"Huh? To get fame?" Bai Song almost bit his tongue.
"Exactly!" Magistrate Chai said seriously, "To be the leader of a poor family means to pave a smooth path for the poor people in the world. The scientific examination is a door opened by the emperor for the poor people in the world. You have to walk in and prove to the world that It proves that this road is bright and gives confidence to the poor people in the world."
"First, I didn't promise you to be the leader of a poor family. Second, I don't have the ability to be the leader of a poor family. Third, the imperial examination system does not require me to prove it. There are so many poor families in the world who have gone through this journey? Why do you need me? Mr. Chai, I heard that you were once the top three in the palace examination. You have already gone through it, why do you still want me to go?"
"At that time, I was afraid of the power of the gentry and did not fight for it. Although I was among the top three, I had to serve as a county magistrate. Looking at the imperial examinations in previous years, no one was reused by the imperial court through the imperial examination. Now, although the poor scholars still retain their enthusiasm, But if talented people are treated coldly for a few more years, no one will be willing to take the imperial examination."
"It's ridiculous. Since you already know it, why should I repeat it again? It doesn't matter if I pass the exam, it's still the same!"
"You are different, you can fight! You can fight for everything you deserve."
"That's the wrong thing to say. I won't fight, and I don't want to fight. Imperial examination? No interest, not at all. All I want is to keep a piece of land, raise a family, have enough food and clothing, and have children and grandchildren. Full house, that’s all.”
"It's not up to you. If you don't agree to take part in the imperial examination, I won't help you get away with it."
"Master Chai, have you learned how to threaten people?"
Chai Guan said with a cold face: "I do everything for the poor people in the world, and also for you. Everything you ask for, if you can't take power, even if the Zheng family is gone, there will be other Zhang families, Li families, and Wang families. You are like this We live in a poor family and want to settle down in a corner? That's impossible."
"Impossible? Let's wait until then."
"Why are you so ignorant? Aren't you afraid of being punished with death?"
"Master Chai, do you really think I am a reckless man who doesn't care about anything? Burning the Lin family paper factory has nothing to do with me. Beating the Lin family master is just for self-protection. Even if this matter involves the Lin family, the head of the Lin family will not embarrass me, or even And he will plead for me."
"You admitted in person that you set the fire on top of the restaurant, and you still said you had nothing to do with it?"
"You are talking nonsense after drinking, how can you take it seriously? Even if I admit it in front of adults now, but I deny it in court, you can't do anything to me. Everyone in the county knows that the person who set the fire was a martial arts master with a sword. I am like this How can a common citizen be related to a martial arts master?"
"You! But you beat Young Master Lin..."
"How could I, a weak scholar, defeat seven or eight dandy boys? Obviously no one would believe it. As for Lin Youwei falling from the building, I guess he did it deliberately in order to aggravate my crime. Mr. Chai , you should investigate this matter carefully. By the way, I am doing this for the Lin family. The deeper the conflict between me and the Lin family, the Zheng family will no longer target the Lin family. I am helping the Lin family. How can the Lin family really blame the family? Woolen cloth?"
"You have such a deep plan! Did you think of everything before you hit someone?"
"Your Excellency is ridiculous. Since you are appreciated by Your Excellency, you must have some extraordinary abilities. If not, it would be a slap in Your face."
Chai Guan frowned, not wanting his well-intentioned arrangement to be ruthlessly rejected by this kid.
How could a good literati not have ambitions to conquer the world?
Chai Guan was a little annoyed and flicked his sleeves: "Just stay here and face the wall!"
After that, one person left the interrogation room and locked Bai Song inside alone.
Seeing Lord Chai come out, Master Liang hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Sir, how was the conversation?"
Chai Guan frowned and shook his head: "It's just a waste of money and salt! I just can't understand that with me paving the way for him, with just a little effort, he will be able to rise to the top in the future. He actually dismisses such favorable conditions."
"What? Your Excellency wants to protect him so bluntly, but he remains unmoved?"
"Hmph! Guarding a piece of land, raising a family, having no worries about food and clothing, and having children and grandchildren all around him, this is what he wants in his heart. If he doesn't think about making progress, there is no cure!"
"I just told you that your Excellency thinks highly of this person, so that's fine. Let's deal with it impartially and save trouble."
The two exchanged words and continued talking outside the cell.
At this time, the government servant who went to the Lin Mansion to inquire about the matter returned and whispered to Magistrate Chai: "Sir, Mr. Lin said that the Lin family does not want to pursue this matter, so it can be punished with a small amount of punishment."
Master Liang felt something was wrong after hearing this, and said in shock: "A small punishment? Are you mistaken? Beating the Lin family, missing the Lin family's paper mill, is just a small punishment?"
"Mr. Lin said that the fire in the Lin family paper factory was not caused by that person, and the Lin family's young master was beaten, and both sides fought each other. If that person is sentenced to a heavy sentence, I am afraid it will attract criticism. This is an extraordinary period, and the Lin family does not want to have another incident. trouble."
Chai Guan sighed: "Hey, it's a pity that a good young man was lost. Everything he said was correct, but he had an uncontested heart."
"My lord, what are you talking about?"
"Hey, hit him ten times and then let him go."
"Sir, do you still want to praise him?"
"If you don't fight now, it doesn't mean you won't fight in the future. If he doesn't fight, the world will force him to fight."
…
Bai Song was beaten ten times and then let go.
The board was raised high and put down gently to make a show.
The matter soon became known to Hu Baldy's group, and the matter spread to the ears of other gangsters.
The former son-in-law of the Lin family was the laughing stock of the entire county.
Now he beat the young masters of the Zheng and Lin families, burned down the Lin family paper factory, and was imprisoned twice, but he was able to prosper.
After leaving the Lin family, he was no longer ridiculed, but became the object of everyone's pursuit.
At least in the eyes of the gangsters around Mang County, he seemed to be a very important person.
The next day, Bai Song went to Sanyuan Restaurant again and invited three tables as before.
Not only Hu Baldzi, but Hu Baldzi also introduced the gangsters from all directions.
When you are on the road, what matters is your reputation.
Bai Song's current reputation is unparalleled by anyone in Mang County.
Despite Bai Song's softness and weakness, sitting among a group of rough men, no one dared to think that he was a small person.
At the wine table, Bai Song expressed his intention to come. The Lin family could not accommodate him, and he would have to make a living in Mang County from now on.
Everyone has been hanging out on Mang County roads for a long time, so we drank today just to say hello.
The idea is to submit a petition and if anyone has an opinion, they can speak out.
Bai Song didn't say that he wanted to gather these people. The time has not come yet, and he can't eat so many people in one bite.
What we need to do now is to stabilize the hearts of the people on our side. If we do well here, the gangsters from all over Mang County will naturally be jealous, and it goes without saying that they will come over to them when the time comes.
At the wine table, all gangsters had no objections.
I just think it's a little weird for a scholar to hang out on the street.
Halfway through the drink, a few people came downstairs.
Bai Song took a look.
Oh, they are all old friends.
Aren't those the young men who were beaten just now?
Lin Youwei was still lying in bed, and the remaining young men came out to get together.
Bai Song stood up immediately: "Hey! There are some over there!"
When the young men heard Bai Song's voice, they turned around and left like a mouse seeing a cat.
A few people ran away quickly and ran downstairs. The remaining young man from an unknown family was grabbed by the collar by Bai Song, who was immediately frightened and cried.
"Brother Bai, Brother Bai, please spare your life...let me go."
Bai Song was amused: "Am I that scary?"
"Brother Bai, I didn't know you were here. If I knew you were here, I wouldn't dare to disturb you."
"Oh, look what you said. How can a man have a grudge overnight?"
"Yes Yes Yes……"
"Let's take a sip of wine and treat it like we met and let go of grudges with a smile. Okay, we will be friends from now on."
"Okay!" The young master nodded, picked up the wine glass and drank it in one sip. Then he asked with a smile, "Brother Bai, can you let me go now?"
"You can go! But we bumped into each other today. Should you invite me or should I invite you?"
"I please, I please!"
Bai Song smiled with satisfaction and finally let go.
The young man crawled downstairs to pay, and then ran away without looking back.
Twenty or so people watched this scene. It was the first time they saw those arrogant young men being scared to death. It was simply unbelievable.
After a while, there was a burst of laughter.
Today's drink was refreshing, and for the first time Hu Baldy felt that he had gained some respect with Bai Song.
Then a group of people drank until midnight, and then everyone left the restaurant extremely drunk.
At the door of Sanyuan Restaurant, one group of people was stopped by another group of people.
"Who is this person? Dare to block Master Bai's way? Do you not want to live anymore?" Baldy Beard shouted drunkenly.
The gangsters around him also started shouting in a confused manner.
They were all fierce and fierce, and no matter who was on the other side, they all protected Bai Song behind them.
I only heard an angry voice from the crowd: "Master Bai? Ha! A pariah from a poor family, but he has become more capable after leaving the Lin family! You are a bunch of bastards, why don't you get out of here!"
"You...who are you calling a bastard? Damn it, try saying it again! Don't bother asking, our bald guy is our nickname."
"Hey, boss, that's...that's Mr. Lin!"
"Second Master Lin, which Second Master Lin? I don't care..."
Before he finished speaking, Baldy Hu suddenly let out a wine belch: "Hey... Mr. Lin... Lin!"
The bearded man woke up and shrank back obediently.
This Second Master Lin Gangzheng is not comparable to other young masters. He is a real big shot in Mang County.
Knowing the identity of the other party, the gangsters who were so arrogant a second ago were discouraged and quietly retreated, and unknowingly they were behind Bai Song.
Everyone knows that Master Bai burned down the paper factory, and Master Lin came to settle the score.
"Does Mr. Bai dare to hit Mr. Lin?"
Everyone swallowed and looked a little nervous.
"Bai Song, you are really smart. How dare you burn down my Lin Gangzheng's paper factory? You are really risking your life!"
Lin Gang was waiting for Bai Song with an angry look.
And behind Lin Gangzheng, isn't the sneaky kid with a sneer on his face the young master he let go earlier?
Is it Lin Gangzheng's cub?
"Dad, he even forced me to pay for the drinks for these gangsters."
"Bai Song, let's see how you can leave alive today."
After saying that, Lin Gangzheng and the dozen servants behind him took two steps forward and each one showed his long stick.
