Coming to the Door

The prefectural government office in Hejian.

Unlike the Renqiu County government, the Hejian Prefectural Government knew Zhang Kun's background.

Zhang Kun's eunuch godfather had already sent a letter to the prefect of Hejian through someone else.

For the Hejian government, it was a good thing that the eunuch Zhang Ye cared about his hometown and sent his adopted son to recruit disaster victims to work as river laborers.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Kun encountered bandits on the way.

Compared to the Renqiu County government office, the Hejian Prefectural government office bore a heavier responsibility for dealing with bandits, which had a greater impact on its performance evaluation.

However, Zhang Kun had already sent the official document to all government offices, so there was no way to downplay the size of the bandits.

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency!"

Zhang Kun followed the prefect's attendant into the hall, knelt down, and bowed.

"Commander Zhang, please rise."

The prefect raised his hand, gesturing for Zhang Kun to stand up, and said in a lukewarm tone:

"Zhang Baihu has eliminated a great scourge by suppressing bandits in Hejian. On behalf of the people of Hejian, this prefecture expresses its gratitude to Zhang Baihu."

The official document you sent to the government office was rather brief. Could you please elaborate?

Don't just thank me, how about giving me some money?

"Your Excellency is too kind. This is merely my duty, I am simply fulfilling my responsibilities..."

Zhang Kun recounted in detail his encounter with and defeat of the bandits, and concluded by saying to the prefect:

"...I just didn't expect that, before the night was over, I would order someone to escort the Sun family's daughter into Renqiu City."

The Guo family still broke off the engagement; they are so old-fashioned and completely disregard the hard work I've put in killing the thieves!

Now the Sun family has also come to Hejian City, seeking an explanation from the Guo family.

"Commander Zhang has worked hard in killing the bandits."

Upon hearing this, the prefect frowned slightly and advised Zhang Kun:

"However, this is a family matter between the Sun and Guo families, so it would be best if Commander Zhang didn't interfere."

The prefect changed the subject back to the river works camp, took out a pre-written official document, and continued speaking to Zhang Kun:

"Zhang Neixiang is deeply concerned about his hometown. This prefecture has already drafted an official document instructing the Hejian County government to cooperate with Zhang Baihu."

If anything goes wrong in Hejian County, Zhang Baihu can simply send a letter to this prefecture.

The implication was that you should go find work at the Hejian County government office and not bother me unless it's absolutely necessary.

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

Zhang Kun first expressed his gratitude, then presented the prefect with the prepared bargaining chips and reported:

"I interrogated the captured thieves and discovered the locations of their hideouts and spies."

The plan is to draft an official document and submit it to the governor's office in Zhengding!

"Oh?"

The prefect's eyes lit up, his eyebrows slightly raised, and he was quite tempted, saying:

"Why doesn't Commander Zhang report directly to the guerrilla general stationed in this city under the governor's office?"

If we obtain this information, we can not only make amends for our mistakes, but also receive a reward.

"What the Prefect says is true."

Zhang Kun sensed the prefect's interest and respectfully said, "Why don't we invite the guerrilla general over now to discuss matters?"

"The guerrilla general is currently on patrol in Suning County. This prefecture will immediately send someone to invite him back."

The prefect smiled and said gently to Zhang Kun, "How about we discuss this matter together at the prefectural office tomorrow?"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

......

After leaving the Hejian Prefectural Government Office, Zhang Kun took the official documents and went to the Hejian County Government Office to find the county magistrate.

Upon learning that the river works camp was recruiting disaster victims, the county magistrate was very pleased and said that the county government would do its best to cooperate.

More than 10,000 disaster victims have gathered in Hejian City.

Although there are troops stationed in Hejian City and they are not afraid of a popular uprising, if a popular uprising really breaks out, the county government will definitely be held responsible.

After leaving the Hejian County government office, Zhang Kun returned to the post station and learned that the Sun family had gone to the Guo family to demand an explanation.

"We have to go and lend a hand!"

Zhang Kun selected five skilled fighters, including Yang Desheng, and ten servants to go to the Guo family to provide assistance.

At the Guo residence, the Sun family members, who were refused entry, were shouting and cursing loudly.

"Break down the door!"

Seeing this, Zhang Kun directly gave orders to his skilled fighters and servants.

The skilled men and servants found a thick, sturdy piece of wood nearby to use as a battering ram, which they used to break open the gate of the Guo residence.

The guards of the Guo residence grabbed sticks and were about to come over to drive them away when Yang Desheng drew his sword and shouted:

"Drop the weapon!"

A guard swung a stick at him, but Yang Desheng dodged to the side, quickly closed in, and knocked the guard unconscious with the back of his knife.

The remaining guards knew that Yang Desheng was highly skilled, so they dared not step forward.

"Who are you, daring to trespass into my home? Do you even know who my father is?!"

A young man dressed in a scholar's robe walked out of the hanging flower gate, pointed at Yang Desheng, and said in a shrill voice.

"I am Zhang Kun, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Zhang Kun, gripping the hilt of his goose-feather saber, strode forward and revealed his name to the young man:

"The day before yesterday in Renqiu County, some bandits robbed a wedding procession, and I encountered them."

I led my troops to rout over a hundred bandits, beheading thirty of them, and rescued the bride. We then escorted her into the city before the night was over!

Unexpectedly, your family has broken off the engagement with the bride, thus erasing my merits! I have come here today to demand an explanation!

After hearing Zhang Kun's words, the young man's face turned pale, and he stammered:

"Commander Zhang, this is a family matter..."

The steward of the Sun family ran up behind Zhang Kun, pointed at the young man, and cursed:

"You little beast surnamed Guo, you only cared about your own life the other day, abandoning my young lady and running away. You are heartless and ungrateful!"

Then they slandered my young lady's innocence, broke their engagement, and were utterly immoral and untrustworthy!

"We demand an explanation from my family today, and we must clear my young lady's name!"

Unable to reply, Guo shouted at the guards, "Get them all out of here!"

The guards dared not, and Guo, enraged, kicked the nearest guard, shouting in a fit of impotent fury:

"Go ahead, what have I done to deserve raising you bastards?!"

"Steward Sun, if you ask me, don't continue talking to this spineless coward."

Zhang Kun turned around, patted the Sun family steward on the shoulder, and loudly proposed:

"First go to the prefectural school and tell them about this scoundrel's disgraceful deeds. Then write a complaint and file it with the prefectural government!"

"I'm not seeking victory through legal proceedings, but rather to let everyone in Hejian know just how shameless this fellow is, and to utterly ruin his reputation!"

"you!"

Guo was terrified; if the other party really did that, his bright future would be ruined.

"Commander Zhang,"

Seeing that his son couldn't control the situation, a middle-aged man with a limp stepped out of the hanging flower gate, cupped his hands to Zhang Kun, and said:

"May I come in for a cup of tea?"

"Ha, how can you only entertain guests and not your in-laws?"

Zhang Kun sneered and mocked Guo, the scholar, "Has Guo, the virtuous scholar, forgotten the classics of etiquette he learned back then?"

"My family and the Sun family are no longer engaged, and there are still disputes between them."

Unmoved by Zhang Kun's mockery, Guo, the scholar, turned to his servant and said:

"But for the sake of Commander Zhang, we shall entertain him."

He's quite composed.

Zhang Kun, accompanied only by Yang Desheng and the impatient servant, passed through the hanging flower gate and sat down in the main room.

The other skilled fighters and servants waited with the Sun family in the left courtyard.

Guo, the scholar seated at the head of the table, spoke after his servant brought tea and snacks:

"Commander Zhang, you're meddling in my family affairs, most likely for the money, aren't you?"

"That's right."

Zhang Kun nodded and readily admitted:

"The Sun family is wealthy but lacks official rank. Their marriage alliance with your family must have cost them a considerable amount of money."

Now that you wish to annul the engagement, you should return all the money to the Sun family; that would be fair.

"Since I've helped the Sun family seek justice, I should also receive some benefits in return."

"Ha, Commander Zhang is truly a straightforward man."

Guo, the scholar, shook his head, his face darkening, and threatened Zhang Kun:

"I think Zhang Baihu is very young and underestimates the importance of fame and fortune."

Because of a leg ailment, I never entered officialdom, but many of my classmates and friends are now serving as officials in the court.

You're so young, don't ruin your future for a few pennies!