Chapter 42

Pang Dashan, the eloquent man, was not around.

It took Chang Yan quite some effort to get Pang Dashan to understand the causes and effects.

To put it simply, using Pang's unique surname to pretend to be someone important and influential.

Whether it was true or not was not important, as long as the county magistrate of Xieyang was intimidated, that would be enough.

"But... whose county magistrate's nephew is a wandering beggar?" Pang Dashan gave a wry smile.

If it was up to him, he would definitely not be willing to do such an impersonation that would surely be exposed sooner or later.

But when he looked at Jiang Sheng, he fell silent again.

He still remembered the day with the meatballs.

Although Pang Dashan had left the dilapidated temple early, he did not actually leave. Instead, he hid behind a big tree and spied until dawn before leaving.

He watched Jiang Sheng frolic happily with her brothers, watched Xu Mo cook a big pot of rice with vegetable meatballs and call his younger siblings to eat, watched them make merry noises in the dilapidated temple, watched them light a bonfire, and even set off firecrackers.

Jiang Sheng was timid but loved to play. She insisted on lighting the firecrackers herself before dinner, but failed several times. When she finally succeeded, the firecrackers ignited and crackled so suddenly that she screamed in fright.

Zheng Ruqian rushed over first and shielded his sister in his arms.

Fang Heng followed immediately and pulled them both indoors.

Chang Yan and Wen Zhiyun all gathered around, expressing their concern one after another.

Xu Mo tended the fire gently, looking at his younger siblings with warmth.

What a beautiful scene it was. Pang Dashan was somewhat envious, and also felt a little sad.

At that moment, he regretted targeting Jiang Sheng. If he had accepted Jiang Sheng, wouldn't he be one of the people in the dilapidated temple?

It was this longing that prompted him to pounce and use his body to protect Zheng Ruqian when the yamen runner raised his wooden stick.

Pang Dashan knew he was wrong. He hoped he could make up for it this way, and hoped Jiang Sheng would not hate him even more.

The seven candied haws afterwards proved he had chosen correctly.

Pang Dashan was very happy.

Now there was another opportunity before his eyes to protect Jiang Sheng, to allow himself to integrate better into their group.

Pang Dashan couldn't bear to refuse.

"Alright, from now on I'll be County Magistrate Pang's nephew." He gritted his teeth and agreed.

Xu Mo patted him on the shoulder, "Don't be afraid, we won't let you bear this alone."

That afternoon.

Zheng Ruqian and Fang Heng returned from selling vegetables.

One drove a donkey cart, bumping up and down. The other rode a horse, free and graceful.

When Fang Heng dismounted from the horse with stirrups, Jiang Sheng's eyes went wide, crying out in amazement.

Zheng Ruqian was indignant, "I was the one who bought that saddle!"

Yet in the end, all the compliments went to Fang the Third.

"Oh, my good second brother," Jiang Sheng realized Zheng Ruqian was unhappy and immediately threw herself at him, turning on her flattering mode, "My second brother is so smart, he must have earned a lot of money this time."

"Of course." Zheng Ruqian raised his head arrogantly, "Remember those fifty catties of burdock? I bought them for over two hundred coppers and sold them for a full two taels of silver."

"Along with the other vegetables, I earned a total of ten taels of silver. As expected, the more donkey carts the better. The more vegetables carried, the more money earned."

Jiang Sheng's eyes shone even brighter. She stretched out her little hand and shook it.

Zheng Ruqian understood tacitly and took out nine taels of silver, placing them in her palm.

"Why is one tael missing?" Jiang Sheng widened her eyes.

Zheng Ruqian glanced at the saddle on the red-maned horse and humphed. What a lousy thing, yet it cost a whole tael of silver for a set, simply outrageous.

But seeing how much Fang Heng liked it, unable to take his eyes off it for a long time, Zheng Ruqian still hardened his heart and stomped his feet to buy it.

The family had money now.

There was no reason to continue scrimping.

Wasn't the purpose of earning money to eat what you want, drink what you want, and buy what you want?

Zheng Ruqian grinned foolishly.

There was a time when he had to rely on Jiang Sheng stealing food just to survive.

Now, he could already support his siblings.

Jiang Sheng put the nine taels of silver into her own large purse, feeling the heavy weight, also full of smiles.

"Second brother is so awesome, second brother is the best, second brother is a money-making wizard."

She doled out flattery without restraint.

Zheng Ruqian ate it up, becoming arrogantly proud, tossing his head as if the greatest man in the world.

Pang Dashan watched from the side, involuntarily feeling envious again.

But it was getting late, he had to go back.

Although he didn't really want to leave.

"I'll walk you back," Fang Heng got up and led the donkey.

Pang Dashan followed behind him, looking back with every step as he left.

Jiang Sheng bade him farewell politely, but did not ask him to stay.

"He seems to really want to join us," Xu Mo stood behind her.

Jiang Sheng pursed her lips.

She had already promised second brother that Fang Heng was the last one.

Moreover, Pang Dashan was not alone either.

"He always feels we are warm, wants to integrate into us, but forgets that in fact he has always had someone accompanying him," Jiang Sheng said softly.

At the same time. At the cave where Pang Dashan lived, when he jumped down from the donkey cart, he discovered that the few followers he had taken in did not run away.

They were sprawled in the cave, bored out of their minds waiting.

When they saw Pang Dashan, they excitedly jumped up, but having not eaten for days, tumbled back down again.

Even so, someone still handed over half a steamed bun, "Boss, saved this for you. Where have you been these past few days?"

"We thought you didn't want us anymore."

The half-grown boys took turns speaking, and the cold cave suddenly became lively.

Pang Dashan's eyes reddened.

Fang Heng tethered the old donkey and walked over to pat him on the shoulder. He took out the one hundred coppers that Jiang Sheng had long prepared from his bosom, "Go buy some food for your brothers."

He and Zheng Ruqian had already found out about the situation here when they passed through town during the day.

The reason they kept pressing it down was precisely to let Pang Dashan see it with his own eyes.

As an outsider, Fang Heng left the money and departed.

Not far away, he vaguely heard the sound of wailing coming from the cave.

He shook his head and laughed.

The next day.

Jiang Sheng suddenly remembered that since Pang Dashan was impersonating "Master Pang", he would have to prepare clothes and completely wash away the image of a beggar, and make it so those familiar with him would not recognize him.

Oh, this would cost more money again.

Jiang Sheng felt the pain deeply, but to protect her family, the money had to be spent.

It just so happened to be the Lantern Festival, and the big family crowded onto the donkey carts and headed to the county town in a lively fashion.

Passing through the town, they picked up Pang Dashan along the way.

Who knows what happened overnight, but Pang Dashan's once vacant gaze was now exceptionally firm.

He tugged on Zheng Ruqian's arm, muttering, "Brother, I heard you can make money. Can I earn some with you?"

Zheng Ruqian's brow furrowed.

Transporting vegetables back and forth was big business. He did have plans to lead more donkey carts, and was distressed that he and Fang Heng lacked manpower. Then Pang Dashan came along.

"Don't worry, I don't want much money. As long as I can feed my brothers full meals, that's enough," Pang Dashan thumped his chest, "I have strength. You can ask me to do anything."

Zheng Ruqian looked at him for a long time before nodding, "Fine, learn to drive the donkey cart first. In the future you can travel farther out with me."

Pang Dashan readily agreed, overjoyed.

Up ahead, Jiang Sheng was waving her hand. He hurriedly walked over.

"This fine linen long gown looks nice. Try it on," the girl in charge of finances waved her hand grandly. "Buy it if you like it."

It was still the first time someone took the initiative to buy him clothes.

Pang Dashan accepted it reverently. Even the shoes were newly matched. Were these the benefits of working together?

He wondered if in the future he could also prepare similar outfits for his few brothers.

He was muttering to himself when he finished changing into the new clothes and walked out.

Before he could appreciate his new image, Pang Dashan was shocked to find the Jiang siblings waiting outside the clothing store surrounded by a group of armed yamen runners.