Chapter 20

Qilu territory, Eastern Depot Prefecture, Pingshan Guard.

Li Miao's group of four walked to the city gate on horseback.

The soldiers guarding the gate looked up; one of them saw that they were dusty and thought they were merchants, so he prepared to step forward to demand a bribe.

One with sharp eyes saw the piece of sword scabbard exposed at Mei Qinghe's waist, knew they were Jianghu people, and hurriedly pulled the one preparing to demand a bribe back, waving them through.

Jianghu people are all poor and fierce, with no money, a love for fighting, and a need for face.

There are so many people passing through every day, and there are always traveling merchants who are easy to handle and have money; it's not worth asking Jianghu people for money.

Wang Hai saw this scene, turned his head, and said to Li Miao with a smile: "Brother, were they trying to ask us for money?"

"It's always us raiding other people's homes; this is the first time someone has wanted to ask us for money."

In public, Wang Hai naturally could not call Li Miao "Battalion Commander."

Li Miao said nonchalantly: "If they really want it, just give it to them. A soldier who eats a bowl of wontons without paying just to take advantage—how much could they ask for?"

This caused Li Xiaosi behind him to complain: "Master, we can't afford it."

"We have no money left!"

"Hmm?" Li Miao turned to look at Li Xiaosi: "Didn't we bring quite a bit of silver before we left? Did you spend it all?"

"You're still talking!"

Li Xiaosi stretched out her fingers and counted one by one: "Yesterday, you heard a storyteller at the teahouse, and when you were happy, you gave them five taels. The storyteller was almost scared to tears, thinking you were going to buy his life!"

"And the wine you drank the day before yesterday, three mace of silver per pot, and you drank five pots."

"The day before that, you said the saddle was too hard and uncomfortable to sit on, and insisted on changing it for a soft one. As a result, after it was made, you said it was too soft and uncomfortable, and wanted them to make one that was soft yet firm."

"The master thought you were there to stir up trouble, and you were only satisfied after he made six of them, three taels of silver each—that's another eighteen taels."

"The key is that incident in Beizhili earlier, that group of refugees—you gave the local yamen runners one hundred taels of silver to help them settle down."

"And the day before that..."

Li Xiaosi listed them like family treasures, giving Li Miao a headache, and he hurriedly waved his hand.

"You also know I can't save money; it's not like it's been just a day or two."

"Just tell me how much is left."

He really hadn't managed money matters; when he was in Shuntian Prefecture, the money was kept by Li Xiaosi, and when he had no money, he would just draw some from the Embroidered Uniform Guard's treasury—anyway, part of it was his to begin with.

It wasn't that he couldn't calculate the accounts, but he was used to this lifestyle and had never kept it in mind, just using Li Xiaosi as a housekeeper.

People are lazy, and Li Miao had long been spoiled by Zhu Zai and Li Xiaosi. Once Li Xiaosi was married off, he might learn to manage money.

Li Xiaosi spread her two small hands: "It's long gone!"

"The money for our meals these past few days was all paid by Sister Mei!"

Li Miao turned to look at Mei Qinghe.

Mei Qinghe closed her eyes, expressionless, and took a cloth bag from her bosom: "I still have ten taels here..."

She turned her head to the side and stretched her hand out in front of Li Xiaosi: "That's all there is..."

Seeing her heroic, self-sacrificing look, Li Miao hurriedly said: "Fine, fine, take it back."

"I haven't reached the point where I need to take silver from my subordinates to eat."

"Hai'er." He turned to look at Wang Hai.

Wang Hai smiled: "Brother, I am also your running dog. How can you be embarrassed to ask me for money?"

"I'll return it to you when we get back to Shuntian Prefecture; anyway, it's all official business, just grab a handful from the treasury and the account will be settled," Li Miao said.

Wang Hai spread his hands: "My money is all handed over to Li Xiaosi. Li Xiaosi has no money, so I have no money."

Hearing this, Li Miao squinted at Wang Hai and then looked at Li Xiaosi: "Where is his money?"

Li Xiaosi tightly covered her waist pouch with her two small hands: "No!"

"Brother Hai's money is for serious business; it can't withstand your reckless spending!"

"Oh my." Li Miao laughed: "You haven't even married into the family yet, and you're already starting to manage the money—you won't even give money to your maiden family, right?"

"When it comes time for the dowry, aren't you afraid I'll open my mouth like a lion and take all this money away?"

Back in Shuntian Prefecture, Wang Hai and Li Xiaosi had secretly developed feelings for each other, but at that time Wang Hai couldn't always go to Li Miao's house, and they couldn't say much when they met, so they were a bit shy before.

But since they had been out for this period, Li Miao was either sleeping or dozing off all day, or running around everywhere to watch the fun, so he couldn't look after them.

Mei Qinghe was also a quiet person, following behind all day without a word.

The two of them were together talking every day, and with Li Miao always teasing them, their relationship was almost out in the open, and they weren't as shy as before.

Hearing Li Miao say this, Li Xiaosi blushed and said in a low voice: "You don't even know how much money you have in your own hands; when the time comes, I'll just bring a bit more over..."

Li Miao laughed: "That's also a way; it seems I won't be able to get it from you."

"Little Mei."

Mei Qinghe had just stuffed the money into her bosom, and hearing this, she closed her eyes again, took the money out, and handed it to Li Xiaosi.

Li Miao waved his hand: "Let's make do for today; tomorrow I'll go find the local officials to beg for some favors."

"There are Embroidered Uniform Guards who have been hacked to death in this world, but I've never heard of one starving to death."

"When an Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander visits just to ask for some money, I'm afraid they'll be so happy they'll cry."

The four of them talked and laughed, walking to a restaurant.

It was just past noon, and the restaurant was bustling with people, with few empty seats, clearly doing good business.

They tied their horses in front of the door, and Li Miao walked in first, with a waiter coming to greet them.

"Guests, how many of you, what would you like to eat?"

"Four of us, what good wine and—"

"Master!"

The three voices overlapped.

Li Miao looked back; Li Xiaosi was looking at him angrily, her hands gesturing the shape of ten taels.

Looking at Mei Qinghe again, she was looking up at the ceiling, saying nothing.

He couldn't change his habit; just now he almost said "bring whatever good wine and food you have," forgetting that he only had ten taels of silver, which he had forced out of Mei Qinghe.

Even if they ate their fill here, it wouldn't cost ten taels, but since the wallet was already at the bottom, it was better to be frugal.

Li Miao smiled and turned to the waiter: "Four of us, just a simple meal."

"Based on our appetites, bring a few dishes and some tea."

"Got it, please sit this way."

The waiter agreed, led the four to their seats, served them some tea first, and turned to go to the kitchen to place the order.

The four sat down; Wang Hai and Li Xiaosi sat together whispering, while Mei Qinghe closed her eyes to regulate her breathing, her hands on her knees, fingers occasionally gesturing—she must have been thinking about sword moves in her mind.

This left Li Miao out.

When they first left, Wang Hai and Li Xiaosi were shy about talking alone, and they would always look for Li Miao for small talk. Since they had clarified their relationship, they were stuck together all day, and instead, it was Li Miao who had no one to talk to.

Mei Qinghe was not a good conversationalist; if you talked to her about martial arts, there was plenty to talk about. But if you talked about anything else, she would only listen for a long time before squeezing out a "Yes" or "I cannot agree."

Li Miao had no choice but to pour himself a cup of tea and use his ear skills to eavesdrop on others in the restaurant to pass the time.

Suddenly, Li Miao's eyes brightened, and he put down the teacup in his hand.

"Have you heard about the ghost haunting Squire Wu's house?"

"Pfft, who hasn't? Haven't many servants been scared away?"

"My brother-in-law works at Squire Wu's house; he was patrolling a few nights ago and he really, truly saw that ghost!"

"Disheveled hair, blood all over his body and face, feet not touching the ground, floating in the air. My brother-in-law was scared unconscious on the spot, lay in the courtyard for half the night before being discovered, and he's still drinking medicine now!"

Li Miao stood up, ignoring Li Xiaosi's angry glare, took some silver, and went to buy a pot of wine.

He turned and walked to that table, sat down, and cupped his hands.

"Gentlemen, I was waiting for food over there and accidentally overheard you talking."

"I've traveled all over, and I love hearing local anecdotes. This pot of wine is just to moisten your throats."

"About this ghost haunting... would it be convenient to tell me about it?"

(End of chapter)