Liu Ji's words did sound damaging to the new county magistrate's reputation, but after looking at the suicide note and the farmer who came to report the news, the county magistrate had to nod his head, "From what I know so far, it is indeed the case."
The county magistrate said anxiously, "It has been several hours since the suicide note was thrown from the mountain. If the person trapped is really the new county magistrate, human life is at stake, and we cannot shirk our responsibility. Please trouble Mr. Liu to ask Village Chief Qin to meet us at Liaofeng Mountain. After the mission is accomplished, we will definitely reward him handsomely!"
When Liu Ji heard the last three words, his eyes lit up. He suppressed his excitement, clasped his fists and gave the order.
After leaving the yamen, Liu Ji trotted all the way to the city gate to get the carriage out, then rode at full speed towards the village. Old Huang ran so hard that he was about to run out of breath, and it took him just over an hour to reach his home.
Without having time to park the carriage, Liu Ji jumped out and ran into the courtyard with excitement, shouting:
"Madam! Here comes our chance to flatter! No, here comes my chance to flatter!"
Fortunately, he changed his words in time. How could such flattery implicate his noble wife?
It's him!
It was Liu Ji who insisted on doing so!
"My lady, the new county magistrate was trapped halfway up the mountain while climbing a mountain to collect folk songs. He couldn't go up or down, so he got mad and wrote a suicide note on the spot and threw it down. Someone picked it up and reported it to the police. I almost laughed out loud. How could there be such a stupid and cowardly person who could trap himself halfway up the mountain? Hahaha. Ugh!"
The laughter stopped abruptly because Qin Yao, who was checking the accounts, raised her eyes and gave him an annoyed look.
"The new county magistrate is trapped halfway up the mountain?" Qin Yao frowned. She doubted the authenticity of such an outrageous thing.
Liu Ji didn't believe it at first, but that was the fact.
"My lady, this is absolutely true." Liu Ji stepped forward and briefly described his encounter with the peasant who brought the news and the contents of the suicide note. He said seriously, "Did the county magistrate ask me to call you to help? He also said that there will be a generous reward after the matter is completed."
Afraid that she wouldn't believe him, Liu Ji raised his hand and swore, "If what I just said is a lie, I will be struck by five thunders and die miserably!"
"That's enough." Qin Yao motioned him to put down his raised paw, put down his work, stood up and asked, "Which direction is Liaofeng Mountain? How many hours will it take us to get there now?"
"The mountain is not far away. It is only about ten miles north of the county road. It has been a dangerous place since ancient times. However, the scenery at the top is amazing, and scholars often climb the mountain and write poems."
Liu Ji raised his head and looked up at the sky. "It will take at least two hours to get there now."
"It will be evening by then." Qin Yao frowned, thought for a moment, and asked Liu Ji to prepare torches and ropes just in case.
"By the way, get the quilt, maybe it will be useful to you." If the person is still alive.
Liu Ji nodded and watched her go into the house to change clothes. Knowing that she was preparing to go out and rescue people, he hurriedly found Awang and asked him to prepare everything Qin Yao needed and move it to the carriage.
Qin Yao changed into a set of clothes that were convenient for movement, and only brought a slingshot tucked around her waist for self-defense. She went into battle lightly and got into the carriage with Liu Ji.
After asking Awang and Yin Le to take care of the house, the couple immediately drove to Liaofeng Mountain.
Liu Ji drove the car, and Qin Yao sat in the car to inquire about the whole story and sorted out the information about Liaofeng Mountain.
Liu Ji had never been to that place, but he had only heard that the mountains there were high and the roads were dangerous, and that the only way to the top was a small stone staircase along the ridge.
"The stone steps are so straight up and down that you can only step halfway up each step. There are no guardrails on either side. Just looking at them makes one's legs go weak and one's heart tremble."
Having said this, Liu Ji suddenly remembered that if he wanted to save people, he must walk up these steep and narrow stone steps. What if he failed to save the people and ended up trapping himself on the mountain?
The carriage suddenly stopped. Qin Yao frowned slightly: "Why did you stop the car?"
"Madam, why don't we go back?" Liu Ji turned around and suggested seriously.
Qin Yao raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Didn't you just say that this is a great opportunity? As long as we rescue this person, the new county magistrate will definitely owe us a big favor, and he will definitely give us some convenience in the future."
Liu Ji scratched his head awkwardly, "What if it's not him? If the county magistrate says it is, then it's him? He hasn't even met the new county magistrate. If he recognizes the wrong person, we will suffer a great loss."
"Besides, what's more, the mountain road is steep and it's hard to climb it alone, let alone bring someone with you. Even if you are a martial arts master, you may not be able to escape unscathed."
Qin Yao's lips curved slightly: "You are worried about me."
Liu Ji's eyes widened instantly, and when he saw her confident smile, he became angry and turned back and laughed exaggeratedly, how is it possible!
It crossed his mind that if he said that, he might die a miserable death, so he said "hmm" in a voice as thin as a mosquito.
Qin Yao flicked the back of his round and plump head with her fingertips and said, "I didn't realize you, Liu San, still have a conscience."
"But fortune and honor are sought in danger. Now that I'm here, I might as well go and see the situation first."
Qin Yao ordered: "Go!"
Liu Ji's body's instinct reacted faster than his brain, and he immediately swung the reins to urge the horse forward.
After the horse had run a long way away, she finally reacted. She was annoyed with herself for following her damn instinct, and was also worried that she would never come back from the mountain.
"If it's too dangerous, then forget it." Liu Ji suddenly said this without saying a word.
Qin Yao smiled, "Yeah."
It seemed that he knew nothing about her strength.
After traveling for more than two hours, the couple finally arrived at the foot of Liaofeng Mountain and reunited with the county magistrate and his men.
The sun was about to set, and the light became dimmer because of the trees in the mountains. Some officials had already lit torches.
Upon seeing Qin Yao, the county magistrate hurried forward to explain the current situation to her.
A group of officials had already been dispatched, and they loudly called out the name of the new county magistrate. A faint response was heard, and the distance could be roughly determined. They were at the midpoint of Liaofeng Mountain.
An officer who was good at climbing brought up some water and food, and also confirmed the identity and current condition of the trapped people.
Now the water delivery officer has not returned yet, so we have to wait until he comes down to arrange everything.
Qin Yao glanced at the area ahead, which was surrounded by officials and nearby villagers. "Can I go take a look at the mountain trail first?"
The county magistrate nodded, ordered everyone to make way, and led Qin Yao and his wife to the entrance of the mountain.
With just one glance, Qin Yao knew that the straight up and down mentioned by Liu Ji was not an exaggeration but a realistic description.
The mountain trail is really straight up.
Along the stone slope of the mountain ridge, steps were carved out manually with chisels, less than half a meter wide and only one palm deep.
There are iron ropes hanging on both sides of the initial section for you to hold on to for support.
After crossing this five-meter-high stone staircase, there are bare stone walls, branches and weeds above.
The only good thing is that the road above is sloped, no longer straight at 90 degrees, and you can climb up by bending down.
Of course, the premise is that you are not afraid of heights.
Or if you stop on the mountain and look back down, you will find that there is no support on all sides and the straight cliffs are extremely steep, which will make your legs weak just by looking at them.
Just now Liu Ji had mocked the new county magistrate for being stupid and cowardly, but now he was crawling along the straight section behind Qin Yao, and when he looked back, he felt dizzy! (End of this chapter)
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