Chapter 0003: Stir-fried Shredded Pork with Whip

Wang Shichong felt a stir in his heart and hurriedly ran out. The backyard was not large; after just a dozen steps and passing through an archway, he arrived at the front yard. There, he saw his two older brothers standing firm at the entrance with sticks in hand. Four or five servants from the household had also picked up brooms and mops, huddling behind the two men, trembling slightly.

Compared to the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of later generations, this book, which can be regarded as a mathematical masterpiece in the present day, appears so naive. In just three days, Wang Shichong calculated all the numerous examples in this book by himself, and even took out two account books from his home to practice. For the first time in his life, Wang Shichong discovered that he could actually be considered a genius in mathematics.

Wang Shichong stood beside his brother and coldly said: "General Wang, today you have brought so many soldiers to our humble abode. Are you here to apologize? My head is still aching from the beating your subordinates gave me!"

Wang He waved his hand, interrupting Wang Shishi's words: "A Da has eyes, you all step back."

Wang He stepped forward, cupped his hands in salute to Wang Shiji, and said: "The court's great general has come to my humble abode; I wonder what instructions you have for me"

Wang Shishi and Wang Shiwei, feeling indignant, retreated behind the door, making way.

Wang He looked coldly at everything before him, but a hint of compassion flashed in his eyes. At first, Wang Shiwei wore a smug expression on his face, but after watching for a while, a trace of sympathy also crossed his face. He quietly tugged at Wang He's sleeve and whispered, "A Da, that's enough, isn't it? This could kill someone!"

Among these individuals, the tallest and strongest one, who left a deep impression on Wang Shichong, was Huangfu Xiaoxie, the one who had previously dealt him a heavy blow to the back of his head. This person was half a head taller than Wang Shiji, as robust as a bear, with fists as large as sandbags and a fierce expression. However, behind Wang Shiji, he now behaved as meekly as a sheep, not daring to lift his head.

During this period, Wang Shishi and Wang Shiwei also came to invite him several times to practice together. Wang Shizhong merely declined, saying that his injuries had not yet healed and that he needed to rest for a few more days. The two brothers had no choice but to give up. However, whenever Wang Shizhong went out for a walk, he saw his two brothers practicing martial arts with gritted teeth, both harboring a strong determination in their hearts

The Wang family currently has five shops in this new Feng City, three rice stores, one silk shop, and one cloth store. After deducting the wages of about twenty employees, it barely suffices to cover the expenses of this family of four along with a few servants at home. Moreover, the Wang family's residence is not large; there are only two courtyards, and any noise at the entrance can be heard in the rooms of the back courtyard.

More than ten days later, Wang Shichong's injuries had basically healed. He was able to get out of bed five or six days ago. During these days, apart from going out for a walk every day, he kept himself shut in his room, studying the book "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art".

Wang Shiwei also puffed out his chest and echoed, "Indeed, this new magistrate of Xinfeng does not dare to manage you, we do not believe that even the Supreme can control you"

Only the roar of Wang Shishi echoed: "Wang Shiji, you villain, last time you came to seize our family property and even injured our brothers, which infuriated A Da. What do you intend to do this time, bringing so many people?"

Wang Shiji laughed and said: "Cousin, a few days ago, I, as the older brother, did not manage my subordinates well and caused harm to several nephews. I have been reflecting on this for the past few days and feel quite remorseful. Today, I have brought them here to punish them in front of you. What do you think of this arrangement?"

"Cousin, I have dealt with the person as well, so you should be satisfied now. Shouldn't we discuss serious matters?" Wang Shiji still wore a smile on his face, but his voice carried a hint of malice.

Wang Shishi curled his lips: "A Da, this villain..."

Wang Shichong keenly observed that in the fierce gaze of Huangfu Xiaoxie, there was unexpectedly a hint of resentment directed towards Wang Shiji.

The few soldiers who were capturing people halted their actions, and Huangfu Xiaoxie and the others spat out the wooden sticks from their mouths, supporting each other as they stood up from the ground. Their backs were already a mass of blood and flesh, and several soldiers took out medicine from their bosoms to apply it to their wounds, causing the others to grimace in pain.

Wang Shiji's smile gradually faded: "Cousin, when Uncle entrusted this business to you over twenty years ago, there were already five shops in this Xinfeng City, but after these twenty years, it is still just five shops."

Several other guards of Wang Shiji drew their whips from their horses behind him, took out a bucket that had long been prepared, soaked the whips in it, raised them high, and struck heavily on the backs of Huangfu Xiaoxie and others. With each lash, blood mixed with flesh flew in all directions, and the repeated "bang bang bang" sounds were even more unbearable to witness.

Wang Shiwei's voice also rose: "Villain, you are dressed like this today and have brought these soldiers; do you intend to forcefully seize us? We will never bow down to you, even in death!"

From the gaps beside Wang Shishi and Wang Shiwei, one can vaguely see a grand armored robe, a fully armed general, standing at the entrance with a dozen or so attendants clad in gray armor.

Wang He’s voice came from behind: "Do not be presumptuous, retreat at once!"

On this day, Wang Shichong was using an abacus to verify last year's two account books when he suddenly heard a commotion outside

Wang Shishi then realized that Wang Shichong had stepped forward, and hurriedly shielded him behind himself. With fingers splayed, he sternly addressed Wang Shiji: "Wang Shiji, as a general of the court, how can you tolerate your subordinates beating a few children? Is that not shameful? If you dare to cause trouble again today, our entire family will risk our lives to go to the capital and file a complaint against you!"

The three Wang brothers turned their heads in unison, only to see Wang He had already stepped out, his expression serious, exuding a dignity and demeanor that was distinctly different from that of ordinary people

Although Wang Shiji wore a smile on his face at this moment, the robust guards behind him stood with their heads bowed, not daring to breathe loudly, clearly demonstrating the general's authority and presence

On that day, the several guards who had assaulted others, led by Huangfu Xiaoxie, all knelt down in unison, biting onto a wooden stick. They had removed their upper body armor, revealing muscles comparable to those of future bodybuilding champions. Huangfu Xiaoxie himself was particularly striking, adorned with tattoos on one side and scars on the other, complemented by a thick patch of dark chest hair, creating a rather intimidating appearance

Taking advantage of the moment when Wang Shiji was speaking, Wang Shichong also squeezed to the door's edge. One could see that Wang Shiji was eight feet tall, with a physique like an iron tower, his entire body nearly half the width of his own house's door. As he spoke, the armor on him rattled with a clanging sound. He had a dark face with a curled beard, eyes like copper bells, and thick eyebrows as if dyed with ink.

Wang He felt a sudden heaviness in his heart, silently lamenting, yet his face remained as calm as ever: "Is there any business left for us to discuss?"

This is a matter concerning our family, what does it have to do with you? Besides, I have been serving in official capacity for many years and have no time to manage family affairs. You yourself are a general in the court; could it be that you can resign from your official position to specifically engage in this business?

Huangfu Xiaoxie and others all had wooden sticks clenched in their mouths. Despite their eyebrows trembling, the muscles in their faces twitching incessantly, their fists clenched so tightly that the joints cracked, and the veins on their necks and arms bulging, they remained silent.

A coarse voice of a jackal was heard: "Haha, esteemed nephews, please do not misunderstand. Last time, my uncle did not manage his subordinates well and accidentally harmed a few of you. Today, my uncle has come to offer his apologies. Please convey this to your elder brother, saying that Wang Shiji has come to make amends."

In these years, the world has been relatively peaceful, and over the course of twenty years, one could at least open two or three branches. However, there has been no development here at all

Wang Shiji smiled and shook his head: "Not at all, not at all. I know that my cousin is quite skilled in financial management; otherwise, he wouldn't have risen from a warehouse clerk to the position of provincial governor relying on his ability to calculate with an abacus. Therefore, I have no objections to your family's assets being in your hands. However, it seems that my three good nephews will not be able to inherit your family business."

Wang Shiji laughed heartily, raised his hand, and said in a deep voice: "Listen to Wang Yuanwai, stop it!"

Wang He sighed and said to Wang Shiji: "General Wang, even a body of iron cannot withstand such blows from you; it is about time to ease up a bit."

At this point, Wang Shiji turned to look at the several guards beside him and said sternly: "Why are you not kneeling down to receive your punishment!"

In his previous life, Wang Shichong had fought and killed throughout his entire existence. In this life, he had encountered many brave warriors, but he had never seen muscles as developed as those of the strong men under Wang Shiji, which made him secretly admire them.

Wang He's expression changed slightly: "My three sons are not idle young masters; there is no need for you to worry. When they take the field as generals in the future, they may very well achieve fame and success."