Chapter 174: 【Regenerating Branches】 (Part 1)

Wan Boping used his sleeve to dry his tears, then he explained the whole situation: his eldest son Wan Tingchang had been kidnapped.

Hu Xiaotian found it strange; the matter was indeed sudden. He had thought Wan Tingchang had already left Qingyun County, but who would have expected this to happen again.

Wan Boping took out a letter from his bosom, his voice trembling: "Sir Hu, just half an hour ago someone suddenly delivered this letter. I opened it and saw it was from the horse bandits of Tianlang Mountain. My poor son has been taken by them..."

Hu Xiaotian said nothing, took the letter and unfolded it. He saw the writing was very brief: besides stating that Wan Tingchang was in their hands, it also set a condition, urging Hu Xiaotian to go quickly to Heishi Village west of the city to treat Yan Boguang's injuries. After reading the letter, Hu Xiaotian fully understood why Wan Boping had come to him—the bandits holding his son were using this as leverage to make him treat Yan Boguang. Hu Xiaotian muttered to himself: Could Yan Boguang's condition have worsened again? But this is odd—why would they use Wan Tingchang as a condition? Do they think his son's life is that important to me? What the hell kind of logic is this.

Wan Boping pleaded pitifully: "I, Wan, have only this son left; I hope Sir Hu will help me rescue him."

Hu Xiaotian retorted unhappily: "Isn't the Second Master alive and well?"

This struck another sore spot for Wan Boping. Although his second son Wan Ting Sheng had survived, he still could not recall past events; to speak of a complete son, only the eldest remained. Wan Boping leaned close to Hu Xiaotian and lowered his voice: "Sir Hu, actually I know everything that happened last night."

Hu Xiaotian blinked slightly, looked up at Wan Boping's inscrutable face, and silently cursed: What does this old fox mean by saying that? Is he trying to threaten me? Damn, this old turtle really doesn't know death, daring to try this on me. Hu Xiaotian sat down in the master's chair, crossed his legs, and assumed an indifferent pose.

Wan Boping came to his side: "Mr. Zhou is temporarily staying at my home; he hasn't returned this late, so I naturally worry. Some things are not hard to find out." The implication was that Zhou Wenju had already told him everything that happened last night.

Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. Zhou Wenju had after all leaked the news; it seems my instructions last night were not taken to heart by him. To say Zhou Wenju is an honest person, his scheming and wit surely cannot match the crafty and cunning Wan Boping, and besides he has a medicine boy named Zhou Xing by his side. Even if Zhou Wenju stays silent, Zhou Xing's mouth cannot keep a secret.

Wan Boping said: "Sir Hu, I will definitely not spread word of last night's affair; you need not worry."

Hu Xiaotian gave a cold smile at this fellow, acting as if he were doing him a great favor. Do you think I fear you spreading the news? You actually use this as leverage against me? Upon reflection, treating Yan Boguang last night was not exactly a good deed either; although I was coerced, if word got out that I treated the horse bandits, I could at least be charged with knowing but not reporting, aiding the wicked. "

Hu Xiaotian said coldly: "Wan Yuanwai, I didn't mishear, are you threatening me?"

Wan Boping replied: "Sir Hu, I harbor only good intentions; I do not wish this matter to cause you trouble. I hope you can understand my difficulties. I swear on heaven, I have no intention of threatening you."

Hu Xiaotian smiled with some contempt; Wan Boping is truly crafty. On one hand he uses this matter to pressure me, on the other he wants to sell me a favor. He slowly nodded: "I can hand over the person to you, but I will not go to Heishi Village." Hu Xiaotian certainly is not stupid; these mountain bandits naming him specifically, nine times out of ten they have prepared something. If I just rush in like that, I would be putting my life in danger—for a Wan Tingchang it's simply not worth it.

Wan Boping said: "Sir Hu, I also don't want you to take risks, but the Tianlang Mountain horse bandits are fierce and ruthless; they say they will do it, and they will. If you refuse to go, I fear my son's life is not safe." As he spoke he began to cry, his wide sleeves covering his face, so Hu Xiaotian could not tell if his tears were genuine or feigned.

Hu Xiaotian cursed silently: Your son's life is a life, but mine isn't? I owe the Wan family nothing; why should I risk my life for your good-for-nothing son?

Wan Boping wiped his tears and said: "Sir, I see they specifically named you to come; perhaps they don't really intend to harm you, after all the horse bandits' lives were saved by you, so they ought to have some humanity and know how to repay kindness. I am left with no choice but to come beg you; if this time we can successfully rescue my son, I will personally bear the cost of rebuilding Qingyun Bridge." Not willing to sacrifice the child to catch the wolf, Wan Boping knew that without shedding some blood he couldn't move Hu Xiaotian, so he quickly offered what he thought was an tempting condition.

Hu Xiaotian snorted: "Do you think a mere Qingyun Bridge can move me?" Exchanging one bridge for one life is never worthwhile no matter how you calculate it; Hu Xiaotian would never make such a loss-making deal.

Wan Boping lowered his voice: "If Sir Hu agrees to help rescue my son, I will certainly memorialize this to Governor Yang of Xiezhou Prefecture and strive to promote you and bestow honors." He was clearly hinting that if Hu Xiaotian helped rescue his son, he would use his connections to help Hu Xiaotian secure the position of County Magistrate of Qingyun. In Wan Boping's view, this was already an irresistible temptation, yet he did not know that Hu Xiaotian's background and status made him disdain such things.

Hu Xiaotian rose and said: "Let me think carefully!"

Wan Boping said: "Sir…… time is pressing, we cannot keep thinking; these bandits are inhuman, if we delay, I fear my son's life will not be safe." Speaking, he began to sob again.

Hu Xiaotian had already strode to the window.

Wan Boping followed closely like a shadow; seeing Hu Xiaotian gazing silently out the window, knowing he was hesitating, he dared not approach for a moment.

Hu Xiaotian paused, thought for a while, then finally beckoned to Wan Boping.

Only then did Wan Boping dare to come to his side.

Hu Xiaotian said: "These bandits are desperate criminals; why don't you report to the authorities?"

Wan Boping replied anxiously: "Sir Hu, this matter must absolutely not be reported to the officials; if the bandits detect any hint of movement, my son's life will surely be lost."

Hu Xiaotian said: "On what basis can you be certain they abducted your son? How do you know they aren't trying to deceive you?"

Wan Boping took out a strand of hair from his bosom, his voice trembling: "My son has a strand of red hair; I would not mistake it. They said, if Sir Hu does not appear within three hours, they will send over one of my son's fingers." Hu Xiaotian chuckled inwardly: Even if it were just a finger, even if they cut off all ten of Wan Tingchang's fingers, I would not feel the slightest regret.

Wan Boping saw Hu Xiaotian still hesitating and said softly: "Sir Hu, your medical skill is superb; you will surely be able to cure that bandit."

Hu Xiaotian snorted: "Wan Yuanwai, you have a lot of nerve, actually asking me to go rescue a bandit."

Wan Boping thought to himself: You already saved him last night, now you're pretending innocence? He had already made up his mind; if Hu Xiaotian this time agrees to risk himself for me, that's fine, but if he firmly refuses, endangering my son's life, I will surely fight him to the death, sparing no courtesy.

Hu Xiaotian gently patted the windowsill and said: "Alas, parents' hearts everywhere pitiful; I hope your unworthy son can learn some sense." He then slowly sat down in the master's chair.

Wan Boping did not know whether he had agreed or not, and said cautiously: "Sir…… your decision is……"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If I rescue your son, you must help me rebuild Qingyun Bridge." Dealing with this old sly merchant Wan Boping, there is no need for beating around the bush; thus Hu Xiaotian bluntly put forward his own terms. As for the magistrate's position, Hu Xiaotian would not care; Xu Qinglian is no match for him, that seat will sooner or later be his, and he does not need Wan Boping to act for him.

Wan Boping nodded: "Good!"

Hu Xiaotian added: "If you want me to treat him, you must obey my arrangements; I will not go to Heishi Village, for who knows whether they have set a trap to deceive me?"

Wan Boping said: "Sir Hu, Heishi Village is a settlement of the Black Miao Tribe, located fifteen li west of Qingyun City. The Black Miao people there are warm and hospitable, they have always lived peacefully with this side of Qingyun; the village chief Teng Tianqi and I have had some dealings, and they have no connection with the Tianlang Mountain bandits, nor do the bandits dare to cause trouble there. One can say that going to Heishi Village should involve no danger."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Let them bring the person here; otherwise there's nothing to discuss."

Wan Boping saw Hu Xiaotian still insisting, tears streaming down: "Sir Hu, I know my request is excessive, but those Tianlang Mountain bandits are not easy to reason with; if we cannot meet their demands, I fear my son's life cannot be saved. Sir Hu, you only need to help me this once; I will surely remember your kindness and repay you fully."

Hu Xiaotian hearing Wan Boping's words to this extent felt his heart soften; after all this matter arose because of me, and moreover this time they are asking me for help, they would not dare to risk Yan Boguang's life, so going to Heishi Village should be safe.

Wan Boping said: "Sir Hu, I will dispatch six capable men from my household to accompany you, ensuring your safety."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "What guarantee can your servants really give? If a fight breaks out, those household men will likely be unable to protect themselves, let alone guarantee my safety." He lowered his voice: "You go back first; I will hurry over to see the situation."

Wan Boping knew Hu Xiaotian had finally agreed, and could not help but feel both startled and delighted; he exclaimed with gratitude: "Sir Hu, your great kindness and virtue, I, Wan, will never forget; but Sir Hu, you must remember, this matter must not be known to the officials, for Tianlang Mountain has many eyes and ears; any movement of official troops will surely be noticed by them, and then my son's life will be in danger."

Hu Xiaotian said calmly: "You go back first; I will handle this matter."

Monday, seeking recommendation votes, earnestly asking everyone to cast your recommendation votes so that Medical Union can stay on the recommendation list.