Chapter 119 - They Are Both Members of the Imperial Family, Why Are They So Different?
Chapter 119 – They Are Both Members of the Imperial Family, Why Are They So Different?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Divine Constable Yang, what did you discover?” Zhou Shu casually asked. He was actually not very curious. Although this person was Zhu Chuanfeng’s accomplice, his status was definitely not high.
Zhou Shu was already satisfied that he had found several heaven-grade weapons from him. As for the rest, he wasn’t too interested.
Yang Hong suddenly lowered his voice and said carefully, “Superintendent Zhou, do you know of Zhu Chuanfeng’s legend?”
“What legend?” Zhou Shu was stunned.
“The reason Zhu Chuanfeng is where he is today is that he saved a Forging Master back then. Then this Forging Master accepted him as a disciple, and he grew up…” Yang Hong whispered.
Zhou Shu nodded. He also knew about this. Back then, he had carefully read through Zhu Chuanfeng’s records. However, now he knew that Zhu Chuanfeng was not a rare forging talent but instead an out-and-out evil fellow.
Most of the weapons under his name had been stolen by him and not forged by him.
Zhou Shu even suspected that Zhu Chuanfeng might not even be a Forging Master!
“Do you know who Zhu Chuanfeng saved back then?” Zhou Shu asked.
When he first saw Zhu Chuanfeng’s file, he had discovered that Zhu Chuanfeng’s file had never mentioned the name of the Forging Master he had saved.
At the time, Zhou Shu had guessed a few possibilities. But after Zhu Chuanfeng died, Zhou Shu had stopped investigating.
Now that Yang Hong mentioned it, Zhou Shu immediately thought of this.
“Superintendent Zhou, let me tell you. I got a shock when I investigated!” Yang Hongdong looked around. Seeing no one else around, he continued softly, “Guess what relationship the traitor we captured has with Zhu Chuanfeng?”
Zhou Shu rolled his eyes at him. “Divine Constable Yang, don’t keep me in suspense. Just say it.”
Yang Hong smiled embarrassedly. He was setting up the atmosphere.
Seeing that Zhou Shu was running out of patience, he didn’t beat around the bush. “The person we captured was Zhu Chuanfeng’s childhood friend from the same village!
“Back then, they saved the Forging Master together!”
“You’re saying that they saved this Forging Master together? That doesn’t seem right. Since they saved the Forging Master together, why did Zhu Chuanfeng become a Grand Craftsman, while he was only someone who disposed of excrement? The difference is a bit too great,” Zhou Shu asked curiously.
“That’s right.” Yang Hong said emotionally. “If it wasn’t for the conclusive evidence, I wouldn’t have even dared to believe it! But Superintendent Zhou, don’t look down on someone who disposes of others’ excrement. His annual income is several times our salary!”
Zhou Shu thought for a moment. This was true. After all, he had taken over the entirety of the Forging Division’s excrement. Perhaps he had other random benefits.
“Is that all?” Zhou Shu asked.
If that was all, there was no need for Yang Hong to specially come and tell him.
Even if they were childhood friends from the same village and had saved the Forging Master together, this didn’t mean anything.
They had the same fate but different lives. One became a Grand Craftsman, while the other became a sanitation contractor. There was nothing strange about this.
“Of course it’s more than that.” Yang Hong shook his head. “Superintendent Zhou, don’t tell anyone else. This is all confidential information from the Divine Constable Bureau!”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone,” Zhou Shu said.
“It’s true that Zhu Chuanfeng and this person saved the Forging Master back then. But later on, the Forging Master was secretly murdered by them!” Yang Hong said.
Zhou Shu was truly surprised this time. “Weren’t Zhu Chuanfeng’s forging techniques taught to him by this Forging Master?”
“In the beginning, this Forging Master might have given him some pointers, but he probably didn’t really take him in as a disciple,” Yang Hong said. “Of course, this is all my speculation. Only Zhu Chuanfeng and this person know if he took in a disciple or not.
“According to my investigation, Zhu Chuanfeng and the person we captured found out that the Forging Master they saved was a wanted criminal. Then they secretly killed the Forging Master and went to the authorities to receive the reward!”
Yang Hong clicked his tongue. “Afterward, I don’t know how that old thief fooled others. He used his identity as the successor of the Forging Master to become a Grand Craftsman. He’s a talent.”
Yang Hong sighed. Zhu Chuanfeng’s starting point was rather low. No matter how he did it, becoming a Grand Craftsman was a legend.
“Who is the Forging Master? How did he become a wanted criminal?” Zhou Shu asked.
“Hehe, speaking of which, this matter has something to do with you, Superintendent Zhou.” Yang Hong chuckled. This was the main reason he had come to find Zhou Shu.
“What does it have to do with me? How is that possible?! My family’s three generations of ancestors were all Forging Apprentices in the Forging Division. Don’t you dare insult my family,” Zhou Shu said unhappily.
“Superintendent Zhou, let me finish,” Yang Hong said unhurriedly. “Back then, the Forging Master, Liang Delong, was involved in the rebellion of Prince Shou. After they failed, he became a wanted criminal.”
Zhou Shu nodded. He had never heard of the so-called Prince Shou. It should be something from decades ago. But after thinking about it, he knew that this kind of matter definitely involved a lot of people. It was not strange for the Forging Division to get involved.
But he didn’t understand what it had to do with him.
At the time, his father might have just been born.
“This Liang Delong had a posthumous son. In the past, he was lucky enough to escape. For some reason, this posthumous son knew of the cause of his father’s death. Thus, he secretly plotted to take revenge.
“But think about it, he was a person who couldn’t see the light of day. At the time, Zhu Chuanfeng was already in the limelight. He wasn’t able to take revenge and instead died in Zhu Chuanfeng’s hands.”
Yang Hong looked at Zhou Shu. He was about to get to the main point.
“When Liang Delong’s son died, he was already married and had a child…”
Zhou Shu felt that this was absurd. Could it be that the child is me?
Calculating the time, it seems to match.
Isn’t this too ridiculous?
Yang Hong’s gaze made Zhou Shu feel uncomfortable.
In truth, the identity of this body’s biological parents didn’t affect Zhou Shu much. After all, his soul came from another world.
But if it was really as he guessed, he really wanted to curse.
“Zhu Chuanfeng killed Liang Delong’s son, so he naturally had to eradicate his family completely. His son was exiled, and his wife and daughter were sent to the Education Bureau. Later, his son died in the process of exile, and his wife died soon after, leaving behind her young daughter who grew up in the Education Bureau.”
Yang Hong’s words caused Zhou Shu to heave a sigh of relief. This meant that Liang Delong’s grandson wasn’t him…
“I still don’t understand. What does that have to do with me?” Zhou Shu asked curiously.
“The young daughter of Liang Delong’s son, Liang Hongxiu, is a popular singer at the Education Bureau’s Lichun Courtyard,” Yang Hong said.
“Liang Hongxiu? Lichun Courtyard?” Zhou Shu seemed to recall something as a red figure appeared in his mind. “You’re saying that Lichun Courtyard’s Hongxiu is Liang Delong’s granddaughter?”
Yang Hong nodded, secretly impressed.
Superintendent Zhou is truly a role model of my generation. On the one hand, he is Her Highness’s lover, and on the other hand, he has a lover from a brothel. Most importantly, Her Highness isn’t jealous at all. Amazing.
Liang Hongxiu no longer entertains guests because of him. I wonder how he did it…
Yang Hong was extremely envious.
Zhou Shu really wanted to say that this world was really too small.
He had only visited a brothel once in his life. He didn’t expect Hongxiu to have such a relationship with Zhu Chuanfeng.
Hongxiu, oh Hongxiu, I killed Zhu Chuanfeng. It can be considered as me taking revenge for your father’s death. Even though I saw your body, you didn’t lose anything…
Zhou Shu recalled that in order to forge his alibi that night, he had personally removed Hongxiu’s clothes. That snow-white complexion…
I can’t think about it. It’s a crime…
“What a coincidence,” Zhou Shu whispered.
“Right?” Yang Hong said. “Back then, Liang Delong was also a famous forging genius. The Liang family’s secret forging techniques were also quite impressive. If he didn’t take the wrong step back then, he would most likely be a Grand Craftsman now. As for Miss Hongxiu, she should be the young lady of a prestigious family.”
Yang Hong sighed.
“This is life.” Zhou Shu also sighed.
The eldest daughter of a Forging family had been reduced to a prostitute in a brothel. One’s future was unpredictable.
“Superintendent Zhou, Miss Hongxiu is actually a good lady. If possible, you can buy back her freedom.”
Before Yang Hong left, he said something that confused Zhou Shu.
I don’t know if she’s a good girl. Why should I buy back her freedom?
Just because I’ve seen…
How baffling!
Zhou Shu only wanted to roll his eyes at Yang Hong.
Zhou Shu didn’t take what Yang Hong said to heart. He and Miss Hongxiu were really innocent…
…
For the next two days, Zhou Shu enjoyed two rare days of peace.
Even though it was peaceful and quiet, Zhou Shu didn’t stay idle. While he continued to teach Zhang Yibei and the other Forging Apprentices, he also forged Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sabers.
Forging a Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Saber was much more complicated than the previous sabers.
Zhou Shu reckoned that even if he broke down the process, Zhang Yibei and the others wouldn’t be able to forge it.
… Unless they had the skill of a Forging Master.
But having a Forging Master forge the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Saber was like using an anti-aircraft gun to hit a mosquito.
After all, no matter how powerful the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Saber was, it was still slightly inferior to ranked weapons.
From the looks of it, the promotion of the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Saber would be a huge problem. For a long time to come, this Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Saber could only be forged by Zhou Shu alone.
But Zhou Shu wasn’t in a hurry. After all, the Autumn Anatidae Plume Saber hadn’t been distributed yet. The Grand Xia Dragon Sparrow Saber could wait.
Zhou Shu took his time to forge Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sabers. When he was fast, he would only be able to forge one every day. If he was slow, he might not even be able to forge one in two days.
A few days passed like this. On this day, before Zhou Shu could begin his daily forging, an acquaintance appeared in front of him.
“Eunuch Zhao?”
The person who had suddenly arrived at the 0th Workshop was Eunuch Zhao, the great eunuch who had previously given him an imperial decree.
Eunuch Zhao had a reserved aura and was an expert. Zhou Shu could feel that he was much stronger than Ma Fengzhang of the Divine Constable Bureau.
“Superintendent Zhou, there is an imperial edict.” Eunuch Zhao chuckled.
Zhou Shu was a bit surprised, but he still arranged for Zhang Yibei and the others to burn incense and set up a table, preparing to receive the imperial decree. Thankfully, Great Xia didn’t have any rules that he had to kneel to receive an imperial decree. Otherwise, he would have cursed in his heart for a long time.
“Zhou Shu, the superintendent of the 0th Workshop, has contributed the Huben Saber, Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber, Horse Slaying Saber, Spring Embroidered Saber, and Autumn Anatidae Plume Saber to strengthen the prestige of the Great Xia Dynasty. Today, We confer Zhou Shu the title of county baron and a fief of three hundred households. End of the decree…” Eunuch Zhao announced.
A promotion? Zhou Shu blankly received the imperial decree, his heart full of surprise.
It was a little sudden.
I was promoted just like that?
County baron? Why does it sound so awkward? Am I not male to begin with?
A fief of three hundred households, this sounds pretty good.
“Congratulations, Superintendent Zhou. No, I should call you Baron Zhou from now on.” Eunuch Zhao chuckled. “Baron Zhou, His Majesty has high hopes for you. This time, he stood up to the masses and bestowed you with a title.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness,” Zhou Shu said welcomingly.
Eunuch Zhao nodded. “The official uniform and official seal will be sent by the Ministry of Appointments to you, Baron Zhou. In addition, His Majesty has specially bestowed a mansion to you.
“This is a treatment that other county barons don’t get.”
“A mansion?” Zhou Shu felt like money had fallen from the sky. What was wrong with the old emperor?
Why did he suddenly give him an official position and a mansion? Did someone say something to him?
Zhou Shu didn’t think that he had made any great contribution. It was just a few sabers, and he had casually forged them. It didn’t take much effort…
“Originally, the Imperial Court does not reward mansions to county barons, but His Majesty thought highly of you, so he made an exception and gave you one. The location and size are quite good,” Eunuch Zhao said with a strange expression.
“Baron Zhou, when you are free, go over and receive it.”
Eunuch Zhao took a wooden box from the eunuch behind him. Inside were the title deed and keys.
He directly handed it to Zhou Shu.
Zhou Shu took it and asked casually, “Is there anything else?”
Eunuch Zhao’s face darkened. Isn’t this enough?
Why is he acting like Her Highness? Is this not enough?
This is already an exception.
How many soldiers at the frontline might not even receive such a reward in their lifetime? What else do you want?
“I was just asking. Just asking.” Zhou Shu also realized that he had said something wrong. He smiled and said, “I will definitely repay His Majesty with my life.”
Zhou Shu cupped his hands in the direction of the capital.
Eunuch Zhao didn’t want to talk to him anymore, so he said, “Baron Zhou, as long as you focus on forging, you will be worthy of His Majesty’s reward.”
Then he led the young eunuchs away in a hurry. He was truly afraid that he would hear Zhou Shu say something about not having enough rewards.
The old emperor isn’t bad. He’s much more reliable than his daughter. Zhou Shu held the imperial edict. They are both members of the imperial family, so why is the difference so great? One only knows how to take, and the other… a noble title, a mansion. It feels like it’s almost perfect.