News that "Ding Shoucheng" had been expelled from Sifang Martial Arts Hall, pushed along by Meng Wei, had reached every mid- and upper-level figure in Songyang County before nightfall.
The stated reasons: poor character and insatiable greed, refusing discipline and defying his master.
But no specifics were given. Meng Wei was no fool; if he told the true story, it would do him no favors either.
So vague wording was better, and in his view the reasons were not the point.
The point was the bounty he had posted.
If anyone could cripple "Ding Shoucheng's" martial arts, Sifang Martial Arts Hall would pay a reward of one hundred taels of fine silver.
A hundred taels of fine silver—whoever took the job would not care a whit about the reasons.
But very quickly, Tian Muchuan, a bronze badge constable chief, made his move.
He simply spread the story Wei Yuefu had told. Meng Wei's reasons lined up perfectly with the two matters of asking for money and wanting a wife.
It fit him perfectly, as though the reasons had been drawn up to match. And since Meng Wei gave only the reasons and never the why, Wei Yuefu's "true account" neatly filled in that blank.
With Wei Yuefu's version already lodged in people's minds first, Meng Wei was like yellow mud dropped into his own trousers—shit or not, it was shit.
Mostly it was too coincidental; more importantly, Wei Yuefu had been faster.
So it came about that Meng Wei's reasons corroborated Wei Yuefu's "truth."
And as for Sifang Martial Arts Hall denying it—well, then they would have to say what the real reason was.
With them saying neither this nor that, people were not idiots, especially once Yuanwei Martial Arts Hall heard of the matter and immediately set to fanning the flames.
Meng Wei, thoroughly schemed against, was furious, but there was nothing he could do.
By the time he confirmed Wei Yuefu's whereabouts, it was already too late.
Wei Yuefu had become an Iron Ruler constable of Six Doors, a running dog of the court.
He truly did not dare do anything; even the bounty could only be withdrawn in disgrace.
Use his local connections to go after Wei Yuefu? Did he really think Songyang County was Sifang Martial Arts Hall's turf?
He could smooth over connections—well, so could Yuanwei Martial Arts Hall.
As long as Wei Yuefu remained an Iron Ruler constable for a single day, Sifang Martial Arts Hall would have one more enemy and be continuously vexed.
For Yuanwei Martial Arts Hall, that was money extremely well spent.
Not to mention that Wei Yuefu's immediate superior was Tian Muchuan, a bronze badge constable chief—a man of real power whom even the county magistrate had to treat with a measure of respect.
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"Tsk, tsk, tsk. A talent like you, and he could bear to mistreat you. That old bastard Meng Wei grows more senile the longer he lives." Watching Wei Yuefu devour his food like a whirlwind sweeping away the clouds, Tian Muchuan could not help praising him.
Some of the Iron Ruler constables who were already old hands at the job saw this and quietly tucked away a few of their little schemes.
Being a big eater was nothing rare, but for someone to eat like Wei Yuefu meant his martial training was certainly out of the ordinary.
"Phew~" Wei Yuefu let out a foul breath, then said, "I have much to thank you for, sir. In all my years alive, this is the first time I've eaten my fill."
"Hahaha, you've eaten your fill," Tian Muchuan said with a laugh. "But this morning, the rest of us only managed a quick bite."
"Once your monthly stipend is paid, you'll have to treat us to a few cups at the Drunken Flower House."
"Sir is right," Wei Yuefu agreed without hesitation. "Today was my fault; I hope my colleagues will forgive me."
He still kept up the persona of Ding Shoucheng: honest and slow of speech.
Who did not like having an honest man for a teammate?
For Wei Yuefu, there were really only two goals.
Find that so-called Eight Treasures Golden Body inheritance, and climb high enough.
The first was the Descent Mission; the latter was the Lingering Wish Mission, and also a convenience to himself.
"Hahaha, I was only joking anyway—you still need to save money to get yourself a wife," Tian Muchuan said. "When the stipend is paid, I'll treat you all, as a welcome for our newcomer."
Hearing this, the gathered Iron Ruler constables were secretly surprised; they had not expected Tian Muchuan to value Wei Yuefu so highly.
"Then let it be your treat first, sir. Once I've collected two more months of stipend, I'll treat everyone," Wei Yuefu said.
"Fine, we'll be waiting on you, then." Tian Muchuan did not decline further, and then said, "Today is your first day on duty..."
Tian Muchuan looked over the ranks of Iron Ruler constables and finally picked his trusted man, Lu Hanmo.
"Hanmo, Shoucheng is assigned under you. Take him to draw his equipment," Tian Muchuan said at once.
At that, Lu Hanmo stepped forward and answered, "Yes, sir."
No one was surprised. From Tian Muchuan's attitude toward Wei Yuefu, it was clear he meant to raise the man into one of his trusted hands.
So naturally Lu Hanmo would be the one to take the newcomer in hand.
"Then I'll take Shoucheng to collect his things first," Lu Hanmo continued.
Tian Muchuan waved a hand for them to go.
Led by Lu Hanmo, the two went straight to the Internal Affairs Office and soon drew the official uniform, weapons, and other items.
After looking over the choices, Wei Yuefu picked out two golden melon hammers and a saber.
The golden melon hammers were simple to use: swing them in a full circle and bring them down on the head.
Mainly, Ding Shoucheng's path was one of overwhelming strength and heavy blows, and his repertoire of techniques did not really suit a long spear.
Otherwise he would definitely have chosen a long spear; after all, an inch longer is an inch stronger.
Beyond that, the golden melon hammers had one advantage: if it came down to it, you could throw them and they would still hit hard.
"You're certainly one for going your own way." Looking at the golden melon hammers Wei Yuefu had chosen, Lu Hanmo found it amusing.
This sort of thing was mostly used in the army.
"I never learned weapons. As long as I can pick this up and hit people with it, that's enough," Wei Yuefu explained with a smile.
"No matter. With Chief Tian holding things down, our Songyang County doesn't have so many outlaws running loose," Lu Hanmo went on. "I'll take you on patrol first."
"You're a man of the yamen now, so don't bring your martial hall's bad habits in with you."
"I'll be counting on your guidance, Sir Lu." Wei Yuefu's expression turned serious.
"Take what you should take, and collect what you should collect," Lu Hanmo said as they walked. "I know you're used to being frugal, but this isn't for your own sake."
"It's for the yamen runners, your colleagues, and your superiors. If you don't take it and the others do, won't they stand out?"
Wei Yuefu's eyes widened. He had expected the man to be a little more discreet, but he was being this blunt.
"Then there's this: make no promises, do no favors, and don't give them a pleasant face," Lu Hanmo said. "Those dogs only fear force; they don't respect virtue."
"Give them an inch of a smile and they'll climb right over your face."
"Besides, nine times out of ten, the things people come begging us for are lawless, rule-breaking affairs."
"If we handle them and it comes out later, we'd be dragged in too, and that would be bad."
Hearing this, Wei Yuefu thought, as expected of the court's Six Doors—truly domineering... and they take the money without doing the job.
"This... yes, sir," Wei Yuefu said, feigning hesitation.
"Good. The lad can be taught." Lu Hanmo had assumed that, given "Ding Shoucheng's" temperament, he might refuse.
It seemed being expelled from the martial hall really had changed "Ding Shoucheng" somewhat.
Hesitation was only natural; after all, he was an honest man.
Chapter 6