Chapter 81 Jiang Yuanshan Arrives at a Time of Turmoil
Two kilometers away from Songyang County, on the official road, Jiang Yuanshan's carriage rolled over the muddy road after the rain, the mud kicked up by the wheels splashing onto the rich robes of his attendants. He lifted the curtain and looked at the faint outline of the city wall in the distance, his fingertips tapping lightly on the window frame.
"Master, we're just ahead of Songyang County." The servant whispered, leaning close to the carriage window. "Our scouts report that the young master's newly recruited constables are indeed no ordinary men."
He was no ordinary man; there was probably no general as valiant as him in the entire imperial court.
Jiang Yuanshan took out a snuff bottle from his pocket and took a deep sniff: "My son has always liked to bring home dangerous things since he was little." He narrowed his eyes and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. "This time, I'll have to teach him a lesson. He can't touch things that don't belong to him."
—Official Affairs Office
Hei Fu stopped abruptly, looked up at the sky, quickly patted his clothes, and stood up.
“It’s time for Lord Wu’an to go on patrol.” Hei Fu straightened his yamen runner’s uniform and said meekly, “Let’s talk as we walk.”
Bai Qi nodded slightly. He had already changed into the yamen runner's uniform. He casually picked up the yamen runner's sword, twirled the scabbard in his palm, and moved with swift and decisive movements, as if he had been using this sword in his hands for half his life.
The two walked out of the county government office side by side, and Hei Fu introduced the situation of Songyang County to Bai Qi as they walked.
"Our area is relatively safe, but there's been an increase in homeless people lately, so we need to keep a close eye on them. There are a few thugs in the East Market who specifically target outsiders; we'll go and give them a piece of our mind on the way..."
This is what Heff does every day, and he's gradually gotten used to it.
Bai Qi's gaze swept across the street. People came and went, vendors' shouts rose and fell, creating a peaceful scene. He narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly spoke:
"You just mentioned the history of Qin?"
Hei Fu paused, scratched his head, and chuckled, "Ah, that? We'll talk about it another time. We need to get back to work now."
Bai Qi didn't ask any more questions, but a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.
On the other side, Jiang Ge had only taken a few steps out of the county government office when Wei Zhongxian trotted up to him, his face beaming with smiles and his voice high-pitched and thin, just like a diligent old hen.
"Sir, you don't know, the piglets we castrated a few days ago are so energetic now! They're eating more than before, and they're growing faster. Old Man Ding's grandson is beaming with joy every day..."
Jiang Ge continued walking and casually replied, "Yes, it's a good thing that the people can have a better harvest."
Wei Zhongxian rubbed his hands together, his eyes darting around, and continued, "The method of castrating pigs is simple; you just need to be quick with your hands and eyes. Old Man Ding has become quite skilled at it now. He's been castrating pigs for people everywhere these past few days and has earned quite a few copper coins. He says he's saving money for his grandson's education!"
He spoke with great enthusiasm, as if all the credit belonged to him.
Jiang Ge glanced at him sideways, a half-smile on his face: "What, does Eunuch Wei want to do something?"
Wei Zhongxian's face stiffened, and he chuckled dryly, "Oh, sir, you're joking. This old servant is too old to do this..." He then added with a fawning smile, "If I were to do anything, it would be some business, to contribute to the county government."
Sometimes, hearing Wei Zhongxian's flattery and his face always gave Jiang Ge a chill. He snorted and ignored him, striding forward.
Wei Zhongxian hurriedly jogged to catch up, still muttering about the benefits of castrating pigs, as if this would prove that he was indeed a useful person.
Meanwhile, in the alley of the East Market, Hei Fu and Bai Qi had already cornered those ruffians.
"It's you guys again?" Hei Fu slapped the iron ruler in his palm and sneered, "Didn't you get enough of the beating last time?"
The ringleader shrank back and said with a fawning smile, "Officer, we didn't do anything!"
Bai Qi stood to the side, silent, but his eyes were as cold and sharp as knives.
The scoundrel felt a chill run down his spine from his gaze and instinctively took a half-step back.
Hei Fu grinned and patted Bai Qi on the shoulder: "This is the new policeman. You'd better know your place."
The hooligans looked at each other, wondering why, even though the other party hadn't said a word, they felt a chill run down their spines, as if they were being watched by some ferocious beast.
"Yes, yes, we'll be going now, we'll be going now..." The group nodded and bowed, then slunk away into the depths of the alley.
Hei Fu nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Bai Qi and said with a smile, "Lord Wu'an, let's take another stroll down South Street, and I'll continue the story for you while we're at it."
Bai Qi nodded slightly, and the two continued walking forward, their figures gradually blending into the bustling crowd.
At the city gate of Songyang County, Yuchi Jingde leaned on his eighteen-foot spear, listlessly counting the passersby. The blazing sun made his armor hot, and his temper flared up as well.
“Old Qin,” he nudged Qin Shubao, who was wiping his double maces beside him, “we’ve been guarding the city gate for so long, and not a single person has caused any trouble. This job is far too easy.”
He couldn't stand the leisurely life anymore. Qin Shubao didn't even look up, continuing to concentrate on sharpening the mace blade: "Isn't peace and tranquility good?"
"It's good..." Yuchi Jingde scratched his beard, looking frustrated, "but my whole body feels like it's rusting. Last night I dreamt I was fighting people, and when I woke up I found I'd poked a hole in the blankets..."
Ever since they were hired, the two of them have been treated like mascots. At first, it was quite novel, but after a while, they felt very comfortable with it.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose below the city gate. A procession of carriages and horses slowly approached, led by a magnificent white steed whose coat shimmered silver in the sunlight, its hooves clattering crisply on the ground. This horse was exceptionally fine, attracting the attention of passersby who stopped to admire it.
"Good heavens!" Yuchi Jingde's eyes widened. "This horse is probably worth more than our county magistrate's salary!"
Songyang County is a small county town, and such fine horses are rare there.
Qin Shubao also stood up, squinting as he examined the carriage: "They're up to no good."
The two had been gazing at each other for a moment when the carriage curtain was lifted, and a portly middle-aged man stepped out. He wore a long, crimson brocade robe, and a string of mutton-fat jade pendants hung from his waist, jingling as he walked. Most striking was his round face, resembling a steamed bun, yet his features bore a striking resemblance to Magistrate Jiang.
"My name is Jiang Yuanshan." The man greeted him with a smile and a cupped-hand salute, his fat face squeezing his eyes into slits. "I have come to visit my son, Jiang Ge. May I ask how you two generals are addressed?" These two were probably the incredibly brave generals the wealthy man had mentioned.
Upon hearing that the man was the county magistrate's father, Yuchi Jingde immediately perked up, straightened his back, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "This humble general is Yuchi Jingde. This is General Qin Shubao." As he spoke, he nudged Qin Shubao beside him.
Qin Shubao calmly bowed and said, "Master Jiang has come from afar; I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."
"Oh my, it's an honor to meet you both!" Jiang Yuanshan stepped forward enthusiastically, grabbing their wrists with his chubby hands. "My son often mentions you two in his letters, saying that you are... oh right, very imposing! Meeting you today, I can confirm your extraordinary bearing!"
Yuchi Jingde, flattered by the praise, grinned and said, "Master Jiang, you flatter me. Your son is truly capable, managing Songyang County so well..."
"Of course!" Jiang Yuanshan patted his stomach and laughed heartily. "How could the son I raised be anything less than excellent?" He suddenly lowered his voice, "It's truly a waste of talent for the two generals to condescend to serve here. Perhaps..."
Suddenly, I heard a series of hurried footsteps behind me.
"father!"
Jiang Ge had arrived at the city gate without anyone noticing, his official robes spotless, and a perfectly measured look of surprise on his face. She quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Why did you come so suddenly? You didn't even inform me beforehand."
Wei Zhongxian followed Jiang Ge's movements, and before Jiang Ge could finish her bow, Wei Zhongxian had already helped her up.
Jiang Yuanshan laughed heartily, his outstretched hand pausing for a moment: "I wanted to give you a surprise." His gaze swept over Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao, "These two are the new generals you recruited, aren't they? They certainly have an extraordinary bearing."
He ignored Wei Zhongxian, who was just an old man who didn't seem to have any fighting ability. He had come to recruit good generals.
Good generals are hard to find, especially those like Qin Shubao and Huo Qubing, who are rare finds. The eldest prince wished he could make the trip himself.
Jiang Ge's lips curled slightly, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes: "Father, you flatter me. They're just some local militia, barely enough to maintain order in the county." She turned to Yuchi Jingde, "Why don't you open the city gates quickly and welcome my father into the city?"
Yuchi Jingde responded, but keenly noticed that although the two fathers were laughing and talking, their eyes maintained a subtle distance. Qin Shubao also sensed something amiss, his fingers unconsciously stroking the handle of his mace.
“My son,” Jiang Yuanshan said affectionately, taking Jiang Ge’s hand. “Besides visiting you, I’ve brought some local specialties from home.” He beckoned to his attendants, who immediately brought over several large boxes. “The finest silks and your favorite candied fruits.”
Jiang Ge took the gift list, her fingertips lightly tracing the paper. "Father still remembers my preferences, I'm truly touched." She suddenly looked up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We just captured some bandits a few days ago, and they've been behaving well. How about we reward them with some candied fruit?"
Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of malice or theft.
She was originally thinking about how to deal with Jiang Yuanshan, but unexpectedly, Jiang Yuanshan delivered himself to her door. This was a pleasant surprise.
Jiang Yuanshan's smile froze for a moment, then he burst into laughter: "You're still as joking as ever!" He patted Jiang Ge on the shoulder and turned to his attendants, saying, "Go and bring up all the gifts prepared for the county officials."
Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao exchanged a glance, both seeing doubt in each other's eyes. The father and son seemed close, but their words were laced with hidden malice, like two venomous snakes testing each other, seemingly calm but ready to strike at any moment.
Especially Magistrate Jiang. As a military officer, Qin Shubao keenly noticed that every time Jiang Yuanshan touched Magistrate Jiang, her body and muscles became unusually hard.
If it's truly a close family member, the body wouldn't resist like this.
“Generals,” Jiang Yuanshan suddenly turned to them, taking out two brocade pouches from his sleeve, “This is just a small token of my appreciation for our first meeting.”
Just as Yuchi Jingde was about to reach out, Qin Shubao secretly tugged at his sleeve. Jiang Ge calmly stepped in front of the two, saying, "Father, they are on duty and cannot accept gifts. Why don't they rest at the county office first?"
A shadow crossed Jiang Yuanshan's eyes, but he quickly smiled again: "Very well, very well."
After the group had walked away, Yuchi Jingde wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "Old Qin, I feel like something's off about this father and son..." He hadn't finished speaking.
"Shh." Qin Shubao gestured for silence, his gaze fixed solemnly on the departing figure. "These are turbulent times."
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Author's Note: I don't want to go to work anymore, I'm preparing for the civil service exam [crying emoji][crying emoji] Just sorted out what I've been saying, the battle is about to begin!
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