Chapter 1 (2/2)

“What’s your relations.h.i.+p with Old Craftsman?” Zhang Yinfan asked abruptly.

The young man was stunned, but he quickly responded, “I’m just a helper who does miscellaneous work for him.”

“Oh? Just a helper?” Zhang Yinfan seemed doubtful.

Ou Yangming immediately affirmed, “I’m really just a helper, you can ask around if you don’t believe me. If I lied to you, I’m willing to be killed.”

Zhang Yinfan finally loosened up and smiled. “I see.” He pondered for a while, then continued, “Ou Yangming, I’d like to discuss something with you, would you be willing?”

Ou Yangming stood up, and answered, “Sir, what orders do you have?”

Zhang Yinfan had a friendly smile on his face. “It has been hard for you to work for Old Craftsman, hehe, I wonder if you’d like to come to the Provision Camp? If you’d like to, I’ll guarantee you a way to become an official soldier.”

Ou Yangming looked up right away as he was in disbelief.

Upon seeing him, Zhang Yinfan nodded satisfyingly. “Old Craftsman found a job for you, but in my opinion, it’s not suitable.” He then clapped his hands softly, and a handsome young man who was around Ou Yangming’s age walked out.

“This is Zhang Hanyu, my nephew,” Zhang Yinfan introduced, then mentioned coldly, “We’ll meet a few senior officers in a while. You’ll reject the job in front of them, then recommend Hanyu take over. Do you understand?”

Ou Yangming might be young, but he was not dumb. More than a decade of a lonely and bitter life had taught him well.

‘This isn’t a blessing at all, he’s clearly trying to steal my benefit!’

Seeing that Ou Yangming was murmuring to himself, Zhang Yinfan’s face turned cold. “You received orders from Old Craftsman, which means you’re under my rule. Hehe, you should know what the consequences are if you don’t obey me, right?”

Ou Yangming’s face changed. Needless to say, he could sense the threat coming from those words.

Zhang Yinfan added, “Think carefully. If you listen to me, not only will I guarantee you a place as an official soldier, but I’ll also give you a hundred taels of silver as your reward. If you don’t…” When his voice slowly became softer, it was as though the room temperature lowered too.

Ou Yangming shuddered. He sensed slight pain on his skin and quickly realized that Zhang Yinfan was going to kill him.

Feeling appalled, he fell to the ground and replied, “I understand, I’ll obey your orders!”

It was then when Zhang Yinfan finally showed a gentle face. He helped Ou Yangming up, and even knocked the dust out of his clothes for him. “Good, I admire young men like you. Remember your promise, and come with me.”

Ou Yangming followed him obediently along with Zhang Hanyu.

On their way, he stole a glance at Zhang Hanyu and noticed that he was extremely elated.

He cried to himself. ‘Old Craftsman, is the job you’ve given me a blessing or a curse…’

Before long, they arrived at a courtyard in the rear.

A brocade-clothed elder was seen sitting leisurely in the inner hall, and he stood and laughed as soon as he saw Zhang Yinfan. “Sir Zhang, did you bring him?”

Zhang Yinfan replied respectfully, “Sir, I’ve brought Ou Yangming.” He then reached his hand out in introduction, “Sir, I’ve informed Ou Yangming about the matter, but he knows that he’s not that blessed, so he dares not accept the job. As such, he wants to give the chance to a friend.”

“Give the chance to a friend?” The brocade-clothed elder curled his lips and looked at Zhang Yinfan coldly.

Zhang Yinfan trembled a little, and he quickly explained, “Sir, you and my elder brother are both courtiers. He always says that you’re just, stern, and sharp-eyed, so he told me to learn from you.”

The brocade-clothed man was stunned. He hesitated for a while, then sighed. “I’m here by the order of the imperial court, thus I’m just here to carry out my duty. As long as everything complies with the rules, I’ll act accordingly.”

Zhang Yinfan was delighted. “Yes, sir, you’re very wise!” He then turned to say, “Ou Yangming, this is Sir Hu from the imperial court’s Inspection Division, quick, greet him!”

Ou Yangming responded nervously, “Greetings, Sir Hu.”

The brocade-clothed man smiled. “I’m Hu Yicheng from the Inspection Division, what’s your name?”

Ou Yangming secretly cursed him for asking deliberately, but he answered with respect, “I’m Ou Yangming from the Armament Camp, sir.”

Hu Yicheng nodded lightly. “Alright, let me ask you. Do you refuse to receive the Military Fire, so you’re giving the opportunity to him?” When he asked, he glanced at Zhang Hanyu who was behind Zhang Yinfan.

Zhang Hanyu’s eyes instantly glowed and his muscles were slightly tensed up.

The handsome young man, who maintained a calm look until this moment, had finally revealed his nervousness.

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