Great Tang Idyll

After saying this, Housekeeper Zhang felt fortunate in his heart. It was a good thing that he had listened to his father's words and worked earnestly for the manor. He did not try to fight for power with his Madam and Master, and he did not try to oppress his young master. If he did, perhaps he would be buried underground by now. On several nights, he dreamt of his Young Master's large eyes, and mesmerizing smile, and he would up from shock every time.

He didn't know why, but when he looked at his Young Master during the day, he felt like his appearance was very likeable. However, in his dreams during the night, a particular kind of coldness emanated from within his Young Master. In particular, the expression in his eyes seemed like they were staring into him.

Yu Yong didn't know what Housekeeper Zhang was thinking. After hearing what Housekeeper Zhang said, he nodded and agreed. He got the people to send the three troublemakers inside the yard.

It didn't take a long time for the bailiffs who were assigned to stay at the manor to rush over. A total of three bailiffs came and the leader was someone the manor residents knew--- it was Chen Dong.

"Sir, I was wronged. Us three brothers accidentally walked into here after drinking too much. They beat us up and accused us that we were here to do bad things. Sir, I was wronged. Sir, you have dropped some money."

That eldest brother switched out of his usual calm demeanor, or it could be said that he saw this as an opportunity and shouted out to the three bailiffs who came, hoping that he would be able to receive help from them. At the same time, he threw himself over to them, and tugged at Chen Dong's hand. From his sleeves, he pulled out a string of sixty or so coins, and two silver beads.

When Chen Dong picked up the money, the eldest brother turned his head and looked at Housekeeper Zhang and Yu Yong with an expression that was self-explanatory.

Upon seeing his gaze, Housekeeper Zhang turned his head away, and Yu Yong laughed a couple of times. This made the older brother feel confused.

Thud. Chen Dong kicked the older brother's chest, sending him three meters away, and said, "I dropped that money? But my money pouch has been on my waist the entire time, so how did it drop? Both your hands are tied up, yet you still dare to steal my money. Show him a lesson."

Chen Dong took a step back as he spoke, and the two bailiffs next to him rushed forward and began to beat one of them up and curse at him.

"You must blind for stealing Brother Chen's money. You failed to steal Brother Chen's money and you lied saying that he dropped it. Who told you to steal it, huh? Who gave you the guts? This is a place where even someone like Young Master Zhou has to put on a smile, and yet you have the guts to come here and cause trouble. Do you think the San'shui County belongs to you?"

The other one was more ruthless-- he deliberately hit the sensitive parts on his body and also cursed at him, "The Zhang and Wang manor framed you? Why don't you take a piss and see what your own reflection looks like? Poisoning? If you can poison the pond today, then you can poison another place tomorrow. What if the poison gets on the wood fungus? What if it gets on the cucumbers?

I know now. You want to poison my 70-year-old grandmother to death. Brother Chen's baby is only one year old, and you're still able to be so cruel? I'll beat you to death. You wait for it. When we get back, I'll teach you a lesson. You could have chosen to cause trouble anywhere, but you had to run over to this place. Great, how amazing.

I usually have to change into my daily wear when I cross the bridge. You have given us extra work. Good, you're so brave. You made us come all the way here in the middle of the night. "

"No, sir, I have been wronged." The older brother was beaten until he was confused. He gave out four or so taels of silver, but he was still treated like this. How much money do the bailiffs even earn in a year? Just a few hundred coins a month, so this amount of money can cover a year's salary. Why was he still beaten up?

The person who was beaten up was crying loudly. Father Zhang left his study after hearing the commotion and Madam Zhang-Wang followed closely behind him. When they arrived, the two brothers were on the side, curled up on the ground. "Brother Chen, what's going on here?"

When Chen Dong saw the master of the manor had come out, he shot a look at the other two bailiffs, and they stopped. Chen Dong walked forward and said, "My lord, I didn't do a good job and I ended up letting people go into the manor and try to plant poison. Good thing they failed, otherwise, I would be too ashamed to even go back home. If my father finds out, he will beat me to death.

Father Zhang looked at the person who had been beaten and said, "Brother Chen, your words are too polite. There has never been any "lord" in the Zhang and Wang manor. We all have kids at home. I wonder how Uncle Chen is doing? It has been cold lately. I heard that it's hard for Uncle Chen to move around. Someone, come, go to warehouse number five to get medicinal herbs that fight the cold. Remember to pick the larger pieces of 'Fangfeng1'.

Brother Chen, I've been busy these days, and you know that I usually don't manage these kinds of things, so I forgot about Uncle Chen's situation. Don't take this to heart. I have heard from others that your son is very sensible and obedient. Later, when I go back, I'll get a bell for him. Gold is too heavy. A silver one will be fine.

Madam, how are those heated brick beds made again? The weather is getting colder. Last year when my father's legs were cold, he felt better after laying on one. Get people to make one for Brother Chen and the others. If charcoal is used, then give them some charcoal; if firewood is used, then buy them locally. "

"What my husband said is correct. It is my fault for not being considerate enough. Don't worry, I will keep this in mind now. The firewood is too wet to be given away, it would produce a lot of smoke when burned. My husband, it's cold this evening, you should have draped a coat over yourself before leaving."

Even though Madam Zhang Wang was the one who usually manages the house, at this time, she really gave Father Zhang face, and she spoke softly beside him, without making any excuses at all.

No matter what, Father Zhang was still the head of the family, so he had to act like one. Furthermore, he had the title of an official that was a proper seven-rank, which was not too small.

Madam Zhang Wang maintained a gentle demeanor. "What my husband said is correct. I'll ask people to get them now. There are still some left in warehouse number five."

"Uh~? Warehouse number five?" Father Zhang hesitated. Warehouse number five belonged to Zhang Xiao'bao. Normally, Zhang Xiao'bao and Wang Juan sent a part of their income to the Zhang and Wang family's warehouse.

The two families knew that Zhang family's warehouse number five was their largest warehouse. Practically everything can be found in it--- things that fly in the sky, run on the ground, swim in the water, or hide in the grass, and even silver and copper coins. As long as the item is a commonly seen item, then the item can be found there.

Just now, Father Zhang had already selected some medicinal herbs from his son's warehouse, so now he felt a little embarrassed to take fungus too.

"Husband, the gatekeeper at number five may be a bit stingy, but if you're the one that wants to take the items, the gatekeeper would be more than happy to comply. Speaking of the children in Uncle Chen's family, I thought of Xiao'bao and Juan'juan. Having two children is good."

Madam Zhang Wang said suggestively.

Father Zhang immediately understood what she meant. His son and daughter-in-law would never get angry with their family members over this kind of matter. Even his official position was obtained by his son. This was the good part of having a deity-like son. He never had to worry about the things at home since his son kept things well organized. His son was also sensible and obedient, and he studied the lessons he taught him with earnesty.

After thinking about this, Father Zhang had the confidence to speak, and he ordered, "The Administrative Office's bailiffs run around all day, and they don't have it easy. Outside is more dusty, and if they catch a cold, their coughing will become chronic. Give each person half a catty."

"What my husband said is correct. I know what to do now. Tomorrow, we will give out half a catty of wood fungus and half a catty of snow fungus too." Madam Zhang-Wang continued to agree with him. It was as if her existence had added luster to Father Zhang.

Half a catty was not that much anyway when the fungus is not dry. It was fine to give away half a catty of remoistuned fungus. It seemed like a lot if every single bailiff took some, but the Zhang and Wang family cultivated it themselves, and given the current circumstances, the benefits of giving it away was evident.

Even if those people weren't actually coming here to poison the pond, they can accuse those people of anything, and those people wouldn't be able to do anything about it. This didn't really have anything to do with this man's official title since he was just a seven-rank official without any actual power. The bailiffs were working by the book, so no one can find any faults with this. Chen Dong did this because the manor treated them so well that they even took care of everyone's families.

The bailiffs were pretty much done with beating him up and it was about time to bring him back to the Administrative Office. Chen Dong didn't say any words of thanks. He waved his hand at the two bailiffs, and they pulled the eldest brother of the three out of the manor.

"You can't arrest me. Do you know who sent me here? The Han family, it was Han...Ah!" One of the two bailiffs that was escorting him raised his arm up and slapped him, causing the older brother to bleed.

Of course, Chen Dong wouldn't let him speak. It was up to the Zhang family to decide whether they wanted to advance forward or back off. Otherwise, why would he and the other bailiffs be sent here to guard the place?

The eldest brother was beaten silly and was dragged out, while the other two were left behind. The third brother was sitting on the ground with a face full of fear. He finally understood it now. He thought that the Han family were powerful, but once the border of the state was crossed, their family became useless. The Zhang family was the most powerful one here.

Take a look at how the San'shui County's bailiffs acted just now. They were just like the family's servants, and did whatever they were told, and were punished accordingly if anything happened. Fighting with this family? That was just courting death.

Only the second brother's expression didn't change much. It was as if he had known about this for a long time already, or he was like this regardless of what happens.

"I'm telling you, you are done for. You have offended the Han family. In this place, everyone is afraid of them. Let me go. Lao'san, I can't believe you dare surrender to the enemy. There's no way your family will be let off easily."

The oldest brother still had blood flowing out of his mouth, but right now, he seemed to have snapped back to his senses. The beating from earlier on did not cause him any internal injury, but the last few blows broke his lip. He yelled out.

Chen Dong didn't care about what he yelled out. The Han family? Who is that? It didn't matter. Unless it was the Emperor himself, there was nothing to worry about. The prince governed this state, so could the Han family be more powerful? The Emperor's nephew's manor was nearby too. He took note of his works, and intended to write this down in his criminal record.

"This time, Older Brother is doomed." The second brother who has not spoken the entire time, spoke up all of a sudden.

Translator's Notes

1. Fangfeng 防风

This refers to the Divaricate Saposhnikovia root. "Fangfeng" means to "protect against the wind". In Chinese medicine, the root of this plant relieves symptoms of influenza or related respiratory discomforts.

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