Chapter 16

In the Tang Dynasty, there were no refrigerators to store food, and Yang Shouwen's family, living in a small village, would buy and prepare food as needed, rarely keeping any in reserve. In this era, waste was shameful! The phrase "the stench of wine and meat at the gates of the rich" referred to those high-ranking officials and nobles. In a place as harsh as Changping, food was not abundant. Even if Yang Chenglie was a county magistrate, he had to carefully manage his household.

Guan Hu smiled and said, "There's no need to worry, Sister Yang. The county magistrate and I have brought wine and dishes. You just need to prepare some steamed buns."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved the wine jar he was holding.

Yang Chenglie then handed several oil paper packages to Lady Yang and said in a deep voice, "These are the wine and dishes brought from the county town. Save some for Young Lady, and bring the rest to the table."

Lady Yang, hearing this, said no more.

"Xizi, come and have a drink too."

Guan Hu followed Yang Chenglie into the main hall and beckoned for Yang Shouwen to come over.

However, Yang Shouwen declined, "Uncle, don't worry about me. I don't drink, and I'm a bit tired from not sleeping last night."

"Then get some rest early."

It seemed that Yang Chenglie and Guan Hu would not return to the county town tonight.

It was no wonder, as there were no cities that stayed lit all night in this era. In a place like Changping, which was on the frontier, the city gates would be closed and a curfew would begin as soon as it got dark. Even if Yang Chenglie was a county magistrate, once the city gates were closed, it would be difficult to open them again.

This was a rule, regardless of one's position.

"Brother, Xizi speaks quite normally, he doesn't seem like someone who is ill."

Sitting in the main hall, Lady Yang had prepared two serving trays, which she placed in front of Yang Chenglie and Guan Hu.

People in the Tang Dynasty still maintained the habit of individual servings, not preferring to eat from a communal pot. After arranging the wine and dishes, Lady Yang returned to the kitchen to prepare the main meal. Guan Hu, after drinking a bowl of wine, couldn't help but ask curiously.

"He speaks normally, but sometimes he is still confused."

Yang Chenglie said, "If his mind were clear, how could he have followed Second Son in his mischief? Fortunately, his father disciplined him strictly, especially in martial arts, never allowing any slack. That's how he developed his current skills. Otherwise, it would have been dangerous."

Guan Hu agreed, nodding repeatedly.

"Brother, with these sudden and consecutive murders, it will likely alarm the county magistrate.

County Magistrate Wang is a man who doesn't tolerate any sand in his eyes. If he takes it seriously, the pressure on our side will be considerable."

Yang Chenglie tore off a chicken leg and took a big bite.

"This matter is strange. From today's questioning, it seems the other party won't stop here.

They ambushed the fake Liáozi the day before and didn't get what they wanted, so they returned to the same place last night, only to be foiled by Xizi and Second Son... Tiger, I have an idea, and I'd like to hear your thoughts."

"Hehe, Brother, you speak so.

But I also have an idea, and I wonder if it aligns with yours."

"Oh?"

Yang Chenglie took a sip of wine, looked at Guan Hu, and smiled.

Don't be deceived by Guan Hu's rough appearance. If he were truly as he looked, he wouldn't have reached the position of head of the arrest team. This position, akin to a modern-day criminal investigation captain, required a sharp mind. Guan Hu's martial arts were indeed formidable; with his large saber, even a dozen strong men couldn't stop him. But the reason he became the head of the arrest team and a trusted confidant of Yang Chenglie was his meticulous and clever mind.

Guan Hu stood up and walked to Yang Chenglie's table, dipped his finger in the wine, and wrote the character 'deception' on the table.

Yang Chenglie laughed heartily, "Tiger, indeed, our thoughts are in perfect harmony."

"Brother, you deliberately delayed leaving today and kept me here, so I guessed your intention."

"Exactly, since the murderer hasn't succeeded, they will likely act again.

With the manpower we have, it's impossible to leave a dedicated team to guard Maitreya Temple. The only option is to divert their attention and lure them out. I plan to return tomorrow and pretend we've found a clue, to make them reveal themselves."

"What if they don't come out?"

"Well..."

Guan Hu said in a deep voice, "Luring them out is a good plan, but it's somewhat passive.

If they don't come out, we can only wait. In this world, there are only a thousand days of thievery, not a thousand days of vigilance. In my view, we must investigate! Not only investigate, but do so openly, to force them to reveal themselves."

Yang Chenglie nodded lightly, stroking his beard.

"How do we investigate?"

"In the city, it's easy; we just need to increase manpower and conduct thorough checks.

But in Gūzhú... Second Son said the murderers were two Liáozi. This place is on the frontier, and there are many Liáozi. It's easier in the city, but Gūzhú is more complicated. These Liáozi only settled here last year, and the population is mixed. If the murderers are hiding among them, it will be difficult. Most importantly, Gūzhú is a tributary state."

A tributary state is mostly self-governed by non-Han people.

From the county magistrate to the county magistrate and even the lowest-ranking officials, they are all non-Han people.

Yang Chenglie lightly tapped his forehead, pondered for a moment, and said, "This matter is indeed troublesome... Here's what we'll do: Tiger, you start arranging the plan to lure them out and strengthen the city's security. For the tributary state, it's best to inform the county magistrate. This involves imperial law, and we must be cautious."

"I understand."

Yang Chenglie and Guan Hu chatted and drank through the night. Since they didn't sleep, Lady Yang couldn't sleep either and stayed up with them until dawn. After dawn, Yang Chenglie didn't wake Yang Shouwen but left hurriedly with Guan Hu. Lady Yang then tidied up the table and prepared for another busy day.

Yang Shouwen woke up and helped Lady Yang clean the room.

He didn't go out at noon but stayed to help Young Lady tend the flower garden. The weather was getting cooler, and winter was approaching, so they needed to prepare in advance.

After finishing the garden, Yang Shouwen sat on the porch, lost in thought.

Young Lady quietly walked up behind him, covered his eyes with her small hands, and said, "Brother Xizi, guess who I am?"

"Hmm, let me guess... So fragrant, it must be my little Young Lady."

As he spoke, he suddenly turned and lifted Young Lady up.

Young Lady couldn't help but giggle, hugging Yang Shouwen's neck and said coquettishly, "Brother Xizi, tell me a story."

"Tell a story?"

Yang Shouwen was taken aback, but a sudden idea flashed in his mind.

"Young Lady, have you heard of the monk Xuanzang?"

Young Lady shook her head, looking puzzled, "What does the monk Xuanzang do?"

"He's a monk."

"Monk? Like the bald men on the mountain?"

"Uh... Young Lady, we can call them monks in private, but when we're in front of them, we should address them as 'monk' out of respect."

"But they are bald."

Explaining to a little girl was sometimes a very challenging task.

Fortunately, Lady Yang passed by and, hearing Young Lady's words, immediately said, "Young Lady, how can you be so impolite? You must not call them that in the future."

Lady Yang seemed to believe in Buddhism but wasn't a fervent follower.

Young Lady pouted, muttered softly, and wrapped her finger in her sash, looking a bit aggrieved.

"Do you know about the monk Xuanzang, Aunt?"

"Oh, I've heard of him. He was a monk during the reign of Emperor Taizong.

I heard that he traveled thousands of miles to India to seek true teachings, facing many dangers. He also wrote a book called 'Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang,' which describes his journey. However, I haven't read this book."

Right, 'Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang'!

Yang Shouwen suddenly understood what he wanted to do.

"Aunt, is 'Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang' available in the county town?"

"I'm not sure... I'm going to the city to buy some fabric. If you want it, I can ask at the Wenbo Pavilion.

But can you read it?"

Lady Yang didn't remember Yang Shouwen reading books, so she wasn't sure.

Yang Shouwen said, "If it's available, please bring one back... Also, if you go to the city, I have a favor to ask. I have two strings of coins. Please buy some wine, not the best, but as much as you can."

"Ah?"

Lady Yang looked at Yang Shouwen in surprise, not understanding.

"Is Xizi going to drink? Two strings of coins is a lot! If Xizi wants to drink, I can bring a jar back."

"Oh, Aunt, you misunderstood. I'm not buying the wine to drink, but for another purpose. Please don't ask more."

"Alright."

Lady Yang took the leather pouch from Yang Shouwen and tied it to her waist.

She tidied up and instructed Young Lady not to be naughty before leaving the yard for the city.

Seeing Lady Yang walk away, Young Lady immediately perked up, "I'm not being naughty, it's Xizi who is the most disobedient."

Young Lady grumbled, looking aggrieved.

Yang Shouwen couldn't help but laugh, picked her up, and sat her on his lap, "Since that's the case, let the naughty Xizi tell a story to the obedient Young Lady, okay?"

"Okay, okay!"

"The story we're going to tell today is about a monkey."

Yang Shouwen tickled Young Lady's nose, thought for a moment, and organized his words: "In the beginning, the world was in chaos, and no one could see it. When Pangu split the universe, the world was divided into clear and turbid..."

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