Chapter 4: A Blood Incident Triggered by a Pig
Liu Jun stepped out of his house and headed straight towards the Zhang family. The main door of the Zhang residence was open, and Zhang the butcher's two grandsons, aged around seven or eight, were standing at the entrance in silk long gowns, eating chicken feet. Upon seeing Liu Jun approaching, they quickly ran into the house, shouting as they ran, "The second fool from the Liu family is coming!"
"You just said that if I give you five taels of silver, you can bring back my family's pig, didn't you?" Liu Jun maintained a cold demeanor and continued calmly, emphasizing the words 'my family's pig' with a few more tones.
Butcher Zhang wiped the pig's blood off his face and then realized that Liu Erlengzi did not intend to kill him; instead, he had stabbed the pig. Looking at the now-silent pig, which continued to bleed profusely, Butcher Zhang swallowed hard. Having slaughtered pigs for many years and priding himself on his strength, he was astonished that Liu Erlengzi could so effortlessly and precisely deliver a single stab that ended the pig's life and allowed it to bleed out. This Liu Erlengzi was not simple.
"Hmph, it will take at least twenty years for Hong Ge'er to pass the imperial examination, right? You can wait, but I cannot." At this moment, Liu Jun let out a cold snort and interjected.
No, absolutely not
He stood here listening for a while, unable to accept the thoughts of the old man, Liu Zhao, and the elder sister regarding the situation. When bullied, they only thought of enduring humiliation and bearing the burden, swallowing their anger and hoping for a change in twenty years
"Get lost, you fool. If you have money, take your pig and go; if not, don't waste my time. The farther away you are, the better," Zhang San sneered and scolded. Liu's second son was a simpleton. In the past, Zhang San had some reservations about Liu Er, but over the past two years, Liu Er had moved to the capital, and Zhang San's apprehension had faded significantly. Moreover, Liu Er's recent polite remarks further convinced him that Liu Er had become timid.
"Are you familiar with the great general Liu Jinwu?" Liu Jun said with a light laugh
Indeed, martial arts are not accessible to everyone, and becoming a martial student is not something just anyone can achieve. You can enter Confucian studies and become a scholar based on your own abilities, but martial arts seem to be primarily associated with the military, making it difficult for outsiders to gain entry. Those who can enter the martial arts are either the offspring of established families or young military officials. How did this Liu Erleng manage to enter the martial arts and become a martial student? Could it be that his family is actually a branch of some military official?
While butcher Zhang was feeling heartbroken over the one hundred taels of silver, he was also plotting how to take revenge, intending to bring ruin to the Liu family. At that moment, upon hearing these words, he was instantly stunned.
Liu Jun stepped aside, picked up the sharp knife that Zhang Tu had prepared for slaughtering pigs, and slowly walked towards the butcher Zhang
Butcher Zhang nodded repeatedly; how could he not know about the Liu family, one of the four prominent families of Macheng? The Liu family of Suokou River, which was personally granted the plaque "Jinghu Dingzu" by the Emperor, has produced countless scholars and officials, including numerous Jinshi and Juren, as well as many Taibao and Shangshu. Just the later generations of the family, who were all dressed in brocade and held military titles, were enough to make them well-known. The current leading figure of the Liu family, Liu Qiao, is now the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and the Left General. Could it be that the Liu family of Xiwang has some connection to the Liu family of Suokou River? I have never heard of it before.
"That's right, did you even bring any money with you?"
"If not, then how?" Liu Jun said in one sentence, already stepping forward, seizing Zhang the butcher's right hand that held the knife, and with a swift arm lock, dislocated his right arm. He then snatched the sharp knife away and tossed it aside, kicking Zhang the butcher down to the ground. The Zhang family members rushed forward, but Liu Jun let out a cold snort, stood firm, and with punches and kicks, swiftly took down all five or six of them.
The structure of the Zhang family's residence is similar to that of the Liu family, featuring a large courtyard in the center along with a well, surrounded by houses on all sides. At this moment, the butcher Zhang is directing several assistants and household servants to securely bind the fat pig from the Liu family, which is placed on a wooden frame over a wooden basin, in preparation for throat cutting and bleeding.
The slaughtering knife was raised high, and Liu Jun let out a cold laugh at Zhang Tu. Then, with a fierce thrust, he plunged the knife down.
Hmm. The old man sighed helplessly, "Forget it, we cannot compete with the Zhang family, so let's endure this for now"
"Master, something terrible has happened. Liu's second fool has knocked the third young master unconscious, and his nasal bridge is broken," a servant rushed in and reported loudly
I have heard that you have entered the martial arts and become a martial artist. I was initially skeptical, but now, hearing the tone of your speech, I am somewhat convinced. However, young man, I advise you to be cautious; some words should not be carelessly spoken, and some people should not be offended lightly. Our Zhang family is certainly not someone your Liu family can provoke.
"Do not kill me, I was wrong," Zhang the butcher cried in terror. At that moment, he remembered that Liu's second son was a fool, completely unreasonable and reckless to the point of being suicidal. He was genuinely afraid that Liu Erlengzi would fight him to the death; it was not worth it for him, an old man, to exchange his life for that of a fool, far too unworthy.
Then you should also know that all martial arts students, or martial practitioners, are those under the age of 25, including active military officials such as commanders, thousand-house leaders, hundred-house leaders, and local garrison officials, as well as the heirs of martial officials and other male relatives of martial officials who are over the age of 10. Am I right? Think about it, why is it that I, a child from a humble background, am able to enter the martial arts school as a martial practitioner?
Liu Jun did not pay him any attention and continued forward. Zhang the butcher was truly panicked, "I will compensate you, ten taels, no, fifty taels of silver, one hundred taels!"
Butcher Zhang let out a terrible scream, and a foul odor filled the air; he was so frightened that he lost control of his bowels and bladder
Liu Jun extended his index finger and shook it, saying, "With your statement, https://m.hetushu.com, it will be easy to handle. The people beside are all witnesses; well, it doesn't matter if you don't witness it." After speaking, he retracted his right arm, and then a fist shot out like a cannonball. This iron fist struck fiercely at Zhang Laosan's nose, and his face instantly resembled a dyeing workshop, splashed with vibrant colors.
After a shout, several men from the Zhang family walked over, led by the third son of the butcher Zhang, accompanied by a few pig slaughterers. With an unfriendly expression, he said, "Hey, are you here to deliver the silver? Five taels of silver, not a single coin less."
Butcher Zhang, holding a sharp knife, heard these words and turned around just in time to see Liu Jun approaching. He said sternly, "Liu Erlengzi, I heard you have returned. After two years, I hardly recognize you."
As Liu Jun's knife plunged down, a spray of fresh blood erupted, and the pig from the Liu family let out a loud squeal on the wooden basin, blood gushing from its throat, splattering all over the butcher's face.
Little brat, do not be too arrogant. My son-in-law is the county magistrate, my eldest son is a candidate for the highest degree, and my second son is a successful scholar. If you offend the Zhang family, you will not be able to escape the consequences. Now, kneel down and bow to me three times, and compensate my son with one hundred taels for medicine. I will let this matter go this time, otherwise...
I am still myself, but you, after not seeing each other for two years, have turned from Zhang the butcher into Master Zhang. Moreover, you no longer slaughter pigs, but instead bully the weak and oppress your neighbors. What is it? Is it that after not killing pigs for a long time, you are delighted to see a pig today and want to practice on my family's pig?
If others do not offend me, I will not offend them. However, since your Zhang family has offended me first, do not blame me for being impolite
Father, Zhang the butcher just claimed that our pig belongs to him, and he wants us to pay five taels of silver to redeem that pig
Butcher Zhang said fiercely that since his son-in-law became the county magistrate, and now his son has become a candidate for the imperial examination and another for the provincial examination, in this small area of Xiwai, he truly looks down on everyone. Let alone the Liu family, which consists of just an old scholar and a young martial artist, who is he afraid of
Liu Jun faced the fat and tall butcher Zhang without a single kind word. This kind of local bully, he had encountered many in his later years, each one of them bullying the weak and fearing the strong, limited in their perspective, truly believing that the sky they saw was the entirety of the heavens.
I will go and reason with Master Zhang; I believe he is not the kind of person who lacks reason. Liu Jun finished speaking and turned around, heading straight towards the Zhang family across the street
Leaving behind a cacophony of screams, Liu Jun clenched his fists, continuing to walk towards the Zhang family. He couldn't help but marvel at how this body truly lived up to its reputation as one that had spent two years training in martial arts. It was indeed well-trained, and combined with the combat techniques he had mastered in his mind, there was no sign of any hindrance. After delivering a series of over ten punches that landed solidly, his hands showed no discomfort or pain whatsoever. This was the toughness and resilience characteristic of a seasoned practitioner, with calluses and hardened skin already formed on his knuckles.
Butcher Zhang hesitated for a moment, and in the end, he still gritted his teeth and nodded. Liu Erlengzi, holding a bloodied pig slaughtering knife, appeared to be chatting and laughing, which was truly terrifying
Liu Jun strode up to Zhang San, casting a cold glance up and down at him. "Is it really necessary for things to come to this? Why can't the neighbors in front and behind the house get along and prosper together?"
Butcher Zhang nodded helplessly
A pig sells for five taels of silver, and I originally thought that was somewhat expensive, yet there are still people who insist on selling me one for one hundred taels. This world is truly inscrutable; the wealthy are simply capricious.
After knocking Zhang Laosan down with a single punch, Liu Jun swiftly took down the remaining pig slaughtering assistants with punches from both sides
Liu Jun smiled and said, striking the wooden basin with the sharp knife used for slaughtering pigs, "By the way, there is something I forgot to tell you. Don't think that having a son-in-law who is a county magistrate is something remarkable, nor should you assume that having a son who is a successful candidate in the imperial examination is particularly impressive. To be honest with you, do you know that I have made progress in martial arts in the capital over the past two years?"
Very well, oh, by the way, I seem to have heard you say that you want to pay one hundred taels of silver to buy this pig from my family, is that correct? Then please settle the payment now, one hundred taels in cash. Additionally, please draft a contract stating that you voluntarily agree to pay one hundred taels of silver to buy this pig from my family. How does that sound, is there any problem?
Liu Jinwu's son, Liu Feng, and I are brothers. After saying this, Liu Jun said no more, striding away, leaving Zhang the butcher sitting in his own filth, clutching his right arm and muttering to himself, his face pale and his heart like dead ash. If the Liu family of Xiwang is indeed related to the Liu family of Suokouhe, then he has truly landed himself in a serious predicament
Liu Zhao looked at his brother's figure, shrugged his shoulders, "The Zhang family is simply not the kind of people who reason things out. Jun has wasted several years outside, how could he not understand this?"
Mei cast a glance at her husband, holding her son by the hand and remaining silent, yet feeling dissatisfied with her husband's dullness. Could he not see that what the second uncle said just now was not meant to genuinely discuss reason? How could brothers born of the same mother be so different?
This is fundamentally not his style, nor is it his character. Liu Jun has always adhered to the principle of not offending others if they do not offend him. However, if someone is riding on your neck and defecating, do you still have to endure humiliation and swallow your anger?
Two silver ingots, each weighing fifty taels, were presented. Butcher Zhang also personally wrote the contract as per Liu Jun's request and affixed his blood handprint. Liu Jun, satisfied, put it away and tucked it into his bosom
"Zhang the butcher, rest assured, murder is against the law; I will not kill you. However, this pig belongs to my family. It is not illegal for me to slaughter my own pig, is it?" Liu Jun asked with a smile.