Chapter 436: Paper Flowers Fall over Xiayong City; Count Pingye Plays Chess with a Beggar

The fighting along the Zhennan Pass front had now become the matter Great Chu cared about most.

For one reason alone the man commanding the army was Tian Wujing.

And the troops beneath him were called the Jingnan Army.

The people of Chu did not dare relax.

Because once upon a time, the people of Jin had relaxed too.

Then Jin was gone.

The Princess still had not been found.

General Li Mu of Congzhou City had already received orders to lead his troops back toward the frontier.

It was said the Shaman Rector had also returned to Ying Capital to take charge there.

But the various forces on the outer perimeter were still continuing the search for the Princess.

Xiayong City was not large.

One side connected to Mengshan.

Another faced Qishan from afar.

Once the checkpoints on the remaining two sides were sealed, not only were merchant caravans unable to pass, but even ordinary travelers who had planned to earn some silver before New Year and then return home were forced to remain trapped inside.

Among them was a gang called the **Pig Grease Gang**.

The Pig Grease Gang was, essentially, a beggar gang.

It had roughly thirty or forty members, all boys and girls in their teens.

Little beggars who had gathered together and formed a gang of their own.

The name was not especially domineering.

But it represented a certain yearning for a better future.

Because the city had effectively been sealed from the outside, the members of the Pig Grease Gang—who had originally intended to leave Xiayong around this time and head toward Ju’an City—were forced to remain in Xiayong and keep scraping through their miserable days.

Their gang leader had originally been thinking that with the Princess marrying the legitimate eldest son of the Qu Clan, the gang could head to Ju’an City and surely catch several opportunities for the great and noble to “share joy with the people.”

A few full meals should have been guaranteed.

If they were lucky, they might even pick up some of the reward money scattered along the streets.

Either way, it would have counted as a good beginning to the new year.

And on this particular day the Fan Residence was holding a funeral.

Madam Wen, wife of the Fan Clan head, had died of illness.

A funeral held by a household of staggering wealth was naturally no small affair.

One such funeral was enough to stir the entire city of Xiayong.

Under their gang leader’s direction, the Pig Grease Gang pooled some of its savings to buy a fair amount of coal and firewood.

Back in their gathering place inside **Antfolk Alley**, they boiled several vats of hot water and began bathing.

These beggar children rarely washed under ordinary circumstances.

For one thing, if they cleaned themselves too thoroughly, begging for food and money became less convenient.

For another, winter was bitterly cold.

A layer of grime on the body was basically an extra piece of insulation that cost nothing.

Why would they willingly scrub it away?

But today was different.

Their clothes were still ragged and torn.

The people inside them, however, were clean.

The beggars went in groups to the gates of the Fan Residence and volunteered for work.

A funeral involved endless tedious tasks and required many hands.

Naturally there was work for them.

After finishing a job, each worker received a bamboo token.

That token could be exchanged for a **funeral gratuity**.

It was still a kind of red envelope only not the celebratory kind handed out at weddings.

The Fan Residence was generous.

It certainly did not care about this small amount of money.

But for the members of the Pig Grease Gang, the rewards added up to a considerable sum for the gang.

Across the street from the Fan Residence stood a lamb-soup shop.

Inside, a dirty boy of around fifteen sat holding a little girl of seven or eight in his arms as they drank soup.

The older boy ate the lamb.

The little girl drank broth and ate flatbread.

The two very consciously chose a seat beside the window.

It was winter.

Seats beside the window were cold and unpopular.

Sitting there also kept them from disturbing the other customers too much and made the shopkeeper more willing to tolerate them.

Two bamboo tokens lay on their table as well.

Tokens handed out by the Fan Residence.

The different colors meant different rewards.

Some could be exchanged for silver.

Others for a small meal.

At that moment, a group entered the soup shop.

At their head was a man in a brocade robe.

One glance was enough to tell he possessed extraordinary bearing.

Beside him were two women and another man.

One woman was mature and stunningly beautiful.

The moment she sat down, she seemed to generate her own sensual atmosphere.

The second woman looked more like a little maid.

As for the other man he consciously chose a corner seat and began drinking from his wine pouch.

Most ordinary customers came to a soup shop and ordered one bowl of lamb soup with one flatbread.

The flatbread came with the soup.

Basically a set meal.

Customers from wealthier households often felt the few scraps of lamb inside the soup were not satisfying enough.

Such was the case with the group that had just sat down.

They ordered three bowls of lamb soup.

Two plates of cold-sliced lamb.

One plate of beans.

And one plate of wild greens dressed cold.

In the middle of winter, drinking hot lamb soup while eating little side dishes that was genuine enjoyment.

Xiayong was known for good food.

Because the Fan Residence was based here, many traveling merchants passed through the city.

The proportion of wealthy people was much higher than in ordinary county towns.

Naturally, customers were more demanding when it came to food.

At the same time, visitors arriving from many different regions brought different tastes with them.

Cuisine, after all, improved through constant exchange, collision, and adaptation.

So Zheng Fan was very satisfied with this shop’s soup.

Earlier, when the shopkeeper came over to greet them, he had even mentioned that the master of the Fan Residence—Fan Zhengwen—also liked this place.

He often sent servants here to order food and have it delivered into the residence.

That was why, with the Fan Clan currently holding a funeral, this soup shop had also contributed money toward the rites.

The shopkeeper was not lying.

Because Fan Zhengwen himself had recommended this place to Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan had even asked Fan Zhengwen:

With the Fan Clan’s wealth, why not simply buy the shop outright and bring the cook into the residence? Would that not be more convenient?

Fan Zhengwen, who was currently busy arranging his wife’s “funeral,” had displayed a rare streak of carefree humor.

He joked:

“Another man’s woman stops being quite so exciting once you bring her home.”

At first, Count Zheng merely thought Old Fan had made a joke.

Only after returning did he realize that bastard had slipped in a double meaning.

Count Zheng did not tear his flatbread into the soup.

In his previous life, he had once yearned desperately to try lamb-and-bread soup.

Then he finally went and ate it and came away somewhat disappointed.

After arriving in this world, whenever he drank soup he preferred two mouthfuls of broth, then one bite of bread.

The flavors remained clean and distinct.

So Siniang did not tear the bread for him.

But the Princess beside him—now disguised—quietly picked up the flatbread and began tearing it into small pieces for Zheng Fan.

Count Zheng paused.

Then decided not to stop her.

Food was food.

No matter how high one elevated it, its primary purpose was still to fill the stomach.

But the added value surrounding food that was another matter entirely.

Across from them, the teenage boy continued eating lamb.

The little girl continued nibbling bread.

Zheng Fan noticed their table.

Then noticed the boy watching him.

So he crooked a finger.

The boy immediately put down his bowl and trotted over.

Then dropped to his knees before Zheng Fan.

“Greetings, Master.

“May Master enjoy health and fortune.”

“Why are you eating meat while your little sister only gets soup?”

“Reporting to Master, my little sister’s stomach is weak.

“Meat is difficult for her to digest.”

Zheng Fan nodded.

He said nothing more.

But the boy took the initiative to ask:

“Master is planning to leave the city?”

Zheng Fan shook his head.

The boy hesitated briefly.

Then said:

“If Master does want to leave the city, this lowly one does have a route.

“It’ll just cost some silver.”

“Who said we wanted to leave?

“And even if we did—with the city like this, you really think anyone can get out?”

“Looking at Master’s clothes and the clothes of the ladies beside you, this lowly one could tell you were preparing for a long journey.”

“You’ve got a decent eye.”

“Master, leave it to me.

“This lowly one can take you out of the city.”

Zheng Fan still shook his head.

Then waved dismissively.

“Stop bothering me.”

“Yes, Master.

“This lowly one will disappear immediately.”

The boy retreated to his table.

When he saw his little sister had nearly finished her piece of bread, he immediately called:

“Shopkeeper, may your business prosper!

“Give my little sister another half-flatbread.

“Later, we brother and sister will haul away the dirty kitchen water for you!”

The shopkeeper saw this and smiled helplessly.

Still he ordered the waiter to send over two more pieces of flatbread.

He knew exactly who these two beggars were.

The boy was the so-called leader of the Pig Grease Gang.

The gang might consist entirely of beggars but if they truly decided to cause trouble, they could absolutely make a merchant’s life miserable.

Besides, although they lived by begging, they still possessed a certain sense of loyalty and rules.

Anyone doing business had no reason to quarrel with people from the jianghu over something as trivial as two flatbreads.

The boy handed one piece to his sister.

Then went and refilled his bowl with soup.

Refills were free.

But no extra meat came with them.

Only broth.

After returning with the bowl, the boy tore his new bread apart while continuing to watch Zheng Fan’s table from the corner of his eye.

Zheng Fan and the others ate quietly.

Nobody spoke.

Once they were nearly finished, Siniang paid the bill.

Everyone rose.

Prepared to leave.

The teenage boy stood as well.

He told his sister to run home by herself.

Then followed Zheng Fan’s group alone.

After walking for a while Zheng Fan stopped outside a teahouse.

The group entered.

The boy hesitated.

He felt his pocket.

Then entered too.

But after stepping inside he searched everywhere and could not find any trace of Zheng Fan’s group.

Half relieved that he had saved himself the cost of ordering tea, half confused, he scratched his head and walked back out.

Then hurried around to the teahouse’s rear entrance.

Still nothing.

A short while later the boy sighed.

He returned to the teahouse entrance.

And there he saw Zheng Fan sitting alone at a table beside the window.

Watching him with a half-smile.

“Heh-heh.”

The boy gave an awkward laugh without actually feeling awkward in the slightest.

He ran back inside.

Sat directly at Zheng Fan’s table without waiting for an invitation.

Pulled over a teacup.

Poured himself tea.

Zheng Fan had ordered warm tea rather than boiling tea.

The boy drank three bowls in one breath.

Zheng Fan did not ask why the boy had followed him.

He merely pulled out a cigarette.

The boy, meanwhile, noticed everyone who had originally been beside Zheng Fan was now gone.

At a nearby table people were playing Chinese chess.

The boy’s eyes drifted over.

Clearly tempted.

Seeing that, Zheng Fan waved to the teahouse owner and ordered a chessboard for their table too.

Soon an old, heavily used Chinese chess set was brought over.

Without needing to be asked, the boy stood and helped Zheng Fan arrange the pieces.

Count Zheng was terrible at chess.

The boy was extremely skilled.

Before long—

Count Zheng was checkmated.

Zheng Fan smiled.

Then reset the board.

The boy stood again to help.

They played two more rounds.

Count Zheng lost both just as cleanly.

His interest finally faded.

He stopped resetting the pieces and stretched lazily.

The boy stood, went to the teahouse attendant for more hot water, then hurried back and refilled Zheng Fan’s tea.

Zheng Fan did not drink.

He simply left money on the table and rose to leave.

The boy immediately grabbed the silver, went to settle the bill, and even haggled over every last coin of change.

Only then did he hurry outside.

When he emerged, he found Zheng Fan still standing on the street.

The boy immediately walked over and positioned himself beside him.

As though noticing he had caught up—

Zheng Fan started forward.

The boy followed.

Zheng Fan entered a small alley.

The boy followed.

Count Zheng paused at the end of the alley.

Hesitated briefly.

Then walked back out.

The boy still followed.

After circling around—

Zheng Fan finally stopped beside a cowshed.

He sat on a pile of dry grass.

The boy obediently squatted before him.

Grinning foolishly.

Zheng Fan pointed at him.

“You really dared keep following.”

The boy scratched his head.

“Following might get me killed.

“Not following—

“I’d definitely lose my life.”

“Where are you from?”

“Aiya, Master.

“That question is a little too broad.”

The boy felt around inside his pockets.

Then reached into the lining of his ragged padded jacket and pulled out three tokens.

“This one belongs to the Secret Intelligence Department.

“This one to the Phoenix Nest.

“This one to the Silver-Armored Guard.

“I’ve got tokens from several small states too, but it seemed rude to carry all of them at once.

“If Master asks which side I truly belong to—this lowly one genuinely cannot answer.

“All I know is that ever since I gathered these little brothers and sisters together and formed a gang to wander around—agents from all sorts of places started finding me.

“Each one came over, let out some domineering aura in front of me, and naturally I immediately bowed my head and pledged myself to them.

“Then they tossed me a token.”

The Silver-Armored Guard, Secret Intelligence Department, and Phoenix Nest were the intelligence organizations of the three great states.

But those organizations were not gods.

When they truly cared about a target, they could concentrate enormous resources and investigate almost everything.

In other areas, however they simply could not cover every detail.

Especially when developing the lowest layers of informant networks things became rather crude.

Hand over a forged token.

A little loose silver.

Promise some beautiful future dream.

Cheap.

Convenient.

This boy’s gang was probably simply too well suited to that sort of recruitment.

So he had somehow ended up accepting the “dreams” of numerous intelligence services all by himself.

The boy carefully put all the tokens away again.

Then said:

“Master, truthfully, the Silver-Armored Guard originally told me to keep an eye on the Fan Clan.

“So I came.

“Who would’ve guessed I’d run into Master?”

“You recognize me?”

“Look what Master is saying.

“If I recognized you, wouldn’t this lowly one already be dead?

“I’m just unlucky.

“The moment I showed up—

“Master caught me.”

“Heh.”

Zheng Fan laughed.

At that moment, the Fourth Princess walked out from behind the cowshed.

Only she had already changed clothes.

Now she looked like a little beggar girl.

The Princess was not very old to begin with.

The teenage boy opened his mouth.

As though realizing something.

Then immediately knelt and kowtowed to Zheng Fan.

His luck today had not been bad.

He had not merely “run into” Zheng Fan.

Rather—

Zheng Fan had selected him.

“Take her out of Xiayong City.”

Zheng Fan pointed toward the Princess behind him.

“I...”

Zheng Fan reached into his clothes and pulled out a lump of gold.

Yes.

A literal lump of gold.

Not even cast into an ingot.

He placed it directly before the boy.

“I’m not someone who likes talking about dreams with people.

“And I don’t like other people talking to me about dreams either.

“What I prefer—is being humiliated with money.

“I hope—you’re the same.”

“Yes.

“This lowly one obeys.”

The boy reached out.

Grabbed the gold.

Clutched it tightly.

“Master, please instruct me.

“When should we leave the city?”

“You can go in a little while.”

Zheng Fan stood.

Xiong Liqing came over and reached out to brush bits of straw from his trouser legs.

Zheng Fan caught her hand and stopped her.

“You’ll be free very soon,” Zheng Fan said.

Xiong Liqing gave a bitter smile.

“I thought you might arrange something a little more impressive.

“A ruined temple, perhaps.

“Or maybe kill a few people first.

“I don’t like this outfit.”

“Not many people would.”

“I like those trousers Mr. Feng wears.

“The ones with little holes all over the legs.

“Mr. Feng said you like them very much.

“I want to wear them for you someday too.”

“Maybe your dream is about to come true—and you’ll turn my whole body into little holes.”

Xiong Liqing laughed.

“Can I understand that as you being afraid?”

“A little.

“But I also think this is pretty fun,” Zheng Fan said.

“Truthfully, I hadn’t originally planned to let you spend so much time around Siniang.”

“Yes.

“Even if I stay beside you someday—

“I probably still won’t be able to become the principal wife.”

Xiong Liqing nodded.

Because she herself was a woman she understood women even better.

“Safe journey.

“See you at the Lantern Festival.”

Xiong Liqing rested her forehead against Zheng Fan’s chest.

Her palm stroked lightly across his chest.

Then she whispered:

“Wait for me.”

After that the teenage boy led Xiong Liqing away.

Zheng Fan remained where he was.

A carriage slowly approached.

Fan Zhengwen sat inside.

Weng Canghai was driving.

Zheng Fan climbed into the carriage.

Fan Zhengwen smiled.

“Count finds himself reluctant to part with her?”

“No.

“If anyone should be reluctant—it ought to be Brother Fan.”

“This Fan feels I’ve already profited.”

“Good.”

...

The following day—

Qu Peiluo, legitimate eldest son of the Qu Clan, personally led three thousand elite Qu private troops into Xiayong City.

And marched directly into the Fan Residence.

[End of Chapter 436]