The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 203: Congratulations to the Top Scholar and Alliance Leader - Bonus Chapter (Two Chapters Combined)! Wu Song Robs the Birthday Gifts

The north wind whipped up the broken ice on the ground, pattering against the training ground of the militia headquarters.

The official stepped into the crunching frozen ground and saw forty-odd strong young men practicing spear and staff combat in a white expanse of snow, standing in formation and shouting loudly.

The spear tips pierced the snow curtain, the wind from the sticks swept up ice shards, and billowing hot air rose from the collars of their rough cloth short jackets, mingling with the white mist exhaled from their mouths and noses, revealing a fierce and vigorous killing intent.

The official squinted and scanned the crowd, wondering: Huh? Where is Shi Wengong? Normally, he would be standing under the eaves like an iron tower, supervising such drills with his hands behind his back.

Just as they were wondering, they saw a familiar yet unfamiliar figure standing in the center of the field. It was none other than their adopted son, Wang Sanguan.

He was dressed in a tight-fitting black robe, with a leather belt around his waist and thin-soled boots. Although he was not as tall and imposing as Shi Wengong, he was still ramrod straight with broad shoulders and a thick back.

If he were to fight Ying Bojue and his gang of scoundrels again now, he would probably take down several of them with just a few punches and kicks, which shows that he has been working hard these past few days.

At that moment, he was instructing a young man on his footwork, shouting instructions and pointing out directions.

His demeanor and bearing already showed he was seven or eight parts like a junior coach; he was quite presentable!

Those in the room with sharp eyes had already spotted the official's figure. They all quickly dropped their stances, stood at attention with their hands at their sides, and chanted in unison, "Your Excellency!"

The sound echoed across the open snowfield, startling several crows huddled on withered branches into a flurry of caws.

Upon hearing the sound, Wang Sanguan turned around abruptly. His fair face froze for a moment, then he became extremely respectful and ran over in a few quick steps.

He bowed and clasped his hands in greeting from a few steps away, his voice booming: "Your son greets your godfather! I was unaware of your arrival and have failed to greet you properly!"

His bow was steady and composed, with an air of dignity. There was no trace of his former frivolous, dissolute, and slick young master.

He had bumped into her several times on ordinary days, but the official had always just glanced at her without giving her a proper look.

Now, taking advantage of the sunlight reflecting off the snow, the official finally got a good look.

Wang Sanguan's face, which used to be so fair and tender that it looked like you could pinch water, has become quite tanned!
His cheeks had thinned, revealing the hard, bony ridges, and his eye sockets had sunken deeper. But strangely enough, his eyes were much brighter and sharper than before, radiating a ruthless and fierce energy, which added a touch of the aura of a warrior.

The official, seeing this, reached out and patted the man's much thicker, stronger shoulders twice, making his black robe rustle. "Good lad! You've gotten so muscular and lean in just a few days! How's your training going? Have you made any progress?"

Wang Sanguan straightened his back even more, and his voice, though not loud, was steady: "Replying to my godfather, Instructor Shi has been very strict with me, and I dare not slack off. I get up at dawn every day to practice spear, staff, fist and foot techniques. I dare not say that I am proficient, but I have at least grasped some of the tricks, and my muscles and bones have become much stronger."

"Since I was a child, my mother spent a lot of money to hire the renowned Instructor Lin from the 800,000 Imperial Guards to lay a solid foundation for my son. Therefore, Instructor Shi also favored him and often praised my son as a promising talent who was making rapid progress..."

As he spoke, a hint of regret appeared on his face, and his voice lowered a few decibels, "It's just... it's just that last night, my godfather led his men to Tongchifang, a den of dragons and tigers, to carry out important tasks and make great contributions. However, I stayed at the manor and was unable to follow him and serve him. I am truly ashamed to have failed my godfather's cultivation."

Upon hearing this, the official laughed heartily, his laughter ringing out especially loudly in the cold wind:
"It's alright! There will be plenty of opportunities like this in the future! What's important for you now is to follow Instructor Shi and solidify your foundation."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Wang Sanguan once more, before slowly saying, "When Instructor Shi nods in approval, saying that your skills have reached a level where you can handle things on your own... then I'll go to the provincial prison and find you a proper official position. That's much better than you having a hollow title, idling around all day without any real power!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Sanguan felt as if he had received a great favor. His eyes shone brightly, and his face flushed red, which could not be concealed by the dark brown color on his cheeks.

He knelt down on the cold snow with a thud, his voice trembling with excitement: "Your son will definitely train harder and will never let down your godfather's high expectations!"

He paused, as if remembering something, and then quickly added, "Mother was overjoyed to hear yesterday that my godfather had been promoted, and said she would prepare a small gift and come to the mansion to congratulate him in person. However... she thought that my godfather must be busy with his new post, and she was afraid that a sudden visit would disturb his peace, so she hesitated and did not dare to set off."

The official gestured for him to get up, saying, "Get up, get up! The ground is freezing. Your mother is very thoughtful."

He patted the snowflakes on Wang Sanguan's arm, his tone relaxed and casual, as if he were talking about a casual visit: "You should practice hard here. I'm free this afternoon, so I'll go over to her residence to see her, saving her the trouble of making another trip."

Wang Sanguan readily agreed, his eyes gleaming with even greater joy. The official then glanced at the group of young men, their noses red from the cold in the snow, yet still standing solemnly, and waved his hand: "Alright, let them continue practicing. You should also pay attention!"

Having said that, he said no more, wrapped his fur coat tighter around himself, turned and walked leisurely towards the yamen gate, stepping on the newly fallen snow.

That figure, silhouetted against the snow, exuded an indescribable aura of power and composure.

Wang Sanguan bowed and watched until the figure disappeared into the shadows of the doorway before straightening up and shouting at the field, "What are you looking at! Keep practicing!" His voice now carried a hint of confidence.

After leaving the militia headquarters, Ximen Da Guanren boarded a sedan chair and, with only Dai'an by his side, drove through the streets and alleys towards the small courtyard where Shi Wengong lived.

This courtyard was originally bought by a wealthy man to provide shelter for Shi Wengong's family. It wasn't far from the Ximen residence.

The courtyard walls are covered with green tiles, and withered vines and weeds climb the corners. Inside the courtyard are three main rooms with a kitchen. Although not very spacious, they are small but complete.

The sedan chair had just come to a stop in the snow at the alley entrance when Dai'an was about to knock on the two pine wooden doors. A woman's sharp, high-pitched voice, like a thin, icy blade, pierced through the paper-thin walls, carrying the chill of the wind and snow, and went straight into his ears.

"Damn it! The Winter Solstice is almost here! My brother and sister-in-law, along with my two precious nephews, are all coming from the capital to visit relatives! And what do you do? Open your bull eyes and take a look! This house is completely empty, not even a decent, expensive pine table and chairs for entertaining guests! It has no warmth or human presence at all, it looks like a wild graveyard!"

The voice grew increasingly agitated, and spittle seemed about to spray onto the courtyard wall:

"When the year draws to a close, which man doesn't busy himself with preparing for the New Year? Salted fish and cured meat hang from the rafters, and fresh fruits fill the baskets!"

"And look at you, you spineless coward! The local delicacies and game that should have been prepared, pheasants and muntjacs, are nowhere to be seen! All you do all day is hold that fire poker and poke, poke, poke! Poke the sky, poke the earth, poke the hornet's nest! Poke and poke, but you haven't poked out a single copper coin or a few taels of silver!"

The cursing suddenly turned into a tearful, resentful rant: "You treat your precious horse like a treasure! You hug its neck all day long, saying that loving and raising a horse is the only way to achieve harmony between man and horse, treating it like a treasure even more than your own father!"

"Don't you ever think about your wife and children waiting for you to reunite the 'family'? Is there even the slightest bit of room left for us, mother and children, in your heart?"

"Pah! I was blinded by greed and fodder! I only followed you because I saw you riding that tall horse, looking all smug and majestic like a great general!"

"If I had known things would turn out like this, with nothing to wear and nothing to eat, and not even a proper New Year... I would have been better off stomping my feet and marrying that pig butcher, Fatty Zheng! At least all year round, I'd have plenty of fatty meat on the chopping block, eating greasy and oily food until my mouth was dripping with oil, and living like a respectable wife from a decent family!"

Then came Shi Wengong's deep, suppressed voice, tinged with helplessness: "Didn't I give you some silver the other day? Go and buy some yourself..."

"Pah!" The woman's voice suddenly rose, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "What good are those meager sums! They vanished as soon as they bought a few pounds of good meat! I can't even afford a decent feast in front of my family. Where do I put my face? You've certainly climbed the social ladder and gotten a good job. It's better than when you were struggling to make ends meet..."

"But what about our reputation? What about our livelihood? Why don't you go and find that Master Ximen and borrow some money to tide us over? Even if he only skims off a little bit, it'll be enough for us to have a prosperous New Year! At least let my family come here, so they can save face and know that I haven't fallen into a pit of poverty!"

Shi Wengong's voice was dry and hoarse, as if he had been choked, filled with piercing embarrassment and shame: "This...how can this be? The lord has been so kind to me, it's already beyond measure, how...how can I possibly shamelessly go again..."

"Why can't I do it? You spineless coward! I've had the worst luck to be with you in eight lifetimes..." The woman's new round of crying and cursing was about to come crashing down.

Inside the sedan chair, Master Ximen tapped the smooth copper lid of the heater with his finger, neither too lightly nor too heavily.

Dai'an, having received a signal from Wufeng, immediately rushed forward and, before the cursing from inside the courtyard could resume, forcefully pounded on the pine wood gate.

The loud shouts and curses from inside the courtyard were abruptly cut off by a sharp blade, leaving only a deathly silence. Only the mournful howl of the wind and snow whistling through the eaves remained.

After a moment of deathly silence, the door creaked open with a reluctant groan, revealing half of Shi Wengong's dark, embarrassed, and unshaven face.

When he finally saw the familiar sedan chair and Dai'an's fair face through his blurry vision, he was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and his mouth was slightly open, as if he had a frozen pear stuffed inside.

Immediately afterward, a woman wearing a brand-new cotton-padded jacket, with slightly disheveled hair and a hint of anger on her face, hurriedly squeezed out from behind Shi Wengong. Her face instantly transformed into an extremely obsequious smile, her change of expression as swift as turning the pages of a book.
"Oh my goodness! It's the esteemed gentleman! Please come in, please come in! In this freezing weather, how could we dare trouble you to grace our humble abode? Husband, please invite the esteemed gentleman inside! Be careful not to let our distinguished guest catch a cold!"

The woman frantically brushed off non-existent dust from her body while glaring at Shi Wengong, who was still in a daze.

The official, dressed in a sable coat, stepped out of the sedan chair with an air of nonchalance, as if he had not heard the commotion just now. He simply smiled and said, "Greetings, sister-in-law. I was just passing by and thought I'd drop by to see Instructor Shi."

His gaze swept over the exquisite little courtyard. Although it had everything one could need, it was indeed lacking in maintenance.

Upon entering the hall, Shi Wengong stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, his face flushing red and then turning pale. He stammered, unable to speak. His wife, meanwhile, stood by him, carefully moving stools and vigorously wiping the stool surfaces with her sleeves.

The high-ranking official didn't sit down. Instead, he slowly took out a neatly folded silver note from his pocket, ignoring the woman's eager gaze, and handed it directly to Shi Wengong.
"Instructor Shi, the end of the year is approaching, and the training at the yamen has been arduous. Consider this small amount of silver a reward for this year. Please keep it and use it to buy some necessities for your family, so that your wife and children can have a peaceful and comfortable New Year."

Shi Wengong stared at the silver note, his Adam's apple bobbing. A complex light flickered in his eyes—gratitude mixed with shame. He took a deep breath, clasped his hands, and was about to bow deeply: "Your Excellency's kindness is beyond measure..."

Before he could finish speaking, the woman beside him could no longer contain herself. With quick eyes and hands, she grabbed the silver note, saying repeatedly, "Oh my! Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir..." Her face beamed with joy, as if the mean-spirited woman from before had never existed.

Just as her finger was about to touch the silver note, the official gently flicked his wrist, and the paper slipped away as if it were alive, remaining perfectly still under Shi Wengong's nose.

The official's smile remained unchanged as he said gently, "Instructor Shi, please accept this." This subtle exchange of gestures was quite remarkable.

Shi Wengong felt a jolt, as if enlightened, and instantly understood the great man's profound meaning.

He suddenly straightened his back, puffed out his chest, and all the humiliation he had felt earlier vanished. Without looking at the woman again, he roared in a rough voice, with a hint of martial arrogance:
"You stupid woman! You have no manners or standards whatsoever! The respect the master has shown me is something your man will have to reclaim!"

Having said that, he stretched out his large, fan-like hand and respectfully accepted the three hundred taels of silver notes, as white as snowflakes, from the official's palm.

The woman's smile froze for a moment when her husband shouted at her and she saw that the silver notes had finally fallen into Shi Wengong's hands, but she was immediately overwhelmed by the ecstasy brought by the huge amount of silver notes.

She immediately turned to the man, bowing even lower, her face plastered with gratitude that bordered on obsequiousness: "Yes, yes, yes! It was my fault for being so rude! It's truly a blessing from our ancestors that my husband is following you! Now that's settled, we must prepare a proper feast for our guests on the Winter Solstice, ensuring that we don't disgrace our husband, or even more so, you, my lord!"

Her words came out in rapid succession, but her eyes couldn't help but dart towards Shi Wengong's hand, which was clutching the silver notes tightly.

The official looked at the woman's eyes, which were almost burning with greed, and his smile deepened.

He waved his hand, interrupting the woman's endless flattery, and said in a condescending yet gentle tone, "Sister-in-law, you don't need to worry about entertaining guests for the Winter Solstice."

His gaze swept over the shabby little courtyard, his tone as casual as if he were discussing adding a few cabbages:
"Now that you have these three hundred taels, go find a good carpenter's shop and have him make a few pieces of fine sandalwood and rosewood furniture. Make sure they are carved, decorated with gold and inlaid with jewels."

"Hire a few quick and clean servants to clean and scrub every nook and cranny of this house, inside and out, even the old cobwebs and rat tracks, until it's sparkling clean! It must be presentable and bright, enough to impress everyone."

He paused, then, as if adding a finishing touch, casually added, "Later, I'll send one of the clever servants from the manor to bring over a fine bear paw, along with a fat roe deer, a pheasant, and a rabbit—all freshly hunted. Sister-in-law, just go ahead and prepare it; I guarantee your family will be beaming with pride when they come!"

Upon hearing the words "bear paw," the woman's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, her mouth gaped open wide enough to fit an egg, and she clapped her hands, jumping up and down like a child who had received a priceless treasure, her voice shrill and distorted.

"Oh my Buddha! Bear...bear paw?! This...this is unacceptable! My brother and sister-in-law are just ordinary people in the capital. They rarely see mutton during festivals, let alone bear paw! Even just a wild roe deer would be enough for them to brag about to the neighbors for half a year! Sir! You are truly...truly a living Bodhisattva descended to earth! I...I kowtow to you!"

She was so excited that she became incoherent and pretended to kneel down.

Shi Wengong stood to the side, his face turning red and white in turns. He was so ashamed of his wife's shameful and money-grubbing behavior that he wished he could disappear into the ground.

He suddenly shouted, like a thunderclap, finally silencing the woman's madness: "What's all the noise about! Get inside now and pour the master a cup of hot tea! You have no sense of propriety at all!"

The woman, far from being angered by her husband's shout, seemed to have received a royal decree. Her face was plastered with an extremely obsequious smile as she hurriedly curtsied to the official and then respectfully bowed to Shi Wengong, repeatedly responding:
"Yes, yes, yes! What the master says is right! I'll go right away! I'll go right away! Please have a seat, my lord, the tea will be ready soon!!" With that, she swayed her waist and moved with the lightness of a whirlwind, disappearing into the kitchen in a flash.

Only the official and Shi Wengong remained in the courtyard. The snow seemed to have subsided, leaving only fine snowflakes drifting in the air.

Shi Wengong stared intently at the kitchen curtain where his wife had disappeared, as if trying to pierce it, before finally letting out a long, heavy sigh.

The turbid air condensed into a thick white fog in the cold air, which lingered for a long time.

He turned around abruptly to face the official. His dark, hard face was now as red as a piece of raw beef, filled with indescribable embarrassment and shame, and even a bit as if he had been stripped naked and displayed in the street.

He bowed deeply, his head almost touching his chest, his voice low and hoarse, filled with deep apology: "My lord, I am so sorry to have made you laugh. My wife... my wife is uncouth and rude, her words have been impolite, and she has offended you. I am truly ashamed!"

The official merely smiled slightly, a smile devoid of any mockery. Instead, he reached out and patted Shi Wengong's thick, iron-like shoulder.

His gaze fell on Shi Wengong's hands, calloused from years of handling a gun, and he solemnly said:
"In my mind, Instructor Shi, the way you looked when your wife pointed her finger at you and berated you so badly that you couldn't lift your head... is quite similar to the imposing manner you had when you stood tall on the battlefield, shouting 'Who dares to stop me?'"

The official paused for a moment, then said, "It's just that this battlefield... has changed from the training ground to our own small kitchen. What's wrong with working hard for my wife and children? It's just as good as standing tall and ready to fight! Both are the mark of a true man!"

These words were like a red-hot iron, scalding Shi Wengong's heart!
Is it shame? Is it anger? Is it sorrow? Is it resentment? Is it gratitude or resentment?

A myriad of emotions surged up his throat instantly, making his nose sting and his eyes uncontrollably burn.

Shi Wengong hung his head, his chest heaving, his voice low and hoarse, yet like a hammer striking an anvil:

"My lord! Shi Wengong! I am willing to die for you!!"

The words "I will die for you" burst forth from his thick throat, carrying the bloodthirstiness unique to a military general, echoing in the snow-covered courtyard.

This is not merely gratitude for the money; it reflects both the appreciation of a high-ranking official for recognizing one's martial arts skills and respect for the lifestyle one has chosen.
The playful smile on the official's face finally faded a little. He gave Shi Wengong a deep look, said nothing more, and patted him on the shoulder twice more.

Shi Wengong remained bowed. From the kitchen came the sound of his wife humming a little tune and happily washing the teaware. This, along with the vow of "willing to die" made in the courtyard just now, created an incredibly real yet indescribable scene of everyday life.

"Let's take a walk in the courtyard. I have something to ask you." The official took a few steps and entered the courtyard. His boots crunched softly on the thin layer of snow.

After Shi Wengong got up and followed, he said...

"Instructor Shi, I've come here today not only to see you, but also to ask you something."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a hawk, staring directly at Shi Wengong. "If we were to secretly raise fifty to one hundred elite cavalry, with everything from food and supplies to armor and weapons, how much silver would we need at the very least in a year? And where would we find the horses, armor, swords, spears, bows, and crossbows? Where could we buy truly good stuff?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Wengong's heart skipped a beat. Keeping a private army, and a well-organized elite cavalry unit at that! This was no ordinary wealthy household's doing!
He immediately composed himself, not daring to be negligent in the slightest, and replied in a deep voice with his hands clasped in front of him:
"My lord, maintaining an army is extremely costly, especially cavalry. These elite cavalry are money-devouring beasts. Just consider the men and horses themselves: a strong and capable rider's monthly salary, rations, and resettlement allowance would cost at least fifty taels a year; a hundred riders would cost five thousand taels. And that's just the cost per person."

He paused for a moment, then continued his calculations: "The bulk of the cost is still in the horses and equipment. Even a decent horse with average stamina costs twenty taels of silver in the capital's horse market. If you want a top-quality warhorse, the price will more than double. One hundred horses alone would cost five thousand taels!"

“The daily expenses for these horses, including fine soybean meal, hay, grooming, shodling, and medical treatment, are quite considerable. A single horse costs at least twenty taels a year for food, and a hundred horses would cost two thousand taels.”

"Let's talk about equipment," Shi Wengong's eyes sharpened as he listed the items off the top of his head, "cavalry armor ranges from light leather armor inlaid with iron to heavy iron scale armor. A decent set costs at least thirty to fifty taels, and sometimes hundreds of taels! Swords, spears, bows, crossbows, arrows, cavalry spears, hand knives, horse bows, quivers... a set of all these costs dozens of taels."

"Add to that the saddles, bridles, horseshoes, spare weapons, and daily wear and tear repairs... My lord, just getting these fifty to one hundred elite cavalrymen properly equipped would cost at least ten thousand taels of silver. And the annual maintenance costs, including provisions for the men and horses, equipment wear and tear repairs, and horse replacements, even with the most frugal approach, would still require at least ten thousand taels of silver!"

The official listened to the enormous sum without changing his expression, as if listening to someone quote the price of vegetables. He merely nodded slightly: "Take it slow. There aren't enough able-bodied men in the militia. Start with twenty and gradually increase to fifty. Don't worry about the money. Just tell me, where can we buy truly top-quality horses and excellent military equipment? The horse market in the capital probably only sells pretty but useless goods."

"Your Excellency is wise!" Shi Wengong nodded. "The horse market in the capital mainly consists of horses raised in the interior or from merchant caravans from the Western Regions. Their stamina and endurance are decent, but when it comes to top-tier warhorses for real battlefield combat, long-distance raids, and heavy-load charges, only the finest steeds from the north are truly indispensable! The Liao and Jin regions, especially the 'Haidongqing' and 'Tiati Cong' produced by the Jurchens of the Jin Dynasty, are the cream of the crop. They are strong, robust, and have amazing endurance, making them invincible in battle!"

He abruptly changed the subject, lowering his voice and giving it a secret-like tone:

“There are indeed horse traders in the north, but they mostly deal with a few horses at a time, or inferior goods that are passed off as superior ones. If you want a large quantity of purebred, top-quality Jin warhorses, or even matching high-quality military equipment... there are almost no legitimate connections inside or outside the capital.”

The official raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? And what about behind the scenes?"

Shi Wengong took a deep breath, as if about to utter a taboo name: "My lord, there is a place where, as long as you have enough money, you can have not only batches of Jin-blooded warhorses, but also complete sets of cavalry heavy armor, powerful bows and crossbows, fine iron swords and spears, and even..."

A strange light flashed in his eyes, “I can even get you the unique military and national weapons of the Jin Dynasty, such as the ‘Iron Falcons’ (heavy cavalry), ‘Iron Pagodas’ (heavy cavalrymen and horses all clad in heavy armor), and ‘Hooked Horses’, as long as the price is right! I dare not say more, but dozens are no problem.”

Upon hearing this, even the most shrewd official couldn't help but have a glint of light in his eyes: "Where would such methods come from? Could it be... smuggling by border garrison troops?"

Shi Wengong shook his head, his voice lowered to almost a whisper, yet each word was clear in the snowy courtyard: "Not an official. This place is called—Zengtou City!"

"Zengtou City?" The official repeated, recalling the name but only vaguely remembering it from books. "Exactly!" Shi Wengong affirmed. "Zengtou City is not under the jurisdiction of the prefecture. It is a large, self-contained fortified market town near Dulonggang, more than a hundred miles outside Daming Prefecture. In name, it is a major market town for the common people, where merchants gather and people from all walks of life converge, but in reality... it is unfathomable."

He explained in detail: "Zengtou City is controlled by the five tigers of the Zeng family: the eldest, Zeng Tu; the second, Zeng Mi; the third, Zeng Suo; the fourth, Zeng Kui; and the fifth, Zeng Sheng. Each of them is highly skilled in martial arts and brave in battle, commanding thousands of retainers, all of whom are willing to fight to the death. In addition, there is an elite 'Zeng Family Army,' whose equipment is far superior to that of ordinary prefectural garrison troops, and their cavalry is especially fierce!"

"Its foundation lies in its 'special' dealings with the northern regions." Shi Wengong's eyes were filled with apprehension. "Zengtou City is backed by the natural barrier of Dulonggang, guarding a vital passage, and secretly maintains extremely close ties with the Jin Kingdom."

"The Jin Kingdom's warhorses, furs, and medicinal herbs were continuously imported into Zengtou City; while the Central Plains' salt, iron, silk, porcelain, and even... intelligence also flowed to the north through Zengtou City. The horse farms, blacksmith shops, and leather workshops on the outskirts of the market were far larger and more skilled than those in ordinary county workshops! The military equipment they produced were all of the highest quality."

He then dropped a bombshell: "More importantly, the true master of Zengtou City is not the five tigers of the Zeng family, but their father—Elder Zeng! This old man lives a secluded life and rarely shows his face, but everyone in the martial arts world knows that he... is a golden man!"

"In his early years, for reasons unknown, he drifted to the Central Plains and operated here for decades, establishing deep roots and having connections everywhere! That's why Zengtou City was able to obtain the Jin Dynasty's top-tier warhorse bloodlines, the finest weaponry, and even some closely guarded military treasures!"

"Golden people?" The official narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing in them, but a playful smile appeared on his lips. "What a fine Zengtou City, what a fine Elder Zeng... indeed a 'good place'."

The official said no more, waved his hand and said, "Alright, I'm leaving now. You don't need to see me off. Just make sure you're well taken care of the people in your house." With that, he turned and left without looking back.

Dai'an deftly lifted the curtain, and the official ducked inside. The curtain then fell, separating the two worlds.

Shi Wengong stood alone at the courtyard gate, facing the sedan chair that had long since disappeared from sight, and bowed deeply and for a long time, his back bent respectfully, oblivious to the wind and snow lashing against him.

"Master! Where is the master? Why did he leave?" The woman had somehow gotten behind him, craning her neck to look outside, her face showing a hint of disappointment and dissatisfaction.

Shi Wengong suddenly sat up straight, turned around and glared at her fiercely, letting out a heavy "humph" like muffled thunder: "Shut up! Shut your mouth!"

He roughly pulled the still-warm silver note from his pocket, didn't even look at it, and slapped it into the woman's hand. "Take it!"

Upon seeing the gleaming white silver notes, the woman's disappointment was instantly replaced by overwhelming joy. She hurriedly clutched them tightly to her chest, as if afraid they would fly away.

She grinned from ear to ear, saying repeatedly, "Oh! Yes, yes, yes! I'll shut up now! You rest, I'll go and pile up more hay for your precious horse, wrap it up warmly, so its precious hooves won't freeze!"

Having said that, clutching the silver note, he swayed and hurried off toward the stable.

now.

On the road near the capital, the north wind was like a knife, cutting painfully into my face.

The "birthday tribute" that Liang Zhongshu of Daming Prefecture was giving to his father-in-law was escorted by Yang Zhi, a group of more than ten people, and they were pushing the carriage along the road.

Yang Zhi's face, which was dark blue from the cold, turned purple, his nose was red, and he kept exhaling puffs of white breath that instantly dissipated in the cold wind.

He wrapped his thin black cloth robe tightly around his waist, with a precious sword at his waist and a frozen rattan cane in his hand.

The grooms and escorting soldiers all hunched their shoulders, staggered, and their breath frosted over their beards and eyebrows. They muttered complaints under their breath, their voices scattering in the wind:

"Damn heavens! It's so cold, even my bones are frozen solid!" "Officer Yang, please have mercy... let's find a sheltered place... to rest... I really can't walk anymore..."

Even a body made of iron cannot withstand this bone-chilling cold...

Yang Zhi glared with bloodshot eyes and hissed, "What's all the noise about! The capital is just around the corner. With the year-end approaching, bandits are lurking, waiting for someone as lazy as you to get away with it!"

"Cheer up, everyone! Let's hurry over the hill to rest for a while before continuing our journey! If we miss the birthday tribute, the master's sword will recognize you, but the north wind won't!"

With that, he snapped the rattan cane in his hand with a sharp crack, striking the cotton-padded jacket of a soldier who was walking slowly, sending up a cloud of fluff.

The soldier winced in pain but dared not cry out. He could only grit his teeth and groan, staggering as he hurried a few steps forward.

Just as they were having a hard time, they suddenly saw seven Jiangzhou carts parked in the pine forest ahead. Seven or eight men were sitting or lying down, with some sacks of dates around them, huddled in a sheltered spot, rubbing their hands and stamping their feet.

The leader was a wealthy-looking man with three tufts of beard covering his mouth, wearing a warm hat and a sable coat; he was none other than Chao Gai, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.
Beside him stood a slender scholar with gleaming eyes; this was none other than the strategist Wu Yong.

That burly, dark-skinned man was none other than Liu Tang, the Red-Haired Devil.
Others, such as the three Ruan brothers and Gongsun Sheng, also disguised themselves as date merchants.

Upon seeing this, alarm bells rang in Yang Zhi's mind, and he gripped the hilt of his knife tightly.

Wu Yong, having already noticed Yang Zhi's expression, quickly put on a smile and called out loudly, "Gentlemen, you've worked hard! It must be difficult to escort such heavy goods in this freezing weather! We are just date merchants seeking shelter here; we have no ill intentions whatsoever."

Yang Zhi kept a tight face and ordered the soldiers to gather their loads together. He himself stood with his hand on his sword, his hawk-like eyes scanning the inside and outside of the pine forest, not daring to relax for a moment.

The soldiers caught their breath, slumped to the ground, hugged their shoulders and trembled, staring longingly at the guests across from them warming themselves by the fire. Their stomachs were growling with hunger and thirst, and their resentment only intensified.

About an hour later, a man came swaying along the mountain path, carrying a pair of buckets on a shoulder pole, humming a little tune. It was none other than Bai Sheng, the White-Day Rat.

The singing sounded particularly abrupt in the cold wind.

He walked up the hill, found a rock to sit on and rest, and lifted the lid of the barrel. A rich aroma of wine immediately wafted out, penetrating straight into the nostrils of the frozen soldier.

The soldiers, upon smelling the aroma of the wine, were like cats drawn to fish; their throats bobbed and their eyes widened.

Someone couldn't contain himself and stepped forward to ask, "Man, where are you taking this wine?" Bai Sheng shrank his neck and said, "To sell in the village ahead."

"How much is a bucket?" "Five strings of cash a bucket, no bargaining." The soldiers clicked their tongues: "You're such a clueless fellow! This kind of village wine is worth five strings of cash?"

As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on the wine barrel, his stomach rumbling with anticipation.

Yang Zhi was furious upon seeing this and shouted angrily, "How dare you country bumpkins! Don't you see that I'm here on official business? Don't listen to his nonsense! How can we eat and drink on the road? If there's sleeping potion in this wine, and you all get drugged, the birthday gifts will be lost, and I'll lose my life too! Anyone who dares to buy this wine will get twenty lashes from me first!"

The rattan cane was raised, as if to strike. The soldiers fell silent, swallowing their saliva, and retreated dejectedly. Their resentment towards Yang Zhi grew as sharp as the north wind.

From the pine forest opposite, Chao Gai and his men could see clearly. Wu Yong gave a signal, and Liu Tang jumped up, shouting, "Wine seller, come over here! We're thirsty from walking and just wanted to buy some wine to quench our cold!"

Bai Sheng feigned reluctance: "I won't sell! There's medicine in the wine!"

Wu Yong and the others, however, laughed and gathered around, chattering, "You're such an ignorant man! We paid for the wine, what's it to you?" and "Even if it really is poisoned, we'll accept it!"

Without saying a word, they snatched a bucket of wine and, using the coconut ladles they had brought, drank it down bowl by bowl, finishing half the bucket in no time.

Then someone pulled out dates from the date bag to eat with their wine, munching on them with relish, making smacking noises as they ate, the dates steaming hot.

The soldiers watched with envious eyes and burning hunger, their stomachs churning with cravings. Some couldn't resist and went to beg Yang Zhi again:
"Officer Yang, look at those date merchants. They ate a whole bucket, and another one ate half a ladleful, and they're both fine. That's good. It's freezing cold, so give us half a bowl of wine to ward off the chill!"

"That's right! With the capital city so close at hand, and this area surrounded by villages and Qinghe County nearby, where did all these bandits come from!"

The crowd pleaded in unison.

Yang Zhi observed coldly. He saw that the group of guests had indeed eaten without any problems, and he also saw that his men were pale with cold and full of resentment. If he suppressed them further, something unexpected might happen.

Furthermore, the aroma of the wine was truly enticing, and my throat felt a little dry.

He thought to himself, "Seeing that they drank a whole barrel without any problems, the wine must be clean. In this freezing weather, a little bit won't hurt..."

He then reassured them, "Since you want to buy them, just wait until the date seller finishes the half-bucket, then buy the rest from him."

The soldiers felt as if they had been granted a pardon and hurriedly scraped together the money.

Bai Sheng deliberately made things difficult: "I'm not selling anymore! What's the point of selling leftovers? You're ruining my business!"

One of the date sellers, Ruan Xiaoqi, stepped in to smooth things over, pretending to be a good person. He scooped a ladleful of wine from another bucket and ate it in front of Yang Zhi. He then scooped half a ladleful, deliberately letting Yang Zhi see, and advised, "Sir, don't be suspicious. This bucket is clean too. Let them buy some to eat."

Bai Sheng then pretended to complain as he accepted the money.

The soldiers couldn't wait any longer. They grabbed coconut ladles and water bowls, and drank the barrel of wine in an instant.

Yang Zhi initially ate only half a ladle, but seeing that everyone was alright and that the weather was unbearably cold, he ate the remaining half ladle as well.

After drinking the wine, I initially felt a warm current spreading through me, dispelling the chill and making me feel very comfortable.

Yang Zhi's tense nerves relaxed slightly. But before the warmth had even dissipated, he suddenly felt dizzy, his vision went black, and his limbs went limp, leaving him completely powerless!

He only had time to cry out "Oh no!" before he heard a series of thuds all around him—the dozen or so soldiers, including himself, had collapsed to the ground like rag dolls, unable to speak or open their eyes. They were fully aware of what was happening, but they couldn't move an inch!
The group of date sellers, along with Bai Sheng who sold wine, all lost their lazy and playful expressions, and their eyes gleamed with sharpness.

At a whistle, Chao Gai, Wu Yong, and the others quickly emptied the sacks of dates from the cart and loaded all eleven loads of gold and jewels into the cart, covering them properly.

Bai Sheng also threw away the empty wine barrel and pushed an empty cart with a grin.

The group bowed to Yang Zhi, who was lying on the ground, conscious but unable to struggle. Wu Yong smiled and said, "Commander Yang, please forgive us! We'll borrow the birthday gifts for now. We'll meet again in the martial world!"

Having said that, he pushed the Jiangzhou cart, sang a folk song, and prepared to leave along the path.

Only fifteen drunken constables remained on the hill, their hearts pounding in the biting north wind, watching helplessly as the extravagant birthday tribute vanished without a trace.

The cold wind swept across Huangni Ridge, howling like weeping, adding to the desolate and desperate atmosphere.

Just as everyone was about to push the cart down Huangni Ridge, this bitterly cold and desolate place, they suddenly heard a series of muffled thuds as wheels rolled over the frozen earth, mixed with the sounds of people and horses, coming from around the bend at the foot of the ridge.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines. Looking up, they saw a sizable caravan approaching. Leading the way were several strong mules carrying goods, followed by five or six large carts piled high with goods, covered tightly with tarpaulins.

Dozens of strong men followed beside the car, each wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat, hands tucked in, necks hunched, braving the biting north wind as they hurried on their way.

The man at the front, with a imposing figure and dignified appearance, was none other than Wu Song! Beside him was a middle-aged man who looked like a steward, with a weasel-like face, and that was Lai Xing.

It turned out that Wu Song had received the master's instructions and dared not delay. After meeting up with everyone, he ordered Lai Wang to ride a fast horse and travel through the night to bring back nearly half of the wounded to take care of them.

He himself stayed behind to escort the goods and accompanied Lai Xing and his crew.

Who would have thought that, as they approached Qinghe County, the group had just climbed Huangni Ridge when they ran right into Chao Gai's group, who were about to descend the ridge!

The open space on the hilltop was not large to begin with, and the dozens of people on both sides, along with mules and carts, immediately blocked the narrow official road.

The cold wind howled, swirling up snow and withered branches from the ground.

For a moment, both sides were frozen in place.

We stared at each other, wide-eyed, without uttering a sound. Only the mules and horses snorted impatiently, puffing out puffs of white steam.

Lai Xing, huddled in his thick cotton robe, his beady eyes darting around, had already seen the scene before him clearly:

There lay a dozen or so men dressed as government officials sprawled on the ground, their faces ashen and unable to move, clearly having been tricked.

The seven or eight men pushing carts opposite them, though dressed in the coarse cloth jackets of date merchants, had fierce eyes, and the bulging contents on their carts were definitely not ordinary dates!

Looking at the empty wine barrels and coconut shells scattered on the ground... Lai Xing had seen many swindles, cheats, and extortions at Master Ximen's mansion, and he understood perfectly well what was going on:
"My God! We've run into highway robbers doing business with no capital! They're robbing government officials!"

A chill ran from the soles of my feet straight up to the top of my head, ten times more biting than the cold wind of December!
Lai Xing's legs trembled violently, his teeth chattered, and a hot stream almost trickled down his trouser leg.

With a hoarse, raspy voice, almost choked with sobs, he shrieked at the imposing figure at the front of the procession:

"Master Wu...Master Wu! No...something's wrong! A...a robber! Murder...murder and robbery! Help, Master Wu—!"

That shout was like cold water being poured into a pot of boiling oil!
Chao Gai, Wu Yong, and the others were also taken aback! They never expected that on this desolate and cold Huangni Ridge, after committing a shocking crime, they would run into such a large and powerful caravan!

The burly man at the head of the group was no ordinary merchant in stature or bearing, and even Chao Gai, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, couldn't help but tense up.

Wu paused slightly with the feather fan in his hand, his eyes flashing with a sharp light as he quickly began to calculate.

Beside him, the red-haired devil Liu Tang could no longer contain himself. His bull-like eyes widened, and he lowered his voice, letting out a beast-like growl:

"Brother! What bad luck! Of all the people to run into, we ran into this bunch of fat sheep! Look at these carts and goods, they're filthy and greedy! They must be those scoundrels who are rich but heartless and exploit the people!"

"Since we've already robbed that corrupt official, what's one more time for him? Let's go all the way and take them all down with us! Robbing them cleanly is doing justice, robbing the rich to help the poor! It'll also be good for getting some New Year's goods for our brothers in the mountains!"

As soon as he said this, Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaowu, and the others rubbed their hands together, their eyes revealing a greedy and fierce glint, and their hands secretly reached for the hidden weapons.

The atmosphere instantly became tense, like a fully drawn bowstring, filled with a bloody killing intent! Even the cold wind seemed to freeze.

The strategist Wu Yong suddenly raised his hand, signaling him to be quiet.

His face instantly plastered with the affable smile of a shrewd businessman, and he repeatedly bowed and clasped his hands in greeting to the opposing caravan, especially the burly leader, his voice rising eight octaves, drowning out the wind:

"Oh dear! Gentlemen, bosses! Gentlemen, employees! Don't panic! This is a huge misunderstanding!" As he spoke, he secretly kicked the cart loaded with gold beads on the ground, signaling Chao Gai and the others to calm down.

"We are just poor date traders, passing by Huangni Ridge to take shelter from the wind and rest. We never expected to run into these dozen or so officials," he said, pointing to Yang Zhi and the others lying on the ground. "They must have been exhausted from their journey, freezing and hungry, and then they drank too much of the cheap village wine, and ended up all drunk here!"

“It’s freezing cold here. If no one takes care of them, they’ll probably freeze to death on this desolate hill! We may be small business owners, but we know that ‘saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda’! We were just discussing whether to go to the village ahead to get some hot soup to revive them, or to help push the cart and take them a while! We just loaded the officials’ loads onto the cart and were about to push them down the hill to find a warm place to treat them! They’re definitely not bad people! They’re definitely not bad people!”

Wu Yong's words were sincere and impeccable, turning a shocking robbery into a righteous act of helping someone in need.

As he spoke, he secretly glanced at the reaction of the burly man leading the group across from him.

Wu Song frowned slightly, his tiger-like eyes flashing like lightning as he slowly swept over the unconscious Yang Zhi and the others on the ground, then over Chao Gai's group, and finally landed on Wu Yong's eloquent face.

Having roamed the world for many years, how rich in experience was he? Although this group of people was dressed in coarse cloth, the rough and fierce air about them was definitely not that of ordinary merchants! The officials on the ground were clearly showing signs of being drugged!

Looking at those Jiangzhou carts again, their wheels were heavily loaded, and what they were carrying was definitely not dates!
He already understood seven or eight parts of the situation: a good show of "black eating black" had just taken place on Huangni Ridge!

The other side has a large number of people and dares to rob the birthday gifts, so they must be desperate criminals.

Although he had dozens of employees, most of them were ordinary laborers. If a fight broke out, he might not come out on top and might even implicate innocent people.

Wu Song remained silent for a moment, a silence as heavy as a mountain, making it hard for both sides of the army to breathe. Finally, he spoke in a deep, booming voice:

"I see. It was our abruptness that disturbed your 'good intentions'." He deliberately paused slightly on the word "good intentions," his gaze sweeping across Wu Yong's face like a knife. Wu Yong felt a chill run down his spine, but his smile became even more sincere.

"Saving lives is the priority," Wu Song waved his hand and shouted to his terrified men behind him, "What are you all standing there for? Make way! Let these 'good-hearted' heroes go first!"

The caravan crew felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They hurriedly pulled the mules and carts, squeezing together on the narrow, slushy road to create a gap just wide enough for vehicles to pass through.

(End of this chapter)