There aren’t many scholars these days, so with a bit of bluffing, David Clark indeed agreed wholeheartedly, wailed again, and reported Andrew Bennett’s current success to Andrew Bennett’s mother, who was also his aunt.

As for Andrew Bennett, after escaping the ‘wonderful’ daily bowl of soup, he just felt refreshed and clear-headed.

……

The village fortress was managed much like the wards in the city: the gates closed at a set time every day and only opened again in the morning, with the key held by the village chief.

At the fifth watch, the sky was still dim, with a faint whiteness on the eastern horizon.

Brian Clark had a bit of a stomachache, but villagers were gathering behind him, waiting for him to open the gate so they could head to the fields.

“Village chief, you’re opening the gate late today.”

Brian Clark nodded, “Had diarrhea, so I’m a bit late.”

After opening the fortress gate, Brian Clark yawned, then… his eyes went wide.

Outside the gate, a dark figure was standing.

That figure must have been leaning against the gate, and as it opened, he slowly toppled over.

Bang!

“Murder!”

Brian Clark was startled and instinctively stepped back.

“Someone actually dumped a corpse at our gate, how bold!”

“Who did this? Hurry and report it to the authorities!”

“Report to the ward chief.”

The villagers were a bit scared, but with so many people, they started discussing it.

“Ow…”

The fallen figure suddenly groaned, startling a villager. “He’s alive?”

A braver one went over to check, and recognized him. “It’s Morgan.”

Morgan was a merchant who had come by yesterday morning and bought a few pieces of tofu.

So he’s alive—what a relief!

Brian Clark relaxed, then put on a stern face and questioned, “You live in the city, how did you get out?”

Many cities in the Tang Dynasty were organized into wards. What’s a ward? It’s a residential area surrounded by walls. People nowadays would find this familiar and blurt out: Isn’t this just a gated community?

Yes, brothers, you’re not mistaken—the wards of the Tang Dynasty were essentially gated communities under closed management. Just like the fortress, the ward gates closed at set times, and unless there was an emergency, you couldn’t get out.

But how did Morgan get out?

Could it be… some shady dealings? Breaking the law?

Brian Clark tensed up, waved his hand behind his back a few times, then shouted, “Why are you here?”

A few strong young men approached with stern faces, ready to seize Morgan.

Catching someone breaking the rules like this would surely earn them some reward from the county.

Morgan rubbed the sore spot from his fall and said, “I came yesterday afternoon and have been dozing off out here ever since.”

This was premeditated—what was he up to?

Brian Clark demanded, “Who are you looking for?”

In his view, Morgan was probably up to something shady, and if he dared to lie, they’d seize him on the spot.

Morgan was having a nosebleed and tilted his head back, “I want to see Andrew Bennett.”

Brian Clark was stunned. “You waited outside all night just to see that jinx Andrew Bennett?”

He thought he must have misheard.

Morgan sniffled, looking miserable. “Yes! If it’s convenient, I’ll go in now.”

Brian Clark shook his head and kindly advised, “He’s… a jinx.”

Morgan still nodded, “Yes! I know.”

“Someone’s coming!” a strong young man shouted, pointing ahead.

Everyone looked and saw several riders galloping toward them.

It was five li from here to the county seat, so these people must have rushed over at full speed.

“Morgan, you shameless scoundrel, look at him—he’s soaked with dew, clearly waited out here all night just to hog the white jade tofu for himself. Shameless!”

“I brought plenty of copper coins today—no one’s going to take all the benefits for themselves!”

“What’s the point of all this talk? Where’s Mr. Bennett?”

The merchants were shouting, and Brian Clark felt his worldview was being turned upside down.

Just for the tofu made by Andrew Bennett, Morgan was willing to wait outside The Clark Estate all night. Even though it was May, the dew at night was heavy—someone like Morgan could easily fall seriously ill from this.

And these merchants must have been waiting at the county gate since early morning, just waiting for it to open so they could rush over.

How crazy!

“Aren’t you afraid… of the jinx?” He felt, as the village chief, he had to at least warn them, so they wouldn’t blame him if something went wrong.

Merchants, by nature, know how to curry favor with officials to protect their business. If they joined forces, they could easily cause trouble for Brian Clark.

The merchants looked at him, a bit baffled, as if he were an idiot.

“Afraid of what? Why should we be afraid?”

“Mr. Bennett, we’re here!”

The merchants’ calls were so heartfelt, it was moving.

“Tofu is coming right up.” David Clark’s voice rang out from afar. The merchants were so excited they took out their money pouches and exchanged glances.

David Clark came carrying two large wooden buckets, both filled with tofu. When he saw the merchants, he said happily, “Andrew is truly Andrew. He said you’d definitely come, and sure enough!”