Whether Zhu Sheng truly cared or was merely pretending, Jiang Che himself cared deeply regardless, because whatever he did now, he could not do without Zhu Sheng's support.
Afterward, Jiang Che told Zhu Sheng everything that had happened that day exactly as it had occurred. He even frankly confessed that Kou Yuansheng had tried to bribe him.
Kou Yuansheng had delivered the sacrificial offerings to the gates of Zhu Manor. That was not something that could be concealed.
"Tap, tap."
Zhu Sheng's fingers slowly and powerfully tapped against the tabletop, his emotions impossible to read.
"Do you think I should see him?"
"This subordinate believes you should not."
"Tell me your reasons."
Leaning back in his chair, Zhu Sheng stared at Jiang Che as he asked.
"First, as one of Yanggu County's foremost powers, the Cao Gang must have deep ties with Magistrate Zhao. So why would he make a point of approaching you?
"You have just declared that you would eradicate the villains who plague the people, and the Cao Gang is the greatest villain of them all.
"Second, the situation in Yanggu County is tangled like roots and vines. The Crouching Tiger Mountain bandits' attempted ambush last time was clearly orchestrated by someone behind the scenes. The Cao Gang is the number one martial force in the open.
"Could there be some connection between them?"
"Crouching Tiger Mountain... the Cao Gang..."
As the commanding officer of the Wind Camp once stationed between Yanggu County and the prefectural city, Zhu Sheng had naturally heard of Crouching Tiger Mountain. It occupied the deep mountains, its roots entrenched and unshakable.
It had existed for more than a decade and could not be wiped out easily.
Yet neither could he simply let the matter slide. Otherwise, his prestige would cease to exist.
But the question was, what should he do?
"You think Kou Yuansheng is connected to Crouching Tiger Mountain?"
"Crouching Tiger Mountain is entrenched in the deep mountains and wanted by the authorities. How do they survive? How do they recruit bandits? This subordinate believes someone must be supporting them behind the scenes, and the Cao Gang controls the canal transport, which happens to give them that convenience."
"You accepted Kou Yuansheng's gifts, so why are you speaking against him instead?" After thinking for a moment, Zhu Sheng suddenly asked.
Jiang Che bowed slightly and continued.
"Because this subordinate can distinguish what matters most and knows whom he is loyal to. Accepting benefits is one thing, but no one ever said that accepting something means you must get things done for them."
"You brat..."
Jiang Che's words left Zhu Sheng both amused and exasperated.
He took something without doing the job, yet spoke with such righteous confidence.
Jiang Che was probably the only one capable of such a thing.
"This subordinate also believes that not only should you refuse to see Kou Yuansheng, you should immediately take action against the Cao Gang, so that everyone in Yanggu County knows that you have never merely been talking."
Jiang Che raised his head, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"Do you hold a grudge against the Cao Gang?"
"Yes. When this subordinate was young, I made a living by fishing and selling fish. But the Cao Gang repeatedly oppressed people like us. No matter how good our catch was, we could only sell it to the Cao Gang at a low price. Whoever dared sell fish privately would be viciously beaten.
"This subordinate was beaten badly back then as well."
"Since you raised this matter, I'll leave it to you. But remember this: making a big commotion is fine, but do not make any mistakes and cause me to lose face."
"This subordinate... obeys."
Jiang Che immediately clasped his fists.
Creak—
A crack opened in the study door, and a round eye peeked furtively inside. Zhu Sheng held the report he had ordered compiled on Yanggu County's situation and spoke without even raising his head.
"Qing'er, come in."
"Father, how did you know it was me?"
Zhu Qingqing pushed open the door and entered, her face brimming with smiles.
"Other than you, no one in this household has the nerve to be so bold."
Zhu Sheng shook his head helplessly and casually set down the dossier.
"I knew Father treated me the best."
Zhu Qingqing blinked.
"What do you need from me?"
"Can't I come if I don't need anything?" Zhu Qingqing pouted.
"Your mother told me that you are dissatisfied with Jiang Che's family background and unwilling to associate with him?" Zhu Sheng sighed softly, then changed the subject.
"I..."
Zhu Qingqing was instantly rendered speechless.
Now, it was Jiang Che who did not wish to associate with her. He even avoided her as though she were a venomous snake or scorpion.
"Qing'er, you are no longer young. You have reached the age to marry; you cannot remain by your parents' side for your entire life. Over the past two years, I have introduced you to quite a few outstanding young men.
"But you rejected every one of them outright. Yet where in this world is there anything perfectly flawless?
"If their family background is good, you find them ugly. If they are handsome, you dislike their lack of manliness. Tell me, what kind of husband do you actually want?"
Zhu Sheng's tone gradually grew heavy.
"I... I..."
"This world is not as simple as you imagine. Indeed, there are men in this world who come from good families, possess great strength, and are overflowing with talent, but let me tell you a hard truth.
"Are you worthy of a man like that?"
"Father..."
Zhu Qingqing was deeply embarrassed by his words.
"I am making you face reality. Your appearance is decent enough, but you can only be called pretty in a modest way. You know nothing of the four arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. All you do is wave spears and brandish staves, yet you lack the perseverance to truly practice martial arts.
"After all these years, you still have not entered the Inner Breath Realm."
"Father, stop talking."
Zhu Qingqing regretted coming to the study.
"Since we have laid everything bare, I will no longer hide anything. In this world, the most important thing in marriage is that the families be well matched.
"Your father is only a seventh-rank county commandant. In Yanggu County, I may count among the foremost figures, but looking across Tai'an Prefecture, what do I amount to?
"It is not that you cannot marry into those great clans and prestigious families, but with your spoiled and unruly temperament, can you truly endure their deep-rooted rules?
"It is precisely because I saw this clearly that I sought you a husband with potential but an ordinary family background. Jiang Che may not be particularly handsome, but he is still above average.
"But do you know how high his talent for martial arts is?
"In seven days, he mastered Savage Bull Strength and withstood two moves from Song Ji of Crouching Tiger Mountain. Such aptitude far surpasses your father's in his youth. With such potential, and with my wholehearted support,
"his future will not be confined to a single county or region."
Zhu Sheng sternly lectured Zhu Qingqing.
"Father, I was wrong."
Zhu Qingqing lowered her head, too cowed by the scolding to look up. Since she could remember, this was the first time her father had rebuked her so harshly.
"If you marry Jiang Che, then at least while I hold power, he will not dare mistreat you. He will cherish you alone. With such an excellent husband before you, how can you not know to treasure him?"
"I... I never resisted him. I was only joking with Mother before. Just now, I even wanted him to accompany me on an outing, but he refused instead.
"Father... why don't you put some pressure on him?"
"How should I pressure him?"
Zhu Sheng's expression grew increasingly grim.
"Just make it so he can only accompany me on outings."
Zhu Sheng took a deep breath.
"Ordering him to accompany you on an outing is a small matter. But should I later have to force him to marry you too?"
"Uh... I..."
"I can pressure him for a time, but can I pressure him for a lifetime?"
"When I lose power, when he rises to power, do you know what he will do then?"
"W-what will he do?"
"He will repay today's humiliation upon you a hundredfold, a thousandfold!"
"Qing'er, your judgment is so poor. I am truly too disappointed in you."