Chapter 448

Chapter 448: Brother Xu’s Favor, I Can Never Repay!

“Who are you looking for, sir?”

At the entrance stood a freckled young maiden, blinking as she asked.

This freckled maiden looked at the gentleman before her and felt somewhat familiar with him but couldn’t quite recall who he was. But she was certain she had seen him before.

“I am Xu Ming, greetings, young lady,” Xu Ming smiled gently. “I wonder if Magistrate Yu is at home?”

“Xu Ming… Xu Ming… Ah! I remember now! That’s why you seemed familiar. Aren’t you the top scholar Xu who ranked alongside Elder Brother Yu in the imperial exams years ago?” The eyes of the freckled maiden lit up instantly. “He’s here, yes! That guy’s still sleeping though. Master Xu, please come in.”

With that, the freckled maiden led Xu Ming into the courtyard.

“You may sit wherever you like, don’t be shy. I’ll wake Elder Brother Yu. He was working on some texts last night until very late, so he’s still resting. If there’s any inconvenience, Master Xu, please forgive us,” the freckled maiden said.

“Nonsense, it’s my fault for visiting unannounced, disturbing both of your rest,” Xu Ming shook his head politely.

The freckled maiden simply smiled, poured Xu Ming a cup of hot tea, then walked into one of the rooms in the small courtyard.

Soon after, Xu Ming heard her voice from inside the room: “Yu Ping’an! Wake up already! The sun is shining on your butt! Get up quickly!”

Yu Ping’an’s lazy voice replied, “What’s the rush? Let me sleep a little more. It’s our day off today.”

“Get up! Master Xu has come to visit!” the freckled maiden sounded exasperated.

“Master Xu? Which Master Xu?” Yu Ping’an asked, confused.

“What other Master Xu could there be? It’s Xu Ming, Scholar Xu!” the freckled maiden exclaimed.

“Eh? Then I must get up immediately!”

Not long after, Xu Ming saw Yu Ping’an, dressed in a green robe and holding his shoes, walk out of the bedroom.

When Yu Ping’an tried to step over the threshold, he nearly stumbled and fell.

“Yu Ping’an pays his respects to Commander Xu.”

Yu Ping’an stood before Xu Ming and bowed deeply.

Xu Ming smiled and returned the bow, “Brother Yu, it’s been a long time.”

Yu Ping’an nodded, “Indeed, it has been years since I’ve seen Commander Xu.”

The first time they met was during the imperial examination when they learned each other’s names on the Golden List platform. The last time they met was at a banquet.

Xu Ming shook his head, “We were peers back then; calling each other brother would suffice. There’s no need for such formalities.”

“Alright, then I shall boldly call you ‘Brother Xu,'” Yu Ping’an chuckled.

Xu Ming also smiled, “It should be this way.”

“Brother Xu, please sit down. Pingping, go fetch the fine tea from my room.”

Yu Ping’an guided Xu Ming to sit in the courtyard and instructed the freckled maiden, Chen Ping, to bring out the finest tea stored in the room.

Even though earlier in the room, the freckled maiden wasn’t very polite to Yu Ping’an, addressing him by his name directly,

In front of guests, the freckled maiden gave Yu Ping’an enough respect.

After Chen Ping brewed the tea and returned to her own room, she didn’t disturb their conversation.

And just as Chen Ping went back inside, Yu Ping’an suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Xu Ming, “I, Yu Ping’an, offer my deepest gratitude to my benefactor for avenging the blood-soaked grudge!”

“Brother Yu, you’re too kind. Please rise.”

Xu Ming quickly stood up and helped Yu Ping’an up.

Yu Ping’an looked at Xu Ming and said gratefully, “Years ago in Baihe Town, I lost everything due to those few families. They even broke my legs. After passing the imperial exams, I originally planned to endure for a few more years, letting those guys enjoy themselves while I climbed higher in rank before seeking revenge.

But unexpectedly, it was Brother Xu who avenged me.

Brother Xu’s favor, I can never repay!”

“Brother Yu, please do not say such things,” Xu Ming shook his head.

“The few families in Baihe County were evil-doers, deserving of punishment. What I did back then in Baihe County was partly to eliminate harm for the common people, and secondly, because my third elder brother was about to take office in Baihe County. If those families weren’t dealt with, I wouldn’t know how my third elder brother could govern Baihe County.

So this favor, I truly feel unworthy of it.”

This matter dates back to when Xu Pangda took office in Baihe County.

At that time, Baihe County had several stubborn family powers.

These families banded together, controlling most of Baihe County’s industries. Most of the officials and clerks in the county government office were all underlings of these families.

No matter which county magistrate came to take office, they were basically powerless.

Either you cooperate with them and collude in corruption,

Or you accomplish nothing.

To a certain extent, they were the true magistrates of Baihe County.

And Yu Ping’an’s ancestral home was in Baihe County. Yu Ping’an also came from a relatively wealthy family, but was ruined by those families. They even broke Yu Ping’an’s legs.

Back then, Xu Ming mainly eliminated these villains for the benefit of the people and also to make it easier for Xu Pangda to govern, so he directly wiped out those families.

Thus indirectly earning Yu Ping’an’s gratitude.

Actually, in Xu Ming’s view, given Yu Ping’an’s abilities, those families were bound to fall sooner or later, it was just a matter of time.

“No matter what, Brother Xu helped, and that help will always be remembered. And who knows how many more years it would have taken me to avenge myself. In those years, the common people of Baihe County would continue to suffer under their oppression, countless innocents might die. It was Brother Xu who saved my fellow townsfolk.

Such a great favor, I truly can never repay!”

Yu Ping’an continued to say this, sounding somewhat stubborn.

But it was precisely this kind of righteous person that made Xu Ming feel more reassured.

“This really isn’t much. Well, let’s not talk about this anymore.” Xu Ming helped Yu Ping’an sit properly, “Actually, I came to see Brother Yu today because I have a request.”

“Brother Xu, just say it. As long as Yu can help, I will definitely assist,” Yu Ping’an said frankly.

Xu Ming shook his head, “The matter I’m about to mention, whether Brother Yu accepts it or not, needs to be judged by yourself. Do not let emotions cloud your judgment.”

Hearing Xu Ming’s words, Yu Ping’an paused, as if realizing something, and directly said, “Could it be that Brother Xu wants me to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”

Xu Ming looked at the intelligent man before him and nodded, “Exactly!”