IDWBE -Chapter 210 Letting the Tiger Go

“I-I dare not, dare not,” The old man quickly returned the silver in his hands. “There’s still some millet at home. I’ll make some porridge for you officials right away.”

Zhu Ruorong slapped the silver down on the table with a loud clack. “Whether you take it or not, you will take it today. I’ve tried speaking nicely, but you won’t listen. Who the hell wants porridge? Take the silver and go see if you can buy some food instead.”

Huang Sifang was notoriously cruel. Whenever he conquered a territory, he would slaughter the city and loot, leaving places like Baiyang and Daxi in rivers of blood—only one in ten survived.

Xunyang City, however, was an exception. Probably because they planned to stay longer, although many were killed and looted, the city’s basic commerce was still maintained.

The old man was too frightened to speak, carefully picked up the silver, and backed out.

Zhu Ruorong turned to Yu Xiaochun, who hadn’t said a word. “You, why do you always have that gloomy face? Can’t you smile once? Your wife is gone, that’s unfortunate, but you’re still alive—you’ll have to continue living, won’t you? Here, have a drink. Warm yourself up.”

He handed over the wine gourd at his waist.

Zhu Ruorong felt genuine sympathy for Yu Xiaochun. On his wedding night, his wife had been killed. Anyone would feel awful in that situation.

Yu Xiaochun shook his head. “Thanks, but I don’t drink.”

Zhu Ruorong laughed. “Then have some tea. I’ve got tea here. Not as good as what’s sold at your teahouse, but decent enough. It’s premium Yunwu tea from Hongzhou. I picked it along the way and roasted it myself—it tastes alright.”

“Thank you.”

This time, Yu Xiaochun nodded and accepted a cup of hot tea from Zhu Ruorong.

Zhu Ruorong said, “Don’t be so polite, child. To live well, you have to open your heart. Only then can you live long and safe.”

He felt more pity than anything.

Yu Xiaochun was a good person. Back before Yu Sanshui had made his fortune, their families were well-matched—a pig-seller and a tea vendor. Marrying the girl would have been appropriate.

Not too high, not too low.

But Yu Xiaochun’s sudden marriage had caught him off guard.

Now, with Yu Xiaochun widowed and alone, Zhu Ruorong’s enthusiasm waned. After all, this was a murder case, and it would be unlucky if the girl had married into the family.

If things didn’t work out, he had considered giving Liu Kan, that little brat, a chance—he was also quite good.

The only downside was Liu Kan’s father, Liu Duo, who was an unpleasant man.

He had also thought about Wei Yishan, but with only one elderly mother, he would be too weak and vulnerable to bullying in the future.

“I’m focused on martial arts now. I don’t care about other matters,” Yu Xiaochun said expressionlessly.

Pan Duo entered, bare-chested, first glancing at the bundled-up Zhu Ruorong, then at the thinly dressed Yu Xiaochun. He smiled, “Why are you hiding here? It’s easy to find you anyway.”

Zhu Ruorong hunched his neck. “Aren’t you cold? I’m freezing for you just watching.”

Pan Duo proudly said, “I’m from Yongzhou. I’ve rolled in snow since childhood. Compared to Yongzhou, Hongzhou is nothing.”

“Why don’t you say you’re eighth rank?”

Zhu Ruorong grumbled, “Being strong really is something else!”

It was said that at the eighth rank, one’s energy protects against heat and cold entirely.

“Ah, hiding or not, it’s easy to find you anyway. So, what’s the matter?” Zhu Ruorong yawned after finishing a jug of wine. He was getting sleepy.

Pan Duo said, “Take care of your own locals—they’re all curled up, probably freezing to death.”

“Ah!”

Zhu Ruorong slapped his forehead. “I almost forgot.”

Many laborers had come on this expedition, but most were only after money. The real work was done by local people brought by the suppliers.

These locals ran faster than anyone in battle but worked diligently, without complaint.

As the weather grew colder, people complained that Li Sanniang’s jackets were too expensive and neglected their locals.

Pan Duo snorted, “If they freeze to death, all your goods—are you going to carry them back yourself? Last night, some locals couldn’t stand it and went into others’ houses to steal. Lord Zhang Mian said to take care of your people to avoid chaos.”

“Yes, yes,” Upon hearing Zhang Mian’s orders, everyone hurriedly agreed. Zhu Ruorong threw off his blanket, rubbed his hands, and said, “I’ll go now.”

Buying an old jacket for a few dozen copper coins was nothing compared to the cost of losing a laborer. One laborer’s work was worth a silver or two. If they died, it would be a huge loss.

Seeing Zhu Ruorong leave, Zhu Ruorong hurried after him.

Yu Xiaochun watched them leave and sighed, “Money blinds them. They no longer value a laborer’s life.”

Pan Duo laughed, “You’re naïve. These locals are like monkeys from the mountains. Treat them too kindly, and they’ll challenge your authority. Do you know how the old lady on West Street died? Too kind to her locals—sharing a room with them. They thought she was weak, poisoned the family in the water, and the whole household perished. Some lessons must be remembered.”

Yu Xiaochun admitted Pan Duo was right. In Baiyun City, locals plotting against their masters wasn’t uncommon.

After a long pause, he sighed. “Still, we shouldn’t go too far. Once they arrive, they are Sanhe people, as the prince decreed.”

Pan Duo said, “But they never considered themselves Sanhe people. They’ve learned to band together. Believe me, if you give them an inch, they’ll bully you.”

He changed tone, smiling. “So, you really plan to kill the hidden guards?”

Yu Xiaochun gritted his teeth. “I have an unending grudge against the hidden guards. At Ying’er’s grave, I swore I’d personally kill Jiang Zhong to avenge her!”

Pan Duo tossed a slip of paper at him. “Jiang Zhong sent his best men to Southzhou. Be careful, or if something happens, your father will hold me responsible.”

Yu Xiaochun looked at the note, then cupped his hands. “Thank you.”

Without waiting for a reply, he leapt onto the roof and vanished into the wind and snow.

Pan Duo shook his head helplessly.

Later that evening, the snow fell heavier, and the cold intensified.

He Jixiang sat in the government office’s guest hall, holding a brazier, looking at the battered Yuan Busheng. Deeply moved, he said, “Lord Yuan, you’ve suffered greatly.”

“Thank you, Lord He,” Tears streamed down Yuan Busheng’s face. “If not for you, I don’t know if I’d see daylight again in my lifetime!”

“My men were rude. You’ve been out of prison for some time, yet no one thought to prepare for you—no bathing, no fresh water. I’m at fault!”

He Jixiang turned to Wang Dahai and shouted, “Idiot! Why are you standing there? Hurry up and help Lord Yuan bathe and change!”

“Thank you, Lord He.”

Yuan Busheng, looking like a beggar, wept even more.

He had been confined for over a month, surviving only on the minimal food and drink in his cell, without even water for washing.

After Wang Dahai escorted Yuan Busheng away, Zhang Mian smiled. “Lord He, the interrogation went well, right?”

He Jixiang smiled. “Like Zhou Jiuling, he was already scared out of his wits. No need to push further, just be careful. Yuan Busheng was originally with the Crown Prince—cannot trust him fully.”

Zhang Mian asked, “Lord, if we leave Hongzhou, who should remain in charge?”

He Jixiang said, “I’ve decided—let Jin Bo, close to Shen Chu, stay with three thousand men here.”

“Jin Bo?”

Zhang Mian frowned. “He’s competent but lacks stability.”

“He is decisive in action,” He Jixiang stroked his beard. “With him here, Yuan Busheng should hesitate.”

He then looked at Pan Duo.

Pan Duo cupped his hands. “The court has decreed that Zhou Jiuling, for his merits, will be granted the title of Marquis Wuding.”

“Marquis Wuding?”

Zhang Mian chuckled. “Zhou Jiuling didn’t get arrogant, did he?”

“An experienced man, he wouldn’t dare,” Pan Duo laughed. “A few days ago, he was scared out of his wits. In the end, Shan Qi calmed him.”

He Jixiang stood, placed the brazier on the table, and paced. “Who’s going to Raocheng? The cold weather is worrisome.”

Zhang Mian smiled. “Lord, don’t worry. Ji Zhuo is going to Raocheng. He’s served me for over ten years. I know his abilities well. Recently, I had Wang Tuozi lead a team to deliver supplies. Zhao Lichun, defending Raocheng, is a drunkard. Not worth worrying. I followed your orders—he only drove the rebels into Southzhou.”

He Jixiang looked at the darkening sky. “Since he’s a drunkard, driving them into Southzhou is enough. Let Huang Sifang and his men go as well.”

“Lord!”

Zhang Mian and Shen Chu were startled.

He Jixiang said calmly, “Tell Huang Sifang that if he wants to live, he must go to Southzhou or Chuzhou. Neither Sanhe, Yuezhou, nor Hongzhou can harbor him.”

Shen Chu hesitated. “Lord, I don’t understand. Huang Sifang is extremely ruthless. Releasing him is like letting a tiger loose—future troubles are endless.”

The key problem: he couldn’t explain this to the prince.

He Jixiang smiled. “Only if Southzhou, Chuzhou, and Jingzhou descend into chaos will the prince have a chance.”

Zhang Mian wanted to protest: What about the innocent people?