After the surrounding villagers finished speaking one after another, Magistrate Gao nodded, "This official understands. I will not wrong a good person nor let a bad person go."
"You collude with each other and act as accomplices!" Qiu Jingyuan was so angry that she cursed loudly.
However, her guards were useless, and the reputation of the Qiu family's third branch could not hold its ground. Without support, Qiu Jingyuan was just a twelve-year-old girl.
Zhan Feiyu bowed to Magistrate Gao, "Sir, since there is no further business, I shall take my leave."
Whether Magistrate Gao enforced the law impartially or showed leniency due to the Qiu family's influence, Zhan Feiyu did not care. As long as no lives were lost, it was merely a farce.
"Go ahead," Magistrate Gao waved Zhan Feiyu away.
Regarding the clamoring Qiu Jingyuan, who, despite being older, was so arrogant and overbearing, Magistrate Gao said coldly, "Given your young age, you shall compensate the injured villagers with money for your reckless riding. If you continue to cause trouble, this official will impose severe punishment!"
"Miss, let them be arrogant for a while longer. We can discuss it when people from the manor arrive," Qing Hong whispered, trying to persuade her. Magistrate Gao clearly would not help her.
If they continued to make a scene and were actually taken to the county yamen, it would damage Miss's reputation. Upon returning to Qianzhong Circuit, the master and madam would not spare them, the attendants.
Qiu Jingyuan was furious but utterly helpless. In her rage, she roared, "Consider this money thrown to the dogs! Let's go!"
She angrily threw two hundred-tael bank notes onto the ground and left with her entourage. She had originally intended to settle accounts with Zhan Feiyu, but returning to Qiu Zongxi's manor now would be inviting humiliation.
"To think she's a daughter of an official, tsk tsk. She's worse than a shrew on the street." A nearby constable picked up the bank notes from the ground. "Sir, there are two hundred taels in total."
"First, exchange it for smaller denominations at the bank. After compensating the villagers, send any remaining silver back," Magistrate Gao said sternly. He then instructed the constable to send the injured villagers to the medical clinic and leave a few men to clean up the scene and maintain order.
...
The blacksmith's shop.
Old Man Tie did not go out to watch the commotion, but villagers who came to get farm tools described the incident of reckless riding in the marketplace vividly.
"Uncle, you should have seen it. That girl from the Qiu family looked no more than ten years old, but she was truly cruel and ruthless, tsk tsk. If that young man hadn't acted so quickly, several people would have definitely died today." The speaking youth shook his head in lingering fear.
Even the village bully in their village only engaged in petty theft. If he went too far, the village head and elders would surely discipline him.
Unlike these young ladies, who treated human lives as nothing, causing death and then settling it with a bit of silver.
The youth took the new hoe and looked at its sharp edge. He just needed to find a piece of wood to attach it to. He couldn't help but gossip, "When the beam above is crooked, the pillars below will also be crooked. The whole family is no good."
Old Man Tie put the three hundred coins into the drawer. Looking at Yang Xu, who sat to the side with a stern expression, he said loudly, "No matter what news the Qian family spreads now, the people of Xiangwu County will no longer believe them."
The Qiu family's third branch wanted to use Qiu Jinyu's death to leverage the General's manor for favors. With Qiu Jingyuan's cruel nature, Old Man Tie couldn't help but think of Madam Zhang, who was secretly imprisoned. If this marriage were to happen, it would ruin Xiao Xu's entire life.
"Xiao Yu helped me once again," Yang Xu stood up. "Grandpa Tie, I'll be going back now."
After Yang Xu left, Old Man Tie asked his apprentice to watch the shop and went to the back.
Yang Shoucheng, who should have been at the Weizhou Camp, was standing in the courtyard. He likely returned to Xiangwu County secretly and did not meet Yang Xu to maintain his confidentiality.
Inside the room, Old Man Tie said, "General, please rest assured. Xiangwu County is now under our control, and the incident at Aozi Pass will never happen again."
Yang Xu's safety was of utmost importance. Xiangwu County, and even Weizhou, had been purged by the Yang family. While not an impenetrable fortress, it was certainly no longer possible for enemies to assassinate Yang Xu.
"At most ten days, and the people from the Qiu family's third branch will arrive. The person coming openly this time is Qiu Zhang, but the real decision-maker will be Qiu Feng, who follows Er Lai," Yang Shoucheng informed Old Man Tie of the intelligence he had received. Old Man Tie was responsible for all intelligence and information in Weizhou.
Qiu Zhang and Qiu Zongxi were of the same generation and belonged to a collateral branch. Relying on his higher seniority, he often showed off within the clan and treated his juniors as if he were a high-ranking official, which garnered widespread resentment.
The Qiu family had become a collateral branch from the generation of Qiu Jingyuan's grandfather, after failing to seize the position of family head. Qiu Jingyuan's father and the Provincial Administration Commissioner Qiu were cousins, but by Qiu Jingyuan's generation, the relationship was quite distant.
Qiu Feng also belonged to the Qiu family's third branch. He and Qiu Jingyuan were actually maternal cousins. However, because her mother, who had married out, was widowed, she did not want to remain in her husband's family to suffer. Therefore, she brought her son back to her maiden home and had her only son change his surname to Qiu.
Previously, Qiu Jinyu was the carefully cultivated heir of the Qiu family's third branch, and all their connections and resources were focused on Qiu Jinyu. Although Qiu Feng's surname was Qiu, he was actually groomed by the third branch as Qiu Jinyu's right-hand man.
While Qiu Jinyu studied for the imperial examinations, Qiu Feng managed all other affairs. Even so, Qiu Feng had achieved the title of Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations). However, he was already twenty-two years old this year, unlike Qiu Jinyu, who was exceptionally talented at a younger age.
"With Old Master Qiu presiding, Qiu Zhang is not qualified to flaunt his seniority," Old Man Tie understood Qiu Zongxi's temperament.
If Qiu Zhang dared to act presumptuously by relying on his seniority, Qiu Zongxi would definitely beat him so badly that his parents and ancestors wouldn't recognize him. As for Qiu Feng, Old Man Tie asked, "Since the third branch sent Qiu Feng to Xiangwu County, he must have his own merits."
According to the intelligence received from Qianzhong Circuit, Qiu Feng was a dog of the third branch, and a mad dog at that. He bit anyone he encountered, was cruel and vengeful, and acted without scruples.
"If Qiu Feng breaks the rules, then act directly," Yang Shoucheng said calmly, but a glint of killing intent flashed in his eyes. Upon reaching Longyou Circuit, it was not Qiu Feng's place to be presumptuous.
Old Man Tie nodded in understanding, but as he listened, he couldn't help but be shocked. "How many people have arrived?"
Yang Shoucheng repeated, "Five hundred people. Besides the guards of the third branch, most of them are desperadoes from the martial arts world."
Even though the third branch was a collateral branch, through generations of inheritance, the accumulated wealth was not to be underestimated. With a heavy sum of money, Qiu Feng could naturally gather these desperadoes to serve him.
The shady and unsavory deeds that Qiu Feng committed in the past were also carried out by these people.
Old Man Tie almost laughed in anger. His slightly aged voice, however, conveyed sharpness and殺意 (killing intent). "Let alone five hundred people, even if five thousand came, they wouldn't cause any trouble in Longyou Circuit."
The Yang family's territory in the General's manor was not a place for outsiders to run rampant. Even the Zhenbian Marquisate did not dare to be presumptuous back then. Qiu Feng was merely a mad dog, far inferior to the heir Zhu Xiao. If Qiu Feng dared to come, he might not return alive.
"General, do you need me to send people to intercept them halfway?" Old Man Tie asked. If these five hundred people all appeared in Xiangwu County, it would be a hidden danger. It would be better to intercept them halfway and cut off their supply line.
"If this is to be done, the garrison should be the one to act." Yang Shoucheng had also considered this when he received the news, but the Weizhou Camp and other military camps could not dispatch troops without authorization. Without proper justification, unauthorized dispatch of troops was a serious crime.
The one truly authorized to do this was Commander Dou of the garrison.
Old Man Tie frowned. "The person behind Commander Dou has not yet been identified, but it is definitely a prince in the palace."
The Yang family's resurgence and regaining military power meant they had offended a prince in the palace. They had been deploying in Longyou Circuit for years to gain military power. Now that their efforts were in vain, not only would they not help the Yang family, but they would certainly not favor them.
If the prince behind Commander Dou was narrow-minded, he might even help Qiu Feng. If he couldn't do anything to the Yang family, he could at least annoy them.
"You will secretly pass the message to Commander Dou later," Yang Shoucheng commanded sternly. After thinking for a while, he continued, "Qiu Feng is not here with good intentions. Xiao Yu had a conflict with Qiu Jingyuan. Commander Dou will certainly not stand idly by."
Commander Dou might not care about Yang Xu's life or death, but if Zhan Feiyu met with an accident in Xiangwu County, Commander Dou would be in deep trouble. Whether it was Scholar Gu or the Imperial Guards behind her, Commander Dou would not tolerate Qiu Feng's reckless behavior.
Especially with the five hundred people Qiu Feng brought, if any of them were desperadoes who harbored hatred towards Scholar Gu or the Imperial Guards, then Zhan Feiyu's safety would be particularly important, and Commander Dou would definitely bring his men.
...
Qiu Manor, study.
After wandering around the lively marketplace for an hour, Zhan Feiyu, having eaten her fill, returned to the study to catch up on her studies.
When Yang Xu returned, Zhan Feiyu and Qiu Zongxi were arguing heatedly about factionalism. The old and the young were locked in a battle of wits, quoting classics, neither willing to concede.
Qiu Zongxi was upright and extremely disliked factionalism. "Constant contention leads to factionalism, factionalism leads to slander, slander leads to misjudgment of facts, and the false is mistaken for the true. For national prosperity and peace, factions must be banned to discipline the people."
"A gentleman is inclusive but not cliquish; a petty person is cliquish but not inclusive. Sir, what you say is too generalized, painting everyone with the same brush." Zhan Feiyu had always believed that the biggest difference between a gentleman and a petty person lay in maintaining their true nature.
Adversity was a test and growth for a gentleman, but for a petty person, it was heaven's unfairness, leading to resentment and jealousy. Similarly, a gentleman in a high position remained concerned for the country and its people, while a petty person, once in power, revealed their true nature like a中山狼 (a wolf from Zhongshan, known for its ingratitude).
As long as one adhered to their principles, they would be friends with those of the same path. For petty people, however, it meant being friends with those who shared the same interests.
Zhan Feiyu looked at Qiu Zongxi, who clearly disagreed, and continued in a clear and resonant voice, "What is cherished is righteousness, what is practiced is loyalty and trustworthiness, and what is valued is reputation. To cultivate oneself with these, one benefits from those of the same path; to serve the country with these, one works together with a united heart."
"A ruler should dismiss the false friends of petty people and employ the true friends of gentlemen." Zhan Feiyu understood that the so-called factionalism depended on the choice of the one on the dragon throne, whether they favored worthy ministers and distanced themselves from petty individuals, or favored petty individuals and distanced themselves from worthy ministers.
But regardless of which side was chosen, the most dangerous thing was to fabricate things out of thin air and use factionalism to attack opponents, causing the entire court to be filled with suspicion, and everyone to be on edge.
"Twisting logic and eloquent but empty words!" Qiu Zongxi absolutely did not believe Zhan Feiyu had won. He glanced at the door. "Come in if you're coming in. Why are you dawdling outside the door like a hen hatching chicks?"
Yang Xu paused as he pushed the door open. Grandpa Qiu was definitely taking his anger out on him because he lost!
After Yang Xu delivered the news of Qiu Feng and his group's imminent arrival, Qiu Zongxi frowned and slammed his teacup onto the table, his face full of anger. "They are never going to stop!"
The matter of Qiu Jinyu was over, but these people from the third branch were getting more aggressive. First, there was the arrogant and overbearing Qiu Jingyuan, and now they were sending a mad dog like Qiu Feng.
What was worse was that he was bringing five hundred desperadoes. It was no wonder Old Master Qiu was furious, as the Qiu family's reputation was being tarnished. No matter what, the third branch still bore the surname Qiu.
Zhan Feiyu looked at Yang Xu with sympathy and teasingly said, "Fortunately, you are only nine years old. If you were a few years older, you might have been caught in the act, and the deed would have been done. You wouldn't have been able to refuse marriage even if you wanted to."
Yang Xu stared at Zhan Feiyu, who spoke such vulgar words, his dark face instantly flushing with embarrassment. Fortunately, his dark complexion made it less noticeable.
"The words are crude, but the reasoning is sound. The third branch are all shameless wretches!" Qiu Zongxi nodded in agreement. What he liked most about Zhan Feiyu was her directness and openness. You are smart, and others are not stupid. Everyone knows about the mess the third branch is creating.
Feeling that his innocence had been preserved, Yang Xu decided that if he were to go out in the future, he would definitely bring enough people with him. He used to fear trouble and felt it was inappropriate.
But now, Yang Xu felt that for the sake of his innocence, he wouldn't fear any trouble.
"Qiu Feng is not a good person. Xiao Yu, be careful. If he dares to offend you, don't hold back. Let He Sheng and the others deal with him directly. If he dies, consider it eliminating a menace to society!" Qiu Zongxi cautioned Zhan Feiyu.
Over the years, Qiu Zongxi had settled in Xiangwu County, but every year the Qiu family would send gifts. Those who came were usually younger generations from the head of the family. Therefore, even though he did not manage the Qiu family's household affairs, Qiu Zongxi knew of Qiu Feng's malicious and unscrupulous methods. Calling him a mad dog was not an exaggeration.
Zhan Feiyu nodded in understanding. She was afraid of death, so she would naturally not risk her own life. If a person did not provoke her, it would be fine. But if they dared to tread on her toes, Zhan Feiyu would definitely not show mercy.
...
Not to mention how surprised Commander Dou was to find a letter appearing out of thin air on his pillow, and how angry and furious he was after reading it, let's talk about Qiu Feng and his entourage who were on the road at this moment.
Although the vast procession was traveling from Qianzhong Circuit, their marching speed was no less than that of well-trained regular troops.
"Young Master Feng, this is a secret letter from Weizhou." The attendant, holding a carrier pigeon in one hand and taking down the small message tube tied to the pigeon's leg with the other, respectfully handed it to Qiu Feng.
The unfolded letter was no more than a finger long, but it was densely filled with small characters, detailing the recent activities in Weizhou and Qiu Jingyuan's reckless riding in the marketplace, including the current prevailing sentiment in Longyou Circuit.
With Qiu Jingyuan as a negative example, no matter how the Qian family spread rumors to embellish Qiu Jinyu as a loyal and righteous scholar, the common people did not buy it. They trusted the firsthand accounts of their relatives in Xiangwu County more.