Feng Shaoli didn't know much about Zheng Boyuan and Xu Zhi's background. Feng Shaoli's network of connections meant that there were some things he couldn't know.
Zheng Boyuan spent several months with Feng Shaoli and greatly admired Feng Shaoli's character. Zheng Boyuan wanted to win Feng Shaoli over, but whether Feng Shaoli could be used for his own purposes, and whether he should tell Feng Shaoli some confidential matters, would have to be decided after Xu Di arrived. However, Zheng Boyuan wanted to tell Feng Shaoli about Chu Huaigui.
As for Feng Shaoli, he always felt that Zheng Boyuan was not the person he claimed to be. He was just someone whose family had sent him and his wife here to gain experience because he had failed the imperial examinations repeatedly. Not only did Feng Shaoli observe Zheng Boyuan closely, but he also repeatedly warned Ping Shi to be careful in her daily interactions and not to tell others about trivial matters at home. When taking the children to visit other people's homes, she should be careful not to violate any taboos.
Feng Shaoli was well aware that his foundation was weak. Even if he were fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, he would still need to find a powerful backer if he wanted to go further in his career. The imperial examination was held every three years, and each time hundreds of Jinshi were selected. Over the years, of all the people who obtained the Jinshi title, only a very small number were able to go far in their official careers.
Men generally have ambition, whether it's to stand at a higher level, let more people see them and enjoy that vanity, or to fulfill their aspirations and make a name for themselves for generations. In this era of imperial examinations, participating in the metropolitan examination was the only way for many people to enter this circle.
Feng Shaoli is now not only doing his job well, but also studying diligently every day when he returns home. He is well aware of the hardships of doing errands while studying. What he knows even more is that he needs to find a backer for himself, and Zheng Boyuan from the capital is the person Feng Shaoli wants to befriend.
Feng Shaoli had considered Chu Huaigui and Wan Jingchen. Both of them came from the capital. More importantly, the Chu family was from a count's family in the capital, while Wan Jingchen came from the Wan family, the maternal family of Consort Wan and the family of Minister Wan of Rites. For Feng Shaoli, who came from the countryside, it would be very difficult to befriend either the Chu or Wan families.
However, after spending more time with these two people, Feng Shaoli gradually gave up the idea of relying on them. Feng Shaoli was a very shrewd man. He secretly knew a lot about Chu Huaigui and was very clear about Chu Huaigui's true nature. As for Wan Jingchen, he knew even more that this man came to Miaozhou to help his wife amass wealth.
Feng Shaoli told himself not to rush, but after Zheng Boyuan arrived in Miaozhou, Feng Shaoli felt a little more anxious. He wanted to know who was behind Zheng Boyuan. Zheng Boyuan was decisive and efficient, and he even wanted to join Zheng Boyuan's ranks right now.
Feng Shaoli naturally heard the commotion next door last night. He didn't ask Zheng Boyuan about it, but he was thinking that if Zheng Boyuan came to him and talked about what happened last night, he would follow Zheng Boyuan in the future. In life, one has to make choices for one's family and oneself. Many times, these choices are like gambling. Once you place your bet, you have to accept the consequences. If you want to gain something, you have to give up something first.
Feng Shaoli was surprised to see Zheng Boyuan and Xu Zhi come together. After seeing Xu Zhi and Ping Shi go to the backyard, Feng Shaoli and Zheng Boyuan poured each of them a cup of tea.
Zheng Boyuan picked up the teacup, took a sip, and praised, "This is truly excellent tea; it's bitter at first, but sweet in the aftertaste."
Feng Shaoli said with a smile, "This is wild tea from our hometown. My wife picked it and roasted it herself. If you like it, Lord Zheng, I will pack some for you to take back and enjoy slowly."
Zheng Boyuan smiled and thanked him, saying, "It would be impolite to refuse. Thank you for your generosity, Lord Feng."
Feng Shaoli smiled, and Zheng Boyuan cut straight to the point, saying, "The thieves who came to my house yesterday were not ordinary thieves; they were all here to take my life. It was only because my house was on guard that the thieves failed."
Feng Shaoli hadn't expected things to have escalated to the point of close combat and direct life-threatening situations. Although he tried his best to remain calm, his face paled slightly.
Zheng Boyuan knew Feng Shaoli; he was a somewhat frail scholar with a certain pride, who toiled all day for his wife, children, and elderly parents.
Feng Shaoli composed himself and asked, "Is everything alright at Lord Zheng's home?"
Zheng Boyuan smiled and said, "Of course it's safe. To be honest, Lord Feng, my wife's uncle and the few guards he brought with him were all famous masters in the martial arts world in their younger days. Ordinary thieves are no match for them. But Lord Feng, our Miaozhou City is now surrounded by water on all sides. Do you know who these people are?"
Hearing Zheng Boyuan ask this question, Feng Shaoli felt very conflicted. He wanted to know who sent him, but he was also afraid that knowing who sent him would cause trouble for himself and his family. He was very conflicted.
Zheng Boyuan did not answer the question himself, but lowered his head and took two sips of tea, savoring its flavor. The more he tasted it, the more he felt that the tea was truly extraordinary. He thought that he should ask Feng Shaoli for more when he left, so that Wu Muyue could also have a taste.
Feng Shaoli hesitated for a while, then, remembering that fortune favors the bold, he gritted his teeth and asked, "Lord Zheng, would you mind telling me who those people are?"
Zheng Boyuan smiled and said, "Those people were sent by Lord Chu Huaigui."
Upon hearing this answer, Feng Shaoli was both pleased that he had guessed the result and troubled that he now knew the secret and didn't know what kind of trouble it would bring him. However, since he had already embarked on this path with Zheng Boyuan, he could only follow him to the bitter end.
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