He Was Ready to Take On All Comers in a War of Words-Then an Auntie Shoved a Broom in His Face

He has already begun to conceive the content.

One could begin by describing the clearing of the streets by winter snow, and end with the plight of the people and the harshness of the officials. On the surface, it's a description of the scenery, but it subtly satirizes the excessive control of the Prince Yi's Residence. This would not only showcase literary talent but also allow one to test the true attitude of the people in the city towards Gu Moran.

He mentally reviewed the entire text.

Snow blankets every house in the cold sky, and the long streets are deserted with few vehicles.

Frost hangs heavy in the alleys, making them deserted; the city walls stand solemnly, yet the laws are extravagant.

The common people live in humble dwellings to make a living, while powerful officials oppress farmers and hemp growers.

All that can be seen is a field covered in silver, yet the unspoken murmurs of the common people remain unanswered.

Pu Yunshan walked to the small table, raised his hand to grind ink, and his wide sleeve swept across the edge of the table, attracting the attention of two scholars who were waiting to use the restroom.

He dipped his brush in ink and first wrote a vigorous "cold" character on the snow-white wall. Just as he finished the last stroke, he heard a series of hurried footsteps behind him.

What are you doing?

"You little brat, stop right now!"

Three women wearing Hongxiu armbands rushed out from the side door of the public toilet, and another old woman who was sewing shoe soles at the street corner also followed with a broom.

They worked efficiently, one protecting the inkstone, one removing the small table, and one directly blocking Pu Yunshan from the white wall.

Pu Yunshan quickly put down his pen, a sense of anticipation rising within him.

The henchmen of Prince Yi's Residence have indeed taken the bait.

He had only written one character. If the other side dared to arrest him on the grounds of mocking the vassal king,

He could then reveal his identity as a scholar and, citing classical texts, question the Prince Yi's Residence about why it suppressed free speech.

The more onlookers there are, the more fame this confrontation will bring him.

Pu Yunshan closed his folding fan, just as he was about to utter the long-awaited words, "How dare this brat obstruct me!", when Auntie Zhao, the leader, had already pressed a broken broom covered in snow and mud against his chest.

A broom branch pressed down on the expensive blue shirt, immediately leaving a grayish-brown stain.

Pu Yunshan looked down at his clothes, and a crack finally appeared in his previously composed expression.

"You... vulgar woman!"

"You're such a grown scholar, and there's a sign on the wall saying 'No scribbling.' Can't you read, or do you think your writing is more valuable than a notice?"

Auntie Zhao pointed at the wooden sign next to her with her broom. The sign clearly read, "[Graffiti prohibited on public walls. Violators will be fined twenty coins. Those who deface the walls must wash them themselves.]"

Pu Yunshan looked in the direction he was looking and saw that there really was a notice written on it, but it had been blocked by someone earlier, so he hadn't seen it!

That's it!

The doctrinal interpretations and sarcasm he had prepared were all stuck in his chest, and for a moment he couldn't find the right words to express them.

Another woman had already torn off a ticket, stamped it with a wooden stamp dipped in red clay, and then handed the ticket to him.

"Graffiti on the public wall will incur a fine of twenty coins. You must clean the words yourself. Considering this is your first time in the city, the broom and bucket will be provided free of charge. If you delay, an extra ten coins will be added."

Pu Yunshan looked at the rough paper ticket.

"What I am writing is an admonition to the people. Before I have even finished writing, you all are already obstructing me. Don't you know that scholars educate the people through their writings, and that the government should also respect those who are learned?"

Auntie Zhao slammed the broom on the ground, and her voice carried throughout the entire street.

"If you want to educate someone, submit your work to a bookstore, rent a wall in a teahouse, or ask a teacher at the entrance of the prefectural school to hang your articles. The white walls of the public toilets were built with money from all the people in the city; even the Prefect Si didn't write poems on them. What right do you, a scholar from out of town, have to occupy space?"

Hearing the argument, the surrounding people quickly formed a circle around it.

Some people stood on tiptoe to look at the lone "cold" character on the wall, while others stared at the mud stains on Pu Yunshan's clothes and whispered among themselves.

"His handwriting is alright, but his eyesight isn't very good. He can pretend he doesn't see the 'No Graffiti' sign even though it's so high up."

"Yesterday, a fishmonger wrote his accounts on the wall, and he was still fined twenty coins. He even had to fetch water and clean the wall himself. Do scholars have an extra hand compared to fishmongers?"

"His clothes aren't cheap; he can't even afford twenty coins. He's probably deliberately provoking us and should be severely punished."

These comments were more unpleasant to Pu Yunshan than a few insults.

He originally wanted to use the crowd to show off his talent, but now everyone just sees him as a pedantic scholar from out of town who doesn't follow the rules and wants to renege on his debts.

Zhao Wuxu, carrying two cups of hot milk tea, took two steps away, but when he saw Pu Yunshan surrounded by Hongxiu armbands, he dared not move forward.

He recognized Auntie Zhao; she had punished him before!

He quickly raised his sleeve to cover half his face, then turned and squeezed into the crowd of onlookers.

Pu Yunshan caught a glimpse of Zhao Wuxu retreating out of the corner of his eye, and his anger flared up even more.

However, he still had to maintain his identity as a down-on-his-luck scholar, and his men were scattered around keeping watch. If he were to fight in the street for a twenty-coin fine, his plan to enter the bookstore would be ruined halfway, and his own identity would be exposed.

He took out twenty coins from his purse and placed them one by one into the wooden tray brought by the woman. He then took the bucket and rag, preparing to wipe the ink stains off the wall as soon as possible.

After counting the copper coins, Auntie Zhao didn't move aside. Instead, she shook the ticket and pointed to the sleeve of the blue-robed man.

"The ink you used is too thick; it can't be wiped clean with water. Go to the shop next door and buy half a bowl of wood ash, then use a brush to scrub it three times. Only after we inspect it will the case be closed. Don't think you can fool us by splashing some water."

Pu Yunshan stood in front of the white wall, carrying a wooden bucket. A mud mark left by a broom was visible across his expensive blue robe. Dozens of eyes were watching him paint the wall.

I was so angry!

He was his father's youngest son, and from a young age, his father raised him as the hope of the entire family. Those in the shadows of Mount Qingcheng all addressed him as "Young Master."

Even if local officials secretly request an audience, they will give up their seat of honor.

Now, how can I be ordered around by a woman at the entrance of a public toilet over a single character in ink?

What he found even more unacceptable was that every rule Auntie Zhao mentioned was displayed on a wooden sign, and fines were accompanied by stamped receipts.

If he tries to use this as an excuse, he will only make a bigger fuss about not recognizing the notice.

"No need, I'm strong!"

Pu Yunshan gritted his teeth, bent down to wet the rag, and was about to wipe the wall when a loud, rough voice suddenly rang out from outside the crowd.

"What are you all doing standing around like that? Take your toilet tickets and move aside. Anyone who tries to cut in line, I'll drag them to the back."

"Anyone who dares disobey my dear sister-in-law will have to ask my fists first!"

Upon hearing this voice, Zhao Wuxu nearly dropped the two cups of milk tea in his hands.

The Big Savage Ox is here!

I still vividly remember the deadly series of blows he delivered at Black Wind Pass!

He immediately shrank behind the pancake cart, covering his face with his sleeves, only peeking out through a crack beside the wheel.

Pu Yunshan also stopped what he was doing and turned to look in the direction where the crowd had parted.

A handsome young man with an air of nobility was seen walking from the street corner, wearing a snow-white fox fur coat.

Beside him, a burly man carrying a ten-foot-long wooden ruler followed, and behind them were several Waterworks Team workers recording damage to ditches and streets.

The people bowed their heads in apology.

Pu Yunshan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Judging by his attire, it's Prince Yi who has arrived.

He gripped the damp cloth tightly, his arrogance, which had been suppressed by the old woman, rising again.

He was prepared to endure the difficulties, waiting for Gu Moran trouble so he could find an opportunity to turn the tables.