"Run, why aren't you running anymore?" Wu Caiwei looked at them with a half-smile. This game of cat and mouse added a little color to her otherwise bland life, and it was quite interesting.
"Great hero, spare our lives. We know we were wrong. As long as you let us go, we will go east if you point east and west if you point west." The second-in-command, seeing no hope of escape, quickly begged for mercy.
"Too late!" After speaking, Wu Caiwei took out a rope and tied them up again.
Walking on the street of the county town, she attracted a lot of attention. Arriving at the county yamen and standing in the courtroom, not only the onlookers on the street but also the yamen runners pointed and whispered.
As soon as the scribe arrived, the hall immediately quieted down. Everyone pricked up their ears, wanting to hear the whole story. Even the scribe looked at her with great interest.
After listening to her explain the cause and effect, the scribe sized her up from head to toe. Anyone who didn't know might have thought she was a young master from a noble family. With such bearing and appearance, no one could connect her with someone who roamed the jianghu. However, with the bandits kneeling on the ground, he had no choice but to believe. It was true that appearances could be deceiving, and one couldn't judge a book by its cover.
When he walked out of the crowd with twenty taels of silver, the onlookers unconsciously made way for him, all looking at him with envious eyes.
Wu Caiwei smiled and shook her head, returning to the mountain stronghold. The grain in the warehouse had disappeared. Those who had been sent out to distribute food to the villagers were returning one after another.
Everyone ate dinner in silence, worrying about their future.
After dinner, she quietly rode her horse to the old man's courtyard. Before she entered, she heard joyful voices. At first, Wu Caiwei thought they had discovered her, and she pondered how to explain her current actions to them. Then she heard the old man say incredulously, "Every household received grain from the mountain stronghold today. With this, we can safely get through the winter. Life still has hope."
"Could it be that the young brother who stayed at our house last night helped?"
"I think it's very likely. He said yesterday not to worry, and after he left today, the attitude of these bandits changed. Besides him, I can't think of any other reason." The old man said excitedly.
...
Wu Caiwei did not know what they said next, as she had already quietly led her horse away. She came today mainly to see if the people in the mountain stronghold had distributed the grain and if they could survive. Knowing what she wanted to know, there was nothing else to linger for. She had other things to do that could not be delayed.
The county magistrate was fast asleep when he felt someone by his bed and opened his eyes groggily. He was almost scared to death.
"Don't scream, or my sword will cut your throat." Wu Caiwei had long guarded against him. The moment he opened his eyes, she pulled the clothes beside him and covered his mouth.
The county magistrate nodded gently, feeling a little panicked. The world was not peaceful, and he had already strengthened his defenses. Someone who could appear before him so silently must have very high martial arts skills. Calling for help loudly would be a last resort. He guessed that before he could even shout for help, his head would be on the ground.
"Please spare my life, great hero. Whatever you need, just ask, and I will do my best to satisfy you." The county magistrate begged for mercy while pondering the other party's purpose.
"I am an ordinary citizen within your jurisdiction. I originally just wanted to live a peaceful life. Who knew that our county's exorbitant taxes were more than any other county? Life was unbearable. So I've come to find you." At this time, Wu Caiwei was wearing night-walking attire and deliberately lowered her voice, appearing completely as a man.
As soon as he finished speaking, cold sweat began to break out on the county magistrate's forehead. Who in his jurisdiction was this person?
"Please, great hero, reveal your name. We will no longer collect your taxes. Not only that, but we will also give you several hundred taels of silver each year." The county magistrate offered tempting terms, hoping to make him leave quickly.
"Do you think I'm stupid? If I reveal my name, will my whole family still have a good life? Perhaps my life will be in danger. I don't believe you won't retaliate." Wu Caiwei snorted coldly.
"I didn't mean that. If you don't believe me, I can swear to the heavens immediately." The county magistrate quickly explained.
"If that's the case, we will survive. But my fellow villagers, we have lived together for so many years, and we have feelings. I don't want any problems to arise with my neighbors. So I've thought of a good solution for you." Wu Caiwei looked at him meaningfully.
"Please tell me, great hero." In the county magistrate's eyes, the priority was to get rid of this killer first. Standing in front of him, he felt his life was threatened.
"That is to be an honest official. My sword is not discerning. If I kill you and frame the bandits, I can go back to being my ordinary citizen. No one will find out. Anyway, the imperial court will send new officials. You are just a fleeting figure. Between gold, silver, jewels, and life, I believe the wise county magistrate knows which to choose."
Looking at the determined man before him, the county magistrate felt somewhat wronged. He was asked to choose, but did he have a choice?
He could only nod helplessly and say in a muffled voice, "Don't worry, great hero. I know what to do." Su Dan Novel Network.
Wu Caiwei rode back to the mountain stronghold at full speed. As soon as she entered, the first-in-command rushed to meet her.
"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Wu Caiwei looked at him with some surprise.
"I can't sleep. I didn't know if you would come back tonight, so I waited here. I was afraid that if you came back, you wouldn't know where to rest, and I wanted to lead you there immediately," the first-in-command said in a low voice, completely lacking spirit.
"What are your plans next?"
Seeing the other party staring at her intently, the first-in-command was lost. In fact, although he was working this afternoon, his mind had been constantly pondering this question, as if he had returned to the state of being homeless years ago.
"If you are willing, you can follow me. But let's be clear upfront: under my command, you must obey my orders." Wu Caiwei carefully observed his expression. If he showed the slightest unwillingness, she would not force him.
The first-in-command raised his head blankly. After understanding her meaning, he quickly knelt down and said, "I am willing."
"Then I'll give you a day to pack up. We'll leave early the day after tomorrow." Wu Caiwei was quite satisfied with his attitude. She felt that he had lived here for so many years and must have parts of his life that were hard to let go of, so she gave him some time to adjust.
"Everything comes after the young master. If you have urgent matters, we can leave early tomorrow morning." The first-in-command felt that the young master had only returned from outside in the middle of the night, so he must have many things to do. He didn't have much stuff and could pack it up overnight.
"That's not necessary. By the way, I haven't asked for your name yet. I can't keep calling you first-in-command, first-in-command, can I?"
"My name is Li Dahu. Young master can call me Dahu."
Wu Caiwei nodded, indicating she understood. He led her to a slightly more luxurious room. Although called luxurious, it only had a few more pieces of furniture, and the quilts and mattresses were new. It seemed the other party had indeed put in effort.