Whether in the old dynasty or now, masters do not belong to the official profession. They are usually talented people hired privately to help.
Not only do they help with various matters, big or small, they are also think-tank-like beings. In terms of real power, they are no less powerful than their parents.
If there really is a master sent by the Wang family in Xieyang County, let alone a new county magistrate, even if the Anshui County Sheriff comes, he may not be able to protect a few children.
I can’t have this master.
But there must be a reason for rejection. If it is too obvious, people will always know the clues. If someone discovers that the new county magistrate intends to protect Fang Heng, it will cause more trouble.
The new county magistrate has a bad habit of pulling out his hair when he is worried, and he also likes to go out for a walk in plainclothes.
He passed through the county government office and arrived at Youranju, where he saw Zheng Ruqian unloading bacon.
Walking further, I saw Xu Mo walking towards the west school of the city holding the Four Treasures of the Study, with Fang Heng behind him. The two brothers seemed to be discussing something.
"Yes!" The new county magistrate slapped his thigh.
Xu Mo turned around and looked at his third brother, "What's wrong?"
"Brother, I...I..." Fang Heng hesitated, "What do you think of the danger in Fucheng this time?"
Xu Mo was silent for a moment.
Any ideas?
It can only be a sense of crisis. Even if you become a scholar, even if your family gradually has enough food, life is still difficult, with dangers everywhere, and even life-threatening.
"I think I should prepare for the imperial examination." Xu Mo sighed softly, "Although I am not sure enough, only by doing the imperial examination can I have a chance to become an official."
Only by becoming an official can one completely protect his younger siblings.
Only then can he compete with the Fang family and behead Zhu Zhi under the guillotine.
Speaking of which, by some strange combination of circumstances, the two brothers actually had a common enemy.
Xu Mo smiled slightly and looked at Fang Heng, "Third brother, do you have your own ideas? If so, just go for it."
Fang Heng took a long breath.
He does have an idea.
If there were only one or two desperadoes he met in Fucheng this time, he would be able to compete with them. The reason why he was injured was because he was unable to support himself.
If you can have two helpers, or more, even if you can't defeat the desperadoes, you will always have a chance to escape, which is better than standing as a target.
In the past, in the Fang family, Fang Heng also had personal guards and various secret guards.
But with the transfer of power to the Fang family, these protections disappeared without a trace.
"I want to... recruit some servants." Fang Heng said softly, "Teach them martial arts and train their reactions to protect you."
The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, followed by now.
Although the awareness of protection came a little late, fortunately it is not too late.
Xu Mo had no objection, "Let go and do what you want to do."
Fang Heng's eyes filled with tears.
He clenched his fists and said loudly, "Don't worry, brother, I won't spend this money in vain."
Xu Mo lowered his head and smiled.
Of course he knew that the money would not be wasted, but he also knew that there were two money lovers in the family.
He also knew that recruiting domestic servants was a big investment.
as expected.
During dinner in the evening, as soon as Fang Heng made this suggestion, Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian's eyes widened.
Fang Heng was also embarrassed and said shyly, "If it's too expensive, I can also open a martial arts gym to make money first, and then slowly select some people who are willing to sign a death contract with me."
It's just that the speed will be slower.
Xu Mo pursed his lips and was about to say a few good words for Fang Heng.
Jiang Sheng suddenly nodded, "Okay, how much will it cost?"
The whole family looked sideways.
Zheng Ruqian couldn't close his mouth and said in surprise, "Xiao Jiang Sheng, this is the first time you are so generous? I asked you to buy a carriage and you are not willing to part with it."
Jiang Sheng took out all his money unusually calmly and spread it out on the table.
"Both the eldest brother and the second brother are doing their own things and working hard for the family. The third brother also wants to work hard to protect the family. There is nothing wrong with that."
"Jiang Sheng is not being generous. Jiang Sheng just doesn't want to see the third brother lying in bed unable to wake up... and doesn't want anyone in the family to get hurt again."
She said, her voice suddenly weakened.
Fang Heng had the best eyesight, and when he saw the tears in his sister's eyes through the flickering oil lamp, he couldn't help but feel pain in his heart.
These winds and rains are all brought by myself...
Fang Heng is not a weak person. On the contrary, he is determined. Otherwise, he would not have been able to survive half a year in the dark room, let alone create trouble and save a life from the Wang family.
The more heartache he felt, the more he knew what he should do, and the more he knew he couldn't let go of his family's support.
"Giving me a hundred taels of silver is enough." Fang Heng closed his eyes, "A hundred taels of silver, and I will personally create an iron-blooded guard."
In the slave market, an ordinary adult costs ten to twenty taels of silver.
If you are a young and strong man, you can sell it for thirty or forty taels, but you often can't buy it.
For one hundred taels, you can only choose three people at most.
Fortunately, Fang Heng is smart and eccentric, specializing in buying children aged seven, eight to ten years old. They are usually sold by their parents for money, or they are beggars who cannot afford to eat, so they can only sell themselves to Yapo. It's only seven or eight taels of silver each.
For one hundred taels of silver, he chose eight children, seven boys and one girl.
Everyone signed the death contract.
Only a death contract can prevent them from having different intentions in the future.
Zheng Ruqian rented a yard next to the small courtyard, and Jiang Sheng bought bedding and pots and pans to provide them with food and accommodation.
It's the first day of training.
Fang Heng stood in front of the eight children and said solemnly and coldly, "You are the ones I bought. I will provide you with food and clothing, and give you regular money, but you must practice martial arts well and protect my family in the future."
"From today on, you have no past. Forget your previous names. You only need to remember your current code names, numbers one to eight."
"And your surname is Jiang."
Jiang Sheng’s ginger.
From the day of the fight, the sounds of various martial arts exercises were often heard in the small courtyard next door, such as tying horses, tying sandbags, practicing boxing and swordsmanship, holding water tanks, and finding balance.
Jiang Sheng was a little uncomfortable at first. She always felt that those children were about the same age as herself, so why did they have to suffer so much.
Until Chang Yan said quietly, "The third brother came here the same way, even he was younger at the time."
Jiang Sheng stopped talking.
Everyone in this world is made of flesh and blood, but some live in intoxication and dream of death, throwing away money from bounties, and some are impoverished and do not have enough to eat.
Jiang Sheng was lucky enough to meet Aunt Zhang and his brothers.
More street children like her either starved to death or froze to death, and some were beaten to death for no reason.
In comparison, although martial arts training is a bit harder, at least they have food and drink. The third brother even hired an aunt to cook for them, and even Jiang Sheng and his sister also ate along with them.
The days pass by.
Fang Heng was training his servants here, and the new county magistrate was not idle either. He ordered people to make arrangements at the county government office, calling it a welcome to the new master.
On the day when the Wang family came, he would set off firecrackers and blow the trumpet to give compliments to the guests.
Just when the visitor was smiling and ready to receive his own honor.
The new county magistrate opened the envelope and said with a smile, "I welcome this young master very much, but unfortunately, I have just hired a master, so you are a step too late."
The visitor was stunned and took the letter of appointment. Three words were clearly written on it.
Master Xu!
