“Sir, cover your face.”
Halfway down the mountain, Qinghuai handed a square cloth to Jin Feng and said to Zhang Liang’s burly comrade, “Fang Lei, you stay here.”
“Thank you.”
Jin Feng nodded and took the cloth.
He knew Qinghuai did this to prevent any bandits who might still be hiding from remembering his face.
The burly man also nodded, slipping behind a large rock. He was too familiar with Cat Mountain’s bandits; even with his face covered, they would recognise him.
As for Qinghuai and Zhong Wu, they weren’t worried about being remembered by the bandits. Zhong Wu probably hoped the bandits would seek revenge.
Zhong Wu untied one bandit, pulling him aside to ask, “How many people are left on the mountain?”
“Besides three left to guard the place, everyone else came down.”
The bandit answered quickly.
Zhong Wu questioned a few more bandits, and their answers were the same.
He signaled to the woods, and several guards with crossbows headed up the mountain.
“Lord, what do we do with these men?”
Zhong Wu tied the bandits in a line to a tree and ran over to ask for instructions.
“Notify County Magistrate Zhang to bring his soldiers to take them. Oh, and I recall there’s a reward for capturing bandits. Tell him to bring my reward money.”
Qinghuai’s tone was cold.
Banditry was rampant in Dakang, and local officials were complicit. Jinchuan County sent troops to suppress bandits every year, but the bandits always got word in advance and hid in the mountains. The soldiers returned empty-handed year after year, yet they kept deploying. Why? Because bandit suppression came with military funds, and afterwards, the bandits sent generous bribes. A trip to the mountains meant big profits for the county officials and pocket money for the soldiers to drink and visit brothels. Why not?
“Yes, sir!”
Zhong Wu ran into the woods, and soon a guard rode off on horseback.
Before leaving, the guard glanced at the bandits as if they were a string of corpses.
In truth, these bandits were as good as dead.
The dealings between bandits and local officials were an open secret in Dakang’s bureaucracy. Handing over Cat Mountain’s bandits to the county was a slap in the magistrate’s face. Qinghuai’s fief was in Jinchuan County, and though he only had tax rights, not administrative ones, a marquis was still a marquis. No matter how angry the magistrate was, he wouldn’t dare confront Qinghuai. The bandits’ fate was clear: they’d be sent to the most dangerous battlefields as cannon fodder. Surviving a month would be a miracle.
Just after the guard left for the county, a fire broke out on Cat Mountain.
Soon, the guards who went up came down, carrying a large chest.
“Lord, the bandit hideout is burned down. Everything valuable is here.”
The guard opened the chest.
It was mostly filled with copper coins, some silver ingots of various sizes, and a jumble of jade pendants and porcelain.
“Zhong Wu, deal with this later. Sell it, keep two-tenths for yourselves, and send the rest to the military camp as funds.”
Qinghuai clearly didn’t care for the loot, waving his hand dismissively.
“Thank you, Lord.”
Zhong Wu’s eyes crinkled with joy.
This was Cat Mountain’s entire stash, accumulated over years. Even two-tenths was a tidy sum.
As dusk fell, the magistrate arrived with over a hundred soldiers.
“Lord, you truly are a great general. Cat Mountain’s bandits have plagued us for years, but they finally fell to you.”
The fat magistrate despised Qinghuai but greeted him with flattery.
“They’re yours now!”
Qinghuai glanced at the magistrate, snorted, and led his men away.
Jin Feng, watching from behind, shook his head. Qinghuai’s temperament suited the military, but in the imperial court, he’d likely be outmanoeuvred quickly.
By the time they reached Jinchuan County, it was dark. Jin Feng followed Qinghuai to his residence, Qingfeng Villa.
In the historical dramas Jin Feng had seen, such noble estates were filled with rockeries, streams, exotic flowers, and graceful young maids. But Qingfeng Villa was as Zhang Liang described: no rockeries, no gardens, just a vast empty courtyard with weapon racks along the sides. Most servants were men, and the few women looked like village aunties.
“Doesn’t know how to enjoy himself.”
Jin Feng mentally tagged Qinghuai again.
Inside the inner courtyard, Jin Feng was surprised to see Guan Xiaorou, Tang Dongdong, and Zhang Mancang. He looked at Qinghuai, who seemed equally puzzled.
“Lord, Sir, here’s what happened,” Zheng Fang explained. “This afternoon, we were packing to leave and went to fetch Mancang. Madam saw us and insisted on coming along to see Sir off…”
“Haha, that’s fine. Aunt Liu, prepare the guest rooms in the front courtyard.”
Qinghuai laughed heartily, “My home is simple. I hope Madam doesn’t mind.”
On the way back, he’d discussed with Jin Feng heading to the battlefield tomorrow, but Jin Feng said he hadn’t arranged things at home. Now, with Guan Xiaorou and Tang Dongdong here, Jin Feng wouldn’t need to go back.
Guan Xiaorou, from a humble background, didn’t know courtly etiquette. Though she knew Qinghuai was being polite, she didn’t know how to respond, her face flushing red.
Fortunately, Tang Dongdong noticed her embarrassment and quickly pulled her to curtsy to Qinghuai, “Thank you for your hospitality, Lord.”
“I’ve troubled you plenty in Xihewan.”
Qinghuai waved casually, “Make yourselves at home. I’ll change.”
Once Qinghuai left, Guan Xiaorou grabbed Jin Feng’s sleeve, worried, “Brother Zheng said they’re going to the battlefield. Are you going too?”
“The Lord has been good to us. Since he’s asked, I can’t refuse, both out of duty and gratitude.”
Jin Feng replied.
He’d been worried about Cat Mountain’s bandits, but Qinghuai had eliminated that threat, showing full sincerity. Jin Feng couldn’t find a reason to refuse. Besides, he wanted to see the battlefield himself, to understand how ancients fought, partly to earn merits for a title and partly to design better weapons in the future.
“Young Master, Madam, the guest rooms are ready. Please follow me.”
Aunt Liu led Jin Feng, Guan Xiaorou, and Tang Dongdong to the front courtyard, pointing to the eastern rooms, “It’s late, so I won’t disturb you.”
“Thank you, Aunt Liu.”
Jin Feng nodded and led Guan Xiaorou and Tang Dongdong inside.
But he was stunned upon entering.
He’d assumed it was a suite, but it was just one large room with a single bed.
Jin Feng looked at Guan Xiaorou, then at Tang Dongdong.
Three people, one bed. How were they supposed to sleep?
