Chapter 46: Welcoming the Challenge

The rebellion of the Fire Lotus Cult within the borders of Hanyang City was basically pacified, and the cultists in other regions were also rapidly routed.

In the blink of an eye, the date reached the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, and the Prefect of Hanzhou sent an official document to Jiang Yi.

Acceding to Jiang Yi's request, the Prefect of Hanzhou had also taken into consideration the wishes of the common people in Shuangma Township.

When the Fire Lotus Cult invaded Shuangma Township, Zhao Shengkui had fled with his family into the safety of the city.

The people of Shuangma Township were filled with bitter complaints. To prevent further turmoil, the authorities decided to appoint Jiang Yi as the Magistrate of Shuangma Township.

When the residents of Shuangma Township learned of this news, they were extremely excited.

Zhao Shengkui, of course, was far from pleased. Having served as township magistrate for only a short while, he had been stripped of his post.

Filled with deep reluctance, he found that since the official appointment document had already been issued, nothing could be changed.

It had indeed been no easy feat for Jiang Yi to achieve his goal step by step.

"I'm so thrilled! My husband has become the township magistrate!"

Shen Rong was overjoyed at Jiang Yi's success in securing the position; at least now, his word was law in Shuangma Township.

"If I wish to further elevate my status and position, I must work even harder."

Unless Jiang Yi continued to expand his influence, he would remain a township magistrate for the rest of his life—provided he committed no errors.

Jiang Yi believed that such a smooth process undoubtedly owed much to the assistance of Zhao Guangxian.

The only thing that brought no joy was the newly imposed restriction on the number of servants and guards allowed in a household.

In the wake of the turmoil caused by the Fire Lotus Cult, the imperial court had issued a new decree.

Ordinary households were no longer permitted to recruit more than one hundred guards and servants, as the court tightened its guard against wealthy and influential families.

The explicit purpose was to prevent prominent households from growing too powerful and threatening peace and stability across the various prefectures of the Great Liang.

"Since the imperial court has imposed restrictions, our household can only recruit one hundred people."

Had it not of the chaos stirred up by the Fire Lotus Cult, the court might not have enacted such a decree.

It posed a considerable obstacle for Jiang Yi, meaning he would have to be exceptionally cautious in expanding his influence henceforth.

"Won't that be deeply unfavorable to my husband's future development?"

Shen Rong knew well that Jiang Yi was never one to be content with the status quo, nor would he allow himself to be bullied.

"Difficulties are only temporary. What we must do now is make money, and we will resolve other matters in due time."

By presenting himself to others as someone who cared only for wealth, he could cause the officials to lower their guard against him.

At that very moment, Chang Youliang arrived at Jiang Yi's residence.

"Judging by your joyful expression, is there some good news?"

"Congratulations on becoming the township magistrate. The Regional Inspector will host a banquet at the Jubin Restaurant tomorrow, and he asked me to deliver this invitation to you."

Jiang Yi took the red invitation card, upon which his name and his wife's name were inscribed.

"Congratulations on your promotion!"

Jiang Yi cupped his hands in congratulation, wishing Chang Youliang a prosperous official career ahead.

"Once I attain an even higher office, I will plead with the Emperor to pardon you from your sentence of exile."

When Chang Youliang reached the ranks of high officials in the capital and gained an audience with the Emperor, he would surely intercede on Jiang Yi's behalf.

"I shall wait for you to become a Minister of the Six Ministries or a Grand Chancellor, positions from which it is easy to see the Emperor."

Before that day ever arrived, Jiang Yi estimated he would already be the master of Hanzhou.

He would later pull Chang Youliang into his grand enterprise, allowing him to become a founding hero of a new regime.

A moment later, a servant came to report to Jiang Yi that Zhao Shengkui had arrived at his residence with a group of people.

Judging by the situation, they had come with ill intent, as Zhao Shengkui still held a certain degree of influence in Funiu Village.

"Jiang Yi, come out this instant! I have words for you."

Zhao Shengkui shouted loudly outside the courtyard, accompanied by members of his family.

Jiang Yi and the others walked out to the courtyard entrance, seeing Zhao Shengkui surrounded by a dozen-odd men.

"What is the meaning of bringing so many people here?"

"I've brought these men simply to congratulate you on becoming the magistrate of Shuangma Township, and myself on becoming the village head of Funiu Village."

A reek of alcohol wafted from Zhao Shengkui, making it clear that he had come to make trouble under the influence.

True to the saying that wine emboldens the cowardly, he hoped to humiliate Jiang Yi.

"When the bandits of the Fire Lotus Cult invaded, you fled to Hanyang City. Is that how a township magistrate behaves?"

Chang Youliang felt a surge of indignation. The magistrates and village heads of other townships had led the local people to resist the cult's invasion.

Zhao Shengkui's actions were utterly disgraceful; he was entirely unworthy of holding the title of magistrate.

"Zhao Shengkui, you held the position of township magistrate yet failed to shoulder your responsibilities. That was your wrongdoing."

No matter how much fuss he made, it could not alter the outcome; if things escalated too far, the authorities would step in.

"You remain the village head, and I am the township magistrate. We shall mind our own business and never cross paths. How about that?"

Zhao Shengkui remained deeply resentful; he had merely stayed in the city for a short period,

yet he had lost his office as magistrate and forfeited the support of the Shuangma Township people.

"You had best go back and sleep off your wine. If you harbor any grievances, go take them up with the Prefect."

It was a matter of such simple logic that Zhao Shengkui could not possibly fail to understand it.

He was merely using alcohol to vent the frustration of years of effort turning to dust.

"What on earth do you want? Just say it outright."

Jiang Yi had no patience to waste time with him. If Zhao Shengkui's real goal was to win back the magistrate's seat, it would depend entirely on his own ability.

"I brought men here today to challenge you to a duel. If you lose, hand the magistrate's post over to me."

"And what if you lose?" Jiang Yi asked with a smile.

"If I lose, I will never come to trouble you again. Do you dare accept the challenge?"

"Why would I dare not? Speak, what is the challenge?"

Jiang Yi did not fear a challenge, especially with so many people watching.

"Gather the villagers at the eastern end of the village, and we shall have a contest right before everyone's eyes."

Zhao Shengkui had brought his son, Zhao Hu, intending for the two of them to pit their martial arts against each other.

Jiang Yi struck the village bell, and every household in the village heard its toll.

Setting aside whatever tasks they had in hand, the villagers hurried toward the eastern end of the village.

Upon catching sight of Zhao Shengkui, the villagers instantly burned with fury.

"You still have the nerve to show your face back here? When the bandits came to terrorize our village, you tucked tail and hid in the city!"

An elderly woman cursed in rage. Had Jiang Yi not lent his aid, no small number of villagers would have fallen into the hands of the Fire Lotus Cultists.

The residents of Funiu Village would have suffered gravely, leaving them profoundly grateful to Jiang Yi.

"You are a native of our village as well, yet your actions have completely disgraced Funiu Village."

An old man pointed a trembling finger at Zhao Shengkui, wishing he could use his walking stick to beat him soundly.

"Do not let anger consume you, everyone. I have gathered you all here simply to serve as witnesses."

Jiang Yi placated the stirred-up emotions of the crowd, intending for them to witness with their own eyes the defeat of Zhao Shengkui's son.

The villagers immediately quieted down, still holding deep respect and obedience toward Jiang Yi's words.

"Since everyone has arrived, may the challenge begin?"

Jiang Yi had long since noticed the tall man standing behind Zhao Shengkui—none other than Zhao Hu.

"Xiaohu, exchange a few blows with Jiang Yi. As long as he is knocked to the ground, he loses."

Zhao Hu stepped in front of Zhao Shengkui, presenting a towering and robust figure.

"If you surrender now to avoid injury, I'll listen to my father's words."

"The challenge has not yet begun, and I have no intention of surrendering. Name your terms."

"I hear you know martial arts, and I know a bit as well. Let us exchange a few moves until one of us is knocked to the ground and unable to get up."

Zhao Hu intended to hold back his strength, having no desire to take a human life.

"Then make your move."

Standing on ceremony, Zhao Hu clenched his fists, assumed a stance, and lashed out with a right hook toward Jiang Yi.

Employing a grappling technique, Jiang Yi easily seized Zhao Hu's arm and applied leverage, spinning him around and forcing him to retreat.

Unable to break free, Zhao Hu was flung back several paces.

"You've got some skill. Again!"

Growing more spirited, Zhao Hu had challenged numerous opponents, yet Jiang Yi was by far the strongest he had ever encountered.

"Your strength is considerable, too. If properly channeled, you might have a very promising future."

Zhao Hu delivered a sweeping low kick, which Jiang Yi avoided with effortless ease.

Had an ordinary person caught such a sweep, they would likely have crashed to the ground, unable to rise for a long time.

The rushing wind accompanying Zhao Hu's kick proved he possessed genuine martial skill, though still somewhat unrefined.

With proper, formal training, his combat abilities would grow formidable indeed.

Jiang Yi decided to exchange a few more blows with Zhao Hu to test the true depth of his martial prowess.

Should the young man prove truly capable, he might consider taking him on as a guard in the future.