TNIBFT -Chapter 143 Shoveling Manure at the Landlord’s House

On the high seat, Xiao Haoyang wore a calm expression, as if everything was already within his expectations. He showed no surprise at all.

Closing the document in his hand, Xiao Haoyang looked up at Ji Zhengping and said, “Well done.”

“Zhao Kang is stationed in Sifang City. If we don’t put on a show, how would those above be willing to cooperate?”

Ji Zhengping lowered his head, not daring to speak.

With a faint smile, Xiao Haoyang stroked his beard and said proudly, “A few yamen soldiers trying to capture people sent by Great Zhou? Isn’t that just a fool’s dream?”

“Recently, those above heard that the Empress of Great Zhou has been in a long coma. The Son of Heaven grew tempted. But in the past few days, many have come out to oppose the war. Without the Ye family, not a single one of them has any backbone.”

Xiao Haoyang spoke with mockery.

His tone was slow, as if he were merely talking about something trivial.

Ji Zhengping said, “The City Lord is indeed wise. Even those above dare not start a war. If we took it seriously and someone from Great Zhou died in Sifang City, then when Great Zhou comes demanding answers, we’d be the first to be sacrificed.”

“Exactly!”

Xiao Haoyang nodded in satisfaction before continuing, “Send people to strictly guard the city entrances. We still don’t know what these people from Great Zhou are after. If they sneak into the City Lord’s residence, that would be troublesome.”

“Strengthen patrols. If we’re acting, we must act thoroughly—leave Zhao Kang with no leverage.”

“Yes!”

After receiving the order, Ji Zhengping reported everything and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something.

“There’s also Shen Jie. When our men arrived, he was already severely injured and was carried back by several guards. How should we deal with him?”

Shen Jie?

Hearing the name, Xiao Haoyang frowned slightly. After all, he was still his own flesh and blood.

It was also Shen Jie who had delivered the message this time—otherwise, how could they have obtained the information so quickly?

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Haoyang said, “Have Jiang Huichun treat him.”

“After all, we are father and son. In the future, let him stay by my side as a civil official. That will at least be worthy of his mother.”

“Yes!”

Ji Zhengping cupped his fists and withdrew.

A few days ago, he had sent people to hunt down Shen Jie but failed. Today, even the people from Great Zhou couldn’t kill him. Now the City Lord had changed his attitude toward Shen Jie… it seemed this person was not simple. In the future, he would surely become a serious threat—he must be eliminated at the root.

…

Inside the hotpot restaurant.

Today, heavy snow blanketed the streets, piling up to Ye Tian’s knees. There were hardly any customers in the shop that afternoon.

Ye Tian sat by the second-floor window, cracking sunflower seeds while chatting with Yuan Heipang and the others. The three children also gathered around him.

“I say, if every day were like today, life couldn’t get any more carefree,” Yuan Heipang said with a grin, standing by the wall of the private room, holding sunflower seeds in one hand as he looked at the others.

Duan Qingshan remained expressionless.

Old Yang was still busy washing dishes and didn’t have time to come over.

As soon as Xiao Wang and the other workers heard Yuan Heipang’s words, they immediately looked at Ye Tian cautiously. Seeing that Ye Tian showed no reaction and continued cracking seeds as usual, they relaxed and laughed.

“If it’s like this every day, we’ll all have to pack up and go home.”

“This hotpot restaurant won’t last either!”

“Manager, I think your handwriting is quite good—something like ‘slender script’? I once saw the young master of the Zhang family write like that. Manager, was your family quite wealthy in the past?”

At those words, everyone turned to look at Yuan Heipang, their eyes full of curiosity.

Scratching his head awkwardly, Yuan Heipang said, “A hero doesn’t dwell on past glories.”

Yet his tone carried a hint of pride.

“Back in the day, I could recognize a thousand characters at the age of three, recite the Four Books and Five Classics by five, and compose essays by seven…”

Yuan Heipang spoke fluently, but his burly build was completely at odds with the scholarly talent he claimed.

The workers all shook their heads, their faces full of ridicule.

Before Yuan Heipang could finish, Xiao Jiang beside Ye Tian tilted his cute little face and asked innocently, “Then why are you still working now?”

Uh…

The smile on Yuan Heipang’s face instantly vanished.

Everyone looked at him awkwardly.

“Kid, why are you telling the blunt truth like that?” Ye Tian patted Xiao Jiang’s head. Xiao Jiang frowned, covering his head with his small hand.

The atmosphere in the room turned awkward. Yuan Heipang cracked sunflower seeds and said sheepishly, “Well… didn’t I meet the boss?”

“Before you met me, I heard you were shoveling manure at a landlord’s house?” Ye Tian asked with a gossiping grin.

Yuan Heipang’s face flushed bright red. Seeing everyone secretly laughing at him, he covered his face with both hands, stamped his feet, and said, “Th-this… ah, ah, my stomach hurts! You guys chat, I’m going to the latrine…”

As soon as Yuan Heipang left, bursts of laughter erupted in the room.

Ye Yunting sat by the window, looking at the bleak, pale city outside. His small face was heavy, as if weighed down by many thoughts.

After observing him for a while, Ye Tian turned to the workers and said, “Tonight we’re having hot pot too. Slice more meat—everyone eat as much as you want!”

“Really?”

“The boss must be the best boss in the whole city!”

“Then we’ll go prepare now!”

The workers beamed with joy and filed out of the private room. Duan Qingshan glanced back at Ye Tian before lowering his head and following them out.

“Eldest, what are you thinking about?”

Ye Tian’s voice pulled Ye Yunting back to reality. Turning to look at him, Ye Yunting frowned and said, “Teacher’s health is getting worse by the day. It’s been snowing heavily these past two days, and it’s even colder now. He’s coughing so badly he can’t even get out of bed. I’m afraid…”

“I’m afraid that Teacher…”

His voice choked, and he lowered his head, not daring to look at Ye Tian.

He never cried easily, but Teacher Tao was the second person in the world, after Ye Tian, who treated him well.

The teacher was strict with him—if he wrote a character wrong, he would tap his palm with a ruler—but he never truly hit hard. He was stern, yet showed him special care.

Thinking of how Teacher Tao looked today, Ye Yunting’s nose stung. He looked up at Ye Tian and asked, “Will he die?”

“Teacher has been very good to me. When I visited him today, he couldn’t even get out of bed. But when he heard I had come, he forced himself up and still insisted on teaching me at noon. He said I mustn’t fall behind even for a day… and he even gave me all his manuscripts. Those are his most precious things…”

As he spoke, tears streamed down uncontrollably.

Ye Shuangxue stopped eating sunflower seeds, her little face filled with sadness. “If Teacher Tao dies, what will Sister Ling’er do without her father?”

“Sister Ling’er will be so pitiful…”

Ye Tian knew how the story would unfold—Tao Lichun’s lifespan was nearly at its end. That couldn’t be changed.

“I… I know how to save Teacher Tao,” Xiao Jiang suddenly said, his bright black eyes darting between his older brother and sister.

“Really?”

“Xiao Jiang, does Divine Doctor Qiu have a way?” Ye Yunting asked excitedly, grabbing Xiao Jiang’s hands.

Embarrassed under everyone’s gaze, Xiao Jiang spoke slowly, “My master has a treasure hidden away… but don’t say I told you.”

“A long time ago, when the city lord came to ask for medicine, I was there. Master didn’t take it out. Later, he told me it’s something that can save a life and shouldn’t be given to outsiders easily…”

Ye Tian was stunned.

Maybe the divine doctor Qiu Feibai really did have a way.

“But something that can save a life… would he be willing to give it to us?”