Little He Ran was a very responsible child. Previously, He Zifeng had jokingly asked him to teach him how to write. The little boy, with utmost seriousness, grabbed a stick and said, “Father, studying should not be taken lightly.”
Seeing his son’s stern expression, He Zifeng hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Your little dad will learn instead. I’ve got some things to handle. Later, he can teach me.”
Naïve and honest, He Ran didn’t realize his father’s slyness and simply nodded. Qiu Yu then went to play with the child while He Zifeng picked up a bamboo basket and headed toward the fields.
The recent rain had nourished the fields well, soaking the fertilized soil. Next year, they would yield a bountiful harvest.
He Zifeng, never one to stay idle, noticed that the stream’s water had surged after the rain. He waded in to catch fish and soon had half a basket full, including two large ones, each weighing three jin.
Passersby were envious, and some began calling their friends to try their luck as well.
“Zifeng is clever, knowing there’d be more fish after a rain,” someone remarked.
In the past, villagers didn’t like eating fish—it had too many bones and required lots of oil and seasoning. However, children had taken to catching and roasting fish over open flames, making the method popular. Seasoned with just salt, the fish tasted tender and fresh.
He Zifeng only kept the bigger fish, letting the smaller ones go. After filling his basket, he headed ashore.
Nearby, Liu San was collecting field snails, gathering a hefty four or five jin of them.
“Hey, want to trade your snails for some fish?” He Zifeng called out.
“Trade? Sure, sure!” Liu San readily agreed. He hadn’t managed to catch any fish and knew snails couldn’t compare in taste. He didn’t even bother taking his basket back.
He Zifeng let Liu San pick a two-and-a-half-jin fish and, not wanting him to feel shortchanged, also tossed in an eight-ounce carp.
Others nearby quickly chimed in, “Zifeng, want some shrimp? We’ve got shrimp!”
“Shrimp? Where?” He Zifeng asked, intrigued.
He walked over and saw tiny, thumb-sized shrimp wriggling in a bucket, their bodies translucent. These shrimp, only found after heavy rains, were perfect for frying. Coated in batter and fried, they turned crispy and sweet, more delicious than any meatball.
“Deal,” He Zifeng agreed.
Another villager offered, “How about loaches? They’re good for men’s health.”
In total, He Zifeng traded for five jin of snails, two jin of live shrimp, and three jin of loaches, while still keeping over half a basket of fish.
He set aside three jin of loaches for the village head, Chief Liuzi, who loved braised loaches, and gave Dogzi’s father a fish. The remaining ten or so fish went into a water tank at home to keep fresh.
Carrying his spoils, He Zifeng returned home to find Little He Ran earnestly teaching Qiu Yu how to recite *The Three Character Classic*. The “little tutor” shook his head and recited with great enthusiasm.
However, as soon as He Ran saw his father, his attention shifted. “Dad, what’s that?”
He Zifeng placed a three-jin fish on the ground and emptied the rest into a water tank. The snails went into a large basin to soak, allowing them to purge their sand.
Curious, Little He Ran approached but recoiled when he saw the wriggling loaches, taking several steps back in fright.
He Zifeng chuckled. His son had such a tiny bit of courage.
“Tonight, I’ll cook something delicious for you,” He Zifeng promised, planning to fry the shrimp himself.
“Yay!” the little boy cheered.
He Zifeng then grabbed the loaches and a fish to deliver to Dogzi’s father.
Dogzi’s father was delighted and insisted on having drinks together, but He Zifeng declined. He remembered how drinking last time had left Qiu Yu upset after he got overly rowdy. Not wanting to anger his wife again, he firmly refused and then headed to Chief Liuzi’s house.
Seeing the plump loaches, Chief Liuzi’s eyes lit up. “What a treat!” he exclaimed, immediately asking his wife to prepare braised loaches. He even insisted on giving He Zifeng a bowl to take home, but Zifeng, who didn’t like their earthy taste, politely declined.
Village head Chief Liuzi spoke earnestly, “It’s only in autumn that loaches get this fat, but you don’t seem to appreciate them.”
He had always admired He Zifeng, and now that He Zifeng was rising in status, Chief Liuzi regarded him as the most promising young man in Chishui Village. His wife often joked that he treated Zifeng better than his own son.
At the moment, Chief Liuzi sighed, “Your father is really troublesome. Since selling the family inheritance, the elderly from your family keep coming to me, crying about how the younger generation isn’t filial, selling off the things their ancestors left behind.”
He Zifeng replied, “Well, now that he’s got money, things should settle down.”
Chief Liuzi scoffed, “If only he could behave. Just the other day, he had a matchmaker come over to propose a marriage for him! At his age, instead of finding support for his younger sons, he’s looking for a new wife. Says a widow would do, but she can’t bring children. Who would be foolish enough to marry him? That matchmaker, who’s a friend of my wife, said she wouldn’t take part in such a ridiculous matter.”
He Zifeng was speechless. His father couldn’t live without women. He had been affectionate with Xiao Wanshi before, but now that she was gone, he was already thinking of bringing a new bride to bed.
He Zifeng remarked, “At his age, no one can control him.”
Chief Liuzi sighed, “Poor He Fan and He Tong. Their father only cares about himself. Since Xiao Wanshi ran off with the money, he’s been overly cautious with every coin, refusing to spend a penny. The family has fallen from luxury to poverty, yet he still dreams of finding a wife. He’s even declared that he’ll offer three taels as a dowry, with an extra reward if she bears him a son.”
“In these times, men outnumber women, and those who don’t care about wealth are long since married off. Who’d marry him?”
Returning from the village head’s place, He Zifeng made spicy stir-fried snails, steamed fish, and fried shrimp for dinner. The family of three enjoyed the meal thoroughly.
That night, after Little He Ran fell asleep, He Zifeng moved him to the innermost part of the bed and pulled Qiu Yu close, holding him in the middle. They whispered into the night.
Qiu Yu was shocked by his father-in-law’s shamelessness. “He’s too lecherous. Even at his age, he’s still thinking about having someone new to bear him a son. I thought he was only bad to you, but it turns out he’s like that to everyone. The person he loves most is himself!”
He Zifeng immediately reassured him, “I only have you.”
Qiu Yu leaned gently into his embrace, and He Zifeng hugged him tightly.
…
Three days passed quickly, with constant rain. Apart from the first day when Little He Ran could go out to play, he spent the rest of the time indoors with his parents.
When it was finally time for him to return to school, they packed thick bedding, warm clothes, and jars of chili paste. “Be good while you’re there,” Qiu Yu repeatedly reminded him.
Little He Ran nodded earnestly.
His two fathers accompanied him to the school. He Zifeng, needing to report to the county office, left Qiu Yu to drive the cart home. Carrying an umbrella, He Zifeng planned to catch Brother Xiong’s cart back in the evening.
As soon as he arrived at the county office, he sensed something was off. The place was usually managed loosely, with people often missing. But today, despite the rain, all fifty officers had shown up. The atmosphere felt tense as everyone speculated about what was happening.
He Zifeng glanced at Brother Xiong, who also looked puzzled.
Brother Xiong and Bingzi went to ask around among their drinking buddies. Meanwhile, Xie Rui approached He Zifeng. Ever since they had worked together, Xie Rui admired He Zifeng and often sought him out. Others didn’t think much of it; Xie Rui was timid and lacked presence. Apart from the constable’s favor, no one paid him any attention.
He Zifeng asked, “Do you know what’s going on?”
Xie Rui glanced around cautiously and, seeing no one paying attention, whispered, “A pair of infamous bandits—husband and wife—have come to our county.”
These bandits were notorious, wanted in several provinces for robbery and murder. “They looted the magistrate’s private treasury clean!” Xie Rui exclaimed, his voice trembling. “Even scattered his hometown soil and left a note mocking him. The magistrate is furious and has ordered us to capture them at all costs.”
Xie Rui had a knack for gathering information, and thanks to him, He Zifeng wasn’t left in the dark like the others.
Before long, the constable arrived. Seeing everyone present, he barked, “There are ruthless bandits in our county. They’re murderers and arsonists, robbing homes and committing every crime imaginable. Be vigilant. Whoever captures them will be rewarded with the magistrate’s own money. Fail, and there’ll be hell to pay.”
The officers saw this as a chance to gain favor with the magistrate and eagerly accepted the task.
The constable divided them into three groups: one to guard the city gates and inspect every person and vehicle, another to patrol the streets, and a third to search inns and brothels where the bandits might hide.
He Zifeng was assigned to the search group.
Just as the constable finished assigning tasks, his gaze fell on He Zifeng. “You? Why are you here?”
At his words, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the two of them.
Thank you so much for support ♡(´･ω･)(･ω･`)♡ :Ko-fi
