Chapter Fourteen: Inviting the Guest into the Trap
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Lin Shize said, “Wanqing—the heavens take pity on the secluded grass, and the world cherishes the evening sun.
“‘Wanqing’ symbolizes the beauty that comes after weathering wind and rain: gentle, yet resilient.”
Lin Shize did not answer Feng Mu’s question. Instead, he explained the origin of Wanqing’s name.
Wanqing gazed at Lin Shize in surprise. She had assumed he was merely a soldier, never imagining that he possessed such literary grace.
“The Hundred-household Commander is truly gifted with words. This humble girl is impressed.”
Lin Shize waved his hand. “Poetry and prose? I know only a little of them—hardly enough to call myself gifted.
“Lord Feng, I appreciate your kindness, but men like us who live by the sword do work that risks our lives every day. Miss Wanqing is as beautiful as a flower or jade. It would be unfair to make her follow me.”
Seeing how decisively Lin Shize refused, Feng Mu shook his head and sighed.
He had originally hoped to use this opportunity to win Lin Shize over. A capable man like him could surely accomplish twice as much with half the effort if he joined their cause. What a pity.
Feng Mu said, “The name of Hundred-household Commander Lin is famous far and wide. Throughout the entire border army, you are the only man who has killed ten Mongla warriors single-handedly.
“A hero of your caliber ought to be one of the general’s personal guards, would you not say?”
At this, Lin Shize finally understood what Feng Mu was trying to do.
First, he had attempted to win him over with a beauty. Now that had failed, he was probing to discover whether Lin Shize had any powerful connections. Next would surely come the real subject.
Lin Shize said, “Alas, I am not fortunate enough for that. I was merely a hunter from Qing Village. When chaos befell the land, I wanted to do my part for the country, so I joined the army.
“It was only because the brothers under my command thought highly of me that I managed to become a Hundred-household Commander.”
“I see.” Hearing this, Feng Mu felt relieved. Since Lin Shize had no powerful backing, Feng Mu could no longer be blamed for showing him no mercy.
“For a commoner to rise to your current position is proof enough of your ability.
“I have come today to ask you to help me with something of the utmost importance.”
Now that Feng Mu had finally reached the point, Lin Shize gestured for him to continue.
“Please, Lord Feng.”
“The country is currently enduring the hardship of foreign invasion. By order of my superiors, I was escorting a shipment of provisions.
“Unexpectedly, I encountered a band of bandits at Solitary Mountain. Those men were so brazen that they dared to seize military supplies.
“Would you be willing to send troops to suppress them and rescue me from this desperate situation?”
Bandits at Solitary Mountain? This was the first time Lin Shize had ever heard of such a place.
Liu Wu, who stood nearby, said, “Solitary Mountain? Do you mean the mountain a hundred miles west of Feng County?”
Feng Mu nodded. “That is the one.”
That far away?
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Lin Shize said, “If that is the case, why have you not reported the matter at once and asked the general to send troops to wipe them out?”
Feng Mu grimaced. “How could I not know that, Hundred-household Commander Lin? But the supplies were stolen while they were in my custody.
“If I report it, I will not escape punishment. Besides, the constables under my command are nothing more than a rabble.
“Thus, I have no choice but to ask for your assistance.”
Lin Shize nodded. “Since you put it that way, as border troops, it is our duty to protect the country.”
“Many thanks, Hundred-household Commander Lin.” Feng Mu was delighted. He had never expected Lin Shize to agree so readily.
“Wait.”
Before Feng Mu could say anything more, Lin Shize raised a hand.
“Protecting the country is certainly my duty, but you have seen the condition of our border troops. We can barely fill our stomachs. Where are we to find the strength to cross mountains and suppress bandits?”
Feng Mu hurriedly said, “You need not worry. I am willing to provide three thousand pounds of rice as military provisions. How does that sound?”
Lin Shize shook his head, feigning reluctance. “Rice alone may fill their bellies, but it will not give them enough strength.”
Feng Mu clenched his fists. “I also have twenty jars of rendered animal fat and five hundred pounds of pork. That should give the brothers some strength.”
The old man was rich enough to be swimming in oil. Rendered animal fat, extracted from animal flesh, was a precious commodity.
And pork was even harder to come by. Despite spending silver, Lin Shize had barely managed to obtain any.
Seeing Lin Shize bow his head in deep thought, Feng Mu grew anxious.
He slapped his thigh. “I will also provide six hundred taels of silver as a reward for you to distribute among the brothers. What do you say?”
Lin Shize slammed his palm on the table and rose to his feet, roaring, “Bandits must be exterminated whenever they appear!
“A few bandits have dared to bully Lord Feng himself? Unacceptable!
“Are they nothing more than petty bandits from Solitary Mountain? Then we shall deal with them!”
Feng Mu said, “Now that is the spirit! Truly unyielding!”
“We can discuss whether I am unyielding another time. Please send the rice and provisions as soon as possible. Once the brothers have eaten their fill, we can set out to suppress the bandits.”
Lin Shize abruptly changed the subject, intending to be paid before doing the work.
Feng Mu bowed. “I shall return at once to make the preparations. Farewell.”
Feng Mu had already left the room, yet Wanqing remained where she was, perfectly still. The light from outside fell across her breathtaking profile.
After hesitating for a long while, she finally asked, “Did you truly kill ten Mongla warriors with your own hands, Hundred-household Commander?”
Lin Shize was puzzled. He had no idea why she was asking.
He patted the battle saber at his waist. “I once used this blade to cut off the heads of Mongla warriors with my own hands. It is the absolute truth.”
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Wanqing nodded. “I naturally believe your words. But spears in the open are easy to evade, while arrows in the dark are difficult to guard against. You must be careful on the road.”
Lin Shize’s heart stirred. “Miss Wanqing, what do you mean by that?”
Wanqing did not answer. She gave him a graceful bow and walked out of the room.
Liu Wu said, “What was that girl talking about? Her words were so cryptic that no one could make sense of them.”
Lin Shize watched Wanqing’s departing figure and fell into thought.
Things had suddenly become interesting.
After returning to Feng County, Wanqing said to Feng Mu, “I have been under my elders’ care for a long time. I have come today to say farewell.”
Feng Mu frowned. “Why are you suddenly leaving? Have the servants in the household treated you poorly? Tell me, and I will discipline them at once.”
Wanqing’s expression remained blank. “It is not that. It is simply that you hurriedly tried to marry me off today. I feel I have no face to remain here and be a burden.”
“Niece, how can you say such a thing? You are my own niece. I admit that I had selfish motives in arranging your marriage to Lin Shize.
“But Lin Shize is still a young hero of considerable talent. You have met all the promising young men in the surrounding area, and not one of them pleased you.
“You grow older with every passing day, and I am anxious as well. If one day I descend into the underworld and meet your father, only to find that you are still alone and without family, how am I to answer to him?”
At the mention of her father, two streams of tears slipped down Wanqing’s cheeks.
Seeing her tears, Feng Mu sighed. “Enough. If you do not wish to marry, then stay here in peace. Your second uncle can spare you a bowl of food.”
Wanqing pondered for a long while before asking, “Why did you conspire with Lin Feng to plot against Lin Shize?”
Feng Mu’s expression changed. “How did you find out about that?”
“Yesterday, I happened to pass by your room and overheard you.”
“Wanqing, this is not something you can interfere in. Many matters are not as simple as right and wrong.”
Wanqing lowered her eyes, then suddenly raised her head and looked at Feng Mu with a firm gaze.
“Lin Shize is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, and he is a warrior capable of killing Mongla fighters. Yet you resort to schemes and deceit to harm a loyal—”
“Enough!”
Feng Mu shouted angrily, cutting her off.