Chapter 4: The Clarity of Thoughts

"Don't!" the couple shouted in unison.

When the crowd saw Gao Wen's subordinates move, the three of them, who usually bullied timid commoners and were always eager to show off, suddenly shrank back in a critical moment. At the same time, a thought arose in their minds: this fool is usually soft, but especially with such weaklings, once they start fighting, there is no sense of restraint. If they were to go up and get hit by a stick, risking death or serious injury, it wouldn't be worth it.

Grabbing the baton, Gao Wen shouted as he swept at a cluster of flowers, sternly warning the three approaching individuals: "Step back, or else fists and feet have no eyes; if you lose your life, blame your own misfortune!" He couldn't help but bitterly smile to himself: conditioned reflex, conditioned reflex... Cough, others have already pressed forward; if I don't rise up to fight back, my thoughts will remain unclear.

Today, upon my first arrival in your esteemed land, I find it quite exhilarating. The valiant men of the Three Qin, the robust old Qin, where true gentlemen tread, it is only fitting that it should be this way

Gao Wen turned to the side, avoiding Han Kui's outstretched finger, and calmly said: "A mere one tael of silver is not something I, Gao Wen, take to heart. Moreover, I cannot engage in such acts of oppression against the common people, like plucking feathers from a goose. Whether you believe it or not, I, Gao Wen, have a clear conscience. This job is not suitable for me; I still have an elderly mother at home who needs my care. I shall take my leave now."

Oh, I see! Gao Wenyue said leisurely, "But I still owe you that amount of money, right? In any case, I must find that money and hand it over to you."

Today, he was beaten severely by himself, and in front of so many subordinates, he lost face; it is likely that there will be many troubles in the future

Everyone was so intimidated by the aura emanating from Gao Wen that not a single person dared to intervene

Everyone in the library stood with their mouths agape at this scene, and no one uttered a word. Han Kui was their squad leader; although the militia was not part of the official ranks of the government, he was still the nominal head among them. Taking advantage of her uncle, Huang Zhuobu, and her husband's influence, the Zhong family regarded the militia members as their household servants.

In recent days, Zhong has been bossing everyone around, either commanding them to cook or making them work in the fields for her, thoroughly indulging in the pleasures of a landlady.

Zhong has always been fond of money, fanning the flames from the sidelines: "Han Kui, it must be this fool who hid the money with the intention of embezzling it. It's all your fault for being lazy, only sending him on the business trip, which gave him the opportunity to blackmail us for our silver. Don't be fooled by this Gao's foolishness; his eyes may be dark, but the silver is white. Who wouldn't be tempted?"

With a cold dagger pressed against his forehead, Han Huai felt as if he were under a spell, his entire body stiffening and covered in goosebumps. Although Gavin's expression remained calm, he knew that if he uttered even a single wrong word, the dagger would undoubtedly plunge into him without hesitation

Although the scholars of the past were somewhat muddled in their thinking, their martial skills were still quite commendable

However, I did not expect that Gao Wen is truly foolish, daring to strike this woman; he must be tired of living

Gao Wen then stopped, threw the stick to the ground, and laughed, "Since it is you pleading for mercy, today's matter ends here. I am still busy returning home; if I delay any longer, I won't be able to enter the city gates. Han Kui, I have made my words clear; if you wish to take revenge, do it quickly, I am not afraid!"

Supporting her husband, Zhong's face was pale as she forced a smile, saying: "Brother Gaowen, could you please be a bit gentler? We are all from the same village, is it really necessary to be so harsh?" Then, Han and the librarian Kui shouted: "Damn it, hurry up and apologize to Brother Gaowen! He wants to go home to see his mother. How can you, you scoundrel, refuse? He didn't sell it to us, so hurry up and bow your head, hurry up!"

Others fear her, naturally being cautious and trying to please her

Gao Wen, however, did not retract the dagger, looking at him with a smile that was not quite a smile: "I have changed my mind. We still have tasks to attend to, so we cannot leave. Moreover, Sergeant Han has been so good to me; it is just right for me to get closer to you. How could I bear to leave?"

No need, no need, consider that portion of money as a small token of my goodwill as an older brother

It is likely due to years of practicing martial arts that, upon encountering an enemy's attack, the body instinctively reacts.

It turns out that he has already been struck in the face by a punch from Gao Wen

Ah! Zhong was incredulously looking at Gao Wen while covering his hand, repeatedly saying: "You hit me, you hit me..."

"What a fool, are you looking for death!" Han Kui shouted loudly, throwing a punch towards Gao Wen's face

Upon reflection, it becomes clear that the people of Sanqin are known for their fierce character and martial traditions, and being situated on the front lines of the Ming Empire's defense, young men have been practicing martial arts and building strength from a young age. For this reason, Shaanxi has historically been a region that produces strong soldiers. The formidable Qin state, which swept across the six directions, is one example; during the late Ming Dynasty, the Qin army was also the most formidable opponent of Li Zicheng's peasant army. As for the backbone of the Chuang army, they were primarily composed of the valiant old Qins from Mizhi and Suide. Thus, Shaanxi has always been a place that produces strong soldiers.

He crawled up with blood all over his face and picked up the baton that Gao Wen had thrown on the ground: "You little brat, you dare to resist, assaulting an official, do you want to die? Someone, take him down.

Before he could finish speaking, with a "huh," a small yellow eel tail dagger was already pressed against his forehead. Holding the dagger, Gavin still wore a calm expression, but a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth: "Try saying something foolish again"

Han Kui was helped up from the ground by his wife; his face was covered in blood, and he was barely recognizable: "Do you still want to leave, you foolish fool, I..."

"Hey, so it turns out you scoundrel have had ulterior motives. I must have been blind to bring you here, thinking you were just foolish, but your legs are surprisingly nimble. I didn't expect it was all an act." Han Kui, upon hearing there was no money, was furious and pointed his finger at Gao Wen's chest: "Don't you even think about who I, Han Kui, am to dare to blackmail my money. If you can't gather that one tael of silver today, just wait and see how I deal with you"

Poor Han Kui was struck by a punch from Gao Wen, falling to the ground and unable to rise. After being beaten with a flurry of blows, he had no strength left to fight back. He curled up on the ground, crying out loudly: "They've killed someone, they've killed someone..."

Gao Wen also knew that although Han Kui was merely a person of insignificant stature, having failed to gain entry into the three divisions of the two yamen, he was nonetheless a difficult character. Moreover, he had a formidable backer behind him, reminiscent of a figure that instills fear in ghosts.

Han Kui made a loud "thud" and ended up in a rather unfortunate situation, akin to a dog eating excrement. His luck was truly terrible, as he bit down on the well platform and knocked out two of his front teeth

"Exactly, no matter how you put it, the money must be left behind; it's not that easy to leave." Several local leaders nodded in agreement and shouted.

"Haha, nothing else, I take my leave." Gao Wen sheathed his dagger, let out a hearty laugh, and walked calmly towards the courtyard.

Han Kui did not expect Gao Wen to simply refuse to continue, and he was taken aback. Before he could say anything, his wife, Zhong, began to shout: "Gao fool, are you trying to leave with the money at this time? Head of the household, even if this fool wants to leave, he must leave today's share of money behind first." She calculated in her mind that since Gao Wen had come to perform his duties, he must have brought some money with him, so it would be best to seize this money.

Han Kui shouted without hesitation: "The yamen has ordered me to find local militia to investigate the vagrants. I will simply send someone else in your place."

Having said that, he discarded the water and fire stick in his hand and performed a cupped fist salute

"No, Brother Gaowen, please don’t!" Seeing Gaowen in a frenzy, his own husband on the verge of collapse, Zhong rushed to Han Kui's side and cried out loudly: "Brother Gaowen, it is my husband and I who are in the wrong, I apologize to you."

In his previous life, his parents were successful individuals, and he himself was an intellectual, embodying the essence of learned discourse and mingling only with the educated. Whenever others saw him, they would respectfully address him as "Teacher Gao." When had he ever encountered such a filthy person

Before he could swing the bat, a dark fist grew larger and larger, eventually filling his entire field of vision, followed by a sky full of stars

Thank you very much, Brother Wu, but..." Gao Wen exerted a slight force with his hand, and the tip of the knife pierced through a layer of grease, faintly allowing a trace of blood to seep out

Hearing himself being insulted as a pig by Zhong, Gao Wen's eyes flashed with a hint of anger as he clenched his fists

With a crisp sound of "pa," Gao Wen swung his hand and brushed aside Zhong's hand, his face showing disdain as he calmly said, "I am discussing official business with Sergeant Han. When did it become your turn to speak? Are you wearing the official robes of the yamen?"

Seeing the crowd's agreement, Zhong extended his hand to tug at Gao Wen's collar

He found it strange that he would act this way, as it was not in his nature to resort to violence against women. However, the moment Zhong's hand reached out, his body instinctively raised his hand and delivered a slap, as if it were a conditioned reflex

Gao Wen was originally an intellectual in his previous life, having studied and memorized for decades, which naturally endowed him with an exceptional memory

However, having been oppressed by him to such an extent in the past, if I do not retaliate, my thoughts will remain unfulfilled

Before his fist could descend, Gao Wen swiftly dodged, hooking his foot in the process

While striking, he asked several people from Japan and Korea who needed to pay the toll, where they were from, and what brought them to Hancheng, making sure to clarify each point.

As soon as this slap was delivered, Gao Wen let out a bitter laugh in his heart: This matter has truly become difficult to resolve

With a stick, he forced the crowd aside. Gao Wen decided to go all out, striking down on Han Kui with the stick like raindrops. While hitting, he shouted angrily: "Filthy scoundrel, you wretched thing! The government sent us here to do our job, not to let you, this thieving rascal, extort the common people. Today, I will teach you a lesson, so you understand the consequences of abusing the populace. I am not afraid of you reporting me to the authorities. I have kept a record of everyone you have extorted these past few days. When the time comes, I will present your actions to the officials, and all it takes is for the witnesses to be summoned to identify you. Let’s see whether the county magistrate punishes me or gives you a beating!"

Brother Gao Wen... younger brother, it is my fault as the elder brother; you may return home now.

Ha ha, as a distinguished person who has traversed time, I am considered a figure of significance even in modern society. If I cannot even manage a second-rate local ruffian, would that not be a disgrace for a time traveler

Han Kui was sweating profusely, thinking to himself: If only I could nod in agreement

Sensing the smell of danger, everyone instinctively took a step back