Roasted Chicken and the Zhou Family

A hint of warmth flashed in Xiang Yang's eyes. Since Xiang Da Niu passed away, Fu Da Chun had helped him a lot. When receiving guests during the wake, besides elders like Aunt Wu and Mr. Liu, Fu Da Chun was the most attentive. This friendship was not in vain.

Mentioning the Wild Goose Feather Saber, Xiang Yang exerted force with his feet, left the house, and headed straight for the main door. He removed the crossbar, opened the door, and saw a slender youth in green with cunning eyes.

Fu Da Chun held a red tray covered with black cloth in his left hand and a three-tiered willow-patterned bento box in his right. Seeing Xiang Yang, a smile appeared on his face. He raised his left arm and waved it, saying, "Brother Xiao Yang, guess what I brought you?"

Xiang Yang laughed heartily and lightly punched Fu Da Chun's chest with his raised hand. "I've told you countless times to call me Brother Xiang. What's this Brother Xiao Yang? It makes you sound like a frail little girl. If it happens again, I'll twist your monkey head off."

Although Fu Da Chun was slender, he was smart and agile, and he liked climbing trees to find bird nests. Xiang Yang jokingly called him Monkey. They often teased each other about their forms of address, a way of friendly banter between friends.

"Got it, got it, Brother Xiang, no, Uncle Xiang! Let me in first so I can put these down. I'm not like you; I've been practicing martial arts since I was young, but these two things in my hands almost broke my arm."

Fu Da Chun's face was contorted in frustration. Xiang Yang quickly took the red wooden tray, stepped aside to let Fu Da Chun in, and closed the door behind him, leading him into his room.

It was a small room of about ten square meters. The bedding on the earthen kang on the north side was neatly folded. On the west side, there was a square table and two round stools. On the table sat a teapot with a small chip and a few teacups, usually filled with boiled water.

Xiang Yang gestured for Fu Da Chun to sit. Just as he was about to pour him some water, Fu Da Chun placed the bento box on the table. He lifted the lid, revealing a roasted chicken, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, glowing red.

There was still plenty of juice at the bottom of the plate, along with seasonings like scallions and garlic, making it smell fragrant. The next two layers held two large bowls of white rice and a plate of braised tofu. Xiang Yang, smelling the aroma and seeing the delicious food, couldn't help but swallow. His stomach rumbled loudly.

With a crackle, Fu Da Chun inserted the two pairs of bamboo chopsticks from the bottom of the bento box into the table and gestured, handing one pair to Xiang Yang. "I knew you hadn't eaten yet. Hurry up! My old man personally cooked this for you. Go on, be happy."

Fu Family Roasted Chicken was the most profitable business of the Fu family's restaurant and their signature dish. Made with an old broth, it was fresh, delicious, and not greasy. It also contained some appetite-stimulating and spleen-strengthening herbs, making it a medicinal cuisine.

Xiang Yang was touched, but he didn't make a show of refusing. Instead, he first tore off the fattest chicken wing and placed it in Fu Da Chun's bowl. Then, he nodded and picked up his chopsticks, enjoying the delicious meal with white rice. Fu Da Chun was not to be outdone and started eating with gusto.

While eating, Fu Da Chun said, "Xiao Yang, no, Brother Xiang, I picked up this waist token and official uniform for you from Captain Wang at the yamen last night. Try them on later to see if they fit. If not, you can exchange them with Captain Wang.

Also, Uncle Xiang was rewarded with thirty taels of silver for killing two bandits. Brother Xiang, you can go to the county yamen in a few days and collect it directly from Advisor Fang."

Xiang Yang was delighted. More money for medicine. Speaking of Magistrate Li, Xiang Yang moved his lips and asked, "Da Chun, when Black Wind Stronghold came down the mountain to plunder, Magistrate Li, what action did he take regarding the capture of Magistrate Li's relatives from tea merchant Zhou Fugui's old country house?"

Although Black Wind Stronghold was the most notorious group of bandits in the region, they only dared to harass small villages under the county's jurisdiction. They never dared to cause trouble in the county town. Capturing Zhou Fugui's relatives this time was pure luck.

"Sigh, it's been like this for so many years. What can Magistrate Li do? To be honest, if Uncle Xiang hadn't bravely killed two bandits this time, Black Wind Stronghold would have gotten away scot-free again this year.

However, I heard some people in the yamen say that Zhou Fugui's only daughter was also captured in this incident. He begged everyone he knew to find a master to break into the stronghold and rescue her. But Black Wind Stronghold is at the height of its power, and no one dared to take the job.

Now, I hear Zhou Fugui has given up and plans to pay a large sum to ransom his daughter from Black Wind Stronghold.

I've met that young lady from the Zhou family too. She's fair-skinned and beautiful, with long, straight legs. Suitors used to flood the Zhou family's doorstep. Tsk tsk.

But she's also a pitiable person. After a trip to Black Wind Mountain, she might not be the same person. In the future, when she marries, she might not be able to hold her head up high."

In reality, Fu Da Chun was being generous. Even if she found a suitable match, the Zhou family's young lady's reputation would be tarnished, making it difficult for her to find a good husband.

Xiang Yang didn't care about the Zhou family's young lady's future. He was thinking about whether he could get some help from the Zhou family to complete his mission or approach Black Wind Stronghold to gather intelligence.

Seeing Xiang Yang silently devouring his rice, Fu Da Chun smiled mysteriously. "Brother Xiang, I also heard that Zhou Fugui has announced that whoever can rescue his daughter from Black Wind Stronghold will be betrothed to her, and he will also gift them three tea shops in the city. Unfortunately, no one has dared to take on this difficult task yet."

Xiang Yang understood why no one dared to storm the stronghold; it was practically a suicide mission. However, he found it surprising that no one dared to deliver a message for Zhou Fugui or escort the ransom.

There were many renowned strongmen in Anyuan County, such as Li Jin Hai from Li Guo Village. He was a hunter by birth, immensely strong, and led over a hundred hunters, each skilled in archery. Black Wind Stronghold had plagued the people for so long, yet they had never dared to approach Li Guo Village. This was a testament to their reputation, and nearby villages even had a saying about marrying a man from Li Guo.

Old Hero Qian from the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts Hall in the west of the county town was proficient in the external Tiger Subduing Fist. In his youth, his fists could break three-inch thick iron plates. Although he was now in his twilight years, both the underworld and the righteous factions in the region showed him respect. Even if one went to Black Wind Stronghold, they would be treated with courtesy.

There were also the two gang leaders of the Giant Bear Gang in Anyuan County town, Xiong Da and Xiong Er. They were exceptionally talented strongmen. Rumor had it that they were in league with the three leaders of Black Wind Stronghold. It shouldn't be a problem for them to deliver a message or hand over ransom.

"Interesting. Da Chun, eat up quickly. After we finish, we'll go to the Zhou family. I want to see why those renowned heroes in our county have backed down."

Xiang Yang tore off a chicken leg and took a big bite. Fu Da Chun, with his youthful spirit, loved excitement. Hearing Xiang Yang's words, he quickly nodded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, eager to investigate the Zhou family.

Of course, if Fu Da Chun went to the Zhou family on his own initiative, he would likely be kicked out without even meeting Zhou Fugui due to the disparity in their status.

Xiang Yang, however, was different. Not to mention Xiang Da Niu's current reputation, but he himself was also a constable in the county yamen. Zhou Fugui would have to show Xiang Yang some respect.