Chapter 81 - No Zuo No Die!
Tang Yue noticed a child concealed behind a nearby tree, eyeing his food with eager longing.
What sort of expression was that? Tang Yue couldn't recall ever witnessing such intense desire in his two lifetimes.
Tang Yue's heart quivered. Glancing around, he surreptitiously signaled to the child, who hesitated for a moment before emerging from behind the tree trunk. The child cautiously approached, step by step.
Only upon closer inspection did Tang Yue fully discern the child's face. He was painfully emaciated, reduced to mere skin and bones, his entire body covered in grime. At first glance, Tang Yue thought he resembled an African refugee.
Tang Yue extended the remainder of his food to the child. The child stared at him for an extended moment, tentatively reaching out his hands and retracting them midway, much like a skittish feline.
“Take it. It's all I have.” Tang Yue sighed and slipped half a slice of cake into the child's arms.
The child sniffed the offering and displayed a contented, grateful smile. Swiftly, he darted back to the village, clutching the food protectively.
Tang Yue watched the child's retreating figure for a long while. When he snapped out of his reverie, he noticed an extra piece of cake before him. The benefactor who had shared his food was engrossed in studying a map.
“Thank you,” Tang Yue expressed his gratitude without hesitation, then resumed eating.
Since his arrival in this world, Tang Yue had made it a point to consume every morsel of food, regardless of its quality. In times of famine, people lacked the luxury of being selective.
After finishing his meal, Tang Yue approached Wang Zizhao and inspected the map in his hands. It was undeniable that the maps of this era were incredibly rudimentary, often beyond the comprehension of ordinary individuals.
Wang Zizhao pointed to a location that resembled both a mountain and a rock and stated, “Based on our assumptions, it's highly probable that the bandits are holed up here.”
“Then where are we now?” Tang Yue asked.
Wang Zizhao traced a path backward, indicating a specific location. “We should reach the mountain in about two hours.”
“Ahem…” Zhao Sanlang, who had been discreetly listening, coughed as he choked on his water. He wiped his mouth and stood up, preparing for the life-or-death battle awaiting him in two hours.
As the deadline loomed, his anxiety grew. What could he do to calm his nerves?
Zhao Sanlang stretched and flexed his limbs, exchanging a sly glance with Ping Shun. They slipped away to discuss some secret strategies.
Tang Yue couldn't decide whether to laugh or sigh. If this was how the second generation of officials behaved, it seemed unlikely that the country would descend into chaos anytime soon. Their camaraderie was just too amicable.
“Let's proceed,” Hu Jinpeng commanded, and the team resumed their march.
They hadn't taken three steps when a villager rushed out and shouted, “Sir… please, wait…”
Tang Yue turned around to see an elderly man with white hair hobbling toward them, clutching a branch as a makeshift cane. Behind him was the child she had just noticed.
“Master, don't continue forward…”
“Elder, what are you trying to convey?” Hu Jinpeng perched atop his horse, peering down at the elderly man and the young lad.
Both men knelt before them, bowing three times. “Master, there are ruthless bandits ahead. They spare no one. I owe them a debt, and I dare not leave it unpaid.”
Hu Jinpeng turned his gaze to Wang Zizhao, who nodded inquiringly. “Are you aware of the bandits' whereabouts?”
The old man hesitated and lay prostrate on the ground, trembling.
Tang Yue approached, extending a hand to assist the pair. The child flashed a smile at him and spoke in a dialect while tugging at the old man's tattered garments.
The elderly man was on the verge of kneeling before Tang Yue, but Tang Yue, with a formidable presence, firmly held him up. “Sir, if you know the hideout of these robbers, please inform us. We've come to eliminate the bandits.”
“No… No…” The old man waved his hand, protesting, “They are numerous and enjoy government support. Going after them means certain death.”
Tang Yue was taken aback and swiftly turned to Wang Zizhao. The significance of this statement was profound.
Wang Zizhao raised his hand, and the four sedan carriers gently lowered the sedan to the ground. He approached with hands clasped behind his back, his demeanor serious as he inquired, “Do you have any information about the bandits' strength? Why do you believe they have government backing?”
Wang Zizhao's demeanor was notably more imposing than Tang Yue's, devoid of smiles or warmth. He appeared less approachable.
The elderly man cowered, nearly bowing down again in fear, were it not for Tang Yue's support preventing him from kneeling.
Tang Yue was tempted to mention that skipping the act of kneeling would save him some time.
“Young master, if I speak words I ought not to today, it might bring dire consequences to our village tomorrow.”
“Well… Young master will ensure your safety. How many folks reside in your village? You should prepare to depart for the east now. Upon reaching Yu Xin City, arrangements will be made for you.”
Wang Zizhao summoned a personal guard. “He's the son of the City Lord of Yu Xin City. Rest assured.”
Tang Yue gaped in astonishment, casting an incredulous glance at the guard. He hadn't anticipated that any random bodyguard beside Wang Zizhao would turn out to be the City Lord's son!
He had shared light-hearted banter with these guards in the past, thinking he was easily approachable. Little did he realize they were respecting him not because of his own status but because of Wang Zizhao.
Hearing this, the elderly man knelt once more. “Young Master, we're profoundly grateful for your kindness. I extend our gratitude on behalf of the villagers.”
“Get up. Tell me everything you know now.”
“Yes,” the elderly man rose to his feet, offering a respectful bow before speaking. “Originally, these robbers were destitute refugees in the vicinity. There were over a hundred of them. Initially, they merely pilfered from merchants' wealth and goods without harming anyone.
However, about a year ago, their leadership shifted. This new leader was ruthless and brutal. He not only stole but also took lives. As word of his infamy spread, fewer merchants ventured here. Consequently, he began to cast his eyes on the nearby villages.
As you can see, our village has been reduced to this state. While we may not have been prosperous, we had our share. At least we had the warmth of family and the means to carry on.
Ever since that marauder set foot in our village, he took away our young men and women. We were left with neither food nor money. We, the elderly and frail, proved of no use to them, which is why we survived.
I've heard that this bandit now commands a thousand strong followers. A few days ago, my child returned secretly, bearing severe injuries. He warned us to leave this place swiftly. This bandit aims to establish his dominion within a hundred li around here, and we'll be taken as forced laborers in his mines.”
“Doesn't the government intervene?” Tang Yue found it somewhat unbelievable. How could the government turn a blind eye to a gang of criminals wreaking havoc within its territory?
“I've heard that the bandit has bribed the deputy city lord of Qinyang City, leading to their peaceful coexistence. However, a few days ago, for some reason, the government dispatched troops to eliminate the bandits, but they were all annihilated. This is also why I tried to dissuade you, esteemed guests. The bandits' hideout is not easily eradicated.”
Wang Zizhao furrowed his brow, directing a question to Hu Jinpeng. “How did you draft the report in Qinyang City?”
“I simply reported the existence of hundreds of bandits outside the city who were robbing passing merchants. Given the city's limited military strength, they attempted to confront them several times before seeking aid.”
Tang Yue felt a sense of bewilderment. “If the one colluding with these criminals is the deputy city lord, wouldn't the city lord take action?”
“Young master may not be aware. In Qinyang City, the city lord is a mere ten-year-old, while the deputy city lord holds sway over all affairs,” Hu Jinpeng explained to him.
“What? How did a ten-year-old become the city lord?” Tang Yue pondered silently, “Could it be that the city lordship is also a matter of familial entitlement?”
The truth aligned with his suspicions. The city lordship of Qinyang City was directly bestowed by the king, the Loyal and Brave Marquis. It was an inheritance spanning three generations. After the passing of the previous city lord, his son ascended the throne, and upon his son's demise, the grandson inherited the mantle.
That child had ascended to city lordship while still a mere infant. He had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, acquiring power and wealth that others could scarcely attain in their lifetimes, no matter how diligently they toiled.
Tang Yue sighed with understanding. He absorbed Hu Jinpeng's analysis. “Perhaps the thieves grew too rapidly. The bandit leader harbored ambitions that clashed with the interests of Qinyang City's deputy city lord. Their partnership dissolved, leading to this confrontation.”
The deputy city lord soon realized that the bandits were no longer the pushovers they once were. “They're no longer the type easily swatted aside. Hence, he reported the situation to the Imperial Court and sought reinforcements.”
Tang Yue felt like applauding. Brother Hu's analysis was spot-on. In essence, a mafia tied to a high-ranking official had expanded in influence and numbers. Seeking independence from that official's control, their negotiations soured, leading to a mafia uprising and subsequent conflict. The official grew anxious.
What if he couldn't manage it? In such a case, he'd align with an organization, or even a nation! That's why they were here to eliminate the bandits.
Truly, they affirmed the saying: “If you don't wish to die, you won't die.”
In Tang Yue's perspective, the deputy city lord had it coming. His fate was well-deserved.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om