Chapter 43: Gathering of Heroes

  Xia Fu held up Peng Qi and asked in surprise: "Peng Gongzi, what's wrong with you?"

  Peng Ziqi's eyes were hard to see, and he forced himself to say: "I was splashed with lime, my eyes are sore. The Avenger's mansion has a secret cave, the entrance is in the study, push open the bookshelf to enter."

  "Slaked lime?"

  Xia Fu's face changed greatly, and he turned around to say: "Sir Du..."

  Du Qianhu said, "I understand, brothers, charge!" Leading more than thirty burly men, wielding various weapons, they charged towards the Qiufu residence like a group of ancient thugs in a midnight street fight. Xia Bian bent down and swept Peng Ziyue's legs from under her, then picked her up.

  Peng Ziqi let out a cry of surprise and instinctively hooked his neck, shouting: "What are you doing?"

  Xia Fu didn't respond, looked around, saw a household door that was still somewhat intact, rushed forward and kicked the door with his leg: "Open the door, open it quickly!"

  He shouted twice, but before he could wait for a response from inside, Xia Yu used his strength to kick the door open with three swift kicks. The lights inside flickered on, and a tall, dark-skinned man with a muscular build, wearing only his pants, rushed out holding a rolling pin, asking in a trembling voice: "Y-you... what are you doing?"

  "Vegetable oil, bring vegetable oil quickly!" Xia Yu carried Peng Qi into the house as if it were empty, shouting loudly.

  The old and young of that household all ran out with their clothes in disarray, seeing a Confucian scholar dressed young master supporting a girl, it didn't seem like bandits at the door, only then did they react, the master of the house hastily ordered his wife: "Quickly, bring over the vegetable oil."

  Xia Jiang put Peng Ziqi on the chair, snatched a bottle of vegetable oil from the old woman's hand, and rinsed Peng Ziqi's eyes with it. The vegetable oil flowed like water, and the whole family felt heartbroken at the sight. When Peng Ziqi's eyes could see things slightly, he suddenly felt relieved in his heart. Only then did he realize that he was disheveled and had vegetable oil all over his face, and that Yang Dashao had seen him looking so ugly. Feeling embarrassed and ashamed, he hastily asked the man of the household: "Uncle, do you have any clean water at home?"

  "Oh... over there, in the backyard, there's a vat..."

  That man still didn't understand what was going on, and before he could react, Peng Qi had already jumped up and flown through the hall into the backyard. Xia Fu couldn't follow him, so he could only wait in the hall. He explained a few sentences to the old and young people of this household, then lifted his foot to look at the direction of the Avenging Mansion, not knowing what the situation was like on Du Qianhu's side, really anxious on both sides.

  Du Qianhu ran wildly along the road, running over a hundred steps, and saw a very large mansion by the roadside. There was a lantern pole at the door, shining on the two big characters "Qiu Fu" on the door. Someone called out: "Sir, this is it, this is Qiu Fu."

  Du Qianhu was a straightforward person, he waved his hand and ordered: "Break down the door!"

  As soon as the words fell, a group of people rushed over from the other end of the street, with one person limping and stumbling in front. This group of people held pitchforks, clubs, and all sorts of colorful weapons in their hands, shouting and killing more fiercely than them, making Du Qianhu stunned.

  He hadn't even asked the question when those people saw them storming into the Avenging Mansion. The limping man was Tang Yaoju, who had heard that his daughter-in-law hadn't been found and had brought a brother to help him search. He was frantic with worry and had personally rushed over to join in the fight. Just as he arrived at this place, he happened to see Du Qianhu's gang storming into the Avenging Mansion. Tang Yaoju was overjoyed and shouted: "Are you brothers from Taibai Residence?"

  Du Qianhu was taken aback: "How did they know I came from Tai Bai's residence?" He responded with a single word: "Really, how?"

  Tang Yao exclaimed with joy: "Brothers, I was wrong to suspect you, you are indeed good and righteous men!" He turned to the people he had brought with him and shouted: "Reinforcements have arrived, let's go together!" With that, he led those people in a charge towards the Du mansion. Du Qianhu suddenly realized: "This must be the reinforcements Yang Gongzi was talking about? Tsk tsk tsk, what a motley crew, it's really hard to imagine where Yang Gongzi found them."

  The situation was urgent, and Du Qianhu didn't say much. The two armies merged into one place and joined forces to attack the Avenging Mansion. Although the Avenging Mansion had made preparations, it was no match for Du Qianhu's well-trained professional soldiers. With Tang Yaoju leading those Jianghu fugitives in full cooperation, they broke into the Avenging Mansion and killed their way deep inside. For a time, the Avenging Mansion was thrown into chaos, with chickens flying and dogs jumping, women and children crying out in alarm.

  The commotion had already startled the neighbors, and many households were awakened, but they didn't dare to come out and watch, hiding in the dark to observe the situation. The night patrolmen and watchmen discovered the disturbance from afar and ran over to take a look before turning around and fleeing, shouting all the way: "Bandits have entered the city! Bandits are robbing the Zheng family's mansion!"

  Xia Xuan faintly heard the cries of killing coming from the Qiu mansion, and he hated that he couldn't rush over immediately. Just then, Peng Ziqi slowly walked out, her clothes completely wet and clinging to her body. In the dim light, her slender figure was vaguely visible. She walked up to Xia Xuan's side and said with some embarrassment: "I... I'm fine now..."

  "What about your eyes?" Xia Jiang hurriedly asked again.

  Peng Ziqi's eyes were red and swollen like peaches, she didn't want him to see her like this, so she kept her head down. At this moment, she heard his concern and felt a warmth in her heart, softly saying: "I'm fine, the treatment was timely, just a slight swelling, no big deal."

  Xia Xun's heart suddenly calmed down, and he finally had the mood to look at her appearance. Her forehead was slightly furrowed, her skin as white as delicate porcelain, with each crystal clear water droplet sliding gently down her still flushed cheeks, shimmering under the lamp light. For some reason, it made him think of the poem "Unknowingly, I met you in the golden basin, and received the jade dew's favor".

  "What's wrong? What's going on?"

  Peng Ziqi didn't raise his head but noticed his scorching gaze and somewhat uneasily swept a hand through his hair.

  "Oh, nothing." Xia Yu composed himself and said: "You're fine, that's good. I don't know what's going on at the Chou estate, I'd better hurry over and take a look."

  "I'm going too!"

  Peng Ziqi gritted her teeth and said, "They actually used such despicable means to deal with me. I must tear them into pieces..." Before she finished speaking, she had already rushed out. Xia Jiu hastily pulled out a roll of treasure notes and placed it on the table, apologizing, "In my haste, I have committed many offenses. This is just a small compensation, please accept it," and with that, he too rushed out like a gust of wind, leaving behind a family staring at each other in shock, unable to speak.

  When Xia Yu and Peng Ziqi arrived, Du Qianhu and Tang Yaoji had already rushed to the main house of the Qiufu mansion. Qiufu's father led some loyal and brave family members guarding the door of the study, both sides lit lanterns and torches, illuminating everything as bright as day.

  Enemies meet, and their eyes turn red. Peng Qi rushed over with a knife and charged forward, but she didn't expect that Xia Jiu, this young master, also had the guts to charge forward. Xia Jiu swung his fists and kicked for a few moments before letting out a cry of pain and falling to the ground, as if he had been hit by someone. As soon as Peng Qi saw him rush in, she paid attention to his movements and quickly flew over when she saw this situation, fearing that Du Qianhu, who was already rushing over, would cause trouble for the noble people of the Qi Wang Fu. He supported Xia Jiu's other arm.

  The two men helped Yang Xiu up and asked in unison: "Young Master Yang, are you alright?"

  Xia Liu Dao: "These Qiufu family servants are so ferocious, I'm fine, it's just...just..."

  He rummaged through his sleeve for a while and pulled out a piece of debris, saying regretfully: "What a pity, my Tongguan token has been torn to shreds."

  Peng Ziqi didn't know what he was talking about and asked in surprise: "What is a Chuangongpai?"

  Du Qianhu smiled, "Fortunately, this plaque blocked it for a moment. As long as the young master is safe, that's all that matters. It's just one plaque, after returning to Qingzhou, the young master can ask for another one."

  Xia Yu turned his anger into joy and said, "Brother Du's words are indeed correct!" As he spoke, he casually threw the ivory fragment in his hand to the ground. At this time, Tang Yao hurriedly came over with a limp, initially thinking that it was someone sent by Du Yewu to assist him. Only after surrounding Qiushu's study and having some time to interact did he realize that this was a helper invited by Yang Gongzi.

  Xia Liu helped his old mother to file a complaint at the county government office. Among his subordinates, someone had seen Xia Liu before and quickly explained Xia Liu's identity to him. Tang Yaoju was so grateful that he burst into tears and when he arrived in front of Xia Liu, he bowed his head and said: "Great kindness and righteousness, Tang Yaoju has no way to repay you, please accept my gratitude and this bow from Tang."

  Xia Yu only then knew that Tang Yao, who had lost his wife, had also arrived. He hastily went forward to help him up and was about to comfort him when a group of bowmen and catchers came rushing in, quickly setting up another encirclement around them. County Magistrate Chu Maike, dressed in official attire, with a cold face like water, walked forward and shouted loudly: "Who dares to carry torches and enter the residence of a noble family at night? Quickly surrender your arms and I will investigate according to the law. Otherwise, you will be treated as bandits and executed on the spot!"

  On either side of him, there was a sword-bearing patrolman. In front of him, there were two rattan shield bearers. Behind him, there was a row of bowmen with their bows drawn and arrows ready to fly. The atmosphere was tense with killing intent. Under these sharp arrows, no one dared to make any rash move. Otherwise, a misunderstanding would lead to a hail of arrows, and even the most skilled person would find it hard to escape the deadly arrows.

  Tang Yao couldn't bear to see his benefactor get hurt, so he hurriedly struggled forward, opened his arms and shouted: "Your Honor, the common people are wronged! My wife was forcibly taken away by someone. I have investigated clearly that the one who took my wife is the master of this mansion, Ou Qiu. I beg Your Excellency..."

  "Daring and unruly commoners, with no regard for the law!"

  Chu Mai Kou's voice was like thunder, his spear pointing as he shouted loudly: "If you have any grievances, you should report to the authorities..."

  "The humble folk have indeed beaten the drum and cried out for justice, but Magistrate..."

  "Shut up! Insufficient evidence, how can the magistrate listen to your one-sided words? Now that you have news, why didn't you report it to the county government, but instead gathered a group of fugitives, armed with torches and swords, and attacked the Qiu mansion? Is there no law in this world?"

  "The common people are worried that with so many mouths, once the news leaks out, it will be hard to grasp his handle again, so..."

  "Is this why you disregard the law and commit such banditry? Such actions are tantamount to rebellion! Do you know that?! Put down your weapons, surrender, or else I will order my men to shoot you with arrows and end your lives immediately!"

  "Adult..."

  The county lieutenant waved his hand and said decisively: "Prepare to fire arrows!"

  "Damn it! You're so arrogant with your fancy clothes and your 'dare to shoot' attitude. I'd like to see who dares to kill someone!"

  A burst of laughter and jeers from the crowd, Du Qianhu lazily walked out with a swagger, casting a sideways glance at Chu Xiancheng.

  Magistrate Chu glared at him with wide eyes and shouted: "Who are you? Report your name!"

  Du Qianhu tossed it with a flick of his wrist, and a lacquered gold waist token clanged to the ground at the feet of Chu County Magistrate: "Who I am, take a good look yourself."

  One of the constables took two steps back, picked up his badge and handed it to Magistrate Chu. Magistrate Chu looked at it carefully by the light of the torches, and his expression changed suddenly. He hastily raised his hand to stop the bowmen from shooting, and stared at Du Qianhe in surprise, saying: "You... who are you, after all?"

  Du Qianhu strode forward with a swagger, pushing aside the two rattan shields, and walked right up to the face of Chu County's lieutenant. With an air of arrogance, he said: "I am Du Qianhu of Putaiwei, this time I have been entrusted by a noble of the Qi Wangfu to capture the bandits. Who dares to kill our officers and soldiers?"

  Chu County's vice magistrate's face changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice: "Isn't this, Sir Du, a case of drawing a snake and adding feet to it?"

  Just as he was saying this, someone else shouted in extreme anger: "Who is so bold and daring to gather a crowd to attack the enemy's mansion? Where is Chu County Magistrate He? Why hasn't he arrested all these offenders yet?"

  The crowd parted, and Pu Tai, the county magistrate, came running over with a flushed face. As soon as he saw Chu Mai Kou, his expression changed to one of relief. Chu Mai Kou was in charge of capturing bandits in the county, and his presence meant that the archers and catchmen were already in position, so everything was settled.

  The county magistrate took a few deep breaths and said, "Lord Chu has arrived, I just received the news. Who is it that dares to defy the law, launching a night attack on the Qiu residence? Why haven't they been apprehended yet?"

  Magistrate Chu's eyes flickered slightly as he stepped forward and bowed, saying: "Your Honor, this matter is likely to be a bit tricky."

  The county magistrate was taken aback and angrily said: "Difficult? What's difficult?"

  The Chu County magistrate leaned over and whispered a few words to him, the Chu County magistrate's face suddenly turned pale, he looked at Du Qianhu and gradually showed a hesitant expression.

  At this time, the people guarding the study also knew that reinforcements had arrived outside. Qiu Yuanwai was supported by someone to stick his head out of the window and shouted: "Mr. Shan, Brother Shan, save me! These rioters are robbers, bandits! Brother Shan, please save me, please save me..."

  Upon hearing the shouting, the hesitant expression on County Magistrate's face disappeared. His face sank and he said: "The imperial court has its own system, when did local affairs involve the appearance of Wei officials? Since we are both officials in the same place, one civil and one military, governing the locality, I won't take it too seriously for myself. Today's matter, I'll just pretend it never happened. Please, Commander Qian, take your men and leave immediately. No one else is allowed to go, everyone will be taken back to the county government office for interrogation."

  Xia Jiang stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Honor, we have solid evidence. The master of the Qiu family has secretly abducted beautiful women from among the people, hiding them in a den of lust to satisfy his beastly desires. We are driven by righteous indignation, and our actions are aimed at eliminating evil for the people. This is a righteous deed that deserves recognition. Even if we have committed some offense against the law, there are degrees of severity and urgency. Shouldn't Your Honor also send someone to investigate the situation in this study first?"

  "Yang Gongzi, it's you again!"

  County Magistrate Shun's face sank: "Young Master Yang, Qi Yuanwai is a prominent scholar-official in Putai County. Without evidence, I, as the official, cannot make things difficult for him. Now, all I see is that you've gathered a crowd and forced your way into the Qi residence. Where is the actual evidence you speak of?"

  "This is the witness. She was kidnapped by Hua Xiaoyu, the general manager of Qiu's mansion, and brought into the mansion. In this study, there is a hidden entrance that leads directly to an underground cave, where many women are being held captive. This young lady escaped from the den of evil, and we obtained accurate information. We were afraid that Qiu would become suspicious and destroy the evidence, so we had no choice but to forcefully enter the mansion. If you don't believe me, go in and investigate for yourself."

  "Ah?" The county magistrate was taken aback, and with a stiff upper lip said: "Alright, since that's the case, you can be witnesses. Go to the county yamen first and wait, I will personally search the Avenging Mansion, once evidence is obtained, this case will be publicly tried."

  At this moment, another person emerged from the crowd. He was panting and sweating profusely, running with all his might. As soon as he saw Yang Xuan, he beckoned to him, raising his thumb high in the air. It was none other than Ji Gang, who had been out of sight for a long time.

  As soon as Xia Yu saw him make a gesture, he was suddenly relieved and didn't want to pretend with the county magistrate anymore. He said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile: "I'm afraid that once we leave, Your Honor won't be able to find any evidence!"

  The county magistrate's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he suddenly harbored murderous intentions. He took a step forward, his face twisted in a sinister smile, and asked: "What do you mean by these words, Young Master Yang?"

  PS: Right-click a little, vote for votes, relax and thank you!