Mo Sang – CH 180

Chapter 180. A Trial

After crossing the Han Shui, Li Sangrou and her group proceeded at a leisurely pace.

By evening, they indeed arrived at a large and bustling town.

Although the sun was still high in the sky, Li Sangrou ordered that they find an inn to rest.

Da Chang carried Song Qiming, along with the wine barrel, into the main room, while Hei Ma and Xiao Lu carried the other two wine barrels into the adjacent main room.

After dinner, Li Sangrou instructed the waiter to bring in a large tub of hot water so that Song Qiming could take a good bath.

Having enjoyed a comfortable meal, bathed thoroughly, and feeling refreshed, Song Qiming, finally able to sleep in bed, fell asleep almost immediately.

She was utterly exhausted.

Next door, Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen also fell into a deep sleep almost as soon as they got into bed.

The next day, Hei Ma led Xiao Lu through the town from one end to the other and back again.

There were no carriage shops in town, but there were two or three carpentry shops. One made wheelbarrows and mule carts, but no passenger carts.

There was only one mule cart available. Hei Ma bought it and, with extra money, had the carpenter and his son add a cover and bought a bolt of indigo coarse cloth to wrap it, making it surprisingly presentable.

Seeing they wanted to buy carts, the innkeeper eagerly recommended his own slightly worn passenger cart, originally used by the women of his family. Though old, it was made of the finest materials.

After much haggling, Hei Ma bought the passenger cart, making a total of two carts.

Hei Ma also bought two quilts from the inn, laying them on the two carts, and two foot warmers, which he then placed in bamboo incense burners on the carts.

Song Qiming rode in the supply wagon, while Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen rode in the mule cart. After lunch, they set off.

There were no mule caravans in the town, and the inns did not have any extra mules or donkeys to sell. With two mules pulling the cart and two carrying the luggage, the group had to continue on foot towards Pingjing Pass.

They traveled on without encountering a decent town. Fortunately, there were places to rest along the way. Although most of the inns and guesthouses were newly opened and incomplete, at least they offered hot soup, hot water, hot meals, shelter, and heated beds.

After traveling for six or seven days, the group entered Pingjing Pass.

Li Sangrou instructed them to find a good inn and rest properly for a few days in Pingjing Pass.

Within Pingjing Pass, the best inns were all fully booked, with no rooms available.

Hei Ma had no choice but to choose an inn slightly better than a foot inn. It happened to have a spacious courtyard, so they brought the mule and cart inside.

Several workers busied themselves bringing in a charcoal brazier, large buckets of hot water, tea, snacks, and then food.

Cheng Shan and his two apprentices, wrapped in blankets, sat on the warm kang. Before they could speak, Li Sangrou looked at Song Qiming and asked with a smile, “This is Pingjing Pass. Have you been here before?”

Song Qiming shook her head.

“Then I will show you around. We will go out for lunch.” Li Sangrou seemed to be in a very good mood. She looked from Song Qiming to Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen. “Later, I will have Hei Ma buy you some clothes. However…”

Li Sangrou paused, her smile radiant.

“Let’s get this straight: once you are dressed, if you behave well, do not do anything foolish, and do not have any ulterior motives, you can keep wearing these clothes. But if you do anything—”

Li Sangrou drawled, chuckling a few times. She did not finish her sentence, only chuckling, “Look at you three; those six eyes are shining brightly. You are all smart enough; I do not need to say more.”

Sure enough, not long after, Hei Ma delivered three sets of clothes to them.

Song Qiming put on the long-unseen clothes and shoes, stood in the main room, and for some reason, tears welled up in her eyes again.

“Hey, you little rascal, why are you crying again? What’s wrong? Do not want to wear clothes? You are more comfortable wrapped in the blankets, naked, right? Then take them off…” Li Sangrou looked surprised.

“No, no!” Song Qiming grabbed her collar in fright, backing away against the wall. “Yes, I am! I am happy!”

“Happy? That’s good.” Li Sangrou clapped her hands. “Come on, I will take you out for a stroll.”

Li Sangrou said, turning to walk out.

Song Qiming, her heart pounding, quickly followed behind, not daring to stray too far from Li Sangrou, yet not daring to get too close either.

Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen also changed their clothes and followed Hei Ma out.

“Come on, let’s go for a stroll,” Li Sangrou waved.

Da Chang followed behind Li Sangrou. Hei Ma politely encouraged Cheng Shan and the other two, along with Xiao Lu and the others, to surround them as they left the inn and strolled out.

Pingjing Pass was captured by the Northern Qi Army after more than half a month of fierce fighting and wave after wave of sieges.

Although more than half a year had passed since this fierce attack, the traces of the battle were still visible everywhere in the city.

The walls, charred black from the flames and marked with suspicious dark patches, were still ablaze with unrepaired ruins yet teeming with people, a bustling scene of vibrant activity.

Every inn and restaurant within the fortified city was packed with people, the streets teeming with them, shoulder to shoulder.

“It’s already the twelfth lunar month; how come there are so many people?” Li Sangrou exclaimed in surprise.

“They are all from Jingzhou, Ezhou, Suizhou, and even Jiangling City. I do not know how they got here.

Merchants, relatives visiting, this and that. I’ve never seen so many before.

That’s what the shopkeeper at our place said.” Hei Ma stepped forward, craning his neck to speak.

“The shopkeeper at our store was so happy; his face was beaming. He said his store has been open for twenty years, and this is the first time business has been this good. He said business started to pick up in the ninth and tenth months, and it got even better in the twelfth month.

He said our courtyard is lucky. A family from Ezhou City just came, a whole family, young and old, in several large carts. They said they were going to Jianle City to visit relatives, but the shopkeeper said he thought the boss was probably going to take the imperial examinations. They just finished their break and started studying again.”

“See, is this not great? Before, this Pass was a dead end; no one was allowed to come or go. People could not even visit relatives. All the energy and wealth were blocked.

Now it’s so much better. We can visit relatives and meet friends. Business is everywhere; money is everywhere! Is that not wonderful?” Li Sangrou said, patting Song Qiming on the shoulder.

Song Qiming’s eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, and her shoulders slumped.

Cheng Shan, hands behind his back, surveyed his surroundings. Hearing Li Sangrou’s words, he glanced at her sideways.

Li Sangrou walked in front, strolling down a street. She had Hei Ma inquire and, hearing that Yingfu Restaurant was the largest and best, turned around and headed straight for it.

Yingfu Restaurant was bustling with activity. There were no private rooms available; there were not many to begin with. Although Hei Ma had not asked, the manager still offered a warm explanation:

“We’ve been wanting to add another row of houses. We originally planned to start construction after this busy period, but it’s gotten busier and busier.

Pingjing Pass is getting more and more lively, and this small shop is getting busier and busier. We cannot wait any longer. We plan to start construction after the New Year, and then we will have private rooms.”

Li Sangrou did not pick and choose. In the bustling main hall, two square tables were pushed together, and the group sat down. Hei Ma ordered, as generously as ever: “Bring one of everything the restaurant has.”

Song Qiming sat close to Li Sangrou, curiously observing their surroundings. Luo Qiwen sat next to Song Qiming, looking quite reserved. Cheng Shan sat upright, his eyes darting around, subtly scanning their surroundings.

Li Sangrou seemed to be in a very good mood, enjoying the food, which made her even happier. She beckoned to a waiter and ordered ten or eight bottles of the best wine.

Cheng Shan cautiously glanced at Li Sangrou, who had happily drunk more than a bottle of wine, then quietly nudged Luo Qiwen and said to Da Chang with a forced smile, “I need to use the restroom. What do you think?”

“I do not know where the restroom is either; ask the waiter,” Da Chang said impatiently, waving his hand as he sipped his wine.

“Yes,” Cheng Shan nudged Luo Qiwen again, leaned out to ask the waiter, and then went out to relieve himself, one after the other.

“Young lady, do not drink too much.” Li Sangrou, seemingly oblivious to Cheng Shan and Luo Qiwen, who had slipped out to relieve themselves, tapped Song Qiming’s hand with the tip of her chopsticks as she reached for the bottle after Song Qiming finished her drink.

Song Qiming’s hand slid off the bottle, and he picked up her bowl to eat.

Cheng Shan, her heart pounding, went into the outhouse, rinsing his throat and glancing around as he did so.

Luo Qiwen followed him in. “Uncle-Master.”

“Keep your voice down!” Cheng Shan interrupted Luo Qiwen, looking around again.

“I’ve checked; no one’s here,” Luo Qiwen quickly replied.

“Looks like they are much more relaxed now that they are in their territory. Find a chance to send a message out and call the authorities later,” Cheng Shan whispered to Luo Qiwen.

“Alright!” Luo Qiwen nodded repeatedly.

The two of them rinsed their hands and went back to the hall to continue eating.

After finishing their meal, Xiao Lu and the others were clearly drunk. One after another, they needed to urinate, then complained of dizziness, and all fell behind.

Li Sangrou also seemed to be quite drunk. Ignoring everyone, she draped an arm over Song Qiming’s shoulder, talking to her and asking if she had seen this or that before.

Hei Ma looked around, buying this and that, accumulating a pile of useless things. Only Da Chang stayed close behind Li Sangrou, glancing at Cheng Shan and the other two every now and then.

Luo Qiwen followed Hei Ma, looking around, sometimes falling behind by a dozen steps, then catching up with Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou strolled through four or five streets before yawning, saying she was tired, and turning back towards the inn.

……………………

Meng Yanqing sat in a small teahouse opposite the inn, chatting and laughing with his companions. Watching Luo Qiwen fall behind again, he furtively stood against the inn’s wall for a moment before hurrying to catch up with Hei Ma.

About ten breaths later, Datou, hands in his pockets, stood where Luo Qiwen had just stood, his shoulders shrugging wildly, looking like his back was itching terribly. He leaned back against the wall, rubbed himself vigorously, and then trotted away.

Mazha followed closely behind, drawing a few lines where Datou had rubbed, then, hands in his pockets, followed Datou into the inn.

Dong Chao, sitting opposite Meng Yanqing, laughed so hard he could not drink his tea. “That’s a good method, but it’s wasteful of clothes.”

“Have the brothers get ready, and get it done quickly,” Meng Yanqing ordered, still laughing.

……………………

Li Sangrou returned to the inn and beckoned to Cheng Shan and the other two. “Come, let’s have some tea and chat.”

Hei Ma and Da Chang followed behind, arms crossed, standing on either side of the main room door.

“Sit, sit down; there will be good tea in a bit.” Li Sangrou smiled and gestured for the three to sit on the kang. She sat at the head of the kang, turned on the stove, boiled water, and brought over tea leaves, a teapot, and cups to brew tea.

Song Qiming looked at Li Sangrou with a hint of fear. Her demeanor and smile seemed off.

Cheng Shan’s face was slightly pale, while Luo Qiwen kept his lips tightly pressed together. Of the three, he was the calmest.

Datou and Mazha peeked out from outside the door, then retreated inside. Xiao Lu and Chuantiao then peeked into the room and handed a note to Hei Ma.

Hei Ma handed the note to Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou unfolded the slip of paper, examined it carefully, and then handed it to Hei Ma. “Draw two more copies, following the example.”

Hei Ma took the slip of paper, stood by the table, ground the ink, and began to draw, following the example.

After Hei Ma finished, Li Sangrou had also prepared tea, pouring three cups. Looking at Cheng Shan and the other two, she smiled and said, “You three, listen up! From now on, no talking! Before I give you permission to speak, anyone who dares to utter a sound will have all their teeth knocked out!

Each of you has a cup of tea, and each of you has a slip of paper. Each of you has a room to write down clearly what these circles and marks you drew mean.

Do not say you do not know! You just scribbled all over the street like that.”

Li Sangrou pointed at Luo Qiwen, who stared at her, his eyes wide.

How did she know? That was impossible!

“If the three of you write the same thing, fine. But if they do not, I will strip you all naked and put you all in one carriage,” Li Sangrou said with a sly smile, looking at each of the three.

Song Qiming, her lips pressed tightly together, was startled by Li Sangrou’s words about putting them in one carriage, causing her hand to tremble and spill tea all over herself.

The three were herded into three side rooms. A moment later, Hei Ma returned with three pieces of paper.

Of the three pieces of paper, Song Qiming’s was the most detailed: this symbol was a warning to their fellow disciples that they had been kidnapped. It instructed the sect to track them down, find a way to rescue them, and report back.

“Bring them in,” Li Sangrou ordered Hei Ma, throwing six slips of paper into the stove.

Cheng Shan and the other two were forced back onto the kang.

Not long after, Da Chang brought in a middle-aged man who was tightly bound and threw him in front of the kang.

A middle-aged man, his mouth stuffed with a rag, glared at Cheng Shan, who sat on the kang. Cheng Shan met his gaze, his face ashen.

“You three can speak now.”

“Look at him, Uncle Cheng. You two know him, right? What’s his name? What’s he doing at Pingjing Pass?” Li Sangrou sipped her tea, smiling as she asked Cheng Shan.

“Qu Donglai. In important places, they usually keep one or two people on standby, just in case,” Cheng Shan said, his voice bitter.

“The shopkeeper knows him. He says he’s the best at treating horses and mules, and his horseshoeing skills are unparalleled,” Hei Ma poked his head in and explained.

“Sigh.” Li Sangrou sighed, turning to Da Chang and instructing, “Write a letter to Master Wen, asking him to send over a top-notch veterinarian who can shoe horses.”

Cheng Shan looked utterly defeated. Qu Donglai glared from Cheng Shan towards Li Sangrou.

“I need someone. Go before we do to your leader, whom you call ‘Master,’ right? Pass a message to your master. It will be you.”

Li Sangrou looked at Qu Donglai.

“Go back now and tell your master I need to see him. It’s nothing much, just a chat. Ask him to come down the mountain and wait for me in Nanzhao County. If he does not want to come into the city, he can wait outside.”

Li Sangrou paused, her brows furrowed, looking troubled.

“You are alone, and you walk fast. We are slower. The difference in speed can be too great, and your sect has all sorts of tricks up its sleeve.

Sigh, there’s no other way. Da Chang, break one of his legs. Hei Ma, go and get a good traditional Chinese medicine physician, the best one you can find.”

“You!” Cheng Shan glared at Li Sangrou, but before he could finish the word “you,” Da Chang punched Qu Donglai in the right shin. Qu Donglai, his mouth stuffed with rags, let out a muffled scream.

Song Qiming screamed in terror, while Luo Qiwen stared wide-eyed, his face deathly pale with fear.

“I only need one messenger. If you summon any more of your fellow disciples, I will have to kill them,” Li Sangrou said coldly, looking at Cheng Shan.

Cheng Shan stared intently at Qu Donglai, who was writhing on the ground in pain. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and he trembled violently, unable to utter a single word.