Mu Qing, Chang Bao, and Yuan Chuan had no food to eat. The jailers in Dou County were aware that these three criminals were skilled in martial arts, so they did not plan to let them eat their fill; they only provided one meal a day. Having already been fed prison food before setting off in the morning, they naturally would not give them dry rations again. They feared that if these three criminals were well-fed, they would have the strength to escape.
Seeing Zhang Fang distribute dry rations to the Lin family members, the expressions of Mu Qing and the others turned sharp. They were puzzled as to why Zhang Fang would bother with the Lin family. Just as they were speculating about their relationships, they saw Zhang Fang approaching them with a bag of dry rations.
Mu Qing was taken aback and whispered, “Could he be coming over to give us food?”
Chang Bao said nothing but felt that was indeed Zhang Fang’s intention.
Yuan Chuan also thought Zhang Fang was coming to deliver food to them. Earlier, when Mu Qing tried to get close to Zhang Fang, he was stopped by the guard by Zhang Fang’s side. Then Lin Zheng approached Zhang Fang to speak with him, and it was easy to guess that he was speaking ill of the three, leading Zhang Fang to develop a wariness and hostility towards them. It seemed Zhang Fang did not take Lin Zheng seriously; otherwise, he would not personally approach them.
“Young Master Zhang, do not get close to them! They are different from the Lin family’s criminals!” Hao Zhuang, along with Shi Houde, blocked Zhang Fang’s path and earnestly advised him.
Zhang Fang could only say, “Alright then, you help me give them the food. I can’t just watch them starve in front of me.”
Zhang Fang’s words reached the ears of the Dou County jailers, and their expressions became somewhat unnatural. One of the jailers nearby whispered to Zhang Fang, “Young Master Zhang, this is the directive from above. These three criminals have high martial arts skills, and we are afraid they won’t behave on the way, so we cannot let them eat their fill. Otherwise, if they escape, we will be punished when we return!”
“I believe they are bold heroes who dare to take responsibility. Since they can kill, they can also endure punishment. A true man would rather bleed heroically than live a shameful life.” Zhang Fang smiled as he handed some dry rations to the two jailers.
The dry rations were placed in their hands, and the Dou County jailers no longer obstructed Zhang Fang from delivering food to Mu Qing and the others.
Shi Houde took the bag of dry rations from Zhang Fang’s hands and went to give it to Mu Qing. Zhang Fang stood back at a distance and watched.
As he approached, Shi Houde directly tossed the dry rations to Mu Qing.
Yuan Chuan extended his hand to catch the bag of dry rations steadily and spoke to Zhang Fang, “May I ask what crime Young Master Zhang committed to be exiled?”
He just wanted to know if the person Zhang Fang killed was Dou Changkang. If so, Zhang Fang would earn their respect! They would protect Zhang Fang on this journey. After all, apart from being a corrupt noble, he was also a commendable hero!
Zhang Fang raised an eyebrow and replied, “The person I killed was Dou Changkang; he is the emperor’s nephew.”
He did not know why these three were inquiring about this, but Zhang Fang sensed that they bore him no ill will.
Upon receiving the answer he sought, Yuan Chuan immediately set down the dry rations, clasped his fists in respect towards Zhang Fang, and said, “Young Master Zhang has rid the people of a villain! You are a hero!”
Mu Qing also smiled and cupped his fists, addressing Zhang Fang, “Young Master Zhang, you are truly the son of Lord Zhang! Just yesterday, I thought you were a wastrel, having been imprisoned for misdeeds and causing shame to Lord Zhang, and I even had the thought to hit you. But upon learning that you were exiled for killing that beast Dou Changkang, I have developed great respect for you!”
Zhang Fang smiled faintly, realizing that Lin Zheng had not told him the truth. This fellow really knew how to sow discord!
Chang Bao also fist-bumped Zhang Fang to express his respect.
Zhang Fang took a step forward towards them. Hao Zhuang was dumbfounded; he had not expected these three to treat Zhang Fang so courteously, so now that Zhang Fang wanted to approach them, he no longer blocked him.
As he passed by Shi Houde, that person did not obstruct Zhang Fang either.
When Zhang Fang reached Mu Qing and the others, he mimicked their action of cupping his fists and sincerely said, “I have also heard about the deeds you heroes have done. You all are heroes! It is just a pity that you used the wrong methods.”
In an instant, Mu Qing and the others felt a sense of camaraderie with Zhang Fang. The four of them sat down together to share the dry rations and get to know one another.
Holding the dry rations in hand, they were indeed very hungry, but Lin Zheng had no appetite and looked particularly grim. The earlier conversations between Zhang Fang and them had not been very quiet, but after the four gathered together, their voices dropped low and became inaudible.
Especially when they saw Mu Qing point towards the Lin family members with disdain, then clench his fist with a fierce expression. Even though Lin Zheng could not hear their words, he could guess what they were talking about.
Lin Zheng felt anxious and fearful and quietly said to Lin Yuanchun, “Yuanchun, you need to find a way to seduce that criminal who is talking about beating us. As long as you get close to him, he will definitely protect the Lin family and will not turn against us.”
As Lin Yuanchun was chewing on her food, her expression suddenly changed; her face grew stern, and she gripped the dry rations in her hand, suppressing her agitation as she angrily questioned, “Father, what do you take me for? First, it’s Young Master Zhang, and now you want me to go with someone else!”
Even if she was born of a concubine, she had learned the principles of integrity and had her self-respect! But now, the Lin family members were all criminals, and those young men had run away with the money, leaving behind the ones who could not escape to suffer; every time someone had to make sacrifices for the Lin family, it was her and Lin Qiaoqiao! What kind of logic was this! How could Lin Yuanchun not be angry! Just because she was a daughter, did she have to sacrifice herself to seek protection for the Lin family?
Seeing Lin Yuanchun get angry, Lin Zheng was even more displeased. With a dark face, he reprimanded, “Do you want to just watch those three come over and beat us to death? Don’t forget that it was the Lin family that raised you! Your younger brother is still small; if we all die, who will take care of him?”
Lin Yuanchun, infuriated, pulled her younger brother to stand and leave.
Seeing his daughter disobedient, Lin Zheng felt very unhappy and turned his gaze toward Lin Qiaoqiao.
Lin Qiaoqiao, sitting behind them with Madam Lin, could naturally hear the conversation between Lin Zheng and Lin Yuanchun. Lin Zheng suddenly turned his head and stared at Lin Qiaoqiao, and that gaze made her instantly feel afraid, trembling as she shook her head, saying, “Father, I won’t go…”