Joo Hang was completely satisfied with Song Wen's humble attitude.
The anger on his face vanished instantly. After assessing Song Wen, he asked:
Do you know how to read?
He had clearly noticed that after Song Wen pushed his way through the crowd and carefully read the notice, he left the place disappointed.
No one at that time had explained the contents of the notice.
From Song Wen's series of reactions, it wasn't difficult to deduce that he was able to read.
Hearing this, Song Wen was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected to be noticed for this.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant as he weighed the pros and cons and decided how to respond.
After careful consideration, Song Wen decided to answer truthfully.
This "Mr. Joo" had keen observation skills and was not someone who could be easily deceived
Once the decision was made, Song Wen bowed even lower, a more submissive smile appearing on his face.
In response to Sir Go, "I attended a private school for several years when I was young and I know some of the characters."
Song Wen remained calm and quiet. He was a natural liar, and strangers wouldn't have noticed anything unusual.
Go Hang nodded. He was very satisfied with Song Wen's attitude and reaction. Admiration was evident in his eyes.
The scholars he had met previously had always liked to boast. Unable to afford food, they had shown little interest in his recruitment efforts, simply because he was a minor leader in the Tian Sha Gang.
Today, having finally met a scholar who understood the ways of the world and treated him well, even in such a public place, Go Hang was filled with a great sense of satisfaction for his inner vanity.
Go Hang raised his head, maintaining his proud demeanor.
"How old are you this year?"
"Sixteen."
To avoid being underestimated, Song Wen deliberately reported his age as slightly older than his physical condition
What is your name?"
"Song Wen."
Gu Hang nodded and continued to inquire.
"How do you make a living?"
"I write letters to people and earn a meager income to live on." Song Wen continued to fabricate.
Then Gu Hang asked about Song Wen's family situation.
Song Wen described himself as suffering from the decline of his family's fortunes, the death of his parents, and having no other relatives.
"In the future, follow me, Master Gu, and with my recommendation, you can smoothly join the Tian Sha gang and earn a monthly salary of one or two silver coins."
It had to be said that in Qian Guo, where literacy levels were extremely low, scholars were still treated fairly well.
In Qian Guo today, one or two silver coins would have been sufficient to cover a family's monthly expenses
look of hesitation crossed Song Wen's face. Instinctively, he resisted the stranger's sudden kindness.
Gu Hang didn't seem like a decent person at first glance. Could he really be as competent as he claimed?
"What's wrong? Do you despise my Tian Sha gang?" Gu Hang's annoyed voice rang out.
A fake smile appeared on Song Wen's face, explaining with a grin
"Master Gu, you've misunderstood. I'm just inexperienced and don't know much about the personalities, so I'm afraid I might cause you trouble."
"If I, this master, am not afraid, then what are you afraid of? You scoundrel, you don't know how to appreciate kindness."
Seeing a hint of threat in the other's tone, Song Wen had no choice but to agree. He smiled gratefully at once and replied,
"Thank you for your support, Master Gu. I will certainly rely on you in the future and carry out whatever you ask of me."
Song Wen's eyes filled with deep gratitude, as if he had met his adoptive parents again. The warmth and admiration in his eyes delighted Gu Hang; it had been a long time since he had received such respect from anyone
Gu Hang reached into his subordinate's chest behind him and pulled out half a pancake.
"Looks like you haven't eaten well in a while. Here's the half pancake I didn't finish this morning. Take it."
"Thank you for your reward, Master Gu."
Song Wen took the pancake and ate it ravenously.
The reason for this was twofold: firstly, he was already very hungry now, and secondly, he wanted to continue to flatter Gu Hang's ego.
As he ate, he silently calculated in his mind.
It seems the treatment of the Tian Sha Gang members wasn't as good as he imagined, otherwise Gu Hang wouldn't have kept half a pancake because of his reluctance to throw it away.
However, after careful consideration, if what Gu Hang said was true, then joining the Tian Sha Gang wouldn't be a loss for me
The Tian Sha Gang is the biggest secret force in Yan Cheng. By joining them as an educated scholar, I don't think they'll push me to engage in violence. There should be some security for my life, and at the same time, it could solve my livelihood problem. In my current situation,
This is the perfect choice.
I owe all this to Mr. Gu who came before me. Although this Mr. Gu doesn't seem very intelligent, he actually solved the most important problem of my survival.
Gu Hang came to this street to post an advertisement for the Tian Sha Gang's recruitment of children. He loudly announced the contents of the advertisement.
Of course, he couldn't read, but someone had informed him of the book's contents beforehand.
After passing through the strong defenses of several Tian Sha Gang disciples, they entered the Tian Sha Gang headquarters.
The Tian Sha Gang squad, led by Gu Hang, occupied a wide area, and after circling and twisting, they came to a row of houses.
After entering one of the houses, Gu Hang said respectfully to an old man,
"Elder Yan, I have found a new recruit, a learned scholar."
Elder Yan was over fifty years old, and in these troubled times of shortages and scarcity of medical services, he was already considered elderly.
He looked at Song Wen with his cloudy eyes, then threw him
A small book.
In an indisputable tone, he said:
Read aloud the contents of this book.
Song Wen took the book, knowing this was his test.
"This is like an old-fashioned job interview," Song Wen thought to himself slyly.
He opened the small book and read aloud,
The universe is mysterious and yellow, and space is vast. The sun and moon rise and set, and constellations fill the sky. A cold winter comes and a hot summer goes, and the autumn harvest and winter stocks...
"That's enough, you can stop."
Elder Yan didn't let Song Wen finish reading. After about a hundred characters, he interrupted her.
Elder Yan turned to Guo Hang and said, "You're in luck. Elder Ji Yin recently recruited another batch of educated young people, and this kid is a perfect fit."
Guo Hang rubbed his hands together and laughed awkwardly
Elder Yan, I heard that Elder Ji Yin rewards scholars with money. What do you think..."
Elder Yan smiled. "Your information is accurate. I thought it was your good fortune, but it seems you came prepared. Go to the accounting room and collect ten taels as a reward."
"Thank you, Elder Yan." Gu Hang bowed deeply, smiling apologetically.
Song Wen, who had been watching from the side, was rather puzzled.
What was going on? Why were they recruiting scholars and giving them ten taels of silver?
In Yancheng, ten taels of silver could buy two attractive young girls.
He had a bad feeling; he seemed to have been sold out.
Before, he had been a bit conceited, thinking he had manipulated Gu Hang in circles. But it turned out he was the fool.
Watching Gu Hang leave, Song Wen let out one last glimmer of hope.
"Master Gu, will you treat me well?"
"Sir Gu, will you treat me well?"
Gu Hang cast a disdainful glance at Song Wen, his eyes filled with indifference and mockery.
Then, without saying a word, he turned and vanished swiftly.
"He's just a little thug. How can he treat you well? Go to Elder Ji Yin; no one can beg there. It's an opportunity. Don't be ungrateful."
Elder Yan's icy voice was heard behind Song Wen.
"Bring this kid to Elder Ji Yin."
Two strong men with high combat skills entered from outside. Around their waists hung two-meter-long steel swords.
Clang
Half of the steel sword was drawn, its gleaming blade emitting a terrifying light that hurt Song Wen's eyes.
"My boy, I advise you to behave yourself and not act recklessly," one of the men said coldly.
Song Wen was furious and unwilling. Elder Yan's talk of opportunities was nothing but a lie
Two meters
Ring
Half of the steel sword was drawn, its gleaming blade emitting a terrifying light that hurt Song Wen's eyes.
"My boy, I advise you to behave yourself and not act rashly," one of the men said coldly.
Song Wen was furious and unwilling. Elder Yan's talk of opportunities was nothing but a lie.
If this was truly the desired opportunity everyone was hoping for, would they have resorted to kidnapping and forced conscription?
However, faced with the terrifying steel sword, he could only grudgingly accept reality.
The weak must submit to the whims of others.
But as he followed the two strong men outside, his fists were clenched tightly, and his bones creaked