Whether in the old dynasty or now, secretaries are not government officials; they are usually skilled individuals hired privately to help others.
They not only help handle all kinds of matters, big and small, but are also like advisors, wielding no less real power than local officials.
If Xieyang County really had a clerk sent by the Wang family, let alone the new county magistrate, even if the prefect of Anshui Prefecture came, he might not be able to protect a few children.
This advisor is not suitable.
But there has to be a reason for the refusal. If it's too obvious, people will notice something amiss. If they realize that the new magistrate is trying to protect Fang Heng, it will cause more trouble.
The new magistrate has a bad habit: he pulls his hair when he's worried, and he also likes to go out in plain clothes for aimless wanderings.
He passed through the county government office and arrived at Youranju, where he saw Zheng Ruqian unloading cured meat.
Further on, Xu Mo was seen carrying the Four Treasures of the Study towards the West City School, followed by Fang Heng. The two brothers seemed to be discussing something.
"I've got it!" the new magistrate exclaimed, slapping his thigh.
Xu Mo turned around and looked at his third brother. "What's wrong?"
"Brother, I...I..." Fang Heng hesitated for a moment, "What are your thoughts on the danger we encountered in the prefectural city this time?"
Xu Moyi was silent.
What ideas could there be?
All that's left is a sense of crisis. Even if he becomes a scholar and his family gradually has enough to eat, life is still difficult, fraught with danger, and even life is threatened.
"I think I should prepare for the provincial examination," Xu Mo sighed softly. "Although I'm not entirely confident, only by becoming a provincial graduate can I have the opportunity to become an official."
Only by becoming an official can one truly protect one's younger siblings.
Only then could they contend with the Fang family and behead Zhu Zhi under the guillotine.
Ironically, the two brothers ended up having a common enemy.
Xu Mo smiled slightly and looked at Fang Heng, "Third brother, do you have your own ideas? If so, just do them."
Fang Heng let out a long breath.
He does have ideas.
If there had only been one or two of the desperados he encountered in the prefectural city, he could have easily dealt with them. The reason he was injured was because he was alone and unable to fight them off.
If you have two or more helpers, even if you can't beat a desperate criminal, you'll still have a chance to escape, which is better than standing there as a target.
In the past, Fang Heng also had personal bodyguards and various secret guards in the Fang family.
However, with the transfer of power within the Fang family, these protections vanished without a trace.
“I think… I’d like to hire some servants,” Fang Heng said softly, “to teach them martial arts and train their reflexes to protect you.”
The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago; the second best time is now.
Although the awareness of protection came a little late, it's fortunate that it's not too late.
Xu Mo had no objection, "Go ahead and do what you want to do."
Fang Heng's eyes filled with tears.
He clenched his fist and said firmly, "Don't worry, brother, I will definitely not waste this money."
Xu Mo smiled and looked down.
He knew, of course, that the money wouldn't be wasted, but he also knew that there were two other money-grubbers in the family.
He knew that hiring servants would be a significant investment.
As expected.
When Fang Heng brought up this suggestion during dinner that evening, Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian's eyes widened in surprise.
Fang Heng was also embarrassed and said shyly, "If it's too expensive, I can open a martial arts school first to make money, and then slowly select some people who are willing to sign a life-long contract with me."
It will just be slower.
Xu Mo pursed his lips, about to say a few good words for Fang Heng.
Jiang Sheng suddenly nodded, "Okay, how much?"
The whole family stared at them.
Zheng Ruqian was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth. He said, "Little Jiang Sheng, is this the first time you've been so generous? I asked you to buy a carriage and you wouldn't even part with it."
Jiang Sheng calmly took out all her money and spread it out on the table.
"My eldest and second eldest brothers are both doing their own things and working hard for the family. My third brother also wants to protect the family, and that's not wrong."
“Jiang Sheng isn’t being generous; Jiang Sheng just doesn’t want to see Third Brother lying in bed unable to wake up again… and doesn’t want anyone else in the family to get hurt.”
As she spoke, her voice suddenly weakened.
Fang Heng had the best eyesight; through the flickering oil lamp, he saw the tears welling up in his sister's eyes, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
All these storms and hardships are of our own making...
Fang Heng was not a weak person; on the contrary, he was determined. Otherwise, he would not have been able to endure half a year in the dark room, let alone create trouble to save his life from the Wang family.
The more heartbroken he became, the more he knew what he should do, and the more he knew he couldn't let down his family's support.
"Give me a hundred taels of silver, and that will be enough." Fang Heng closed his eyes. "With a hundred taels of silver, I will personally build an Iron-Blooded Guard."
In the slave market, an ordinary adult costs ten to twenty taels of silver.
If it's a young and strong man, he can sell it for thirty or forty taels, and he often can't even buy it.
One hundred taels of silver can only be used to select a maximum of three people.
Fortunately, Fang Heng was clever and took an unconventional approach, specializing in buying children aged seven or eight to ten. These children were usually sold by their parents for money, or they were beggars who couldn't afford to eat and had no choice but to sell themselves. They would only fetch seven or eight taels of silver each from the matchmaker.
With one hundred taels of silver, he selected eight children, seven boys and one girl.
They all signed a death contract.
Only a death pact can prevent them from having ulterior motives in the future.
Zheng Ruqian rented a courtyard next to the small courtyard, and Jiang Sheng bought bedding, pots and pans to provide them with food and lodging.
The first day before training begins.
Fang Heng stood in front of the eight children and said sternly and coldly, "You are people I bought. I will provide you with food and clothing and give you a stipend, but you must practice martial arts well so that you can protect my family in the future."
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