Surrendering to Justice

Su Mo excused himself, saying he had something to attend to, and immediately hid in a corner.

Just as he expected, it wasn't long before he saw Yao Shitou rushing towards the County Yamen.

Su Mo inwardly thought, "Perfect."

If he waited a little longer, he could turn himself in at the yamen and wouldn't have to worry about suffering physical abuse!

Which county yamen would dare to torture someone from the Imperial Guard?

Su Mo didn't believe Yao Shitou could resist such a temptation!

This was an excellent opportunity to curry favor with the County Magistrate!

As the saying goes.

Subordinate Clerks might be bad, but they're not stupid.

How many times in a lifetime does one get such a heaven-defying chance to change their fate?

Even once is too many!

Once Yao Shitou met the County Magistrate, everything would be settled.

As long as he suspected Su Mo was somehow connected to the Imperial Guard.

Would he dare to gamble?

Would he dare to go to the Imperial Guard to verify?

To take a step back.

Even if the County Magistrate was bold enough, or had been a clueless official for over a decade and truly went to verify with the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Guard would deny it.

Would he really believe the Imperial Guard's words?

These matters have always been a case of "better safe than sorry"!

Su Mo wasn't in a hurry to turn himself in.

He'd wait for things to develop a bit.

He'd been hit on the back of the head by Chen Gan in the middle of the night, and it was already noon, yet he hadn't eaten a single thing.

Su Mo turned his head and saw a steamed bun shop by the roadside. There were quite a few customers, so the food should taste good.

Su Mo entered the shop and found a seat.

An old man with a cloth draped over his shoulder came over and wiped the table for Su Mo. "Guest, what would you like to eat?"

Su Mo thought for a moment. "I'll have a few mixed vegetable buns and half a bowl of mutton."

He then asked, "Do you have any alcoholic beverages?"

The old man quickly replied, "We have alcohol, but it's just rough grain wine. I'm afraid you might not be used to it."

The customers at this roadside stall were all common folk, the poor and humble.

Looking at Su Mo's attire, while he wasn't a high-ranking official, he certainly didn't belong to the category of the humble.

Su Mo waved his hand. "It's fine, I'll have a bowl."

The food was served quickly.

Su Mo took a look.

The buns were steaming hot, generously portioned, and glistening with oil, indicating a good amount of lard had been used.

No wonder there were so many customers.

The mutton was also steamed until very tender, soft and fluffy. Unusually, some spices had been added, giving off a fragrant aroma. The taste was also quite good.

Although it couldn't compare to the richly flavored delicacies of later generations.

It was quite good for ancient times.

The wine was served in a full bowl, but it was very murky. It tasted almost like vinegar, with just a slight hint of alcohol.

It truly was just wine!

Su Mo discovered another potential source of income.

Distilled spirits could be profitable.

Although Great Wu had a large population, grain wasn't exactly abundant. However, decades of peace and prosperity had allowed many people to solve their basic needs and begin pursuing enjoyment.

Alcohol was definitely a hard currency.

Moreover, it wasn't as strictly controlled as salt or iron.

If he could get on the good side of the Female Captain, he could try his hand at it.

No matter the era, money was a good thing.

The world of Xianxia was no exception.

Just like how Chen Gan had immediately changed the stance of the Subordinate Clerks by offering them cold, hard cash!

After eating and drinking his fill, Su Mo smiled and asked for the bill.

The old man scurried over, "Have you finished eating, honored guest?"

Su Mo nodded and smiled, "Not bad, plenty of food and well-seasoned!"

"How much do I owe?"

The old man immediately replied, "Not much, just three large coins!"

Coins were divided into large and small denominations.

Large coins were copper, slightly larger in size, while small coins were iron, smaller in size.

One large coin could be exchanged for three small coins.

The Great Wu Dynasty lacked copper, so coins were quite valuable.

Three large coins were enough for Su Mo to enjoy a satisfying meal.

An ordinary adult male's monthly income was around a hundred coins.

This was also why petty criminals vied to become laborers at the yamen.

After all, laborers could earn three to five taels of silver a year, equivalent to three to five thousand large coins.

This amounted to an income of about four hundred coins a month, three to four times that of ordinary folk!

Su Mo took out three large coins and handed them to the old man, casually remarking, "Your shop is quite popular, sir."

"You must earn a good amount over the year."

The old man smiled obsequiously, "It's all thanks to the support of the neighbors. I earn a meager living, just enough to support my family."

Su Mo smiled but said nothing.

A delicate-looking young woman carrying a food tray nearby couldn't help but let out a huff, filled with resentment, "Earn what money!"

"We work from dawn till dusk and barely make a few large coins."

"When those damned yamen Subordinate Clerks come, they take half, and when the hoodlums show up, they take another half. How much is left!"

Su Mo's expression instantly became awkward.

The old man glared at the young woman and then went to attend to other customers.

Su Mo thought the time was about right.

He happened to see Chen Ping leading several laborers, carrying iron rods and chains, swaggering towards the steamed bun shop.

Su Mo raised his hand to greet him, "Head Chen!"

Chen Ping looked at Su Mo in astonishment, his expression turning peculiar.

He even turned to leave.

One of the laborers couldn't help but say, "Head Chen, it's Su Mo!"

Chen Ping let out a heavy snort, "Who is Su Mo! You've mistaken him for someone else!"

Unexpectedly, Su Mo called out more enthusiastically, "Head Chen, it's me, Su Mo!"

"How about some food? My treat!"

Head Chen...

He couldn't pretend any longer.

He unhappily brought the laborers over and sat down casually!

The other customers in the steamed bun shop, terrified, dropped their iron coins and hurried to leave!

The old man and the delicate-looking young woman at the steamed bun shop stared blankly at Chen Ping, then at Su Mo.

They quickly had the young woman return inside, and with apprehensive expressions, stepped forward to greet them, "Esteemed yamen officials, may I ask what you... what you would like to eat?"

Su Mo said generously, "The same as before, one serving for each person!"

Chen Ping didn't know whether to laugh or cry!

He glared fiercely at Su Mo, "Su Lengzi, oh Su Lengzi!"

"Indeed, there are no wrong names, only wrong nicknames!"

"You seriously injured Zhou Meng, and the Old Master has ordered your arrest, yet you dare to remain here?"

Su Mo smiled, "Wasn't I just about to turn myself in?"

"After Head Chen and your colleagues have eaten, I'll go back to the yamen with you!"

Chen Ping snorted, "Eat what!"

"You're coming back to the yamen with me right now!"

After speaking, he turned to the old man and said sternly, "Pack it up!"

Su Mo obediently followed Chen Ping.

Chen Ping's mouth twitched continuously.

If it were said that among the three yamen divisions, Chen Gan was the one who least wanted Su Mo caught, he would certainly be second.

The reason was simple.

Su Mo was a Laborer under Chen Gan, and Chen Gan was an Assistant Servant under Chen Ping!

He was the leader of Su Mo's leader!

If Su Mo committed a crime and it implicated Chen Gan, then if Chen Gan committed a crime, wouldn't it implicate Chen Ping?

Chen Gan was the umbrella protecting the illegal salt smugglers, so he was the umbrella's umbrella!

A lot of money had flowed into his money pouch!

Chen Ping genuinely didn't want to arrest Su Mo, but this Su Lengzi, as if driven mad, actually wanted to turn himself in!

His face turned ashen.

He could only ponder how to distance himself from Chen Gan.

Su Mo, however, asked with a carefree laugh, "Boss Chen, has the magistrate judged Leper Zhou's case yet?"