Jin Feng had come to Hutou Mountain this time precisely to take Qing Mulian away.
He understood her thoroughly now. Suppressed for too long in the deep compounds of her family home in recent years, her emotions had yet to fully vent even now, making her seem somewhat rebellious, wayward, and impatient.
Letting her fight bandits was fine, but subjecting her to prolonged standoffs would exhaust her patience, likely leading to mistakes.
If the bandits provoked her further, Jin Feng worried she might act rashly, charging straight into their lair with her men.
With the scant forces she commanded, relying on heavy crossbows, catapults, and terrain advantages, holding the pass was manageable. Charging into the bandit stronghold, however, would see them swiftly overwhelmed, scarcely making a splash.
Qing Mulian had indeed tired of this wilderness. Hearing Jin Feng’s words, she beamed with joy and immediately dragged Da Liu off to handle the handover.
When the group departed Hutou Mountain and resumed their journey, Qing Mulian and her personal guards had joined the ranks.
They ambled along until noon, arriving at the Jinchuan County office just as the petty clerk was packing up to head home.
Though the clerk did not recognise Jin Feng, the sight of so many escorts told him this was someone he could not afford to offend. He swiftly processed the paperwork.
Presenting the marriage certificate with both hands, he said, “My lord, your marriage certificate is ready.”
“Thank you for the trouble.”
Jin Feng offered a casual courtesy.
Assigned to the least lucrative department, the clerk was unpopular in the yamen. When had a dignitary ever spoken to him so politely?
Flustered, he waved his hands, “It is my duty, my duty. I wish you both a lifelong union and the early birth of noble children!”
These were likely the words Tang Xiaobei most loved to hear now. Overjoyed, she fished a silver ingot from her small pouch and tossed it to the clerk.
“Thank you for the reward, my lord! Thank you, madam!”
The clerk bowed repeatedly in excitement.
In high spirits, Tang Xiaobei had given him a full five taels, a considerable fortune for him.
Jin Feng ruffled Tang Xiaobei’s hair and passed her the certificate.
Cute and obedient, Tang Xiaobei knew how to please Jin Feng, often coquettishly acting cute at unexpected moments, making him increasingly fond of intimate gestures like rubbing her hair or pinching her cheeks.
Tang Xiaobei carefully accepted the certificate, her eyes brimming with happiness and delight.
With this document, she and Jin Feng were now legally wed in Dakang.
From this day forward, she had status and security.
She scrutinised every word, then reluctantly handed it to Guan Xiaorou.
“Sister Xiaorou, here.”
By Dakang custom, a concubine’s tokens, marriage certificates, and such were kept by the principal wife. If the wife disliked the concubine, she could sell her outright.
“Why give me your marriage certificate?”
Guan Xiaorou smiled and returned it, “Keep it yourself.”
“Thank you, sister.”
Tang Xiaobei joyfully took it back, folded it meticulously, and tucked it into her bosom.
“Miss Xiaobei, congratulations!”
Qing Mulian said with a smile, “Sir, this is a joyous occasion. Should we not celebrate with a fine meal?”
As a young lady from an official family, she had endured mountain fare from communal pots these past days and was nearly sick of it.
“No problem. I will treat you all to something delicious.”
Seeing everyone’s happiness lifted Jin Feng’s mood. Recalling a quip from a film in his previous life, he waved grandly.
“I hear the Wei Family Restaurant in the county seat is excellent. Today, we go there. Order whatever you like. This young master covers all expenses!”
“Thank you, sir!”
The guards all grinned.
As Jinchuan locals, they had long heard of the Wei Family Restaurant’s opulence, though none had dared dream of dining there before.
The group left the yamen in high spirits, only to encounter a middle-aged man in official robes approaching, flanked by two portly men.
It was County Lieutenant Zhao and two gentry.
“Lord Jin, I have long admired you!”
County Lieutenant Zhao beamed and saluted Jin Feng.
Jin Feng was not one for airs. Though unfamiliar with the trio, he returned a slight scholar’s courtesy to their smiles, “May I ask who you gentlemen are?”
“I am this county’s lieutenant, Zhao Tingzhi. These two are Master Zhu of Zhao Family Gully and Master Peng of Qinshan Town.”
Zhao Tingzhi introduced himself and the gentry.
The two gentry adopted even humbler postures, bowing low with forced smiles.
This time, however, Jin Feng neither returned the courtesy nor smiled.
A cold glint flashed in Qing Mulian’s eyes as her right hand instinctively gripped her sword hilt.
Strategically despise the enemy, but tactically respect them utterly.
Though he did not overly fear the bandit groups, Jin Feng had been meticulous in intelligence gathering before any action.
He and Qing Mulian were well acquainted with these three names.
Guessing their intent, Jin Feng asked deliberately, “Does County Lieutenant Zhao seek me for something?”
“We three have long revered Your Lordship but lacked the chance to meet. Hearing today of your arrival, we prepared a modest banquet at Wei Family Restaurant. We hope Your Lordship will grace us.”
Zhao Tingzhi smiled, “There are also a few matters we wish to consult you on, sir!”
Qing Mulian, intolerant of deceit, prepared to rebuke and dismiss them, but saw Jin Feng nod.
“Very well. Lead the way.”
“Er… yes! Yes!”
Zhao Tingzhi had not expected such ready agreement and hurriedly led the gentry ahead.
“Sir, we can afford our own meals. Why agree to them?”
Qing Mulian asked puzzled, “Seeing those three, who could eat?”
“Mulian, defeating enemies is not solely about killing until one side perishes. The highest form of generalship attacks alliances, not battles. Besieging cities is lowest; attacking hearts is highest. Subduing the enemy without fighting is supreme!”
Jin Feng said, “War’s essence is seizing interests. Achieving this without deaths is better, is it not?
We are not demons of slaughter. Killing is a last resort. If negotiation achieves our aims, why spill rivers of blood?
The three bandit groups number many. Dakang’s manhood is depleted. Sending them to reclaim wasteland, mine, or even as cannon fodder on battlefields is better than expending effort to slay them, yes?”
“You speak truly, sir. I thought too simply.”
Though quick-tempered, Qing Mulian owned her errors boldly.
Jin Feng admired this greatly. Had she been arrogantly overbearing like other dandies, he would have long arranged her return.
“Besieging cities is lowest; attacking hearts is highest. Subduing without fighting is supreme… These words are brilliant, the very essence of military strategy!”
Qing Mulian asked curiously, “Sir, I dare not claim to have read all military treatises under heaven, yet I have studied every one I could find. Why have I never heard these lines? From what work do they come?”
