Using a Tiger's Skin to Rally Banners

After eating.

He An found an excuse and hurried home.

He planned to find Wang Zheng to ask him some questions.

As a clerk in the Town Martial Division, the other party must know more than him.

Not long after.

Outside the city.

A dilapidated small courtyard.

A place that should have been ignored was now surrounded by people.

Many people were leaning over Wang Zheng's courtyard wall, staring inside with great interest, occasionally pointing and chattering.

"Wang Zheng, that kid, is really miserable."

"Who says not? It's one thing to hand over all his salary to his family, but he's actually being kicked out."

"I heard that Wang Zheng borrowed money to rent this small courtyard."

"Huh? Really?"

"It must be true. Didn't you see them coming to demand money?"

Inside the courtyard.

Several burly men sat there quietly without causing trouble.

Wang Zheng stood to the side, speaking very cautiously, "Brother, can you give me a few more days? I really don't have any cash on hand."

"As soon as I get my salary next month, I'll give it to you immediately."

The leading man said arrogantly, "Wang Zheng, we've already given you enough time. If it weren't for the fact that you're from the Town Martial Division, we would have come to collect the money long ago."

"It's been several months, and you still haven't paid back the silver."

"Tell me, how can we explain this to our superiors?"

"I..." Wang Zheng found it difficult to speak. He, a dignified clerk of the Town Martial Division, was being pushed to this point by a few taels of silver.

What a disgrace!

Seeing Wang Zheng's demeanor, the leading man sneered, "How about this: if you let us brothers have some fun, we'll come back for the money later."

"Don't say we're bullying you. A debt is a debt. It's only right to repay it."

"Even if you're from the Town Martial Division, you can't get out of this debt. Besides, we're not afraid of you. Our boss is from the Meng Family."

Wang Zheng stood rooted to the spot, not knowing what to do.

Outside the courtyard.

Seeing Wang Zheng like this, He An was also shocked.

He hadn't expected Wang Zheng's life to be like this, nor did he understand why the other party was so filial, still handing over his entire salary even after being kicked out of his home.

One should know that a clerk in the Town Martial Division...

While their salary wasn't enough to make the whole family rich, it was definitely enough to ensure they had enough to eat.

But Wang Zheng had fallen to the point of renting a courtyard and borrowing money from others.

Now, he was being humiliated by some thugs.

"Do it!" the leading man suddenly shouted. "If you don't let us brothers have some fun, then pay us back now."

"We're not that easy to fool, and we're not afraid of your status."

"Wait a moment."

He An shouted and slowly walked into the courtyard.

"Xiao An, why are you here?" Wang Zheng looked flustered when he saw He An.

"Kid, who are you?"

The leading man stood up and sized up He An.

"It doesn't matter who I am. I just want to know how much silver Brother Wang Zheng owes you that's worth you insulting him like this?"

"He owes us five taels of silver, and he hasn't paid it back for a long time."

He An pondered for a few seconds and said, "I'll pay this money back for Brother Wang Zheng, but I don't have that much on me right now. I'll pay you all back after some time."

"Xiao An," Wang Zheng pulled He An's arm. "This is my debt. You don't have to pay it back."

"Besides, your family isn't well-off."

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

The leading man sneered, "Who do you think you are? You say 'after some time,' and what makes you think I should believe you?"

"You can disbelieve me, but you should believe Lord Wei."

"Lord Wei?"

He An nodded. "Lord Wei Yangyun of the Town Martial Division. I joined the Town Martial Division half a month ago, and it was Lord Wei who personally handled it."

"I guarantee in his name, this money will be repaid."

"This..." The man in the lead hesitated.

Wei Yangyun, a clerk in the Town Martial Division, was a big shot he couldn't afford to offend. If that person really set his sights on him, it would be trouble.

It wasn't worth it for five taels of silver!

After a period of internal struggle, the man in the lead snorted, "Kid, I'll believe your nonsense for now, but this is the last time."

"Brother Wang, I hope you can gather the silver by the next time I come."

"I definitely will!" Wang Zheng repeatedly assured him.

After seeing them off.

The crowd watching from outside the courtyard also dispersed in a rush.

"Sorry to have made you witness that," Wang Zheng said with an embarrassed smile, quickly ushering He An to sit down and pouring him a cup of water.

He An picked up the water and drank it in one gulp.

"Brother Wang, why didn't you say earlier that you were so short on money? Although my family isn't wealthy, we're still better off than you. I can spare five taels of silver."

"I just didn't want to trouble you!"

As he spoke, Wang Zheng changed the subject and asked, "You came to find me so suddenly, you must have other things to ask, right?"

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from you, Brother Wang."

He An leaned closer, his voice filled with worry. "My elder brother has been gone for so long, and I haven't received any news. I had no choice but to come and ask you."

"Brother Wang, tell me the truth, will my elder brother be alright?"

"He will be!"

Wang Zheng said, "The news I received is that the Salvation Cult has been basically wiped out, and there were no major casualties in the Town Martial Division. Perhaps tomorrow or the day after, your elder brother should be back."

"So that's how it is."

He An breathed a sigh of relief.

Immediately, he reached into his bulging chest pocket, took out something wrapped in oil paper, and gently placed it on the table in the courtyard.

"Brother Wang, I bought some meat for you!"

"Meat?"

Wang Zheng swallowed, then quickly waved his hands. "No, I can't accept it. You've already helped me so much, it's not appropriate for me to take your meat too."

"Please accept it."

He An forcefully pushed the meat back.

The two men exchanged courtesies several times, but in the end, He An had the upper hand.

Wang Zheng accepted the meat and asked with concern, "Xiao An, although you helped me, if Lord Wei finds out that you used his name without authorization, it might bring trouble to your elder brother?"

"If it really comes to that, let's go and apologize to him."

"No need, such a small matter won't reach Lord Wei, and those few people wouldn't dare to do that," He An said with a sly smile.

"Besides, it's true that Lord Wei helped me join the Town Martial Division."

"However, it did cost money."

Wang Zheng: "..."

After chatting for a while longer, seeing that the sky was getting darker, and having learned about the precautions needed for his duties from Wang Zheng, He An did not linger.

"Brother Wang Zheng, I'm leaving."

"I'll see you out. It's so dark, and it's not safe outside the city."

"No need!"

He An ran out quickly, his figure disappearing into the distance.

Wang Zheng looked at his retreating back, shook his head with a wry smile, and then returned to the house. He happened to see some loose silver on the table in the courtyard.

In total, there were as many as three taels.

"This kid!"

A warm current surged through Wang Zheng's heart.

Then, a long sigh drifted in the night for a long time.