Chapter 228 When will your Great Xuan Army attack?
"Hey you! You're driving me crazy!" the jailers urged. "Tell me what happened?!"
Li He glanced at the coarse grains and pickled vegetables.
Without a word, the jailers brought him a bowl of coarse grains, added some pickled vegetables on top, and handed it to him.
Li He grinned broadly, devoured the meat bone, and quickly finished the pickled vegetables mixed with coarse grains. Then, satisfied, he licked his lips, burped, and said, "A broomstick poking my butt, even a god couldn't withstand it. The one-eyed dragon rolled over, clutching his butt in pain, and passed out. So I swiftly swung my knife..."
"Wait a minute!" a jailer said suspiciously. "I heard from the constable that One-Eyed Dragon died from a broken sternum, while his wife was stabbed to death. How come this doesn't match up?"
Li He then recalled the general outline of what had happened from the benefactors.
Just now, in order to make a living, I was so focused on talking nonsense and trying to fool people that I almost got caught.
But don't panic.
His eyes darted around, and he said without changing his expression, "What's the rush? I haven't finished yet! Just as I was about to strike, his wife rushed out, which startled me! I immediately threw the knife at his wife, but it missed her and instead struck the main pillar in the house."
"His wife wanted to kill me, so she tried to pull the knife out of the pillar."
"As you all know, that fat woman is a shrew, and she's incredibly strong. In a moment of carelessness, she broke the main beam. I used this to my advantage, kicking the beam and breaking it, causing the crossbeam to fall and hit the one-eyed man right in the heart! Didn't he immediately die on the spot, his sternum shattered and he coughed up blood?"
The fabricated story that almost gave itself away was somehow covered up by Li He, and the prison guards exclaimed in amazement, finding it truly thrilling and exciting.
Then Li He said that when the one-eyed man's wife saw that her husband was dead, she panicked and tripped, and was stabbed to death by the knife she was holding.
As a result, the bullying couple both died!
This story, which was 90% true and 10% false, thoroughly entertained the prison guards.
One of the jailers looked somewhat complicated. After a moment's hesitation, he suddenly bowed to Li He.
Li He asked in surprise, "Brother, what are you doing? You gave me food, I should be thanking you."
The jailer said, "To tell you the truth, my parents were also bullied by the one-eyed man. Now that it has been confirmed that it was you, the young hero, who eliminated that scourge, I am of course grateful to you. It's just a pity... that I can't do anything for you."
This jailer confided his private affairs, and two other jailers recounted similar experiences.
Although they worked in the county government, they had little power, and their families were ordinary people, so they were also easily bullied by the one-eyed man.
In a way, Li He had also stood up for them, and they no longer had to worry about that bullying couple running rampant in the village.
"Brother, we really can't help you with what you're about to be beheaded, but don't worry, we'll make sure you eat and drink well during these last three days."
"If your parents ever need any help in the future, we will do our best to assist them."
Several prison guards solemnly assured Li He.
There was little they could do, but it moved Li He deeply.
While Li He was moved, she couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
After all, he wasn't the one who actually killed the bullying couple, but he couldn't say it out loud, otherwise his plan to protect his benefactor would fall through.
Having no other choice, he could only accept the jailers' kindness with a mix of guilt and gratitude.
Just then, footsteps could be heard.
The jailers quickly moved the table back to its original position and pretended nothing had happened.
Two bailiffs walked in, and the jailers greeted them politely.
The constables ignored them and went straight to the cell where Li He was being held.
The jailers were extremely nervous and, gritting their teeth, asked:
"Should we take him out?"
"Weren't they saying the beheading would be in three days? Why is it happening now...?"
"..."
Li He, on the other hand, remained calm, guessing that Constable Sun had already received the money and, to avoid any unforeseen complications, had hastened his death.
It doesn't matter, as long as those two benefactors get away safely.
"Open the door," the constable ordered.
The jailer hesitated.
Li He laughed and said, "Brothers, you don't need to worry about me. I'm just a worthless life. If I die, I'll die. I'll still be a hero in my next life."
One of the jailers mustered up his courage and pleaded with the yamen runners, "Could you hold him a little longer, so we can pool our money to buy him some better food and drinks and let him have a nice meal before he leaves?"
"No need, no need!" Li He patted his belly. "I'm already full, brothers, please don't spend any more money!"
The constable said impatiently, "Can't we eat outside? Why do we have to eat in jail? What, is it better to eat here than outside? Enough nonsense, open the door now and get this kid out of here. Don't waste our time."
"What? Get out?" Li He was stunned.
So, it sounds like they're going to release them?
The jailers looked delighted. Although they didn't know why, it was good that the kid wouldn't lose his head.
So he hurriedly unlocked the prison door and cheerfully called him out.
Li He frowned.
This isn't right...
If I were to release him, wouldn't that mean someone else would be beheaded instead?
And who else could this "other person" be besides their two benefactors?
No, absolutely not!
After a moment's thought, Li He quickly retreated to a corner of the cell and shouted, "I killed the one-eyed man and his wife, I accept the death penalty! Just cut off my head! You don't need to let me go!"
The jailers were dumbfounded.
What's wrong with this kid? He could have survived, but he doesn't want to leave? Is he that stubborn?
The bailiffs were speechless. They ordered the jailers, "Drag him out!"
"Yes!" The jailers immediately got to work.
Li He was being dragged out by them, and in desperation, he clung tightly to the wooden beam of the cell door, shouting, "Let me go! I'm going to die! I'm going to lose my head! I'm not leaving!"
"This is the first time I've ever seen someone try to kill themselves!" the constable yelled in exasperation. "Go die outside if you want to! Don't cause trouble here!"
Li He was only fifteen years old and couldn't withstand the combined dragging and pulling of several strong prison guards.
The standoff lasted only a short while before they were carried out of the county jail.
Before leaving, the two constables kicked him a few times, saying that in all their lives they had never encountered such a bizarre madman.
"Don't send me away... let me in!" Li He cried, clinging to the jailer's leg.
Anyone who didn't know better would think his home was a prison cell.
The jailers looked at each other with solemn expressions, shaking their heads and sighing.
A perfectly healthy young man, suddenly went mad.
The two constables walked a short distance away and came to Xiao Qidi. "As per the magistrate's orders, we have released the man, but that kid has gone mad and refuses to leave. You can decide what to do yourself."
Xiao Qidi clasped his hands in thanks, "Thank you both for your trouble."
The yamen runners left.
Xiao Qidi walked to the prison entrance and saw a scene that made people both laugh and cry.
"Lihe, stop bothering them."
Upon hearing the familiar figure, Li He turned her head, thought for a moment, and hurriedly got up and ran closer.
Then, lowering his voice, he asked, "Why did the constables suddenly release me? Didn't you follow my plan?"
Before Xiao Qidi could explain, Li He asked, puzzled, "That's not right. If you didn't follow my plan, how could you have come to the yamen unharmed..."
Xiao Qidi chuckled and patted his arm. "We'll talk about it when we get back to the dilapidated temple. Anyway, we're all fine now."
When Lihe returned to the temple, she learned that Fang Hui had been sent to the city's traditional Chinese medicine clinic and was being cared for by a doctor.
As for his inexplicable release, he also learned the whole story.
"One hundred taels...of gold?" he exclaimed in anguish. "That's too cheap for the magistrate! Couldn't you have negotiated a little more?"
Xiao Qidi laughed and said, "As long as I can save your life, I will give you not just one hundred taels of gold, but even one thousand or ten thousand taels of gold."
Li He exclaimed in surprise, "You're that rich? You must be bragging!"
"Here, take this back." Ning Jinli placed the bamboo slip that Li He had given her last night into his hand. "The yamen will soon post a notice that you are not only innocent, but have also become a hero for punishing evil and promoting good. The yamen will announce that you will be awarded one hundred taels of silver. Of course, they won't actually give it to you, but it will give you a legitimate reason to take out the one hundred taels you won gambling and honor your parents."
Li He took the bamboo strip, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
Ning Jinli said, "You're not allowed to gamble anymore."
Li He came to his senses, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, I will never gamble again."
"And you're not allowed to steal chickens or dogs anymore," Xiao Qidi added.
Li He grinned and said, "There's no other way... We often don't have anything to eat, so we can only..."
Xiao Qidi's eyes darkened slightly.
Li He quickly said, "No, no! I can take out my hundred taels openly and honestly, why would I need to steal it! Hehe."
“By the way, I still don’t know the names of my two benefactors,” Li He asked tentatively. “If it’s convenient, could you tell me? Of course, if it’s not convenient, then don’t tell me.”
He had already realized that these two people were definitely not simple individuals.
They are definitely not children who eloped from a moderately wealthy family.
"My name is Ning Jinli," Ning Jinli introduced herself.
Li He bowed respectfully and said, "Sister Jinli."
Xiao Qidi then gave his name.
“Xiao Qidi? I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before…” Li He thought carefully. “Oh! The King of Xuan Kingdom also seems to have that name. You share the same name with someone?”
Xiao Qidi raised his chin, his face arrogant. "Can't I be him?"
Li He laughed heartily and punched Xiao Qidi's arm. "Don't tease me. How could the dignified king of Xuan Kingdom come to this poor, remote place like Ze Kingdom? I'm telling you, even if you're going to use a fake name, you can't use this one. If the people of Ze Kingdom misunderstand, you'll be in trouble! Tell me quickly, what's your real name?"
Xiao Qidi said helplessly, "First, my name is indeed Xiao Qidi, and second, I am indeed the king of Xuan Kingdom."
Li He laughed so hard she bent over, "Hahaha, I must say, you're quite the actor."
Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli watched him quietly.
Li He stopped laughing, her expression stiffening as she looked at Ning Jinli incredulously, asking, "Is he really Xiao Qidi, the King of Xuan Kingdom?"
Ning Jinli smiled and nodded.
Li He swallowed hard, her eyes widening. "You're not lying to me?"
Ning Jinli said, "It's absolutely true, I'm not lying to you."
Li He was momentarily flustered, but quickly calmed down and politely bowed to Xiao Qidi, saying, "This humble one greets Your Majesty of Xuan Kingdom."
After bowing, he asked with a serious expression, "When will your Great Xuan Army attack?"
This question left Xiao Qidi completely bewildered.
Ning Jinli retorted, "Who told you that Da Xuan was going to attack?"
Li He chuckled, "Do I need anyone to tell me that? A king of a nation, hiding his identity and risking being discovered to sneak into this place, if not to prepare for the attack on Ze Kingdom, is he here for sightseeing? There's nothing fun in this lousy place."
"What, you want to go and tip someone off?" Xiao Qidi narrowed his eyes slightly.
Li He frowned and said angrily, "Do you think I'm that kind of person? You're underestimating me!"
Xiao Qidi's thin lips moved slightly, "If you tip off the culprit, you will make a great contribution and your whole family will enjoy wealth and honor for a lifetime."
Li He paced back and forth with his hands tucked in his pockets, nodding.
"Hmm... Your Majesty is right."
He then changed the subject, grinning, "It's a pity I can't do such a betrayal. Besides, Your Majesty and Sister Jinli are both my benefactors. If my parents knew I had sold out my benefactors, they would skin me alive. How about this, I'll follow Your Majesty from now on, and you can just give me any official position you like."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qidi frowned. "You still want wealth and status? Aren't you afraid your parents will scold you for being disloyal to Zeguo?"
"Of course I want wealth and status!" Li He said frankly. "There are probably few people in this world who don't want to be rich and powerful, right? Who wouldn't want to rise above others legitimately? As for loyalty to Zeguo, sigh, what Zeguo? All the major states in the Central Plains are Chinese, and fundamentally we are one family, so we will become one country sooner or later. It doesn't matter where I go. Besides, my ancestors were high-ranking officials in Anguo, but they eventually ended up in Zeguo."
These candid and heartfelt words eased Xiao Qidi's brow and made him admire the young man even more. So he asked, "Then who do you think will unify the world in the future?"
"Of course it's you." Li He pointed at Xiao Qidi without hesitation, "Sweeping across the Central Plains and unifying the kingdoms, none other than you can do it!"
Xiao Qidi was surprised. "Oh? Why are you so sure?"
Li He grinned and said, "You are not only my benefactor, but also the king of Xuan Kingdom. Shouldn't I flatter you?"
Xiao Qidi's cheek twitched.
I thought I would be praised a lot, but the person was so blunt.
However, to be fair, this guy is quite frank. Although we haven't known each other for long, judging from what has happened during this time, he is definitely not an ordinary person.
Ning Jinli said, "Li He, shouldn't you go home? You haven't been home all night, your parents must be worried."
“That makes sense…” Li He pondered, “Then please, my two benefactors, accompany me back.”
Xiao Qidi asked, "Why?"
Li He scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed. "The county government's notice hasn't been issued yet. Someone has to testify for me, otherwise my father definitely won't listen to my explanation and will just start beating me up. I don't want to get beaten up for nothing..."
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