Chapter Twenty: Northward and Southward

  In the quiet back hall of the county government office, Wu Rui was leisurely drinking tea.

  Wu Chen hastily ran into the house and reported: "Father, the Qin army has withdrawn."

  "Oh?"

  Wu Chen seemed very excited, smiling and saying: "I heard that those bandits are quite capable, on the Rongshu Ridge they led the Qin army in circles, especially at the Qingshi Gorge where a big flood killed hundreds of people, and An Xiao Wei's nose was almost twisted with anger."

  "But I heard that the bandits have escaped to the north of Yangmuliang, so the Qin army has been dispatched to surround and annihilate them. They used to look down on us and didn't believe in us, humph! Good riddance, the farther they go the better."

  Wu Rui's face gradually sank, but Wu Chen didn't notice at all and continued to talk: "I heard that Yin Donglai is from our county, how come I've never heard of it? Otherwise, I must visit him properly and make friends with him."

  "That's enough!" Wu Rui angrily said: "You're getting more and more lawless, Fan Township is under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. Now that the official army has lost to the bandits, how can you have such thoughts? Are thieves someone you can casually befriend?"

  "Father?"

  "Go back and read your books, don't let you run around again." Wu Rui said with a flick of his sleeve in anger, Wu Chen felt a chill down his spine, turned around and quietly walked out. As a rebellious young man, the discontent in his heart grew thicker.

  Wu Cheng had just left when a servant came in to report: "Master, there is a guest who has come to see you."

  "Wu Rui asked: 'What person? May I know his name?'"

  "He was a robust man, around thirty years old. As for his name, I asked, but the guest refused to say more, saying that as long as Master saw this, he would definitely meet him." The old steward respectfully handed over a box.

  Who is it? It's so mysterious, Wu Rui took over the box and found a white handkerchief inside. After opening it and seeing the two big words clearly, Wu Rui's pupils suddenly enlarged, his eyes were full of surprise and uncertainty, but he regained composure after a moment. He instructed: "Please ask the guest to go to the study, no one is allowed to disturb."

  "Promise!"

  A moment later, a man walked into the study. Wu Rui looked him up and down, seeing that the man was around thirty years old, tall and sturdy, giving off an air of stability. His eyes were very spirited, always revealing a sense of vigilance.

  "It's Mr. Wu!" The visitor addressed him as "Mr." rather than "County Magistrate", indicating that he was visiting in a private capacity.

  Wu Rui's expression was warm and elegant, she nodded her head and said: "Warrior, no need to be too polite, please sit down." Then she asked again: "Does the warrior recognize my younger brother?"

  On the white silk were written two words: Wu Zhen, who was indeed Wu Rui's younger brother. Wu Zhen had left home many years ago to follow a high-ranking official. Because of the extremely secretive nature of his work, very few people knew about it.

  The strong man said in a low voice: "I have come to visit Mr. Wu on behalf of my master, whose surname is Fan."

  Wu Rui's body trembled slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he said: "It has been many years since we last met, is Mr. Wen Xuan doing well?"

  "I offer Mr. Wu's good fortune, everything is fine with my master." The strong man stood up respectfully and returned the courtesy.

  "Unknown Mr. Wenxuan sent a strong man over, what's the matter?" Wu Rui asked directly without beating around the bush.

  The strong man said: "There must be someone Mr. Wu knows?"

  "Who is it?"

  "Yin Xu Yin Dong Lai!"

  "Ah?" Wu Rui was slightly stunned and asked: "What? Does Yin Xu have a connection with your esteemed family?"

  "Mr. Wu is not an outsider, to be honest with you, this Mr. Yin is a benefactor of our mansion. This time, Mr. Yin was besieged by the government, it's actually because of the trouble caused by our mansion."

  "Huh? What's going on?" Wu Rui was even more bewildered and couldn't understand it any better.

  "Last year, my master was pursued and killed by the powerful men of Xianyang because he had offended them. My mistress and young lady were almost harmed by their henchmen when they passed through Pengze, but fortunately, Mr. Yin came to their rescue and saved them."

  "Ah, I see!" Wu Rui had some understanding of his family and after hearing Zhuang Shi's words, she had already guessed the general idea. So she didn't ask more questions, but instead spoke directly: "Mr. Wenxuan has plans, what does he need me to do?"

  Zhuang Shi said: "Mr. Yin is indeed in a difficult situation, if he were to move to the border of Fan County, I would like to ask Mr. Wu to consider his relationship with my master and provide some convenience."

  "Wu Rui hesitated and didn't speak."

  Zhuang Shi said: "To be honest, I have already met with Yin Gongzi. He just wants to borrow the way and replenish some supplies. He will leave soon and won't give Mr. Wu any trouble."

  Wu Rui hesitated for a moment, then said: "Alright, Yin Donglai's troops can safely pass through Fan County, but please try not to linger too long, lest An Tong becomes suspicious and uses it as an excuse to send troops to Fan County. I also have my own difficulties, so please tell Mr. Wen Xuan that I hope he will understand."

  "Sir Wu, you're overthinking it, that's enough, thank you! I won't delay any further, I'll take my leave first."

  Wu Rui stood up and said: "In that case, I won't keep the strong men here for long. Please take me to see Mr. Wenxuan and bid him farewell, let's go slowly."

  Standing at the gate, Wu Rui couldn't help but sigh as he watched the strong man's back disappear into the distance, looking very helpless. At this moment, outside the gate of Fan County Government Office, a middle-aged man saw the strong man's departing figure and his eyes flickered with a hint of doubt, as if deep in thought. Before he knew it, he had already walked to the entrance of the county government office, where the duty officer greeted him respectfully: "County Magistrate Chen!"

  The strong man's identity was Fan Qing, the attendant of the purple-clothed girl on that day. Sent by his young lady, he came to help Yin Xu. Fan Qing had thought about sending some supplies to Yin Xu, but when he arrived, he only then learned about the matter of Qing Shi Gou and sighed in his heart: It seems that the young lady really didn't misjudge this person, this Mr. Yin indeed has an extraordinary aspect.

  However, after hearing that the Qin army was making large-scale movements, Fan Qing felt that Yin Xu was in a precarious situation and might encounter trouble. Therefore, he went to look for him in time and met Yin Xu two days ago in a village north of Rongshu Ridge. After discussing with him, they came south to Pan County to make arrangements for everything.

  As soon as he came out of the county government office, Fan Qing let out a gentle sigh. The first thing was done. Now it's time for the second one. He quickly mounted his horse and rushed to Pengze Lake in a cloud of dust.

  ……

  "What? Can't find anyone?" An Tong angrily questioned in a loud voice from inside the lakeside tent.

  The scout trembled and said: "The thieves were still in the vicinity of Caijia Village this morning, but suddenly they disappeared."

  One of the officers whispered: "General, will the bandits return to Róngshù Ridge again?"

  "Yes, it's very likely, our troops have just come out."

  An Tong suddenly laughed and said: "You say, if the thieves return to Rongshu Ridge, what is their purpose?"

  The minister thought: "Hide in the deep mountains and avoid our army."

  "It's possible, but as long as we surround the mountain road, the bandits will be trapped inside. Do they have enough food and fodder?"

  Xin Gang said on one side: "Fan Township, the bandits are trying to lure the tiger away from the mountain, cross over the Congshu Ridge and go to Fan Township County."

  "That's right!" An Tong smiled and said: "A few days ago, when the bandits came out of the mountain, I had a suspicion in my heart, so I left a hand. If we can annihilate them outside the mountain, it would be best. If the bandits really want to escape from Fan Township, hum! The general has already taken precautions, deliberately deploying two troops from Fan Township to confuse the bandits. I have ordered Wu Rui to guard there, just waiting for the rabbit to take the bait."

  "General Gao is brilliant!" Xingang's flattery will always be presented at the most opportune moment, never missing a beat.

  An Tong pointed at Xin Gang and smiled: "Send someone to investigate the thief's trail, then guard here and report the news at any time. I will personally lead people to the south, Wu Rui is not very trustworthy."

  Xin Gang respectfully said: "Yes!"

  At this time, Yin Xu was leading his men back to Rongshuling, and their destination was Fan Township in the south. As they walked, Yin Xu thought to himself: I wonder if Fan Qing is well-prepared? Hopefully this trip to the south won't be a waste of effort!