Chapter 4: I'll Test You
"This person is used to being domineering..."

"There are still such evil people in the world!" Zhu Gang sighed.

"That's right!" Hu Jian looked at Zhu Gang carefully before saying, "I think..."

Zhu Gang interrupted Hu Jian and asked, "What is this person's name?"

"Deng Qianqiu!"

Zhu Gang looked puzzled: "Deng Qianqiu? I seem to have seen him yesterday. He looked silly."

"This is just his appearance... this is what they call a traitor who appears loyal."

“So that’s it!” Zhu Gang suddenly realized and then burst into laughter: “Hahahaha…”

Hu Jian was a little confused by Zhu Gang's reaction: "Your Highness, Your Highness..."

Zhu Gang said, "When I saw this man yesterday, I thought he was just an ignorant fool. I didn't expect that he had such great ability! Very good, very good. I thought I was already naughty, but I didn't expect there were people worse than me. I admire such people very much."

Hu Jian: “…”

Zhu Gang asked, "Why are you silent?"

"Your Highness, please punish Deng Qianqiu to serve as a warning to others."

"Punishment, why should I punish?" Zhu Gang said, "I was punished by my father for doing something bad. Now Deng Qianqiu has only done a little bit of bad things, but I punished him. Doesn't this mean that people should be punished as long as they do something a little bit wrong? Doesn't this mean that it is reasonable for my father to punish me? As the saying goes, don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you. If I punish him, will I still be a human being?"

Hu Jian felt as if his brain was cramping. He just couldn't understand the logic behind Zhu Gang's words.

At this moment, he couldn't help feeling a little regretful in his heart. It would have been fine if he had run into an idiot like Deng Qianqiu yesterday, but why did he run into an idiot like King Jin again today?

Hu Jian took a deep breath and said with a smile: "Your Highness, what I mean is... this person is so treacherous. As the saying goes, there is no wall that is impenetrable. One day, when Your Majesty finds out that there is such a wicked person around Your Highness, and Your Highness not only does not punish him, but also praises him endlessly, I am worried... Your Majesty..."

These words seemed to hit Zhu Gang's sore spot.

Zhu Gang's expression turned serious and he began to ponder.

Seeing this, Captain Hu continued, "Your Highness, this person is ignorant and has committed many evil deeds. Your Highness only needs to teach him a lesson in a moment. If His Majesty knew that you did this, he would be very pleased."

Zhu Gang smiled and said, "My father once said that to punish someone without teaching him is cruelty. That kid is so bad, but I like him so much. So why not call him in front of me? I want to see how ignorant and evil he is."

Hu Jian felt a lump in his chest: "..."

Hu Jian never expected that Zhu Gang would actually develop a sense of mutual respect for him at this time.

Before he could react, Zhu Gang had already ordered the eunuch beside him, "Call Deng Qianqiu to me."

…………

Deng Qianqiu hurried to Prince Jin's bedroom anxiously.

When Deng Qianqiu heard that the notorious Prince of Jin had summoned him, he felt something was wrong.

While waiting in the bedroom, Deng Qianqiu saw Hu Jian standing in the corner, and he understood everything.

It turns out that someone is trying to deceive me.

The more times like this, the more calm he needs to be. In his previous life, he had experienced many times of being bullied by others. At times like this, the more emotional he is, the more likely it is that the situation will get worse.

So Deng Qianqiu looked simple and uneasy as he saluted Zhu Gang. Zhu Gang looked at Deng Qianqiu again, and then said with a smile: "Well, I heard that you are a very bold boy."

“Ah…ah…ah…ah…” Deng Qianqiu’s eyes seemed dull, staring into space, like a boy with Down syndrome.

Seeing this, Zhu Gang curled his lips and said, "How dare you pretend to be stupid! I almost got tricked by you yesterday. You are so brave."

Deng Qianqiu was helpless, but said: "Your Highness, please forgive me."

Zhu Gang had already stood up from the couch, but because of the punishment he received yesterday, he walked with a limp. With a fierce look on his face, he continued, "You are here to take up your post in the palace. Are you okay?"

Deng Qianqiu glanced at Hu Jian in the corner and said in a frank manner, "Your Highness, it is really great, especially Captain Hu, who has been very caring towards me."

After hearing this, Zhu Gang's playful face suddenly sank and his eyes fell on Hu Jian in the corner.

Hu Jian seemed to have noticed something. His body trembled and his lips moved as if he wanted to speak, but he didn't know how to respond.

Zhu Gang said slowly, "Really? Captain Hu is very caring towards you?"

"That's right." Deng Qianqiu said righteously, "Captain Hu treats me like a brother. He even invited me to dinner. I'm new here and don't know anything. It's rare for me to meet someone like Captain Hu who is like a brother to me. He cares for me so much and even told me that he is the most loyal person and loves his subordinates the most..."

Zhu Gang's eyes suddenly turned cold, and he suddenly roared at Hu Jian: "You invited him to dinner?"

Hu Jian stood there in a daze, his old face slightly red.

He wanted to explain, but found that he seemed to be unable to defend himself. In the end, he hung his head and said, "Yes."

Zhu Gang narrowed his eyes. Although he was confused, he was not stupid.

At this moment, looking at Deng Qianqiu with an innocent face, and then looking at Hu Qianhu, he couldn't help but feel furious.

Hu Jian pretended to be caring in front of his subordinates. Damn it, he even treated his subordinates to a banquet.

But he turned around and ran to the King of Jin and described Deng Qianqiu as an unforgivable person!
It seemed that at this moment, Hu Jian was like a "despicable villain" branded on Zhu Gang's forehead.

Deng Qianqiu continued to babble on, "I am young and was suddenly blessed by the emperor to be appointed to the Imperial Guard. I was worried that I would not be able to do my job well and would fail the emperor's grace. Fortunately, we have Captain Hu. Captain Hu is well-known in our guard and everyone says he is a good person. At first, I did not believe it, but who would have thought that he, a captain, would actually take care of me personally, show concern for me, and open his heart to me. I..."

Deng Qianqiu wiped his eyes with his sleeve, as if he was moved, and continued: "I am really... really moved. From now on, I must do my duty well, not to disappoint the emperor's grace, and I will never let down Captain Hu's kindness."

"Enough, enough." Zhu Gang glared at Hu Qianhu fiercely, and when his gaze fell on Deng Qianqiu, he couldn't help but show some sympathy on his face.

What a silly boy! How could he be so stupid as to count money after being sold?

Fortunately, I am wise and saw through the secret at a glance.

Then, thinking about Hu Jian's despicableness and shamelessness, Zhu Gang gritted his teeth.

At this time, Deng Qianqiu asked, "I wonder why Your Highness summoned me here?"

"Ah... this..." Zhu Gang was also confused: "Yes, why did the king summon you here?"

Deng Qianqiu: “…”

“Ahem…” Zhu Gang regained his spirits and said, “Well, well, I’m here to test you.”

As he spoke, he paced back and forth, pretending to be serious: "Well, that's right, I want to test you..."

(End of this chapter)