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This isn’t child’s play, not just about collecting fish taxes; here, you must follow the guild rules—it’s an organized group, not a motley crew of thugs.
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Chen Jie fell silent.
Though he had killed before, and not just a few—Ma Liu, Yu Biao, Yu Sanliu—these were all by his own hand; but that kind of killing,
was different from being punished by the guild’s rules.
Three cuts and six holes showed a disregard for life, a kind of dread mixed with an inexplicable enigma, the sensation of directly controlling life and death.
Chen Jie felt there was still much he had to learn.
As Chen Jie was pondering the recent events, he felt someone pat his shoulder and turned to see Feng Xuan.
Feng Xuan wore a smile as he said, "Brother Jiu Si."
"Manager Feng."
Feng Xuan said, "What Manager? From now on, we are all sons of our adoptive father, call me Big Brother!"
"Brother Feng!"
Chen Jie bowed his head and paid respects. Feng Xuan said, "Jiu Si, go and prepare, we leave for the city in half an hour."
Hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Oh, I’m already prepared."
Feng Xuan nodded and asked, "Are you bringing your family this time?"
Chen Jie replied, "Yes, my wife and sister will accompany me."
"Oh, that’s good, I’ve arranged a carriage for you and your family of three; it’s perfect for your trip."
"A carriage?"
Chen Jie was startled. In their southern locale, unlike the North, horses were scarce; only wealthy households could afford carriages.
And a good horse that one could ride out on fetched a high price, beyond the means of someone with Chen Jie’s current status.
Not to mention, feeding a good horse for a day cost about thirty cents, enough to sustain a family of five for an entire day.
That’s why a horse was more precious than a person.
In Mianshui County, one often saw sedan chairs carried by two men, but seldom saw carriages.
After all, the cost of hiring two sedan bearers was much less than that of maintaining a horse.
Therefore, in the city, many more rode sedans than horses, and only the truly wealthy rode horses or traveled via carriage.
Feng Xuan took Chen Jie outside, where they were met with the sight of a blue-topped carriage.
This carriage was clearly expensive, as carriages of this era came in different classes.
For instance, the lowest class of carriage had no cover, akin to the carts used by farmers for transporting goods or manure.
And more often than not, these carts were drawn by cattle or donkeys rather than horses.
Though crude, such carriages were still considered quite respectable in those times; anyone who could afford one was considered quite well-to-do.
Next in the hierarchy were the carriages with a simple cover, generally owned by modest landowners.
Then there were the kind in front of them, covered in silk cloth with elegant interiors, ridden only by the rich and famous of the county.
Of course, there were even more luxurious ones, but those were out of reach for Chen Jie at the moment.
Yet here was a well-appointed carriage with an interior, pulled even by a horse—a nag, to be sure, but still a horse and not a donkey, a symbol of status.
At that moment, Feng Xuan called out, "Si Xi!"
With Feng Xuan’s shout, a clever-looking lad from the Fishing Guild appeared.
"Old Master."
Feng Xuan said, "This is Fifth Brother, the one the Hall Master intends to take in, call him Fifth Master."
"Fifth Master."
Si Xi respectfully greeted, and Chen Jie felt awkward being called ’Master’ for the first time.
Feng Xuan said, "You’ll get used to it. We are the adoptive sons of our adoptive father, our status has raised, and naturally so must our titles. Try to get used to it sooner."
"Yes, Big Brother."
Hearing this, Feng Xuan patted Chen Jie’s shoulder and said, "No need for formalities, we’re all brothers. Stick together in the future."
As they were talking, Peng Shizhong came by, and everybody paid their respects.
Peng Shizhong looked at Chen Jie and said, "Jiu Si, is everything settled at home?"
"It’s all settled."
"Good, that’s good. Feng Xuan, make sure you look after Jiu Si."
"Yes, Old Master, I understand."
Feng Xuan responded, and Zheng Chuan, expressionless, followed Peng Shizhong away, pausing for a moment next to Chen Jie.
Chen Jie was taken aback as Zheng Chuan gave him a glance.
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Without a word, Zheng Chuan turned his head and followed Peng Shizhong away.
However, this stop and go conveyed an attitude, exerting considerable pressure on Chen Jie.
After Zheng Chuan left, Feng Xuan said, "Don’t mind him, he’s used to being domineering. There’s nothing we can do since our adoptive father dotes on him. But don’t worry, if he gives you any trouble in the future, you let me know, and I’ll stand up for you."
Chen Jie bowed with his hands clasped, "Thank you, Big Brother."
At that moment, Feng Xuan said, "Alright, Si Xi, from now on you’ll follow Jiu Si and take charge of driving the carriage."
Upon hearing this, Si Xi said, "Old Master, rest assured, I’ll definitely ensure Fifth Master and his family’s safe arrival in the city."
"Alright, Jiu Si, Si Xi is sharp; let him accompany you for now. Whatever you need, tell him, and we’ll talk more when we get to the city."
Chen Jie replied, "Thank you for the care, Big Brother."
"Don’t mention it," Feng Xuan waved his hand and said, "Off you go, we’ll meet at the town entrance in half an hour."
"Alright."
Chen Jie nodded and followed Si Xi who said, "Fifth Master, please board the carriage."
Chen Jie approached the carriage as Si Xi helped him with the step stool. He then lifted the carriage curtain, took the whip, and announced, "Fifth Master, all is ready, let’s go."
Drive!
The carriage immediately set in motion.
Watching the departing carriage, a figure slowly approached Feng Xuan and said, "Sir, is it necessary to treat a newcomer with such distinction? You even assigned Si Xi to him."
Feng Xuan chuckled and replied, "This Chen Jiusi is no ordinary man. Our adoptive father appreciates him greatly, and he has enormous potential. What’s more important is that Zheng Chuan bears a grudge against him. He’s exactly the kind of tough yet naive individual we need right now."
"Such characters are the best to drive. If we can secure his loyalty, he will be the perfect ally against Zheng Chuan in the future, so what’s a carriage in the grand scheme of things?"
A smile played upon Feng Xuan’s lips, but in his eyes danced a shadowy, indiscernible light.
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