The kid's hand was already on the top of the wall; with a little effort, he could have jumped over it. But at the crucial moment of his escape...

The half-blind man's flying dagger landed awkwardly on the wall, right between the boy's hands.

Because the short blade wasn't sharp enough, it didn't pierce the wall immediately, but instead bounced up and headed towards the kid's face.

The sudden turn of events startled the boy, causing him to let go and dodge.

When I fell, my tailbone hit a small pebble.

With a scream, the boy was unable to move.

And the short blade that bounced up landed right between his legs.

If he had fallen just an inch further forward, he would never have been able to fulfill his mission of continuing the family line.

The men in black looked back, still wondering what had happened.

He just hadn't seen everything and thought to himself, "What a waste."

At such a crucial moment, why shout so loudly? Are they trying to let the whole world know that they're here to steal?

However, the Zhao father and son watched the whole thing.

I've seen unlucky people, but I've never seen a thief be this unlucky. Isn't this just sending yourself to jail?

Zhao Qingbei couldn't help but giggle out loud.

"I wondered what you all were capable of. It's not even dark yet, and you're all already rushing out to do bad things."

"With such meager skills, you dare to show yourselves off? The clothes you're wearing are truly shameful."

As soon as Zhao Qingyi finished speaking, the clueless young man was completely baffled.

"What do you mean by embarrassing our clothes? How are the clothes embarrassing? Our clothes are perfectly fine."

This time, it wasn't just Zhao Qingbei who laughed; Zhao Minggeng and Zhao Qingyang also joined in the laughter.

Zhao Qingyang laughed until tears streamed down her face.

That's really stupid. If someone is dressed in black, they're at least an assassin, or a skilled fighter. The fact that they're dressed in black is just ridiculous.

If no one is giving you a tip, what's the point?

Zhao Minggeng had laughed enough.

"Do you intend for me to arrest you personally, or will you surrender yourselves?"

The men in black exchanged glances and ultimately decided to fight.

As expected, they were all kicked to the ground, only able to groan.

The steward had already prepared ropes and other equipment, and brought his servants over to tie the person up.

As for what these people are here for,

Zhao Minggeng didn't even bother to ask any questions and simply handed the case over to the Shuntian Prefecture for investigation.

Sure enough, they were professional investigators; the group was sent to Shuntian Prefecture and interrogated overnight, and some information was obtained.

These individuals were repeat offenders.

Their greatest strengths lie in concealment and drugging, especially when it comes to drugging, they are ruthless in their pursuit of profit.

They usually only take action after making sure all the dogs in the kennels are drugged and rendered unconscious.

Recently, due to Zhao Minggeng's immense popularity, legends about him have also spread among the people.

Honest people listen to the facts, while those who follow crooked paths listen to the rumors.

Knowing that Zhao Minggeng's family was wealthy and that he was a civil official, even if he was tall and imposing, he might just be all show and no substance.

After keeping an eye on them for several days, they learned from a woman buying groceries that the Zhao family didn't have many servants.

To put it bluntly, their fighting strength is weak. That's why these people are planning to attack the Zhao family tonight.

Unexpectedly, the Zhao father and son went mad and instead of going to bed early, they wandered around the back garden.

This is absolutely infuriating!

However, the interrogation conducted by the Shuntian Prefecture was not simply a matter of telling what had been done; they also had to confess to what had happened in the past.

As a result, the disappearance of the daughter of the rouge shop owner in Xicheng last year was caused by this group of people.

They were also responsible for several other cases.

Originally motivated by money, they ended up doing this while all the victims were unconscious.

Some of them harbored evil intentions and would also carry away beautiful young women.

Such heinous acts are too numerous to recount.

The case that had been troubling the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture since last year was solved so easily by Lord Zhao.

The Shuntian Prefecture marveled at Zhao Minggeng's good fortune.

At the same time, it also highlights the importance of being versatile.

If Zhao Minggeng hadn't been so skilled, how could he have captured this gang of thugs so easily?

Major cases must be reported, and ultimately these criminals were sentenced to death by a thousand cuts.

A simple thief would not be sentenced to such a severe punishment.

But these people not only robbed people of their money, they also committed murder.

More than a dozen people have died directly or indirectly because of them, especially because their methods were extremely cruel and disgusting.

On the day the criminals were executed, Caishikou was packed with people.

Aside from onlookers, there were only the victims' families.

They must watch as these heinous people are slowly killed, their flesh ripped away inch by inch.

As former victims, the Zhao family paid no attention to the thieves.

Regardless of what crime they were convicted of, it can only be said that they deserved it.

Recently, Zhao Qingyang successfully developed an oil press.

Both oil yield and efficiency have been greatly improved.

Zhao Qingyan's grain and oil shop is not far from being a self-producing and self-selling business.

There are happy things and there are unpleasant things.

When Xu Dongsheng entered the palace to pay his respects to his uncle and aunt...

The emperor instructed him to make sure his two brothers-in-law participated in the imperial examinations the following spring.

Not only must one participate, but one must also pass the imperial examination to be eligible.

When Xu Dongsheng relayed this information to Zhao Qingyan, he instinctively felt that the Emperor was about to cause trouble again.

This emperor is really something. He can't just target the Zhao family with all the mischief he's causing.

Xu Dongsheng also felt something was amiss.

At the time, it was said tactfully that since leaving the capital, his brothers-in-law had all given up their books to varying degrees because of their own hobbies.

Therefore, I really can't guarantee that I will pass the exam.

Even he himself can't guarantee that he can become the top scorer in the exam again.

As the subjects of attention, Zhao Qingyang and Zhao Qingyi instinctively felt that the two brothers had been plotted against by the Emperor.

However, the two brothers were slightly better off after receiving a reward from their brother-in-law.

The gifts bestowed by the palace were mostly books, along with a few paintings and calligraphies.

Zhao Qingyang was reading a book, while Zhao Qingyi was admiring a painting.

Zhao Qingbei is really not good at this kind of artistic style of painting.

This may be related to enlightenment.

When Zhao Qingyan taught her two younger brothers to draw, she focused on realism.

There is no sense of artistic conception whatsoever; the focus is on realistic reproduction.

Let the exam be an exam; treat it as a second experience.

It can't be that all the brothers in the family have official positions while the two of them are just nobodies, can it?

Their pride wouldn't allow the two brothers to give up.

So all research was put on hold, and all sketching and field trips were forgotten; reading was the most important thing.

First, review all the articles you've studied before.

Then, based on the main types of questions that may appear in the exam, set the questions and write the essay.

The imperial examination tested real skills.