Chapter 51: The Jester's Insufficient Fears

  Lin Xuanmu saw Wang Kuang's face change greatly and hurry away, so he quickly pulled Sun Er: "Tell me, is something wrong?"

  The diners next to them also started whispering among themselves, and a regular customer who came to the inn every day to drink called out: "What's going on? If there's anything I can help with, I'll do my best." In recent years, they had only seen Wang Kuang with a smile on his face. When had they ever seen him so flustered? This must be something big that had happened, otherwise, with Xiao Dongjia's steady temperament, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry.

  "It's just that, some people can't let Xiaodong's family lose out." The few customers who were called were already treating Fuli Inn as their own kitchen. Some even had three meals a day at Fuli Inn. Those who could have their daily meals in the inn were also wealthy families. In their opinion, being able to eat such delicious food was inseparable from Xiaodong's family at Fuli Inn. Haven't you seen that Fuli Inn introduces new dishes every twenty or thirty days or a month? Nowadays, there are hundreds of varieties of food at Fuli Inn, and newcomers can't remember them all in ten days or half a month. What about the melon pancakes, fried peanuts, braised pork belly, etc.? Unlike other inns or restaurants, which have only thirty to fifty kinds of dishes at most. New customers who come to Fuli Inn often get dizzy looking at the menu on the counter.

  Besides, the relationship between Lin County Magistrate and Fuli Inn over the past two years has been clear to everyone's eyes. They also knew that the thin old man who often came to the inn was actually the former vice governor of this province and now the inspector. Moreover, Xiaodong's elder brother is serving as a class head in the provincial government, and it is said that he is highly appreciated by the inspector. With such an official background, who would they be afraid of? At this time, shouldn't they quickly show their support for Fuli Inn? Although they didn't know what had happened, it didn't affect their enthusiasm at all. Only a fool would stand idly by.

  Sun Er didn't have the leisure to explain to the diners, he still had to rush to report to Sun Ming. However, regarding Lin Xuanmu's question, he was willing to answer and couldn't help but respond. He bowed his head in gratitude for the kindness of the diners, then whispered something in Lin Xuanmu's ear, who also changed color and hastily pushed through the crowd, running back quickly.

  Sun Er walked to the gate, pulled down Gao San who was standing at the gate: "Quickly go to the prefecture, ask Master Lang to return quickly, saying there is an urgent matter." Then he himself set off towards Sun's mansion.

  Deng Xiaosan stood nervously in the courtyard, with Da Bai and Xiao Bai, two geese, watching him warily beside him. As long as he made a slight movement, the two geese would stretch their necks to peck at him. Now, Da Bai and Xiao Bai had become the true guardians of Fugui Inn, more loyal than ordinary watchdogs. If someone left the courtyard empty-handed, it was fine, but if they carried something in their hands, the two geese would guarantee a fierce attack, squawking loudly to alert the people inside the inn. Even if the thing was originally brought in by the person, it wouldn't be allowed. Because of this, they were also given an external nickname: "Only eat, don't spit" - a miserly ghost.

  Wang Kuang arrived at the courtyard and saw Deng Xiaosan being stared at by two geese. Deng Xiaosan was holding something tightly in his hand, not daring to move a single bit.

  "I heard that little brother is looking for me?" Wang Kuang had actually already roughly heard what Sun Er said, but he didn't dare to believe it and still wanted to ask.

  Deng Xiaosan carefully sized up Wang Kuang, seeing that he was similar to what his father had said, so he handed over the small cloth package tied with a red string in his hand. Just now, it was because of the things in the cloth package that he made Sun Guanting believe him, and since this young man was someone his father had mentioned, he should be even more familiar with what's inside.

  Wang opened the cloth package, and a musty smell wafted out. He poured it out to take a look, and it was some yellow powder that had formed into clumps. After careful identification, he realized this was actually starch that had been stored for a long time: "This is starch." He nodded, then handed the cloth package back to Deng Xiaosan.

  "Little Deng Xiao San pays respects to his benefactor." Deng Xiao San saw Wang Kuang and mentioned the name of Qing Mian, hastily kneeling down on the ground, repeatedly saying: "Benefactor, quickly run away, disaster is approaching!"

  Wang Kuang hastily helped him up and asked him to clarify what had happened.

  It turned out that Deng Xiaosan was the son of Deng Shiyi, who had come to Wang Kuang for help during the twelfth lunar month two years ago and learned how to make clear noodles. After learning how to make clear noodles from Wang Kuang, Deng Shiyi rushed back home before the new year and saved his son's life. However, Deng Xiaosan lost his job as a servant in the Deng household and was reassigned to take care of horses in the stable. Nevertheless, he no longer had to worry about his life, so both father and son were deeply grateful for Wang Kuang's kindness. They understood that their master's family would not have been able to obtain the clear noodle recipe even if they had spent hundreds of taels of silver, yet Wang Kuang had given it away freely. This kindness was greater than heaven itself. As a result, they secretly set up an ancestral tablet for Wang Kuang at home and frequently offered incense and prayers for his well-being. They also wrapped the remaining clear noodles from their trip to Jian'an in cloth and had Deng Xiaosan carry them on his person as a reminder of Wang Kuang's great kindness that had saved his life.

  Because it was a big deal, and Deng Eleven also understood the nature of his master's family, who were known for their strong-arm tactics. In the past, when they spent money in Chang'an, they didn't learn how to be subtle. The Deng family knew that relationships in Chang'an were complex, with the saying going that if you stood on the city wall and threw a stone down randomly, you might hit a royal relative or a noble's family member. So the Deng family could only swallow their anger and not dare take action, fearing they would offend some official or noble. Deng Eleven didn't say where he learned about the noodles, and his master didn't ask. As time passed, Deng Eleven and his son thought that their master had forgotten about it. But unexpectedly, a month ago, when Deng San was massaging a horse with an injured ankle in the stable, he overheard from next door that his master was ordering the Liang family's four brothers to pack up and prepare to go to Jian'an to capture someone.

  The Deng family didn't forget about the matter of Cheng Mian, but instead spent over a year gathering information. They confirmed that Cheng Mian was from the Fulaiguan Inn and that Wang Kuang was an important figure in its prosperity. Then they found out that before coming to the Fulaiguan Inn, Wang Kuang was just a beggar. They were certain that Wang Kuang didn't have any powerful backing, and that the small inn of Jian'an, despite being famous throughout Jiangnan, owed its success solely to Wang Kuang. The Deng family thought that even if they took over the Fulaiguan Inn, it wouldn't amount to much without Wang Kuang. This was when they started making plans to kidnap Wang Kuang, intending to buy him as a household slave and use his culinary skills to help the Deng family's business flourish.

  The Deng family thought they were being secretive, so they didn't rush to have the Liang brothers leave. This gave Deng Xiaosan an opportunity. After telling his father, Deng Xiaosan made up an excuse and left the Deng estate, heading straight for Jian'an, which led to what happened next.

  Wang Kuang listened to the whole story and then asked Deng Xiaosan about the background of the Deng family. However, Deng Xiaosan was not a trusted person in the Deng household, otherwise he wouldn't have almost lost his life over breaking a crystal cup. Wang Kuang only got a general idea: The master of the Deng house was named Deng Sen, and his ancestors were originally from Lingnan. Later, they moved to Yangzhou, but it's unclear how they became wealthy. In just a few years, they became one of the richest families in Yangzhou. It's said that they had close ties with the military governor of Yangzhou, and Deng Xiaosan often saw the military governor, Luo Wu, attending banquets at the Deng house.

  It's now clear that what Sun Ming was worried about three years ago has finally happened. However, the current Wang Kuang is no longer the Wu Xia Lang of yesteryear. If this had happened three years ago, Wang Kuang would have had no choice but to use the 36th strategy and leave. But after listening to Deng Xiao San's words, Wang Kuang also had a bottom line in his heart. This Deng Sen should not have any significant background or powerful connections, and his wealth was likely obtained through strong seizures and plundering, relying on the power of Luo Wu. And this Luo Wu is probably his only backing, otherwise he would not have been able to endure humiliation and swallow his anger in Chang'an.

  Deng San stole the four horses of the Liang brothers near Longquan. Even if the Liang brothers rushed to nearby Longquan to buy horses, it would take at least a day for them to arrive in Jian'an. Thinking of the horses, Wang suddenly noticed that there were still four horses tied up in the cowshed in the courtyard, which seemed to be the same four horses stolen by Deng Xiaosan.

  Since there is a day's time, everything will be fine. With a day's time, many preparations can be made, and after careful consideration, one can also feel at ease. He patted Deng Xiaosan's arm: "Don't worry, it's just a clown, even if he has the support of the Yangzhou military governor, I'm not afraid." The current Wang Kuang is bold enough to say this, knowing that Huang Xie Shi had also benefited from Wang Kuang's "Great General Cabinet" and was praised by the court. Now, with the trial planting of sweet potatoes just beginning, how could Huang Xie Shi not protect him a bit? A military governor is just like a provincial armed police minister in later generations, while a governor is a dignified provincial party secretary and governor combined. Would he still be afraid of him? If so, that would be a huge joke. Huang Xie Shi wouldn't have reached his current position without some tricks up his sleeve.

  After being comforted by Wang Kuang, Deng Xiaosan was no longer so worried, but he immediately became concerned about the safety of his father who was still in Yangzhou Deng's mansion: "Benefactor, this time I came to report the news, using the name of accompanying the horse's bridle, it has been more than ten days now, and I'm afraid it has already been discovered by the master, my father is probably in danger, if the benefactor has a way, please rescue my father, Xiaosan will repay the benefactor even if he becomes a cow or a horse."

  Wang Kuang secretly sighed, if Deng Xiaosan's outing to report the news was exposed, then Deng Shiyi would be in a precarious situation, and he could only hope that the Deng family would not take action against Deng Shi for the time being in order to avoid spreading rumors.

  "Who dares to bully my second brother? I'll gather my brothers and trample his family!" Without looking, just by the sound of the voice, it was Wang Ling who had arrived. He came with several of his underlings, these underlings having followed Wang Ling for two years, often eating and drinking at the Rich Come Inn. When Gao San ran to report that something important had happened, they all rubbed their fists and followed Wang Ling over. Upon arriving at the inn and hearing Sun Zhuang's account, Wang Ling was instantly enraged and rushed to the backyard, where he saw Deng Xiaosan. Without saying a word, he strode forward and grabbed Deng Xiaosan's robe with one hand, his tall stature allowing him to lift Deng Xiaosan off the ground with ease. The two lackeys, Da Bai and Xiao Bai, who had become familiar with Wang Ling over the past two years, saw him take action and also began their attack, stretching out their necks and pecking at Deng Xiaosan's legs with ferocity. Deng Xiaosan cried out in pain but his words were unclear due to his throat being constricted by Wang Ling's large hand grasping his robe.

  "Big brother, put it down quickly, this is to report a message, don't hurt him." Wang Kuang hurriedly called out to Wang Ling, and with one kick each, he knocked over Da Bai and Xiao Bai: "You said you were dead, really? You're not even afraid of death? Can't tell good from bad, provoking me, I'll pluck your fur and roast you for dinner another day!"

  Da Bai and Xiao Bai turned over, got up, and cawed reluctantly as they escaped to one side. As they fled, they kept turning their heads to glare at Deng Xiaosan in a show of defiance. They couldn't understand why their master was so angry. Was it all because of this outsider? Did they do something wrong by following another master who pecked at people too?

  "Ah!" Wang Ling heard Wang Kuang's call and quickly put down Deng Xiaosan, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. This move was also learned from Wang Kuang, who would scratch his head when he saw Wang Kuang being embarrassed, and he had unknowingly picked it up himself. When faced with embarrassing things, he would also scratch his head.

  "Is the little brother okay?" Seeing Deng Xiao San stunned, Wang Ling hurriedly went forward to help smooth out his wrinkled robe, but Deng Xiao San was startled and jumped behind Wang Kuang: This big man's strength is so great, just now he almost suffocated me. Now Wang Ling was even more embarrassed, could only withdraw his hand and continue scratching his head with a dry laugh, while the several yamen runners who followed behind couldn't help but burst out laughing: The usually so majestic boss, was actually made to look like this by his younger brother's one sentence, it's really rare.

  "A few little rabbits, are you laughing again?" Wang Ling turned his head and glared fiercely at the bailiffs. The aura of a king spread out, and instantly several bailiffs stood up straight, their expressions serious, as if they had never laughed before. They were even more dramatic than a movie star, it seemed that they hadn't played this trick of changing their faces often enough in their daily lives.

  At this time, Lin Ming, the county magistrate of Linming, Huang Cishi and Sun Mingqian also rushed over. Lin Ming had arrived at the provincial government office to report to Huang Cishi after hearing Lin Xuan's news, and the two came together. Sun Mingqian originally lived closest, and should have come first according to reason, but coincidentally, when Sun Er went to his house, he was not at home, but on the way back from Zhuangzi, he was intercepted by Sun Er who had taken a shortcut, and only then rushed over in a hurry.

  Deng Xiaosan was still in a state of shock, and then he saw someone who seemed to be the county magistrate, one of the governor or a high-ranking official like the prefectural secretary, rushing over. This made him feel more at ease: it turned out that his benefactor also had a powerful backer, so this was settled, and even if someone from the Deng family came, they wouldn't dare to cause trouble. However, he was still worried about his own father.

  Wang Kuang saw Deng Xiaosan's expression first lightened, then tightened again, and comforted him: "Don't worry, I'll have my elder brother bring some capable brothers to rush to Yangzhou overnight. As long as your father is fine, I'll definitely bring him back to Jian'an without a single hair harmed." He thought of the retired soldiers growing chili peppers in Wang Village, each one a killing god. With their help, as long as Deng Shiyi was still alive, they would definitely be able to rescue him.

  Division

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