Temporary Constable

Zhang Tianyang truly lived up to his reputation as Li Jingzhong's first disciple; he understood his teacher very well.

Li Jingzhong wasn't indecisive, he was just cautious.

Li Jingzhong had made a name for himself in the martial world back in the day, but he knew he wasn't suited for the life of constant conflict, which was why he came to Black Stone County to open a martial arts school.

In reality, he was also a master at the late Xiantian stage, his strength not inferior to Gao Kaiyuan or Pang Heihu.

If he had chosen to establish a gang, he would undoubtedly be living a much more comfortable life than he was now, and Black Stone County would have had four gangs instead of just three.

He chose to open a martial arts school because he was solely focused on stability and didn't want to get involved in the conflicts of the martial world again.

However, having his disciples act as constables, without him having to show his face, Li Jingzhong probably wouldn't be too resistant.

After agreeing with Zhang Tianyang, Han Zheng returned to the martial arts school and informed Li Jingzhong about what had happened outside.

After listening, Li Jingzhong sighed, "These are troubled times. Black Stone County, such a small county, has been peaceful for so many years, and now it's getting caught up in the dispute between the imperial court and the Incense Cult.

If we can't go out, we can't go out. It's actually more dangerous to leave the county at a time like this. It's best to stay put in the martial arts school and cultivate."

Han Zheng nodded.

Just then, a servant from the martial arts school came in to report that Zhang Tianyang had arrived.

Li Jingzhong instinctively frowned.

Although Zhang Tianyang was his former disciple, Li Jingzhong didn't want to have too much contact with him.

The aura he exuded was too dangerous. Who knew what he had experienced over the years to transform from a farm boy with extremely poor talent into a master at the Xiantian Mortal Transformation Realm Perfected.

But since Zhang Tianyang had come to his door, Li Jingzhong couldn't refuse to see him.

He instructed someone to invite Zhang Tianyang in and then had tea served.

"I've troubled you again, Teacher. I bought you some braised pork knuckles on the way. Please try them. The roads to Jingzhou Prefecture are blocked now, and many restaurants and stalls on the street are closed. These are hard to come by these days."

Li Jingzhong forced a slightly stiff smile. "Director Zhang, you are too kind. I've told you before, you don't need to call me 'Teacher.' Last time, when you single-handedly repelled the leaders of the three gangs, you became famous in Black Stone County. Your cultivation is far stronger than this old man's. In the path of martial arts, seniority is determined by attainment; I wouldn't dare to presume on my age."

"That's not quite right," Zhang Tianyang shook his head. "Teacher, you are my martial arts enlightenment teacher. Without your guidance back then, how could there be a Zhang Tianyang today? I actually came today because I have something I need to ask of you, Teacher. I won't beat around the bush. You know the quality of the constables in Black Stone County's yamen; they're all a bunch of idiots who only know how to eat, drink, whore, and gamble, and extort money from the common people. I dealt with them a few days ago, so the yamen is severely understaffed. Moreover, the threat of the Incense Cult is imminent. I plan to have the yamen impose a curfew and search Black Stone County for any Incense Cult spies, which will require a large number of personnel. As for the local powers in Black Stone County, the Song Family and the Shen Family will definitely not help me, and I don't trust those gang members either. So the only ones I can think of are the junior disciples in the martial arts school. If they are willing to step forward and help me through this period, I'll pay them fifty taels of silver per month."

Li Jingzhong was stunned. He hadn't expected Zhang Tianyang to come to him for this.

After a moment of hesitation, Li Jingzhong also felt a bit conflicted. Zhang Tianyang wasn't asking for his help, but for the help of his disciples. But if his disciples went to the yamen, wouldn't that be equivalent to him also siding with Zhang Tianyang? Li Jingzhong's hesitation stemmed from whether or not to get involved in these matters.

"Teacher, you don't need to make a decision right now. I'll come again tomorrow. You have one day to consider. I won't disturb you any further." After speaking, Zhang Tianyang glanced at Han Zheng and then turned around and left decisively.

After Zhang Tianyang left, Li Jingzhong fell into a state of internal conflict. If he agreed to Zhang Tianyang's request, he would be drawn into a murky dispute. But if he refused Zhang Tianyang, he didn't want to offend this student of his, who seemed rather dangerous.

"Teacher, are you struggling with whether or not to agree to Constable Zhang's request?" Li Jingzhong sighed. "Yes, whether to agree or not, I find it difficult."

Han Zheng smiled. "Actually, it's not that difficult. Constable Zhang isn't asking for you to act, just for us disciples to do so. You can completely hand over the choice and openly ask the disciples of the martial arts school who wants to go. You don't need to stop those who want to be constables and earn money, and you don't need to force those who don't. After all, this matter has little to do with you." He paused and then added, "Recently, grain prices in Black Stone County have soared. Most disciples who come from humble backgrounds struggle even to eat their fill. Martial artists naturally have large appetites, and these disciples have no means of earning money. Some are already having a very hard time. I managed to earn one hundred and fifty taels last time when I escorted the Shenghe Hall's caravan, so I'm relatively well-off. Otherwise, I'd also be looking for a job that ensures I can eat."

Li Jingzhong sighed. "It's my fault. I forgot about the situation of most of the disciples. Go and call them all here, and tell them about this matter."

As the master of the Zhenwei Martial Arts School, Li Jingzhong's income wasn't low at all.

Each disciple paid three hundred taels of silver for a year of instruction.

With at least a hundred disciples annually, Li Jingzhong's income was at least thirty thousand taels a year, and sometimes over sixty thousand if there were more than two hundred.

These funds were used to purchase weapons, maintain the martial arts school's training grounds, hire servants for odd jobs, and cover the disciples' meals. Beyond that, there weren't many other expenses.

From thirty thousand taels, Li Jingzhong personally received at least fifteen thousand, which was more than enough to live a very comfortable life in Black Stone County.

Therefore, Li Jingzhong had truly forgotten that many of his disciples could barely afford to eat.

After summoning the numerous disciples, Li Jingzhong explained the matter of them serving as temporary constables at the county yamen.

The disciples present immediately began to buzz with discussion, their eyes shining.

Serving as a temporary constable for a month would earn them fifty taels of silver? Was there really such a good deal?

It was important to note that even normally, becoming a constable at the county yamen was a position one had to pay to obtain.

Although the monthly pay wasn't much, the status of being a constable was very useful for extorting money from small merchants and vendors.

Now, with a colossal sum of fifty taels, who wouldn't jump at the chance?

For these martial artists from common backgrounds, fifty taels of silver could be considered an immense fortune.

So, when the final count was taken, a staggering ninety percent were willing to go.

Those who refused were all from wealthy families and genuinely looked down upon the fifty taels.

Li Jingzhong hadn't expected this outcome either.

While he was still contemplating, the disciples of the martial arts school were ecstatic.

"Since you've all made your decision, when Lord Zhang, the chief constable, arrives tomorrow, you will follow his orders."

After speaking, Li Jingzhong looked at Han Zheng, "Are you going as well?"

Han Zheng smiled, "Fifty taels of silver is not a small sum; I am also short on money."

The next day, Zhang Tianyang arrived at the martial arts school again. Han Zheng secretly gave him a gesture indicating that everything was settled.

Zhang Tianyang's heart settled, and he walked towards Li Jingzhong with a hearty laugh, "Teacher, have you considered it?"

Li Jingzhong replied, "They are merely my students, and I cannot command them.

I informed them of the matter yesterday, and whether they go or not is their own choice.

Those present here are the disciples who have decided to serve as temporary constables at the county yamen.

Lord Zhang, these are all innocent youths with little experience of the world. Except for a few like Han Zheng, most have not participated in life-or-death combat. I hope you will look after them."

Zhang Tianyang nodded, "Teacher, rest assured. I'm not asking them to go out and engage in mortal combat with the Incense Cult. We are merely searching for Incense Cult spies within the county town.

If a situation arises, they don't need to fight to the death. They just need to signal me to come."

"Very well, I will leave these matters to you, Lord Zhang."

Zhang Tianyang led everyone back to the county yamen. He distributed red scarves to each of them to tie around their arms and gave them signal flares that looked like fireworks.

"By seniority, you are all my junior brothers. I also practiced martial arts at the Zhenwei Martial Arts School, so we are all on the same side."

Only Han Zheng knew Zhang Tianyang's background. The others didn't realize that Zhang Tianyang was also a disciple of Li Jingzhong, and they found it rather novel.

"Since we are on the same side, I won't waste your time with pleasantries. The reason I've asked you to serve as temporary constables is to find the Incense Cult spies within Black Stone County.

Currently, the Incense Cult has annexed Huainan Dao and is eyeing Shannan Dao covetously.

Our Black Stone County is the first to bear the brunt. If the county town is breached by the Incense Cult, it won't just be about rising grain prices; everyone will starve!

The constables at the county yamen are all useless freeloaders. They cannot defend Black Stone County, which is why I have sought you out.

You are all native-born residents of Black Stone County and are intimately familiar with it. I only ask that you investigate all suspicious outsiders.

No matter who they are, if you find anything amiss, signal immediately. I will take responsibility for any consequences!"

The county yamen didn't have enough constable uniforms, so those wearing red scarves are considered temporary constables of the county yamen. I will issue a notice to all factions within the county town, stating that everyone must cooperate with inspections.

Now, five people will form groups and patrol the county town day and night. Remember, if you find anything unusual, signal immediately!"

The disciples began to form groups of two or three. Li Sancheng naturally sought out Han Zheng to join his group.

Zhao Jinming and Wang Bao, who had previously escorted the Shenghe Hall caravan with Han Zheng, also joined them.

They had all witnessed Han Zheng's prowess and knew that following Han Zheng was the safest and most reliable option.

At this moment, Chen Zhao also walked over. After a moment of hesitation, he said to Han Zheng, "Brother Han, may I join your group?"

Han Zheng smiled and replied, "Of course."

Among the disciples of the martial arts school, Chen Zhao was actually the most honest.

He had no background, no resources, and no special advantages. He relied solely on his own diligent cultivation.

His joining Han Zheng's group was simply because Li Jingzhong had previously told him to learn more from Han Zheng.

As disciples from common backgrounds, Chen Zhao couldn't learn from Song Tianqing or Lin Qing, so he could only learn from Han Zheng.

Chen Zhao possessed a simple and resolute personality, and he didn't feel any jealousy about this. Instead, he genuinely wanted to learn something from Han Zheng.