Chapter Fifteen: If you want to play, bet big

  "Uncle, fortunately I arrived early. The other side had three burly men with eyes as big as bronze bells, tiger backs and bear waists, arms that could outrun horses, and chests that could shatter rocks. Such vicious characters, if I had arrived a bit later, I'm afraid Brother Xu would have been beaten to death. Luckily, I have an extraordinary skill, and they saw me looking majestic, like a god descending from heaven, so they retreated with their tails between their legs. Alas... now that I think about it, it's all still quite frightening. The saying goes: the jianghu world is full of danger..."

  "All right, all right, you've said that countless times already. I'm worried about Qian'er and Mengting now. Has the doctor been invited yet?"

  "Master, I've already gone to call him, he should be here soon."

  "Alas... how did we end up offending the Zhang family of Qinghe? The Zhangs are incredibly wealthy and influential, a renowned aristocratic family in Qiantang with ancestors who were imperial scholars. Moreover, the person they beat has an older brother who is also a high-ranking official. Now that things have escalated to this point, it's definitely not going to end well. Let's not talk about this for now, our priority should be to focus on treating Jian'er's injuries as best we can. I hope Jian'er will be alright, otherwise, how can I live with myself?"

  "Master, it's all my fault, I..."

  Xu Qian's consciousness slowly awakened, and many people around him were talking. His fingers reflexively moved slightly, and he woke up.

  As soon as his eyes opened a slit, Deng Jian excitedly said: "He's awake, he's awake. I said there was nothing serious, just a superficial injury. But if I had arrived one step later...". Deng Jian shook his head and nodded like an old master: "The consequences would have been unthinkable, fortunately, fortunately."

  Xu Chang hastily rushed to the bedside and grasped Xu Qian's hand, with tears almost flowing out, saying: "Qian'er, how are you?"

  Actually, Xu Qian was just overwhelmed with emotion and didn't feel the pain when he was fighting, but now his whole body hurts. However, he didn't grit his teeth or make a face, instead, he smiled lightly and said: "Dad, I'm fine."

  Xu Chang surprisingly did not take out his iron ruler to discipline Xu Qian this time, which was also a rare act of leniency.

  Xu Qian's eyes swept around the room and then asked: "Where is that rascal Zhang?"

  Deng Jian rushed up and said: "Naturally, I chased him away, but that kid didn't give up. As he left, he said 'wait for it' and will come back to settle the score."

  Zhao Mengting stood aside, lightly biting her lip as if she had done something wrong, but the gaze she cast at Xu Qian was filled with a hint of warmth.

  Xu Qian said coldly: "He wants to settle accounts with me? I'm the one who should be settling accounts with him, does he really think I'm so easy to bully?"

  Deng Jian couldn't help but say, "Actually... I'll say something fair, compared to Zhang Gongzi, Xu brothers are indeed easier to bully, however... should we inform Wang Gonggong about this?"

  Deng Jian always thought that Xu Qian and Wang Gong had a special relationship, but in fact only Xu Qian himself knew that they were just using each other, and whenever something happened, he would shift the blame to Wang Gong's head, which would only make people look down on him.

  Xu Qian ignored Deng Jian, his eyes fixed calmly on Xu Chang as he said, "Father, whether it's good fortune or bad, this matter won't end well today. The Zhang family's reputation is something I've also heard of - they're one of the top two aristocratic families in Qiantang. Rather than waiting for them to clean up after their son, why not let our son take the initiative and strike first?" These words were truly unlike those that would come from a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old child.

  Deng Jian couldn't help but gasp in amazement. How could anyone possibly manage a family like the Zhangs?

  Xu Chang also hesitated, saying: "If it really doesn't work out, we can move to Jiangning to live. The Zhang family is very powerful and since we can't afford to provoke them, it's better to leave. Their family has had honors and achievements for generations. Just two years ago, they built a mansion on the other side of Qinghe River, which cost over 2,000 taels of silver. A family like that..."

  The old man is a very practical person who fully carries out the idea of running away when he can't win.

  Actually, Xu Qian had already woken up. Sometimes, he was still in a daze, thinking about this matter. He and Xu Chang were the same, they had thought of running away with their tails between their legs, but as soon as this idea popped up, his heart would ache.

  Have been bullied for two lifetimes, must I continue to be bullied?

  If you can't even stand up for yourself today, what's the point of talking about studying? What's the point of talking about seeking wealth and fame? What's the point of talking about becoming a master?

  But... how can we deal with the Zhang family?

  Xu Qian said: "Dad, I've thought it through." He took a deep breath and spoke in a very serious tone: "I'm not leaving. My hometown is in Qiantang, and even if I want to take the imperial examination in the future, I'll still have to go through the county test. In the end, I'll still have to come back. Where can I run to? The Zhang family will definitely think of a way to deal with me again, but since Deng brother is here, they know that Deng brother is King Gong's person, so they won't dare to be too blatant. According to my estimation, they will slowly look for an opportunity. Rather than waiting like this, why don't we give the Zhang family a show of our strength first? I've already thought of a plan..."

  Xu Chang's face was heavy, and he hesitated for a long time. His eyes fell on Xu Qian's wound, and he couldn't help but say: "Let's discuss these things later, I'll go urge the doctor again to come take a look at you."

  Xu Chang said to reconsider, but Xu Qian knew his character. The old man had already made up his mind and was determined to accompany him in dealing with the Zhang family. People like the old man were most afraid of being bullied by the weak and feared the strong, such as the local tyrants like the Zhang family, who would not dare to provoke them. But this time, he had gained so much courage, all for Xu Qian's sake.

  Xu Qian's heart felt warm and fuzzy, this world has its cold and warmth, but it's not all tragic.

  Xu Chang has left, and only Deng Jian and Zhao Mengting, who is standing aside with a slightly red face and a hint of guilt, are left in the room.

  Deng Jian hastily came over and said: "Xu brother, just now..."

  Xu Qian smiled warmly at him and said, "Good brother, just now if it wasn't for you saving me, I'm afraid my life would have been in danger."

  Deng Jian's eyes lit up, and he patted his chest, saying: "It was just a small effort, you didn't see the scene at the time. Three iron tower-like men, one of whom used Black Tiger Heart Piercing, another who used Sweeping Hall Leg, and another..."

  Xu Qian didn't have the patience to listen to his fairy tale, and smiled as he cut him off: "Good brother, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

  Deng Jian suddenly felt that something was off, Xu Qian's gaze towards him was too pure, full of a silly and naive look. From his understanding of Xu Qian, when this guy looked like this, he must be asking for something, and it was definitely something big.

  Deng Jian suddenly lost his confidence and said indifferently: "I've been quite busy lately, cough... What's the matter, just say it."

  Xu Qiandao said: "I want to ask Deng brothers to take a leave for Wang Gonggong's side for a while, and accompany me to do something big."

  Deng Jian furrowed his brow, big deal... The big deal must be related to the Zhang family. A family like the Zhangs is not easy to mess with. However, thinking about it, he was after all a person of Wang Gonggong's, so there was no need to be afraid, but...

  Deng Jian laughed and said: "Xu brother has spoken, what else is there to say? However, Xu brother, I owe you money..."

  This is what's called a strategic opportunity period. Take advantage of others' misfortunes and rely on their debts, absolutely cannot be ambiguous. Deng Jian obviously deeply understands this principle.

  "Oh no, I've got a headache again, Mengting, come and massage it for me..."

  Deng Jian laughed and said, "After asking for leave, this silver will definitely be exempted. Well, since you've spoken up, I, Deng, am a good brother who values loyalty. In that case, I'll go ask for leave now."

  He put on a very righteous look, but his eyes were secretly looking at Xu Qian, hoping that his great move could move this shameless guy.

  "Wait a minute, Brother Deng."

  Deng Jian let out a sigh of relief. As the saying goes, "Heaven helps those who help themselves." It seems that this Xu fellow still has some conscience after all.

  "Is there anything else you'd like me to do, Brother Xu?"

  Xu Qian said seriously: "Brother Deng, when you come back, remember to bring me a few kilograms of red dates. I've suffered such a serious injury and need to nourish my blood. As for the cost of the red dates, just deduct it from the interest on the money you owe me."

  Deng Jianhuo's face turned red with rage, and he glared fiercely at Xu Qian, just about to lose his temper.

  Xu Qian finally smiled, Deng Jian was actually not a bad person, although he always had his eyes on your purse and money on his mind. However, putting aside the silver, he also helped Xu Qian quite a bit. Xu Qian said: "Deng brother don't be angry, just now it was just joking, to tell you the truth, as long as you follow me to get this thing done, not only will your old debt be cleared, but I'll also give you 20 taels of silver."

  "Twenty taels...... Brother Xu, have you taken the wrong medicine? Has your brain been damaged by those people just now?" Deng Jian couldn't believe it and looked at Xu Qian with suspicion, supporting his chin.

  Xu Qian said seriously: "It's not taking the wrong medicine, but playing a big game."

  Deng Jian didn't care about the twenty taels of silver, for him, twenty taels of silver was too unrealistic, it's better to cancel out the old debt and be free from debt, besides, the creditor was still Xujian this kind of person, since he got Xujian's promise, he went off happily on leave.