Chapter 683: I Can

Sun Chuanting put it amusingly; Mister Tian and several of the household servants all laughed along. Only that Qi Wu was somewhat baffled. The head of the household guards switched the reins to his other hand and said with a smile, "Elite troops like these—even just a hundred or so would be extraordinary. That squad we just saw could be sent to Datong to serve as a model for the troops. With a squad like that, plus those Xuzhou trained militias we saw, they're truly over two thousand tigers and wolves."

A household servant nearby chimed in, "This Zhao Jin parading his strongest squad around here every day makes sense. Friends from all corners of the land, along with officers and soldiers up and down the ranks, would surely shrink back at the sight of such a squad. Who would dare come stir up trouble?"

"In that case, a place of such wealth and status relies entirely on the deterrence of this one elite squad to keep it safe. Otherwise, trouble would have come long ago." Mister Tian nodded repeatedly.

Qi Wu, standing to the side, looked utterly astonished. Hearing this, he couldn't help but cut in, "Young master, sirs, you're saying this squad is the best household troops under Master Jin's command?"

The guide's breach of decorum in speaking out of turn displeased Sun Chuanting greatly. He retorted sullenly, "Is it not?"

"Of course not. This is just the most ordinary company. It's stronger than the trained militias, but within the Zhao Camp it doesn't even count for much," Qi Wu argued. As is often the case with locals, when speaking of their homeland's affairs, they won't tolerate outsiders belittling it in the slightest—even if it's not their own family's enterprise, they'll still argue the point.

Hearing Qi Wu's words, Sun Chuanting and Mister Tian were stunned. One of the household guards beside them couldn't help but ask, "They're already called household troops, and yet they don't count for much? We may be outsiders, but we've heard a thing or two about military matters!"

Qi Wu shook his head repeatedly and continued to argue, "Household troops is just a name. Master Jin has nearly four thousand men under him, all called household troops. These hundred or so are at most under Second Master Chen or Sixth Master Dong. If it were Master Jin's own night patrol, a hundred-man squad would be clad head to toe in iron. Even in the best companies under Second Master Chen and Sixth Master Dong, at least half the men in a squad would be clad head to toe in iron. When they march out, such majesty—the clashing of their armor sounds just like drumbeats!"

Silence. Sun Chuanting looked at Mister Tian, then at his own household guards. He had not made a sound. After Qi Wu finished speaking, his face was full of pride, as if the majesty of Zhao Jin's Zhao Camp reflected glory on him as well. But Sun Chuanting and his group remained silent for so long that Qi Wu couldn't help but cough.

When Sun Chuanting spoke again, his voice was somewhat strained: "A force like the one just now—Zhao Jin has four thousand of them? And such a force still doesn't count as the strongest?"

Qi Wu, of course, could not perceive the complex emotions churning within Sun Chuanting at that moment. He merely said with a grin, "It's no surprise if the young master doesn't believe me. A nobody like me just saying it with empty words—there's no proof. But if the young master stays here long enough, feel free to watch day and night. If I've spoken a single false word, I won't take a single coin of tonight's pay and will even pay you back out of my own pocket."

These words made Mister Tian laugh. Pointing at Qi Wu, he said, "Your tip won't be shorted; no need to angle for it with such talk. Lead the way to the Cloud Mountain Inn!"

Qi Wu cheerfully agreed. Mister Tian waved his hand, and the household servants continued forward. But Sun Chuanting still stood frozen in place. Mister Tian took two steps, then turned back and tugged at Sun Chuanting. Lowering his voice, he said, "Young master, let's settle into the inn first."

One tug did not move Sun Chuanting; only after a second tug did he snap out of it. Mister Tian fixed his gaze on Sun Chuanting and said sternly, "Young master, this place is a dragon's pool and a tiger's den. You must be careful!"

Sun Chuanting shuddered, shook his head, and said nothing. He simply led his horse and followed the group forward.

Just as the touts soliciting customers had said, the Cloud Mountain Inn's location was quite ordinary, tucked away in a corner of He Village. Behind it was a large open space piled high with all sorts of heavy, bulky goods. According to Qi Wu's explanation, this had originally been a cart inn and livestock pens for cattle and horse traders. Now that the mule and horse market had moved to a spot about three li southeast of He Village, this area had been converted into a goods yard.

Entering the main hall of the Cloud Mountain Inn, Qi Wu, familiar with the place, led one of the Sun family's guards to the counter. The innkeeper spread open the account book to record the details. This Cloud Mountain Inn was considered the main branch, naturally livelier than the one near the boundary marker, yet somewhat quieter than the one they had stayed at midway. After all, there were more and better choices around He Village, and this place felt less like an inn and more like a trading firm's shopfront. Qi Wu had long since explained this: the Cloud Mountain Inn, though not the finest or largest, was the most trustworthy place here, and if anything happened, this was the fastest place to contact the various branches connected to the Zhao Camp. Thus, outside merchants coming from all over, even if they had lodgings elsewhere, would still reserve a room here long-term.

Once everything was settled, Mister Tian directly took out a silver ingot and gave it to Qi Wu. It was roughly over one tael. Qi Wu beamed with joy as he thanked them. Before taking his leave, he even said that if they needed anything the next day, they should feel free to come find him; he would be waiting for work at a certain spot.

The Cloud Mountain Inn had everything one needed, and the food, drink, and service were quite complete. They rented a private courtyard. After arranging everything properly, they had the inn send over the meals and such. Having arrived in the afternoon and wandered about until evening, everyone was hungry and fell to eating heartily. But Sun Chuanting had little appetite; he simply sat in his room in a daze.

Mister Tian understood his young master's state of mind. He did not urge or console him, merely setting aside a separate portion of food. The kitchen stove at the Cloud Mountain Inn always had a fire going, so warming the meal later would be no trouble.

Once everyone had finished eating, Mister Tian walked into Sun Chuanting's room. Only a single candle was lit inside. Sun Chuanting was staring blankly at the flickering flame. Mister Tian sighed and sat down opposite Sun Chuanting. Before he could speak, Sun Chuanting began, "Mister Tian, if what we've seen and heard these past few days is true, I fear this Zhao Jin is the greatest menace under heaven. One day he will surely bring calamity upon the realm."

Mister Tian, however, gave a derisive smile and shook his head. "He is merely a local tyrant in Xuzhou. No matter how outstanding his achievements, they are confined to Xuzhou alone. Young master, you are a man who understands military affairs. Even if he truly has several thousand or even ten thousand men, supplying them internally is manageable, but if he seeks to expand outward, what will he use for supplies? What will he use to sustain them? And will these fierce warriors under his command even obey?"

After saying this, Mister Tian continued, "Moreover, the words of such villagers are often exaggerated; truth and falsehood are not yet known. Why pay him any mind? Young master, what we must do now is finalize the matter of the Liao military levy. If we can finalize it, all the better. If not, we won't force it. The situation in Xuzhou is beyond what I, Tian, expected. Once we return to Yongcheng, we must send letters to Shanxi and the capital to arrange a transfer for you, young master. An official career is long; being a year late won't delay things too much."

Sun Chuanting seemed not to hear Mister Tian's words. Still somewhat dazed, he murmured, "I am fairly familiar with local governance, and I know something of military affairs. I also know a bit about my family's business dealings. Mister Tian, how do you think this Zhao Jin managed it? Such a state of affairs, such manpower, such order and discipline—I can't figure it out!"

Mister Tian was taken aback. He hesitated for a moment before sighing and shaking his head somewhat dejectedly. "I don't know either. That Qi Wu is a glib talker, clearly a sly character at first glance. Not a word of his can be believed. Young master, you needn't take it too much to heart."

These words couldn't even convince himself. Perhaps everything Qi Wu said about He Village was false, but what about the things they had seen with their own eyes? What about the things they had witnessed along the road?

The sky had grown dark. That sly Qi Wu they had been talking about was still wandering around He Village, idly strolling and watching the bustle in the liveliest part of the north side. He bought three sesame flatbreads from a peddler, then asked for a bowl of noodle broth from a nearby noodle stall. Squatting by the roadside, he ate his dinner with great relish. The people on the street were familiar with him. The noodle stall owner teased him with a grin, "Brother Qi Wu, business not so good today, huh? Down to just noodle broth. Any other day you'd have me add a bone!"

"You can keep that bone for yourself!" Qi Wu shot back with a grin. Everyone burst into laughter. Qi Wu waved his hand and went on his way. Watching his retreating figure, a few stall owners chatted idly: "That Qi Wu's probably off to gamble again!" "Good thing the stakes there aren't high. If they were, he'd be in for it tonight!"

There were also two gambling houses in He Village, but the bets were capped—just for fun—and they had to close before midnight. No one was allowed to lose their family fortune, and no one was allowed to turn night into day. Years ago, someone had wanted to open a large gambling den nearby, but the Zhao Camp had strictly forbidden it. Qi Wu sauntered into the gambling house. The attendant watching the place greeted him with a smile. Qi Wu said, "Ate too much mutton; got an urgent need down below. Gotta use the privy."

The attendant nodded. Qi Wu, knowing the way well, walked through the small door behind the attendant. The gambling house attendant then stood in front of it again. People came and went, and no one paid any attention to this scene. Beyond that small door, however, was a hidden world—a small residence. Qi Wu did not relieve himself but headed straight for the house. A guard stood outside the house. Seeing Qi Wu, he nodded and said, "No one's inside. Go on in."

Three lamps were lit inside the room, making it quite bright. There was a square table, and behind it sat a middle-aged man in a long gown. The moment he saw Qi Wu enter, an expression of mixed amusement and exasperation appeared on his face. He complained, "Old Qi, you really are an odd one. They offered you a salt shop to manage in Pizhou, and you wouldn't go. Instead, you loaf around He Village all day, idling and wandering. There are so many eyes and ears here already; we're not short one you. What are you playing at!"

Qi Wu sat down grinning in front of the square table, picked up a few of the spiced broad beans set before the middle-aged man, and tossed them into his mouth. Chewing as he spoke, he said, "How many of the Qi family are already managing Master Jin's salt business? One more me won't make a difference. Here, I get to see new things and watch the excitement every day. The merchants traveling north and south all talk about matters that broaden one's horizons. And on top of that, I can earn a bit of silver. I'm happy with it!"

The middle-aged man shook his head, picked up the ledger beside him and opened it, then ground the ink a few times to wet his brush and prepare. He asked, "Nothing much happened today, right?"

"Peaceful as can be. No one with a death wish dares come here. But I did run into a fine piece of business today. Wandered for less than two hours and earned over a tael of silver. Truly a generous guest. Another day, the drinks are on me," Qi Wu said with a grin.

It's the first day of November! Brothers, get those monthly guaranteed tickets rolling at the start of the month—don't get left behind right out of the gate!