Chapter 315

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

After being called "Senior Brother" twice in succession, Chen Fuzi finally snapped back to his senses. The two youngsters opposite also reacted; seeing it was Han Li, they hurriedly called him "Uncle-Master," then bowed and offered greetings.

Upon entering the room, Han Li only then saw the two boys in the middle. He was momentarily surprised as well, and asked, "It's so late; are you two still studying?"

That He family boy hurriedly said, "We're leaving right now — we just stopped by to bring things back!"

He also pointed at the food box before him and said, "We're delivering a late-night snack!"

Catching the aroma, and seeing the food box on the table covered with a familiar red seal, Han Li recognized at a glance where all these things came from.

At this moment, Chen Fuzi finally reluctantly swallowed the meat, wiped his hands, but did not rush to answer. Instead, he countered, "How come you're back so early today? Didn't you go to Sanzao County Alley?"

"The Du Shui Jian had an urgent matter; I came back to fetch a few things and will head out again in a bit — in the middle of the night, what's with all this roasted meat?"

Chen Fuzi had just been immersed in the meat fragrance, his ears as if stuffed; he hadn't heard a thing. It was Zhang Yong opposite who took the initiative to answer: "Uncle-Master, at Song Jiejie's house there are many people eating in the back courtyard — they roasted a lot of meat, the table is full of dishes, every single one very fragrant!"

Han Li grew even more puzzled.

Song Ji has always received guests in the front hall; unless necessary, they would not lightly use the back courtyard.

He asked a question, and sure enough there was no banquet in the front hall. He asked again about the guests; it was said they were all hulking big men.

Suspicion arose in Han Li's heart. He asked a few more questions, then called a servant to send the two boys home, exchanged a greeting with Chen Fuzi, and himself rummaged through boxes and cabinets, searched out several old handwritten notes, and packed them into a book box.

Before leaving, he was just about to give a word of instruction, but no sooner had he drawn near than his own senior brother hurriedly used a hand to shield the food box, saying tensely, "What are you doing? Whatever you want, I'll get it for you! Your hands are too big!"

Han Li originally had no such intention, but provoked by these words, mischief suddenly stirred. He said, "What is there?"

He stepped two paces closer and leaned in to look.

Chen Fuzi muttered, "Just a few bites of meat, plus a bit of sweet snack — if you want to eat, take less meat. Eating meat at midnight, it won't digest!"

Speaking, he wore a look of cutting off his own flesh, moved his hand aside halfway, guiding the other to look at the mung bean cakes, and said, "This cake is extremely delicious, you taste one — that's just for you! For anyone else, I wouldn't let them have a single bite!"

Han Li drew near to look, but did not look at the mung bean cakes at all; he only stared at the glistening pork neck meat to the side and praised, "Roasted truly fragrant."

Finished speaking, he reached out, took a bamboo skewer from the side, and under Chen Fuzi's shocked gaze skewered the largest piece, first pulling it toward himself.

Seeing the other so anxious his beard nearly flew up, he feinted, but tossed that meat into the bowl before the other, laughed loudly, and in a few quick strides went out the door. At the doorway, he turned back again and said, "Senior Brother… take less meat, eating meat at midnight, it won't digest."

Chen Fuzi was momentarily furious, grabbed the bamboo skewer in hand, originally intending to throw it, but fearing the skewer tip was sharp and might truly injure someone, he hurriedly put it down, then rolled a nearby dried lotus leaf into a solid ball and hurled it fiercely at that unworthy person outside the door.

The old man, in a rage, threw the object… not even one zhang.

That dried lotus leaf traced an arc in midair, floated lightly down onto the door sill inside, not even grazing Han Li's skin.

Chen Fuzi cursed and grumbled, "You good-for-nothing rabbit brat!"

Han Li stood outside the door, hearing the commotion, turned and saw the lotus leaf ball fall from behind onto the ground. Seeing the old man looked like he was about to come over and pick it up, he simply set down the book box in hand, stooped to pick it up, lightly tossed the lotus leaf ball, and threw it onto the table before Chen Fuzi, laughing heartily, "Precisely learned well from Senior Brother."

As he spoke, he still had to add fuel to the fire, saying, "Senior Brother, careful not to throw out your back."

Seeing Chen Fuzi yelping in chaos, he only then laughed again and said, "I know Senior Brother has been busy lately, can't get away. I'll wait until I'm done tomorrow, go to Sanzao County Alley in the daytime, and see if I can bring back some tasty things for Senior Brother!"

Speaking, he lifted the book box and prepared to leave.

Chen Fuzi, a belly full of fire, had half of it extinguished in one go by that phrase "tasty things." He fiercely cursed two more sentences, then added, "If there's that soup from last time! Bring me back a whole pot!"

Chasing from afar, he emphasized, "A whole pot!"

Still quite greedy!

And Han Li went out the door, carrying the book box, went himself to the shop he usually bought from to get sheep's milk, then headed straight for Sanzao County Alley. In a moment he arrived at the entrance; the sky was already completely dark. Only to see Song Ji's main gate wide open, and inside Cheng Erniang was wiping tables.

He stood outside, knocked on the door, called out "Cheng Er Jie," and offered a greeting.

Cheng Erniang heard the sound, turned and saw Han Li, truly overjoyed. Her mouth first called "Young Master Han has come!" Speaking, she stepped forward two paces to welcome him, saying, "Young Master, quickly come in and sit!"

She actually had a lot of words to say.

In this day and night at Song Ji, many things had happened; although all were scares without danger, they were truly out of the ordinary. Seeing a trustworthy acquaintance, and one who could mostly help, how could she not want to pour it all out.

But this sentence had already reached her lips, yet she still swallowed it back, only saying, "I'll go ask the Young Lady to come out!"

Finished speaking, she indeed hurried off toward the rear.

Han Li stepped through the door, but was not in a rush to sit.

Coming every three or two days, he was extremely familiar with every corner of the food shop.

Inside the door on the left is a miscellaneous room; besides a wooden door, there is a cloth curtain outside the door.

Half the miscellaneous room stores various things; the other half has a half-couch placed, for Da Bing to rest at noon.

Normally this room is kept tightly shut; only when occasionally fetching things, or when Da Bing rests inside, because the summer weather is too stifling, would they open the door and hang the cloth curtain up halfway, for ventilation.

At this hour, Da Bing should have gone home long ago, but it was very strange: that miscellaneous room's wooden door was wide open, the cloth curtain also hitched up halfway from below. By the light of that dim oil lamp in the front hall, the inside was pitch black, deathly quiet, nothing could be seen at all.

Han Li did not approach, only swept another glance over the front hall.

Both stoves were lit, boiling two huge pots of hot water, not yet boiling. On the stove top sat a large copper basin, inside placed ten or so coarse porcelain cups, soaking in the water — that water was still giving off steaming heat, one look and it was clearly scalding.

Just as he was looking, he heard a burst of footsteps from inside. He turned and saw the arrival was Song Miao, a smile already on her face. She did not add any address, only stepped forward one pace, welcoming him to the nearest table, placed the sheep's milk in hand on the tabletop, and softly asked, "Finished with the back?"

Song Miao, exiting the second gate, saw Han Li come to the table side, also smiled, and said, "Just about."

Then said, "Yesterday I heard Young Master say these two days matters are many; I thought you couldn't spare a hand — has Young Master finished being busy?"

As she spoke, she walked closer, took a clean tea cup, and asked about tea water.

Han Li pressed down that cup, said "Not busy," first moved an armchair for her, himself only then sat down beside her, but in a low voice asked, "I just returned home earlier, happened to run into two children bringing back a lot of food — heard that there are many strongmen eating in your back courtyard?"

He paused, slightly turned his body, again used his body to block, pointed toward that miscellaneous room at the entrance, and asked again, "I see that room's door is also open…"

Song Miao long knew this one was meticulous, but did not expect such a small matter could be caught with such keenness.

She also had no intention of hiding it, softly replied, "In the miscellaneous room there are a few escort guards helping keep night watch — these past two days, the food shop has run into a bit of trouble."

Wang Sanlang encountered extortion on the road; the culprit was arrested for a night then escaped mysteriously. She went to inquire, only to be fobbed off. The night before last, someone collected many creditors' debts, brought people to the door trying to force repayment…

Early this morning, Song Ji's stall and delivery carts, mule carts, and so on—either they ran into hoodlums and ruffians, or they nearly hit obstacles that appeared out of nowhere, and someone supplying them almost had thieves break into their home, and so on and so forth...

Song Miao described it lightly in a few words, briefly introducing the matter.

Han Li's smile slowly faded from his face.

Upon learning that no one at Song Miao's place or the food shops had been injured, that they had temporarily avoided disaster, and that there were no losses, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, then asked softly: "Young Lady just said you found several Chai Guan at the Capital Prefecture Office—did they say when there would be news?"

"They said they would do their best to inquire, within a day or two, and whether it succeeds or not, there will be word."

Han Li paused, then asked again: "Are the hired escorts trustworthy? Are their manpower and reputation reliable?"

"The escorts hired from inside the Xu Biaoju—the Biaoju is run by Liang Yanxue, the master of that martial hall. We usually supply them with steamed buns, Meat gan, and such, and many escort masters and teachers come to our door for business—they're old customers, quite reliable."

Han Li asked a few more questions, finally saying: "You had the Capital Prefecture Office inquire about news, asked Sun Lizheng and Zhu Shenzi for help, the Xu Biaoju came to the door, and you greeted the Zhuque Gate Patrol Station—every place can lend a hand, what about me?"

Song Miao didn't expect to hear such a sentence, and was stunned for a moment. After pausing, she honestly said: "Young Master is busy—besides, although this matter came suddenly, I actually have some confidence in my heart. It's just a matter of finding a way to verify it, hardly more than killing a chicken—why use a sharp blade?"

"The sharp blade is one's own; using a dull knife to kill a chicken is someone else's. Surely there's no principle of always using others' things and never one's own?"

Han Li's voice was a little heavy.

He said: "I'm not that busy, and even if I were, how could I not know about family matters?"

"Everyone knows, even Sun Lizheng, Zhu Shenzi, and everyone inside the Zhuque Gate Patrol Station knows, only I haven't heard a word—let me contribute some effort too. Even if a knife and axe can't exert force, one would still be anxious."

Hearing the person opposite enumerate them one by one, Song Miao vaguely grasped a bit of the meaning.

She replied softly: "I originally thought there were many matters on the embankment and didn't want to disturb Young Master. Because you said you'd be free after these two days of busyness—actually it was just half a day late..."

Han Li didn't interrupt, just looked at her, waiting until she finished speaking, then said: "So I know now. Can I lend a hand?"

His gaze and expression were very gentle, but for some reason, Song Miao always felt this gentleness carried a hint of urgency.

She said: "I originally had some plans, intending to startle the snake by beating the grass, but it wasn't proper to let Young Master step forward. Otherwise, if the force was too great, the tiger might be startled to death, and afterward, if there were more matters, it wouldn't be easy to investigate carefully. Once things are clearer, even if Young Master doesn't say anything, I will go to the door to ask for help!"

Han Li couldn't wait for "once things are clearer."

He said: "Outsiders can't step forward. For matters inside, is there anything I can make up for?"

Song Miao thought for a moment, then smiled: "There really is!"

"The escort masters keep night watch in the front hall and back courtyard. They only have bedding and quilts. Although the weather is hot, sleeping on the ground is ultimately not good. I originally wanted to buy some mats to bring back today, but because time was rushed, I didn't find a suitable shop along the way, and missed this matter..."

As she spoke, she untied a cloth bundle from her waist and gently placed it on the table.

"Trouble Young Master. When you have free time, could you run an errand for me?"

It was truly a small matter, but Han Li was quite satisfied.

He took the cloth bundle and asked softly: "Who is at the Biaoju this time? I don't know what the arrangement is? If it's convenient, I'll ask around later and see if I can help out a bit?"

Song Miao directly brought the person to the back courtyard.

Qi Biaotou was discussing tomorrow's arrangements with his subordinates when he saw a stranger arrive at the front, and was also a bit surprised.

Song Miao introduced both sides. Just then, Cheng Erniang called from the front, so she excused herself first.

Han Li cupped his hands in greeting, then didn't rush to say anything. Instead, he pointed to a spot in the corner and asked: "This is a 'Huashi,' right? I once saw an old escort master use it. He said this thing is best laid in corners. Originally used in military camps to catch enemies, it's very difficult to make. But no matter front, back, left, or right, as long as someone steps on it lightly, it's sure to catch. Then this huashi will wrap around the person's foot tighter and tighter, impossible to free. It's the best thing for preventing thieves."

Qi Biaotou was stunned for a moment, then said: "It is somewhat difficult to make—you, a Taixue scholar, even recognize a huashi?"

The two immediately hit it off.

Han Li followed him around the back courtyard, then went to the front miscellaneous room, greeted all the Xu Biaoju escorts, and discussed for a while. By the time Song Miao finished her business and came out, the person was gone, but Qi Biaotou and a group of escorts were busy coming and going in the back courtyard.

She was curious for a moment and stepped forward to ask: "Biaotou, what are you busy with? Wasn't it already arranged earlier?"

Qi Biaotou said: "Just now we discussed it with Brother Han. The back courtyard indeed needs to be more detailed. Who knows when someone might climb over the wall? If we don't catch them in the middle of the night, setting a few more openings is always a good thing."

Song Miao asked Han Li where he had gone.

Just as they were speaking, they suddenly heard a light knocking at the back courtyard door.

An escort immediately said to Song Miao: "It's Brother Han and them returning!"

Song Miao stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate. Indeed, outside were Han Li and two escorts.

He carried a basket, and the other two each held thick stacks of woven grass mats.

After the three entered the courtyard, Han Li explained to her: "The mats are too conspicuous. We were afraid of being seen, so we came back around through the back courtyard."

Soon, thick grass mats were laid in a corner of Song Ji's back courtyard and in the front courtyard's miscellaneous room. Everyone was also given a mosquito-repellent incense pouch to place on the grass mats.

In front of Qi Biaotou and the others, Han Li first took his leave, then looked at Song Miao and said: "I'll be done tomorrow. The previous matter already has some leads. Stall Owner Song, please wait a bit longer."

After speaking, he said not to see him off, and left on his own.

Not long after, when Xu Erlang returned excitedly from asking his father at the Xu Biaoju, he found everyone in the room discussing "Scholar Han."

"Scholars are still different!"

"I think he knows a lot, and he's easy to get along with!"

"His name always sounds familiar—have you heard of him?"