Judge of the Song Dynasty

Zhang Fei looked at the swaying figure of Old Sima, lost in thought. Does he not want me to become an official and assist Wang Anshi? Or did he want to pull me over to his side? Or perhaps there was another motive.

Sima Guang’s sudden overture was truly unexpected for Zhang Fei, leaving him pleasantly surprised.

After pondering for a while, he still didn’t dare to make rash judgments because he knew the upcoming political struggle would be extremely dangerous. The crucial point was that neither side was a favorable choice, and he currently lacked the ability to change things. If he boarded the wrong boat, his whole life would be ruined, and the troubles would be endless. Even the widely admired Su Shi had fallen in this turmoil!

“No, I can’t.”

Zhang Fei shook his head. “Although I’ve already stepped into this vortex with one foot, I must hold my destiny in my own hands. Currently, my relationship with both Wang Anshi and Sima Guang is good. Why rush to make a judgment? The initiative is mine. Why not observe from the sidelines first? If I enter the officialdom, I’ll have to take sides. I haven’t even settled my own affairs yet. How can I be qualified to think about national affairs?”

He pushed aside these thoughts and headed to the Chen family’s realtor shop.

Since the attack, Zhang Fei had returned to the Xu residence… no, he had never left. He hadn’t spent a single day in that new house.

Although things had been resolved now, Zhang Fei didn’t intend to move there. On the first day he moved in, he got beaten up. Even though he wasn’t superstitious, he still felt scared.

But he also couldn’t continue living in the Xu residence. His determination to move hadn’t changed. He urgently needed a nightlife now; it was the only perk of being a time traveler!

Arriving at the Chen family’s realtor, he saw Chen Maoqian wearing a brand-new green robe, looking very festive. He couldn’t help but ask, “Mogul, any good news today?” “Hehe!”

Chen Maoqian chuckled awkwardly. “It’s not something big, so I didn’t want to make a fuss and invite you guys over.”

Zhang Fei asked, “Is it someone’s birthday?”

“No, no.”

“Then what’s the good news?”

Zhang Fei saw Chen Maoqian dodging the question and couldn’t help but wonder why he was being secretive about it.

Chen Maoqian coughed. “It’s just… I recently got a new concubine.”

As soon as the housing loan policy launched, the Ma family started pouring out loans. Chen Maoqian was making money hand over fist, so adding a concubine was only natural!

You old lecher, taking our money and going for young girls, it’s outrageous.

Thinking of how young he was and how he didn’t even have a girlfriend, let alone a concubine, Zhang Fei felt jealous and resentful. He sarcastically said, “Mogul, you don’t have to handle everything yourself. Leave the hard work to us young people. There’s no need to do everything yourself.”

“Heh heh.” Chen Maoqian’s face turned red. He quickly changed the subject. “What brings you here today?”

Zhang Fei’s mood was initially good, but seeing Chen Maoqian adding another concubine, the life he had longed for, his mood turned sour. He replied with an “Oh,” and said, “I’m here to inform you, Mogul, that I plan to file a complaint against you at the government office.”

“What?”

Chen Maoqian was instantly frightened out of his wits.

Even a court official had been driven out of the capital by Zhang Fei’s complaints. With his old bones, how could Chen Maoqian withstand Zhang Fei’s meddling?

“There must be a misunderstanding!”

Chen Maoqian hurriedly said, “Brother San, don’t get agitated first. There must be some misunderstanding between us.”

“No!” Zhang Fei stubbornly shook his head.

Perplexed, Chen Maoqian asked, “If there’s no misunderstanding, so why do you suddenly want to sue me?”

Zhang Fei said, “Remember when I asked you to help me find a house, my only condition was safety. But what happened? I got beaten up on the first day I moved in. This can’t be called anything other than deceit; you’re practically committing a crime!”

“I didn’t want that either, and… and I have nothing to do with it!” Chen Maoqian was on the verge of tears with grievance.

Don’t you know why did you got beaten up? How could you blame me for it?

Zhang Fei calmly said, “I indeed provoked someone I shouldn’t have, but why didn’t they retaliate against me when I lived in the Xu residence?”

“Who would dare to cause trouble for you in the Xu residence?” Chen Maoqian replied.

“So, you mean they only dared to retaliate against me inside the house you rented to me?” Zhang Fei pressed on.

“…!” Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel(ꜰ)ire.net

Chen Maoqian knew arguing with this person would only make him seem more guilty. He hastily said, “Brother San, consider this as my apology. I’ll find you another house, and I’ll make sure the rent is the lowest possible. How about that?”

“What if I get beaten up again?” Zhang Fei questioned.

Chen Maoqian really couldn’t guarantee that. This guy had countless enemies, getting beaten up was quite normal. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, “Right! Some time ago, Censor Qian was sent out of the capital to a regional posting.”

“Censor Qian? Do I know him?” Zhang Fei asked in surprise.

“I heard he was sent away because of Ayun’s matter, so I thought you knew,” Chen Maoqian explained.

“Oh… I’m just a pen-in-cap, how would I know about that?” Zhang Fei said, then curiously asked, “What does this have to do with me renting a house?”

Chen Maoqian said, “He used to live behind the Xu residence, just separated by a small alley. After he left, I acquired that house. That house is worth much more than the one you rented before, but I could rent it to you at the original price for half a year, without charging you extra. Consider it compensation from me.”

Behind the Xu residence, that’s quite safe. Zhang Fei nodded thoughtfully.

Chen Maoqian added, “But this time, we must agree that you won’t come to me for any trouble, no matter what happens.”

“Can I not go to you if the house collapses?” Zhang Fei said, irritated.

Chen Maoqian shook his head firmly. “Not even then.”

“Wow… you’re being too much!” Zhang Fei exclaimed.

“Brother San, I’m really scared. How about I refund your money and compensate you double? You can go rent elsewhere,” Chen Maoqian said with a look of grievance.

What should have been a day of great joy almost turned into a day of mourning upon seeing Zhang Fei.

Have I gone too far and ended up with no friends? Zhang Fei chuckled, “I was just joking with you. I just wanted to change houses, don’t be like this.”

Chen Maoqian looked at him suspiciously. “What if you weren’t joking?”

“Alright, alright, I’ll take this house and won’t bother you,” Zhang Fei said.

But then, Zhang Fei felt like he was losing out, so he added, “How about you throw in a concubine for me? Your buddy here is still single.”

Chen Maoqian was dumbfounded.

Renting to you at half price and throwing in a concubine…!

Even a bandit wouldn’t be as outrageous as you!

“Just kidding.” Seeing Chen Maoqian speechless, Zhang Fei felt a bit embarrassed. He said, “Okay, let’s settle for this. Let’s draw up a contract.”

“No need for a contract. Let’s have a gentleman’s agreement,” Chen Maoqian shook his head.

“How can we not sign a contract? That won’t work,” Zhang Fei insisted.

Chen Maoqian shook his head again. “I’m not signing anything. If we sign something, you’ll be able to sue me. If we don’t, you can’t.”

…!

Zhang Fei was dumbfounded. “Old Chen, don’t be like this. I’m begging you. I was really just joking with you. Do you think suing is that simple? If we don’t sign a contract, you can kick me out of the house anytime.”

Chen Maoqian cried out, “I don’t have the guts to do that! If anything, it would be you suing me. How could I dare to kick you out?”

Zhang Fei’s expression changed, and he said seriously, “Property transactions are taxed. If you don’t make a contract with me, I’ll immediately complain that you are intending to evade taxes.”

Chen Maoqian trembled in fear. “Brother San, I have no grievances with you. Why do you want to harm me like this?”

“That’s enough!” Zhang Fei was tired. “Stop messing around. You’re not a kid anymore. Hurry up and settle this. Are you still finding me not annoying enough?”

After Zhang Fei’s forceful persuasion, Chen Maoqian reluctantly signed another lease contract with him. It was just three pages, but he stared at it for two whole hours, and they discussed it for another two hours before he was sure and allowed Zhang Fei to sign.

As for the house, Zhang Fei hadn’t seen it yet, but most of the residents in that neighborhood were probably government officials. The houses might not be the best, but they wouldn’t be too bad either.

Moreover, the houses sold these days were ready-to-move-in types, the kind where you just needed to bring your bags.

Chen Maoqian really went all out. That very day, he immediately sent someone to clean up the place, to see if any thieves were hiding, and to replenish any missing daily necessities. It was truly top-notch service.

This time, Zhang Fei was truly embarrassed to bid farewell to Xu Zun. He only mentioned it during dinner.

Xu Zun was also very satisfied with this arrangement. Living nearby, he could also provide some assistance.

One day later.

Xu Residence, back door.

“You’re really something, who leaves through the back door instead of the front door when moving to a new house?”

Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei with a strange expression.

Zhang Fei replied irritably, “Last time I went through the front door, and ended up getting injured. Although the back door is small, it is safe. No matter how I leave, nothing will happen!”

Xu Zhiqian chuckled, “Is this how a pen-in-cap reasons? Your getting beaten up had nothing to do with the front door…!”

“Shut up.”

Zhang Fei glared at Xu Zhiqian, “I haven’t even mentioned your jinxed mouth yet, and you still dare to speak. I’m leaving.”

With that, he darted out of the back door, not giving Xu Zhiqian a chance to speak.

Xu Zhiqian felt extremely wronged, stomping her foot angrily, “It’s clearly your own big mouth causing trouble, yet you blame me. Fine, you call me a jinx, then I’ll curse you to get beaten up again.”

She muttered softly, “I don’t believe that my curse will really work.”

…

Why did Zhang Fei choose to leave by the back door? It was nearby to his new place!

Across the street was the back door of his own residence.

Just a couple of steps away, and he would enter his new home through the back door of the Xu family.

Looking at the small courtyard where they could sit and chat, Zhang Fei clicked his tongue, “It’s a bit small, but safe. The neighbors here are either wealthy or influential. I don’t believe anyone would dare to come knocking on my door.”

Before he finished speaking, everything went black before his eyes.

Again?

Zhang Fei was dumbfounded.