Chapter 108

Autumn rain drizzles, the morning window stands silent.

Heaven's will — it falls from the boundless sky.

One drop, then another, striking the blue‑stone steps, shattering into the finest mist.

The daylight lingers, refusing to brighten.

Clearly it is the morning hour, yet the sky remains dim; thick clouds hang extremely low, almost scraping the roof ridge of the rear hall of the county office.

Inside the study of the county office, the window is half‑open, and the damp air seeps into the white smoke rising from the tea brazier on the desk.

Ouyang Wu leans in the armchair by the window, holding a celadon‑glazed tea cup in his hand.

His brows and eyes are gentle and handsome; though past thirty, he looks no more than twenty‑seven or twenty‑eight, dressed in a moon‑white straight robe, his cuffs rolled halfway up, revealing a slender, white wrist......

Indeed, there is an appearance of using looks to serve others.

However, such things are not for servants to speak of.

The attendant returning from outside scouting glanced in, then cautiously stepped over the threshold, walked a few steps forward, and stood before the desk:

"Fifth Young Master, the grain distribution this morning — the numbers have been reported up by the staff."

Ouyang Wu gave an "ng" sound, set the tea cup back on the table, and lightly turned his finger around the rim:

"Speak."

"Today the southern city porridge kitchen opened two sessions — one at mao, one at chen. The mao session had over 470 people receiving porridge, mostly outsiders, more than half bringing their whole families. The chen session had fewer, just over 300, mostly the original poor households outside the city."

The attendant pulled a thin ledger from his sleeve, but did not open it — obviously the figures were already memorized.

"Combined, the two sessions consumed twelve shi three dou of coarse grain and six shi of mixed grain. At this rate, the southern city's stores will last ten days."

Ouyang Wu's brow twitched slightly, as lightly as a raindrop landing on a lake, sending faint ripples.

"And the northern city?"

"The northern city opened only one session, at exactly mao. There, fewer outsiders entered the city; most receiving porridge were local residents, consuming four shi of coarse grain and two shi five dou of mixed grain. The stores should last about half a month."

"How many people entered the city?"

The attendant paused, then silently calculated:

"From yesterday dusk to this morning, a total of 321 refugees registered at the four gates; fewer than fifty were able‑bodied, the rest elderly, weak, women, and children. Following your orders, we have emptied two warehouses in the southern city for them to stay temporarily, giving each person a day's dry rations."

Ouyang Wu's finger halted on the rim, unmoving.

The rain outside seemed to have intensified, pattering on the banana leaves with a crackling sound.

The steam in that tea cup gradually faded, the surface no longer rising with heat — presumably it has cooled.

After a while, he withdrew his gaze, his voice still unhurried.

"Ten days, half a month."

He repeated those two numbers, as if savoring some flavor:

"This rain has fallen continuously for three days, showing no sign of letting up."

"If it continues for another three to five days, the river mouth may breach; then we fear the influx will exceed three hundred."

The attendant lowered his head, offering no reply.

He knew the master's words were not meant to be answered, but were a calculation he was making in his own mind.

Indeed, Ouyang Wu soon gathered his thoughts and sat up straighter in the armchair.

He reached for the kettle on the tea brazier, poured himself another hot cup, moving slowly as if performing an extremely leisurely act.

The tea poured into the cup with a soft sound, nearly drowned out by the rain.

"You have handled these matters properly."

He cradled the freshly poured tea, leaned back into the chair, and his tone suddenly turned casual, as if he had just recalled something unrelated:

"Right, the two who lodged yesterday at the Yue Lai Inn east of the city — did you attend to them?"

The attendant's expression tightened slightly.

He knew whom the master meant: yesterday evening, a pair leading horses entered the city — wandering warriors.

The master, seeing them, specially ordered him to entertain them, sending food and drink in the name of the county office to probe their intentions.

But, but what happened in that inn......

It is truly somewhat hard to speak of!

The attendant recalled last night's events, his scalp tingling for a moment, and could only choose his words carefully:

"Replying to the master, they accepted the food and drink, but it was ill‑timed — we happened upon them just as they were arguing......"

The hand holding the tea paused slightly, and the cup emitted a faint clink.

"...... Arguing?"

"Yes."

The attendant steeled himself, recounting in detail the salacious scene he had witnessed yesterday, and only then said:

"At that time the woman was provoked by the man to the point of fury, seeming ready to find a rope and hang herself on the spot; moreover, most of the inn's patrons were gathered to watch the spectacle, so the attendant had no chance to inquire further and could only prepare to visit again today......"

Although Ouyang Wu had followed his elder brother since childhood, handling affairs and seeing some of the world, he had never witnessed such a tremendous uproar!

He first stared, then belatedly understood, set the cup down, and let out a muffled laugh:

"How can there still be in the world men who are good at jealousy and women who are helpless?"

"Then, in this pair, the one in charge ought to be the woman......"

No, it should be said, "Indeed so."

Compared to the handsome man beside the woman, yesterday he paid more attention to that woman.

At that time, merely a glance through the pouring rain, the aura in that woman's eyes was not inferior to the thunder filling the sky.

That woman surely bears some skill; who knows, she may even have lives on her hands.

As the saying goes, 【One who bears thunder in the breast and whose face is like a calm lake may be made a senior general】.

Now he is scouting ahead for his elder brother here, laying foundations, so naturally they need outstanding talent.

But he never expected yesterday that it would turn out like this.

What is this supposed to be?

A female bandit brings her husband-in-name into the city; the handsome husband not only excels at eating soft rice, but also at being jealous.

Ouyang Wu gave a faint smile, and after smiling, he only said:

"Then you go make another trip."

"We really do need talent right now... your elder brother, he is someone destined to do great things."

Half a city apart.

Yuelai Inn, guest room.

Two people were slowly eating their meal.

A square table, with each person occupying one side.

Du Shanü lowered her head to drink porridge, picked up a piece of green vegetable with her chopsticks, rested it on the rim of the bowl, and slowly bit.

Chinu sat opposite, also holding a bowl of porridge; when picking vegetables, his chopsticks extended out, went past her half of the dish, and landed on the plate of peanuts farthest from her.

Neither of them looked at the other.

The steam from the porridge rose from the bowl, blurring each other's brows and eyes; no one spoke.

Thus, neither noticed the bloodshot in the other's eyes.

Du Shanü closed her eyes and suffered insomnia half the night; today her head felt like it would split, and she had wanted to finish eating quickly and then catch some more sleep.

But just then, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door——

"Knock knock knock."

Three knocks, neither hurried nor slow.

Du Shanü lifted her eyelids, suppressed her killing intent, got up and opened the door.

At the doorway, there stood precisely the attendant of the county magistrate who had left yesterday.

That attendant was obviously fully prepared; seeing Du Shanü again, he no longer showed yesterday's panic, and greeted with a smile:

"Madam, are you awake? Where is your husband? Our county magistrate said......"

Du Shanü also smiled, but her smile did not reach her eyes:

"He's dead, just died last night."

Attendant: "......"

Attendant: "Ah?"

What just died!

He thought he had made ample preparations before coming this time!

Now it's obvious the preparations made were still not enough!

This young lady, can she possibly say a single sentence he can respond to?!!!

?? arguing