Ch1.02- The General is as Urgent as the Law

Ch 1.02

He paused in his steps, and after pondering a bit, he sighed and began to leave. 

This kind of beggars, who knows how many he’s seen on a normal day. He’s never bothered with them before. But in this kind of snowy weather, it’s worrisome if he froze to death. Just as he thought this, his fox fur shawl was tugged on by someone and fell. He has already walked away quite a few steps, but when the shawl left his shoulders, he sneezed.

“Ah! It’s really freezing!” He couldn’t help but complain. 

He looked back at the fox shawl on the ground, and the beggar actually moved and stared from the sides, with his messy hair covering half his face. Just as he prepared to bend down and pick up the fox shawl, he saw the beggar quickly snatch the fox shawl and drape it over himself. 

...Forget it. 

Just take it as a compassionate moment to save a person’s life. Since the beggar has worn it, for him to ask for it back so that he could wear it again...was really impossible. As he thought this, he shook his head and decided to leave. 

In the end, the beggar still didn’t know what’s good for himself and grabbed the corner of his clothes. 

“What do you want to do?”

The beggar lifted his heads, and the young master was stunned-- The beggar that had such a dirty face was smiling at him. Even his lips were frozen with a blue tint, such a smile, was really terrifying. 

“Lao...Lao Ge… …” Even though he’d only spoken two words, but the beggar seemed to exhaust all of his strength and smiled. 

“Give me something to eat ba…” 

He didn’t want to bother at all, he lifted his hand to tug his clothes off the beggar’s grip, wanting to leave, but the beggar wasn’t weak, he gripped the clothes tightly, not letting him leave. He didn’t have any other way and had to bend slightly to harshly pry off the beggar’s hands, and turned to leave.

This time, the beggar no longer grabbed onto his clothes...he only saw that the beggar got up and shakily followed him. He was still wearing the fox shawl that contrasted strongly with his tattered clothes. 

The beggar followed him the whole way, and he never looked back. But, he couldn’t help but notice the beggar following him from behind, all the way from the north to the south of the city. 

This beggar… is really strange. 

Seeing that he was nearing his home, he really couldn’t stand it anymore. He frowned and suddenly turned around to face the beggar. The beggar was frightened by his sudden actions and stood with a face filled with panic. There was a huge tear on the beggar’s clothes which revealed his red and frozen knees, making him look really miserable. Once the beggar recovered from his shock, he rushed over and smiled at him again, the stupid kind of smile.


“What the hell are you doing?”

“Lao Ge, give- give me something to eat…”

“I’ve even given the fox shawl to you, honestly, don’t be too greedy!” He rushed up to scold the beggar in anger, then turned around and continued walking. At the corner of his eye, he saw the beggar followed him with his head hung low. 

This is really annoying! He thought to himself and took out two pieces of broken silver from his belt, turned around, and stuffed them into the beggar’s hands. 

“Take them, and scram.”

This time, the beggar should leave ba. 

Speaking of which, who on earth would carry around food in such snowy weather? 

The beggar took the silver and immediately stuffed them in his pocket, and continued to rush towards him with a silly smile.

“I just want a little- a little bit of food.”

“Then return my money.”

“No ba...Just give me a little bit of food…”

“Quickly scram”

He didn’t want to waste any more breaths talking to this beggar, so he quickened his pace.

The beggar still followed him, as he followed, he said:

“Slow, slow down a bit… It’s cold, can’t keep up.”

And just like this, the beggar followed him to his mansion.

By the entrance of the Jiang’s Household stood four servants, when they saw him, they immediately open the door and saluted.

“Eldest Young Master”

He nodded slightly and entered. 

The beggar behind him actually still wanted to follow him in and were stopped by the servants.

“Go go go, don’t look around this place.” The servant said impatiently. 

“I- I’m with him…”

“Don’t play around, that’s my family’s young master. Hurry up and leave!” The servant raised his hands and pushed him. Maybe because he had been out in the cold for too long, and had no strength left in him, he collapsed. 

The servant took a good look, and said:

“This is my family’s young master’s fox shawl ba, he even gave the fox shawl to you and you still want to enter the Jiang House? Don’t go too far!”

The beggar sat on the ground and was stunned for a while, then he suddenly burst into tears and sobbed.  

“Oh heavens! Young master Jiang bullies beggars la! Even my leg was broken! Doctor, where’s the doctor!” The beggar cried and wailed, even his speech was choppy and not fluent. 

He felt a wave of raging anger burning in his chest. With an arrow-like step, he arrived in front of the beggar and said:

“You better accept other’s good intentions and don’t push your luck… you are still wearing my fox shawl, you better think about it, did I assault you, or did you steal!”

The beggar immediately paused, but still gave him a rogue smile. The two were so close that he could see the beggar’s appearance clearly. Even though his face was covered in dirt, it wasn’t able to mask the heroic spirit between his eyes. With looks like these, it’s a pity that he’s a beggar.

“But you won’t.”

“Why?”

“I’m a beggar, and you are a distinguished young master lou.”

“I see that you’re just a scammer, you deserve to get beaten!” 

“Then I’ll continue to shout” Looking at that dreadful face made him more and more pissed off, and he’s still smiling! 

“Give me some food, and after I’ve eaten, I’ll leave.”

He loosened his grip, and the beggar fell to the ground. He motioned for the servants to come over:

“Bring him to the kitchen and get him something to eat.”

“Yes, sir!”

He ignored the beggar and entered the house. 

“Virtuous people will have a peaceful life!”

The Jiang Household is also a distinguished family in the Xiang Cheng Capital. It’s said that Elder Jiang started from a jeweler and built up his business empire from there.  The Jiang Household has two sons, the oldest was named Ye, the youngest was named Mian.

Jiang Ye always had a bad temper and was hardly ever kind. Being annoyed by this small beggar today really frustrates him. That fox shawl was newly acquired, and he really liked it, being given to such an annoying beggar was infuriating. He considered finding the beggar to return the shawl to him, but that beggar was so shameless and really exasperating. It’s likely that even if he offered another jacket to trade for his shawl, he wouldn’t have agreed. Moreover, even if the clothes that were once worn by a beggar were washed, it would still give Jiang Ye a filthy feeling.

Even after pondering, he couldn’t think of a solution but still wished that the beggar was true to his words and will leave after eating. 

He really never want to see that beggar again.

The next day.

Jiang Ye woke up early and changed his clothes, in preparation to go to the main hall for breakfast. The moment he stepped out of his room, he saw a person sweeping the courtyard in front off his door, while wearing a servants' uniform.

On a normal day, Jiang Ye wouldn’t even bat an eye at them, but ever since waking up, he had an odd sense of foreboding, unexpectedly as if influenced by some strange power, he glanced back at the person and ordered:

“Lift up your head.”

The man immediately raised his head with a flattering smile:

“Good morning Eldest young master!”

Although his face was sparkling clean, and his hair was neatly tied back, he was still able to recognize him in a glance. --Wasn’t this that annoying beggar that deserves to be *killed by a thousand cuts!? 

“You…!”

“I’m a newcomer that joined yesterday, my name is Wei Lin, the Lin from QiLin*”

“I didn’t ask for your name, you better scram right now!”

“Wah, so heartless?” Wei Lin held onto the broom and looked at Jiang Ye. Being stared straight at by him made his whole body uncomfortable, and Wei Lin either didn’t notice, or he was just that shameless. 

“Who was it that allowed you to stay!?”

“Your mom.*”

“You still dare to curse others!!??”

“It was your* mom, Madam Jiang.”

“... ...”

Jiang Ye only felt that he just have bad luck to meet with such a small beggar, it made him so angry that his heart, liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys all hurt. Thinking about it carefully, he shouldn’t have seen how pitiful he was and let him in for some food, who knew that this beggar was just like some sort of *dog-skin plaster, even if he wanted to, he couldn’t get rid of him.

With a belly full of anger, Jiang Ye lost his appetite for breakfast, but even so, he can’t break the rules. He can only sit in the main hall and take a few mouthfuls of porridge. Elder Jiang sat frowning at the head of the table, and even Madam Jiang’s complexion wasn’t great. Jiang Ye noticed these and felt that something bad must’ve occurred at home, even if he wanted to ask about the beggar, sadly it wasn’t the appropriate time.

His younger brother, Jiang Mian, was usually asleep at this time of day. Jiang Mian was 3 years his junior and was only 15, he was intelligent and playful and as the second son, he was pampered by Elder Jiang’s. 

Jiang Ye pretended to ask casually: “ Dad, is there anything troubling you?”

“Ai...BianGuan is at war again, the imperial court wants to collect donations from all the major families” Elder Jiang took another sip of the porridge, and continued:

“Especially our Jiang family, and a few other major families, were all given the decree by the imperial court, even if we wanted too, we can’t hide from it.”

"As the people of Xuanguo, with the war imminent, giving a donation is a matter of course." Jiang Ye said.

“You speak lightly, did this money drop from the sky?” Elder Jiang said unpleasantly. 

“The court is also recruiting soldiers. They say that as long as they weren’t an only child, they must be enlisted in the army. Who wouldn’t dare donate once they mentioned recruitment? It’d only be hateful if we spent excessive money in vain to buy an exemption spot.”

Jiang Ye said lightly:

“As a man, I feel that it’s great to build meritorious service on the battlefield”

“Fight in a war? Don’t put your head on your belt*, Mian-er*is only fifteen!” Madam Jiang spoke up. 

“Are you joking, can Mian-er even fight with his temperament?” To let Mian-er fight in a war, Jiang Ye was also unhappy, to say that the Jiang family pampers Jiang Mian, then Jiang Ye would be the one who pampers him the most.

“Then, I’ll go.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, you are the family’s eldest son, and will have to inherit the family’s business. How can you just send yourself to your death?” Madam Jiang glared at Jiang Ye.

“I don’t want to inherit the family’s business.”

“You shut up and eat.” Elder Jiang said. Jiang Ye didn’t dare to continue and ate his breakfast properly.

Jiang Ye’s disinterest in the family’s business didn’t just pop out in a day or two. Actually don’t say that it is disinterest, aversion was more appropriate. With this in mind, enrolling in the army wasn’t a bad choice, at least he didn’t have to continue the family business.

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Ye also didn’t see the beggar, his heart and mind were filled with the prospects of enlisting in the army, this was a good solution to not inherit the family business. He just didn’t know if Elder Jiang would spend money to *squash the disaster.

He was pacing back and forth in the courtyard, as if in a trance, deep in thoughts about enlisting in the army. Suddenly a voice sounded by his ears.

“What’s the matter, eldest young master?”

“Troubled,” he said smoothly.

“Wah, the troubles of the rich.” He turned to look, it was that beggar.

“How long are you planning on overstaying your welcome?” His anger began to flare up.

“Can’t you be more tactful?”

“Your mom, oh no, Madam Jiang allowed me to stay, the weather is harsh and cold, Master, please take me in ba.” Wei Lin said and even shrug his shoulders and rubbed on his(Jiang Ye’s) shoulder, with a charming expression and a wink.

“I think you just want a beating.” Jiang Ye retreated and dodged, angry. 

Wei Lin still had that playful smiling face:

“I don’t deserve a beating, I deserve food. Young master, if you have any troubles, why don’t you tell them to this small servant, and let this small servant be happy ba.”

“Tell it to you, your head! What does a beggar know?”

“Know how to beg for food ah”

“I really want to hit you.”

“Oh heavens...wu.” Jiang Ye covered his mouth with his hand, not letting him shout. 

“If you try to blackmail me again, I’ll immediately throw you out.”

Wei Lin nodded his head like pounding garlic, Jiang Ye felt a moistness in his palm and was startled. Could this be the beggar’s spit? He was disgusted into releasing his hands. 

Wei Lin could speak again,and suddenly became serious:

“It must be the conscription by the court?”

“You were eavesdropping?”

“I was just passing by, the casual kind.”

“Don’t you know that you really lack a beating?”

“I do ah.” Wei Lin said in such a righteous and straight forward tone, even Jiang Ye was speechless for a moment. 

“Young Master, you don’t want to enter the army?”

“You’re wrong.”

“Then young master wants to enter the army.”

“......”

“Then enlist bei, what’s there to brood about? Zeze, rich people are really idle.”

“I've changed my mind.”

“Don’t want to enlist anymore?”

“No, I’ll throw you out now.” As Jiang Ye said that, he dragged Wei Lin by the collar towards the exit.

“Ai ai ai… Eldest Young Master, I’m wrong la!”

Jiang Ye loosened his grip and asked:

“Why would my mother let such a beggar stay? It’s not too dirty.”

“Beggars are great ah, beggars are capable and content ah.” Wei Lin righteously listed the merits of beggars.

“So young master, pity the small and pitiful me, let this small one stay for the winter ba.”

As he said this, snow began to fall.

This year’s winter is indeed cold, people ba, it’s rare that there is such a moment that triggered such sympathy in one’s heart. Jiang Ye quietly glanced at Wei Lin’s face. After being cleaned, he was full of heroic spirit, if he froze to death… zeze, that would be really satisfying. 

“If you make trouble near me again, I’ll get someone to throw you out.”

“I know, I know.” Once he heard that Jiang Ye was willing to keep him, Wei Lin’s attitude took a 180, and immediately became annoying. 

Jiang Ye felt like he was cheated. 

---

* killed by a thousand cuts-- ancient Chinese punishment that cuts a person a thousand times until they die. MC is really annoyed by him lol. 

*QiLin -- Aka Chinese mystical horse thing with a dragon’s head. Some even translate it as a unicorn. (Which I was tempted to put in, because isn’t he as cute as a unicorn?”

*Your mom- a Chinese curse word, like “your sister” etc, for some reason speaking about someone’s (female) relative, was an insult. An example would be “Your mom’s” with means your mother’s XXXX. 

*Your- polite your

*dog-skin plaster- aka sticky like how when you feed a stray dog and they won’t leave you alone

*Don’t put your head on your belt- don’t day dream

*Mian-er- the ‘er’ at the back is like a Japanse “-chan”, a nickname given by parents to show that they dote on their kids.

*squash the disaster- i.e buy an exemption from being recruited to the army. Or “nip the problem in the bud.” Note:
(trying my best to resolve the format...)