouldn't argue with others, she's a very kind-hearted woman.

  "Don't worry, sister, nothing will happen."

  Zhang's six spirits were in disarray, and Cao Peng hurried over to comfort him.

  At the same time, he looked up at the woman who had brought the news and saw that she hadn't left, but was curiously examining the carriages in the courtyard.

  She was about thirty years old, roughly the same age as her mother Zhang.

  Clothing is very simple, but very clean...

  "Auntie, I haven't had a chance to ask you yet, what's your honorable surname and given name?"

  The woman was taken aback and hastily replied: "What honorific surname, my surname is Hong, I am a member of Deng Juyi's household, everyone in the village calls me Mrs. Hong."

  Matchmaker?

  Cao Peng's face turned red with suppressed laughter.

  However, his face still showed great respect, and he bowed his hands together in a salute: "Thank you, Auntie Hong, for coming to report the news."

  Who is Deng Juyi?

  Cao Peng had never heard of it and couldn't have known.

  But I think Deng Juye should be a clansman of Deng Village, and his status will not be too high.

  Hong's daughter hastily said: "It's a trivial matter, not worth a thank you. Cao's daughter is a good girl, usually very kind to us, and whenever we have any difficulties, she will do her best to help. Alas, if it weren't for... Ah, right, I haven't asked yet, who are you..."

  "Cao Nan is my sister!"

  Cao Peng smiled slightly and then changed the subject, "Who beat up my sister?"

  Hong Niangzi was also a clever person. Since she stayed here, she guessed that the people in this house would definitely ask her about the reason for her actions.

  She didn't expect that the two burly men would immediately go crazy when they heard that Cao Nan was beaten. She thought it would be a woman from inside the house who would ask questions, but unexpectedly, it was a thin and weak-looking young man who stood up to speak. Another sturdy youth stood by silently.

  "Alas, isn't that Deng's wife?"

  "Oh?"

  Since you are Cao's family members, then you can't be considered outsiders. I suppose you also know that Xun Sun brothers and his older brother Deng Cai Deng Bo Sun have always had a tense relationship. In the past, Xun Sun brothers were favored by Wang Zhu Bo, so they suppressed Deng Cai. That Deng Cai has been harboring resentment in his heart, always making things difficult for Xun Sun brothers... Now that Wang Zhu Bian has been transferred to Xiangyang and the county magistrate has changed to someone else. The new county magistrate is said to be a member of the Kuai family. And that Deng Cai has some connections with the Kuai family, naturally will receive more care... Deng Cai finally achieved his goal, and naturally won't let go of Xun Sun brothers...

  Deng Cai's wife is a fierce and violent woman.

  In the past, when Uncle Sun's brothers were in a good mood, they would often find fault with Cao's daughter.

  Now that Deng has gained power, his daughter-in-law is even more unwilling to forgive others. Cao's wife was buying things at the village entrance earlier and accidentally blocked her way, so she scolded her loudly. Cao's wife was also scolded fiercely, so she retorted with two sentences, but unexpectedly the fierce woman raised her hand and hit her, and pushed Cao's wife to the ground.

  "That woman is too deceitful!"

  Hong's words had barely fallen when Wang Mai burst into a rage.

  He let out an angry roar and strode towards the exit.

  "Cao Peng hastily spoke up: 'Tiger Head Brother, stop.'"

  "A Fu, that woman actually dares to bully Nan sister like this, I will definitely not let her off easily."

  "That's my sister, I'll take care of this..."

  It's not like Wang usually buys anyone's account, but now he is obedient to Cao Peng.

  "Hong's aunt, what did those three old men say?"

  Dengcun's three elders were the clan leaders of Dengcun and also the father of Deng Ji, a great general from XinYe.

  When Cao Peng asked about this matter, Hong Niangzi also hesitated a bit.

  Seeing that there was no one else in the house, she said softly: "Old Master naturally has some dissatisfaction... but now Deng has hooked up with the Kuai family, even the eldest young master has to be careful. So, Old Master can only pretend to be deaf and dumb. Little brother, if I were to say it, this matter can be tolerated."

  "That is to say, Old Man Zhang was also dissatisfied with Deng Boson?"

  "Oh, I didn't say anything."

  Hong Niangzi has a clever mind and seven apertures, she absolutely won't speak too clearly.

  Taking advantage of this conversation, Cao Ju and Wang Meng returned with Cao Nan on their backs...

  "My son... An Na, what's going on?"

  Zhang saw Cao Nan faint and immediately panicked.

  "I don't know, just now I and big brother rushed over, then saw Ah Nan fall to the ground unconscious."

  "What's going on? What can be done about it?"

  Zhang's composure was lost in an instant, and Cao Quanwang also didn't know what to do.

  Cao Peng asked: "Auntie Hong, may I ask if there is a doctor in this village?"

  "Ah, is there a doctor in this village? If something happens, we usually go to the county town to invite a doctor. It's just that the cost..."

  "Money is no object."

  Cao Peng smiled calmly and said, "Uncle Wang, trouble you to take the trouble, prepare the car, we will go to the county town now."

  "Alright!"

  Wang Meng hastily agreed and went out to prepare the carriage.

  Cao Peng again asked Zhang's family for some wu zhu coins and handed them over to Hong Niangzi.

  "Hong Jia Auntie, we're not familiar with this place, so we'll have to trouble you again."

  Hong's daughter's eyes lit up, and with a quick movement of her hands, she put the dozens of five-cash coins into her sleeve. "What's this? We're fellow villagers, it's only right."

  "Dad, mom, you stay here and take care of sister."

  "Brother Tiger, help me keep an eye on things... if someone comes over to cause trouble, you just take action. As long as no one gets killed, I'll take responsibility for the consequences."

  Cao Ju's couple didn't mind, but Hong's wife had caught an unusual tone.

  Cao's daughter said that her family members were ordinary people, without any power or influence. But this young man... had an extraordinary air about him, and the way he spoke was beyond even an old man. It seemed that Cao's family might have some other background. Otherwise, how could a child like him have such a big attitude? And look at their horse carriage, it wasn't something an ordinary family could own either.

  Hong Niangzi made up her mind in an instant.

  "Hong's aunt, after entering the city, still has something to ask for."

  I have something else to attend to, so I'm troubling you to go instead. Please ask the doctor to come over... The carriage fare will be paid by me; if there are any major expenses, please ask the doctor to wait until I return."

  "I've saved it, I've saved it!"

  On the carriage, Hong's wife nodded repeatedly like a little chicken pecking at rice.

  Such a spacious carriage is definitely not something ordinary people can enjoy. Just look at the white wolf skin laid out in the carriage, and Hong Niangzi knew that it was no small matter.

  She is just an ordinary woman from a humble family, how could she have sat in such a good car?

  So much so that on the car like sitting on pins and needles, even the white wolf skin cushion dare not touch, for fear of accidentally dirtying the cushion...

  In the thorny city, Hong's mother saw off the carriage as it left.

  She rolled her eyes and immediately had an idea. Along the street paved with gravel, she hurriedly walked inside.

  "A Fu, where are you going?"

  "Go to the county government!"

  "Huh?"

  Wang Meng was startled in the carriage and asked somewhat puzzled: "What's going on at the county government?"

  "Of course, it's visiting the county magistrate."

  "Visiting... County Magistrate?"

  Wang Meng stuttered: "Ah Fu, if we go on like this, I'm afraid we won't even be able to get into the county yamen."

  Cao Peng lifted the car curtain and said with a smile: "Uncle Wang, just because we can't go in doesn't mean our car can't go in... The sign on the carriage is the mark of the Pang family from Lumen Mountain. That County Magistrate Kuai may not recognize us, but surely he recognizes this 'Lumen Minister'?"

  There was a very strange pattern on the carriage of the horse-drawn vehicle that Sima Hui gave to Cao Peng.

  It was a bamboo slip with the words "Shang Shu" written on it. At first, Cao Peng didn't know what this symbol meant, but later when he passed through Tanghe Town, a scholar told him that it was the emblem of the Pang family from Lumen Mountain. The three generations of the Pang family were famous for their mastery of the "Shang Shu". By the time of Pang Ji's generation, his understanding of the "Shang Shu" was unparalleled in all of Jingzhou.

  It was also for this reason that the people of Jingzhao respectedly referred to Pang Ji as 'Pang Shangshu'.

  This is not a Shangshu of the three provinces and six departments, but a respect for the Peng family by the people of Jingzhou, and also represents that they are experts in "Shangshu".

  Wang Meng didn't quite understand Cao Peng's meaning, but Cao Peng spoke with full confidence, and Wang Meng also had a bit of admiration for the current Cao Peng, so he didn't ask further. He urged his horse forward, heading towards the county government office. On the way, Cao Peng had already asked Hong Niangzi about the location of the county government office. So Wang Meng didn't have to exert too much effort and drove the carriage straight to the entrance of the county government office in Ji Yang County.