Chai Dazhuang hesitated. He could not bear to leave Uncle Chai and his boy.

Smack!!!

Uncle Chai's hand came up and caught him across the back of the head.

It was not for show, either. It sent Chai Dazhuang staggering a few steps.

Chai Dazhuang's face was all astonishment. "Pa, what are you hitting me for?"

Ning Chen was blank too.

Uncle Chai was in a fury. "You worthless thing! The Fourth Young Master gives you work to do and you stand there hesitating?"

"Your son can't bear to leave you and the boy."

Uncle Chai grew angrier still. "You good-for-nothing, the Fourth Young Master is handing you a chance... Do you imagine anybody at all gets a chance like this?"

"It's only Mangzhou. He isn't sending you out of Great Xuan."

Chai Dazhuang ducked his head at once. "Pa, I was wrong."

"Don't tell me. Tell the Fourth Young Master."

Ning Chen smiled. "Uncle Chai, don't be angry with him... Brother Dazhuang not wanting to leave you and the boy is only human nature."

Chai Dazhuang said quickly, "Fourth Young Master, I'm willing to go!"

Ning Chen smiled and nodded.

"I'll have Gu Yichun send a few good fighters along with you."

"Once you're in Mangzhou, find your own maids and servants."

"But remember one thing. Don't let it out that the house is mine... I've already had the deed changed over. When you get there, hang up a plaque reading Chai Residence."

"Unless you run into trouble you can't settle. Then you may use my name."

Chai Dazhuang nodded. "The Fourth Young Master can rest easy. I'll keep that house well for you."

Ning Chen said with a smile, "Go after the fifteenth."

"Yes!"

Sending Chai Dazhuang was, first, a matter of trust.

And second, even if Chai Dazhuang found the gold and silver the Left Chancellor had left behind, he would not dare lay a finger on it, with Uncle Chai and his boy at Ning Chen's side.

Ning Chen went on. "Uncle Chai, after the fifteenth, go and find a teacher and bring him back... Xiaohu…