The pawnbroker grabbed his subordinate, pulling him in front of himself as he watched Fang Er and the three pulling the cart depart. "Follow them carefully and see which young master it is. Be discreet and don't let them discover you. I'll go back and report to the master."
The subordinate nodded and left the pawnshop, cautiously following behind Fang Er and his group.
Fang Er was completely oblivious, having utterly forgotten the principle of not flaunting one's wealth.
The group of four, pulling a cart laden with gold and silver, swaggered back to their new residence.
Fang Er looked at the empty space above the main gate. "Hmm, no wonder I always felt something was missing. I forgot to carve a plaque."
After Fang Er and the others had entered the courtyard, the subordinate who had been following them from a distance quietly returned to the pawnshop.
"Master, they entered the residence that Official Meng sold off next door. They've likely just moved in and haven't even hung a plaque. I don't know if they have any background," the subordinate whispered, bending his back and speaking to the pawnbroker.
The pawnbroker was a distant relative of the Cheng family and had a history of shady dealings. He had readily accepted the mirror today, undoubtedly with some illicit intentions. The subordinate, fearing the pawnbroker might silence him—a single mirror fetching ten thousand taels, who knew if that young man had more inventory at home?—was terrified. It was a fortune.
The pawnbroker, seated in his chair, looked at the subordinate who was bent over and afraid to meet his gaze. He smiled and said, "Look at you, already scared? Go, inform Zhou Tong and the others. Find a couple of capable men, and have them scout the residence tonight to assess the situation."
"A young man who just moved in, possessing such treasures, it's impossible he has no background. But if he did have a background, why would he pawn them, and as a dead pawn at that?" The pawnbroker was puzzled and dared not act rashly, deciding to send someone to probe first.
That night, Fang Er finished his unsatisfying dinner and lay in bed, contemplating how to improve his life. "This is torture! All the vegetables are steamed or boiled, and the meat is only roasted. Even the salt is refined salt. This is what the Fang family eats because they're well-off. Ordinary people season with vinegar cloth; they can't even afford salt." To a foodie like himself, it was sheer torment.
Just as he was drifting off to sleep, he suddenly heard the sound of roof tiles shattering. Fang Er sat up abruptly. Using the oil lamp that hadn't yet been extinguished by Xiao Qing, he scanned the room, finding nothing he could use for defense. He quickly opened his system and exchanged it for two screwdrivers. Fortunately, they were the extended type, over a foot long. Holding them, Fang Er felt a sliver of security.
Holding the two screwdrivers, Fang Er listened intently. The sounds on the roof had ceased. "Hey! Someone!" he shouted.
Xiao Qing, who was outside the door, rushed in. Just as she was about to ask what was happening, Fang Er signaled her to be quiet. "Go call Zhu Zi and the others. We have thieves!" Fang Er whispered.
Xiao Qing's face instantly turned pale with fear, and she began to tremble. A burglar in the house in the middle of the night was no good. If it was just for money, it would be one thing, but if the thieves had malicious intentions towards the maids, they would be in grave danger. Seeing Xiao Qing frozen, Fang Er urged, "What are you trembling for? Go quickly and call Zhu Zi and the others."
Xiao Qing snapped back to reality and stumbled out the door. Fang Er hastily threw on his clothes, hid the two screwdrivers in his wide sleeves, and got out of bed.
Zhou Tong and his accomplices on the roof heard noises from inside the house and immediately lay still. After a while, finding no more movement within, they cautiously lifted a roof tile and peered inside. They saw Fang Er, hands hidden in his sleeves, tiptoeing cautiously towards the door. Zhou Tong chuckled. "Compared to him, the master of this house is more like a thief. Look at how careful he is, as if afraid someone will discover him."
"Wait! Something's wrong. He's discovered us!" "Make your move! Capture him alive!" Zhou Tong quickly signaled his accomplices. Then, he stomped his foot, forcefully breaking through the roof and dropping into the house. His three companions behind him quickly followed suit.
Fang Er, who had been cautiously making his way out, heard Zhou Tong's voice and abandoned his stealth. He rushed directly towards the door. Zhu Zi and Hu Zi, who lived in the gatehouse, were still awake. Seeing Xiao Qing stumble towards them, they quickly got up. "Xiao Qing, why the urgency? What happened?"
"You two, hurry to the inner courtyard! Young Master says there are thieves in the house. Go quickly!" Xiao Qing said to Zhu Zi, not bothering to wipe the sweat from her face.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zi grabbed a door bolt from the wall and said to Hu Zi, "Let's go and see. We must ensure the Young Master is safe." As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Zi rushed out of the gatehouse and towards the inner courtyard. Hu Zi didn't dare delay and followed Zhu Zi out.
When they reached the inner courtyard, they saw Fang Er rushing out of the bedroom as if chased by dogs. Zhu Zi quickly ran over and shielded Fang Er. "Young Master, don't be afraid. Hu Zi, I'll protect the Young Master. You go to the back courtyard and call Da Li and Niu Liang."
"You take care. I'll be back soon." With an unknown number of thieves, the two of them might not be able to hold them off. Hu Zi responded and quickly ran to the back courtyard.
Zhou Tong and his three accomplices emerged from the house and saw a servant holding a door bolt, shielding Fang Er in the courtyard, watching them vigilantly.
"Heh heh, we heard this young master came into a fortune today. My brothers are a bit short on cash, so we've come to borrow some spending money. If you're sensible, hand over the silver quickly. My brothers guarantee not to harm a single hair on your head. What do you say?" Zhou Tong casually twirled his long saber and slung it over his shoulder, speaking to Fang Er.
Fang Er was truly panicking now. "Damn it, Jie Li won't invade for another two months. I moved from Gaoling to Chang'an to avoid the battlefield, thinking I was safe. I didn't expect my carelessness would attract thieves." Having been born under the red flag and raised in New China, he had never experienced such a situation.
Zhu Zi, however, remained calm. He was formerly a guardsman, but an arrow wound had weakened him, forcing him to retire. Apart from his martial arts skills, he knew nothing else. His mother had died, and he had no money for a coffin, which led him to be bought by Fang Er's father and become a guard. Having witnessed battlefield combat, he wasn't afraid of this small-scale affair. However, with his old injury, he probably couldn't hold out for long. He could only hope that Hu Zi, Da Li, and the others, along with the three carpenters, would arrive soon. Seven against four, they wouldn't be afraid.
"How dare a few petty thieves like you commit such violence? This is Changle Ward, right next to the East Market, under the Emperor's watch. Patrolling soldiers pass by the gate once every hour. If you know what's good for you, scram! If it comes to a fight, you won't get off lightly," Zhu Zi sternly told Zhou Tong and his group, hoping to stall for time.