The First Volume of Qinghe County

  They made a vow of brotherhood, and the three men bowed to each other eight times. They then used the remaining wine to make an offering to heaven and earth. Each of them reported their birth dates, and arranged themselves in order of age. Ximen Qing was one or two years older than both Wu Song and Shi Xiu, so he took the position of eldest brother without hesitation. Although Shi Xiu was slightly older than Wu Song, he yielded to him after a brief show of modesty, allowing Wu Song to take the position of second brother, while he himself became the third.

  "We may not be born on the same year, month and day, but we will die on the same year, month and day! We share honor and shame together! Never to betray each other!"

  Since they had already sworn brotherhood, Wu Song naturally didn't want to go alone to Liangshan Marsh to find Song Jiang, so he listened to Ximen Qing's advice and first returned to Qinghe County for a short stay before making further plans.

  In any case, Wu Song hasn't had enough of Jingyang Spring yet?

  Shi Qian generously lent out the horses, and with their light bodies, they came out. They avoided the bumpy road, and Ximen Qing and Wu Song rode side by side at a slow pace, not pulling Shi Qian down.

  Wu Song's heart was entangled as he went along, and his words gradually increased. He chatted with Ximen Qing all the way, discussing Wu Dalang's aftermath.

  At the mention of Pan Jinlian, Wu Song still felt a little uneasy. Ximen Qing saw through Wu Song's thoughts and comforted him: "I and Sixth Sister started with feelings and ended with etiquette, and we didn't do those improper things. After Wu Dalang's funeral is over, I will arrange another courtyard in the mansion for Sixth Sister to live in, and then make further plans."

  Wu Song felt somewhat reassured upon hearing this: "Since brother has spoken, Wu Song will follow the arrangement. If sister-in-law truly loves brother with all her heart, then Wu Song has nothing to say."

  Ximen Qing was overjoyed to have obtained Wu Song's promise, and with this, Pan Jinlian would be his own person, while Wu Dalang... could return to dust.

  But there is still one thing left, that is Niu Doutou who makes trouble and stirs up trouble!

  "What! That scoundrel is so daring!" Zhu Qian heard Ximen Qing and Wu Song's account, furious and slammed the table: "Originally thought that this scoundrel had no merit, but also had hard work, didn't expect to have such a mind!"

  "Ximen Qing's younger brother, Wu Song, you two bring people to tie up all the cows and bring them to see me!"

  Zhu ordered, Ximen Qing and Wu Song led several yamen runners to search around, but there was no trace. They went back to his room and found that all the gold, silver, and valuables were gone, even the clothes he had changed out of were missing. Only then did they realize that this guy had seen something was wrong and had simply run away.

  When Ximen Qing and Wu Song rushed back, they saw Zhu Zhi County's furious face even more severe. After asking, they only knew that Niu Doutou not only escaped but also went to the big prison and chopped off the iron ruler with one knife, releasing all the prisoners!

  "Are all prisoners?" Wu Song's face changed: "This guy is too bold!"

  Luckily, they were discovered early and most of the culprits were caught, but in the chaos, someone saw that scoundrel and Bai Song kill their way out, it's unknown where they escaped to!" Zhu Zhi Xian angrily said: "Master! Issue a warrant for their arrest, search for these two everywhere!"

  "What about Brother Yuan?" Ximen Qing asked from the side.

  "That young man became dazed and didn't run away," a bailiff replied.

  Ximen Qing and Wu Song exchanged a glance, it seemed that Yuanniang had been frightened by Shi Xiu to the point of being somewhat stunned.

  "This year, our county was supposed to be evaluated as excellent, but with this incident, alas! Magistrate Zhu vented his frustration and sighed: "Ximen Xian-di, the Grand Commandant has already agreed to come down, saying in his letter that he wants to find an opportunity to transfer me to the capital. Now, who knows if there will be any changes."

  "What, sir, are you going to the capital?" Ximen Qing was slightly surprised in his heart. No wonder Zhu Zhifu had sent all the money he had embezzled to Zhu Taigong in the eastern capital; it turned out that he had been harboring such thoughts.

  "You are all local people, and there are some things that must be said." Magistrate Zhu ordered everyone else to leave, thought for a moment, and said: "Qinghe County is really too small. Even if I serve my full term, what can I do? This officialdom is a radish in a pit. By giving gifts to the commander, I am seeking an opportunity to go to Dongjing City to be an official."

  "Ximen, my younger brother, your wine shop business is booming and you must go to the capital city for further development. But without a strong backing, opening this shop would only be giving away a piece of fat meat for others to eat."

  "The liquor tax is already very high, let alone all kinds of tips. After one round, how much can you still have left?"

  Ximen Qing nodded repeatedly at these words, it seems that no matter whether it's this world or the one he crossed over from, these aspects are all the same.

  When it comes to leaning on a mountain, the hardest one must be Song Huizong, an art master with extremely high attainments in calligraphy and painting. If you want to get close to him, I estimate that you can only do so through Li Shishi. Who knows if there will be any changes in this world?

  Below are the so-called six bandits: Cai Jing, Wang Fu, Tong Guan, Liang Shi Cheng, Zhu Mian, and Li Yan. Adding to these is the well-known cuju master Gao Qiu and Gao Taiwei, if you can get these few people on board, then there's no need to worry.

  "Ximen younger brother, if you really want to go to the capital, then you must be willing to spend some money. In front of Zhu Taishi, I will naturally say a few good words for you."

  As expected, Zhu Zhi County is still that old fox who wants to make a profit in the end. However, without any connections, it's impossible to get the money out.

  Ximen Qing was playing with the sheep fat jade pendant, just about to accept some political donations when the teacher knocked gently on the door outside: "Sir, there is a person outside who claims to be from Dongjing Prefecture and has an urgent matter that requires an audience with the county magistrate!"

  "Tokyo Prefecture? Isn't it another letter from Zhu Taishou?" Zhu Zhi County thought, instructing the teacher to bring people in.

  The newcomer was young, around thirty years old, with a pale face and no beard, dressed as a merchant. However, when he saw Zhu Zhiyuan, he didn't bow or show any courtesy, merely nodding his head slightly. His voice was somewhat shrill: "So you're Zhu Zhiyuan?"

  "Hmm? Where did you come from? Why didn't you pay respects to the county?" Zhu Zhixian scolded.

  The newcomer didn't say much, took out a waist card from his bosom and presented it. Magistrate Zhu's expression changed slightly as he stood up and said: "So you are..."

  Someone stopped Zhu Zhi and said, "These are secrets, now that there are many ears and eyes around, let's not talk about it anymore."

  "Yes, yes, yes." Zhu knew the county and was very diligent, hastily instructing to prepare seats and tea, and also asking Ximen Qing and Wu Song to wait outside the door first.

  Ximen Qing originally wanted to discuss with Zhu Zhishou the matter of going to Dongjing Prefecture for development, but was inexplicably stirred up by a strange visitor, and Zhu Zhishou didn't even dare to offend him.

  Wu Song had a lot of experience in Jianghu, but he didn't have any ideas about this kind of thing either.

  It's just that Master Wu had some misgivings and whispered to Ximen Qing and Wu Song, "This person is mysterious and secretive, if things go wrong, he might be from the Imperial City Guard."

  "Imperial City Guard?"

  Under the relatively bright light, the old man still habitually knocked on the red wood table: "Our people should have arrived, right?"

  "It should be about right." The young man thought for a moment and replied, "However, sir also knows that person is slow in doing things. Actually, sir should have sent me instead."

  "Who sent you?" The old man cracked a smile: "I've watched you grow up, don't I know what's on your mind? Last time you didn't have the guts, this time you want to try out Wu Song's skills again?"

  "We, the Imperial City Patrol, have finally gotten this chance to turn things around. One misstep and it's a bottomless pit. Do you think there will be another opportunity for an official to let the prince take charge of the Imperial City Patrol?"

  "I understand now."

  Seeing the young people convinced, the old man flipped through the small booklet in his hand and exclaimed: "This Ximen Qing is really... extremely strange. Is he just a shopkeeper of a medicine store? He beheaded the executioner, fondled the breasts, laughed at the doctor, became a county official, took a concubine, saved Wu Dalang, divorced his wife, captured the great thief... If it weren't for this Strange Record, I wouldn't dare to believe such things."

  "Unexpectedly, apart from Wu Song, Qinghe County actually has such talent, it's simply born for our Imperial City Guard."

  A glimmer of jealousy flashed in the young man's eyes, having been nurtured by the Imperial City Guard since childhood, exceling in both literature and martial arts. What is Ximen Qing compared to him?

  "This little book I've read several times, but still can't believe it. Sir, you say, could it be that Wu Daoguan deliberately fabricated it?"

  The old man's eyes were filled with questioning: "Fabricated? Do you think this kind of thing can be fabricated at will? If you can't control your jealousy, then don't do anything in the future."

  "The little one understood." The young man lowered his head in trepidation.

  "This Luo Zhenren is also strange, why bother to collect these intelligence?" The old man smiled and carefully put away the small booklet in his hand: "But it just so happens to be useful for our Imperial City Guard. Collecting intelligence is originally our responsibility as the Imperial City Guard."

  "Lu Zhenren, Lu Zhenren, are you really a god from heaven?" The old man narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself: "Why have we searched for so long without being able to find any trace of you?"

  "What's lost?" Just as Zhu Zhiyuan called out, Ximen Qing and Wu Song went in, but got such a strange case.

  "This big brother lost something in Qinghe County, you go and investigate." Zhu Zhi Xian took a sip of tea to cover it up, but Ximen Qing had already heard it clearly.

  Older brother? Are you a grown-up? So young, yet even Zhu Zhi County has to address you as "sir"?

  "May I ask, sir, what item did you lose, when did you lose it, and how did you lose it?" As the county magistrate, Ximen Qing naturally had to get to the bottom of things first.

  "A letter. Lost last night at the Xidajie Inn." The man's voice was really unpleasant to hear, sharp and piercing as if it wanted to drill into one's eardrum: "Originally it was with my luggage, but now both are gone. Later I found the luggage in the inn's stable, but the letter is nowhere to be seen."

  "The law and order of this county is still quite good, there are no habitual thieves, it's probably the work of a passing thief." County Magistrate Zhu hastily defended himself: "This West Gate County Lieutenant has some clever ideas about solving cases, don't worry, sir."

  "Alright, I'll give you three days. That fellow was extremely arrogant: "That letter is very important to me, you must find it back for me."

  "Yes, yes, yes." Zhu Zhixian nodded repeatedly, then turned his head and asked: "Ximen Xian, how do you think about this matter?"

  Passerby thief? Ximen Qing smiled secretly in his heart. Wasn't Shi Yun, the newly sworn brother, also a passerby thief?

  Wait a minute, did this guy really do it? From stealing the whole sheep to sneaking in and eating the chicken inside, this guy is really clumsy.