If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

The emperor's lenient punishment of Zhou Wu once again demonstrated Zhou Wu's importance in the emperor's eyes. Many people have begun to adjust their strategies, instructing their subordinates to avoid provoking this man.

However, some people cannot see the facts and insist on fighting to the bitter end.

The monks of Jinguang Temple were very unhappy when they learned that Zhou Wu had only been punished with confinement and a reduction in his salary. They began to spread rumors and slander against Zhou Wu among the believers.

"Why is Zhou Wu able to rise to such a high position at such a young age?"

"How to say?"

"I heard it's because my parents had great respect for Buddhism in the past, which brought them good fortune."

"Didn't they say that Zhou Wu caused a great disturbance at Jin Guang Temple just a few days ago?"

“That’s right. He doesn’t cherish his parents’ blessings, and now he’s getting his comeuppance. His Majesty has fined him and confined him to his quarters. Just you wait and see. If he dares to disrespect the gods and Buddhas again, he’ll suffer even more.”

Rumors detrimental to Zhou Wu are spreading throughout the capital. Although Zhou Wu is confined to his home, it does not prevent his servants from sending messages.

"These bald monks are still going on and on, they really don't know what's good for them."

Zhou Wu didn't care about punishments like salary deductions and confinement. He was already financially independent, so salary was nothing to him.

As for the stay-at-home order, Zhou Wu didn't care much about it. Since he was confined to his home and outsiders couldn't come and go as they pleased, he was actually quite happy about this undisturbed holiday.

However, Zhou Wu could not tolerate these bald monks spreading rumors and slandering him while he was at home.

"Someone is coming."

"master."

"Go find me a few people."

Zhou Wu whispered the instructions in the man's ear, and the man nodded and quickly left.

. . . . .

Hua Rong, Wang Cang, and Song Gong were originally street urchins from the lowest rungs of the capital, but they managed to get close to Zhou Wu through Liu Hongdou.

The three men used their connections across various social circles to establish their own intelligence network in the gray areas of the capital, which was then used by Zhou Wu.

The three brothers, who used to go hungry nine times out of three days, now live in a mansion and wear fine silks and satins. However, they have never forgotten how they got to where they are today.

Inside the mansion.

"Wang Cang, Engineer Song, the lord has sent word that he wants to see us."

The three men now look like wealthy old men, a far cry from their former street thug image.

"Brother, the lord has finally decided to contact us."

To be honest, ever since the three brothers followed Zhou Wu, they had always wanted to do their best for him to repay his kindness. However, they never expected that Zhou Wu would only give them money regularly and ask them to secretly set up an intelligence network in the capital. He did nothing else.

This made the three brothers feel that they had let Zhou Wu down.

Later, Zhou Wu barely contacted them anymore. If it weren't for the money that someone would send them regularly, they would have even suspected that Zhou Wu had abandoned them.

"The master is currently under house arrest. Too many people might cause trouble for everyone. Please wait here, I will go alone."

“Alright, we’ll wait for you at the manor.”

"Brother, be careful."

Hua Rong bid farewell to the two and arrived at the Zhou residence. The front gate was crowded and noisy, so he went to the back gate, where Zhou Wu had already arranged for someone to meet him.

"Dong Dong Dong~"

There were few people at the back door, so it didn't attract much attention. After knocking, the door was opened quickly, and a head popped out. After looking around and seeing nothing unusual, the person led Hua Rong into the mansion.

. . . . . .

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency."

Several months later, Hua Rong saw Zhou Wu again and was so excited that she knelt down on the ground.

"Get up and sit down to talk."

"Thank you, sir."

"How have you three brothers been lately?"

"Thank you for your kindness, sir. Since we started following you, my two brothers and I have been able to live a life free from want. We just think about how to repay you every day."

“You’re in intelligence work, so you need to keep a low profile. I can’t see you all the time.”

"You are right, sir. I will remember this. May I ask what your orders are this time?"

Zhou Wu then remembered that they hadn't gotten to the important matter yet.

"Could you help me check if Jin Guang Temple has anything shady going on?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Rong thought to himself, "Sure enough, the matter between Lord Zhou and Jin Guang Temple has already been widely spread." However, Hua Rong naturally stood on Zhou Wu's side and immediately agreed.

"Yes, sir. I will immediately order my men to investigate."

"Okay, nothing else, go ahead."

"It's an adult."

After receiving the task, Hua Rong turned and left.

After leaving the Zhou residence, Hai Rong went straight home, where the Wang brothers, Wang Cang and Song Gong, were already waiting impatiently.

"Brother is back."

"Brother, what are Lord Zhou's instructions?"

Hua Rong rushed back, picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup, drank it all in one gulp, and then slowly began to speak.

"The lord has ordered us to investigate whether Jin Guang Temple has any shady dealings."

"Hmph, these bald monks are really audacious, daring to go against the adults. Don't worry, brother, Tie Dan, the tenant of Jin Guang Temple, is our informant. I'll give him a heads-up right away."

Song Gong immediately thought of a subordinate he had developed, who was a tenant of Jin Guang Temple. Tie Dan's parents were tenants of Jin Guang Temple, but they were forced to their deaths by the bald monks of Jin Guang Temple. So, although Tie Dan is still a tenant of Jin Guang Temple, he hates these hypocritical bald monks to the bone.

Jinshan Temple, Xiajia Village.

Tie Dan had a hard day's work and didn't get home until it was dark. The dimly lit house didn't even have a lamp, so Tie Dan could only light the earthen stove. Although there was nothing to cook, he mainly relied on the fire to bring some light to the house, because his family was so poor that they didn't have any extra money to buy lamp oil. So the firewood that could be found everywhere by the roadside became the only source of light for the family.

After a day's work, Tiedan was starving, but the family had run out of food yesterday, so he could only drink several large bowls of water to temporarily fill the void in his body.

"Iron Egg!"

I had just lain down in bed, ready to just let the day pass by, when I heard someone calling me from outside the door.

"Brother Song! What brings you here? Please have a seat."

The voice was so familiar. When Tie Dan opened the door, he saw his Brother Song smiling at him from the doorway.

"You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

As he spoke, Song placed the packaged pig's head meat and steamed buns, along with a pot of wine, on the table.

"Hehe, it smells so good."

Since there were no special drinking glasses at home, Tie Dan could only bring two bowls. He first filled Song Gong's bowl, and then poured one for himself.

"Brother Song, what brings you here today?"

Tie Dan didn't stand on ceremony with Song Gong. He grabbed a steamed bun, added a few slices of pig's head meat, and started gnawing on it.

"Eat first, and we'll talk after you're full."

"Ah."

With a bag of pig's head meat, a few steamed buns, and a pot of wine, Tie Dan felt refreshed again.