“Sir, some travelling merchants, hunters, and the like hurry on the road in the latter half of the night to make the early market, waiting at the county seat gate…”
Tiechui scratched his head and asked, “I can’t capture all these people, can I? Please clarify, sir.”
Since being injured in the leg by the tigress’s family slaves in the prefectural city, he had been recuperating in Xihewan, somewhat unaware of the current situation.
He also did not understand why Jin Feng wanted him to capture people, or what kind of people.
“Oh right, I didn’t explain clearly.”
Tiechui was his personal guard captain, and Zhang Liang was not an outsider, so Jin Feng did not hide from them and explained his suspicions.
“I understand now. If the bandits ambushing sir were instigated by the county lieutenant, someone will definitely go to the county seat tonight to report to him.”
Zhang Liang nodded and said, “Tiechui just needs to capture those intending to enter the city at midnight, right?”
“Yes.”
In feudal times, city gates generally closed at sunset and opened at dawn. Without extremely urgent circumstances, the guarding mansion soldiers could not privately open the gates for entry or exit.
Opening at night required a personal order from the top official of the city’s yamen or the top mansion soldier commander, or their personal presence.
Last time Tang Xiaobei was kidnapped, Jin Feng went to Guangyuan at night, and it was Commander Xiao personally at the gate who opened it for him.
The Jinchuan county magistrate had only recently rid himself of Tutor Zhou, lacked foundation, and absolutely dared not move against Jin Feng.
If someone reported to the county seat at night, it must be County Lieutenant Zhao’s man.
“Sir, rest assured, I’ll take men right away to seal all Jinchuan’s city gates!”
Tiechui patted his chest and said, “I guarantee not even a mosquito will fly in.”
“You’re just an escort now, on what grounds do you seal the city gates?”
Jin Feng raised his foot to kick Tiechui, but remembering his leg injury wasn’t fully healed, he retracted it, “Besides, why seal the gates? If the spies see you guarding the gates, will they still foolishly enter at midnight?”
“Uh… I thought wrong.”
Tiechui grinned sheepishly and said, “Then I’ll take men to hide in the woods outside each gate, and act when someone calls to open.”
“At least you haven’t gone stupid from staying home.”
Jin Feng nodded, “Go, pay attention to safety.”
“Yes!”
Tiechui agreed and took half the men and horses.
“Brother Liang, interrogate those big chiefs on your side too, ask who hired them.”
Jin Feng then looked at Zhang Liang.
“Rest assured, I’ll make sure to extract everything from their bellies clean.”
Zhang Liang agreed and left with Erkui.
Soon, piercing screams rose from the black water riverbank.
Jin Feng knew what Zhang Liang was doing without thinking, but he felt no sympathy.
He could spare ordinary bandits, but these big chiefs had rampaged the countryside for years, harming countless people.
This was their retribution.
Entering the room in the small castle tower, the diligent Guan Xiaorou had already tidied the bed and was sitting on the edge whispering with Tang Xiaobei.
Seeing Jin Feng return, she quickly stood and said, “Husband, you’re back, how did you get like this? Wait, I’ll fetch some water for you to wash.”
“Don’t go, rest a bit. I’ll go out later anyway, washing or not makes no difference.”
Jin Feng pulled Guan Xiaorou back.
Perhaps due to her childhood hardships, humility was almost ingrained in Guan Xiaorou’s bones.
Now Jin Feng’s status and wealth ranked among Jinchuan’s top few.
But Guan Xiaorou remained as humble, kind, and diligent as before. Besides Runniang, there were no other servants at home, and often she washed Jin Feng’s clothes herself.
She never put on airs as the main wife with Tang Xiaobei, sometimes even teased by the quirky Tang Xiaobei.
In other households, a concubine daring to tease the main wife would have been drowned in some river long ago, but Tang Xiaobei not only lived well, she thrived.
It was precisely Guan Xiaorou’s traits that kept Jin Feng’s home harmonious, without any mansion intrigue.
Of course, besides Guan Xiaorou’s amiability, she and Tang Xiaobei shared consistent goals.
First, get pregnant soon.
Second, match Jin Feng and Tang Dongdong quickly.
They had pestered Jin Feng plenty for this.
Pregnancy was easier to discuss. With Tang Xiaobei, rich in theoretical knowledge, joining, Jin Feng cooperated most times.
But on matching Tang Dongdong, the two involved kept avoiding, giving Guan Xiaorou and Tang Xiaobei a sense of helplessness.
“Husband, it’s so late, what are you going out for?”
Guan Xiaorou wiped the black ash from Jin Feng’s face, somewhat heartbroken, “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”
“Old Tang’s friend went to Xihewan to report, now all the village men are coming to rescue us, I need to arrange.”
Jin Feng said, “At dawn, I’ll have Brother Liang send people to escort you back first. I expect to stay here a few days.”
“If husband doesn’t return, neither will I.”
Guan Xiaorou said, “You don’t like mess hall food, Runniang isn’t here, I’ll stay to cook for you.”
“Then I’ll stay to warm the bed for you.”
From a brothel background, with no outsiders, Tang Xiaobei spoke far bolder than Guan Xiaorou.
She drove straight, sometimes so fast Jin Feng couldn’t keep up.
And her driving skills were superb, turning corners that caught Jin Feng off guard.
“This isn’t home, keep your voice down.”
Guan Xiaorou rolled her eyes at Tang Xiaobei irritably, “Besides, it’s early autumn, the autumn tiger hasn’t left, who needs you to warm the bed?”
“Fanning you works too.”
“No need!”
“Sister, I know a method that’s easier to conceive.”
Tang Xiaobei grinned slyly.
“Not making me wear those weird clothes again?”
Guan Xiaorou looked wary.
“No, no!” Tang Xiaobei raised her hand swearing, “Absolutely not this time, just a rope.”
“Rope? Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”
“I forgot before, remembered today seeing Old Hei tie bandits.”
“Does it really work?” Guan Xiaorou was tempted.
“Settle down, injured and still talking nonsense.”
Jin Feng couldn’t watch anymore and flicked Tang Xiaobei’s ankle.
Tang Xiaobei retracted her leg like shocked.
Pouting in protest, “Husband, it’s for you, yet you hit me! Don’t you want to try?”
“Uh… yes!”
Jin Feng finally nodded honestly.
Though Guan Xiaorou sensed they weren’t saying anything good, she didn’t understand and didn’t know how to retort, so she turned away annoyed, ignoring the rambling pair.
Jin Feng massaged Tang Xiaobei’s injured ankle more, discussing new knowledge. Just as they got excited, Zhang Liang knocked outside.
Tang Xiaobei quickly tucked her foot under the quilt.
Jin Feng opened the door, his playfulness gone, back to serious.
“Did you find out who instigated it?”
