He Zifeng saw Master Dian in the crowd. Master Dian was calm and composed, not taking the current predicament seriously at all.
He Zifeng raised an eyebrow, also planning to watch the excitement.
Lord Qiu was furious nearby and directly called for people to arrest him. Who would have thought that his men were knocked down in just a few moves.
The people beside the noble young master seemed to be martial artists. Without much movement from him, in just a moment, they had dealt with the situation.
Lord Qiu lost face repeatedly in front of the common people, so angry that his body trembled slightly: “You… you all want to rebel?”
The noble young master said: “Lord Qiu, what great official authority you have.” Although he said this with a smile, those familiar with him would know that at this moment he was extremely angry to say such words.
The county magistrate said: “My lord, if you have anything to say, you can speak with me. Don’t implicate innocent people.”
Lord Qiu suddenly turned his head to look at the county magistrate: “Stop pretending to be a good person here. None of you can escape.”
Master Dian said to Lord Qiu: “Even your master, the Chief Minister, wouldn’t dare act wildly in front of our young master. What are you?” His tone carried some gloating.
After hearing these words, Lord Qiu first felt anger, but quickly came to his senses, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Today he had been so angered that he was confused and hadn’t paid attention to other people. Only when they spoke did he look over. Lord Qiu didn’t recognize these two people, but seeing their noble bearing and somewhat arrogant tone, he became uncertain for a moment.
This was just a remote county town – could there really be some important noble person here? He said nervously: “You are?” His tone was somewhat hesitant, not as arrogant as before. He suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart and habitually looked for his confidant!
Who knew his confidant wasn’t beside him, and several of his subordinates had also been knocked down, lying on the ground wailing.
Lord Qiu steadied himself and saw the gold and silver in front of him, the common people on the inside, the big merchant households on the outside, and that unknown noble young master all standing in opposition to him.
He actually felt that the general situation was lost.
Lord Qiu’s face changed from red to pale.
Just then, they heard a runner report from outside: “My lord, we found a lot of red-crowned crane poison on this fellow.”
This statement caused an uproar throughout the county. They had previously suffered from the poison attacks of the deadly male-female duo and were extremely disgusted by such things. Now finding such potent poison on Lord Qiu’s subordinate, just thinking about what this poison was for made it clear.
Hearing this, the county magistrate immediately became angry: “Open court and carefully investigate this matter.”
Seeing his confidant caught, Lord Qiu was both anxious and angry: “How dare you touch my people? This is insubordination.”
The county magistrate had been repeatedly offended by Lord Qiu, and his good temper had mostly disappeared. He said: “My lord, within my jurisdiction, someone carrying large amounts of poison has seriously endangered our county’s safety. Investigation is my duty. I advise Lord Qiu not to get involved in this matter!”
The county magistrate’s words were very impolite.
He Zifeng was the first to react, directly controlling Lord Qiu’s somewhat paralyzed confidant and bringing him to the county yamen.
The common people already disliked this outsider Lord Qiu and said: “This guy clearly isn’t a good person.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ve heard of red-crowned crane poison – it’s deadly poison that kills on contact with blood.”
“This was meant to kill people!”
Lord Qiu hadn’t finished dealing with the noble young master’s offense against him, and then saw his confidant arrested again, experiencing firsthand what it meant to be attacked from both sides.
Lord Qiu followed to the county yamen, taking out his official silver and official badge. With him present, the county magistrate also had to yield a step – this was to protect his subordinate.
Rank suppresses everything, but the common people didn’t care about this and discussed among themselves.
Seeing another deadlock, the noble young master said a few words to his attendant, who then found the county magistrate and revealed his identity.
Lord Qiu, standing not far away, could also hear a few sentences. His eyes immediately widened with disbelief as he tried to find this person in the crowd, but where could he see him now?
He never expected that person to have such a noble identity. If he had known, he wouldn’t have spoken that way. What should he do now?
Worried about his life and property, he couldn’t bother trying to get his confidant out and immediately went out to find the person.
With Lord Qiu gone, no one was protecting his confidant. Surrounded by indignant common people who kept demanding that the county magistrate uphold justice for the people and execute this person!
The confidant had felt something was wrong since entering the county, and now they had offended a noble person. How could the confidant still bear the responsibility? Before the county magistrate could even order beating with boards, he confessed: “My lord, I have something to confess!”
The county magistrate said: “Speak…”
The confidant told everything about Lord Qiu’s purpose in coming here and what he wanted to do, down to the smallest detail.
The yamen was surrounded so tightly that not only were there county officials and runners, but also common people around. Hearing the confidant reveal everything, everyone gasped!
…
Lord Qiu didn’t know that his confidant, who had been loyal to him for many years, had already betrayed him, and was still looking for the noble young master.
The county wasn’t large, and the noble young master and Master Dian were newcomers, so Lord Qiu quickly found them.
The noble young master was worthy of his distinguished status. At this moment, he was resting in the county magistrate’s room behind the county yamen, casually flipping through the county magistrate’s account books. Indeed, everything was recorded item by item. He was as leisurely and comfortable in the county yamen as if he were in their back garden.
After finding the person, Lord Qiu fell to his knees with a thud: “Third…” He had wanted to say the other party’s true identity but was interrupted!
“Eh?” Master Dian was someone who feared the world wasn’t chaotic enough.
Hearing someone nearby hint, Lord Qiu couldn’t care about being annoyed at the interruption and said: “Third Young Master, this… this… is a misunderstanding.” Even he felt guilty saying these words.
The noble young master said: “Since you already knew there would be snow disasters this year, why didn’t you prepare in advance? Multiple places under your jurisdiction suffered heavy casualties. Instead of trying to remedy the situation, you came up with crooked schemes. You also saw all the county’s people just now. They won’t agree to you touching their county magistrate!”
This was the first time the noble young master had seen common people love a local official so much.
The officialdom was corrupt, with factional struggles and officials protecting each other – he had seen such things frequently since childhood and was extremely disgusted by them. Now he finally saw someone clean, but this sesame-sized Lord Qiu almost silently eliminated him with his affected airs. He was furious.
Lord Qiu no longer had his previous arrogant attitude. Just the noble young master’s light words made sweat drip from his forehead. He stammered: “This…”
The noble young master slammed his hand heavily on the table with a bang, making a loud noise.
Lord Qiu shuddered.
The noble young master said: “Do you know your crimes?”
Lord Qiu naturally couldn’t admit guilt. At this moment, he made various excuses, saying he had been deceived by some people and had wronged the county magistrate, but now knew he was wrong and hoped the noble young master would show mercy outside the law.
Just then, He Zifeng knocked on the door and handed over a document, saying: “My lord, this is the confession we just obtained from his retainer during questioning.”
Hearing this, the noble young master immediately had it presented. He read through it quickly, then sneered and said: “Men, search his body and see if he still has red-crowned crane poison!”
The noble young master’s subordinates were all specially trained and not someone Lord Qiu could resist. They quickly found a packet of red-crowned crane poison on him and said: “Young master, we found it.”
The noble young master immediately threw the document to Lord Qiu: “What else do you have to say?”
Lord Qiu picked it up and looked – half his body went numb.
The noble young master didn’t waste words with him: “Take him away.” These people immediately gagged him and put Lord Qiu in a carriage, saying: “I still have business. Handle his subordinates yourselves.” This kind of official pest – if not eliminated for one day, might harm even more people.
Then the noble young master was about to leave this place.
Master Dian nodded to He Zifeng, which counted as a greeting, and said: “Hey, aren’t we staying for a meal…” This place was remote – if they left now, it would be difficult to come back!
The noble young master had no mood to appreciate anything and said: “No.”
He Zifeng respectfully saw them off. The noble young master took another look at He Zifeng, feeling that this small place was quite fortunate to have both a county magistrate like that who thought of the people and He Zifeng, such a perceptive and capable head constable. Just one meeting left a deep impression of He Zifeng.
But he didn’t say another word and left this place.
He Zifeng quietly told the county magistrate about the noble young master’s departure.
The county magistrate understood the meaning and handled things with ease. Lord Qiu’s confidant received twenty board beatings and was exiled three thousand li. All those other accomplices were sent to the mining area to dig mines. That was managed by the military – Lord Qiu’s subordinates all had strength, and it would be a waste not to put them to work.
The common people were delighted to see the county magistrate deal with all that corrupt official’s minions.
The county magistrate was also deeply grateful to these common people. Without them knowing the situation, just from the corrupt official’s few words, they came out to rescue him and even pooled together several thousand taels of silver in a short time. How could he repay the people’s kindness?
The county magistrate said: “Everyone take your silver back.”
“Leave it for the county to spend.”
“We still have more.”
These common people, though few could read, weren’t blind in their hearts and knew which officials were good to them.
Officials love the people, people love officials!
The county magistrate said: “I appreciate everyone’s kind intentions. I will count this silver and think of a way to take from the people and use for the people.”
“Good.” The common people said supportively.
The county magistrate saw light snow falling outside again and noticed several people in the crowd still wearing thin clothes. He said: “Everyone has worked hard. Go home now. Tomorrow the county will stew pork and distribute it to all the city’s people.” The county still had some stores.
Being able to eat pork given by the county magistrate excited everyone again.
The next day, the county posted notices counting the silver everyone donated – a total of 5,022 taels. The county magistrate said he would establish a school for poor students to benefit those who wanted to study. The plaque would read that this was a school donated by all the county’s people.
Scholars held great weight in the common people’s hearts – if they studied well, they could become officials in the future.
When this news came out, the entire county was in an uproar, all hoping school would start soon. Even being able to recognize a few characters would be good.
Moreover, with such a county magistrate as an example, with a school nurtured by the common people, if students could pass the exams and leave, they would surely become good officials in the future.
The county was lively and bustling. No one had imagined they could be connected to a school. The next day, the entire county was distributing stewed pork. It wasn’t even New Year yet, but everywhere was filled with warm atmosphere!
They kept busy until the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month before He Zifeng returned to the village. Although the county was far, everyone wanted to know about such legendary events. Seeing He Zifeng, they asked about the situation at that time.
He Zifeng told them about what had happened in the county. They listened in amazement.
“Really unexpected.”
“Too dangerous.”
Everyone in the village listened with great interest. Just hearing about it felt frightening to them. He Zifeng had personally experienced it – truly walking back from the brink of life and death.
“Great disasters bring great fortune.”
“Exactly!”
Everyone wanted to continue asking He Zifeng for details, but Village Chief Liu stopped them, saying: “Enough, he finally came back to the village. Don’t pester him anymore.”
Only then did everyone let him go.
As soon as He Zifeng returned to the village, familiar people told Qiu Yu. By the time he got home, the food was already in the pot.
“Daddy.” Little He Ran ran over and was picked up by He Zifeng, who said: “While I wasn’t home this time, did you behave?”
“Yes.” Ran Ran answered in his clear childish voice.
He Zifeng tapped the little fellow’s nose, and Ran Ran shrank back.
Then carrying the child back to the house, Fang Shi said: “I made you two pairs of shoes. Try them later to see if they fit.”
“Thank you, Mother. I do wear out shoes quickly.” When He Zifeng said this, Fang Shi was extremely happy and said: “Go see Qiu Yu. He’s been missing you these days.”
He Zifeng put down his son. Fang Shi pulled Ran Ran aside to practice writing. He went to the kitchen alone and saw Qiu Yu’s busy figure.
He Zifeng hugged Qiu Yu from behind and kissed his cheek. Qiu Yu knew it was him and didn’t avoid it, only saying: “You’re back?”
He Zifeng said: “Mm, did you miss me?”
Qiu Yu said contrary to his heart: “No.”
He Zifeng turned him around, his fingers gently caressing Qiu Yu’s cheek, his eyes showing deep affection: “I missed you.”
Qiu Yu was startled, then seeing no one around, he took the initiative to kiss the corner of He Zifeng’s mouth, his eyes curving like a fish that had stolen something delicious.
How could He Zifeng withstand such teasing? He immediately kissed him. Qiu Yu worried someone might come and felt somewhat anxious.
He Zifeng noticed and immediately kissed him more deeply. Qiu Yu couldn’t help but be completely focused.
Outside, wind and snow raged; inside, passion and tenderness entwined.
—
(The End)
Author’s Note: Thank you everyone for your rewards, subscriptions, and encouraging comments. This book is finished. There are still six extra chapters that will be updated daily.
With this story completed, see you in the next one!
Let me recommend my upcoming main story “I Married the Killing God Little General” – please bookmark it.
A major event in the capital: the profligate heir Shen Kuo actually married the Su family’s brother who knows military strategy and warfare.
The heir is the princess’s legitimate son with a terrible personality. Little General Su can disarm enemies barehanded and took enemy heads on horseback alone at just over ten years old.
Their marriage had all of the capital’s people waiting to watch the excitement.
They heard the heir broke bones on his wedding day, and soon after came news that Little General Su was pregnant. People couldn’t help but sigh – in this round, the heir was still the brave one.
Outside there was much discussion, even storytellers made up seven or eight episodes.
The little heir extremely detested Little General Su, but suddenly one day the heir changed and started protecting Little General Su.
How could they know that Shen Kuo had been reborn? Looking at his beloved from his past life who had grown old with him, now like an insecure little leopard, what else could he do but pamper him!
Profligate protective jealous king top X tough exterior soft interior bottom.
