Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 21 Sheng's Long House
With this flag, all the checkpoints along the way would immediately let people pass, and even the most ferocious pirates on the canal would retreat when they saw it.

Anyone who dares to rob a scholar who is coming to Beijing to take the imperial examination is going against the imperial court and the government!

The current government has issued a special decree: "Anyone who robs a candidate for the imperial examination will be punished three times more severely."

In addition, with the official certificate issued by the provincial government, the candidates could enjoy three liters of rice and two meat and two vegetable meals per day at the official post station.

The postmaster would also supply lamp oil and charcoal according to regulations, and even the accompanying servants would receive five cents of silver for fodder.

However, the treatment gradually decreased after crossing the Yellow River, and by the time we reached the last stop outside the city of Bianjing, all that was left was porridge and pickles.

After the two of them entered the cabin together, a burly, rough-looking boy, about fifteen or sixteen years old, came over with a pot of hot tea.

Gu Tingye introduced with a smile: "Brother Zhao, his name is Shitou, he is my sworn brother and servant!"

"Two years ago, I ran away from home and wandered around the underworld. We hit it off right away. He's also the younger brother of Shi Keng, the leader of the Cao Gang."

"Brother Shi and Che Sanniang are busy with the Cao Gang's affairs all day long and have no time to discipline him."

"They didn't want Shitou to live on the river like them for the rest of his life. Now that they knew I was coming to Yangzhou, they handed him over to me!"

Shitou bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Master Zhao."

Zhao Han smiled and said, "Since you are Zhong Huai's sworn brother, why should you be so polite?"

"I'm not being polite. I admire Mr. Zhao. I've always envied scholars." Shitou scratched his head in a simple manner and continued, "But I'm not very smart. After three months of studying with the teacher, I can't even memorize the entire Hundred Family Names. I can only be a rough man who wields swords and guns."

"Scholars wield their pens to bring peace to the world, warriors wield their swords to determine the fate of the world. They each have their own strengths."

Zhao Han's words really struck a chord with Gu Tingye. He slammed his fist on the table and said, "That's right. The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun still need military commanders to recapture them. Those civil officials talk about the importance of peace all day long, but they don't know that until Yanyun is recovered, the people of the northern border will never have peace!"

"If one day I could send troops to the border and reclaim my homeland, I would die without regrets!"

"But my father insisted that I take the imperial examination and become an official."

The Gu family was a founding hero of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Not only did they have a red-lettered iron certificate in hand, but the emperor also bestowed upon them the title "Roots as luxuriant as leaves, affection as brothers, filial piety, loyalty and meritorious service throughout the world, the family's influence will last forever."

But now the Great Zhou Dynasty values ​​culture over military affairs, and there are very few scholars in the Gu family. Gu Yankai is determined to cultivate a descendant who can take the imperial examination, so that the Gu family can get rid of the reputation of being a family of soldiers.

The eldest son, Gu Tingyu, was originally a promising student, but unfortunately his health was getting worse and worse and he could not withstand any fatigue. The youngest son, Gu Tingwei, was like a little frozen cat, with no ambition and it was obvious that he would not achieve anything great.

Several nephews were also addicted to pleasure, spending their days in pursuit of women and squandering money extravagantly.

Therefore, Gu Yankai not only taught all his life's martial arts to Gu Tingye, but also urged him to read and practice calligraphy every day.

Zhao Han said gently, "Zhong Huai, if you want to join the army, why don't you tell the Marquis of Ningyuan? The Marquis also made his mark on horseback, so he'll surely understand your aspirations."

Gu Tingye slowly shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"My father and I don't get along. Every time we meet, we're always arguing. When I go back this time, I don't know how he's going to punish me."

Zhao Han knew that a big part of the reason why Gu Tingye and Gu Yan quarreled was actually because of Xiao Qinshi's interference.

He thought for a moment, his eyes drooping. "When we get to Bianjing, just go back to the Marquis' Mansion and kneel down to admit your fault to Marquis Ningyuan. I guarantee he won't punish you. Instead, he'll praise you for being sensible."

"Really? Why do I feel a little bit unconvinced?" Gu Tingye took a sip of hot tea and looked at him half-believingly and half-doubtingly.

"We'll know after trying it." Zhao Han showed a confident smile and gently placed the teacup in his hand on the table.

Gu Tingye clenched his fist and said, "Okay, then I'll try it!"

The boats sailed on the canal day and night. Seven days later, as night fell, Zhao Han stood on the deck, hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the north.

The prosperity and tranquility of Bianjing seemed right before my eyes: the lights of the Zhouqiao Night Market, the weeping willows by the Jinming Pond, the unrestrained music and singing in Fanlou...

A gust of cold wind blew on Zhao Han's face, and he couldn't help but wrap the cloak around his shoulders.

"Mr. Zhao, my brother is waiting for you to come over and have a drink!"

Listening to the call of the stone, Zhao Han gathered his thoughts and turned to enter the cabin.

At midnight, a group of more than ten pirates, armed with scimitars and dressed in black, rode on several small sampans and moved forward quietly under the cover of night, closely following several large ships.

The scarred leader is named Chen Si. For the past year, he has led this group of desperate criminals to run rampant on the canal from Yangzhou to Bianjing, robbing passing ships.

He half-crouched at the bow, the scar on his left cheek extending from his brow to the corner of his mouth looking particularly hideous under the faint moonlight.

"As usual, we'll rob the merchant ship with the deepest draft first."

The pirate squatting behind him lowered his voice and said, "Boss, the ship on the right looks more impressive. There must be a lot of good stuff on it!"

Chen Si twisted his arm hard, his rough fingers digging deep into the flesh. He grimaced in pain, but didn't make a sound.

"Idiot! The people on that ship are going to Beijing to take the imperial examination. Your grandfather and I want to live a few more years. We must not move unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Hacking that merchant ship will give us brothers a good time!"

Chen Si licked his lips, and a bloodthirsty light flashed in his eyes.

Near midnight, a thin mist suddenly floated over the river, perfectly hiding several small boats.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Chen Si lowered his voice, "Old rules, no one is allowed to be left alive! Anyone who dares to play with women and mess up things, I will chop him into pieces and throw him into the river to feed the turtles!"

"Yes, boss!"

After several pirates responded, they immediately dispersed in their sampans and approached the merchant ship silently from all directions.

Inside the merchant ship, candlelight flickered.

Sheng Wei, the eldest son of the Sheng family, was hunched over a rosewood desk, flipping through the account books intently. His fingers moved rapidly on the abacus, making crisp sounds from time to time.

The Sheng family now has three branches: the eldest branch Sheng Wei, the second branch Sheng Hong, and the third branch Sheng Zhui.

Sheng Wei has been in business for several years and is a well-known wealthy man in Youyang, as well as Sheng Hong's God of Wealth.

Promotion in official posts often requires bribes. Sheng Hong attaches great importance to his reputation and considers himself an upright person. He cannot and dares not do things like exploiting the people and embezzling money.

Therefore, wherever money is needed, Sheng Wei is silently sponsoring it behind the scenes.

Of course, Sheng Hong also secretly helped Sheng Wei to run his business smoothly over the years.

The third branch of the Sheng family has made no achievements and can only barely survive in Youyang relying on Sheng Wei's support.

At this moment, the cabin door creaked open slightly, and Sheng Wei's eldest daughter Sheng Shulan walked in.

"Dad, it's getting late. You should rest."

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(End of this chapter)