Chapter Sixteen: Brother and Sister

  Hearing the sound of horseshoes outside, the young boys waiting in the Zao Wang Temple clenched their fists tightly, even the robust youth sitting on a chair narrowed his eyes, his whole body on guard.

  At the entrance, several boys of different heights walked in, each with two swords hanging from their waists.

  Kuaiwei youth's eyes narrowed even tighter, and the one walking at the end wasn't that Wei Wu, the once arrogant and invincible Northern City Hero Association's leader? What was the origin of those few kids in front, they looked like they were only 14 or 15 years old, wearing fine clothes, it was really hard to tell what their identity was, how could they make Wei Wu obey them so obediently.

  It was Cao Kun and his men who came in. Cao Song took a step forward, looked up and said loudly: "Are you Zheng Lao Hu of Nancheng?"

  That majestic young man sat in the chair, without standing up, and said coldly: "Indeed it is I, may I ask how this little brother is called?"

  Cao Song curled his lip: "My elder brother has taken a liking to you, when you become my elder brother's personal attendant, you will naturally know the name of the second master."

  The brothers of the Tiger Gang saw that the newcomers were just a few little kids, not as worried as they had been earlier. Seeing this talkative little fatty being rude, they all looked angry.

  Cao Gong rolled his eyes inwardly, this kid really spoke carelessly, what's with "fancying him", the way he put it sounded like he was some kind of evil young master who bullied men and tyrannized women.

  Zheng Lao Hu was furious and stood up with a loud laugh, slapping his hand on the chair. Cao Cong involuntarily took two steps back, as Zheng Lao Hu was about eight feet tall (about 1.84 meters), nearly two heads taller than Cao Cong.

  "It's a mule, it's a horse, take it out for a walk, in March there is no wind, be careful with big words or you'll get tongue-tied!" Zheng Lao Hu said as he stepped closer to Cao Song.

  Cao Gong saw that Zheng Lao Hu's body was robust and his lower half was stable, fearing that Cao Song would be at a disadvantage. He picked up the sword on his waist and swung it towards Zheng Lao Hu. Zheng Lao Hu did not expect that before they had even finished talking, the other side would take action, so he could only swing his knife to meet him. As soon as the two of them started fighting, Cao Song and the others, along with the people from the Laohu gang, all joined in, sticking together and starting a fight.

  Cao Song and Wei Xin were both fond of taking action, so they naturally charged forward towards the little ones in front of them without hesitation. Gu Na only watched the scene, waiting for someone to attack him before counterattacking.

  On the scene, there was only one person who did not take action, that is Zheng Lao Hu's brother, who looked at Cao Kun and Zheng Lao Hu fighting with a worried expression.

  Zheng Lao Hu's knife had not yet swung out, when the opponent's sword had already chopped onto his right arm. When the sword body touched his arm, he was filled with fear, would he become a one-armed tiger from now on? How could he lead his brothers then? No time to think more, a sharp pain made him almost shed tears, but it wasn't the pain of a knife or sword entering flesh. Cao Yun's sword had not been unsheathed.

  Not a moment later, few of the Tiger Gang brothers were standing. Cao Song and Wei Xin both had injuries on their bodies, only Gu Na defeated several people and no one dared to provoke him again, standing aside with a calm expression. Cao Guang and Zheng Lao Hu also stopped fighting, Cao Guang looked down at his body, two places on his chest were damaged, while the opponent's body had more than ten knife wounds. Although Zheng Lao Hu was a commoner, his knife skills were impressive, indeed having some skill, enough to be considered good even among the Cao family guards.

  Zheng Lao Hu knelt on the ground, his two arms unable to lift. Although the unsharpened sword cut into his body without drawing blood, it was extremely painful. Zheng Lao Hu gritted his teeth and glared at Cao Yun, saying: "If you want to kill me, then kill me! If you want Old Tiger to be a slave, forget about it in this lifetime!"

  Cao Gong didn't say a word, and nodded at Cao Song. Cao Song took out a small pouch from his bosom, which was filled with loose silver coins. He walked into the crowd of Hu Bang members, distributing the coins while saying: "Hu Bang is disbanding today! Each brother gets two taels of silver, not too much or too little! Honest brothers go home and take care of your parents. If you're really starving, go find Xu Laosan in East City! And if there are any bold ones who still dare to set up a gang in South City... haha, we'll meet again when the time comes!"

  Listening to this old-fashioned Jianghu speech, Cao Huan only felt amused. Wei Xin, who was watching all of this with a cold eye, sneered in his heart. This is the dogshit young master of the Cao Mansion, what's the difference between him and myself? He can only pretend to be elegant in front of people, but in the mansion, he is a well-behaved and sensible little young master. When he goes out, he is even more arrogant than a local ruffian. It's the same with heroes, it's also the same with the Old Tiger Gang. In name, they say they are disbanded, but in reality, they are still under Xu Lao Liu's command. Xu Lao Liu was originally a hoodlum who had fought against Cao Song, but later he was defeated by Cao Huan and surrendered, acknowledging Cao Song as his leader.

  Those brothers of the Tiger Gang were mostly poor young men, and normally having a few coppers was like celebrating the New Year; who would have thought there was such a wonderful thing as dividing up silver? They all took it in stunned silence.

  Cao Song finished dividing the silver and clapped his hands, saying: "Disperse! Disperse!"

  The people of Laohu Bang finally realized what was going on, but the sly one had already escaped. A few who were closer to Zheng Laohu looked at him, not knowing what to do.

  Although Cao Song was not very old, he was extremely concerned about his reputation. Seeing that a few people were not obedient to him and with Wei Xin watching from the side, he felt embarrassed and drew out a sword in anger, saying: "Do you really think Master's temper is good? Don't hurry up and roll away! Do you want to taste Master's blade?"

  Those young men were beaten once, and their courage was chilled. Hearing Cao Song's harsh words, they didn't dare to stay any longer, and they rolled out of the temple gate in a hurry.

  Apart from Cao Kun, only Zheng Lao Hu and his younger brother were left in the temple. His younger brother saw that Cao Kun was the leader of the group, and with red-rimmed eyes, he rushed forward and knelt down with a "thud": "Master, please spare my elder brother! Zheng Jiang is willing to be your slave in place of my brother!"

  Cao Gong didn't look at Zheng Jiang, but instead turned around and sat down on the chair in front of the offering table, muttering to himself: "Zheng Jiang, shouldn't it be Zheng Wo Xue?"

  One sentence made all the Zheng brothers change their faces, Zheng Jiang was speechless, and Zheng Lao Hu's face was full of resentment, staring at Cao Yun fiercely: "Who are you? Which old thief sent you?"

  Cao Kun did not respond to Zheng Laohu's words, but slowly said: "Yang Mingchang, the east house of Bihelou in Jiangning, is also known as 'Yang Baiwan'. Originally named Yang Gouer, he was from Jinsha Town, Nantong Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. After his parents died young, he was raised by his distant relative Zheng's family and became a son-in-law at the age of 19. The Zheng family made a living by pearl farming and had a considerable fortune. Yang Gouer took this as his foundation and changed his name to Yang Mingchang sixteen years ago, opening Bihelou in Jiangning. Fourteen years ago, he married the eldest daughter of the White family, the owner of Xishitang, a century-old jewelry store in Jiangning, as his wife. Since then, Bihelou has become the largest pearl and jewelry building on the banks of Qinhuai River.

  Zheng Lao Hu's eyes were red, his lips tightly pursed, and he no longer responded. Cao Yun paused for a moment before continuing: "In the fifth month of Kangxi 40, Zheng Shi, who was seriously ill, brought her son Zheng Hai and daughter Zheng Wo Xue to Jiangning to pay respects to their ancestors, but were rejected by Yang Ming Chang at the door. Later, they were also humiliated by his wife, Bai Shi. That night, Zheng Shi passed away, leaving behind two children who became homeless in Jiangning."

  Cao Song and Wei Xin were both hearing this for the first time, and upon learning that Yang Baiwan was such a despicable and ungrateful person, they became enraged and began to curse loudly. Zheng Lao Hu angrily shouted: "Bastard, shut up!" Next to him, Zheng Wo Xue, who was dressed as a man, couldn't hold back her tears anymore and burst into sobs.

  "What? Don't you know that children shouldn't disobey their parents? If you're so filial, I'm afraid you'll get your way and be able to recognize your ancestors and become the young master of the Yang family in two days." Cao Yun said indifferently.

  Zheng Lao Hu, also known as Zheng Hai, clenched his fists and shook his head violently: "My surname is Zheng! I have my own ancestors! Who cares about the Yangs!"

  Cao Guang looked at Zheng Hai coldly and shook his head: "This can't be helped by you, these two years the East Sea pearls and South Sea pearls have been gradually decreasing, while the Eastern Ocean pearls are pouring into Jiangnan. Yang Mingchang wants to send his son as a hostage, and connect with the Japanese line! If you don't go, do you want the White family's grandson to go instead?"

  Seeing Zheng Hai's stunned expression, Cao Kun continued: "Even the arrangement of your sister is already settled, Yang Mingchang has arranged for her to be given to the newly appointed Jiangning General Wan Jihai as his fifth concubine!"

  Zheng Hai gradually calmed down and looked at Cao Yun, saying: "Who are you after all? Are you from the Yang family? Do you want to take us siblings back?"

  "What is the Yang family? They're just a wealthy peasant family who can only pretend to be rich in front of outsiders. In our Cao family's eyes, they're nothing but a humble servant! My elder brother is the eldest son of the Weaving Bureau, with the title of First-Rank Light Chariot Lieutenant, which is even higher than the Jiangning Prefecture by several ranks. As his senior attendant, it would be easy for him to protect you and your siblings!"

  Among the four people in Cao Kun's group, Zheng Hai only knew Wei Xin. With a puzzled gaze, he looked over and saw him nod before confirming Cao Kun's identity.

  In Jiangning, who doesn't know the Cao family of Weaving and Dyeing Bureau? Two years ago, when the Emperor toured the south, he stayed at the Cao's. Now, inside and outside the city, everyone is busy, all because the Emperor is about to arrive in Jiangning again, and it's still the Cao family who will be receiving him without exception. No wonder the young master of the Wei family willingly became someone else's subordinate; what can Zheng Hai do with his unknown name? Thinking of this, Zheng Hai closed his eyes, bowed his head and said: "As long as you agree to protect my sister, I, Zheng Hai, am willing to serve you as my master!"

  Cao Gong nodded, glanced at Gu Na. Gu Na took out two pre-written slave contracts from her bosom and pulled out a small box to take out a goose feather pen. Zheng Hai signed the contract with his head hung low in despair, originally wanting to stop his sister, but he let out a sigh and didn't speak again.

  The brother and sister both looked worried and unhappy. Neither of them had read what was written on the contract, and after signing it, they hung their heads in silence, not saying a word.

  "How come you guys don't take a good look at the contract? Aren't you afraid that Master Cao has ulterior motives and will turn you into his personal slaves?" Cao Guang asked with a smile.

  The brother and sister were both literate, so they picked up the contract, looked at it carefully, and as they read on, their eyes widened in incredulity.

  "Is this true?" Zheng Hai stuttered: "Selling myself for ten years, the price is two thousand taels of silver, two hundred taels per year!"

  Gu Na retrieved the deed of sale from his siblings and handed four silver tickets to Zheng Hai, each worth one hundred taels.

  Zheng Hai, where is there still doubt? Cao Gong said faintly: "Those two thousand taels of silver are just the surface value, if you do your own duty well, ten years later, whether you want to take Yang Mingchang's life or seize his industry, I will help you! If this promise is violated, heaven will strike with lightning!"

  Zheng Hai heard this and tears streamed down his face. He fell to the ground again and said in a low voice, "I dare not fail to serve my lord!"

  Cao Gong helped Zheng Hai up: "Get up, take your sister to Linxiazhai, find Cao Fang to settle down, and there will be arrangements for you in two days!"

  "Yes, young master!" Zheng Hai responded in a hoarse voice, and after kowtowing to Cao Kun again, he left with his sister, limping and hobbling.

  "Master, young master!" After Zheng Hai and his sister left, Wei Xin stepped forward, slightly tense, saying: "I want to ask something!"

  Cao Gong smiled and said: "In the future, it's still better to call you young master. Being a slave or not being a slave doesn't matter, just enjoy the experience for a few days."

  "Yes, young master. I was wondering, what does my contract say?" Wei Xin scratched his head, saying embarrassedly: "I also signed it carelessly at the time and didn't pay attention to what was written on it."

  "Just like Zheng Hai!"

  Wei Xin listened and almost fainted with joy, two hundred taels a year! To think that his elder brother, as a sixth-grade official, only earned sixty taels of silver in annual salary. Two hundred taels, two hundred taels, on average, sixteen taels per month, not to mention more, was eight times his monthly allowance. Following such a master, let alone being a long follower for ten years, even if he were to serve him for the rest of his life, he would be willing with all his heart.

  Cao Song didn't think much of it, regarding his brother wanting Wei Xin and Zheng Hai to sign a contract selling themselves. He thought that as his brother's underlings, they were just like his own people, but he also knew how to keep secrets. If the family found out, they would think that the two brothers were bullying others with their power. Gu Na, on the other hand, was well aware of his cousin's nature, although he had been practicing martial arts diligently for several years, he was a lazy person through and through, most loathing to use his brain. Having known each other for many years, he just thought of an idea and came up with Linxiazhai.

  Wei Xin was easy to persuade, and considering Wei Ren's face, he jokingly accepted them as servants. But what about the Zheng siblings? Since receiving Yang Mingchang's message from Lin Xiaozhai, Cao Yun had been racking his brains for two days, which is why he successfully recruited the Zheng siblings today. All of this fell under Gu Na's eyes, and Gu Na was filled with doubts.