Song Jiyun and Magistrate Jiang turned their heads simultaneously, looking towards the direction of the voice.
They saw Yuan Yunzhong, dressed in a thin, Hangzhou white silk robe, looking composed.
"Yuan Yunzhong?!" the two exclaimed in unison, "How, how is it you?"
Magistrate Jiang even glanced behind Yuan Yunzhong, as if looking for his shadow.
Yuan Yunzhong frowned and said coldly, "If not me, then who?"
Magistrate Jiang involuntarily looked towards the pit—who else was lying down there?
But Song Jiyun had already regained his composure.
They had made a mistake!
They all made a mistake!
Yuan Yunzhong was still alive!
Joy surged towards Song Jiyun like a giant wave.
She couldn’t help but step forward, grabbing Yuan Yunzhong’s arm, pinching here, touching there, carefully examining him from top to bottom, "Where, where have you been? We’ve been looking for you for almost a day and a night! Are you hurt? A girl in Hong Mountain Hollow said you bought two rabbits from her, we thought you had fallen into that pit."
Although the white robe was disheveled, it bore only traces of dust and leaves.
There were no obvious wounds on his limbs or body.
Overwhelmed with joy, Song Jiyun’s eyes moistened again, "Where were you just now?"
All that commotion they had made recently, if Yuan Yunzhong had been nearby, he surely would have noticed them searching for him.
Yuan Yunzhong looked steadily at Song Jiyun, a flicker of amusement in his eyes, allowed Song Jiyun to pinch and touch him, and said casually, "Oh," pointing to the ceiling, "There’s a straw hut up there, I was sleeping in it."
He even complained, "Your noise was too loud, you woke me up!"
Song Jiyun was speechless.
By his side, Magistrate Jiang, upon hearing this, punched Yuan Yunzhong on the shoulder and said, "You rascal, we haven’t slept all night searching for you, nearly digging up Liang County three feet deep. And here you are, sleeping soundly! Couldn’t you have sent a message to let us know you were alright?"
"However," he continued, his eyes reddening, "It’s good that you are alright, good indeed!"
Only then did Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze fall upon Magistrate Jiang.
He arched an eyebrow at Magistrate Jiang, dismissively saying, "Brother, is that all the skill you think I have?"
Magistrate Jiang glared at him, the redness in his eyes instantly vanishing, "Don’t play coy after getting a bargain. Listen, those people who came looking for you didn’t ask for a reward, but the expenses for meals and tips aren’t covered by the governmental authorities. You better pay up!"
"Oh!" Yuan Yunzhong said nonchalantly, his expression suddenly turned serious, and he respectfully said to him, "Brother, thank you!"
Magistrate Jiang was left speechless, his unfinished complaints stuck in his throat, his face turning red as if someone was choking him.
Song Jiyun saw Yuan Yunzhong bow his head, his fist pressed to his mouth, as he coughed lightly, the corners of his eyes twinkling with a teasing smile.
She too began to smile.
How wonderful!
After the ordeal, Yuan Yunzhong was still the same sharp-tongued, prideful person.
However, their commotion here must have drawn some looks from the others, who were previously focused entirely on the person at the bottom of the pit.
"Young master!" Shao Qing rushed over and hugged Yuan Yunzhong, "You, you’re still alive..." he spoke incoherently, "Where had you run off to? Who is that person at the bottom of the pit? Are you injured?"
"Lord Yuan!"
"Lord Yuan!"
The crowd gathered around.
"Are you alright?"
"Are you injured?"
"It’s so cold, quickly, get some warm clothes for Lord Yuan. And cook some ginger soup."
"Doctor? Didn’t you say you were going to find the doctor? Has the doctor arrived yet?"
Magistrate Jiang was fine, but Song Jiyun was almost squeezed to the side.
Yuan Yunzhong hurriedly extended his hand to hold her arm, his brows furrowed with a thin layer of frost as he swept a piercing glance at the people around him.
The crowd was startled and inevitably felt somewhat embarrassed; they immediately made room for Song Jiyun, praising her, "Boss Song is truly compassionate and righteous. You wouldn’t know, without Boss Song, how could we have ever found Hong Mountain Hollow!"
"Yes, yes! Boss Song stayed up all night with us."
"Boss Song even offered a large silver reward to those who provided your whereabouts. Many mountain villagers received a handsome reward."
As everyone spoke, Yuan Yunzhong glanced at Song Jiyun with a complex look in his eyes.
"Miss Song’s righteousness touches the sky; she is my lifesaver," he interrupted everyone, decisively defining her actions. Then he began discussing the matter with Magistrate Jiang, Xu Guangzeng, and others, "Massacring an imperial officer is a capital offence. All those involved in attacking me are to be treated as rebels and executed, their heads counted as military achievements."
Everyone present erupted with excitement.
"Lord Yuan is mighty!"
"Lord Yuan is compassionate towards the people!"
"Lord Yuan loves his soldiers like his children!"
Even Xu Guangzeng and Deng Chen could hardly contain their joy.
In the imperial court, one cannot be promoted without military achievements. It shows how important military achievements are to military officials, which must be earned on the battlefield, risking their lives for real – not easily obtained.
Now that there was an opportunity to gain achievements without much effort, who wouldn’t be pleased?
Every person present was fervently spirited, saying, "Lord Yuan, do you have any other commands? If anyone here dares frown, they’re no hero!"
Someone even drew half their sword and declared, "And this blade wouldn’t agree either!"
The sword blade flashed a dazzling white light under the sun.
The crowd swore oaths fervently.
Yuan Yunzhong just coldly gave a nod and said, "Besides Hong Mountain Hollow, there should be more bodies along that river near the Hollow. Let’s search and make sure we don’t miss any."
After all, five heads account for one achievement.
The crowd burst into action.
But Deng Chen and Xu Guangzeng sobered up, hesitating, "Lord Yuan, this might be inappropriate—In the Jiangxi official circles, there has never been mention of bandits or rebels. Lord Wang might not approve."
It wasn’t that Jiangxi had no bandits, but if there were bandits under an official’s governance, it would reflect their incompetence. Without a peasant uprising, no one would admit to having bandits in their territory.
Yuan Yunzhong sneered, "I’ll write the memorial myself!"
In other words, he would assume full responsibility.
Others might not know, but Xu Guangzeng was well aware.
If there was anyone who could truly understand the Emperor’s thoughts, it was none other than Yuan Yunzhong.
Otherwise, Yuan Yunzhong wouldn’t have been promoted by the Emperor from a Sixth Rank to a Third Rank Official within half a year merely on the basis of a single comment.
With Yuan Yunzhong’s assurance, their military achievements were secured.
The two were thrilled.
The people below them saw this and were even more excitedly cheering.
Yuan Yunzhong, seeing this, his eyes flashed coldly, shouted sternly, "If anyone commits needless killings or falsely claims military achievements, do not blame me for being ruthless and using him to set an example."
The crowd shivered, voicing their oaths eagerly.
Yuan Yunzhong waved his hand.
The crowd dispersed, scrambling away.
It was only then that Magistrate Jiang and others had the leisure to ask Yuan Yunzhong what exactly had happened.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
