Beihe County

Chapter 31: Beihe County

Beihe County, legend has it, was once bisected by a great river and was originally named Beihe County.

After the river course shifted south, it was renamed Beihe County.

The county town has a population of over seventy thousand, making it one of the largest counties within Xingyuan Prefecture's thirteen counties.

This figure of over seventy thousand is merely the registered population; if one includes unregistered households and servants, the number is likely not far off from one hundred thousand.

From a distance, the city walls of Beihe County appeared old, even slightly dilapidated.

The square bricks made of bluestone, having endured centuries of time, were now mottled with spots from wind and rain.

Many of the bluestones on the city walls had long since rotted and fallen off, yet no one had bothered to repair them.

Xingyuan Prefecture was not a border region, so there were no barbarians attacking the city gates. Consequently, the local officials naturally wouldn't waste money on repairing the city walls.

Outside the city gate, several drowsy officers were on duty, collecting gate taxes from passing pedestrians and merchants.

Ordinary citizens entering and exiting the city were exempt, but large livestock like cattle and horses, as well as merchants with goods, had to pay the gate tax before entering.

Mo Dao presented his waybill to prove his identity, and only then were the two allowed to enter the city.

Inside and outside the city, people bustled about. Shops lined both sides of the streets, and the sounds of hawking and shouting were incessant.

"Let's buy some things first, then we can go visit the County Commandant's Residence," Mo Dao said.

Chen Mo found a marketplace and bought gifts such as pastries, dried fruits, tea, paper, and ink. The total cost was a little over three taels of silver.

Their visit this time was on behalf of General Sun's reputation. While the gifts didn't need to be exceptionally valuable, they certainly couldn't be too cheap.

After asking a pastry vendor for the general location of the County Commandant's Residence, Chen Mo and Mo Dao proceeded to visit with their gifts.

"May I ask who you two are?" The gatekeeper of the County Commandant's Residence, seeing their tall and robust stature, immediately became attentive and inquired.

"We are both stationed in Xingyuan Prefecture, adopted sons of General Sun Shouren. We are here today to visit County Commandant Li," Mo Dao announced their identities and purpose.

"Then please come in quickly. Our master is currently at the county yamen. Please wait a moment."

Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper hurried to invite them into the courtyard. A servant took the gifts from Chen Mo's hands.

The County Commandant resided in a bluestone courtyard with three entrances and three courtyards, complete with several pavilions.

Crossing the front courtyard to the main hall, they found it furnished with semi-new red sandalwood furniture and adorned with several calligraphy and painting pieces, presumably acquired from various sources.

Seeing guests arrive, two maids lit the warm stove in the hall.

As the County Commandant was absent, his wife came out to entertain them, ordering tea and pastries to be served.

Before long, a hearty laugh was heard, and County Commandant Li, dressed in official robes, hurried over.

He appeared to be no older than forty, with a round, fair, and plump face full of smiles.

In his younger years, he likely possessed martial arts skills, but they had gradually diminished over the years, leading to his current physique.

"County Commandant," Chen Mo bowed respectfully.

"County Commandant Li," Mo Dao cupped his fists in greeting. He also held an official position of the eighth rank, and County Commandant Li was merely his equal. Mo Dao did not need to bow to him.

"There's no need for such formality. Since you are Shouren brother's adopted sons, you can just call me Uncle Li," County Commandant Li said with a friendly demeanor, his tone conveying a sense of closeness.

"This is a letter from our adoptive father," Chen Mo took out the letter from his embrace and handed it over with both hands.

One could never be faulted for offering too many gifts. Since they would need his help later, being respectful was always the right approach.

County Commandant Li took the letter and read it through twice before looking at Chen Mo and saying, "I know about your matter. Do you have the contract in hand?"

Chen Mo took out the contract he had been carrying and handed it to County Commandant Li. He took it and looked it over again, then turned and instructed a nearby servant, "Go to the East Market and call Granny Sun here."

The County Commandant, like the County Clerk, was a subordinate official to the County Magistrate, responsible for county security, apprehending bandits, and a series of other duties. For smaller-scale bandit groups, the County Commandant would personally lead the suppression efforts without directly notifying the local garrison.

Granny Sun, being a merchant, especially one who dealt in selling servants, had to maintain good relations with the County Commandant. Otherwise, her business would suffer.

After giving the order, he then pulled the two men aside to chat over tea, asking about General Sun's recent activities.

"Master, I've brought the person!" The servant called out loudly from outside the door.

Granny Sun, dressed in a gray floral print jacket, walked into the hall, trembling.

All the way there, she had been pondering what she had done wrong to warrant the County Commandant's sudden summons.

She clearly didn't recognize Chen Mo, which was perfectly normal. The current Chen Mo was vastly different from the Chen Mo who had escaped to Xingyuan Prefecture just six months ago.

"Do you remember half a year ago, you bought a disaster refugee named Zhao Yu and sold her to the Liu family on the west side of the city?" County Commandant Li took the contract and casually handed it to Granny Sun.

She took the contract and examined it carefully, her mind struggling to recall. Half a year ago, there were too many disaster refugees. She sold many people and bought many people every day; she couldn't possibly remember such details clearly.

However, she was certain the contract was written by her; she recognized the handwriting.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, that is indeed the case." Even though she couldn't recall it immediately, seeing the contract, she dared not deny it.

"This person is my adopted nephew's wife. I will accompany you to the Liu family now to redeem her," County Commandant Li said, standing up.

If only Chen Mo had come alone, he would have helped, but at most, he would have sent someone to handle it.

However, since Mo Dao was also present, he had to accompany them personally.

Without taking horses or sedan chairs, they headed directly towards the Liu family.

As they traveled, Granny Sun clearly recalled Zhao Yu, and couldn't help but glance at Chen Mo frequently.

She really couldn't believe that this tall, strong man with a powerful stride was the same person as the emaciated disaster refugee who had nearly starved to death.

But she understood that whether she wanted to or not, these two were one and the same. Now, all she could do was pray that Zhao Yu would be alright, that he was still alive.

If not, she didn't know what would happen to the Liu family, but she certainly wouldn't survive!

Who could have imagined that someone who had been a starving disaster refugee not long ago would, in less than half a year, have managed to get involved with the County Commandant?

The Liu family wasn't a prominent clan, but they were one of the wealthiest households in Beihe County.

"Why has the County Commandant suddenly visited today without any prior notice? I could have made preparations."

Liu Wangshi, with his graying hair and small mustache, learned of the County Commandant's personal visit and hurried out from inside to greet him, his words laced with a hint of flattery and fear.

His Liu family had prospered over his father's and his own generations. They had accumulated considerable wealth, but to this day, no one in the family had achieved any scholarly recognition.

If it weren't for the substantial bribes he regularly offered to the officials at the county yamen, his family's fortune wouldn't have lasted this long.

Today, he truly couldn't fathom why the County Commandant would pay such a sudden visit.

Granny Sun darted forward and quietly explained the situation.

In just a few words, Liu Wangshi understood the whole story, and a sense of unease washed over him.

His household had at least fifty to sixty servants. He only knew a few who were constantly by his side serving him; he had certainly never heard of this person's name.

It wasn't uncommon for his household's low-level servants to be beaten to death or die from illness; it happened about seven or eight times a year.

He could only pray in his heart that Zhao Yu was still alive. Otherwise, the best outcome for him would be to lose all his wealth and barely cling to life.

Many people had their eyes on his money, and they could easily seize it without reason. How much more so if there was a justifiable cause.

"Master, there is someone. He is responsible for washing clothes for the young ladies and madams," the butler said, hearing this.

"Then quickly go and invite him over," Liu Wangshi said, feeling an immense sense of relief.

As long as this person was alive, it was fine. If this person died, then he might as well not live either.

"I'll go with you," Chen Mo said, closely following the butler.

Thanks to the 500-point reward from book friend 04014!

Thanks to the little cutie book friend Yan Hua for the 100-point reward!