Chapter 8 - The Cannon Fodder Little Fulang [Quick Transmigration]

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

When word reached the academy that an ox was lost on their premises, the headmaster immediately gathered a few instructors and made his way to the stable.

 

By now, Father Wu had calmed down, bracing himself for the worst. If the ox couldn't be found, he'd sell a few acres of land and buy a replacement for the villager.

 

Thus, when the dean and instructors arrived to inquire about the missing ox, Father Wu could explain everything calmly and clearly, unlike earlier, when Wu Kang'an's questions had left him at a loss for words.

 

After listening to Wu Father's account, the headmaster and instructors questioned the gatekeeper as well.

 

Perhaps now more prepared, the gatekeeper managed to respond to their questions without slipping up.

 

Seeing no leads from the gatekeeper, the headmaster decided to ask the remaining students in the academy to help with the search.

 

With the headmaster and instructors asking, the students couldn't refuse and quickly set out to help locate the ox.

 

Everyone assumed such a large animal would be easy to find—it wasn't a needle in a haystack, after all. But after scouring the academy grounds, inside and out, the ox was still nowhere to be seen.

 

As daylight faded, it became clear that some students would have to walk home after dark. With this in mind, the headmaster finally dismissed them.

 

The Wu family saw that the academy had truly done all it could to help and decided it was time to thank the headmaster and leave.

 

Just then, Zhan Hongfei, who'd had an argument with Wu Kang'an earlier that morning, passed by. He cast a disdainful look at Wu Bai and a provocative one at Wu Kang'an.

 

Wu Kang'an, head down, missed the look, but Wu Bai, who wasn't looking away, caught both expressions clearly. Tugging on his brother's sleeve, he whispered, "Second Brother, who was that just now? He looked at you with such a nasty glare. Is there some bad blood between you?"

 

Wu Kang'an raised his head and looked in the direction Wu Bai indicated, spotting Zhan Hongfei instantly.

 

The memory of their morning argument flashed in his mind, and he realized it was suspicious that the ox had gone missing later that same day.

 

Something snapped inside his mind. He charged toward Zhan Hongfei's carriage and, as Zhan was about to step inside, grabbed him and threw him to the ground.

 

Wu Kang'an had grown up on a farm and, though he hadn't done much fieldwork, he would help with planting and harvesting during the busy seasons. His strength was far beyond what a young aristocrat like Zhan Hongfei could match. Plus, Zhan Hongfei, feeling triumphant, had let down his guard, making it easy for Wu Kang'an to pull him down.

 

Wu Kang'an acted so swiftly that neither Father Wu nor the headmaster and instructors had time to react before Zhan Hongfei found himself on the ground, crying out in pain.

 

To those unaware of the story behind it, it looked like Wu Kang'an was clearly at fault. The headmaster and instructors immediately scowled, reprimanding him, "Wu Kang'an, what are you doing? Everyone has helped you search for your ox, and instead of showing gratitude, you attack your classmate…"

 

Father Wu's face turned red with embarrassment. He blamed himself, thinking he'd failed to raise his son properly. Rushing over before the headmaster could speak further, he helped Zhan Hongfei up and began apologizing profusely, explaining that his son hadn't meant it.

 

Seeing his father helping up the one he was convinced had stolen their ox, Wu Kang'an grew indignant and wanted to question his father.

 

Just then, Wu Bai spoke up quickly, "Second Brother, why did you suddenly grab your classmate? The sun is setting, and we need to head home soon. It's best not to cause any trouble. Explain yourself to everyone, please!"

 

Wu Kang'an took a deep breath, calming himself. He adjusted his disheveled sleeves and, approaching the headmaster respectfully, said, "Headmaster, esteemed instructors, if I may, please allow me to clarify."

 

The headmaster sensed there might be more to this than met the eye. Since Wu Kang'an and Zhan Hongfei were classmates and might one day be colleagues if they pursued official careers together. If there was indeed a misunderstanding between them, now was the time to resolve it to prevent any lasting discord.

 

With the headmaster's approval, Wu Kang'an began, "I've always focused on my studies and rarely involve myself in other affairs. This morning, I had an argument with Zhan Hongfei, who said some rather harsh things, even threatening that I'd 'regret it.' At the time, I dismissed it as a petty quarrel between classmates. When our family's ox went missing, I didn't suspect him at all. But just now, Zhan Hongfei gave me a mocking smile, which made me realize he hadn't let go of our earlier conflict. I began to suspect he might be behind this case, so when I saw him leaving, I acted impulsively and stopped him, unintentionally using too much force. I'm willing to accept any punishment, but I respectfully request that the headmaster investigate the matter to uncover the truth."

 

Having been thrown to the ground by Wu Kang'an, Zhan Hongfei, though promptly helped up by Father Wu, was outraged at the indignity. He had intended to lodge a complaint with the headmaster, but was startled to hear Wu Kang'an's accusations first.

 

A flash of panic crossed his mind, and he quickly glanced at his carriage driver, inadvertently drawing the attention of the headmaster and instructors, who now looked at him with suspicion. Zhan Hongfei quickly composed himself, adopting an aggrieved expression, and addressed the headmaster, "Headmaster, I did have a disagreement with Wu Kang'an this morning, but I've been at the academy all day without leaving. Many people can vouch for that, so I couldn't possibly have had the opportunity to take his ox."

 

The headmaster considered Zhan's statement and found no apparent flaws; if Zhan Hongfei had indeed been within the academy all day with witnesses to confirm it, he was likely telling the truth. After all, if he were lying, it would be easily exposed.

 

Wu Kang'an shook his head in disbelief. "Impossible. It must have been you. I've never argued with anyone else here—if not you, then who?"

 

Zhan Hongfei scoffed, his tone laced with derision. "Shouldn't you know best? We're in the same class with the same instructor, always attending the same lectures. If I'd been gone for any length of time, wouldn't you have noticed? In fact, you're practically a witness for me. Go ahead, explain to the headmaster and instructors, and while you're at it, an apology is in order."

 

"You…" Wu Kang'an, now furious, was momentarily lost for words.

 

Seeing his frustration, Zhan Hongfei grew even more smug, though he quickly checked himself to avoid damaging his image before the headmaster. In a bid to shift suspicion, he remarked, "By the way, isn't it strange? I remember you used to be close with a student named Dong Heng, who's from your village. But lately, you haven't been seen together. Did something happen between you two?"

 

The mention of Dong Heng made Wu Kang'an pause, sparking doubts in his mind. Could it really have been Dong Heng, seeking revenge?

 

Sensing that his second brother's suspicions were shifting, Wu Bai spoke up quickly. "Second Brother, even though your classmate didn't leave the academy today, he does have a driver with him, doesn't he?"

 

Indeed, Wu Bai, after the earlier exchange and catching Zhan Hongfei's brief glance at his driver, had realized that it was Zhan Hongfei who likely instructed his driver to take the ox.

 

With Wu Bai's hint, everyone present, astute as they were, immediately understood his meaning. All eyes turned to the driver, who had been standing quietly nearby.

 

Feeling everyone's gaze on him, the driver grew visibly uneasy, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.

 

Seeing his driver beginning to sweat, Zhan Hongfei frowned, muttering to himself in frustration, Useless fool. Can't even keep his composure.

 

As the headmaster and the instructors shifted their suspicions to him, Zhan Hongfei quickly tried to distance himself. "Headmaster, this has nothing to do with me. It must be this irresponsible fool who decided to take the Wu's ox on his own accord."

 

Without waiting for a response, Zhan Hongfei turned to the driver, barking, "Well, are you going to confess? Tell them where you took the ox!"

 

The driver, realizing that Zhan Hongfei intended to place the blame squarely on him, fell silent. After a pause, he finally spoke, "My apologies, young master. It was my fault. I saw this student speaking rudely to you this morning, and I lost my temper. I hid his family's ox to cause him some distress. I'll go bring it back right away."

 

With that, the driver hastily left to retrieve the ox.

 

Since taking an ox without permission was a crime, the driver cleverly played down the incident as a mere prank rather than theft. Zhan Hongfei, somewhat appeased by his driver's quick-witted response, felt less anger toward him, especially since the driver had willingly taken full responsibility, leaving Zhan Hongfei entirely uninvolved.

 

Soon, the driver returned, leading the ox back to the academy.

 

The moment Father Wu saw it, he directly recognized it and rushed forward to reclaim the ox's rope, visibly relieved.

 

Though everyone knew that Zhan Hongfei had likely ordered the driver to take the ox, there was no proof. With the ox safely returned and Zhan Hongfei promising to discipline his driver, Father Wu felt it would be unwise to press the matter further.

 

With the matter seemingly resolved, Zhan Hongfei left in his carriage at once.

 

Father Wu, too, departed in his ox cart with his two sons. As they left, Wu Bai cast a quick glance at the gatekeeper, who happened to be looking in their direction as well. Oblivious to the headmaster and instructors' complex gaze upon him, the gatekeeper secretly rejoiced that the matter was over and hadn't implicated him.

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