Wang Gang felt a considerable amount of fear towards the ever-smiling Guo Jing.
This was especially true since, over the past month, most of the expenses for his lodging, meals at the inn, and bribes for the examiners had been borrowed from Guo Jing.
He now owed nearly a hundred taels of silver. With interest compounding, how much would he owe? The thought of it only intensified his fear.
He couldn't even begin to imagine how ruthless this leader of ruffians would become, or what kind of brutal harm he would inflict if he knew Wang Gang had failed the imperial examinations.
At this moment, Wang Gang didn't dare to think about it.
...
As he secretly speculated, Wang Gang's expression grew increasingly stiff.
He stammered a greeting to Guo Jing and then said, "So... so it's Master Guo. Why have you come here?"
Guo Jing's expression remained as amiable as ever towards Wang Gang, and he replied with a smile, "Young Master Wang, as you know, I haven't fared too well over the years, and my subordinates are all rather useless ruffians."
"If Young Master Wang can be nominated on the imperial list, then we small folks can also bask in some of your prestige and gain some benefits."
"Knowing that today's examinations have concluded, how could I dare to be negligent? I brought a group of my men here early to await Young Master Wang and prepare a celebratory feast."
Here, Guo Jing's tone shifted, and he asked Wang Gang again, "By the way, Young Master Wang, how did the imperial examinations go these past few days? With your knowledge and talent, I presume you must be somewhat confident of being nominated on the imperial list?"
Hearing Guo Jing's repeated inquiry, Wang Gang feared Guo Jing would turn ruthless and have his men beat him to death.
Thus, he dared not tell the truth and merely replied with a hint of panic, "I... I tested quite well. I should be nominated on the imperial list..."
However, although Wang Gang didn't speak the truth, Guo Jing, who had spent years mingling in the streets and alleys, was best at discerning people's intentions.
Especially after becoming the leader of these ruffians, Guo Jing's cunning and methods deepened year by year.
...
Seeing Wang Gang now with a flustered expression, a stiff demeanor, and stammering speech, devoid of his usual composure, Guo Jing instinctively sensed something was amiss and began to harbor suspicion.
The amiable smile on his face gradually receded. Guo Jing scrutinized Wang Gang and asked again, "Is that so?"
Wang Gang's expression became even more panicked, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He quickly nodded and said, "Of course, how could it be false? Would I lie to you, Boss Guo?"
Upon hearing Wang Gang's assurance, Guo Jing seemed to believe him, and his face returned to its smiling state.
He continued, "Then congratulations, Young Master Wang. If you achieve wealth and status in the future, please don't forget to look after us small folk."
"That goes without saying. That goes without saying."
At this moment, Wang Gang only wanted to deceive them for a while longer and then find an opportunity to escape.
As for repaying the debt, what debt?
Nearly a hundred taels of silver—selling his entire self wouldn't be worth a hundred taels of silver, let alone with usurious interest.
Seeing that Wang Gang still refused to admit the truth, Guo Jing nodded with a smile and then quietly gave a few instructions to one of the ruffians accompanying him.
After hearing Guo Jing's instructions, the ruffian first showed a surprised look, then thoughtfully sized up Wang Gang a few times before quickly jogging towards the examination compound.
Wang Gang's heart leaped into his throat upon seeing the direction the ruffian had taken!
He noticed that as the ruffian headed towards the examination compound, he was continuously inquiring about something from the scholars who had just left.
Clearly, Guo Jing had already begun to doubt Wang Gang's words!
Seeing this, Wang Gang, sweating profusely with anxiety, tried to get rid of Guo Jing and his men to make a quick escape!
Guo Jing was a seasoned veteran and wouldn't be easily brushed aside by Wang Gang.
Guo Jing simply replied with a smile, "Since the imperial examinations are over, Young Master Wang, please come home with me. I have prepared a sumptuous banquet. You must have worked hard for several days during the examinations. Now that you've achieved good results, you should certainly celebrate."
Guo Jing winked at his subordinates nearby, and the group, half dragging and half pulling Wang Gang, led him towards a secluded corner.
...
Being dragged along, Wang Gang felt his mind in turmoil, unsure whether he should confess the truth.
Guo Jing asked nothing further during this time. He spoke pleasantries to Wang Gang with a benevolent expression, his demeanor becoming even more courteous, as if Wang Gang had already passed the examinations and become a high-ranking official.
By the time Wang Gang realized it, he had already been pulled into a deserted, secluded corner by the ruffians.
During this process, they passed by the spot where Zeng Jin often begged.
Zeng Jin, seeing Wang Gang pale and surrounded by ruffians, remembered that Wang Gang had given him a piece of steamed bun six days prior. He gritted his teeth and decided that he would repay this kindness, even if it cost him his lowly life.
Coincidentally, the ruffian who had gone to the examination compound for information had just returned!
"Boss! Boss! This hypocritical fellow has completely fooled us!"
The ruffian shouted loudly and ran to Guo Jing's side.
Pointing at Wang Gang, the ruffian said with righteous indignation, "When I went to the examination compound to inquire, one of the scholars told me that this fellow surnamed Wang fainted halfway through the examination, submitted a blank paper, and could not possibly be nominated on the imperial list."
"He's been lying to us! Boss, we need to teach this kid a lesson. He now owes us nearly a hundred taels of silver and can't repay it at all."
As the ruffian finished speaking, all eyes immediately fell upon Wang Gang.
Seeing Wang Gang collapse onto the ground in fear, they all began to grin menacingly, and some had already grabbed handy weapons like clubs and bricks.
Guo Jing laughed in anger, strode up to Wang Gang, waved his hand, and delivered over a dozen slaps in quick succession, turning Wang Gang's face into a swollen mess.
Having vented his anger, Guo Jing calmed down and ordered his ruffians, "Give this scoundrel who owes us money a good scrubbing. Looking at his fair skin and tender flesh, selling him as a catamite might recoup our losses."
"Wait a moment!!!"
Before the ruffians could act, a sudden, unfamiliar voice startled them. Looking nervously in the direction of the sound, they saw it was a beggar with a disability.
...
Guo Jing looked at Zeng Jin, who had come to interfere, a hint of killing intent in his eyes. He signaled his subordinates to block Zeng Jin and then warned, "What kind of stray dog dares to cause trouble for me? Why is a stinking beggar butting in? Get lost, or you'll lose your life."
Hearing this, Zeng Jin said nothing and directly charged through the ruffians.
He shoved the ruffians aside and urged the stunned Wang Gang, "Run quickly, what are you waiting for?"
With that, Zeng Jin voluntarily faced the ruffians.
Seeing that someone had engaged the ruffians, Wang Gang immediately fled the scene.
Wang Gang did not spare Zeng Jin a single glance from beginning to end, which spoke volumes about his cold-heartedness.
"Righteousness often comes from the lowest strata, while betrayal is common among scholars." The ancients' words indeed hold truth.
The more one studies, the more one thinks, and the more one thinks, the more one fears death.
...
On the other side, Zeng Jin, fighting desperately to hold back the ruffians for Wang Gang, was now in a dire situation.
"You wanted to be a hero."
"You wanted to be a hero."
"Beat him, beat him hard."
"Ah..."
Screams echoed continuously. The ruffians who attacked Zeng Jin were all vicious.
Zeng Jin lay on the ground, emitting agonizing screams. His ribs were broken, and he was completely unable to get up!
"Outrageous! That damned stinking beggar, daring to ruin my good deed! You're asking for death!"
Guo Jing grabbed a brick and swung it at Zeng Jin, aiming directly for his head with fierce intent!
With a scream, Zeng Jin's head split open, blood splattering everywhere. He fell to the ground, his breath catching in his throat, his body gradually growing cold.
The surrounding areas of the capital were dark and murky, and no one paid any attention to the actions of these ruffians.
Guo Jing looked at the deceased Zeng Jin, spat on his corpse, and ordered two subordinates to throw Zeng Jin's body into the moat.
Then, Guo Jing led his men away from the scene.
...
On the other side.
The two men dragged Zeng Jin's corpse, leaving a trail of blood in the dark alleyway.
...
After Wang Gang escaped, he never returned to the capital for the rest of his life.
With his scholar's status, he opened a private school with the help of a fellow townsman and worked as a tutor for thirty years, dedicating his life to teaching.
Although Wang Gang's life was not one of great wealth or prominence, he never lacked for food or drink, did not have to do arduous labor, lived in marital bliss, and was surrounded by his children and grandchildren, living a happy life.
As for the beggar Zeng Jin, who sacrificed his life for him, he never once crossed Wang Gang's mind.
...
Wang Gang, who lived to the age of eighty, never understood until his dying day why that beggar had risked his life to save him.
Having studied the teachings of the sages his entire life, Wang Gang did not realize that in the hearts of some people, the kindness of a piece of steamed bun was enough to warrant sacrificing their life.
There is an ancient poem that states:
The zither, though fifty strings it boasts,
Each string, each fret, recalls the passing years.
Zhuangzi's dream of butterflies, alas,
The King of Shu's spring heart, through the cuckoo reappears.
In the vast ocean's light, pearls shed tears,
In Lantian's warmth, jade fumes ascend.
What can this feeling await but memory's hold?
'Tis but confusion in that time, it seems.
...
Zhuang Zhou dreamt he was a butterfly, and the butterfly did not know it was Zhuang Zhou.
The dream metaphorically represents illusion as unreal; is it not better to use unreality to metaphorically represent the butterfly as unreal? The heavens and earth are but a single point, and all things are but a dream.
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