TSWPF -Chapter 340 Taking Action

When Old Master Liu returned after selecting some men, Liu Zhiyan saw him and asked, “Did something happen at the mansion? Why were the household troops gathered for no reason?”

Old Master Liu walked with his hands behind his back, glanced at Liu Zhiyan, and said angrily, “Nothing happened at the mansion. Your fourth brother has a problem.” Just mentioning it made his blood boil—how dare someone bully Liu Zhen’s grandson!

“Fourth brother has a problem?”

“What happened to him?” Liu Zhiyan asked anxiously.

Old Master Liu hummed as he walked. “Someone wants Liu Zhimou dead. I selected some household troops to protect him. If I weren’t stuck in the capital, I would have gone personally to see which blind fool dared to target my grandson.”

Liu Zhiyan was startled. “Is it that serious? Fourth brother just left not long ago, and someone is already targeting him?”

Old Master Liu looked at him calmly and said, “A strong dragon does not oppress the local snake.”

Those local tyrants, used to flaunting power, would never accept someone else pressing down on them.

Moreover, that place was remote and backward. The villagers had never seen the outside world; their vision was narrow, their thoughts limited, and they were difficult to discipline.

Previously, he hadn’t agreed with his grandson going to such a remote place, but his grandson was determined and wouldn’t change his mind. There was nothing he could do but comply.

As he had feared, soon after his grandson arrived, he was bullied.

It made him both angry and heartbroken.

A grandson that had been so hard to retrieve—how could he allow others to bully him?

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiyan fell silent and clenched his hands tightly, hoping his fourth brother would return safely.

“Zhiyan, how’s your studies going? Confident about the Autumn Examination?”

Snapping back to reality, Liu Zhiyan forced a faint smile. “It’s alright.”

To be honest, he was anxious inside, unsure if he could pass. He wished he were as smart as his fourth brother—then he wouldn’t have to worry so much.

“You’ll manage. Just write to your fourth brother or Mr. Luo and ask for guidance.” Old Master Liu paused, then added, “Don’t pressure yourself so much. If you don’t pass this time, there’s always the next. Mindset is important; only with the right mindset can you perform at your usual level.”

Liu Zhiyan hadn’t expected Old Master Liu to comfort him. Touched, he looked at him and nodded firmly. “I’ll do my best. I won’t let those who care about me down.”

Old Master Liu said a few more words to Liu Zhiyan before they parted at a fork in the road.

Liu Zhiyan returned to the Third Residence in high spirits. When he greeted his mother, she asked why he seemed so happy.

Smiling, he said, “Grandfather praised me.”

Zhang Yun’er was surprised. “Grandfather praised you? For what?” Very few people earned his praise. What had her son done to deserve it?

Liu Zhiyan briefly explained the situation.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yun’er jumped up. “What? Your Fourth brother is in danger?”

“Mother, don’t worry. Grandfather personally selected household troops to protect him. Nothing will happen.”

Thinking of the household troops’ abilities, Zhang Yun’er’s heart eased slightly. She sat down again, sipped her tea, and tried to calm her shock.

That place was so remote—if anything happened to Liu Zhimou, they would be helpless.

She sighed deeply. “It’s no good without an adult nearby. I hope your fourth brother is alright.”

“…Mr. Luo is an adult, isn’t he?” Liu Zhiyan reminded her, realizing his mother had forgotten such an important matter in her worry. “Mother, Mr. Luo is with Fourth Brother. He won’t let anything happen to him.”

Zhang Yun’er shook her head helplessly. Mr. Luo was scholarly, not skilled in combat. If he faced violent people, he’d only get beaten. Reasoning with savages? Impossible. Only force could subdue them.

“….”

Liu Zhiyan wiped his face, sighed heavily, and said, “There are many guards with Mr. Luo. They’ll protect him, so he’s safe for now. Once our household troops arrive, there’ll be nothing to worry about.”

How could she forget that?

Zhang Yun’er smiled sheepishly at Liu Zhiyan. She truly forgot about the guards.

But…

“An overt arrow is easy to dodge, a hidden arrow hard to defend against. Their situation isn’t good,” Zhang Yun’er said worriedly. She put down her cup and asked Liu Zhiyan, “Did your grandfather say when the household troops would leave?”

“Tonight…”

Before he could finish, Liu Zhiyan saw his mother spring up and rush out, saying she needed to pack some things for the household troops to bring to Liu Zhimou.

“…She treats Fourth Brother better than her own son. How am I supposed to feel?”

After a moment, Liu Zhiyan stood up to write a letter to Fourth Brother.

As he stepped out, his younger sister Liu Zhixin ran up, holding her skirt, grabbing his robe, and asked, “Grandfather is sending someone to protect Fourth Brother, right?”

“Yes. Who told you?”

“That’s great! I’ll write to Rou Rou and Ning Ning and have the household troops bring the gifts I bought last time.” Once she confirmed it, she ran back to her room in high spirits, ignoring Liu Zhiyan.

Liu Zhiyan could only shake his head, smiling helplessly, and went back to his room.

…

Since the incident of being confined, Liu Zhimou had accelerated his pace, targeting the constables immediately.

He had been in Ninghua County for some time and had already given the constables a chance. Unfortunately, they hadn’t taken it seriously—still lazy and careless, treating their duties as a joke.

If that’s the case, he wouldn’t hold back.

One day, seeing the constables goofing off, he frowned, turned to County Magistrate Ma, and ordered him to tell the constables that they didn’t need to come to work anymore.

Ma County Magistrate swallowed nervously, seeing Liu Zhimou’s expression. He knew Liu Zhimou was serious.

Taking a deep breath, he squared his chest and went to deliver the message.

These constables, useless and lazy, deserved to be kicked out long ago.

Upon hearing this, the constables slammed the horsewhip on the ground, stood up abruptly, and angrily asked, “Sir, on what grounds do you kick us out?”

Liu Zhimou’s expression grew colder. He scanned them and sneered, “On what grounds? Don’t you even have the slightest self-awareness?” He knew their character perfectly.

The constables crossed their arms, acting indifferent. “We really don’t know. Give us a reason.”

A reason?

Liu Zhimou laughed mockingly. “County Magistrate Ma, go to the He family and summon He Dianshi. Give him three quarters of an hour to arrive—if he’s late, he won’t be needed here anymore.” Repeatedly challenging him? Did they think he was a sickly cat who wouldn’t dare act?

Ma County Magistrate nodded, wiping his sweat, and ran off.

The County Magistrate was genuinely angry this time—ready to teach them a lesson.

Liu Zhimou glanced coldly at the constables, then strode to the main seat of the court and sat down.

The constables exchanged glances, communicating silently, “What do we do?”

“Why fear him? Even if he had a hundred guts, he couldn’t do anything to us. Don’t worry, we’re the He family. He can’t beat us,” one constable whispered.

Hearing this, the others relaxed.

Yes, they were the He family. No need to fear a newly arrived county magistrate.

The magistrate would just bluff—behind the scenes, he’d obey the He family.

“Let’s continue playing.”

“Alright…”

The constables resumed their game, ignoring Liu Zhimou entirely.

The two guards protecting Liu Zhimou frowned at their arrogance. “Should we teach them a lesson?”

These low-level constables could be taken down with just one finger.

Liu Zhimou shook his head slowly. “No. Wait and watch the show.”

He wanted to see how He Dianshi would protect them.

When the three-quarter-hour mark arrived, Ma County Magistrate and He Dianshi appeared.

Liu Zhimou looked at He Dianshi and laughed, “He Dianshi is punctual—no mischief, that’s rare.”

The constables immediately stood and greeted He Dianshi.

Liu Zhimou clasped his hands on the table, clicking his tongue. “He Dianshi’s authority surpasses mine. When I arrived at the court, these guys didn’t even glance at me, let alone greet me.”

He Dianshi glared at the constables. “Are you blind? Don’t you see the magistrate has arrived? Greet him immediately!” Fourth Uncle had warned him—not to confront Liu Zhimou head-on, but follow his lead.

The constables, scolded, reluctantly bowed to Liu Zhimou.

Liu Zhimou lifted the corners of his mouth, eyes sharp, and asked He Dianshi, “As constables, what are your usual duties?”

He Dianshi knew and listed them promptly.

Liu Zhimou nodded. “Then tell me, have these constables fulfilled their duties?” Whoever brought them here would have to kick them out.

“…This…” He Dianshi bit his lip, forcing a smile. “They should be fine?”

“Should be fine?” Liu Zhimou’s expression darkened instantly. The smile vanished, replaced with a cold scowl. “He Dianshi, are your eyes working? Didn’t you see what they’ve been doing since arriving?”

These constables had a mountain of offenses—how could he say they were fine?