Chapter 6: Huang Changshi's Troubles

  The next day, Wen Han got up early and started practicing Tai Chi in the backyard of the Zhou Mansion.

  In later generations, as Tai Chi continues to evolve, the Tai Chi that Wen Han is now practicing has even deeper martial connotations. Not only can it strengthen one's body and health, but also integrate the meaning of yin-yang harmony into one's own martial arts.

  Wen Han has been practicing this set of Tai Chi every day for ten times since he learned it. He gained some profound insights from it, improved his martial arts skills, and felt the wonderful changes in Tai Chi.

  "Master... what kind of martial arts are you practicing?"

  Li Qiang, who had a habit of exercising in the morning, got up and saw Wen Han practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard. Li Qiang watched for a while and found that his moves seemed mysterious, making him itch to ask Wen Han for guidance.

  Just as he was about to speak, he thought of his current status as a literary attendant and couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

  "Haha. This is Tai Chi, want to learn?"

  Wen Han smiled and said, "Yesterday I had to attend a banquet at the Yang County Magistrate's residence, and in my haste, I didn't even get to say a few words to Li Qiang. As for Li Qiang, this lucky follower, Wen Han was very appreciative of him."

  Li Qiang's physical quality is robust, even better than that of Wen Han, who has been training and tempering his body since childhood. If given time, Wen Han will teach Li Qiang some profound and mysterious martial arts routines from later generations, and Li Qiang will surely achieve great success.

  "Think! However, Master, you're teaching me this martial art, aren't you afraid of leaking it?" Li Qiang heard a tone in Wen Han's words that seemed willing to teach him this set of martial arts, and he hastily responded excitedly.

  However, Li Qiang thought of his own identity as a follower and immediately became disheartened.

  In ancient times, the martial arts routines were the foundation of those martial artists. Unless they were close relatives or disciples, they would not casually pass them on to others.

  "You are my attendant, so you are my family. As a family member, how can you reveal our own martial arts? Come quickly, I will teach you the first few moves, and then you can go back to study them slowly, don't forget to practice."

  I will often check your progress. When you are proficient, I will teach you the next few sets of moves."

  Wen Han said sincerely, looking at Li Qiang's eyes without any suspicion, giving Li Qiang a very kind feeling.

  "Thank you, Master! I will definitely practice well!"

  Li Qiang knelt down and shouted with extreme excitement.

  Originally thought that having lost the bet, he would live a life of humiliation. Unexpectedly, Wen Han didn't treat him as a servant at all. That one sentence 'family member' shook his heart deeply!

  "Hurry up and stand up. A man has gold under his knees! Li Qiang, we men only kneel to heaven, earth, and our parents! From now on, don't dare to casually kneel down again, otherwise I will heavily punish you!"

  Wen Han's scolding words fell into Li Qiang's ears, but in his heart he felt warmth. Li Qiang quickly stood up and gave Wen Han a silly smile.

  "Dummy. Come on, this is the first set of moves, follow me and practice. After you're done, if you don't understand, ask me again." Wen Han laughed and scolded a sentence before posing his body to start teaching Li Qiang Tai Chi.

  An hour later, Zhou Leng walked in from the door, but his face was full of worry. Wen Han had just finished teaching Li Qiang's kung fu and saw that Zhou Leng's expression was not good, so he asked.

  "Big Brother Zhou, what's wrong? Didn't you receive County Magistrate Yang's order and go to the home of the long historian to discuss the matter of leading troops?"

  Chang Shi is the person in charge of military power in the county.

  "Hey! Younger brother, you don't know the whole story. That Huang Zhangshi must have eaten something wrong and is intentionally making things difficult for me, refusing to let me lead the troops. I offered him a large sum of money, but he threw the gold on the ground, saying I was insulting him."

  "Brother, why don't I talk to that Yang County Magistrate about this matter and have him take charge directly so we can lead the troops?"

  "No need, it's a small matter. We'll just go find Yang Hong, and he'll think we're not capable enough and take back the order. Li Qiang, do you know where Huang Zhangshi's house is?"

  Wen Han vetoed Zhou Lian's proposal and then asked Li Qiang again.

  "Yes, I know, master."

  Li Qiang immediately responded.

  "Alright, you lead the way. I'll go meet this Huang Changshi."

  A cold glint flashed in Wen Han's eyes. In this chaotic world, the strong prey on the weak. When it's time to be tough, you can't be ambiguous, or everyone will bully you like a dog.

  Moreover, who can guarantee that Huang Changshi dares to be difficult with Zhou Lin because of Yang Hong's instructions? After all, handing over 500 soldiers and horses to Wen Han, a young man who relies solely on his words but has not shown his actual strength, would make anyone uneasy!

  Wen Han took the imperial edict from Zhou Lian's hand and left the Zhou Mansion under Li Qiang's escort.

  On the other side, in Huang Fu's residence in Xie County.

  Huang Changshi, originally named Huang Le, married a woman from a prestigious family in Xiezhen County who was not low in status. Relying on his connections and smooth nature, he climbed to the position of Longshi, also considered a prominent figure in Xiezhen County.

  "Old master, how could the timid and fearful Yang Hong suddenly change his ways and lead troops to attack the great house of Pei? Should we send someone to Black Wind Mountain immediately to inform the great house of Pei?"

  The speaker was a staff member of Huang Le, surnamed Li and second in the family, known as 'Li Er'. This person has some small wisdom, originally a thief in Heifeng Mountain, later because Pei Yuanshao and Huang Le had a relationship, at a banquet by chance, he was spotted by Huang Le and taken under his command.

  Usually, Li Er is also responsible for the communication between Huang Le and Pei Yuanshao. There are interests between Huang Le and Pei Yuanshao, Huang Le is in charge of providing some convenience to Pei Yuanshao, while Pei Yuanshao will secretly give benefits to Huang Le every month, making Huang Le's purse full and his days go smoothly.

  "Hum! According to Yang Hong, the leader is only 19 years old. Not yet at the age of wearing a crown, he dares to propose the idea of eliminating bandits. Truly ignorant of what's good for him! However, Yang Hong also said, let me try out this young man's tactics. If it's just all talk and no action, then we'll call off this expedition."

  However, I heard that Xiaobei and Ma Zong's gang fought fiercely that day, with quite sharp martial arts skills. His use of hidden weapons was even more ingenious. I had just driven away Xiaobei's friend Zhou Long, and I'm afraid soon Xiaobei will come knocking on the door asking for troops.

  Although it is impossible for him to pass through the barrier, just in case, Li Er, you quickly go to Heifeng Mountain to inform Pei Da Dangjia. If that little thief unexpectedly succeeds in eliminating the bandits, the matter between me and Pei Da Dangjia will be exposed, and we will all be executed along with our nine clans!

  Huang Le's face turned cold, and he felt a sense of inexplicable panic in his heart. In this chaotic world, which official has a clean body? Among officials, they extort each other level by level. Otherwise, you'll be kicked out.

  Huang Le wants to maintain his position as a long history, he must go and be greedy.

  But Yang Hong, that greedy ghost, had almost squeezed dry all the oily waters in Xie County, so how could he, this Long Shi, intervene? Therefore, Huang Le had no choice but to take a risk and get involved with the big boss of Heifeng Mountain, Pei Yuanshao.

  Li Er led the way and left soon after. Huang Le fell into a brief silence, thinking about what proper method to use to stop Wen Han from leading the troops.

  Just then, a noisy dispute broke out outside Huang Fu's residence.

  "Halt! Whoever wants to enter the Changshi Mansion must first report and announce their presence before entering."

  A soldier guarding the entrance of the Huang Fu shouted loudly.

  "I have County Magistrate Yang's warrant and the military tally from Huang Zhangshi. You are obstructing me, delaying military action; what crime should you be guilty of?"

  "Li Qiang, clear the way for me!"

  Wen Han gave a loud order, and Li Qiang immediately charged forward, grabbing the two soldiers who tried to stop him from advancing and throwing them to the ground like chickens. Wen Han kicked open the large gate of Huangfu's mansion, and five or six soldiers guarding inside heard the commotion outside and came rushing out.

  "You reckless rascals, how dare you barge into the Magistrate's residence without permission? Are you trying to get yourselves thrown into jail?"

  Five or six gentlemen-in-waiting stepped forward, holding bright iron spears and pointing them at Wen Han, shouting loudly.

  "Look at the token in my hand, the expedition to Heifeng Mountain is a major event entrusted by County Magistrate Yang. But Huang Zhangshi deliberately made things difficult for my brothers and me, refusing to hand over the military symbol. If we delay the military operation and leak the news, it will lead to our failure in suppressing the bandits."

  "When the time comes, if Yang County Magistrate wants to blame me. Today, you are blocking my way, I will definitely report it. You want to follow me and bury me with me!"

  Wen Han's eyes were like torches, not fearing the iron spears in front of him. He scolded the soldiers while walking towards Huang Fu's residence. Behind Wen Han, Li Qiang vigilantly glared at the soldiers to prevent them from getting close to Wen Han.

  Those soldiers heard Wen Han's words and saw Wen Han holding up the token, and for a moment they were stunned on the spot and dared not make any moves.

  "Which of you scoundrels dares to be so presumptuous in the yamen of this prefect! You, take down this scoundrel at once!"

  At this time, Huang Zhangshi walked out of the Xuan Gate, his face full of anger, commanding the soldiers.

  "Who dares to approach the master of our house by half a step? I'll tear him apart!"

  Li Qiang took a step forward, his big eyes staring as wide as cow's eyeballs.

  "Hum! This county is going to change its sky, I have County Magistrate Yang's token in my hand, and I will eliminate the bandits by order. But Huang Zhangshi seems to be ignoring it, can't you see or hear? Are you treating County Magistrate Yang as a mere decoration?"

  Wen Han stared coldly at Huang Le, his body taking step by step towards Huang Le.

  "You!!! You treacherous and deceitful scoundrel, how dare you slander this official! Yang County Magistrate is diligent in governance and loves the people, deeply supported by the masses. Our chief historian often instructs me to learn from Yang County Magistrate."

  You! You! You! How dare you speak nonsense here! The history will not be distorted because of you!"

  Huang Le was so angry that his whole body trembled, baring his teeth and brandishing his claws, like a defeated fighting cock, as if he couldn't wait to rush forward and tear Wen Han's mouth apart.

  "It's come to this, whether I accept this token or not! You all, watch closely. Huang Zhangshi, do you want to defy the order? Look down on County Magistrate Yang as if he were nothing!"

  At this time, Wen Han had walked to Huang Le's side. Under Huang Le's gloomy gaze, he handed the token over to Huang Le's hand.

  In this way, Wen Han forced Huang Le into a dilemma, and in the face of everyone's gaze, if Huang Le openly defied orders, this matter would spread. Even if Yang Hong had entrusted Huang Le to make things difficult for Wen Han, he wouldn't easily forgive him.

  Because, Huang Le openly defied orders, which is equivalent to trampling on Yang Hong's face. This would make it difficult for Yang Hong, as the head of a county, to see people in the future, and he would certainly be ridiculed among officials and scholars!

  "Me!!!! I'm next!!!"

  Huang Le's eyes spewed out fiery flames of anger, gritting his teeth, words burst forth from his throat.