Chapter 2, A New Arrival
To think that I was deceived by my father, Han Feng couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration. He had thought he was coming to train as a spy, expecting it to be somewhat enjoyable, but now he had to lead a group of women. What fun could there be in that
At the main entrance, there was no sign indicating the Teaching and Reading Room, an institution under the Royal Government's Privy Council of the Song Dynasty. Only two old soldiers sat in the shade by the wall, holding two white wax rods, engaging in casual conversation with little connection to each other
The old soldier squinted his eyes and scrutinized the two of them, then said with a smile: "Either you are from the teaching and reading room, in which case you can enter. But if not, it won't be so easy to get in!"
Han Feng almost thought he was experiencing a mental disorder. He hurriedly looked up and saw a woman in a red dress approaching. With willow-leaf eyebrows, an oval face, a delicate nose, and cherry-red lips, combined with her height of nearly 1.66 meters, Han Feng naturally came to a conclusion: Wow, there are actually beautiful women in the reading room?
Han Rong took out some money to tip the boatman, and when he turned around, he saw Han Feng standing on the shore, ready to help the old man back onto land. This old family servant, who had been in the Han residence for half a lifetime, felt a surge of emotion. Although the young master had practiced martial arts every day in the past, he was taciturn and indifferent towards the servants in the household. After a serious illness last year, it was as if he had suddenly gained insight. Despite still being somewhat unorthodox, he had become much more cheerful, laughing and joking, and he no longer carried the airs of a young master towards the household servants. After more than a year of interaction, not a single servant or maid in the household had failed to praise this young master in private.
Walking along the shore for less than a mile, Han Feng suddenly found himself in a clear view, where a red brick wall enclosed a large piece of land. This must be the teaching and reading room. Han Feng couldn't help but quicken his pace, but after just two steps, he thought of the elderly Han Rong, so he stopped and waited for the library to slowly walk towards the teaching and reading room together with Han Rong.
Oh, this is the reading room! Han Feng nodded in satisfaction: The scenery is quite nice! He has already begun to envision his future happy life, spending his leisure time fishing by the shore, and when the weather gets hot, he can take a swim. If he happens to encounter young women washing clothes by the bank, he would wade in the water to show off his strong abs, letting them have a good look!
Is this lady at the entrance the newly appointed Head Han? I am Qin Yan. Although the woman in red walked quickly, she still appeared very graceful. She seemed to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, similar in age to Han Feng. However, there was a hint of maturity in her features.
Han Rong could not help but want to speak; he knew the young master's temperament and feared he might tease the two old soldiers. However, Han Feng gave him a glance, signaling him to remain silent. He took out two pieces of silver from his purse and placed them in the old soldiers' hands, smiling as he said: "Indeed, you two military gentlemen have sharp eyes and keen insight. In fact, I merely wish to take a look at the scenery in the teaching room and will come out after a brief walk. I wonder if you two gentlemen could grant me this small favor"
Han Rong was about to speak when Han Feng raised his hand and asked, "May I ask, military officer, what must one do to enter?"
Han Feng was taken aback. He had come to the teaching and reading room to take up his post and had asked everything, yet he did not inquire about his "father." What he needed to manage was whether it was men or women. He did not expect that there were female soldiers here
A gentle breeze carried a faint fragrance to Han Feng's nose, causing him to smile slightly.
Miss Teaching Room
The military uniforms they wore were haphazardly draped over their bodies, exposing their chests and bellies. With their languid appearance, had it not been for Han Feng approaching, they would likely have dozed off right there.
As for those two veterans, when they spoke of the teaching rooms and the library, their expressions were extremely pained. Could there be some hidden circumstances behind this?
It was because of this statement that Han Feng came to understand what kind of person Han Tuozhou was, a prominent minister during the Southern Song Dynasty. Regardless of whether Han Tuozhou was a loyal minister or a traitor, he ultimately met a tragic end, being truly separated from his head and body. To be reborn as his son is truly a situation that elicits both laughter and tears
"Young Master, please do not worry!" The speaker was Han Rong, the family servant sitting at the bow of the boat. Han Rong had been a long-time servant of the Han family and was known for his steady demeanor. Therefore, this time, Han Zhuozhou specifically sent him to escort his son to Shaoxing. Seeing that the young master looked unwell, Han Rong assumed it was because Han Feng was displeased about being sent to the reading room, so he began to offer words of comfort: "In fact, the master still values you highly. It’s just that this time the trouble caused is a bit significant, so it would be better for you to take a break and go out for a while!"
The two veterans had actually noticed the old man and the young man long ago; however, the old man was dressed as a servant, while the young man was bare-chested, clearly not someone of high status. He might even be a lowly servant himself. Naturally, the two had no interest in engaging with Han Feng
The instructor of the teaching room? Moreover, that old soldier who has been sitting still also stood up and coldly remarked: "Young man, aren't you afraid of twisting your tongue when you boast? The teaching room is about to appoint a new head. I have heard that the person is from an official family, cultured and polite. How can someone like you, bare-chested, even dare to claim to be the head? It's truly laughable. If you are the head, then I must be the Privy Councillor!"
"Stop messing around, this is the reading room. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to wander in here." After the two old soldiers were no longer present, a chubby, bearded veteran could no longer sit still. He stood up with a white wax staff and blocked Han Feng's path, scolding, "Is this a place you can just enter?"
What a person fears the most is knowing their own future. Han Feng understands very well that the tragic fate of Han Lingzhou will inevitably implicate the entire Han family. If this outcome cannot be changed, it is highly likely that Han Feng will have to accompany his short-lived father to the underworld.
Han Feng sat alone at the stern of the black awning boat, gazing at the gently swaying willows and the rippling clear waves, humming "Jiangnan" softly in his throat
It seemed to be too hot, and Han Feng said this as he took off his outer robe, which made the reborn Han Feng very satisfied with this body. The original owner of this body, although born into the prestigious Han family, a family of officials for five generations, did not particularly enjoy studying; instead, he preferred to build strength and practice martial arts. Without mentioning the achievements in martial arts, at least his physique was exceptionally well-trained! With broad and strong pectoral muscles and solid, powerful inverted triangle abs, it was no wonder that the maidservants had whispered about him countless times in private.
We, who do not understand how to express tenderness, once thought that dying for love was merely an ancient tale. How deeply it hurts when you leave, how intense the pain is, when dreams are buried in the misty rain of Jiangnan, only after the heart is shattered do we truly understand
Lost in thought, the veteran had already begun to urge: "If you want to go in, hurry up, but you only have the time of an incense stick. Be careful; if you see a forbidden character, you should know it's a place you cannot enter. If you recklessly wander in and get caught, don't blame us for not reminding you!"
Stop!
Before his rebirth, Han Feng was a fervent fan of Bruce Lee, having practiced nunchaku to a considerable level and even spent money to learn Jeet Kune Do. This body he currently possesses is perfectly suited for him.
Han Feng is a person who enjoys freedom and ease. When he took office at the Ministry of Education, he brought almost no luggage apart from the appointment letter and seal from the Privy Council. Han Rong only needed to send the young master off, and since the distance from Lin'an to Shaoxing is not far, it is also convenient for the elder to come and go, so he did not bring much luggage either
Whenever this issue crossed his mind, Han Feng's mood inexplicably soured. The song he was humming also faltered, and he casually scooped a handful of clear river water, splashing it haphazardly on his face
Men usually do not find it strange to meet a beautiful woman. Han Feng waved his hand, and Han Rong handed over Han Feng's appointment letter and seal. Qin Yan examined them carefully and respectfully returned the items to Han Feng
The two veterans sitting at the door did not even glance at Han Feng, as if he were completely nonexistent.
Thank you, boatman! Han Feng stood up and immediately jumped to the shore, not forgetting to call out, "Uncle Rong, give him a little more reward!"
She nodded at Han Feng, who was standing at the door, and smiled as she said, "To understand the rules of the reading room, one must first look at the seal and appointment letter of Manager Han. I hope the manager will not take offense!"
However, he is quite discontent with this era. During the Southern Song Dynasty, the reigning emperor is Emperor Xiaozong. In fact, he does not care which emperor is in power; what concerns Han Feng is his own fate. Han Feng clearly remembers that when he read Mr. Jin Yong's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," through the words of Guo Xiaotian, it was said: "That treacherous prime minister Han Tuozhou, who does not say he is a notorious traitor? When it comes to the ability to bring disaster to the country and the people, he is like a sworn brother to Qin Hui."
Han Rong hesitated for a moment, then saw the young master directly heading towards the study room, and the old man followed him.
The black-sailed boat slowed down and gradually came to a stop. The boatman pointed to the east and said: "Gentlemen, if you disembark and walk one mile to the east, you will reach the reading room. You will see it once you get there."
The memory of Han Feng was inevitably drawn back to the words spoken to him by Han Taizhou before his departure: "The Teaching and Reading Room is an extremely important institution of the Privy Council, responsible for the training of the Imperial Guards and the Auxiliary Army. However, the Teaching and Reading Room in Shaoxing Prefecture is responsible for the training of agents in the Intelligence Department. Just go ahead, and if there is anything you do not understand, the head of the Teaching and Reading Room over there will naturally teach you..."
Seeing the three men walk away, the bearded veteran let out a sigh, lightly punched his companion on the chest, and exclaimed, "My lord, the Privy Councillor, what shall we do now"
The beautiful scenery of the Jiangnan water town is fully visible, and Han Feng feels a sense of tranquility. As a young man in 2010, Han Feng has been reborn in the Southern Song Dynasty for over a year and has long since adapted to his identity as the young master of the Han family. Compared to the monotonous life of later generations, the current days of having everything provided for him bring Han Feng great enjoyment
Then the companion said with a cold face: "Don't gloat over others' misfortune. Who was it that just said the person in charge deserved a beating? I believe he still remembers that!"
Han Feng revealed a faint smile and said, "Uncle Rong, I understand. Coming to Shaoxing is not bad; it can be considered a trip to enjoy the mountains and waters, since there is nothing much happening at the teaching and reading room."
Han Feng smiled slightly at the two old soldiers, and walked in alongside Han Rong. As they passed by the old soldiers, Han Feng teased, "Your Excellency the Privy Councillor, please take care of your younger brother in the future!" Without even glancing at their astonished expressions, he continued to walk straight ahead.
The grumpy old soldier said, "Stop chattering here. Go wherever you need to go. If you have nothing better to do than to amuse the military, are you looking to get beaten up?"
The two veterans took the silver, weighing it in their hands. They exchanged glances and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "So it turns out you young lad have also heard about the matter of the teaching room girl, haven't you? It seems fine to take a look, but you must come out after a round. Also, this old man cannot go in!"
Han Feng said with a smile, "What a coincidence, I happen to be in charge of the reading room. May I enter now?"
The woman bowed and said, "Please follow me, esteemed official!"