Chapter Seventy-Five: Introduction

“Thank you,” Qin Zhen said solemnly.

Huang Dalang had stormed in with such aggression that, if not for Chen Kuai’s timely intervention, Qin Zhen truly wouldn’t have known how to deal with him.

“Huang Dalang is no good. Offending him will make things difficult,” Chen Kuai frowned slightly. “I told you before we came—Huang’s family is powerful. If you want to sell cloth in Jin Hai City, you’ll have to bow your head a bit.”

“I cannot bow,” Qin Zhen sighed.

Huang Dalang was practically trying to strip him bare—how could he endure that?

Compared to Fang Lan, Huang Dalang’s methods were far more ruthless; he demanded all of Qin Zhen’s textile machines, leaving not a scrap behind!

That was something Qin Zhen could never accept.

He had come to seek partnership, not to grovel like a dog.

“It’s alright. You still have me. With me around, Huang Dalang will restrain himself somewhat inside the city,” Chen Kuai paused, frowning, “But outside the city, I may not be able to help.”

“That’s more than enough.”

Qin Zhen knew well that Chen Kuai, being an official, had his own duties and couldn’t cover everything. As long as Qin Zhen could establish himself safely in Jin Hai City, he was already deeply grateful.

As for outside the city, his village’s guards were no pushovers.

With a straight face, Qin Zhen said, “On behalf of the villagers of Little Fishing Village, I thank Brother Chen!”

“Nonsense! Don’t be so formal!” Chen Kuai grinned broadly. “Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. We’re family—no need for such words!”

He patted Qin Zhen’s shoulder. “Later, sit by my side. You’re here to do business, aren’t you? Everyone here today is a prominent figure in Jin Hai City. It’s the perfect chance to get acquainted. The Huang family may be powerful, but they’re not the only ones in the city. Build a few connections, and you’ll thrive for years.”

Qin Zhen’s heart warmed.

Chen Kuai was someone you could rely on.

Never forget old friends in prosperity.

The commotion in Baiyang Pavilion did not escape the city lord’s notice.

He pointed at Qin Zhen and asked his attendant, “Who is that?”

“It seems he’s from Little Fishing Village. I heard he once killed a bear and defeated pirates,” the attendant replied hesitantly. “Those peculiar clothes appearing in the city recently are also made by them.”

“Oh?” The city lord’s interest was piqued. “Such a talent in my Jin Hai County?”

“It must be a lie,” a young lady in a blue dress scoffed. “Look at Qin Zhen, so rustic—he might not even be older than me! How could he possibly kill a bear? Surely it’s all rumor and deception, a fraud!”

“Ying’er speaks true,” the city lord nodded slightly.

He too suspected that Qin Zhen’s reputation was largely inflated.

Just then, Chen Kuai stepped forward to greet them.

“Your humble servant greets the city lord and Miss Ying’er!”

His manner was impeccable, courteous and respectful, which greatly pleased the city lord.

Ever since the last city guard was beheaded by mountain bandits, the post had remained vacant. The city lord had considered placing his own confidant in the role, but worried that, should trouble arise, his confidant might not be able to shoulder the responsibility, so he abandoned the idea.

When County Magistrate Zhang Miao first recommended Chen Kuai, the city lord was hesitant—after all, Chen Kuai was not one of his own.

But then he remembered that this man had led villagers to fight pirates, driving them away! Having such a fierce warrior to guard Jin Hai City gave the city lord unprecedented peace of mind.

Especially after witnessing Chen Kuai hanging the corpses of mountain bandits as soon as he entered the city—his satisfaction grew.

He wanted exactly such a ruthless character!

With a man like this defending the city, the city lord could sleep soundly at night and rake in profits with confidence.

“No need for formalities,” the city lord said kindly. “Today is a family gathering, not official business—relax.”

“Lord Chen, did Qin Zhen really kill a bear?” Miss Ying’er asked, her face full of mockery.

“Miss Ying’er is unaware—my young brother is truly capable!” Chen Kuai replied earnestly. “The whole county came to see; he really did kill a brown bear! I personally verified it!”

Miss Ying’er had been skeptical.

But Chen Kuai had no reason to lie, so she hesitated.

She glanced again at Qin Zhen, who was sitting at the table, wolfing down food in a crude manner.

“Is it true?” The city lord was also intrigued.

“If you wish, I can make introductions,” Chen Kuai offered, heading straight to Qin Zhen.

At the table, Qin Zhen and his companions were already dazzled by the array of exquisite food and wine.

The simple fare of Little Fishing Village had long grown tiresome. Today, at last, they had come to a high-class place, and they intended to indulge themselves.

“You oaf! Stop grabbing my peanuts!”

“Uncle Chen, save me a drumstick!”

“Starved to death in a past life, huh? So many eyes on us—straighten up! Oaf, put down that plate of braised pork intestines!”

Watching his two companions devour their meals, Qin Zhen couldn’t help but sigh.

Fine wine and rotten meat behind grand doors, frozen bones on the roadside.

So many common folk starved, surviving on wild herbs; yet here, the officials and nobles feasted on delicacies.

What a rotten world!

“Vulgar! So vulgar! No manners at the table, no decorum at all!” The scholars nearby shook their heads and sighed. “Where did these savages come from, eating so boorishly? They’re ruining Baiyang Pavilion’s refined atmosphere!”

“Have you ever been hungry? All this whining!” Li Han snarled impatiently, his mouth glistening with grease. “Isn’t food meant to be eaten? If you don’t like how I eat, just don’t look!”

“A disgrace to scholarship! A disgrace!” The scholars flushed with anger.

Qin Zhen thought these people must be out of their minds.

He was eating—how did it bother them?

“Brother Tang, we’re both men of letters. Why stoop to sparring with country bumpkins? It only lowers our own status,” a young scholar in white teased, his gestures full of arrogant ease.

The green-robed scholar who had earlier criticized Qin Zhen’s group shook his head and sighed, “I just feel that Miss Ying’er’s birthday banquet has been ruined by these wild men who appeared from nowhere.”

The white-robed scholar sneered, “Reasoning with them is useless. These villagers are illiterate, like beasts. How could they understand etiquette and rules?”

Qin Zhen could endure no more.

A few words, fine—he could be magnanimous and let it slide.

But they just kept pushing.

“Who are you calling a savage?” Qin Zhen lifted his head, coldly sweeping his gaze over the two.

“You talk endlessly about morality and etiquette, but lack the virtue to tolerate others, and the heart to be generous! Don’t be fooled by your fine clothes—you are nothing but beasts in scholar’s robes!”