Chapter 16

Kou Xuan’s expression was apologetic and sincere. His proposal was very well considered, yet it did not seem overly enthusiastic.

Wei Jing smiled and said, “Excellent—thank you, Brother Kou, for taking the trouble on behalf of both my wife and me.”

He continued, “To be honest, even if today’s incident had not occurred, my wife and I were already about to set off. I have come to the southwest to assume my post; even if I were to encounter bandits and get injured, I dare not delay.”

Assume your post?

Shao Qing couldn’t help but glance at him. Though she said little, she silently shifted her gaze toward Kou Xuan.

Kou Xuan, equally astonished, remarked, “So it turns out that Brother Yang is actually in government service! My eyes must have failed me—please forgive my oversight. I wonder…”

“I’m only a county magistrate. From the Central Plains to the southwest—I feel rather humbled.”

From Wei Jing’s perspective, a county magistrate was nothing extraordinary. However, in this remote southwestern frontier—where the mountains soar high and the emperor is far away—a county magistrate is, in truth, the head of a county, commanding both military and administrative authority. For example, in Gong County, the previous two magistrates’ personal preferences directly determined the prospects for the survival of the Kou family.

Kou Xuan marveled, “I always suspected that Brother Yang was no ordinary merchant; indeed, he is young and capable.”

“Brother Kou, you flatter me,” replied Wei Jing modestly.

Seeing that it was about time, Wei Jing went on, “Brother Kou, you are hastily leaving your hometown with your family. Do you have a proper place to settle? If not, why not join us on our journey?”

Kou Xuan was not only fleeing his native land but had also abandoned his established means of making a living—plus, he was taking his entire family with him. In these turbulent times, with an unfamiliar road ahead, starting anew and settling down is no easy matter.

At that moment, he realized that the man he had rescued happened to be a county magistrate on his way to assume office—one who had even invited his entire family to travel along. What reason could there be to refuse?

Sure enough, Kou Xuan was overjoyed. He bowed deeply to the ground and said, “I am extremely grateful; I dare not refuse your offer, and I will forever cherish Brother Yang’s kindness in my heart.”

“Ah, Brother Kou, your words are mistaken.”

Wei Jing helped Kou Xuan to his feet, smiling as he said, “It’s nothing more than a trivial effort—there’s no need for you to thank me so earnestly, Brother Kou. Now, hurry and pack your things; it’s best that we set off as soon as possible.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

The Kou family—four members in all, including a small child—departed in a flurry, gathering their belongings in haste. Consequently, Kou Xuan did not dare to linger; after a brief farewell, he quickly turned back.

“Husband.”

After watching Kou Xuan enter the main chamber, Shao Qing closed the door and, speaking softly, asked Wei Jing, “Are we going to Pingtao?”

Pingtao County is where the real Yang Ze is about to assume office. The appointment credentials, posting notice, and household registration are all in her keeping—and Shao Qing had already pieced it all together.

“Hmm.” Wei Jing nodded. To seek revenge by attempting a lone assassination is the most foolish and desperate of plans. Naturally, he would never adopt such a course, and besides, he was no longer alone—he had Shao Qing with him. How could he ever expose her to danger again?

Moreover, the northern frontier border army, for which he had devoted five years of his heart and soul, was officially still part of the Great Chu. Had misfortune suddenly struck while he was with the army, he would have been confident in his ability to control the situation. Unfortunately, at that time, he had raced back to the capital overnight. This was also the fundamental reason that his father, the emperor, had no choice but to summon him back to the capital.

Since the late emperor had harbored this thought from the start, he would undoubtedly have prepared preventive measures well in advance. Wei Jing was well aware that several veteran loyalist generals—men who had survived two or three dynasties bearing imperial tokens and edicts—and more than half of the major commanders’ families were not present with them.

Once the new emperor ascended the throne, he would immediately take charge of and settle all affairs regarding the northern army, executing those deserving death and demoting those deserving punishment. In a matter of months, everything would be properly arranged.

As for the lands and titles once bestowed upon Wei Jing, his adoptive father had already implicated him with charges of treason, and even before his exile, his titles and fiefs were stripped away. His former territories lay in the northeast, while his exile took him to the southwest—the late emperor having ample time to deal with these matters.

With time, Wei Jing certainly had no intention of casting himself into a northern snare.

“Do not worry. You must know that the Northern Army—which now appears invincible—was once repeatedly defeated, to the extent that the imperial court was forced to cede territories and arrange marriage alliances in order to end the wars.”

All the change began after Wei Jing arrived at the northern frontier. With decisive, sweeping measures, he tackled the deep-rooted woes, issued rigid military orders, and drilled his troops, thereby breathing new life into this once exhausted force. As long as he lives, nothing will be a problem.

Wei Jing spoke quietly yet with a striking gaze: “Under the three reigns—Tianchu, Jianyuan, and Xiande—the emperor favored eunuchs and neglected state affairs. For decades, these eunuch officials vied for power, and the decline of the Great Chu dynasty became evident early on.”

The previous emperors were all inept rulers. Their constant turmoil not only weakened imperial authority and provoked internal and external crises, but it even severed the direct line of succession, leaving no choice but to select heirs from collateral branches.

Wei Jing’s father, Emperor Zhongping, ascended to the throne this way. Chosen after fierce struggles among multiple factions, his defining traits were his mild, low-profile nature and rather mediocre talent.

Nonetheless, Emperor Zhongping was comparatively stronger. After enduring many years of hardship, he eventually joined forces with the Fu clan to eradicate the power of the eunuchs and reassert imperial authority firmly in his grasp.

Yet, consolidating the imperial power reached the limits of his ability. He was powerless to clean up the mess left by his predecessors—and in his deep-seated suspicion and wariness toward the Fu family, he even personally ordered the elimination of the second legitimate son born to Empress Fu, a child who might have had the strength to salvage the situation.

Internal problems differ from external threats—they are like chronic, deep-seated illnesses. The previous crown prince, having had too little time at court, though implementing new policies repeatedly, only addressed the symptoms rather than the root causes. Anyway, the state of Great Chu now remains grim: corrupt officials and impoverished citizens, compounded by a catastrophic pestilence two years ago, with popular unrest still breaking out occasionally.

In such a tricky, difficult situation, can that new emperor—who has never received a proper imperial education and whose talent and ability don’t match even the former crown prince—ever resolve things smoothly?

Wei Jing curled his lips, revealing an icy, mocking smile.

There is little chance. That is why his first step now is to seize a territory—developing and expanding it while accumulating strength—so that when a favorable opportunity arises, he can act decisively.

Did his father not endure and scheme for years solely to consolidate control over Great Chu? And isn’t the new emperor on the Dragon Throne—who has long labored in a subordinate role for over twenty years—merely there to ascend to the throne and claim the vast lands of Great Chu?

Watching helplessly as Great Chu falls apart piece by piece, what form of revenge could be more exhilarating than marching straight into the capital and subjecting that mother and son to brutal dismemberment—plus his own father?

At that moment, savage impulses stirred in his blood as Wei Jing displayed an intensely bloodthirsty, cold smile.

“Husband?” Shao Qing’s clear, bright voice—tinged with worry—flowed like spring water, soothing the fiery ferocity within his bones. He paused, lowered his eyes to look at her, and whispered, “Don’t worry; we’ll be secure very soon.”

Stability is indeed wonderful. This life, where every step is a struggle, is utterly exhausting—and Pingtao, being far removed from the Central Plains, is a very suitable haven.

Shao Qing smiled softly. “Mm.”

Wei Jing added, “Ah Qing, wait for me. I’ll first go eliminate that Sun Zong, then set out.”

Because of Yuan Hong’s frantic outburst, Sun Zong and his inner circle soon learned about the incident at the riverbank. The Kou family, persuaded by Shao Qing’s words, decided that while Yuan Hong’s departure could be temporarily set aside, Sun Zong and his cronies must absolutely not be allowed to escape. He had arranged with Kou Xuan to set off at the end of the Hai hour. With nearly two hours left until its conclusion and a distance of only five li lying before him, he intended to settle this matter first.

This time, Shao Qing said little more. Sun Zong of the Sun family—and his whole band of henchmen—had long been preying on the common people, ruthlessly and brazenly wreaking havoc in the villages and causing countless casualties. And this was not something the Kou family had mentioned; it was news she overheard while neighbors were visiting and chatting.

“Alright, go ahead—I’ll wait for you.” Shao Qing also cautioned, “Your wound has only just begun to scab over. Take extra care and ensure it doesn’t reopen.”

Now that Wei Jing had purged all the toxins from his body, even though his injury had not fully healed and his complexion was still pale, he was utterly transformed compared to before. He had regained over fifty percent of his martial prowess. In such a remote little place, however, Shao Qing’s only worry was that he might accidentally tear open his wound. She felt rather at ease about it—in fact, Wei Jing was anxious, for he could not bear the thought of leaving her alone.

After all, as a refined daughter of a wealthy family, Shao Qing’s delicate, soft body possessed practically no combat ability; in a crisis, if she couldn’t get out of harm’s way, she would be completely at the mercy of others.

After some thought, Wei Jing finally said, “Ah Qing, I’ll go out with you. Let me first find you a secluded spot where you can take shelter.”

Shao Qing was startled for a moment, then quickly nodded, “Alright.”

In that instant, her thoughts shifted, and she understood Wei Jing’s meaning. A warm sense of gratification arose in her heart at the prospect of reaping the fruits of her efforts.

Given that her own safety was at stake, no precaution was too much. Without delay, Shao Qing turned and hoisted the neatly packed bundle onto her back. Wei Jing wrapped an arm around her, and accustomed to this intimacy, she reached out and clutched his slim waist.

They had reached the back window when he stretched out to unlatch it—only for his hand to freeze as soon as it had barely touched the latch.

“What’s wrong?” Shao Qing asked softly.

Her question was answered almost instantly. Outside, the courtyard door of the Kou family was being rapped upon—urgently and heavily—with someone calling, “Wenchang, Wenchang!”

Kou Xuan burst out in swift strides—as if his three steps had merged into two—and flung the door open. The visitor was his close friend, Chen Zhu, an assistant officer at the Gong County magistrate’s office.

Chen Zhu slipped in, lowering his voice as he urgently announced, “County Sheriff Sun and his son have mustered all the county’s constables and soldiers, and they’re now rushing in toward Hexiang!”

The sudden commotion was disruptive. In Hexiang, someone had long been at odds with the Sun’s father and son was Kou Xuan. Chen Zhu, who had been delayed in finishing his duties due to official business, immediately sensed something was wrong. He forced himself to remain calm as he left work and rushed ahead of them.

Meanwhile, the Kou family was franticly gathering their valuables. Their donkey cart had already been hitched and drawn into the courtyard; it was obvious they intended to flee under cover of darkness.

Seeing everything, Chen Zhu had no further questions. Growing anxious, he cried out, “Stop gathering your things—hurry and go! County Sheriff Sun and his son will be here in no more than 30 minutes; if we don’t leave now, it will be too late!”

Kou Xuan was utterly shocked. “How is that possible?!”

At most, his family would only have been involved in a homicide case concerning Kou Yue—why would it require deploying the entire county’s contingent of troops? And how could it be that County Sheriff Sun himself had to take direct action?!

Moreover, didn’t Sun Zong say he would send a sedan chair tomorrow? What is going on with this move?!

The Kou family was left flabbergasted, while Shao Qing’s heart gave a jolt. She and Wei Jing exchanged glances, each seeing the same determination in the other’s eyes.

“Quick, quick! Stop packing—hurry up and get in the cart, and leave through the back door!”

Yan Ming, who had only managed to pack one large bundle, was already waiting at the Kou residence. Without waiting for Kou Xuan to say more, he immediately jumped onto the donkey cart and rushed ahead to open the back door. Upon hearing the commotion, Wang Mi, Kou Yue, and the others hurriedly grabbed their luggage and came out.

“You came to deliver the message—does that trouble you?”

“No, nothing at all. You and I have pretended to be estranged for so many years; it won’t drag me in. I’ll leave first.”

Chen Zhu then hurried off toward the back door. Although Kou Xuan’s brows were furrowed with countless worries, amidst the chaos, there was no sign of disorder. In a low voice, he instructed his sister-in-law to hurry into the cart while he dashed steadily toward the west wing.

The west wing door swung open just in time, and he quickly said to Wei Jing, “Brother Yang, I’m afraid we must leave immediately!”

“Alright.” Wei Jing had just whispered to Shao Qing to follow them, so the two of them did not hesitate in the slightest and exited through the back door along with Kou Xuan.

The donkey cart was small—women and children sat inside while the men ran alongside. Although Wei Jing was injured, Kou Xuan urged him to climb aboard, but he politely refused. A quarter of an hour later, having journeyed a little over two li from Hexiang, he suddenly stopped.

“I’ve left some crucial items back in the house. I will retrieve them—go on without me, and we’ll catch up later.”

“How can that work? If you go back now…” One misstep, and you’ll end up running straight into County Sheriff Sun and his son!

Before Kou Xuan could finish speaking, he saw Shao Qing had already lifted the curtain and dashed toward Wei Jing. Wei Jing reached out and caught her squarely in his arms, spun around, and sprinted back at breakneck speed. Despite carrying her, his steps remained light, and his pace was several times faster than before.

He immediately bit his tongue.