Tang San followed him into the small house, which was sparsely furnished. One side was piled with brooms, buckets, and the like, while the other side had a table and several stools that looked like they could break at any moment.0

Old Mao sat down on a stool, looking at Tang San, and said, "You should know where you are. Being able to work in the academy means the mayor has recognized you as a talent. So, while working here, you must abide by the rules. Abiding by the rules is not just for yourself but for everyone in our town. Although they are acting with some restraint toward us workers in the academy, if you provoke them, that will be your end. And it won't just be you who dies; you'll implicate everyone."0

"Yes," Tang San agreed.0

Old Mao said indifferently,...2