Chapter Forty-Three: Remember to Return It!

The prefecture ordered each household to pay five hundred coins. Magistrate Xue did not add a single coin on top; he collected the five hundred as stipulated, already a rare and commendable official. Yet even so, the increased taxes in Qingyang could not be collected—clear proof that the common folk, at least in Xuanzhou, were already buckling under unbearable burdens.

And so, when the neighboring county dared to levy more taxes in such straits, it was hardly surprising that the people, driven to desperation, would rise up and cause trouble.

When Captain Li heard the name Shitai, his eyes shifted before he spoke, “Your Honor, we have just returned from suppressing the bandits. Some of our brothers are wounded or dead—we should at least be allowed a day’s rest?”

“How about this: tomorrow I’ll take some men and go see what’s happening in Shitai. What does Your Honor think?”

“Very well.” Magistrate Xue agreed without hesitation, shaking his head with a sigh. “Such matters are not ones I care to meddle in, but what choice do I have when the higher-ups demand action?”

Captain Li poured himself a cup of water, tipped his head back, and drank before asking, “Doesn’t the prefecture have its own soldiers? Isn’t there also a Commander? Why must we from Qingyang send men over? We have so few as it is.”

“You don’t understand,” sighed Magistrate Xue as he settled back into his seat. “When the commoners riot, it’s the county’s concern, at most a local disturbance. Arrest a few, execute them, and the matter is done. But if the prefecture’s troops are deployed, that’s outright rebellion.”

“Never mind what becomes of the rebelling folk; if Xuanzhou pushes them to revolt, the court in the capital will surely dispatch a censor to investigate.”

“The prefecture’s troops dare not move lightly.”

Magistrate Xue sipped his tea, sighing. “Who doesn’t wish to keep their official hat on their head?”

Chief Li curled his lip. “If Shitai really did squeeze extra money from the people, which of those prefectural officials can claim clean hands? In the end, it’s just a guilty conscience.”

Magistrate Xue’s face darkened, and he murmured, “Silence!”

Li Yun smiled and said, “Rest assured. Though I’m a man of the Jianghu, I’m no fool. I would never repeat these words outside, nor endanger Your Honor’s position.”

Magistrate Xue replied gloomily, “What difference does it make whether I serve as magistrate or not? All I wish now is for the next year or two to pass swiftly. Once the rumors subside, I’ll arrange for Yun’er’s marriage anew.”

“By then, whether I remain in office or not is of little importance.”

Li Yun studied him, then smiled. “Your Honor is rather free-spirited.”

Magistrate Xue shook his head. “All my life I sought office, and in the end, this court…”

“Enough.”

He looked at Li Yun with a sigh. “Tomorrow, set out for Shitai. Handle the matter as best you can. Don’t let it grow out of hand.”

Li Yun nodded, then said, “Your Honor, when we attacked the Dragon King Stronghold, one of our constables, Zhu Gui, lost his life. I’ve taken his compensation from the spoils; tomorrow I’ll see it delivered directly to his family.”

Magistrate Xue grunted, waving a hand. “A trifling matter—handle it as you see fit.”

Li Yun stood silently for a long time.

In his eyes, a human life was no small thing, and Zhu Gui—the deceased—was a subordinate whose name he knew, a “colleague” who had followed him for nearly a month.

Because of this, Chief Li felt somewhat dispirited.

Yet to Magistrate Xue, Zhu Gui’s death was merely a minor affair.

After standing for a while, Li Yun collected himself, cupped his hands, and said, “Your Honor, I take my leave.”

Magistrate Xue, seated, looked up at him and sighed. “Thank you for your help this time.”

Captain Li paused in his steps. “Why do you say that, Your Honor?”

“In the first half of the year, we already collected a round of extra taxes. Were it not for you this time, Qingyang would have been forced to collect again. Who knows if that wouldn’t have sparked a popular uprising, especially if rebels in several counties joined forces? Unrest can escalate quickly.”

“You…” Magistrate Xue hesitated, then said, “You’re a man who gets things done. Yet you’re only a captain here in Qingyang.”

“A pity.”

Li Yun smiled. “I have no other talents. If I can do something for my hometown, I count that as accumulating merit for myself.”

With that, he cupped his hands and left the study.

In the front courtyard, Skinny Monkey Li Zheng and Zhang Hu were still waiting for him. Chief Li walked over, patted both their shoulders, and said in a low voice, “Come, let’s go home.”

Li Zheng followed behind, asking, “What did Old Man Xue want with you, Second Brother?”

Li Yun shot him a glance. “We’re still in the county office. Mind your tongue lest someone overhears.”

Li Zheng grinned. “Second Brother, don’t you call him that in private yourself?”

Captain Li did not bother to retort. Instead he said, “There’s been an incident in neighboring Shitai—some commoners rioted and killed an official. Magistrate Xue wants us to go there and help.”

Zhang Hu, who had been silent, scratched his head and asked, “Help whom?”

Both Li Yun and Li Zheng turned to look at him. Zhang Hu’s face was all innocence.

Li Zheng ignored him, instead glancing at Li Yun and lowering his voice. “Second Brother, the people of Xuanzhou have always been law-abiding. For them to rise up and kill an official, they must have been driven to utter desperation.”

Li Yun said nothing.

Skinny Monkey glanced around, lowered his voice, and said, “When we get there, we mustn’t help the authorities massacre the common folk.”

“We’ll see after we learn the situation,” Li Yun replied quietly. “Tomorrow, after we leave town, Skinny Monkey, go back to Cangshan. Have Liu Bo bring a few brothers down the mountain and join us in Shitai.”

Li Zheng paused, then seemed to understand. He looked at Li Yun. “Second Brother, you mean…”

“It’s too early to say.” Chief Li gazed up at the sky. “But our stronghold…”

“We really are too few in number,” Li Zheng said with a laugh, nodding. “I understand!”

Zhang Hu’s eyes lit up. He clapped Li Zheng’s shoulder and asked, “Skinny Monkey, do you know who we’re supposed to help now?”

Li Zheng shot him a look, about to answer, when suddenly a woman’s voice called out.

“Li… Brother Li.”

Li Zheng looked up to see Miss Xue standing not far away.

Skinny Monkey gave Li Yun a sly wink and a grin, then grabbed Zhang Hu by the collar and dragged him off.

Watching their retreating backs, Li Yun called after them crossly, “Wait for me in the courtyard!”

Once the two were gone, Li Yun approached, cupped his hands, and greeted with a smile, “Miss Xue.”

Miss Xue’s gaze lingered on the departing two, and once they were out of sight, she turned back to Li Yun, lowering her voice. “Those two… They’re from your mountain stronghold, aren’t they?”

“I remember their faces.”

When Li Yun didn’t answer, Miss Xue bit her lip. “You brought them to Qingyang as well. Just what are you plotting?”

Chief Li’s expression was calm. “Naturally, to serve Qingyang to the best of our abilities. Perhaps you don’t know, Miss Xue, but they’re now core members of our anti-bandit squad. Just a few days ago, we wiped out another gang of mountain bandits.”

“A great menace removed for the people of Qingyang!”

Seeing Li Yun’s righteous demeanor, Miss Xue almost found it amusing.

“You… You yourself are a bandit.”

Li Yun smiled at her. “No one believes that anymore.”

Miss Xue huffed softly. “It’s because you’re far too sly. Even my father has been taken in by you.”

She clenched her fists. “My father treats you so well. Don’t you dare harbor any wicked designs against him.”

“Otherwise, I—I’ll report you to the authorities!”

“Don’t worry,” Chief Li replied with a smile. “I’m truly grateful to Master Xue. If I ever get the chance, I’ll be sure to repay him handsomely.”

“Oh, by the way,” Li Yun said as he cupped his hands in farewell and smiled, “those two books you lent me, Miss, were very useful. Once I’ve finished reading them, I’ll return them to you.”

Perhaps because she felt acknowledged, Miss Xue seemed pleased and nodded gently.

“Just remember to return them.”

Chief Li’s smile was radiant.

“Of course I will. I’m counting on you, Miss, to lend me more books in the future.”