UCTOOT CH146

Two horses rode side by side on the winding mountain path.

It was the fourth or fifth month of the year. Along the way through this secluded village, distant peaks were beautiful, trees and flowers complemented each other, and greenery was abundant. However, pedestrians were rarely seen on the road. Occasionally, a few jackdaws flew by, and emaciated old dogs barked a few times from hunger before whimpering and running away.

Amidst the infinitely desolate and dilapidated scene, Shi Shu held a water skin in one hand and glanced at the sky: “Haven’t seen even half a ghost shadow on the road.”

Xie Wuchi held the reins, neither fast nor slow, and also looked around: “Although the Yuyang area wasn’t a war zone, countless people were conscripted two years ago, and it was also affected by the flames of war, leading to a sharp decrease in population. That’s why we don’t see anyone now.”

Shi Shu jumped off his horse: “Alright, can’t stay still, I’ll walk for a while.”

Along this road, white bones were piled like mountains, birds were startled into flight, and only birds and beasts accompanied them on the mountaintops. Shi Shu said: “Separated from Xin Bin and the main force, it’s just the two of us again.”

Xie Wuchi lowered his eyes: “Doesn’t it look like a date?”

Shi Shu didn’t answer but curled his lips and ran forward. The grass on the road was lush, covered by dense vegetation, and the field ridges were full of weeds. Shi Shu bent down to pick a cluster of wildflowers. Just as he broke them off in his hand, he saw a field mouse whoosh past in front of him.

“Ah!” Shi Shu was startled, clutching the flowers and retreating, stuffing the flowers into Xie Wuchi’s hand.

The sky grew darker and darker, and the moon gradually appeared. Xie Wuchi said: “The map says there’s a relay station ahead. It’s late; we need to find a place to rest.”

Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi hurried on their journey in the evening. Not knowing how far they had walked, several figures walked out of the bamboo forest, carrying plowshares on their shoulders. Seeing they were strangers, they asked: “Where are you from, and where are you going?”

Shi Shu: “We are just tourists, passing through to visit relatives.”

The man asked: “It’s dark. Where are you going to stay? The Clothes and Crown Temple (Yiguan Miao) ahead?”

Shi Shu: “Clothes and Crown Temple?”

The man said: “Yes. In the past, when His Majesty the Emperor and his younger brother were exiled three thousand li, they passed through our Lijia Canal. The summer heat was unbearable, and they developed malignant sores on their bodies, so they stayed in that temple for a night, leaving an outer garment in the temple. Now it is enshrined and receiving incense.”

Shi Shu couldn’t help smiling: “Is there such a thing?”

Xie Wuchi remained silent, then heard the farmer blink and smile: “It would be good if the two lords went to stay inside. However, there is one more thing. That temple is very strange, don’t blame me for not telling you! People often crash into walls, hang themselves, or die tragically inside. There is also a Charity Pagoda (Yi Ta) nearby. Ordinary people avoid it at night. I advise the two of you to find a wild grave anywhere to stay.”

Shi Shu: “Oh? The temple is so evil?”

The farmer smiled and left with his companions. Shi Shu turned to look at Xie Wuchi and heard him say: “Let’s go.”

Shi Shu recalled: “Did we take this road when we were exiled?”

Xie Wuchi: “No, a forced interpretation.”

Shi Shu raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Since you became the Emperor, strange tales and legends across the country have increased dramatically.”

The sky became darker and darker. Not far away, a solitary lamp illuminated the eaves and hip roof of the Clothes and Crown Temple. High snow-white walls stood erect, tiles flew out from the eaves, the wooden door was decayed, and a clear coldness emanated from the quiet vegetation. Not far away, a straw shed was set up, with a coffin placed inside, covered with some withered straw.

Seeing the coffin, the thought of the evil mentioned by the man just now surfaced in Shi Shu’s mind. He hurriedly retreated to Xie Wuchi’s side and was held by Xie Wuchi’s hand, transmitting warm body heat.

“Don’t be afraid. There is only playing the devil in the world.”

Rarely traveling outside with Xie Wuchi, Shi Shu gathered his courage to walk a few more steps. Outside the temple gate stood a tall pagoda, towering and upright, with mottled paint, showing a dull grayish-white color. Before getting close, he smelled the stench of rotting flesh.

Shi Shu: “Is this a pagoda for burning paper?”

Xie Wuchi: “Don’t go over there, walk slowly.”

Led by him, they walked to the front of the pagoda together. An opening was seen at the bottom of the tall pagoda. Inside seemed infinitely deep and dark, emitting waves of foul stench. Instead of golden paper money, incense candles were inserted at the entrance, scattered with straw dolls, rattle drums, and a few pieces of children’s clothing.

Shi Shu had a bad feeling. Looking further inside, seeing the outlines of several young children in that deep hole, his scalp exploded fiercely!

No small matter. Shi Shu took another step back and heard Xie Wuchi say: “Charity Pagoda (Yi Ta).”

The carved characters were blurred, written as “Charity Pagoda.”

Xie Wuchi said: “Superstition believes that infants who die tragic deaths easily become vengeful spirits. Therefore, children that parents cannot raise are thrown into the Charity Pagoda. The surroundings are carved with talismans and scriptures to release the souls of the infants from suffering, preventing them from becoming evil ghosts.”

The foul smell at the tip of Shi Shu’s nose became increasingly weird: “But how come there are so many abandoned infants?”

Xie Wuchi said: “After years of war, the people’s livelihood is withered. Families have no extra rations to raise them, so they can only throw them away; or it’s valuing males over females, as the saying goes—’No skirts (girls) in the school, no baby boys in the Charity Pagoda’.”

Shi Shu looked again at the straw doll at the pagoda entrance, in pink clothes. This must be from a mother who loved her child? Loving the child but forced to send the child into the Charity Pagoda, what kind of mood was this?

Shi Shu returned to the front of the temple. Only an old man was guarding the door. Seeing them, he reached out for money. Walking into the temple, the interior was quiet. The upper and lower floors were fairly clean until they saw the stele indicating five years ago.

It really was the year Shi Shu accompanied Xie Wuchi in exile.

Shi Shu thought: “But, who built this temple? Fabricating a Clothes and Crown Temple, and wanting to use Xie Wuchi’s reputation for what?”

Inside the temple was unbearably cold and gloomy. The walls were covered with moss, and the steps were coated with a layer of rusty red bloodstains that hadn’t been cleaned off. While Shi Shu was curious, a withered voice behind said, “A young man crashed to death here.”

Shi Shu turned back and asked: “Young?”

The old man reminded, is this Clothes and Crown Temple very evil? It’s not a blessed land for seeking wealth and fortune, but for resentful deaths. The young man was a hunchback, back like a turtle, never lifted his head in his life, despised by father and mother. Not long ago, he went to the street to buy vinegar, was mocked and beaten, and came back…

Shi Shu was shocked instantly: “What? Crashed to death here?”

The old man was lighting a candle: “This Clothes and Crown Temple is very evil. Many people died tragic deaths! Like those women beaten by parents-in-law and husbands. Just the Wang family in the front village, treated that daughter-in-law like livestock. The daughter-in-law came to this temple and hanged herself. And the old man whose fields were contested by family, couldn’t swallow his anger, also came to this temple and hanged himself. The year before last, there was a family, the woman died in difficult labor, her man couldn’t think it through and also hanged himself in this temple.”

The other party smacked his lips, seeming endless in his telling.

Shi Shu was puzzled: “Everyone comes to die in this temple. Is this place special?”

The old man looked up at a linen garment enshrined in the hall and pointed: “Emperor Shenwu’s Clothes and Crown Temple! Those who died were people who suffered, were wronged, and had hatred in their hearts. Dying in front of Emperor Shenwu’s clothes and crown, someone would make decisions for them and help them take revenge.”

Emperor Shenwu was the honorary title after Xie Wuchi ascended the throne.

A group of bullied common people, unable to live on, committed suicide in front of his clothes and crown?

The sky was nearly dark. Shi Shu looked up suspiciously, seeing a line of floating light carved on the ground inside the Clothes and Crown Temple. When the wind blew, candle shadows flickered, stretching long shadows—the wind sounded like whimpering, the breath like weeping. It seemed there were endless common people kneeling in front of the clothes and crown, eyes full of tears, bodies covered in wounds, recounting the sorrow and bitterness of this life, praying for His Majesty to manifest his spirit and save people.

“Begging Your Majesty to pity my frailty, save me…”

“Why was I born a hunchback, and others should bully me? Can’t beat them, can’t scold them, who will save me…”

“Being beaten really hurts too much… save me… save my child…”

If there really is an Emperor Shenwu, please save me from deep water and scorching fire.

The road of people’s livelihood and the voice of the temple hall are separated by mountains and rivers. How can their prayers reach the Emperor’s ears? In despair, they can only pin their hopes on half-gods and half-ghosts.

Don’t know about other places, but in this county town of Yuyang, it seems injustices are endless to write about.

Shi Shu came back to his senses. Xie Wuchi was standing under the eaves looking around. After the old man finished speaking, he left with the candle, leaving only Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi standing.

Shi Shu looked at Xie Wuchi one more time: “Mountains are high and waters are far, maybe Emperor Shenwu really heard it.”

Shadows under Xie Wuchi’s eyes, he paused and said: “Then let’s go. First, go to stay at the Wang family’s house at the village entrance where domestic violence caused death.”

Shi Shu raised his eyebrows and said: “Alright.”

The two left the Clothes and Crown Temple. Night had fallen. Not far away, sure enough, a village was seen. Human voices approached, and dogs barked fiercely.

The village was desolate, moonlight faint. The copper ring on the door was gently knocked, and an impatient response sounded: “Who is it!”

“Traveling merchants passing by, want to stay for a night.”

“I—” Old Man Wang opened the door cursing, only to see moonlight like white jade falling on the shoulders and hair of two tall men outside the door. One was taller, born incomparably cold; the other had handsome brows and eyes, possessing a breeze-like feeling. The two stood side by side. The material of their clothes couldn’t be distinguished, but they didn’t seem like farmers.

Old Man Wang’s eyes darted around. Seeing the two fat horses led by them, his expression changed: “Come, come in. Where are you two young masters from?”

Xie Wuchi lowered his head and entered the door, saying: “My younger brother and I are out doing business, home is in the Eastern Capital.”

“Oh oh oh…” The old man’s eyes kept looking up and down.

As soon as Shi Shu stepped over the threshold, he saw a strong man drinking and eating under the dim oil lamp, face full of fierceness, chewing peanuts in his mouth, staring at the two of them wordlessly.

The other party looked bad-tempered. The old man hurriedly said: “He is the old man’s son. Don’t be alarmed, you two. The east room is still empty; the two travelers can stay there tonight.”

“Many thanks.”

Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi entered the wing room together and closed the door. The village seemed quieter. Shi Shu turned around and saw Xie Wuchi didn’t walk far but stood at the door listening.

Very low voices sounded from this family. Not a moment later, with a “creak” sound of the door opening, a figure left the courtyard under the cover of night and hurried away.

Shi Shu: “Someone going out so late?”

Xie Wuchi: “It’s someone from his family.”

He didn’t say much, pressing the knife behind his back a bit more. Shi Shu wanted to push the window open a bit, but unexpectedly, when he reached out to touch it, this window was locked dead!

Looking around the entire house again, a wooden bed was placed in the corner. Before getting close, he smelled a faint fishy stench. That quilt was stained with blood spots, covered in stains, unknown what it had been wrapped around.

Shi Shu asked Xie Wuchi: “Is this a black inn (illegal/criminal shop)?”

Xie Wuchi said: “In troubled times, there are plenty of black-hearted villagers receiving passersby. Rob those with money, kill those without money to make meat buns.”

Shi Shu stared at the darkness inside the door, silent for a moment. Moments later, the courtyard was brightly lit. Hearing noises and clamor, quite a few people came in with torches. Without saying a word, they kicked the door open; all were rough and boorish men.

Old Man Wang followed in the crowd: “Big brother, it’s these two! Riding horses and wearing gold and silver, afraid they are big fish! Big brother and brothers, quickly see how to deal with them.”

Shi Shu understood this was really a kidnapping. He heard Xie Wuchi say: “My lords, please do not use force, my family has money.”

The bandit leader asked: “Who are you two?”

Xie Wuchi: “My brother and I went out for business with our uncle. Coveting the beautiful scenery along the way, my brother and I walked a section on our own. Didn’t expect to bump into you heroes. My family does business in the Eastern Capital, parents dote on us very much.”

The bandit leader asked: “Your family has money? Your parents are willing to spend money on you?”

Xie Wuchi: “Naturally, naturally.”

Several bandits looked at each other and laughed: “Hahaha, good if you have money. Take them both up the mountain. Tell your family to send five thousand taels of silver to redeem you, otherwise, kill you both!”

After speaking, he said: “Go! Back to the mountain!”

Shi Shu’s shoulder tightened, immediately pushed roughly forward. Xie Wuchi protected him, saying: “My brother and I have a wealthy family background. Uncle won’t mind however much money. Please be more gentle, my lords.”

“Hmph.” The bandit found it funny to hear, but since they were here to make money, rarely encountering a big ticket, their mood was much better.

“Clang!”, thrown into a carriage for unknown how long, then walked a long way. Shi Shu was pushed into a closed room. Xie Wuchi also came in. That person sent a letter, saying: “Quickly write a letter to send to your family, bring money over!”

Xie Wuchi responded, cooperatively taking the paper and pen. Shi Shu watched Xie Wuchi write the letter from the side, playing the role of the kidnapped victim dutifully.

The letter wrote—

“Take five thousand taels of silver, send to Xiaofentou Mountain in Yuyang Town within three days, otherwise my brother’s and my lives will not be preserved. Xie.”

That bandit took it for a look and quickly sent someone to deliver the letter.

After the person left, Shi Shu patted his butt and found a clean place to sit, speechless for a moment: “Aren’t we here for revenge? How did we get caught?”

Xie Wuchi held his hand: “Don’t be afraid, nothing will happen.”

Shi Shu wasn’t afraid of something happening; anyway, he couldn’t sleep, pacing back and forth in the cell. Separated from his cell door by more than ten meters was that group of bandits. The bandit leader was excited and ecstatic: “Five thousand taels! Five thousand taels! Money I haven’t seen in my life. Wang San, didn’t your wife die not long ago? You have merit today. Wait till we get this money, I’ll give you a hundred taels to buy a wife, be a groom again!”

Wang San was equally delighted: “I didn’t expect to kidnap such a big ticket either.”

“Good, it’s settled then. Marry you a new wife, forget that dead wife of yours, stop crying with a mournful face every day.”

Across the wooden bars, Shi Shu was expressionless. Next was just waiting peacefully for money to redeem people. Those few bandits were also much more restless. After eating, they started chatting: “People nowadays seek death at the drop of a hat. The hunchback we met a few days ago also crashed to death in the Clothes and Crown Temple. Just laughed at him a few times, slapped him twice, actually got angry enough to crash to death, hahahaha!”

The bandits drank and cut meat to eat under the lamp, greeting loudly. Shi Shu turned back to sit down and asked: “Xie Wuchi, didn’t you collect the world’s troops and order prefectures and counties to clear banditry when you first ascended the throne? Why is there no effect in this place?”

Xie Wuchi: “Officials and bandits colluding.”

Sure enough, this group of people discussed dividing the spoils; the bulk had to be handed over to the government office.

There was also dissatisfaction: “Big brother, Magistrate Song has been an official for five years doing nothing, yet has to eat our tribute every year. Why?”

“If we don’t please this group of people in the county first, the militia troops would have come to suppress bandits long ago. Would we still have a way to live?” The bandit leader said, “However, this Magistrate Song is really a huge corrupt official. As long as money is given, anything can be done. The scholar I killed last year, his parents sued to the prefecture, Magistrate Song could still suppress it.”

Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City

“Capable, capable!”

Shi Shu propped his chin listening, simultaneously recalling what he saw at the Clothes and Crown Temple.

The strong power formed by bandits forming gangs can make local people suffer endless pain. And ancient times were originally closed. A hunchback born disabled, or a married woman, how far could they walk?

The hunchback young man suffering from physical deformity was ridiculed and mocked by this gang when buying salt on the street, couldn’t beat them, unable to resist; the woman beaten and scolded by in-laws and husband at home, also couldn’t beat them, nowhere to escape…

So in this careless crushing, in the inescapable pain, unable to bear the burden, to the point of collapse and suicide, dying with hatred.

Within a hundred miles, all were evil people. The only hope was the Shenwu Clothes and Crown in the temple, unknown if real or fake, praying to reach heaven’s hearing, that someone could save their pain.

Shi Shu returned to sit beside Xie Wuchi: “What now, what do we do?”

Xie Wuchi: “Wait a few more days.”

Shi Shu touched his hand: “Suppress bandits? Catch all these people, put them in jail.”

Xie Wuchi: “Maybe?”

Shi Shu yawned. There was only a handful of straw in this cell good for sleeping. He had to lean on Xie Wuchi’s shoulder, barely passing these few days.

Two days passed. Xin Bin, dressed as a servant, hurriedly rushed up the mountain, clutching five thousand taels in banknotes: “My lords have waited long! Is my master still healthy, physically unharmed?”

“Money brought, person naturally unharmed.”

Xin Bin wiped the sweat all over his head: “Now, can you let our master go?”

Unexpectedly, originally agreed well, this bandit leader suddenly turned hostile: “Take him down for me!”

Shi Shu stood up, seeing Xin Bin about to fight back but stopping: “My lord, didn’t you agree to let my young master leave for five thousand taels of banknotes?”

The bandit leader said: “Being able to easily take out five thousand taels, afraid taking out another ten thousand taels wouldn’t be minded either, right? How can we let you go so cheaply? You write another letter immediately, tell your uncle to bring thirty thousand in banknotes over!”

“What?” Xin Bin had nothing to say, had to look towards Xie Wuchi.

Xie Wuchi examined the bandit for a moment, said indifferently: “Alright, within three days, bring thirty thousand in banknotes over.”

“Still not scrambling (rolling) for me!”

Xin Bin was kicked down the mountain cowardly, looking back at the situation on the mountain.

Shi Shu originally thought the jail time was about to end, didn’t expect to be detained for a few more days. He was bored to death every day. Plus, he and Xie Wuchi were well-behaved, occasionally even chatting a few sentences with the bandits in this mountain.

Shi Shu pawed at a straw, asked: “The big brothers on the mountain look young. Three years ago when Northern Min invaded, the government caught people everywhere to fight wars, why didn’t you guys go fight?”

The bandit couldn’t help laughing loudly: “Only idiots go to die!”

Shi Shu asked again: “Then after the new Emperor ascended the throne and granted general amnesty, past deeds of being bandits were not blamed, as long as returning home to farm is fine. Why do you guys still occupy the mountain as kings here?”

“What do you know? Farming is so tiring. Might as well rob homes and plunder houses in this mountain. Meeting fat fish passing by, slaughter and eat them. Isn’t it better than working oneself to death farming?”

Then the travelers you killed, the people killed, what did they think?

Shi Shu chatted with Wang San again: “Heard your family all beat your wife, she couldn’t think it through and crashed to death in the temple?”

Wang San said disdainfully: “If I knew earlier she would crash to death, I might as well have beaten this bitch to death. Serving in-laws and husband like it cost her life.”

The bandits laughed in a group. Old Man Wang remembered this matter and still gritted his teeth cursing the person who brought bad luck to the family.

Midnight, wind on the mountain was strong, with woo-woo sounds at night. Shi Shu sat cross-legged. Xie Wuchi was looking at the moon outside the window. Shi Shu more or less learned the scale of bandits on this mountain, plus families young and old, there were hundreds of people. Two years ago when the new Emperor ascended, part returned home to farm, the rest decided to take banditry as their profession.

Outside the cell, guards slept soundly. Only a minion came to deliver food. Suddenly, someone ran over anxiously: “Bad news! Bad news!”

The bandit leader asked: “What’s wrong?”

That person said: “Just now Magistrate Song sent someone to say, His Majesty’s imperial carriage will pass Yuyang recently. Now is the time of strict investigation. We all have to be more honest to avoid trouble!”

Bandit: “His Majesty?”

“Yes! You don’t know the severe implications if not being an official. If the Emperor finds out, Yuyang County will be razed to the ground for us!”

The bandit said however: “But that money hasn’t been obtained yet!”

“Want money or want life?!”

They argued. Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi listened sideways across the cell door. Only hearing them argue for a long time, both sides getting irritable. The bandit leader was categorical: “I said, money hasn’t been obtained, I absolutely won’t release people.”

Came to ask Xie Wuchi again, stabbing the sharp knife on the table: “I ask you, when can thirty thousand taels of silver be gathered!”

Xie Wuchi: “Gathering is easy, but the amount of thirty thousand taels is too large, hard not to attract attention. Moreover, only sending banknotes, afraid when exchanging for silver later, people with bad intentions will roll up the silver and flee.”

Shi Shu hadn’t spoken, only heard Xie Wuchi say again: “I’ll let Uncle bring a group of people, transport the ready silver into the mountain personally, then my lord releases people, how about that?”

Several bandits heard it, it made sense, said: “Then quickly let your uncle transport silver up the mountain!”

Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City

Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City

These few days, Shi Shu was still locked in the cell, but the treatment was much better, even bedding was sent.

He and Xie Wuchi were stared at by pairs of eyes all day, couldn’t even say two extra sentences. He had been paying attention to this group of people in the mountain. Besides those beating wives, there were also many vicious and extremely evil people who drove others to death, gambling and drinking heavily in the mountain daily, lawless.

Finally, came the night before Xin Bin and others were about to transport the silver.

Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi were pushed to the mountaintop together, preparing to hand over money and goods. Only saw in the dense forest, many people carrying gold and silver loads. The bandits in the mountain turned out in full force, preparing to happily transport back this white, countless silver.

The bandit leader was gazing anxiously into the distance: “Why haven’t Magistrate Song’s soldiers come yet? Agreed to divide money today.”

Xin Bin dressed as an ordinary servant, smiled at him, said: “Please, my lord.”

The bandit lifted the cloth covering the gold and silver. Inside was not gold and silver, but a bloody human head.

The bandit leader abruptly took a step back: “Magistrate Song?”

Xin Bin drew a knife from under the cloth. The knife was dripping with blood, the edge curled and chipped from chopping, still carrying yellow and white, obviously just chopped and killed people not long ago.

Those cloths lifted, unexpectedly all were human heads.

The bandit retreated in horror: “Who are you, how dare you! These are all heads of officials in the government office, you dare to murder imperial court officials—”

“Not only murdering imperial court officials, this Magistrate Song’s nine clans are also all killed.”

The next instant, perhaps a scene this bandit would never forget in his life. Hundreds of people up and down the entire bandit mountain, regardless of gender, along with pigs, dogs, chickens, and ducks, were all stabbed to death.

Human heads were piled on the mountain nonchalantly. Blood converged into rivers, moistening the dry mud, until it became soft unbearable plasma, stinging people’s eyes blood red.

Five thousand taels, five thousand lives.

Wang San, who was very delighted bullying others slap by slap, turned to run as soon as he saw killing. He was dragged back by hair by Xin Bin, kicked in the heart causing him to spit a mouthful of fresh blood, then the knife ruthlessly plunged into his chest cavity.

Shi Shu met with Song Sinan and was taken away first. Xie Wuchi stood on the mountaintop, pupils dyed with blood color, watching the scenes before him calmly.

The air turned from extreme noise to extreme silence, because everyone was killed.

Xin Bin knelt in front covered in blood: “Your Majesty, that group of dog officials in the Yamen are all killed. Troops rushed from Dongshan Camp, have surrounded Yuyang County town, ready to enter the city upon order at any time.”

Xie Wuchi: “Good, We shall see this Yuyang County, what tricks it has after all.”

The bandit leader on the side, seeing with his own eyes brothers and minions cut into two pieces like melons and vegetables, had no real sense of what kind of person he had offended, but sensed the despair of life being held in others’ hands, able to be crushed to death with a gentle force.

He had unlimited glory, bullying men and dominating women all his life. For the first time, he felt he was weak, just like that wife with a frail body who could only cry when beaten, and the infant thrown into the Charity Pagoda, or the hunchback with an ugly face being ridiculed. In front of a strong force, because too weak, could only be crushed to pieces, in agony.

Xie Wuchi glanced at him, eyes empty.

Because looking at a dog by the roadside, able to be kicked to death with one foot.

Xie Wuchi stepped in the blood water, turned and left.

The bandit leader knelt behind him, head falling lightly to the ground.

Sunset in the west. Shi Shu and Song Sinan walked together. Carriages and horses flew by row by row from the imperial road. Shi Shu had a feeling in his heart: “What happened to that group of bandits?”

Song Sinan scratched his hair with the knife handle: “Dead, all dead.”

Shi Shu: “All bandits on the mountain, and officials colluding in the county town, all dead?”

Song Sinan: “Dead. His Majesty also prepares to purge the entire Yuyang County. Oh, not just Yuyang, afraid the world will raise waves. Severe punishments and harsh laws, striving for justice.”

Shi Shu was quiet and didn’t speak. A lush wild plum tree by the roadside was eye-catching. He pushed aside the branches and leaves. Sunlight shone on his handsome and spiritual eyebrows, passing through leaf gaps. He saw that towering Charity Pagoda with peeling lime again.

“Emperor Shenwu’s Clothes and Crown Temple…”

Shi Shu parted the leaves and came to the temple. In the daylight, the infant corpses inside the Charity Pagoda were seen clearly. The straw doll was still sitting crookedly. Looking closely, a smiling face was drawn with rouge.

People who died tragic deaths in this temple, with no family to collect bodies, were also all thrown into the pagoda. After accumulating for a few days, all burned with a fire.

Because they were people no one loved, no one cared for, and were bullied.

Because no one loved them, they had to entrust to the gods. Today, the god descended.

If there is still fairness and justice in the world, please take care of those helpless people.

Shi Shu was staying in the temple. Xie Wuchi and other troops caught up. He glanced sideways inside the temple: “Erect a tombstone for all these deceased whose grievances were hard to address.”

The old temple guard and other officials already understood the sequence of events. At this moment, trembling with fear, almost kneeling on the ground, souls about to return to heaven. Enshrined on the altar was fake clothes and crown, but the one who came was the real Emperor.

It was late. Shi Shu prepared to leave the temple to continue the journey. Turning around, the wooden hairpin on his hair was taken down by Xie Wuchi and placed on that altar.

Shi Shu raised his hand to touch his hair: “Ah?”

Xie Wuchi: “From now on, what is enshrined in the temple is Emperor Shenwu’s real clothes and crown.” He faced the crowd, eyes cold, “In the future, if anyone commits suicide here again, and you do not ask clearly about the grievances…”

The consequences were self-evident.

Most people saw enough dead people today for a lifetime. Officials hurriedly kowtowed, cold sweat soaking their backs.

When they looked up again, the imperial carriage was already far away.

Evening again. Wisps of white mist rose from the thatched cottages in the village. Fires were lit for cooking, sending waves of food aroma.

Sunset glow like mist, mountains verdant. Since the bloodbath of Yuyang County, major prefectures and counties heard of this matter, none dared not to put away lazy thoughts, urging people to farm, trying criminal cases, acting cautiously.

Shi Shu led the horse rope walking among desolate village wild shops. Skylight illuminated the tips of his hair. Being bored, suddenly smelled a burst of clear and shallow floral fragrance. It was Xie Wuchi handing him a bunch of flowers.

Petal by petal of small light blue flowers. Shi Shu picked them off one by one, blowing onto Xie Wuchi’s lips, jaw, and Adam’s apple, gently sticking, then brushed off.

Xie Wuchi looked indifferent, only saying when approaching Shi Shu: “Looking for trouble?”

Shi Shu smiled: “Hehe.”

Before starting to talk back, in the dusk surrounding, the evening sun quiet and lonely, Shi Shu’s hand was held by Xie Wuchi. A pair of long and wide palms held his tightly.

Walking one after another. Shi Shu held flowers in one hand, holding him with the other. Xie Wuchi held two horses with one hand, footsteps flattening the wild grass by the roadside. After departing from the Eastern Capital, cities along the way were still in a state of abandonment. Common people moved homes and settled down, building houses, in the full-scale reconstruction after scorched earth.

Walking hand in hand, the bouquet in Shi Shu’s hand was flung clean. But by his feet, more and more small blue flowers and grass along the road. Shi Shu couldn’t help being surprised, letting go of Xie Wuchi’s hand, changing from small steps of fast walking to running with large strides along the flower clusters.

Evening wind carried residual heat, blowing up the hair strands on his forehead. Under the cliff, there turned out to be a sea of blue flowers. Shi Shu jumped into the lush flowers and grass. Evening glow reflected the full sky. He looked back at Xie Wuchi with joy: “Hey! Xie Wuchi! Many flowers have bloomed! Walked mountain roads for so long, finally saw flowers blooming!”

Xie Wuchi held two horses, standing on the cliff lowering his eyes. Only saw in the flower sea like smoke and mist, Shi Shu’s face was reflected snow-white, eyebrows smiling curved up, like the moon, also like warm spring water brushed by wind.

Xie Wuchi raised an eyebrow. When the wind blew, the flower sea swayed, petals flying all over the sky. Shi Shu ran a circle, looked back, seeing Xie Wuchi looking at himself quietly.

In an instant, the red dust in Shi Shu’s heart all settled. He walked back step by step, smiling along the boundless flower sea walking towards Xie Wuchi.

Regardless of all kinds of hardships in the mortal world, only wish to meet you from the heart, riding side by side, a good dream not waking up.

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