Chapter 21: Buying a Mansion

  At three o'clock in the afternoon, Luoyang's Banbin Building, Qin Feng and his subordinates Hou Cheng, Bian Xi, and three people drank and talked happily. Later generations of interesting things, Hou Cheng, Bian Xi two people stared blankly. All feel that Qin Feng is an extraordinary person who cannot be compared to ordinary people, and he is indeed a strange person.

  "Sir, you said that there are bicycles with two wheels in the world, just like riding a horse?" Bian Xi couldn't believe it and asked again after coming out of Yanbin Building.

  "Not bad, just like riding a horse in the middle, with both feet pedaling to move forward like the wind. On such good roads as Luoyang, one can rival the speed of horses." Qin Feng couldn't help but smile when he said this, chatting with these ancient people was indeed interesting, casually mentioning some modern objects and they would be stunned.

  "The adults are truly knowledgeable scholars, we can't wait." Hou Cheng said with heartfelt praise.

  "Haha, each has their own expertise, you two are skilled in martial arts, I'm not." Qin Feng said with a smile. He thought to himself that it was time to strengthen his physique as well. Learning horseback archery and practicing Tai Chi were musts. With this in mind, he made a preliminary plan for himself: increase endurance and strength training, and when the opportunity arises, find an unmatched general to learn martial arts from, which would also be good for self-defense.

  "Sir, you want to buy a place to live, I don't know where you want to find it?" Hou Cheng asked while eating, as he had promised earlier that he would help Qin Feng find a place to live.

  Buying a house is one of life's top priorities, so Qin Feng asked: "I wonder how much this house costs."

  "Don't worry, sir. The luxurious mansions of the wealthy families are only worth around a thousand taels. An ordinary house can be bought for just over ten taels." Hou Cheng said hastily.

  Qin Feng had heard people say that in ancient times, the land was vast and the population was sparse, and ordinary families were often plagued by misfortune, so their houses were not very high. He wanted to refine white sugar, and seeing the small house on the street without even a courtyard, it was clear that they were struggling to make ends meet. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Let's find a slightly better mansion instead."

  Mr. Qin Feng has entrusted me with this task for the first time, so I must do it perfectly. As Hou Cheng thought of this, he said: "I heard that there are several large mansions for sale in the west of the city, let's go take a look?"

  ……

  "Zhang Li Zheng, come out quickly." Hou Cheng arrived on a street in the west of the city and found the local head here.

  Before long, a stout middle-aged man with a small mustache walked out of the gate. Seeing that it was Hou Cheng, the warden of Luoyang Prison, he didn't dare to be slow and his small eyes smiled into a slit. After coming out, he greeted: "Ah, Lord Hou, I'm sorry for not welcoming you from afar, please forgive me."

  "This is Luoyang Prison Warden Qin Feng." Hou Cheng hastily introduced.

  "Ah, you are Lord Qin Feng, I apologize for the disrespect!" Zhang Li became even more respectful, his small eyes shining brightly. It turned out that this was the legendary Qin Zi Jin, indeed a talented and handsome man. "Daughter, quick, come out and pay your respects to Lord Qin Feng."

  Two women walked out while talking and slightly bowed behind them.

  Zhang Li Zheng said: "Qin Feng sir, this is my daughter, she's only sixteen..."

  Qin Feng didn't expect that Zhang Li would introduce his daughter to him, and upon hearing this, he felt embarrassed and awkwardly bowed with a fist. Then, he saw the girl, who was quite good-looking, blushing and smiling.

  Hou Cheng laughed and scolded: "Zhang Li Zheng, stop playing with your fancy tricks, our family's elders are not someone you can aspire to."

  "Yes, yes, you can go back." Zhang Li Zheng didn't get angry either, and smiled: "Hou Cheng, sir, I don't know what business you have with me today?"

  "My family's Qin Feng needs a house, I remember you have several houses on this street, would you mind acting as an intermediary?" said Hou Cheng.

  "Alright, alright." After listening to Qin Feng's brief requirements, Zhang Li Zheng's small eyes twinkled with a smile and said: "Lord Qin is indeed very fortunate. On this street of mine, there happens to be a house that meets your needs. A three-section courtyard, not too big or too small, just right. Please follow me..."

  Qin Feng followed the man to a house in the middle of the street, and saw that the vermilion gate was covered with dust, but it couldn't hide its ancient simplicity.

  "Lord Qin, the Zhao family was also a prominent household in the past, but unfortunately, they had few descendants and their offspring committed crimes, leading to their downfall." Zhang Li Zheng said with a discerning expression.

  Ups and downs, joys and sorrows are inevitable, Qin Feng nodded slightly upon hearing this.

  Zhang Li rushed forward and knocked on the door, shouting: "Zhao's nephew, quickly open the door, a noble guest has arrived."

  After a good half day, Qin Feng was getting impatient. The large gate creaked open and out came a man in his thirties or forties, looking haggard and weak, saying: "So it's Zhang Lizi, what kind of noble guest have you brought here?"

  "Don't talk nonsense, a noble guest has indeed arrived. Aren't you trying to sell your house? Your uncle has been thinking about this matter for a long time. Coincidentally, Lord Qin Feng needs a residence, and your house can be considered settled." Zhang Li immediately signaled him not to speak rashly.

  "Qin... Lord Qin Feng! Are you referring to the prison governor of Luoyang Prison, Lord Qin Feng?" The middle-aged man's eyes widened, and he seemed to regain some energy.

  "You're quite knowledgeable, indeed it's Lord Qin Feng. If this ancestral home can be sold to Lord Qin Feng, it would also be a good account for your ancestors." Zhang Li Zheng hastily nodded and said.

  The middle-aged man passed by Zhang Li and looked back, seeing Qin Feng, Hou Cheng, and Bian Xi. The person in the middle had a heroic air about him, if it wasn't Qin Feng, who else could it be? The middle-aged man's face showed gratitude as he hastily took two steps down from the stairs, bowed his head and said: "I am Zhao Gan..."

  Qin Feng was shocked in his heart. How could this person kneel down as soon as he came up? He hastily helped him up and said, "I don't dare to accept such a great courtesy..."

  "If it weren't for Qin Feng's mercy, I'd still be stuck in the Luoyang prison...". Zhao Gan said hastily.

  It turned out that Zhao Gan was one of the prisoners released by Qin Feng the other day. Zhao Gan had been imprisoned in Luoyang Prison for more than a year, and his repeated appeals only earned him floggings from the prison guards, making him feel that he would die in Luoyang Prison. Unexpectedly, he was released by Qin Feng the other day and returned home, feeling deeply grateful to him.

  "Lord Qin, this is my ancestral home, with three courtyards in front and back, over ten main rooms, over ten side rooms, two wells... It's just that it has been neglected for years, so it looks a bit dilapidated..." Zhao Gan sighed.

  Qin Feng thought the house was just the right size and said: "Zhao Gan, how much are you planning to sell it for?"

  Zhao Gan immediately said: "Sir, just 50 taels."

  Zhang Li was shocked when he heard this. This kid must have gone crazy! It's only 50 yuan, I would have bought it if I knew earlier.

  Hou Cheng and Bian Xi looked at each other, in their opinion this house was not as good as the mansion of a noble family, but it was also a rare good house, at least worth one hundred guan. Hou Cheng then whispered: "Sir, fifty guan is very cheap..."

  Qin Feng nodded slightly and said: "50 taels, you've lost."

  "It's all thanks to you, sir. If it weren't for your kindness in helping me escape from the Luoyang prison, I would probably have died inside." Zhao Gan said hastily.

  Hou Cheng's face turned awkward upon hearing this, as he had indeed rarely paid attention to the issue of prisoners serving their full sentence. It was usually at the end of the year or the beginning of a new one that a batch would be released; if they missed it, many people ended up staying an extra year or two. Luckily, Lord Qin did not pursue responsibility for past mistakes.

  Qin Feng wants to stand out, so before the great chaos of the Eastern Han Dynasty, he must accumulate a good reputation. With a good reputation, it is possible to quickly accumulate popularity and recruit talents in times of trouble. Qin Feng would never do anything that would damage his reputation, so he said: "Zhao Gan, I know your grateful heart. Your intention I understand, but I absolutely cannot let you lose out. So, 100 guan, this house I will buy."

  "Sir......" Zhao Gan felt grateful in his heart.

  "Don't say any more, I'll take good care of your ancestral home. If you come back to redeem it one day, I'll return it to you, how's that?" Qin Feng said with a gentle smile.

  Zhao Gan had lived for several decades, and all he had ever heard was that officials oppressed the common people and took their property by force. He had never seen an official who actively thought of the people's welfare. "Your Honor!" Zhao Gan's emotions could not be expressed in words, and he knocked his head to the ground, paying his respects.

  "Sir, you are indeed a man of benevolence..." Zhang Li Zheng said with deep emotion, bowing his head in respect.

  Hou Cheng was also taken aback. He thought to himself that he had been serving in Luoyang City for over a decade, and this was truly the first time he had seen such a good official. The governor's benevolence is indeed well-deserved of his reputation!