IDWBE -Chapter 449 Promotion

Lord He often gave lessons at schools in Baiyun City, and occasionally, the older locals like them would join in for the spectacle.

What left the deepest impression on him was something Lord He once said: “In this world, drifting through the Jianghu, who can avoid getting cut? Capsizing in the gutters is all part of the game.”

After enduring soul-crushing labor reform, he made up his mind: he needed a powerful backer!

Through his persistent efforts, his “Third Uncle” Wei Yishan gradually became less resistant to him.

Occasionally, he sent over valuable supplements like ginseng and deer antler, which made Wei Yishan even less likely to refuse him.

Because he could freely come and go at the Wei estate, few merchants in Ankang City dared to look down on him. Now, he was no longer the same as before—on the white path, he had his Third Uncle as support.

As for the underworld? He didn’t fear anyone stepping into it—if anything, he kind of hoped they would!

At his age, he had only recently started training in Huiyuan Gong, and he was just a minor second-rank practitioner.

But his Deng family had many descendants, some of whom had already reached fifth- or sixth-rank, and even some young apprentices commonly reached third- or fourth-rank!

In Sanhe, this might be nothing, but here in Ankang City? The city’s martial experts were nothing to the Dengs. Anyone who tried to bully others with martial skills would find Deng Ke ready to tie them up and send them straight to the authorities.

Now, after learning from his Third Uncle what it meant to “borrow the tiger’s might,” he had become increasingly fascinated with power—something intangible yet so influential.

He was no longer satisfied with having only one backer. The more backing, the more secure.

In his eyes, Jiang Zhen, the butcher’s daughter, was a pretty solid supporter.

Back in the day, before they had made their fortunes, they had been brothers in poverty, sharing a single pair of pants.

His sudden friendship with the butcher’s family wasn’t too shocking, right? Besides, he had even held Jiang Zhen in his arms as a child. Later, whenever he passed by their door, he’d generously give her a piece of dried salted fish.

Back then, Sanhe was truly poor.

Even a single piece of dried fish was considered a treat!

Seeing it, Jiang Zhen would still happily call him “uncle.”

But times had changed. Standing on the street now, not even dried fish—or candy—would entice children to call him uncle.

Blame Lord He for this. Sanhe had become so wealthy that anything less than extreme poverty was hardly worth noticing.

More importantly, whether boys or girls, they had all received schooling—they weren’t naive and couldn’t be easily fooled.

“I knew it,” Zhu Ruorong teased, “sure enough, a tiger has no weak pups. No wonder Shopkeeper Deng is so wise and capable, making all the big money himself.”

He and the butcher had grown from local Sanhe meat suppliers to first-class suppliers in Liang, slaughtering tens of thousands of pigs, cows, and sheep each year, naturally earning plenty.

But compared to the carpenter in front of him, the money they made was like a drop in the ocean! Every month, this carpenter received over a hundred taels just in “technology subsidies” and “invention rewards”! All free!

Moreover, he was a first-class military equipment supplier in Liang—providing siege engines and transport tools to the army! That’s big money!

Their meat-selling earnings were trivial by comparison.

The only regret was that, like Mo Shun, a fellow military supplier, he hadn’t become an official due to a prior criminal record.

According to Liang’s law, anyone who had committed a crime could not hold office, nor could their sons or grandsons.

“You’re saying that,” Deng Ke knew it was teasing, but didn’t argue, “that’s my Third Uncle, so it’s pretty much accurate.”

Though he deeply regretted his earlier impulsiveness, which had harmed his descendants and denied them the chance to hold office, after lamenting, he didn’t worry too much.

After all, he had risen quickly. Whether it was sons or grandsons, he hadn’t trained them carefully—earning a little money alongside him was fine. Expecting them to hold office was impossible.

Fortunately, with Lord He’s new Liang laws abolishing collective punishment, his sons and grandsons couldn’t hold office, but his great-grandchildren could.

So he eagerly married off every grandson and even great-grandsons.

Now, he already had seven great-grandchildren!

Regardless of gender, anyone of school age in Sanhe was sent to school.

Even girls, he held some hope for—if not to become like Jiang Zhen, even serving as a common constable would bring honor to the family.

“Exactly, though your words are harsh—” The butcher subtly elbowed Zhu Ruorong, signaling him to stop arguing with Deng Ke. After all, they had been waiting all morning for his daughter. “Shopkeeper Deng is a respected figure in Baiyun City—truly a man among men.”

Deng Ke quickly said, “Shopkeeper Deng overpraises me—I’m just trying to earn a living. But it’s better than before. We were neighbors back then, you know my family’s situation—so poor we couldn’t lift the lid off the pot. Who could’ve imagined such success today?”

Initially casual words, but by the end, he couldn’t help feeling sentimental. Those years had been truly hard.

“Shopkeeper Deng is right,” The butcher agreed, “it really wasn’t easy back then. I never imagined I’d earn this much in my lifetime, and leave Baiyun City for the northern lands. Most importantly, my daughter now holds office!”

Zhu Ruorong looked around, realizing he couldn’t contribute to the conversation, and turned his gaze toward the snow-covered road. Suddenly, he saw a large flag.

The otter emblem on it was famous throughout Sanhe.

Then he saw the proud horse head and Jiang Zhen riding atop.

Behind her stretched an endless line of carriages and riders.

The butcher excitedly exclaimed, “It’s her! It’s my daughter!”

Deng Ke followed, “Congratulations, congratulations.”

Zhu Ruorong said nothing, but he, too, breathed a sigh of relief—no more waiting here in the cold and hunger.

Jiang Zhen’s convoy drew closer to the city gate, and pedestrians and merchants made way, letting this clearly official force pass first.

The guards at the gate gripped their spears and shouted, “Do you have clearance papers? Show them!”

Jiang Zhen halted her horse. A small flag-bearer quickly rode forward, raising a token from his chest and shouting, “The token is here!”

The guards verified it and finally allowed them to enter.

The butcher complained to the guards, “Why so many formalities? We’re family—you’re making this unnecessarily difficult.”

Back then, Duo Mazi was just a young helper in his shop. Now, as the South Gate marshal, he had become someone extraordinary, not even recognizing his old employer!

Duo Mazi blocked the butcher from approaching Jiang Zhen and said, “Shopkeeper, this isn’t the place for conversation. You can talk inside the city.”

“Thank you, Uncle Duo,” Jiang Zhen cupped her hands in respect. “I haven’t even had a chance to congratulate you on your promotion.”

The butcher craned his neck to look, but Jiang Zhen ignored him completely.

Duo Mazi chuckled, “A mere marshal? Not worth mentioning.”

But inwardly, he was very proud. Previously, the post had been held by Jiang Yi, who was now the commander of the Military Department. If he avoided major mistakes, he would likely follow the same path.

More importantly, he was just over thirty—opportunities were abundant.

In just a few months, the threshold of his small, shabby house had nearly collapsed from matchmakers coming by.

His family had lived in Baiyun City for generations, poor and unmarried. But before Lord He arrived in Baiyun City, apart from a few wealthy families like the Wangs and Liangs in Sanhe, who wasn’t poor?

The main reason he had remained single was his pockmarked face. Even unmarried women avoided him, and widows wouldn’t consider him.

Now, as the South Gate marshal in Ankang City, despite his lowly rank, he wielded significant power.

Anyone entering or leaving the South Gate had to consider his mood.

Who he allowed in, could enter. Who he blocked, couldn’t leave.

In the aura of authority, his pockmarks were irrelevant.

Merchants and officials alike wanted to marry their daughters to him, even as concubines, and he remained uncorrupted. He remembered Liu Kan saying that marrying represented forming alliances—if the wife’s family were disloyal, the law demanded justice. Caution was necessary.

“Uncle Duo, you’re too humble.”

After speaking, Jiang Zhen led her troops into the city under the watchful eyes of her father, the butcher, and Zhu Ruorong.

Once Duo Mazi’s unit fully entered, he glanced at the butcher still dazed in the gate and said, “Shopkeeper, you’re lucky—this girl has been promoted.”

The butcher’s curiosity piqued, forgetting Duo Mazi’s earlier rudeness. “Promoted? I hadn’t heard.”

Duo Mazi laughed, “Shopkeeper, you’re an old supplier—don’t you recognize this token?”

“Sir, your knowledge is vast—you must tell us,”

Deng Ke, ever believing in Lord He’s philosophy that “if everyone contributes a bit of praise, the world will become a better place,” never held back compliments.

“Governor’s and office tokens are usually made of huanghuali wood. This token seems lacquered in red, quite different. Is there any special significance? Please advise.”

Duo Mazi glanced at Deng Ke, then smiled at the eager butcher, “This token is neither military nor official—it’s from the palace guards.”

“From the palace?”

The butcher and Zhu Ruorong exchanged shocked looks—they hadn’t expected this.

Duo Mazi continued, “Shopkeeper, one last test of your eyesight—do you know who escorted her into the city?”

The butcher hesitated. “After all these years, I know some people in the army and at Lord He’s estate. But I don’t recognize anyone behind Jiang Zhen, except that messenger officer looks familiar.”

Duo Mazi smiled, “That’s Hong Shilong, a trusted aide of Eunuch Xi.”

“Hong Shilong?”

The butcher, Deng Ke, and Zhu Ruorong exchanged astonished looks—they had never heard of him.

Duo Mazi stepped closer, serious, speaking privately to the butcher.

Deng Ke and Zhu Ruorong wisely stepped aside.

The butcher smiled, “So mysterious? Just say it.”

Duo Mazi lowered his voice, “Shopkeeper, I grew up working in your meat shop. You were strict, but I hold no grudge. I’ve seen Jiang Zhen grow up, and always treated her like my own daughter. You know that, right?”

“Of course I do,” The butcher smiled, “I’m grateful you care for her now that you’ve succeeded.”

Duo Mazi’s expression darkened. “Shopkeeper, as a marshal, I can’t greet her too casually. But take my words: if she enters the palace, trust no one but Liu Kan.”

“Understood,” The butcher nodded. “I don’t like Liu Duo or Liu Banzi, but Liu Kan is innocent—no ill intentions.”

Duo Mazi glanced around, then said quietly, “Tell Jiang Zhen to watch out for Xiao Xizi and Hong Shilong.”

The butcher frowned. “Xiao Xizi is the prince’s eunuch—”

“Shopkeeper,” Duo Mazi, noticing the crowd growing at the gate, said impatiently, “I won’t harm Jiang Zhen. Just deliver my message.”

“Alright, I understand. Thank you.”

After Duo Mazi turned, the butcher and Zhu Ruorong caught up with his daughter’s convoy.

Jiang Zhen’s convoy finally stopped at the Governor’s Mansion.

The butcher watched her go in, waiting for her to come out.

“It’s getting dark,” Zhu Ruorong muttered. They had been waiting for an hour!

Jiang Zhen still hadn’t emerged.

The butcher smiled, “You two can go back. I’ll wait here alone. Later, I’ll treat you to drinks.”

If he didn’t speak to his daughter today, he felt he wouldn’t sleep tonight.

Deng Ke said, “No problem, might as well go back.”

“Let’s wait a little longer,” Zhu Ruorong, slightly more impatient than Deng Ke, muttered, “If it gets dark, light torches.”

Snow fell.

Soon, hoofprints and wheel ruts were covered by the wind and snow, and the world turned white again.

In the streets and alleys, no pedestrians remained.

Only the Governor’s Mansion’s entrance still flickered with lantern light.