Volume One: A Commoner at Dawn Chapter 19: The Den of Malice, Brothers United in Heart

"Jin, what right do you have to hit my son?"

Bean Sprout burst in, eyes blazing with fury. He clenched his fists but forced himself not to strike; he didn't want his son to lose the chance to learn a trade because of him.

"Father..."

Fifteen looked up at the sound, tears streaming down his cheeks, his face full of grievance.

"I was disciplining my own apprentice—what's wrong with that?" Shopkeeper Jin was startled to see Bean Sprout, though he tried to maintain composure. He hadn't expected Bean Sprout to appear so suddenly, but since things had come to this, he was determined not to lose his authority. He replied irritably, "I provide food, lodging, and teach him skills, yet your son can't even handle a simple task... He's so hard to please, I think I won't bother with him anymore..."

Shopkeeper Jin thought his intimidation would make Bean Sprout back down, but seeing the slap mark on his son's face only made Bean Sprout's anger surge.

He stood tall, pointed at Shopkeeper Jin and demanded, "What did my son do so wrong to deserve this? Did he steal your money? Did he break your things? Unless you tell me exactly what happened today, this won't end here. Fifteen, speak up—what happened?"

Bean Sprout had overheard Jin's explanation for hitting his son, but didn't know all the details; it was better for Fifteen to explain himself.

"This small kettle was priced at eight hundred and twenty-six coins. I sold it at that price, but the shopkeeper blamed me for not raising the price, said I was useless, and hit me..."

Before Fifteen could finish, Sixth immediately shouted, "Uncles and elders, please judge this! My brother acted with integrity, selling goods at their marked price—what wrong did he do? It's Shopkeeper Jin who, with no conscience, wants to gouge prices, squeezing your hard-earned money during the New Year. What hundred-year-old shop? What golden signboard? Nonsense, all lies!"

A crowd had gathered in front of Ironworks Pavilion to watch the commotion. Hearing Sixth's words, they began to whisper and point at Shopkeeper Jin.

Seeing the situation turn against him, Jin softened his tone and tried to defend himself. "Everyone, please don't listen to their nonsense. Ironworks Pavilion has always operated with honesty, never deceiving anyone..."

A clear, bell-like voice suddenly interrupted him.

"Uncles and elders, Shopkeeper Jin is lying. I heard everything outside the door just now—when he hit my brother, he said even cold water is more expensive in the twelfth month, and not raising prices is a crime..."

"None of his words can be trusted. He claims to provide food, lodging, and teach skills, but my brother is treated like a slave—dirty work, hard labor, always at his beck and call, yet he learns nothing all year. Then, he's sent to the shop to sell goods—is that the skill he's supposed to learn?"

Children speak without fear.

---

Sixth stood tall without a hint of intimidation, his small figure upright and voice clear: "Uncles and elders, you see now—I’ve spoken the truth, and Shopkeeper Jin is afraid. Jin, if you truly have the courage, argue with me if you dare! My tongue is sharper than any blade..."

He waved the two books he held.

"Enough, enough. I won't waste words with you. My shop is too small for a Buddha like you. Bean Sprout, take your son and go. From now on, we walk separate paths, and have nothing more to do with each other..."

Though displeased, Shopkeeper Jin could only settle for compromise—better to send them away first.

"Of course we're leaving—never will we return to this den of cruelty. But we won't leave just like that. My brother shouldn't suffer this beating for nothing."

"What do you want?" Shopkeeper Jin frowned, anxiety creeping in.

"Simple—we'll see the magistrate and seek justice."

In truth, Sixth was bluffing.

Lawsuits are a matter of connections; the county office would surely dismiss such a minor affair.

He was betting Jin wouldn't dare go.

If the lawsuit exposed Jin's price gouging, his reputation would be ruined, and he'd bear the infamy of bullying.

"I still have a business to run—who has time to see the magistrate? Besides, as a scholar, you should know to spare the officials—such trivial matters shouldn't bother the County Lord."

He took out a string of coins. "Bean Sprout, I was too hasty—don't despise this bit of money..."

After much consideration, Jin decided to settle peacefully.

If he went to court, his reputation would be destroyed, and he’d have to pay off officials—one string of coins wouldn't suffice.

Bean Sprout hesitated, but Sixth snatched the money. "Brother, fetch your luggage—let's go home!"

The poor do not contend with the rich.

---

Aggravating Shopkeeper Jin brought no benefit; getting a string of coins was already a good outcome.

Soon, Fifteen returned with his luggage, and the three left together.

Just as they were about to step outside, Sixth suddenly turned, pronouncing each word clearly: "Shopkeeper Jin, don't gloat—you'll regret what you did today. We'll see who has the last laugh!"

Hmph!

A child barely grown, trying to act like a street ruffian.

Did he think his empty threats would frighten me?

Shopkeeper Jin scoffed inwardly, but had no time to retort. He smiled and announced, "Everyone, from today onward, all goods at Ironworks Pavilion are twenty percent off..."

---

Fifteen was filled with sorrow, weeping all the way on the donkey cart, telling of all the mistreatment he suffered at the Jin household.

They treated him as less than human.

Dirty, heavy, and exhausting tasks fell to him; he was indispensable for the forging and hammering, but whenever it came to learning real skills, he was sent away.

Even worse, he had to wash the feet of the master and mistress, carry their son to school, and sometimes let him ride on his back like a horse.

Despite all this, they nitpicked and never taught him any craft, finally tossing him into the shop to sell goods.

Bean Sprout cursed under his breath, heart aching for his son—a child of eleven, forced to endure so much.

Sixth, ever the little adult, patted his brother's chest and comforted him: "Brother, suffering is a blessing—today’s grievances will be tomorrow’s good fortune. Once we’re home, there’ll be plenty of ways to earn money. Leave it to me. United as brothers, nothing can break us."