Whether it was during the previous dynasty or now, tutors did not belong to government professions. They were usually privately hired talented scholars.
Not only did they help handle all kinds of matters, they were also advisors. In terms of real power, they were no less influential than the magistrates.
If Xieyang County really had a tutor sent by the royal family, not to mention the new county magistrate, even if the prefect of Anshui arrived, they might not be able to protect those few children.
This tutor could not be wanted.
But the rejection had to be justified, otherwise it would be too obvious and people might see through something fishy. If someone noticed that the new county magistrate was deliberately trying to protect Fang Heng, it would cause more trouble.
The new county magistrate had a bad habit. Whenever he was worried, he would pull his own hair. He also liked to wander around in plain clothes.
He walked through the county government and arrived at Youran Ju. He saw Zheng Ruqian unloading salted meat.
Walking further ahead, he saw Xu Mo holding stationery on the way to the western academy in the city, with Fang Heng following behind. The two brothers seemed to be discussing something.
"That's it!" The new county magistrate slapped his thigh.
Xu Mo happened to turn around and looked at his third brother. "What's the matter?"
"Big brother, I...I..." Fang Heng hesitated. "After this incident in the prefecture city, do you have any thoughts?"
Xu Mo fell silent.
What thoughts could he have?
It could only be a sense of crisis. Even though he had passed the county exam and the family was gradually eating well, life was still difficult and full of dangers, even threatening their lives.
"I think I should prepare for the provincial exam," Xu Mo sighed softly. "Although I don't have enough confidence, passing the provincial exam is the only way I can have a chance to be an official."
Only by becoming an official could he completely protect his younger siblings behind him.
Only then could he resist the Fang family and behead Zhu Zhi with a knife.
Strangely, the two brothers happened to have a common enemy.
Xu Mo smiled slightly and looked at Fang Heng. "Does my third brother have his own ideas? Just go ahead and do what you want."
Fang Heng heaved a long sigh.
He did have ideas.
If it was only one or two of those desperados he encountered in the prefecture city, he could have handled them himself. He was injured because he was outnumbered.
If he could have two or three more helpers, or even more, even if he couldn't beat the desperados, at least he would have a chance to escape, better than standing there as a target.
In the Fang family before, Fang Heng also had personal guards and various hidden guards.
But as the Fang family's power was transferred, these protections had disappeared without a trace.
"I'm thinking..." Fang Heng said softly, "of recruiting some servants, teaching them martial arts, training their reflexes, to protect you all."
The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, the next best time is now.
Although the awareness of protection came a little late, fortunately it was not too late.
Xu Mo had no objection. "Go ahead and do what you want to do."
Fang Heng's eyes brimmed with hot tears.
He clenched his fists and said sonorously, "Big brother, rest assured, I will definitely not waste this money."
Xu Mo smiled.
Of course he knew this money would not be wasted, but he also knew there were two spendthrifts in the family.
He knew even more that recruiting servants would require considerable investment.
Sure enough.
That evening at dinner, as soon as Fang Heng mentioned the idea, Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian's eyes bulged.
Fang Heng was also embarrassed. "If it's too expensive, I can also open a martial arts school first to earn money, and then slowly pick some people who are willing to sign life bonds with me from there."
It would just be slower.
Xu Mo pursed his lips, about to say a few words for Fang Heng.
Suddenly Jiang Sheng nodded. "Okay, how much?"
The whole family looked at her.
Zheng Ruqian was even more shocked. "Little Jiang Sheng, this is the first time you've been so generous. Even when I asked you to buy a carriage, you were reluctant."
Jiang Sheng was unusually calm as she took out all her money and spread it out on the table.
"Eldest and second brother are both doing their own things, working hard for this family. Third brother also wants to work hard to protect the family. There is nothing wrong with that."
"Jiang Sheng is not generous, Jiang Sheng just doesn't want to see third brother lying in bed unable to wake up again...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 in his sister's eyes. He couldn't help feeling a pain in his heart.
All these storms were brought by him...
Fang Heng was not a weak person. On the contrary, he had a firm will, otherwise he would not have endured the six months in the little black room, let alone caused trouble to snatch back a life from the Wang family.
The more heartache he felt, the more he knew what he should do, and the more he knew he could not let down the support of his family.
"A hundred taels of silver will be enough for me." Fang Heng closed his eyes for a moment. "A hundred taels of silver, and I will personally build an iron-blooded guard team."
In the slave market, an ordinary adult cost ten to twenty taels of silver.
If it was a young and strong lad, it could be sold for thirty to forty taels, and was often unavailable.
One hundred taels could pick three people at most.
Fortunately, Fang Heng was smart and took an unorthodox approach, specifically buying seven to ten year old children. They were usually sold by their parents for money, or were beggars who could not afford to eat, and could only sell themselves. At the matchmaker's, they only went for seven or eight taels of silver each.
With one hundred taels of silver, he picked eight children, seven boys and one girl.
They all signed life bonds.
It could only be life bonds, to prevent them from having different ideas 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 shelter.
On the first day of training.
Fang Heng stood in front of the eight children and said solemnly and coldly, "You are people I bought. I will provide you with food and clothing and give you allowance money, but you have to practice martial arts well and protect my family in the future."
"From today onwards, you have no past, forget your previous names, just remember your current code numbers, one to eight."
"And your surname is Jiang."
Jiang, from Jiang Sheng.
From that day on, all kinds of martial arts training sounds were often heard from the small courtyard next door, pole climbing, sandbag tying, boxing and sword practice, barrel standing, balancing.
At first, Jiang Sheng still felt a little uncomfortable, always feeling that those children were about the same age as her, so why did they have to suffer so much.
Until Changyuan said softly, "Third brother went through the same thing, and he was even younger at that time."
Jiang Sheng didn't say anything then.
Everyone in this world is made of flesh and blood, but some indulge in pleasure, squandering money, while others are destitute and starving.
Jiang Sheng was lucky to have met Aunt Zhang and her brothers.
More wandering children like her either starved or froze to death, while others were randomly beaten to death for no reason.
By comparison, although martial arts training was a bit harsh, at least they had food and shelter. Third brother had specially hired an auntie to cook for them. Even the Jiang siblings got to eat for free.
Days passed by.
While Fang Heng trained the servants, the new county magistrate was also busy. He arranged the county government well, under the beautiful name of welcoming the new tutor.
On the day the royal family's man arrived, he set off firecrackers and blew trumpets, giving the arrival warm welcome.
Just as the arrival was smiling happily, ready to welcome the honor that belonged to him.
The new county magistrate opened the envelope with a smile and said, "I warmly welcome this young master, but unfortunately, I have just hired a tutor, so you are one step too late."
The arrival was stunned. He took the letter of appointment, which clearly had three words on it.
Tutor Xu!
