Chapter 334
Regarding the death of Qiu Jinyu of the third branch of the Qiu family in Qianzhong Dao, there are many rumors in Longyou Dao. However, in Weizhou, as well as the neighboring Linzhou Prefecture and Shanzhou Prefecture, the common people naturally believe the news spread from Xiangwu County.
"Pah, and they call themselves scholars. Xiangwu County was so dangerous back then, with three thousand barbarian troops surrounding the city. Even children as young as five or six were holding cleavers on the city walls, and Qiu Jinyu actually fled. He claimed to be rescuing someone, but I think he's just a coward who ran for his own life!"
In the main hall of the restaurant, as more guests arrived for meals, everyone started talking about the matter. After a few cups of wine, the hot-tempered men were all spitting as they spoke, their words filled with disdain and contempt for Qiu Jinyu.
"Ma Laosan, you're talking nonsense again. What can a five-year-old child kill?" A guest at a nearby table burst into laughter.
Ma Laosan picked up his wine cup and drained it, then boldly wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth. His loud voice rose another notch, "I'm a seven-foot man, my word is my bond!"
"My maternal uncle's daughter married into Xiangwu County. I heard that to deal with those barbarians, they even used a jar of bean oil and lard bought for the New Year, heated them in large iron pots below the city wall, and then passed them up to the defenders. The defenders used gourd ladles to scoop and pour, scalding those barbarians until they cried out in pain."
A guest sitting by the window chimed in, "I heard that when they ran out of oil, they just boiled water. They dug up some accumulated snow and made a big pot of hot water."
"They even took the flour. When I first heard it, I thought they were making flour dumplings, but they sprinkled the flour out. I heard that when it was shot with a fire arrow, the flour exploded like firecrackers, scaring those barbarians to their knees, crying out to the Eternal Heaven."
It's no wonder the people of Longyou Dao were so keen to discuss this matter. It is said that during the previous dynasty, the officials were incompetent, and the general guarding the border was a greenhorn from the capital, who couldn't even be called a theorist.
That year was also winter. A group of barbarians bypassed the Weizhou Camp and went to Baiyu County on the other side. After five hundred barbarians broke through the county town, they advanced unchecked, burning, killing, and looting. By the time the reinforcements from the Weizhou Camp and the garrison arrived, Baiyu County was a scene of corpses, and the blood had stained the snow.
Not only were unarmed civilians killed, but the county yamen was also occupied by the barbarians. The heads of the county magistrate and other officials were cruelly severed and hung under the eaves.
Five hundred barbarian soldiers had almost massacred Baiyu County. Not to mention this time there were three thousand people. But who would have thought that not only was the barbarian county town defended, but in the end, three thousand barbarians were killed or captured. For this news, many people drank a few extra glasses of wine during the New Year, feeling happy.
Seeing the topic being led astray, a thin, dark-skinned man in a corner couldn't help but ask in surprise, "But how did I hear that Qiu Jinyu and the young master of the General's Mansion were like brothers? Knowing that Young Master Yang was in danger, he led his subordinates to risk their lives to rescue him at Aozi Pass."
The noisy hall fell silent for a moment after the dark-skinned man spoke. Then someone replied, "Whether you believe it or not, I don't believe it! Is the young master's life more important? Aren't the lives of the people in Xiangwu County also important? If the city gate is held, millions of people are saved. They all say scholars are righteous, humph!"
"Yes, I heard that Young Master Yang appeared at Aozi Pass in the middle of the night because he learned that Xiangwu County was besieged. So, he rushed back to support them regardless of the danger, and that's why he was ambushed."
Knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet heading towards them! Yang Xu's actions were truly righteous. Whatever Qiu Jinyu's purpose in going to Aozi Pass, he abandoned the people of Xiangwu County and fled. This is an undeniable fact. Even if someone spins a thousand tales, the common people won't buy it.
A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar sneered, "If he has a life-saving grace for the young master, then he can soar to great heights in the future. It's more rewarding than saving ordinary people. The righteous are often dogs, and the faithless are often scholars."
Many people nodded in agreement. They were the common people, and in Qiu Jinyu's eyes, they were probably just worthless lives, destined to die.
In the corner, the thin, dark-skinned man's eyes darkened and sank. He absentmindedly picked up a few more bites of food, then said, "Waiter, the bill."
A moment later, the dark-skinned man left the restaurant and headed straight for a large mansion in the east of the city. He knocked on the side door and went in.
"Madam, Miss Qiu is throwing a tantrum again, clamoring to set off back to Qianzhong Dao." The head maid looked up, but there was a wound on her forehead, looking like it was caused by something hitting her.
Madam Qian frowned, looking at the head maid whose wound was still bleeding, "You go down and treat your wound first. Transfer a few maids from the front yard to serve her."
The maids and servants in the backyard were all Madam Qian's confidantes, so she might as well let Qiu Jingyuan torment the delicate vixen in the front yard, lest they get too many ideas and spend all day trying to climb into the master's bed.
As the head maid retreated, the dark-skinned man happened to come in to report.
"Alright, how is the information gathering?" Madam Qian stopped the dark-skinned man from bowing and sat in the main seat. Tired, she had her wet nurse press her head. She thought it was a good errand, and perhaps she could even use this opportunity to climb to the General's Mansion. Who knew it would turn into a hot potato in the end.
"Reporting to Madam, outside there are all unfavorable rumors about Young Master Qiu. We sent out many people, but the common people are not buying it. Now even the teahouses have storytellers slandering Young Master Qiu."
The Qian family was not short of money, so spreading rumors was easy. But this time it was different. A lot of money was spent, but the effect was minimal.
No matter how the Qian family tried to whitewash Qiu Jinyu, saying he was loyal and righteous, and had deep brotherly affection for Yang Xu, which was why he went to Aozi Pass to rescue him, to the common people, if you were truly loyal and righteous, why would you abandon the people of Xiangwu County?
After inquiring about some other matters, Madam Qian waved her hand and dismissed them. With no one else present, Madam Qian no longer concealed anything, "Now, let alone marriage, I'll be grateful if the General's Mansion doesn't retaliate."
The old wet nurse looked at Madam Qian, who hadn't slept well for nights because of the Qiu family's affairs, with pity. "Madam, you don't need to worry. The General's Mansion hasn't taken action against the Zhang family, so they won't take action against us."
Madam Qian also remembered seeing her three days ago at the restaurant. Zhan Feiyu lived in the Qiu Mansion and was close to Yang Xu. Looking at her cordial exchange with Master Zhang, there was no feeling of swords clashing. It seemed the General's Mansion really didn't intend to retaliate.
Slightly reassured, Madam Qian sighed, "Forget it, let's wait for the Qiu family to arrive."
Qiu Jinyu's body was taken away from the temporary morgue in Xiangwu County, but it was estimated that the people from the third branch would arrive in about five days. Fortunately, it was winter, and the cold temperature would prevent the body from rotting.
"Madam, it's not good..." Just as Madam Qian was about to relax, the panicked shouts of the head maid came from outside. Madam Qian's heart sank. She had lived a life of luxury for many years, but since Qiu Jingyuan arrived, Madam Qian felt like she had aged ten years.
The head maid had already applied medicine to her forehead. Without even bowing, she hurriedly said, "Miss Qiu has taken people out. I heard from the maids serving her that Miss Qiu is going to Xiangwu County to settle accounts with Miss Zhan!"
"Settle what accounts?" Madam Qian's scalp tingled. That day at the restaurant, Jingyuan had been slapped. This was in Linzhou Prefecture. Xiangwu County was the territory of the General's Mansion. If Qiu Jingyuan dared to cause trouble there, Madam Qian knew what the consequences would be without even thinking.
"It was a few maids and servants gossiping, and Miss Qiu happened to overhear them..." The head maid quickly explained the cause.
Qiu Jingyuan came to Xiangwu County to discuss marriage with Yang Xu. Before Qiu Jinyu's accident, with his help in mediating, Qiu Jingyuan and Yang Xu might have become childhood sweethearts. Although Qianzhong Dao was far away, Madam Qian, as her great aunt, was in Linzhou Prefecture. Then Qiu Jingyuan could come here for a short stay, nurture their feelings, and in a few years, they could be engaged.
Now that Qiu Jinyu was dead, Madam Qian thought the marriage would be easier to arrange. After all, Qiu Jinyu died saving Yang Xu, and one life for a marriage engagement was normal.
But when Qiu Jingyuan went to the Qiu Mansion that day, she was driven away by Yang Xu's harsh words without even entering the gate. After returning to Linzhou Prefecture, Qiu Jingyuan had already smashed five or six sets of tea sets in the past few days.
She had a bad temper and often beat and scolded her servants. The maids and servants serving her dared not speak out, so they whispered privately that Yang Xu didn't want to get engaged to Qiu Jingyuan because Yang Xu was closer to Zhan Feiyu.
One was an arrogant, overbearing, and unreasonable young lady, while the other was a lovely, well-behaved, and sensible little girl. Especially since Zhan Feiyu was also a scholar and a top performer, it was obvious who Yang Xu would choose.
The two gossiping servants even said boldly, "If I were choosing a daughter-in-law for my son, I would choose someone like Miss Zhan. If I brought home a troublemaker, the family would be in turmoil within three days."
"Troublemaker!" Qiu Jingyuan happened to overhear this and was furious. She grabbed the broom the servants used to sweep snow and beat them all over their heads.
Enraged, Qiu Jingyuan took her maids and guards and left the Qian family, heading to Xiangwu County to settle accounts with Zhan Feiyu.
...
Although the snow outside had not yet melted, the bright sun shining on her made Zhan Feiyu feel not so cold. Smelling the various aromas of food, she instantly felt hungry. "A Nuan, there are so many stalls today, they've even lined up to the blacksmith's shop."
"Today is the first market after the New Year, so it will definitely be livelier," He Nuan leaned slightly to the side to prevent pedestrians from bumping into Zhan Feiyu.
The food stocked up for the New Year had almost been eaten, so everyone would take advantage of the market day to buy some back in the county town.
"There are grilled skewers over there." Smelling the aroma of grilled meat, Zhan Feiyu's eyes lit up. "A Nuan, let's go quickly."
Although Xiangwu County had barren land, was prone to sandstorms, and had little rainfall, the lamb here was exceptionally delicious. Whether it was lamb soup, stir-fried lamb with scallions, or roasted lamb legs...
Just thinking about it made her mouth water. Moreover, these skewers, threaded onto sticks and roasted over charcoal, with various special spices sprinkled on them, the lamb wrapped in spices dripping onto the bright red charcoal, making a tempting sizzling sound. The overwhelming aroma made people unable to move their feet.
He Sheng and He Nuan smiled as they watched Zhan Feiyu standing by the charcoal fire like the other children. It was rare to see their young lady acting so childishly.
"Little girl, how many skewers do you want?" the uncle asked with a smile, skillfully turning the lamb skewers. "One coin per skewer."
Before Zhan Feiyu could answer, a chubby boy of about eight or nine years old spoke first. He was probably very greedy, as saliva dripped down as soon as he spoke.
The chubby boy quickly wiped his mouth. "I want five skewers."
Wow... The children gathered around let out gasps of admiration, looking at the wealthy chubby boy with envy.
"Er Wa, share one skewer with me. Next time I buy food, I'll share with you too," a skinny, monkey-like boy squeezed to the front, clapping the chubby boy on the shoulder like a close friend. His eyes darted around. "From now on, if anyone bullies you, just shout, and your brother will fight for you!"
"Don't try to trick my brother!" A little girl standing by pouted displeasedly and pulled the chubby boy aside. She huffed angrily at the skinny monkey, "My cousins all want to eat, there are no extras to share with you!"
"Exactly, whoever dares to bully my cousin, I'll beat his dog head flat!" The eldest boy even shook his fist as a threat. "Don't try to trick my brother!" A little girl standing by pouted displeasedly and pulled the chubby boy aside. She huffed angrily at the skinny monkey, "My cousins all want to eat, there are no extras to share with you!"
"Exactly, whoever dares to bully my cousin, I'll beat his dog head flat!" The eldest boy even shook his fist as a threat.