The sun rose amid the croaking of frogs.
"There are a few things we need to get straight first." Watching a frog from the Jing'an Directorate's Jishuitan hop fearlessly into the main room, Zhang Xing picked up his steaming bowl of porridge and suddenly spoke for no apparent reason. "Fenniang, at your age, you ought to understand things. Judging by how you cried yesterday, I reckon you really do... I'll just ask outright. You know your father is certain to die, don't you?"
Across the table, Qin Bao looked startled and uncertain, and was about to put down his porridge bowl and say something.
Unexpectedly, Fenniang, wearing an apron, answered with absolute directness. "I know."
"And as for you, to be fair, the higher-ups and those powerful people might not actually care. They might even mean to spare you. But if someone really insists on pursuing this, and you show your face, you're certain to die too." Holding his porridge, Zhang Xing continued coldly. "When that happens, you won't be the only one to die. Qin Bao and I won't escape either... You understand that too, don't you?"
"I know." Clutching her apron, Fenniang remained just as direct.
"Then let's agree on three rules." Zhang Xing nodded, his tone cold. "First, don't show your face outside without permission. Second, if you run into anyone and have no other choice, just say you're Qin Erlang's distant cousin, that disaster struck the Central Plains and broke up your family, and you came looking for him to find a way to survive. Third, you'd better change your clothes, put your hair up, and even think of a new name... Can you do that?"
"A new name is easy. Call me whatever you like." Fenniang thought for a moment, still showing no hesitation. "But if I don't show my face outside, how am I supposed to buy rice, flour, and firewood? The firewood is all wet, the flour has gone moldy, and even the stable in the back courtyard collapsed in the rain."
"Qin Bao and I will buy them." As he spoke, Zhang Xing looked at Qin Bao, his tone serious. "Qin Erlang, move in today... From now on, you'll live in the east side courtyard, and I'll live in the west. She'll live in the back courtyard and look after the horses. We'll share the main room and kitchen... Go move your things in a bit, then repair the stable. I'll go to Crossroads Street to buy supplies."
Qin Bao nodded somewhat flusteredly. He was clearly having trouble keeping pace with these two.
"So what's my name?" Fenniang turned to leave, then looked back from the threshold to ask.
"Let's call you Liniang." Glancing at the copy of Biography of the Heroine Li Yue he had left in the main room earlier, Zhang Xing chose a commonplace name almost perfunctorily.
"Couldn't I be called Yue Niang?" Following his gaze to the book, Fenniang made an effort to speak up for herself. "I've heard a storyteller tell Biography of Li Yue on Crossroads Street in the ward."
"Then Yue Niang it is." Zhang Xing could not be bothered to quibble.
And so it was not until noon that Zhang Xing and Qin Bao finished dealing with the heap of troubles at home. Only then did they mount their government-issued horses and ride leisurely together to the Jing'an Directorate headquarters, which lay just one Heaven Street and a pond away from Chengfu Ward.
Once they entered the directorate, they found it still in utter chaos, just as expected-the casualties in Zhengping Ward yesterday, the major case of the Minister of Justice being beheaded in the street, and the organizational confusion with so many people still stationed in the Southern City's wards all left the island looking chaotic and disorderly.
Zhang Xing, Qin Bao, and the others searched for a long time before gradually gathering with Qian Tang, Li Qingchen, and the rest, but Bai Yousi was still nowhere to be seen.
By the afternoon, however, as word arrived that the Intendant had returned from the Southern Office, order on the main island gradually began to stabilize.
Then, amid the croaking of frogs from Jishuitan on all four sides, Vermilion Sashes and Black Sashes emerged one after another from the Black Tower, passing down order after order. As these orders were relayed, affairs throughout the Eastern Capital City seemed to be moving toward a calmer state:
Withdraw immediately from all wards in the Southern City and cease searching;
Undertake extensive recovery work in Zhengping Ward;
Discussion of the assassination of Zhang was strictly forbidden, and the suspects involved were taken into custody in the prison beneath the Black Tower.
Of course, there was also a more considerate order: starting the following day, each Regular Patrol Group and Patrol Group would divide into three teams, rotating every three days between duty and rest. Barring unforeseen incidents, this arrangement would continue into the height of summer the following month.
Hearing this order, Zhang Xing understood that Zhang Wenda's death had probably swiftly brought about a decision at the highest level. Whether that decision favored haste or delay, severity or leniency, was harder to say... At least there would no longer be maneuvering and tug-of-war that left small pawns like them wasting their strength.
"Did you go see that ward chief landlord of yours yesterday?"
With arrangements handed down from above, Bai Yousi, as the person in charge, naturally had to assign duties and reassure each of the Patrol Cavalry who had gone through yesterday's events. When she reached Zhang Xing, however, the first thing she brought up was what had happened after they parted yesterday.
Of course, that was hardly surprising.
"Yes." Zhang Xing nodded and asked earnestly, "I didn't cause you any trouble, did I, Inspector?"
"No." Bai Yousi slowly shook her head. "People only truly look down on those who have no human feeling... Besides, Inspector Chai was present throughout your conversation yesterday. With him vouching for you, no one can say anything."
"Inspector Chai told you?" Zhang Xing looked slightly surprised.
"Yes." Bai Yousi nodded and spoke casually. "Inspector Chai is a veteran Vermilion Sash. He's ordinarily mild-mannered, enjoys the Intendant's trust, and does a great deal to help younger people. Everyone respects him."
"Last time, it was thanks to his painstaking investigation that the injustice against me was cleared up." Zhang Xing naturally nodded repeatedly, then suddenly asked, "Inspector, do you think I should go thank him?"
Bai Yousi paused slightly, then narrowed her eyes and glanced at him. "You want to go thank Inspector Chai?"
"Yes." Zhang Xing's expression was calm. "Would that be inappropriate somehow?"
"No." Bai Yousi glanced at him, shaking her head with a laugh. "What could be inappropriate about that?"
"Then may I ask what Inspector Chai enjoys?" Zhang Xing pressed on with his questions.
"He likes..." Amid the frogs croaking all over the island, Bai Yousi hesitated in thought. "He likes books, bronzes, and stone inscriptions."
"Books, bronzes, and stone inscriptions are rather expensive, aren't they?"
"Yes."
"Could you lend me some money, Inspector?" Zhang Xing grew still more earnest.
"Zhang Xing, just what is going on with you?" Bai Yousi finally stopped bothering to conceal her feelings. "Did yesterday's events actually make you think of switching patrons? Can I no longer protect you? Or were you scared out of your wits, and now you're planning to seek an easy retirement under Inspector Chai? If it's the latter, just say so. I'll make the arrangements for you."
For a moment, not only Bai Yousi but the other Patrol Cavalry in the group all turned to look.
"You're overthinking it, Inspector." Zhang Xing cupped his hands, his words calm. "It's not as if this is my first time seeing a situation like that. How could it have scared me out of my wits... In fact, quite the opposite. Yesterday, wind and cloud converged, and the great figures traded moves. Now that the clouds have scattered and the wind has cleared, I too would like to croak like the frogs in this pond and accomplish something."
"Then you..."
"I want to ask Inspector Chai about the Jing'an Directorate's established rules, see how I can get promoted, and work on advancing my official career," Zhang Xing answered plainly. "Yesterday made it perfectly clear. If you're not even an official, you don't count as a person. How can you talk about getting anything done? I thought of approaching Inspector Chai because I know you're easygoing, Inspector. If I asked you, I was afraid it might turn out badly instead... Inspector, how can I become a White Ribbon without leaving the Patrol Group?"
"You're overthinking it. Advancing your official career, indeed." Bai Yousi looked him up and down, her tone peculiar. "The Jing'an Directorate is made up entirely of cultivators. There are firm rules... Unless you earn exceptional merit and transfer to the Black Tower as a clerk, which we just ruled out... Otherwise, you have to open your Sixth Orthodox Meridian, complete an External Patrol, and accumulate enough merit in your regular duties to win everyone's acceptance. Only then can you be awarded a White Ribbon. Have you opened your Sixth Orthodox Meridian yet?"
Zhang Xing fell silent for a moment before speaking. "I'm still a little short. When are we going on External Patrol?"
For once, Bai Yousi was surprised.
PS: Thanks to our new alliance leader, Half a Zombie Comes to Farm. Happy New Year's Day again, everyone.
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