104: Please enlighten me

Upon seeing Jiang Hanwen, Yang Changshan immediately transformed from a man-eating tiger into a docile lamb. His cheeks flushed red as he sat up straight and mumbled softly:

"Chief Steward Jiang, do you still remember those children the Family Head personally brought into the family last year?

Last month, the Family Head organized a grand competition. The top twenty-five, every single one of them, broke through three stages in a year, showing very high talent.

Young Master Zhuang, after coming out of seclusion, asked me if we could let the family members of these people enter the Medicine Field early.

Chief Steward Jiang, tell me, is this matter really that difficult?"

A soft tone did not mean soft words.

This was clearly using Young Lord Zhuang Xiao and these exceptionally promising Black-Robed Guardians to intimidate him.

When under another's roof, one must bow one's head. Song Shuming knew well that they ultimately worked under the Zhuang family.

Sighing, he cautiously looked at Jiang Hanwen:

"Chief Steward Jiang, this is what I was thinking: we can give up the land where we plant fertilizer fruits, that can accommodate some people; the qi gathering grass fields, they've planted there before and have experience, so we can also give that up, accommodating another portion of people. Additionally, they can help raise snakes and increase the number of Snake Tongue Orchids."

Song Shuming had already prepared for these matters, having no choice but to devise a plan.

However, he didn't dare to make a decision, nor did he want to bother Jiang Hanwen, so the matter had been delayed.

"You've worked hard." Jiang Hanwen smiled slightly at Song Shuming.

Although this subordinate of his was older than him, ever since he sincerely obeyed his orders, he had worked diligently, considering both himself and the Medicine Field, without ever wavering. This dedication was very rare.

If it were before, Jiang Hanwen might have considered saying,

My father's mobility is inconvenient, and Zhuang Xiao's status is there. I'll take a small loss, give him some face, and accept the people, and that would be the end of it.

But after his father left, the mission of being dependent on others ended.

Alone, he had no more worries.

If he was unhappy, he would just leave.

The tables had turned; the Zhuang family needed him, not the other way around.

He remained here only to repay Zhuang Kongming's unprecedented trust in him, and for the unread Body Tempering Cultivation Techniques in the library.

Without Zhuang Kongming's approval, a Zhuang Xiao, who hadn't even achieved Qi Induction yet,

was using the Medicine Field's money to curry favor, making the Medicine Field a scapegoat.

Why?

You, Zhuang Xiao, are the Young Lord of the Zhuang family, with a respected status, but I, Jiang Hanwen, am no longer the poor little medicine farmer I once was.

If we communicate well and it makes sense, then it's fine. But if you try to force it, to use your authority to suppress me?

Sorry, the Qing Dynasty is over!

"Does the Family Head have an order?" Jiang Hanwen looked at Yang Changshan with a half-smile.

Yang Changshan, who had been confident of victory, stiffened. Sensing that Jiang Hanwen's mood was a bit off, he bit the bullet and continued:

"Although the Family Head hasn't said anything, Young Master Xiao meant it."

"Oh~" Smiling, Jiang Hanwen raised his head, his voice rising, and looked at Song Shuming beside him.

"Go and invite Young Master Xiao over. Tell him that from today onwards, he will manage the Medicine Field, and I willingly yield my position to him."

Yang Changshan was stunned. He had expected Jiang Hanwen to threaten him, or to speak softly, but he never expected Jiang Hanwen to simply quit.

And — this good fortune?

"Yes." Song Shuming sighed and turned to leave.

It was hard enough to find someone capable and impartial, but the Zhuang family insisted on driving him away. If that was the case, he didn't want to continue either.

Song Shuming, guided by the steward, arrived at Zhuang Xiao's courtyard.

"Young Master, Elder Song has something to report."

"Come in."

By the door, Song Shuming smelled alcohol.

Entering the side room, Zhuang Xiao was sitting at a table. On either side of him sat a beautiful young woman in light, sheer clothes, urging him to drink.

"Elder Song, come quickly! What brings you to me?" Zhuang Xiao chuckled and waved, motioning for Song Shuming to sit down.

"Young Master Zhuang, I won't sit.

Chief Steward Jiang said that from today onwards, you will be the Chief Steward of the Medicine Field, and he asked me to inform you."

"Crack!"

The stool flew out. Zhuang Xiao instantly stood up, looking at Song Shuming with a serious expression:

"Chief Steward Jiang?

Elder Song, what happened!"

The two women, startled, quickly got up and left.

"It's like this, Yang Changshan..."

After hearing Song Shuming's words, Zhuang Xiao's face turned dark, and his father's admonition came to mind.

Currently, there are over a hundred thousand people down the mountain. Besides the Zhuang family, the neighboring Li family, Huang family, Bai family, and the Black Wind Martial Arts Hall are also involved. It's a chaotic mix, with undercurrents surging.

The family's expenses are high, so the Medicine Field absolutely cannot have any mishaps. His father told him to stabilize the situation as much as possible before Jiang Hanwen came out to manage things.

Because of that incident years ago, he might never achieve a Breakthrough to Qi Induction in this lifetime.

Therefore, he especially wanted to gather talented people around him, which led to him secretly relaying messages to Yang Changshan.

Now, this was great. He tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice, directly driving away the Zhuang family's most profitable asset. If his father found out...

"Gulp~"

Zhuang Xiao swallowed. Getting his legs broken would be considered a light punishment.

"Elder Song, I truly don't know about this matter. I did drink with Yang Changshan, but I absolutely never mentioned this. Could it be that someone deliberately made him do this to frame me?" Zhuang Xiao directly feigned ignorance, turning the tables.

"Young Master Zhuang, you didn't say it?" Song Shuming was taken aback.

"I definitely didn't say it!" Zhuang Xiao spoke with conviction, his neck slightly red, almost swearing on his parents!

"Then, it might be a misunderstanding. I'll go back and report to Chief Steward Jiang." Song Shuming's tone softened. Just as he was about to leave, Zhuang Xiao called out to him.

"Elder Song, someone like Yang Changshan, who harbors ill intentions, I think he should be severely punished!"

"Alright, I'll tell Chief Steward Jiang!" Although Song Shuming wasn't entirely convinced, seeing Zhuang Xiao speak with such certainty made him wonder. Could it really not have been Young Master Zhuang who said it? Then who was sowing discord? Was it the Second Master's children?

After Song Shuming left.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the sound of a wine bottle shattering echoed in the room... Meanwhile, in the Council Hall.

Hearing Song Shuming's report, Yang Changshan, who had been quietly waiting for a reward, was dumbfounded. His mouth hung open. He... he had become a sacrifice!

Song Shuming leaned towards Jiang Hanwen.

"Chief Steward Jiang, who do you think is sowing discord behind the scenes?"

Jiang Hanwen shook his head: "Who it is, or if such a person even exists, doesn't matter. To forge iron, one must be strong oneself!"

The tables had turned. The Elders all looked at Yang Changshan.

"Chief Steward Jiang, you... you say how to punish me, I accept it." Yang Changshan walked in front of Jiang Hanwen and lowered his head.

Jiang Hanwen's gaze slid from him to the two Black-Robed Guardians beside him. The pressure just now seemed to be only on Yang Changshan, but earlier, when Song Shuming was pressured, these two had also participated.

"People strive for higher ground, water flows to lower places.

I can understand your desire to climb higher.

However, using the Medicine Field's money to curry favor, aren't you being a bit too presumptuous?"

Yang Changshan gritted his teeth: "Chief Steward Jiang, I'll take responsibility for my actions. Just say it. If I even blink, I'm not a man."

"Hmm, you're quite a man then. Fine, I'll break your leg, and this matter will be settled." Jiang Hanwen said.

Yang Changshan clenched his fists, his gaze dropping.

"Brother Yang!" The two Black-Robed Guardians sitting nearby couldn't sit still and instantly stood up.

"Please, Chief Steward Jiang, let your words be true!"

With that, Yang Changshan gritted his teeth and slammed his right fist hard into his knee.

"Slap!"

Suddenly, a hand pressed down on his fist.

Yang Changshan looked at Jiang Hanwen, utterly bewildered.

Stopping him, not letting him hit himself?

He was a little confused about what Chief Steward Jiang meant.

Jiang Hanwen pointed at the three of them:

"Given your deep brotherhood, I'll give you a chance. It's three against me. If you can withstand thirty breaths, today's matter will be over.

If you can't, then don't even think about the Medicine Field's monthly salary anymore."

"Chief Steward Jiang!" Song Shuming and the three Elders called out with concern.

No matter what, it was three against one. When had they ever seen Jiang Hanwen fight?

This was reckless! If he got hurt, the consequences would be severe!

The two Black-Robed Guardians stepped forward, standing one on each side of Yang Changshan.

They had seen Jiang Hanwen fight the Grand Commander Shang Xian. One-on-one, they definitely couldn't win.

But three against one, and only needing to hold out for thirty breaths, that would be easy!

"Bang!"

Fearing Jiang Hanwen might change his mind, the three clasped their fists together.

"Please, Chief Steward Jiang, enlighten us!"