Chapter 45: Horse Arrives at Yanggu

  Qiu Yuanwai was arrested and detained by the government, and the Qiu Mansion's main gate and various parts of the mansion were sealed off with a notice that they were under surveillance. Due to the severity of the case and the fact that the County Magistrate of Shandong had hanged himself, it was decided to wait for the new County Magistrate to take office or for a special commissioner from the provincial government to conduct the trial. Currently, the county affairs are temporarily managed by Chu Xian, the Assistant Magistrate of Putai County.

  Tang Yao's wife, Huang Yinhe, was rescued and temporarily returned to the Tang family. However, she would still be required to testify in court when the case is formally tried. The other girls who were kidnapped were also questioned about their places of origin and identities, and were registered one by one before being temporarily placed in the Yangji Hospital. Before the case is fully investigated, they are not allowed to disperse. These girls have already lost their innocence, and now that they have regained their freedom, if they return home with a tarnished reputation, the gossip and rumors from their hometowns are inevitable.

  Considering this, Chu County's lieutenant has already promised them that after the case is tried and settled, if there are those who do not want to return home, they can be allowed to choose their own marriage, and those who do not want to marry can be accommodated in the Yangji Hospital as a family. The Yangji Hospital of the Ming Dynasty was established from the seventh year of Hongwu, and the widowed, orphaned, lonely, poor, sick, and dependent people, as well as craftsmen, soldiers, and other weak and disabled people were all objects of care. There are also medical officers in the hospital responsible for diagnosing diseases. However, there are also those who intentionally become nuns, which involves the management officials of Buddhist and Taoist temples, and it is necessary to communicate with them after the case is settled.

  This case has become the biggest scandal in Shandong Prefecture in recent years, but it has made a name for Xia Jun, Ji Gang and Gao Xianning. The story of the three students' clever rescue of the civilian girl has spread rapidly through the mouths of the scholars and licentiates of Putai County, as well as the ordinary people of Putai. Peng Ziyu, who took the greatest risk, is only referred to as a righteous gentleman in this story, without even his name being widely known.

  This is not only because Peng Ziqing did not want to make a name for herself, but also because apart from being used as bait to lure out the enemy at the beginning, there was no room for her to perform in that grand and earth-shaking event that those literati and ordinary people witnessed with their own eyes.

  With this matter settled, Xia Yu thought of leaving, but he was also one of the witnesses. Fortunately, he was a student and had privately explained to Chu County Magistrate that he was on an errand for Prince Qi and couldn't be delayed. After spending half a day's effort, he made a detailed record, signed his name and drew a picture, and only then took his leave and left.

  Chu County Magistrate and Pu Tai scholars, county school students saw off the four righteous men five miles out of the city gate, toasted them with farewell wine, and reluctantly bid each other farewell before returning to the city. Tang Yaoju and Lin Yuqi accompanied the four men all the way to the ferry terminal.

  As soon as they arrived at the ferry, Xia Yu and others stopped in their tracks, turned to Tang Yao and Lin Yiwu and said: "Brother Tang, Brother Lin, we've sent you a thousand miles, but eventually there's a parting. Let's stop here, Qingzhou is not far from here, we'll have a chance to meet again."

  Thus, Lin Mou did not see them off far, and the righteous men had a smooth journey all the way. Lin Yuqi cupped his hands together in respect, while Tang Yao made a grand bow, kneeling on the ground and saying: "Great kindness need not be thanked, esteemed sirs take care on your journey, today's events will be etched in Tang's memory forever."

  Tang Yao was overwhelmed with gratitude, and before that, he had repeatedly thanked Xia Chuan and the others with his elderly mother and beloved wife. With his Jianghu personality, he really wished to become sworn brothers with Xia Chuan and the others, sharing life and death, fortune and misfortune together. However, after learning of their identities, he felt ashamed and inferior, not daring to associate with such distinguished scholars.

  Although Lin Yuqi did not send someone to assist in the battle on time, at a critical moment, it was Lin Yuqi who took action and caught the painful foot of Qiu Yuanwai, saving his daughter. Regardless of whether Lin Yuanwai is indecisive or wavering, this kindness is still there. Moreover, Chu Xiancheng is an law enforcement officer, although they stood on the same front line this time, it is inevitable that their own power was exposed to the government.

  For someone who has just moved to this place and has the ability to gather a group of strong men to attack the mansion, Chu County Magistrate cannot ignore him. If he is still alone, his future days will be difficult, so he goes with the flow and expresses his intention to bring his own people into Lin's family hall, but in his heart, that thread of dislike is still quietly growing.

  Xia Yu and Tang Yao chatted for a long time, then the big ferry boat came over. The four of them bid farewell to Tang and Lin, led their horses onto the ferry.

  After crossing the river and landing on the shore, Xia Yu said: "Brother is going to Yanggu County to handle affairs, I don't know where brothers Gao and Ji are heading?"

  Ji Gang smiled and said, "My brother Gao and I were just about to take a trip to Jinan Prefecture to see the 'Daming Lake', where 'snakes are not seen, frogs do not croak; long rain does not rise, long drought does not dry up'. We have a good friend in Jinan Prefecture named Liu Yuemei. Liu Xian is a young master of a noble family in Jinan Prefecture and has always been on good terms with us two. It's been a long time since we last met, so this trip will be a good opportunity to visit him at his home for a few more days. We can also take the opportunity to send a letter to the Jinan Prefectural School, pull some strings, and borrow some knowledge to prepare for next year's imperial examination."

  Unfortunately, Brother Yang has other important matters to attend to, otherwise we could have traveled together to Jinan for study and sightseeing. The two of us and Brother Yang are like old friends who can't bear to part ways. We plan to stay in Jinan until the end of the imperial examination next year. If Brother Yang has a chance to go to Jinan soon, we can meet again. In the future, when Brother Yang and Peng brothers have a chance to visit Linqu, you must come to my home for a visit, and let me and Xian Ning brother be your hosts.

  Xia Fu smiled and naturally invited the two to visit Qingzhou as guests. After a few words, they bid farewell, mounted their horses, and set off in different directions.

  "Master Peng, what's wrong? We successfully rescued the person, you should be happy, why do you look so down?"

  Xia Liu and Peng Ziqi rode their horses westward, after traveling for a while, Xia Liu saw that Peng Ziqi was not talkative, his spirit was low, and he looked very unhappy.

  Peng Ziqi shook his head lightly: "This time saving people, all thanks to you and the others, I... am quite useless."

  Xia Yu suddenly said: "How can you say that? If it weren't for you, how could we have brought that corrupt official and evil tyrant to justice with the law? This time on the trip to Putai, Gongzi Peng's merits are boundless, how can you say he's useless?"

  Peng Ziqi said listlessly: "It's all useless, the things I've done, if we followed the original plan, we could have found any girl and it would have been fine. Attacking the Avowed Mansion with its high walls and deep courtyards, without your borrowed troops from the Wei garrison, it would have been impossible to succeed. If you hadn't planned ahead of time and incited the county students to surround the Avowed Mansion on all sides, the evidence that was secretly transferred away would have been difficult to obtain. And there's also Master Chang and Master Wang, if they hadn't come with the county people, that lone official might have gambled everything and fought to the end, resulting in both sides suffering losses, and later it would be unclear who was right or wrong, and everyone would have had to spend a few days in jail.

  I've been thinking repeatedly, it seems that even the official's reaction, as well as the actions of the common people, you had all anticipated, and it was precisely this layered borrowing of momentum that forced Single Dog Officer to be at a loss for what to do. In comparison, I'm far inferior, vainly possessing great physical strength and martial arts skills... in fact, if I followed my own ideas, I would only cause trouble and make things worse...

  She rubbed her nose and said in a low voice: "I was wrong, from the first time I saw you, I looked down on you with disdain, now I realize that even if you are a playboy, you are much better than me... I am really useless..."

  Xia Liu heard this and couldn't help but laugh: "What? She thinks I, a charming guy, am not good enough, so she's unhappy? Where did she get that from? Every time I hear her praise me, it sounds like she's actually belittling me."

  He kicked his horse's belly and caught up with Peng Qi, saying seriously: "Young Master Peng, you must not belittle yourself. If it weren't for you, I dare say that these poor girls would definitely not have been rescued. What's even more precious is that in this whole ordeal, some people were after fame, some after profit, and some after power, but only you, Young Master Peng, were completely and utterly dedicated to saving people. To be honest, we should all feel ashamed in front of you."

  Peng Ziqi curiously turned his head and asked: "Huh, what's going on?"

  Xia Zongdao said: "Gao Xianning and Ji Gang, their reputation is loud, they are called righteous men. I do not deny that they have done a good deed, but their motives are not pure, their starting point was not necessarily to save people. Ji Gang's intention to rescue people arose from his rivalry with Gao Xianning, he wanted to prove his own superiority; after rescuing people, observing his words and deeds in front of the scholars and officials on the Pu platform, he is not without a desire for fame, he always intentionally or unintentionally shows off himself, this man's desire for fame is very heavy.

  Compared to him, his good friend Gao Xianning is much less cunning, but he's just a pedantic and ignorant scholar. When they were at the hotel, did you see him show any concern or sympathy for the kidnapped Tang family's daughter? He agreed to cooperate with us, risking losing his official position and reputation, solely to prove the righteousness and ideals in his heart, to prove that those who have been educated in poetry and etiquette must be gentlemen, and those who enjoy government salaries must be dedicated to serving the public. Didn't you see how taciturn he was after the mission succeeded? In fact, he's very depressed.

  And then there's Chu County's lieutenant, you see how ferocious and overbearing he was when he first arrived with his men, but later on, as things took a sudden turn, he suddenly disobeyed orders and refused to follow Single Dragon's commands. Why is that? He definitely had no connection with Qiu Qiu, but he probably wasn't unaware of the fake good deeds of Qiu Qiu either. It was just that previously, he was being cautious and protecting himself. Precisely because of this, we hadn't even brought out the evidence yet, but he already knew that the evidence must be there. When the wind direction changed greatly and Single County Magistrate could no longer cover up everything with one hand, he immediately made a decisive move and turned against him.

  Look, with this move, he not only cleared himself and avoided being implicated in the case, but also achieved a great merit. Even if he can't be promoted to county magistrate by the county governor immediately, having this achievement on his evaluation record will guarantee his promotion at the end of the year. He is a very cunning opportunist. Tang Yaoju was trying to rescue his wife, while Lin Youqi's eyes were shifty and his words were insincere, probably he also had ulterior motives.

  After all, the only ones who are truly uninvolved yet disregard personal gains and losses, and disregard their own safety for the greater good, are you and those students from the county school. Once the matter is settled, they will wipe their hands clean and hide their names, but Peng Gongzi has a rather classical heroic air about him; compared to him, it's us who should be ashamed."

  After being praised by Xia Yu, Peng Ziqi's tender face turned red, as if a thin layer of rouge had been applied to it. She looked even more beautiful. She hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice: "What about you?"

  "Me?"

  Xia Fu smiled wryly: "Me? I'm just a soy sauce seller..."

  "What?"

  "It's nothing, I mean, I was inspired by you, that's why I took the risk and planned the rescue."

  Peng Ziqi brushed a strand of hair from his temple, and said in a low voice: "Glib tongue, sweet words, just know how to coax people."

  She was completely unaware that this action of hers was full of feminine charm; as long as one wasn't blind, anyone who saw her would know she was a woman.

  Xia Liu saw her suddenly revealing her feminine side, and she couldn't help but stare. Peng Ziqi glanced at him with a hint of annoyance, completely unaware, saying: "What are you looking at?"

  Xia Jie hastily shifted his gaze and said, "Nothing, by the way, I haven't asked about your family situation yet. All I've heard is that the Peng family is large and prosperous with many people. How's your situation?"

  Peng Ziqi held the reins, saying softly: "It's nothing much, actually there are just more people, only paternal cousins, I have more than twenty, brothers and sisters in a big lineup, I should be ranked... um, counting to our house but fewer, my mother gave birth to only two."

  "Oh? Are you a big brother, or..."

  "I am..." Peng Ziqi suddenly remembered his current identity and hastily said, "Of course I'm the brother, and I also have a twin sister."

  "Oh? You... and your sister are dragon and phoenix twins? What does your sister look like, what's her personality like?"

  "What's wrong?"

  "Bored on the road, just asking casually."

  "Oh, she's...she..."

  Peng Ziqi's eyes flickered a few times, and he said slowly: "Dragon and phoenix babies don't necessarily look very alike, but... but my sister and I look extremely... alike..."

  Does she also like dancing with swords and rods?

  "She's not, she... um, needlework and cooking household chores, all proficient. Temperament... also very gentle, do not go out the door, do not step over the threshold, don't look at my family compared to your aristocratic mansion rules big, but my family girls are all knowledgeable and courteous, virtuous..."

  She was boasting shamelessly about herself, while also sneaking a few glances at Xia Liu. Xia Liu suppressed the urge to burst out laughing and said seriously: "Hmmm, such a good girl like you, I'm sure the matchmaker must have worn out your family's doorstep, are you engaged?"

  "Not...not yet..."

  "How could that be? Is it because this young, beautiful and gentle big sister of yours rarely leaves the house, so others don't even know you have a marriageable daughter at home?"

  "Of course not!"

  "Because... because I, as the elder brother, have not yet married, she... as the younger sister, cannot be discussed for marriage. Let's go, let's go, we must hurry on our journey!" He said fiercely, whipping his horse to hasten their departure.

  Xia Liu had calculated the time it would take to travel back and forth between Yanggu and Qingzhou, so he considered the return trip to be crucial. Since Peng Ziqi was urging him on, Xia Liu didn't say much more, and the two of them rode their horses as fast as they could. On this day, they arrived at the banks of the Yellow River, and standing on the dike, looking out, the small city across the river was Yanggu County.

  Xia Yu led the horse forward, reined it in on the embankment, and gazed out into the distance. In his heart, he thought to himself: "Once I cross this ferry, I'll get to see that Western Gate official. What kind of person is he?"

  He didn't notice that Peng Ziqi, who was walking behind him with her usual straight back, suddenly slumped down. Peng Ziqi covered her abdomen with her hand and showed a painful expression. She wanted to urge the horse to climb up the embankment, but she kicked the horse's belly twice in succession, yet due to her weak legs, the horse didn't move at all.

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