Chapter 509: I've seen you

Chen Wuji's one sentence frightened Qin Feng and Li Run.

If we really used that slaughtering method, wouldn't we all be doomed?

"Wait a moment, wait a moment, don't act rashly!" Qin Feng hurriedly said.

"You've done so many things, only with difficulty gaining a reputation in Hezhou and winning popular support; if you really pull off something like that, you'll instantly be no different from Gu Wenjie."

Chen Wuji sat down beside the table, poured himself a cup of wine and drank it in one gulp, saying, "What are you thinking? I'm talking about exterminating the heretical cult, not ordinary commoners; I haven't sunk that low, this principle is clear."

"What's the difference? No, have you even been listening to me?" Qin Feng flared up, "In Qing County, five out of ten people have been deluded by this heretical cult; slaughtering them is no different from slaughtering ordinary commoners."

"Look, look, you're getting worked up again—you usually just let things pass in your mind without any effect, right?" Chen Wuji said.

Qin Feng stared speechlessly at Chen Wuji, sat down opposite him, and slapped the table, saying, "How could it be the same? If I didn't care about this at all, wouldn't I have some problem? I'm telling you, don't act recklessly—I'll handle this."

"As the magistrate of Yunan County handling a case from Qing County, even Lu Jing wouldn't dare to let out a half-hearted fart—I'll take care of it!"

Chen Wuji realized that after talking for so long, the two of them seemed completely unaware of what he was actually saying.

"This matter doesn't need your words; it's up to you to handle it, since you're familiar with it—who else could do it?" Chen Wuji said.

"But this time, you take the troops and wipe out that heretical cult completely. Such cults aren't solved by merely arresting a few leaders; as long as their core members survive, given time they will surely rise again from the ashes."

"What I just said about slaughtering them means slaughtering the cult's core members, which has nothing to do with ordinary believers. We also couldn't possibly massacre those believers on a large scale; this matter shouldn't and can't be blown out of proportion."

Qin Feng let out a long "oh," gave Chen Wuji a speechless look, and said, "Then why don't you explain it clearly!"

Chen Wuji looked rather bewildered, saying, "Isn't what I said clear enough?"

"Now it's clear, what you said does make sense," Qin Feng said.

Li Run also nodded from the side.

"Since it's clear, let's talk about something else—why did you two come to Hezhou and not see me first, instead running over here? Aren't you giving me a little face?" Chen Wuji asked with a grim smile.

Qin Feng spoke solemnly: "We've endured so much hardship in Qing County; shouldn't we rest first upon returning? Seeing you isn't urgent right now. Those out-of-town officials returning to the capital to report on their duties don't go straight to the Ministry of War upon entering the city."

Li Run nodded again.

"Do you think I look like the Ministry of War?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Do you know how long I've been waiting for you two? This has made us laborers almost turn into statues of longing. You lot are fine—you didn't send anyone to explain, didn't make it clear in the letter, just saying, 'We have a major matter in Qing County,' who taught you to report like that?"

Qin Feng put on an apologetic smile: "Well, we do have some issues, but it's not just for safety's sake! How about this—I'll toast you with a drink and apologize; is that okay?"

Chen Wuji perfunctorily drank a cup with Qin Feng and Li Run.

"If subordinates like you were in anyone else's hands, they'd surely lose their heads over and over."

Qin Feng winked and said, "Ah, saying that hurts feelings—just drink, just drink."

After another cup of wine, Chen Wuji waved and summoned Ruo Su to accompany Qin Feng.

Having come all this way, upon entering the city they requested Ruo Su; we can't ruin this young man's mood.

"You two just requested Ruo Su alone—isn't that a bit shabby?" Chen Wuji asked.

Li Run said solemnly, "Commandant, I'm not skilled in this; I'm just keeping Qin brother company for a couple of drinks."

"Not skilled in this, or just not into this?" Chen Wuji asked in surprise.

Unbelievable—he didn't even notice there's a gentleman right beside him.

Although Li Run's appearance and demeanor indeed give the impression of a true gentleman, he still finds this hard to believe.

Li Run thought for a moment and said, "I, your humble subordinate, probably am not into this."

"No interest in women?"

Chen Wuji and Qin Feng leaned in, their eyes fixed intently on Li Run.

Li Run sat upright with a solemn posture, his face always bearing that faint smile, "I do have some interest, but I don't like relationships that come too easily."

"Oh, then do you have any interest in men?" Qin Feng asked with a mischievous grin.

Li Run's expression suddenly tightened, "What are you saying, Qin brother? How could I be interested in men? I have no sleeve-cutting habit."

"Then that's fine—why don't you try getting intimate with the women here?" Qin Feng urged.

"I don't mean anything else—I'm just a bit worried about my own safety, after all, you see that Qin Feng and I have always eaten and lodged together in Qing County, and we might still have such an opportunity later."

Li Run seriously considered it and said, "It could be done, but I don't like it."

Chen Wuji raised his hand to stop Qin Feng, "Just don't give him a hard time—if he doesn't like it, he doesn't like it."

Just then, Zhang Xiuer hurried over under the guidance of a servant.

"I am Gu Nianqing; I have greeted the Commandant and the two young masters. I don't know what dispute you have—do you need our Taohua Yuan to help?" Gu Nianqing performed a graceful salute and asked politely.

Chen Wuji waved his hand, "It's fine, we're all our own people—just a little squabble, merely joking."

Zhang Xiuer quietly let out a breath of relief and smiled lightly, "It seems I was overthinking things—I won't disturb you all."

"Hey, wait a moment." Qin Feng stared at Zhang Xiuer, then suddenly stopped her.

"I feel like you look somewhat familiar—have we met somewhere before?"

Zhang Xiuer shook her head and said politely, "I don't recall ever meeting you, sir."

"Let me think, think—yes, you really do look familiar." Qin Feng tapped his long fingers against his temples, pondered for a while, then suddenly said, "I remember now—I've seen your portrait; you are Zhang Xiuer, daughter of Zhang Mingyuan!"

Zhang Xiuer jerked back, clearly flustered, "Sir, you must have mistaken me."

"I don't mistake people—I may be unlearned, but my memory is still quite good, nearly approaching the ability to never forget after a glance." Qin Feng shook his head, amusedly sizing up Zhang Xiuer, "Speaking of this, I ought to properly reintroduce my identity—I am currently the magistrate of Yunan County. However, I might end up taking on a job like Assistant Magistrate, depending entirely on the wishes of a certain big shot."

"Before I took office as magistrate of Yunan County, I had basically seen everyone of any note in the county."