Chapter 55: Tang Sanjian of the Border Town, The Halberd-Bearer Who Listens to Tales

"Oh, Father, they are just some outlanders with the courage of a bear and a leopard. We can just have some bailiffs lock them up in the great dungeon to starve to death. Who knows how many people starve to death in Jinan Prefecture every single day?"

"Outlanders?" Shi Weizhi felt a vein throbbing on his forehead. Could it be that madman?

"Did he say what his name was?"

Young Master Shi was displeased. What was wrong with his elderly father today, who had always doted on and favored him? They were just arresting someone, so why all this hesitation? "How would I know his name? He brought a woman and a bunch of vicious lackhoes. His lackeys actually know martial arts, just look at how they beat me up."

Shi Weizhi turned and walked into his study, emerging a moment later with a portrait. "Is this the man?"

"Though his facial shape isn't quite the same, my gut feeling tells me it's him."

Shi Weizhi slapped his thigh. "This is bad. He really is in Shandong."

Shi Weizhi immediately pulled the steward over. "Quickly, catch up with that man and tell him that Xiao Zhi is in Jinan Prefecture and has had a conflict with my son."

The steward knew the gravity of the situation and hurried away.

Shi Weizhi pulled Shi Tianlu into the study and sighed heavily. "My son, your beating was for nothing."

***

The Border City, over three hundred li from the grasslands. Lush grass and flying warblers surrounded the city, and Tang Sanjian rode slowly on horseback, a solitary figure blending with his steed.

This was a fertile land, yet it had lain uncultivated for years, simply because every autumn and winter, the Northern barbarians were bound to come and pillage.

Once, fields intersected here, and granaries were full while clothing and food were abundant.

Today, the grass grew taller than the horses, and soldiers were numerous while citizens were scarce.

In the distance, the silhouette of the Border City was draped in the glow of the setting sun.

Moving slowly, the garrison soldiers looked gaunt and sallow-faced.

Tang Sanjian let out a long breath. After another quarter of an hour walking through the tall grass, his horse's hooves finally stepped onto the official road.

The city gate guard saw a man riding on horseback, wearing a bamboo hat and with a weapon hanging at his waist, and immediately grew vigilant.

The men exchanged glances and took up different positions.

"Pass."

The city gate guard slammed his long spear against the ground and shouted sternly.

"No pass."

Let alone a travel pass, Tang Sanjian didn't even have a proper identity.

Tang Sanjian took off his bamboo hat, hung it on the saddle, and reached into his bosom.

In Great Chu, the best travel pass was silver and money. Once the money was delivered, who cared who you were.

Yet halfway into his reach, Tang Sanjian froze.

The city gate guard who had stopped him also froze.

"Erhut?"

***

"Sanjian?"

Tang Sanjian dismounted. He never expected to meet his former brother-in-arms here in the Border City.

Erhu's eyes darted around, his expression shifting multiple times in an instant, and he pulled Tang Sanjian aside.

"Sanjian, is it really you? Weren't you already..."

"Already beheaded?" Tang Sanjian smiled. Recalling the experiences of these past few years, he let out another sigh.

"What happened? Did you escape?" Erhu stared at Tang Sanjian and asked.

Tang Sanjian shook his head. "It's a long story. I've been in the capital all these years."

In the capital—that meant he wasn't a fugitive. Erhu's expression relaxed considerably.

"Come, today since our brothers are blessed to meet again, we must drink to our heart's content."

Tang Sanjian also agreed. "We won't stop until we're dead drunk."

At a small tavern in the Border City, Tang Sanjian ordered roasted lamb leg, basin meat, and two large jars of fine wine.

Seeing Tang Sanjian order so much, Erhu gave an awkward laugh and hesitated repeatedly before reluctantly sitting down.

Tang Sanjian pointed at Erhu and laughed. "Does the monthly pay still stay with your wife? In those days, I ate a lot at your expense. This time, your brother is treating you, so don't fret over silver."

After three rounds of drinks, the table was in shambles, and the wine jars were empty.

"Sanjian, did you come to the Border City to enlist?"

Tang Sanjian shook his head, his tongue stiff as well. "I came to find Xiao Zhi. From now on, I'll follow him and serve as his bodyguard."

"Xiao Zhi? Are you talking about the Xiao Zhi who killed Huai Zhong?"

"That's the man."

Erhu sneered. "Others might not know, but I know best whether Xiao Zhi came to the Border City or not. Don't forget, these four city gates are under my command."

"Xiao Zhi isn't in the Border City?"

"He never came. Those matters... sigh, better not speak of it. Anyway, Xiao Zhi has never been to the Border City. It's not a secret anymore, everyone knows, it's just that it can't be spoken of officially."

Tang Sanjian scratched his head; having drunk too much, his brain wasn't working well.

"Then where is Xiao Zhi?"

Erhu said, "Xiao Zhi wants you to be his bodyguard? Is this true?"

"Could that be false? That day at Riding Dragon Ridge, if Xiao Zhi had been there, even if I had to risk my life, I would have left him dead on the spot."

Erhu: "..."

Are you trying to be his bodyguard, or send him to the netherworld?

Tang Sanjian said, "That day he didn't kill me, and wanted me to be his bodyguard. I didn't agree."

At this, Tang Sanjian patted his chest. "Look, now I've come to find him."

***

Erhu breathed a sigh of relief, lowered his voice, and said, "Yesterday, when I went to the General's Mansion to deliver documents, I heard some lieutenant generals discussing that Xiao Zhi is in Shandong."

***

In Jinan Prefecture, Xiao Zhi, whose mouth was slick with grease from eating, finally deigned to wipe his mouth—it was Heqing who wiped it for him.

Toward this attentive maidservant, Xiao Zhi was growing more and more satisfied.

On this trip to the capital, Heqing wasn't as stubborn as before; she was gentle and considerate, serving Xiao Zhi as if he were someone who lived off others and waited to die.

Checking the time, it wasn't early, yet Magistrate Shi still hadn't shown up, and Young Master Shi was nowhere to be found.

It seemed Magistrate Shi had already figured out who he was and didn't even dare show his face when his son got beaten up.

"This reputation of mine..."

"Is not very good," Qian Tang added insult to injury.

"Since we've arrived in Jinan Prefecture, let's wander around." Leading his entourage, Xiao Zhi strode out majestically.

Meal money?

When did Xiao Zhi ever say he was going to pay for a meal?

Even his tea money was slapped onto the table, but the innkeeper didn't dare collect it.

However, Xiao Zhi did leave the innkeeper with a remark: "Note down the money for this meal first. I'll come back to eat these next few days. Once I raid Magistrate Shi's estate and get the money, I'll settle it with you all at once."

That sentence nearly scared the innkeeper out of his wits.

No wonder Young Master Shi got beaten up, clamored to fetch men, and then never returned.

By now, dusk was falling. The most bustling places were restaurants and teahouses, followed by brothels and pleasure houses. Xiao Zhi had no interest in women who sold smiles for money.

If Xiao Zhi were even slightly a man of lust, there would be no shortage of people rushing to send women his way.

Seeing a teahouse by the street brimming with noise and excitement, Xiao Zhi walked in with his hands clasped behind his back.

Heqing naturally followed closely behind him, with Qian Tang at his side, while the rest were distributed in groups of two or three everywhere else.

These things didn't need instructions; over time, it had become a habit.

Finding an empty seat to sit down, the tea server immediately scurried over with a bent back to serve them.

First, he poured several large bowls of tea, then asked what food and pastries they wanted.

Xiao Zhi didn't know what they had here, but glancing at the surrounding tables, there was nothing more than melon seeds and dried plums.

Seeing that Xiao Zhi didn't respond, Qian Tang said, "Bring whatever food you have, we won't short you on silver."

When the tea server heard this, he realized this was a wealthy master who lacked for nothing. Looking at Xiao Zhi's attire—his entire body draped in silk and satin fabric, accompanied by a maidservant to serve him—how could he possibly fail to pay?

Before long, six or seven small plates of snacks were placed on the table, and the large bowls of tea were replaced with teapots and teacups.