Chapter 4: Cheng Ji's Business (2/2) Seeking recommendations and collections!

  Tomorrow, I will go to Zhongyang Temple to fetch the symbolic water, which is a matter of great importance for Cao Peng's whole life. Zhang naturally attaches great importance to it.

  Since it's going to ask for talisman water, naturally can't go empty-handed. There is no free lunch in the world, Zhongyang Temple's talisman water has a great reputation, if there is no offering, it's impossible to get it. What to offer? Naturally won't be three sacrifices. Zhongyang Temple doesn't lack these, they give out talisman water seeking wealth, without money and silk offerings, where can you get the efficacious talisman water? On this point, everyone understands in their heart.

  After the Yellow Turban Rebellion at the end of the Han Dynasty, the court's control over Fangshi and Daoshi also became stricter.

  In the first year of Zhongping, Zhang Jiao and his brothers relied on distributing talismans and water to recruit a large number of followers, posing an incalculable threat to the Han dynasty.

  So, once a Fangshi who practices water divination is discovered, he will be immediately arrested and interrogated.

  Then, the Fangshi began to openly take advantage of the situation to extort money. The practice of offering incense and water was allowed, but people had to offer money and silk in exchange. What the government feared was not that the Fangshi would extort money through this practice, but that they would use it as an opportunity to recruit followers and stir up trouble.

  In this way, the business of buying and selling symbols became open and aboveboard.

  You spend as much money as you offer, and get the same level of talisman water, Fangshi and government officials, and live in peace.

  The Cao family was not a wealthy one, and Cao Jin was just a third-rate blacksmith who barely made a living by repairing iron tools. Zhang Shi thought it over and felt that if she didn't show enough sincerity, she might not be able to get the best talisman water. So, she secretly took out her ancestral jade pendant, wanting to exchange it for more money and silk, in order to ask for talisman water for Cao Peng and ensure his safety for life.

  Zhang's father's father's father had also been glorious for some time.

  Later, the family declined and by Zhang's generation they had become commoners. When she married Cao Jing, there was no valuable dowry, only this ancestral jade pendant left.

  Early in the morning, Zhang brought her jade pendant to the market.

  In fact, she also knew that in a small place like Zhongyang Town, this heirloom jade pendant was not worth much.

  It's clear that Zhang still held onto a glimmer of hope, wanting to sell it for as high a price as possible... ordinary small shops wouldn't offer too high a price, and even if they were given the jade pendant, they might not understand its value. Not understanding its value, they naturally couldn't give a satisfactory price. After much deliberation, Zhang finally chose Chengji Commercial Building.

  Just like those big cities, small towns also have a gap between rich and poor.

  Cheng Ji Merchant is the largest merchant in Zhongyang Town, specializing in purchasing mountain goods. Almost all the mountain goods in Zhongyang Town are taken over by them... At the same time, Cheng Ji Merchant also operates a pawnbroking business. The owner of Cheng Ji is named Cheng Ji, who is said to have some background in the government.

  Zhang thought that since Chengji was such a big business, they might know their goods.

  "Good jade!"

  The pawnshop owner was a connoisseur and immediately recognized the value of the jade pendant. "Young lady, where did this jade pendant come from?"

  Everyone lives in the same town, and the pawnbroker happens to know Zhang's family.

  "This is a treasured family heirloom. If it weren't for my child's poor health, I would have gone to the Zhongyang Temple to fetch holy water for him instead of exchanging this for money."

  Cao Peng's affairs, the pawnbroker had heard some rumors about it.

  He nodded sympathetically and then said, "This jade pendant is not young, and the craftsmanship is exquisite, it doesn't seem to be from an ordinary family... Brother and sister, if you are determined to sell, I am willing to offer twenty taels, do you think that's acceptable?"

  The top-grade symbol water requires about ten kan of offering!

  With the remaining ten taels of silver, I can still buy some medicinal herbs to help Cao Peng recover his health.

  Zhang was overjoyed and was about to open his mouth to agree.

  Just then, someone behind the counter said, "What thing is worth twenty taels?"

  As he spoke, a short, stout, dark-complexioned man emerged from the back hall, wearing a magnificent brocade robe, and walked up to the counter, picking up the jade pendant and playing with it in his hand.

  "Shopkeeper, this is Cao's daughter-in-law from the town, pawning a beautiful jade pendant."

  This short and stout man was none other than the shopkeeper of Cheng Ji's store, Cheng Ji. He glanced at Zhang Shi and suddenly sneered: "What a fine jade, it's just an old broken piece of jade, one tael!"

  As he spoke, he pointed at the pawnbroker and scolded: "You rascal, don't you think this is a charity?"

  "Next time, take a closer look..."

  Having said that, he took the jade pendant and left.

  Watching twenty taels shrink to one tael in an instant, how could Zhang agree?

  "This jade... I won't sell it anymore, give it back to me!"

  Doesn't Cheng Ji know good things when he sees them?

  Of course not...

  He could see the value of this jade pendant at a glance, but asking him to spend twenty taels to buy it was obviously not possible. As rumored, Cheng Ji was a businessman with a background. He was the brother of the county magistrate of Wuyin County, and his daughter was also the concubine of Zhang Xiu's nephew, Zhang Xin!

  Nanyang County, under the jurisdiction of Jingzhou Prefecture.

  Because Emperor Guangwu of Eastern Han Liu Xiu rose in Nanyang, after the establishment of the Eastern Han regime, Wancheng was designated as the capital, also known as Nandu.

  Nanyang Commandery governed 37 counties under its jurisdiction, all belonging to Liu Biao.

  However, after Zhang Ji and Zhang Xiu's uncle-nephew duo entered Nanyang, the Nanyang Commandery was actually divided into two.

  Ji Yang is the boundary. North of Ji Yang is Zhang Yan's territory, while south of Ji Yang, including Ji Yang itself and 17 other counties, are under Liu Biao's rule.

  In Wan City, Cheng Ji was not considered a notable figure.

  But here is Wu Yin, with the identity of Cheng Ji, plus his older brother as a backing, absolutely worthy of being called the local tyrant of Zhongyang Town.

  "What's wrong with you, woman? Why so many troubles?"

  "One moment it's for sale, the next moment it's not, what kind of place do you think this is?"

  Zhang realized that Cheng Ji was deliberately trying to lowball her for the jade pendant... and she couldn't help but feel a little flustered, hastily waving her hand: "I'm not selling it anymore, I'm not selling it!"

  Cheng Ji saw this situation and suddenly felt uneasy in his heart.

  He thought he was a dignified old master, always walking sideways in the county town of Wuyin.

  What he holds on to, can't be easily let go of? Moreover, Zhang's attitude is firm and resolute, and with a hint of panic in his heart, his words are inevitably somewhat disrespectful.

  This also made Cheng Ji even more unhappy...

  He turned his eyes and immediately had an idea.

  That chubby face showed a smile and said with a grin: "Young master and mistress of the Cao family, if you don't want to sell, then forget it!"

  As he spoke, he returned the jade pendant to Zhang Shi and turned his back on her, no longer paying attention.

  Zhang didn't think much and took the jade pendant. She turned her head, wanting to leave. Cheng Ji was really too overbearing, making her feel a little uneasy.

  Just as she was about to reach the door, she heard a loud shout from behind: "Where's my Qilin jade pendant?"

  Zhang was taken aback and quickened his pace subconsciously.

  Just then, Cheng Ji shouted loudly: "Catch that village woman, she stole my jade pendant..."

  Two sturdy men stood at the entrance of the shop, without saying a word, they rushed up and pressed Zhang down to the ground. The jade pendant in Zhang's hand also fell to the ground. She was extremely frightened and shouted loudly: "I didn't take your jade pendant, don't wrong a good person..."

  "You thieving woman, you've got away with both the person and the goods, how dare you still try to talk your way out of it?"

  Cheng Ji sneered and walked forward, picked up the jade pendant on the ground, blew off the dust on it, and casually put it in his pocket.

  "This thieving woman has stolen my jade pendant, did you all see it clearly?"

  He turned his head towards the fellows in the counter, with a triangular small eye gleaming fiercely.

  Those fellows, even if they knew in their hearts, when they saw the appearance of Cheng Ji, one by one couldn't help but be as silent as a cicada in winter, and said in unison: "We've seen!"

  Zhang's family was suddenly in tears!

  "Please come, venerable elder..."

  Cheng Ji shouted in a stern voice: "If I don't teach you a good lesson today, you this wicked woman, you won't know the height of heaven and the thickness of earth."

  Three old men, that is, rural officials.

  Although Zhongyang Town is not big, it has nearly a thousand people after all. And Wuyin County is some distance from Zhongyang Town, so there must be someone in charge.

  All three elders must be over 50 years old, have good moral character and be able to lead the masses in doing good deeds.

  However, in this chaotic era, where did so many virtuous and capable people come from? Therefore, the three elders of Zhong Yang Town were actually privately appointed officials. They were responsible for investigating and mediating civil disputes, as well as maintaining law and order in this region.

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  Although Cao Peng did not see what happened ahead, he believed that Zhang would never do anything sneaky.

  Seeing Zhang being trampled underfoot by that short and fat man, Cao Peng suddenly became angry!

  More than ten days after his rebirth, Zhang's concern for him had moved him deeply. Although there was still some awkwardness in his heart, he had actually regarded Zhang as his own mother. Cao Peng's eyes turned red... Without saying another word, he wanted to rush over and fight with all his might.

  A large hand suddenly grasped his arm, and when he looked up, it was Wang Meng.

  "A Fu, don't be impulsive!"

  "Uncle, let me go, I'm going to kill that damned fatty."

  "Nonsense!"

  Wang Meng tightly grabbed Cao Peng and said in a low voice, "You're rushing over like this will only make things more troublesome... Cheng Ji has always been lawless and domineering, and with the county magistrate of Wuyin County as his backing, how can you possibly win against him? You stay here and don't move, I'll take care of this matter."

  At this time, San Lao led a group of people and rushed over in a hurry.

  "What's going on, old master?"

  "This thieving woman stole my jade pendant, all the apprentices in my shop can bear witness for me."

  "Lock up this thieving woman at once and report back to the county magistrate of Wuyin immediately... I want these lowly people to understand who is the master of Wuyin County."

  "Uncle Zhang, I didn't steal his things... That's my ancestral jade pendant!"

  "A mere lowly woman, how dare she mention ancestral heirlooms? Old Zhang, this thieving woman is obstinately ignorant, in my opinion, she needs to be thoroughly taught a lesson."

  The people of Zhongyang Town whispered among themselves.

  Three old men smiled and said, "Master Cheng is right, indeed they should be severely punished!"

  As he spoke, he waved his hand and let his attendants come forward, "Give her a good scolding, make her behave."

  "Stop!"

  Before the attendants could act, someone in the crowd suddenly let out a loud shout.

  His voice was like a thunderclap, shaking people's eardrums. Wang Meng pushed through the crowd and walked out. He wore a black robe with a diagonal sash, a large belt around his waist, a gleaming hunting knife inserted into the belt, and an iron fork slung over his shoulder.

  Before going into battle, he was like a black Vajra.

  A pair of thick eyebrows twisted into a "one" shape, round eyes wide open, and the chin's steel whiskers stood up, making one involuntarily feel fear...

  "Old Master, killing someone is just a matter of nodding one's head, why must you make things so difficult for this younger brother and sister?"

  Then he glared at the three old men and shouted, "You, Old Zhang, are still a decent person... Don't you know what kind of people Cao's siblings are? We're all from the same village, so let's leave some room for future encounters. Is that right or not?"

  That terrifying momentum, came rushing over.

  Cheng Ji couldn't help but feel a sudden chill in his heart, and his face changed color instantly.

  As for San Lao, he had an even more awkward smile on his face, "Old Hu, you don't understand what's going on..."

  "Bullshit! I may not be clear about other things, but one thing is crystal clear: what kind of people the Cao family siblings are!"

  Having said that, Wang Meng strode forward in big steps and grabbed the collar of the attendant's clothes, "You still want to live, get out of here immediately!"

  The attendants were startled by Wang Meng and retreated one after another.

  Wang Meng took advantage of the situation and helped Zhang up, "Younger sister, are you okay?"

  "Uncle, I really didn't steal..."

  Zhang's mournful wails were cut off by Wang Meng.

  He supported Zhang's hand with one hand and slammed his iron fork on the ground, "Master Cheng, what are you saying!"

  Cheng Ji was startled by Wang Meng's intimidating aura and retreated several steps, almost falling to the ground. This Wang Meng's aura is really too powerful!

  Cheng Ji may have never killed anyone before, but he could still sense the murderous aura emanating from Wang Meng's body.

  "Heh heh, since you've spoken up, Tiger, I'll give you some face. I won't pursue this matter any further... You can take her away."

  Wang Meng's eyes gleamed with a fierce light as he turned his head to look at the three old men.

  "Since Master Cheng is no longer pursuing this matter, I suppose we can just consider it settled then."

  Wang Meng coldly laughed and said in a low voice, "Younger sister, let's go back and talk about it later."

  "But..."

  Zhang was somewhat unwilling because the jade pendant was still in Cheng Ji's arms.

  "Wang Meng said in a low voice: 'Younger sister and brother, let's break our wealth to avoid disaster. Let's go back and discuss with Old Cao first, then make plans.'"

  He raised his head and shouted loudly: "A Fu, haven't you come yet to support your mother on her way back?"

  Cao Peng, who was outside the crowd, hastily responded and rushed over with Wang Mai, one on each side, supporting Zhang's arm...

  "Brother, mother didn't steal anything."

  Cao Peng turned his head and glanced at Cheng Ji, gritting his teeth and saying: "Mother, I trust you, which dead fat man played this trick."

  As a mother, she always hopes to maintain a perfect image in front of her children.

  After listening to Cao Peng's words, Zhang felt somewhat comforted. With the support of Cao Peng and Wang Mai, she suppressed her sobs and headed home.

  Wang Meng bowed towards Cheng Ji and San Lao, then followed up.

  "It's all over! It's all over!"

  The three old men shouted loudly and dispersed the crowd.

  "Sir, look at this matter..."

  "This Wang Laohu relies on his own brute strength and actually dares to ruin my good deed!"

  Cheng Ji watched the back of Wang Meng and his group, gritting his teeth and saying: "If I can't get rid of this old tiger, what face will I have left to stand in Zhongyang Town?"

  San Lao hesitated for a moment, "Cheng Lao Ye, I'll tell you the truth, I've been tolerating this guy for a long time!

  "This guy indeed has some skills, ordinary people are no match for him... In my opinion, this matter still requires the old master to make an appearance."

  Big old master is Cheng Ji's elder brother and the county magistrate of Wuyin County.

  Cheng Ji said: "To persuade my brother to come forward is possible, but there must be a reason."

  The three old men chuckled and said, "As for the reason, it's not that there isn't one... This Wang Lao Hu wasn't originally from Zhongyang Town, I heard he used to be a Yellow Turban... Why don't we use this as an excuse and ask Master to take action. Hehe, let's just say this guy is connected to the mountain bandits."

  In this Zhong Yang Mountain, apart from Taoist temples, there are also mountain bandits.

  But the rabbit doesn't eat the grass beside its hole, and the mountain bandits of Zhongyang Mountain have never harmed Zhongyang Town.

  Bandits in the mountains are still bandits and enemies of the government!

  Cheng Ji heard this and a brilliant smile suddenly appeared on his chubby face.

  "It's settled then... I'll send someone back to Wuyin immediately."

  Let this Wang Lao Hu be arrogant for two more days, and by then I'll see if this brainless dead tiger can still continue to be arrogant...

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