UCTOOT CH74

Outside the city gate, the people from Qin Village, camped in the woods, were craning their necks waiting.

Dragging the cowering, miserable Alei back to the camp, Shi Shu tossed him to Alei’s father. “Old man, your son really doesn’t know better. You’d better teach him yourself.”

After explaining what had happened, Alei’s father grabbed his shoulders and brought down a fan-sized palm on him. “You, you! You, you! This is a big place, not like our countryside. There are important people everywhere. You make one slip and cause trouble like this! If you die that’s one thing, but what if you drag others down!”

Alei curled into a ball and couldn’t help crying.

Du Zihan, not understanding, said, “What’s going on? Why hit the kid?”

Shi Shu slung an arm around his shoulders and led him aside. After a few steps he couldn’t hold back a laugh, his brows and eyes lifting. “Guess where I just went.”

Du Zihan: “Where did you go, to still be laughing? But it doesn’t sound like a very happy laugh.”

Shi Shu: “I went to him.”

Du Zihan: “Him?! The ‘him’ you mean wouldn’t be the one I’m thinking of, right?!”

Shi Shu: “Exactly.”

They both exclaimed “What the hell!” in unison. Du Zihan circled around him a couple of times. “And you didn’t lose a layer of skin?”

Shi Shu drawled lazily, “Everyone knows how dangerous Xie Wuchi is, but he didn’t do anything to me. Anyway, this kind of thing only happens once. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

Hearing the details, Du Zihan couldn’t keep from laughing. “He really put on an act… your face must be completely gone.”

Stretching his legs toward the fire, the corners of Shi Shu’s handsome mouth lifted. “Can’t be helped. Whether my face is lost or not, talking more is useless. Memory is a kind of punishment. Some things that can’t be changed are better forgotten as soon as possible.”

At this, Shi Shu clicked his tongue. “Who said that, why does it sound so familiar?—Anyway, Xie Wuchi has so much money, we’ll owe the two hundred taels for now. See if there’s a chance to pay it back later. I’ll definitely have to deal with him again.”

Du Zihan was still a bit emotional. “He’s really that awesome now? Back in Dasheng Prefecture he was already waving his arm and calling the shots, and with Zhao Shirui…”

Shi Shu: “Why would I lie? To see him I actually had to go through layers of gatekeeping. Truly shot up to the sky, completely different from before. He was a rich young master to begin with. Living above others probably suits him just fine.”

A subtle feeling stirred in Shi Shu’s heart: for murder and arson you wear a golden belt, for building bridges and repairing roads no corpse is left. Xie Wuchi did have ability; perhaps his merits and faults had to be weighed on both sides. Even so, Shi Shu found it hard to forget his indifference. While he and Du Zihan were talking, Akan came over. “What are you two muttering about?”

“……”

Shi Shu: “You can go reflect in the corner too. Write a confession together with Alei.”

After becoming the little village head, Shi Shu had completely taken on the role of Akan’s older brother. Akan, who relied on him, sat down, and Du Zihan “hehe” laughed a few times and walked off shaking his head.

This grain-transport journey had reached its end; next came the return trip. The people of Qin Village and the other villages of the county gathered together, and the next day they drove their carts out of Yanzhou, hurrying day and night back toward the seaside fishing village. Shi Shu got up early, bleary-eyed, to have everyone set off, but as soon as he did, that father and son who loved to quarrel were at it again, accusing each other of moving too slowly.

Watching for a while, Shi Shu was already used to this grassroots civil-servant life, mediating neighborhood spats every day. After they’d finished arguing, the group finally turned south to retrace their route.

Driving the mule cart, Shi Shu jolted along. When they reached that plank bridge again, they found the road in front jammed with people. Commoners, arms crossed, packed the area around the bridge shoulder to shoulder, noisy with fresh arguments.

In ancient times, tax extortion used every trick in the book. Besides basic poll and land taxes, there were tea taxes, salt taxes; and at its worst, like now, they even levied tax on the act of traveling.

Standing on the cart, Shi Shu rose on tiptoe to look ahead. “So they charge the bridge fee coming and going? That’s bad.”

Sure enough, another scholar-official stood at the head of the bridge with a squad behind him, shouting loudly, “The frontier is at war. This is the most urgent of state affairs. Even the lords of the Eastern Capital are tightening their belts so they can squeeze out more military pay and win this war! And you lot! Uneducated, unenlightened, without any grand ambition! Asking you for a little money to support the border, and you act like we’re taking your lives! As Confucius said, if all under heaven were like you, Great Jing would be finished!”

Shi Shu frowned. “The frontier calls for grain, and we’ve come from a tiny seaside village, traveled thousands of li to deliver it, walked for two months, and spent all our travel money. We really don’t have a single coin left. Yet in this bookworm’s eyes, we’re still selfish scum who only care about our own lives? Why is he moralizing about ‘values’ here?”

The people sighed. “We really don’t have money. Please, let us pass.”

“No! This is national policy. This plank bridge was built by the soldiers too. Crossing means paying.”

“Unbelievable.”

Shi Shu got down from the mule cart and squatted by the roadside. Du Zihan came up. “What do we do? Thought paying once on the way here was enough; didn’t expect to be charged again on the way back.”

“These beasts are determined to push people to death.”

Shi Shu listened as that man kept flapping his lips.

“These are the rules from above. I’m just following procedure. If worst comes to worst, don’t you still have mules and horses? Sell one at the market and you’ll have enough to get home.”

Akan: “No! Our village only has those two horses. If we sell them, how will we deliver grain next year—carry it on our backs?”

Shi Shu pressed his lips. “Damn.”

Just then, a horse galloped up to the bridge. The rider wore a soldier’s uniform, moving with vigor. He dismounted before the bridge. Shi Shu thought he looked familiar; when the man turned his head, he couldn’t help calling out in surprise, “Song Sinan?”

It really was Song Sinan.

Two guards followed behind him. After a year apart, his features had grown sharper, his gaze keener. But the instant he saw Shi Shu, the light, joyful look of a youth appeared. “Xie Shi Shu!”

“Hey, stop, don’t shout that!” Noticing the curious looks of Akan, Alei’s father, and the others, Shi Shu hurriedly pulled him aside. “Long time no see! How did you go from Taiyin Prefecture to Xingu Prefecture?”

Song Sinan greeted Du Zihan as well. “Why else? Feng Chongshan refused to take the Hatred Army. When I heard your brother had been appointed Commander-in-Chief and was drilling a new army in Xingu Prefecture, I brought my brothers to come serve under him. But I’ve gone to find you many times. Your brother first refused to see me, then said he’d lost you. Where did you go? He’s been searching for you so hard.”

Shi Shu shook his head and instead asked, “How has this year been for you?”

“Not bad. After my brother died, I grew fast. See the scar on my face? Got it on the battlefield. And here—” Song Sinan tugged at his clothes, baring the muscles of his chest. “This is an arrow wound. Took an arrow earlier this year! Spent half a month in bed, but I survived!”

“……….”

“Okay, okay, I see it. Put your clothes back on.” Shi Shu grabbed his lapels shut. “Seeing you living this freely, hard and strong, I’m very glad.”

Song Sinan laughed. “My brother will be glad too—where are you headed?”

Only then did Shi Shu answer, “I settled far away. Just escorted grain to the main camp and am going home. But this bridge toll has blocked our whole group. Is this really a tax, or is it corrupt officials bleeding the people?”

“Of course it’s real! Changping and Xingu are military strongholds. If you’ve never fed troops, you don’t know how hard it is for the generals. Every bite and stitch for the soldiers is pure silver! Go to your brother. This military levy was parceled down from him to Transport Commissioner Chen Zhixing. As for charging tolls, that’s also Chen’s order. Why not ask your brother about it?”

A chill ran through Shi Shu. “So this bridge fee has something to do with Xie Wuchi too?”

“Changping and Xingu—both civil and military power rest in his hands. How could it happen without his nod?”

Shi Shu was silent for a while. “So to get this toll removed, I still have to go to him?”

Song Sinan: “Hey, front line fighting, back line supporting—that’s how it’s always been.”

Shi Shu: “But these people really are penniless now, truly down to nothing. Even if you want to eat meat, you have to fatten the livestock first, don’t you? This is just bullying.”

The people were all blocked, hesitating without a plan. Some merchants even stepped up, ready to buy their livestock cheap in exchange for money to cross.

Inside, Shi Shu calmed down. “I’ll go to him.”

Du Zihan: “You’re still going?”

Shi Shu: “My face is already gone. Let him enjoy it one more time.”

Du Zihan scrambled up. “I’ll go with you. I won’t feel easy if you embarrass yourself alone. I’ll share the shame with you—it’s just this face anyway.”

As they walked, Shi Shu thought of the activated system. “If coming to ancient times is a game, and Xie Wuchi is a rival player, are we the losers? When we first met, you said in games levels are strict, and scrubs have to obey the strong.”

Du Zihan: “…But I don’t feel you’re a loser. Following you is the best decision I’ve made.”

Shi Shu: “Zihan.”

Du Zihan: “Come on. Admitting you’re not good enough also takes courage.”

Staring at the system in front of him, Shi Shu inexplicably remembered what Xie Wuchi had said—one day you realize the close friend by your side is actually your greatest rival in your career; the friendship forged fighting side by side will start to twist and rot, until no feelings are left, only the pursuit of power.

Power. Shi Shu had never pursued it.

He only wanted to send the people of Qin Village home. The bridge toll was unreasonable; if it could be removed, he was willing to go to Xie Wuchi, and didn’t care what the other thought.

Sometimes, fear and lack of fear are separated only by a single instant.

Shi Shu and Du Zihan reached Yanzhou again, this time outside the Commander-in-Chief’s grand residence. As soon as he stood at the gate, the doorkeeper ran over. “Young master, are you here to see our lord? Please, this way!”

Shi Shu lowered his head slightly and prepared to enter. Du Zihan followed close behind, but Shi Shu stopped him. “You’re sharing my embarrassment, not my life. Better stay outside.”

Du Zihan: “Alright, I’ll wait out here, Little Schoolbag. It’s fine.”

Once he’d thought it through, Shi Shu no longer carried yesterday’s fear as he stepped inside. The pavilions and towers were incomparably magnificent, with double eaves and sweeping roofs. It seemed Xie Wuchi wasn’t in the residence. They quickly arranged for Shi Shu to sit in his warm anteroom.

Restless after a few sips of tea, Shi Shu wandered into the courtyard. Suddenly he heard a “meow,” and looked up. A yellow-and-white calico cat was sprawled on the rockery in the middle of the yard, lazily padding about.

He hadn’t expected that Xie Wuchi actually kept cats, to have such leisurely taste. Slowly, he remembered that basket of cats they’d picked up in Senzhou. There had been a calico round as a dumpling. Looking closely now, he thought, “Won’t be the same one, will it? Has he really been keeping those cats?”

Feeling calmer, he crouched to look at the cat. After a while, he realized the courtyard was very quiet.

Turning his head, he saw that at some point, Xie Wuchi had come to stand by a carved, dragon-etched pillar under the eaves. He wore a vermilion round-collared robe, official hat on his head, a strip of immaculate white collar at his throat. Those dark eyes were fixed on him; it seemed they had been for some time.

Shi Shu stood up and smiled. “Sorry, I’ve come again.”

“What is it?” Xie Wuchi asked.

Shi Shu spoke frankly. “On the way back with the villagers, we’re blocked again by the bridge toll. Can you help? If not, forget it. I just came to ask.”

Xie Wuchi walked down the steps. The kitten ran to his feet, meowing and pawing at the hem of his court robe. Only then did Shi Shu notice the cat’s claws had been clipped. Clearly a house pet, and likely very fond of scratching his clothes.

Ignoring the cat at his feet, Xie Wuchi walked forward slowly.

“Shi Shu,” he said.

“What?”

“The bond between you and me is enough to realize some of your wishes. But are you planning to wear it out on these meaningless things?”

“What do you mean, meaningless?”

“I’m only reminding you to think more for yourself.”

“No need,” Shi Shu said. “Let it wear out on these things.”

As soon as he finished, Xie Wuchi drew level with him. His steps seemed to pause, and there was still a faint smell of medicine about him, very light, but Shi Shu recognized it.

“I can help you with this,” said Xie Wuchi.

“Thanks. I’ll remember it and pay you back someday.”

“And then you’re leaving again?” he asked.

Looking at how close he was now, Shi Shu nodded. “We’ll be gone soon.”

The corner of Xie Wuchi’s lips lifted in what seemed a faint smile. “You’ve come to see me twice, both times for these things.”

It had been a long while since they’d been this close. Shi Shu had grown distant. But when Xie Wuchi approached, his body suddenly betrayed him. Memories, warmth, scent, touch, heat—their tangled embraces on a bed in a dark room, even the confusion of lips and tongue, the hazy breath after kissing—all the recollections that should or shouldn’t be there had their lids ripped off and poured into his mind like fog.

Dropping his gaze, Xie Wuchi said blandly, “Everyone is more important than I am.”

A prickling ran up Shi Shu’s back. He took a step back. By then, Xie Wuchi had already turned away, brushing past him toward the inner pavilion.

Shi Shu hesitated for a second, then turned his head. Xin Bin had been standing not far away; only when the two men separated did he walk in with a document.

Shi Shu stood there, wanting to enter, then stopping. After thinking for a while, he stepped into the room. Xie Wuchi had changed out of his official robe and back into his usual plain white leisure clothes and was flipping through letters. That last sentence still surprised Shi Shu a little.

He hadn’t forgotten?

A maid hurried in with a tray bearing a bowl of medicine. As Xie Wuchi propped his hand on the table, Shi Shu noticed the white gauze at his wrist and suddenly remembered the wound he’d seen when fleeing Dasheng Prefecture.

He started scratching his head again, mussing his soft hair.

Stepping outside, he saw that the sky had darkened. Xin Bin followed behind. “Second Young Master, it’ll be dark by the time you reach the bridge if you set out now. Are you leaving today?”

Not familiar with him and disliking the title, Shi Shu thought for a moment. “Better wait until tomorrow.”

Xin Bin: “I’ll go to the bridge now and have them remove the chevaux-de-frise. They won’t be charging tolls there anymore.”

Power.

With one sentence, Xie Wuchi could make that happen.

Shi Shu nodded and parted ways with him at the residence gate. Du Zihan dashed out from under a shed. “Well?”

Complicated, Shi Shu nodded. “He helped.”

“That’s great. At this moment I admit, power and influence really are something,” Du Zihan said. “He didn’t name any conditions, did he?”

“No.”

“Good, then let’s get out of here.”

Shi Shu slipped his hand into his pocket and felt around; after a moment he asked, “How much money do you have on you?”

“Less than one tael,” said Du Zihan.

“Let’s treat him to a meal tomorrow,” said Shi Shu.

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