UCTOOT CH73

At the head of the bridge, among the commoners and the chaotic carts and grain wagons, Shi Shu stood where he was and lifted his head. When he looked up again, Xie Wuchi’s gaze had fallen on him and stopped.

Their eyes met. Shi Shu did not pull up the cloth over his face again, revealing his fair, handsome features. Not knowing what to say, he instead had the system in his head pop out again.

【Known transmigrator: Xie Xun】

【System: Not activated】

【Merit value: Evaluating… Extremely high】

【Kill difficulty: Evaluating… Extremely high, participant is advised to act with caution!】

“……”

Xie Xun? Shi Shu froze for a moment, suddenly realizing this might be Xie Wuchi’s real name. Hiding this too… Shi Shu’s feelings were only complicated for an instant before he quickly found he could accept it.

Xie Wuchi’s gaze was like a blade dipped in wind and snow, cold and sharp, fixed on him. Knowing there was no dodging it, Shi Shu simply pulled the mask down and gave him a small smile.

Xie Wuchi’s fingertips hanging at his side moved slightly. He seemed absent-minded for a moment before he also gave a small nod. Then he turned away and asked, “What’s going on?”

Zhou Changde hurried to say, “The Transport Commissioner says that now war is urgent and military expenses are great, so the people should save up some money to support the front. Therefore, a bridge toll has been set up.”

Xie Wuchi raised his hand slightly. “Let them pass.”

Zhou Changde hurriedly said, “Yes! Quickly move the chevaux-de-frise away, let the people pass!”

The brief encounter ended. Shi Shu didn’t know what to say. He pulled his mask down to his chin. Akan said, “We can go through now. Come, while it’s still light, let’s get the grain to the main camp.”

The people nearby chattered, “He’s really a good man, a good official!”

Shi Shu climbed back onto the cart and pulled the reins tight. Beside him, Du Zihan tugged his clothes up over his head, shrinking behind Akan, one hand gripping the loose skin at the back of Laifu’s neck.

Xie Wuchi crossed the bridge first and stood at the bridgehead. His hunting clothes were tightly fitted and fierce. It was unclear if he was waiting for something.

“Hyah!” Shi Shu drove the cart, jolting up the plank bridge. In his heart, he was weighing whether to say something to Xie Wuchi, but at this moment, aside from awkwardness, he had no other thoughts.

Standing by the side of the bridge, Xie Wuchi watched him silently. When he drew close, Shi Shu could no longer ignore his gaze and turned his head to signal, “We’re in a hurry. We’ll be going first.”

“Shi Shu…” Xie Wuchi suddenly said.

Shi Shu’s hand paused, but he didn’t pull on the reins. “Ah?”

The cart rolled past Xie Wuchi without stopping. Shi Shu’s back went cold, waiting to hear if any orders would be given. His spine grew stiff, fingers aching from gripping the reins, but after they had gone some distance, there was no movement behind.

Du Zihan cautiously poked his head out from the bundle. “Is he gone?”

Shi Shu glanced back. It seemed they were on the same route; Xie Wuchi had not mounted again. His tall, black-clad figure, surrounded at a distance by dozens of guards, walked far behind them, separated by ten or twenty meters and the people’s grain carts.

Shi Shu whipped his head forward in a “whoosh.” “Not yet. Looks like he’ll be there for a while.”

“Then I’ll keep lying down.” Du Zihan pressed Laifu’s head down.

After about the time to burn one stick of incense, two forked roads appeared. One road led to the military camp, the other into Yanzhou City. Shi Shu and the commoners had to send grain to the main camp, so they took the left road. After he turned off and sneakily glanced back, the many guards and riders following Xie Wuchi had already turned toward the road into Yanzhou City.

Shi Shu sighed in relief and patted the side of the cart. “Zihan, you can come out. He’s gone.”

Du Zihan finally straightened up. “Damn, that was close!”

Lowering his head, Shi Shu could only say that Xie Wuchi was more rational than he had expected. After this year and a half, Xie Wuchi had long become calm again—or rather, focused entirely on his career. He couldn’t help grinning, showing his teeth. “We really are people who’ve gone our separate ways!”

Du Zihan: “Scared me to death… that ex of yours…”

Shi Shu: “What ex? But thanks to you, Zihan, I now understand what normal male friendship looks like.”

Du Zihan: “……”

Just then, Akan came over. “You two know that man just now? I saw him talking to you. Looked like a big official.”

Along with him came Alei, also from the same village, surprised: “Shi Shu, you usually hide your skills, huh? Didn’t think you’d be connected to officials of that level!”

After half a year in Qin Village, Shi Shu and they were already talking about everything. He couldn’t help laughing: “On the beach I’ve beaten you how many times in running? You never praised me then. Now I know someone from our hometown and suddenly I’m impressive? He’s the most successful one from our village, but we’re not very close. His position’s too high; I can’t latch on.”

Alei laughed. “That’s different. Passing this way we got all our tolls waived because of you. Of course I have to praise you.”

The villagers were simple and honest. Akan rummaged around on the cart. “Your hometown friend is really good. Little Shu, you can’t forget courtesy. Here are a few eggs; you should give them to that Commander-in-Chief lord to eat.”

Several older folk from the village also echoed, “Yes, yes.”

Shi Shu: “………………”

He smiled: “Forget it, forget it. He’ll understand your kindness. He doesn’t like eggs. Let’s leave it.”

“This… then we don’t even know how to thank him.”

Thank him. Shi Shu laughed silently. People really were multi-dimensional, only one side visible within a certain slice of time.

After they passed the grain road that afternoon, the group delivered the supplies to the army’s field camp and finally had nothing to do. This trip had taken nearly two months. Everyone was exhausted; their taut nerves could finally relax. The older men looked for open ground to pitch tents and rest. The younger ones couldn’t sit still, shouting in groups of three or five, “Heard Yanzhou is the biggest city in the north. We’ve been rushing by day and sleeping by night all the way from the seaside and haven’t seen anything. Let’s go into the city and have a look?”

Shi Shu bit a stalk of grass, tightening the knot on a tent rope. “You go. I’m not going.”

Alei said: “What’s that for? Only you and Zihan are from the city. We village folk going into Yanzhou don’t know the rules. We wanted you to take us around.”

Shi Shu: “Go around? I’m not going to Yanzhou. On the way back we can change to another city; then I’ll go with you.”

Alei’s father added: “You all go together, Little Shu. Take that bag of eggs with you—”

Shi Shu: “……”

“I’m not going! There’s a demon in Yanzhou. You all have fun. I’m the acting village head; I can’t go far. Got responsibilities. Eating, drinking, and having fun can wait!” After his refusal, he darted off to the nearby stream, went barefoot into the water, and started feeling for stones, preparing a simple wooden spear to catch fish.

Du Zihan followed with a basin. “We can’t get off that easily. Let’s stay put honestly.”

Shi Shu went to where currents converged, using the fishing techniques Akan and Alei had taught him. He suddenly jabbed the wooden spear down and skewered a lively fish, then hurried back with the fish on his spear. “Come on, come on, roast fish tonight!”

Qin Village had sent about a dozen people. Mixed with the neighboring village, there were twenty or thirty in total. They were camped here in the wilderness. Traveling with others was safer when roaming. While Shi Shu roasted fish, Alei’s father joked: “Little Shu, your hometown friend is such a high official. Why not cling to him and live in wealth and glory? Yet you’re going back to the village with us, eating fish, shrimp, and crab every day. Isn’t that aggrieving you?”

Shi Shu: “Old man, ever heard: ‘If our ways differ, we do not make plans together’? As long as I’m happy, what’s wrong with catching fish at the seaside every day?”

Alei’s father laughed heartily: “Good, good!”

The team paused to rest. Likely they’d have to set out again tomorrow or the day after. Many followed Akan and Alei into the city to see the sights, while only those disinclined to move stayed resting.

Shi Shu helped everyone hang hammocks, dry clothes, pitch tents, and stopped family quarrels when needed. Among the families was a father and son who argued daily, even over cooking.

Shi Shu began his peacemaker routine again, helped people find firewood and fetch water, and only when all villagers were seated eating with peace of mind did he finally relax.

When evening came, Shi Shu counted his fellow villagers. They were about to rest, but when he rose from beside Alei’s father, he frowned. “Why aren’t Alei, Akan, and Changfu back yet?”

Alei’s father: “Didn’t they go into the city?”

A bad feeling crept over Shi Shu. These boys were all around the same age, kids from a seaside fishing village. Never been to a bustling border city. Getting lost was one thing, but what if they got into trouble? Seeing it nearly dusk, Shi Shu couldn’t rest easy. “I’ll go take a look.”

Du Zihan was about to follow, but Shi Shu said, “You stay and look after everyone. It’s not safe for you in the city either.”

Yanzhou City, the largest northern prefecture, a military stronghold. On the towers, giant banners were fluttering in the wind, bold and unmistakable with the character “Xie.” Since war between Great Jing and Northern Min opened on the border, the court had urgently created a Command Administration. After the new emperor took the throne, the right-wing anti-Min corps commander was appointed Commander-in-Chief. Yanzhou was a frontier stronghold—in short, this was Xie Wuchi’s domain…

How much did King Han trust Xie Wuchi? After his accession, he promoted him repeatedly.

When Shi Shu reached the city gate, he ran into a panicked Akan, who rushed out of the gate and grabbed his wrist. “Alei was drinking in an inn. After a few cups he started bragging and got dragged away by army men!”

Shi Shu’s heart jolted. “…What conflict?”

Akan regretted aloud: “We were all drinking together. Alei bragged that he knew the Commander-in-Chief’s fellow townsman. A few soldiers drinking nearby grabbed him, said he was spreading rumors and slandering the Commander-in-Chief, arrested him and said he must be ransomed with money.”

Shi Shu: “Alei!…”

In ancient wartime, soldiers easily became like bandits. Some undisciplined units would invent charges, grabbing people at will. If they could extort money, they did; if not, they dragged men off as conscripts. No doubt Alei had run into this kind of robbery.

For a moment, Shi Shu didn’t know what to say. “How much?”

Akan: “Two hundred taels.”

“…………”

Shi Shu yanked his collar. “Two hundred taels?!”

Two hundred thousand copper coins! On the road, wandering the world, a group of poor villagers—who would carry two hundred thousand for no reason? Shi Shu was speechless. “We couldn’t scrape that together if we sold everything!”

Akan’s dark face flushed even darker. While Shi Shu anxiously thought of a way, Akan asked hesitantly: “You know that Commander-in-Chief. Could he help? Alei’s father only has that one child. If he’s sent to the army, it’s like being sentenced to death…”

Shi Shu let go. “Find him?… No.”

“Why not?”

Shi Shu: “He and I are clean and clear, nothing owed. Take me to see the prison first, see exactly what’s going on.”

A shadow fell across Shi Shu’s heart. Outside the military prison, iron armor bristled, Yanzhou’s military administration and troops standing guard. Being a frontier defense area, military authority trumped civil; there were dedicated urban barracks and a military yamen for the command administration. A barracks was unlike a civil yamen—soldiers were monsters honed by blood. Inside the prison, family wails shook the air.

Shi Shu stood there and the guard merely said a few words.

“Got the money?”

“No? Then scram!”

“No time to waste on you!”

Since leaving Dasheng Prefecture, Shi Shu’s impression of ancient soldiers had been of cold iron and uncontrollable brutality, like tigers with fangs and claws, ready to go feral at any time. This city barracks prison was a scene of ruined families and death.

Akan said: “If we’d known, we wouldn’t have come to the city. If something happens to Alei, one villager taken away and we can’t bring him back, my father won’t be able to raise his head again for the rest of his life…”

Shi Shu rubbed his hair. “I came as acting village head in your father’s place. I have to bring you back safe. I’ll think of something.”

They stood outside the barracks for quite a while. As the sky grew darker, Shi Shu finally said: “I’ll go ask him. Xingu Prefecture and Changping Prefecture are both under his thumb. I also want to know if this is how the army under him now behaves.”

Better bring that bag of eggs after all.

Shi Shu lowered his eyes; the shadow of his lashes fell on his fair cheeks. “…If I go to Xie Wuchi, he long ago stopped seeing me as a friend, certainly won’t help again… If he still misses me, and likes me, and I go to him for this, isn’t that pure exploitation?”

Following directions along the way, he reached the command administration, where a stone tablet engraved with military regulations stood in front. Beside it, the Commander-in-Chief’s grand residence. A rare and precious pine tree grew at the gate. Though it was already dusk, people were constantly going in and out, all scrambling for rank and fortune. No one’s face failed to show joy and haste.

The doorkeepers looked down their noses at people, eyes raised to the sky.

“Prefect of Jizhou? What rank? No, our lord is eating.”

“County deputy? No.”

“Passed the jinshi exam in Taikang Year 3 and want to join our lord’s staff? No, no, no!”

“Our lord handles affairs of state day and night; he has no leisure to receive you. Please all go back, all go back!”

Many sedan chairs and carriages were parked at the door, proving all comers were people of high status and wealth.

Shi Shu clicked his tongue twice in his heart. Before he even finished speaking at the gate, he was shooed away: “Lord Xie is not receiving guests today. Go back!”

Shi Shu lifted his head, revealing his strikingly handsome face. “Please inform him his younger brother is here.”

The doorkeeper paused, expression changing. “Younger brother? Heard lord has a lost younger brother. Wait here, I’ll go ask.”

Shi Shu lowered his head and looked at the stone slabs underfoot, counting while he dazed out, half wanting to leave. He walked several steps away, then thought of the people in Qin Village and stopped again. Too many variables between him and Xie Wuchi—each step forward was shrouded in fog, full of danger and uncertainty.

A moment later, the doorkeeper came out. “You there, come with me.”

Shi Shu clicked his tongue again in his heart. “Xie Wuchi, you really have made it. Now to see you once, I need layers of reporting…”

Following the doorkeeper, he entered the great compound. After half a year of wind and frost, Shi Shu looked around. Inside, exotic flowers and rare rocks, winding corridors, red doors and carved eaves, shining fresh vermilion, pavilions and towers grand and imposing. Walking were officials in fine robes or noble-born young men, with servants behind them. Even the slaves and maids were neatly dressed.

Shi Shu entered a room and someone came out first. Peering carefully through the gauze curtain, he saw a figure in elegant light-blue robes—looking closer, it was actually Xu Hengfeng.

From behind the curtain, Xu Hengfeng asked, “You say you’re Lord Xie’s younger brother. May I ask what you experienced along the way, and what you did in Shukang and Shaoxing?”

Hearing his indifferent tone and that he had forgotten his face, Shi Shu said, “After he cured the plague in Shukang Prefecture, we came to Changyang during the Red Thread Festival. Met your father Xu Shouchun fishing and gave him a fish. And there was a courtesan named Little Luanxian who had a crush on him.”

Laughter came from behind the curtain. “So it’s really you. Second Young Master Xie, go in. Your brother is eating; good timing to speak.”

Shi Shu didn’t respond further, stepped over the threshold, and the farther he walked into the exquisitely decorated building, the heavier his steps felt.

He hadn’t expected to be stopped again by bodyguards when he reached where Xie Wuchi was dining. Xin Bin, holding a sword in one arm, gave him a glance and raised his hand to bar the way. “Lord is in a private discussion with General Zhou. Sit and wait. Go in when you’re called.”

“Yes!” The doorkeeper was very respectful to him.

So, this was a trusted aide Xie Wuchi had met during this year or so? Then again, he had only known Xie Wuchi for a year, yet they had been apart for a year and a half. Hard to believe the bond would last.

It’s said you need seven years to build a lifelong friendship.

Shi Shu sat in the warm anteroom for guests and drank a cup of tea. Looking up around him, he saw refined paintings on all four walls—surely priceless. ‘A golden carp is never a creature for ponds; once it meets wind and cloud, it becomes a dragon.’ In Great Jing’s rotten bureaucracy, hadn’t Xie Wuchi become a fish in water?

After a while, someone backed out from the inner room. Xin Bin went in to speak and then turned around. “Go in. You are the last visitor Lord Xie will see today. Speak quickly; Lord will rest soon.”

Xin Bin looked to be in his twenties, mature in handling matters and utterly loyal. Shi Shu glanced at him, then lifted his legs and stepped inside.

A bright, clean study. A zither hung on the wall, a sword placed nearby. There was a censer, quiet sandalwood curling smoke. Books filled the desk, shelves reaching high, a sober patterned carpet on the floor. The room’s decor was elegant and cool. By the desk was a dining table with five or six dishes, steam still lightly rising.

A pale figure sat in a chair, wearing an everyday plain white robe with wide sleeves. One hand propped on the table. A faint aura of refined moonlight surrounded him.

Xie Wuchi.

Shi Shu stepped over the threshold and stood at the door.

Xie Wuchi put down his jade chopsticks. “Sit.”

Shi Shu glanced around, not knowing where, and said, “Uh, I’ll stand. I’m leaving soon.”

“What’s wrong?”

His voice had no inflection, flat and direct. It didn’t sound cold so much as extremely calm.

Scratching his head, Shi Shu said, “Could you help me with something?”

“What?”

He sat in the chair without moving, posture as lofty as when he received people daily. Shi Shu felt his heart surprisingly steady, not especially nervous. “There’s a guy from our village who got into an argument at the inn and was taken to the city barracks prison. They want two hundred taels to ransom him. But we have no money. His father has only that one child; he’s very important. He can’t die, you know?”

“I understand.”

Xie Wuchi said nothing more, as if waiting. But Shi Shu also remained quiet. Finally, Xie spoke. “Xin Bin.”

Xin Bin entered from outside. “Lord, what is it?”

“Bring him two hundred taels of silver.”

“Yes.”

As they waited for the money, Shi Shu still couldn’t think of small talk. Xie Wuchi glanced at him once, then shifted his eyes back to the table, saying nothing.

The silence was heavy. Xie Wuchi did not resume eating. Sensing the awkward air, Shi Shu’s throat tightened. He prepared to say a few words, but Xin Bin had already returned, placing a heavy bundle of silver on the desk.

“Lord, the two hundred taels are here.”

“Go to the city barracks prison and bring his man out.”

Xin Bin: “Now?”

Shi Shu nodded. “Oh, right now. Thank you, Xie Wuchi. I’ll go.”

Xie Wuchi did not speak again. He reached for the jade chopsticks and looked at the dishes on the table.

Shi Shu turned and left. His taut muscles loosened all at once, heart pounding fast.

He and Xin Bin went to the city barracks prison. Seeing Xin Bin, the jailer almost stuttered, “G-General Xin! W-why are you here? W-what great matter brings you h-here personally…”

Shi Shu shook his head, too lazy to speak.

Xin Bin said, “The silver’s here. Where’s that young man named Alei? Let him go.”

The jailer: “S-since General Xin has come personally, how would I dare take s-silver? P-please—”

Shi Shu left the politics alone. Walking closer, he saw Alei and reached out to rub his head hard. “Do you know you were wrong? Do you? Still dare? Still dare? Going to brag next time in a big city?”

Alei: “Wuwuwuwu I was wrong, I was wrong, never again!”

Shi Shu: “You must be scared enough. Don’t want to scold you. Come on, let’s go. Your father is waiting. Still going to drink later?”

“No, no more.”

Alei had no visible injuries, just his courage broken. Clutching Shi Shu’s sleeve fearfully, he didn’t dare speak, meek as a lamb. Shi Shu thanked Xin Bin, then led him out of the city barracks.

It was late; a half-moon had risen over the city, casting a milky-white glow. It happened to shine on Shi Shu’s clean brows and eyes, bringing out the boy’s face.

After walking a few steps, Shi Shu turned to look at the grand command residence, unconsciously hooking a finger into his hair, ruffling it.

Alei: “Brother Shu, where did you get those two hundred taels? I really thought I was going to be exiled to the front, fighting those Northern Min savages, I was so scared I didn’t dare breathe!”

Shi Shu glanced lazily at him. “Head back. Don’t do that again. Let’s just say the money fell from the sky.”

“Sorry, big brother.”

Shi Shu put an arm around his shoulder. “First time in a city, you have to be careful for your own safety. Come, don’t overthink it. Since you’ve escaped, be happy.”

Those two hundred taels were swallowed by the barracks prison. Who knew whether they’d end up as an offering to Xie Wuchi anyway. His methods were as consistent as ever. On the silver-lit path, Shi Shu stepped over the crooked stones, forcing himself to relax and returned to their lodging.

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