Who wouldn’t fear being targeted by heavy crossbows?
County Lieutenant Zhao nearly jumped off his horse in fright.
The garrison soldiers drew their long knives one by one.
The scene grew tense at once.
Jin Feng, sitting in a distant grove sipping porridge, leapt up and shouted, “Everyone, hold your fire!”
He tossed the bowl aside and ran over.
He signalled Liu Tie and the others to stow their weapons, but not to cover the crossbows. He merely turned them slightly away.
“My lord, what is the meaning of this?”
Zhao asked with a cold face.
“Nothing much. My lord was attacked by bandits last night. Brother Tie and the men are a bit on edge, that’s all.”
Jin Feng brushed it off casually, then asked, “County Lieutenant Zhao, where are you off to so early? I was just planning to report the incident to you.”
“I’ve heard bandits have been rampant lately, so I’m taking the garrison out to suppress them.”
Zhao said, “Since it’s a misunderstanding, please have your men put away those crossbows. They’re rather frightening.”
Jin Feng frowned slightly at this.
That morning, upon learning Zhao had sealed the gates, he had secretly rejoiced, thinking he could trap him like a turtle in a jar.
Who knew, not long after dawn, Zhao would pull this stunt.
Suppressing bandits was one of the county lieutenant’s duties. Jin Feng had no grounds to stop him. He could only have Liu Tie clear the way.
“Mr., we can’t let them go!”
Tiechui, arriving shortly after, whispered, “A brother just told me he saw Masters Peng and Zhu hiding among the soldiers. They’re clearly trying to flee!”
“What reason do we have to stop the garrison from suppressing bandits?”
Jin Feng shook his head helplessly. “If we act rashly, Zhao might order the soldiers to cut us down.”
“Are we just going to watch them escape?”
Tiechui asked unwillingly.
“Of course not.”
Jin Feng said coldly, “Call the brothers from the other gates. Follow Zhao Tingzhi wherever he goes!”
“Mr., that’s brilliant. As long as we tail him, he can’t run. When old Xiao arrives, we strip his title. Then we can crush him however we like!”
Tiechui said, “I’ll take men to follow. Mr., stay here and wait for old Xiao. If you go, we’ll have to split focus to protect you.”
“If I don’t go, can you handle it?” Jin Feng asked.
“Just tailing. What’s the problem?”
Tiechui waved dismissively and had his warhorse brought over.
“Then I won’t go. I need to visit the county office anyway.”
Jin Feng knew he’d only cause trouble. He nodded. “Follow at a distance. Do not engage, understand?”
“Understood.”
Tiechui clasped his fists, mounted, and rode off.
On the official road, Zhao led the garrison in a grand march toward the Jialing River.
But they had not gone far when Tiechui and his men caught up.
“See what’s going on?”
Zhao frowned.
“Yes, sir!”
A nearby squad leader turned his horse, rode to Tiechui, and demanded, “Why are you following us?”
“Sir, who says we’re following you?”
Tiechui said nonchalantly. “This is the official road. You can use it. Why can’t we?”
The squad leader faltered, unable to retort.
He snapped, “Stay far away!” and returned to report to Zhao.
Zhao fumed, but just as Jin Feng could not stop him leaving to suppress bandits, he could not stop Tiechui following.
The two groups kept a li apart, heading east along the road.
After Tiechui left, Jin Feng skipped the meal. He first escorted Guan Xiaorou, who had brought food, to Marquis Qing’s villa, then headed straight to the county office. He wanted to ask the magistrate if Zhao’s bandit suppression orders were in order.
If not, it would give him grounds to act.
But the county office steward told Jin Feng the magistrate had fallen gravely ill yesterday. As soon as the gate opened, he had left through the west gate to seek a famous doctor in the mountains.
Which mountain, which doctor, when he would return, the steward did not know.
Jin Feng understood at once. The magistrate, with shallow roots, feared getting involved in the fight between Jin Feng and Zhao. He had feigned illness to escape.
With the magistrate gone, Jin Feng could only leave, pick up Guan Xiaorou, and return temporarily to Heishui Gou.
Last night, while Jin Feng welcomed the villagers, Qing Muluan had stayed to sleep in Heishui Gou.
She had just risen and was eating when he returned.
Hearing Zhao had led troops out to suppress bandits, Qing Muluan slammed the table and stood. “Mr., that old bastard is trying to run. Why didn’t you stop him?”
“He’s the garrison county lieutenant. Suppressing bandits is a key duty. How could I stop him?”
Jin Feng shook his head helplessly.
“You can’t. I will!”
Qing Muluan said, “If he resists, I’ll slaughter him!”
“Don’t act recklessly. Zhao Tingzhi is desperate. He might do anything.”
Jin Feng said, “I’ll have Brother Liang gather men shortly. When Commander Xiao arrives, we’ll take Zhao down together!”
Tiechui had only twenty-odd men. Qing Muluan was hot-tempered. If she went and clashed with Zhao, it would be dangerous.
Jin Feng had thought Commander Xiao would arrive at earliest by noon the next day. Who knew he would reach Heishui Gou with men in the pre-dawn hours.
Over a hundred Zhenyuan Bureau escorts returned with him.
The bureau headquarters now had only a few cooking slave girls and two old gatekeepers.
Every available escort had come to reinforce.
“Old Xiao, how did you get here so fast?”
Jin Feng had Zhang Liang settle the escorts.
He welcomed Commander Xiao to the small tower and asked.
“Mr. was attacked. How could I delay? I reported to the prefect at once. He was shocked too and issued papers immediately for me to come to Jinchuan.”
Commander Xiao said, “We only stopped a few times to rest the horses.”
“You’ve worked hard. Once this is over, I won’t shortchange the commander.”
Jin Feng knew Xiao was currying favour. He turned to Tang Xiaobei. “At dawn, send someone back to Xihe Bay for five hundred taels of silver ingots!”
Less than a day from the prefectural city meant night travel. Xiao had truly given his all. Jin Feng would not be stingy.
After all, he might need Xiao again.
“Yes, I’ll arrange it at first light.”
Tang Xiaobei nodded.
“Mr., I didn’t mean…”
Commander Xiao waved quickly.
“I know you didn’t. But this is my token of appreciation.”
Jin Feng said, “The priority now is to seize Zhao Tingzhi at once!”
