“The young master, this man is named Wu Tiehu, also a tenant on the estate. However, he dislikes hard work and prefers idling away his time, indulging in martial arts while neglecting his farmland and home. Remaining unmarried, he lives alone. He once joined the local militia, achieving first place in all training exercises. Later, his rebellious nature and penchant for drunken brawls led to serious injuries inflicted upon others, for which he was imprisoned. Now, somehow, he has been released…”
A servant beside Wu Ming whispered into his ear.
At this moment, seeing Wu Tiehu, the local militia members all shrank back in fear, though a few approached joyfully, calling him “Big Brother.”
“He certainly exudes ferocity. Judging by his physique, even in prison he must have been a prison bully!”
Wu Ming felt a stir of interest in his heart.
In times of peace, such a person would eventually face the law and be executed in the marketplace. However, the current situation is different!
Although the local militia is well-trained, they lacked real combat experience and the courage to defy the law when necessary.
In other words, defending the estate is their strength, but when it comes to confronting outsiders, they lack the courage. If it comes to rebelling against the government, they would scatter immediately.
The arrival of Wu Tiehu is indeed fortunate.
Though intrigued, Wu Ming showed no emotion on his face.
“What do you think, Young Master Ming? Do I have the qualifications?”
Wu Tiehu approached, his fierce aura even more apparent. He casually bowed with a grin.
“Since there are no restrictions, of course you can participate!” Wu Ming smiled. “However, you arrived late. Are you aware of your offense? According to our family law, being late for roll call warrants ten lashes as a warning!”
“Huh?”
Wu Tiehu’s eyes widened, resembling a tiger indeed. A nearby servant was so frightened that his face turned pale and he fell to the ground. Wu Ming, however, remained calm.
If Wu Tiehu did not submit to this punishment, he would not be under his command, making him an uncontrollable troublemaker. With such a temperament, better to eliminate him early. Though Wu Tiehu has strong bones, he has only learned basic martial arts techniques, at most comparable to the early stage of a spoiled young master, reaching the fourth level of physical training. Wu Ming could handle him with one hand, without needing Feng Han’s help.
“Indeed, I broke the rules and deserve punishment!”
Wu Tiehu stared at Wu Ming, then laughed heartily and suddenly knelt on one knee: “Come on!”
“Proceed!”
Wu Ming nodded. A man stepped forward with a leather whip.
Crack!
The whip landed, and Wu Tiehu grunted in pain, a red mark rising on his back.
This whip was made of cured cowhide soaked in brine, preventing infection but making it sting fiercely.
Crack! Crack!
In the cold wind, ten lashes were completed in an instant. A servant reported: “My lord, the punishment is complete!”
Wu Tiehu indeed proved himself a tough man, enduring in silence. He abruptly stood up, stretched his muscles, and glanced at the servant who had whipped him with disdain: “Heh… Yan San, your hand lacks strength. Did you spend all your energy on a woman last night?”
“Enough!”
Wu Ming frowned, and Wu Tiehu immediately fell silent.
“Since you’ve received your punishment and haven’t been removed from the militia, go and participate in the martial arts contest!”
“Thank you, young master!”
Wu Tiehu roared and charged into the arena, full of vigor like a tiger descending the mountain: “Who will challenge me?”
“Congratulations, young master, for gaining such a talent!”
After Wu Tiehu entered the contest and displayed his martial skills, Feng Han nodded slightly and congratulated Wu Ming.
“He’s not exactly a talent, just somewhat fierce and brave!” Wu Ming remained expressionless: “I’ll use him for now, rewarding him generously. If he still refuses to obey my laws in the end, I’ll have no choice but to kill him!”
Having experienced two cycles of tasks, Wu Ming’s mindset had changed. Though he didn’t view lives as grass, he had become resolute and mature. Feng Han felt a chill upon hearing Wu Ming so casually decide a man’s fate.
“Roar… Roar…”
At this moment, Wu Tiehu had just defeated his last opponent, letting out a triumphant roar…
…
“Master Feng Han, please have a bowl of ginger tea first!”
After the morning martial arts contest, Wu Ming and Feng Han returned to the manor together, sharing breakfast. The kitchen had already prepared steaming ginger tea, amber-colored, red and fiery, warming the body and making one sweat slightly.
“Excellent!”
Wu Ming also drank a bowl: “Tell the kitchen to send two bowls of tea to each of the local militia who came today. Also, give them five steamed buns and a piece of meat!”
Seeing this, Feng Han recalled the previous scene:
“Although Wu Tiehu won the martial contest, he lacked popular support and was ultimately passed over in the public vote. The position of village constable went to Zhao Song, with only a minor position given to Wu Tiehu. However, the young master also rewarded him with ten taels of silver, balancing rewards and punishments skillfully. I wonder if this wisdom is innate or learned from somewhere…”
“This constable office seems to overlap with the local militia in function, but it does have an official status, which has its uses…”
Wu Ming picked up a pastry and casually asked: “Master Feng, you previously investigated the Zhou family and even obtained some trade route intelligence. Where did you get that from?”
“They were obtained through previous associates… I have some connections in both the legitimate and underworld…”
Feng Han’s explanation was vague, but Wu Ming understood immediately.
With the unsettled times, there were many bandits.
Some greenwood heroes, influenced by novels and storybooks, liked to establish mountain strongholds, claiming to act on righteousness and justice.
Of course, most were minor threats easily eliminated by government troops, while a few survivors became lackeys for high-ranking officials and wealthy families.
Feng Han’s past wanderings might have involved such connections.
Seeing this, Wu Ming slightly waved his hand, dismissing the bystanders, and shared his plan: “Our village constable office originally has the duty to capture thieves, and we can openly train there. Let’s use this opportunity to train our troops. You can spread the word, inciting several bandit groups to attack the Zhou family’s trade routes. Then we can eliminate them all together, giving the Zhou family a small lesson!”
“This… this would be… impossible… none of the eighteen strongholds of the three families would dare to act…”
Feng Han was shocked.
“If they won’t act, can’t we force them to act?”
Wu Ming sneered: “Besides… even if they hold back, we can still take action directly. Afterward, we can just eliminate one of them, and it will be done!”
Feng Han was deeply moved.
This aura of blood and fire made him feel less like a nobleman’s son and more like a ruthless general. He hesitated slightly before saying:
“Just… we can justify it publicly, but privately, it will be a declaration of war against the Zhou family, leading to a fight to the death!”
“A fight to the death?”
Wu Ming sneered: “Ever since the Zhou family targeted me, the only heir of the Wu family and current head, haven’t our families already been in a fight to the death?”
“This is the end of the year, the Zhou family’s shops will certainly transport silver, money, and gifts back to the county. If we cut them off entirely, intercept them, the Zhou family’s business may be large, but their expenses are also huge. Let’s see how long they can last…”
This hit the nail on the head.
Although the Zhou family owns fifty hectares of land, they have over a thousand family members, and they need to support two officials, their expenses are as vast as mountains and seas.
In contrast, the Wu family has only twenty hectares of land, needing to support just Wu Qing and Wu Ming, with occasional assistance to the clan. The difference is immeasurable.
Moreover, government officials’ families engaging in commerce have a bad reputation, so they can only operate under the names of family-born servants, creating another distinction.
“If so… the Zhou family will surely be furious!”
Feng Han pondered: “It’s indeed a way to strike at the root, but if the Zhou family retaliates…”
“I’m afraid they won’t come!”
Wu Ming sneered: “Perfect, we can wipe them all out!”
A trace of killing intent surfaced, making Feng Han involuntarily shiver.
…
In the following days, the county town remained calm.
Even concerning the previous incident in Qingshi Village, the yamen simply dispatched someone to perfunctorily examine the ashes and zombies, wrapping up the case hastily.
The Zhou family made no move, even proactively removing Yu Cheng from his position as steward, presenting an image of swallowing their anger to resolve the conflict.
Wu Ming did not appeal anything, spending each day diligently training, mingling with the village constables and local militia, demonstrating his abilities and establishing his authority.
The two families appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, they were both concealing their claws and fangs. This silence was merely a better way to gather their strength, waiting for the thunderous strike!
Time passed unnoticed until the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
In this cold winter season, every household cooked Laba porridge with millet, red dates, longan, lotus seeds, mung beans, and other ingredients, filling the air with a fragrant aroma.
At this time, Feng Han, who had been absent for a while, returned and reported to Wu Ming: “Everything has been arranged. I’ve released the information about the Zhou family’s trade caravan. I didn’t dare to contact the bandit strongholds directly for fear of leaving evidence, but the route map has been delivered!”
“Excellent! We’re going to celebrate the New Year, and the bandits also need to create havoc to have a prosperous year!”
Wu Ming blew on his porridge: “The information my family worked so hard to obtain has been completely leaked to them. Like a piece of fatty meat right in front of their mouths, how could they resist?”
“Even if they could resist, it doesn’t matter!”
After finishing his porridge, Wu Ming took Feng Han with him to the martial arts training ground.
At this time, despite the bitter cold, more than a dozen men from the constable station, led by Zhao Song and Wu Tiehu, were training diligently. Nearby were carefully selected local militia members.
Seeing Wu Ming, they all shouted: “Greetings to the young master!”
Compared to before, they now exuded a more disciplined and martial air.
“Carry on!”
Over these days, Wu Ming had come to understand his subordinates thoroughly. Among the village constables, Zhao Song was quiet and reserved but responsible, literate, and highly respected. Wu Tiehu was a skilled martial artist with a few followers.
Of course, at this point, they were all under Wu Ming’s command.
“Change into these!”
Wu Ming waved his hand, and two servants carried several large boxes, thumping them heavily onto the ground.
“What is this…”
Wu Tiehu opened one box and saw inside were well-maintained leather armors, with two even inlaid with iron plates protecting vital areas like the chest, offering considerable protection.
Another box contained excellent hundred-refined steel swords, their blades gleaming coldly, along with strong bows and crossbows—all top-quality items moved from the armory.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage