PFC Chapter 6 Taking Office as Yang Gu
Chapter 6 Taking Office as Yang Gu
Two figures walked one after the other on the official road leading to Yanggu.
Li Chong walked ahead, while Cui Shi followed behind, carrying a bundle on his back, his expression revealing his panic.
Cui Shi looked around, saying, "We were robbed by bandits yesterday afternoon. Our master planned to rush to Yanggu and then rest in the county town, but unexpectedly..."
Recalling what had just happened, Choi Si still felt lingering fear.
After calming himself down, he continued, "When I woke up, it was already dark. I huddled in a ditch, shivering for most of the night, before finally getting through to dawn. I originally wanted to run away, but seeing everyone lying dead in the wilderness, I couldn't bear it, so I stayed to clean up the mess. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you, Brother Li."
Li Chong sighed and patted Cui Shi on the shoulder: "This is also a coincidence. However, Brother Cui, I still have to correct you on one thing."
"Wh-what?" Choi Si looked at Lee Chong.
As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance back at the fire behind him. The fire had grown large, and smoke was billowing into the sky, visible even from this side.
As a result, Cui Shi couldn't help but feel more awe towards Li Chong.
"Remember to change how you address me." Li Chong looked at him seriously. "From today onwards, I am your son-in-law, your master. You must not reveal any flaws in front of outsiders."
Choi Si-sil paused for a moment, then quickly nodded, "I...I understand."
However, he couldn't resist looking back again.
"Master Li, what if the fire gets put out?" Cui Shi pointed behind him. "And with so many corpses, if we're not there to watch over them, what if the fire isn't completely burned? Wouldn't that be useless?"
Li Chong waved his hand: "You don't need to worry about that. I put his body on top. Even if someone finds it, it will probably be unrecognizable by then."
As he spoke, Li Chong unconsciously gripped his sleeve with his other hand.
Seeing the corpse with his own eyes and the process of handling it still made Li Chong feel somewhat uncomfortable.
However, glancing at Cui Shi beside him, Li Chong knew he couldn't show the slightest weakness in front of him, otherwise how could he intimidate this man?
Therefore, Li Chong could not show any weakness even if he had to force himself to do so.
"As for waiting there, do you think we can wait?" Li Chong retorted. "Since those bandits are blocking the road and robbing people, it means their stronghold is probably not far away. Do you think no one will come to investigate when they see the fire? If we stay any longer, we'll just be asking for death."
Upon hearing this, Choi Si shuddered.
He nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes! My lord is right, we should indeed leave quickly!"
As he said this, Cui Shi subconsciously quickened his pace, taking a few quicker steps.
With no further questions for Cui Shi, Li Chong led him on a hurried journey, determined to reach Yanggu County before nightfall and resolve the issue of his identity as soon as possible.
Along the way, the two spoke less and less, as walking dozens of miles on foot was indeed exhausting.
Fortunately, as they got closer to their destination, more and more travelers appeared on the official road, which gave them a sense of security.
"My lord," Cui Shi called out breathlessly to Li Chong, "let's flag down a carriage, I... I really can't walk any further."
Considering their current roles, it wouldn't be appropriate for Li Chong, as the host, to carry the luggage. Therefore, all the burdens fell on Cui Shi's shoulders.
After walking so far, it's remarkable that he only said he couldn't hold on any longer now.
After all, although he was a servant, he usually served in the study and had never done such physical work before.
Hearing him ask that, Li Chong reached out and touched his chest.
While cleaning up the mess, he burned the book box he had brought from the pawnshop, but he still had some travel money left, though not much.
You'll have to pay to flag down a car, and this is all the money I have...
Li Chong hesitated for a moment and asked, "Why don't you hold on a little longer?"
"etc!"
Li Chong suddenly realized something; he was no longer an ordinary person, but an official of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Even a low-ranking county magistrate should not act like an ordinary citizen.
If you're going to put on a show, you have to go all the way; you can't let small things ruin the big picture.
"Alright then." Li Chong nodded to Cui Shi. "Thank you for your hard work. Let's take the car."
As he spoke, Li Chong stood by the roadside and scanned the passersby along the way.
Li Chong quickly identified someone.
"Old man, old man," Li Chong stopped an old man driving an oxcart, "Is your cart going to Yanggu County?"
The old man jumped out of the carriage, sized up Li Chong and his companion, and asked, "I'm going to Yanggu. Sir, is there anything you need?"
Li Chong took out a copper coin from his pocket and stuffed it into the coin: "That's good. Throw away the things in the carriage, take us to Yanggu, and this money is yours."
The old man was overjoyed to see the money Li Chong offered.
She reached out to take it, but then felt a little embarrassed: "I don't need that much, I don't need that much."
Seeing that it had worked, Li Chong simply took out a few more coins: "Is this enough? Hurry up, don't be late!"
"Alright!" The old man took it and, ignoring the goods he was pulling, simply cleared a space on the truck.
"Please be seated, gentlemen. We'll be on our way now."
Li Chong gave Cui Shi a wink, and Cui Shi suddenly understood.
He quickly said, "Old man, you wouldn't dare say such things. I'm just a servant; how could I dare to be addressed as such by my master?"
Li Chong was pleased with his quick wit, then added, "Why are you explaining anything to him? Just get in the car and go."
Cui Shi helped Li Chong into the carriage, while he sat in the back, always mindful of the distinction between master and servant.
The old man, driving his ox, turned back and smiled, "That was a mistake on my part. You are indeed a high-ranking official. It's just that your clothes don't quite suit you."
A bitter look appeared on Li Chong's face, and he sighed, "Who says otherwise? If I hadn't encountered bandits, I wouldn't be in such a sorry state."
"Robbers?" the old man asked anxiously upon hearing this. "Did you go through the Great Wind Mountain?"
Choi Si quickly replied, "Yes, that's it!"
The old man shook his head: "There's a gang of bandits in Dafeng Mountain. They've been around for over ten years, and the government can't do anything about them. You two are lucky to be alive."
Li Chong and Cui Shi exchanged a glance, and Cui Shi continued to press, "Old man, what's the background of those bandits from Dafeng Mountain? Can you tell me?"
The old man was very talkative and began to chatter on and on with the two of them.
Along the way, Li Chong and his companion also learned a bit about the bandits.
Because the travel expenses were generous, the old man escorted the two to the county government office. He seemed somewhat reluctant to leave.
It must have been a long time since anyone had been able to talk to him like this.
After saying goodbye to the old man, Li Chong and the other man exchanged a glance, both able to see the tension in each other's hearts.
But things had come to this point, and they had no choice but to back down.
"Go ahead." Li Chong nodded to Cui Shi.
Cui Shi swallowed hard and struggled up the steps: "Where is he? My husband has arrived to take up his post. Quickly, someone come and greet him!"