The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 29
“The prisoner walked from Zhujiaqiao to Caomen, and I kept a close watch on him the whole way without stopping. The item is probably not nearby.”

"Search Zhujiaqiao immediately!"

"Yes!"

"Who shouted 'Attack' first?"

"I don't know. The criminal is fierce, and I was afraid he would escape, so I've been waiting for everyone to be there."

"Let's find horses first..."

As the footsteps of the Imperial Guards faded into the distance, Xiao Yi stood up from the crowd, brushed the snow off his official robes, and looked thoughtful.

"Ugh, my legs are numb." Guo Xin also stood up and said, "They've captured someone, shouldn't they open the gates now?"

"No, they haven't found what they're looking for yet."

"What?"

Xiao Yi recalled Zhang Mantun's words and thought that the Imperial Guards were already under the Emperor's control, so Liu Zhu didn't need to be so nervous about the Imperial Guards' military seal. Then, thinking of Guo Tong's private remark, he pulled Guo Xin aside and asked in a low voice.

"Is the seal of office still in the hands of Commander Guo?"

"How would I know?" Guo Xin said. "I've only heard that the Grand Tutor overruled all objections and handed the seal of office to my father, haven't I?"

Xiao Yi shook his head, ultimately unable to be certain.

It seems that whether Guo Wei has the seal of office or not makes little difference; ultimately, he relies on his strong army and the support of the people, so he will temporarily ignore this matter.

"Let's go to the south of the city."

"If the city gates aren't open, what's the point of going?"

"Let's see if there's an opportunity."

Before leaving, Xiao Yi glanced back at the guards at Cao's gate one last time, noticing that they all had stern faces and looked difficult to bribe...

South of the city, at Weishi Gate.

When they arrived, the city gate was already crowded with people.

Xiao Yi remained seated on his horse, his gaze sweeping around.

His plan was simple: either hide at the city gate or bribe a guard.

As noon approached, the pedestrians who were stuck in the traffic jam became increasingly noisy and complained, which finally annoyed the soldiers guarding the city. They drew their swords and shouted loudly and fiercely.

"Everyone get out!"

"The city gates are not open today, so get out of here!"

"If you don't scatter, don't blame Grandpa for not showing mercy with his knife."

The two curses did not quell the commotion; instead, screams erupted from the city gate, and the crowd descended into chaos.

Xiao Yi had a good view from horseback and saw clearly that an old farmer carrying a vegetable basket was being pushed forward by people eager to leave the city. The basket hit a guard, who stabbed him without hesitation, and the old farmer immediately fell into a pool of blood, convulsing.

The crowds dispersed.

Guo Xin's horse, feeling restless from being jostled, kicked its hooves impatiently. He tightened the reins and said, "Shall we go?"

"Not urgent."

Xiao Yi's gaze fell upon another soldier running from the stone steps of the city wall, who pressed down on the old farmer and began to stop the bleeding and treat his wounds, shouting urgently.

"Quick! Someone come and help!"

The soldier is carrying several command flags; he must be a flag bearer.

When treating the old farmer's injury, he brought his head very close, his eyes squinting into slits. He did the same when dispensing medicine, practically shoving the porcelain bottle against his nose; he must be nearsighted.

Of course, there are people with myopia these days, but it's strange that someone with myopia would become a flag bearer; perhaps they have some connections.

The man was very thin, with a dark complexion and a face full of anxiety about saving lives. When he opened his mouth to shout, his clean teeth were visible, unlike the black and yellow teeth of other soldiers.

Looking at his clothes, he wore an ordinary military robe, old but clean, with lamellar armor over it, dressed neatly, and his boots were covered with snow stains, showing that he had been running all morning.

Having witnessed countless soldiers of five dynasties disregard human life, I have encountered an anomaly today.

"I'll go take a look. You all stay here and don't move."

"Don't be like that, what if we get caught... Ah, you son of a bitch, you've got some nerve."

Before Guo Xin could finish speaking, Xiao Yi had already spurred his horse forward.

The soldiers around the flag bearer were not helping him.

"Don't waste your energy, you blistered bump."

"The bleeding is getting out of control! Someone come and help me hold it down!"

"Don't you even think about it? Can these lowly people recover from their injuries and survive the winter?"

"Save him first."

"Sigh, you're such a busybody, always doing nothing but pointless things..."

Xiao Yi dismounted, rolled up his sleeve, and pressed it directly against the old farmer's wound, from which blood was gushing out.

The flag bearer looked up, squinted at him, paused for a moment, and continued to pour the hemostatic medicine with trembling hands.

After a while, Xiao Yi could no longer feel the old farmer's trembling in his palm, and the temperature of his blood gradually cooled.

"died."

"Dead again?"

The flag bearer was stunned for only a moment before his expression turned dejected.

Taking a breath, he leaned closer, glanced at Xiao Yi's official robe, and quickly stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "This gentleman..."

"Xiao Yi, the proofreader, has been ordered by his master to leave the city on business. May I ask when the city gates will be opened?"

"You're too kind, Scholar Xiao. We are merely following orders and do not know the exact time when the city will open. We apologize for not being able to answer your questions... Scholar Xiao, let me fetch you a water bag to wash your hands." Xiao Yi could sense the standard-bearer's goodwill towards him; it was quite rare for a military man to govern the country in this day and age.

He then asked a few more questions.

"May I ask your esteemed name, Master?"

“I dare not take the blame, I dare not take the blame. I am Hua Nong, Nong Mao. The Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River says, ‘Her figure is perfectly proportioned, and her height is just right.’ Her courtesy name is Zi Mao, and her ancestral home is Xijing. I seem to have said too much.”

"Good name."

Hua Nong was somewhat flattered and gave a shy smile, which made her look a little ugly due to her humble expression.

Xiao Yi took the opportunity to chat and asked, "Does Hua Changxing like reading?"

“This is my only hobby.” Hua Nong’s eyes lit up and she said, “Scholar Xiao looks too young. He must have passed the imperial examination this year. If I could learn from him, that would be… Oh, I’m sorry for being so rude.”

"It's alright. Since we can't leave the city today, and I have nothing else to do, perhaps we can have a long talk after Hua Changxing finishes his term?"

"Excellent! Where shall this humble servant pay his respects to Secretary Xiao?"

"I'll go see you."

“If you, Xiao, don’t mind the humble style, my home is in Anyefang, about a mile from here. Go along the street to Hangtu Lane, turn east, walk about a hundred steps, and then enter Liuxi Lane to the north. There is an old well and a stone trough shared by the neighbors in the lane. My home is the third house at the end of the lane. It doesn’t have a proper storefront, just a bamboo fence.”

Hua Nong explained in great detail, and before Xiao Yi could ask, she continued.

"This humble servant is on duty for the middle shift this month, from the beginning of Chenshi (7-9 AM) to the end of Weishi (1-3 PM). That's three hours left. After the shift change, handing over duties, checking the flags, and reporting the trivial matters of the city to the captain, it should take about half a cup of tea's time. I should be home by the beginning of Shenshi (3-5 PM). I'll brew a pot of coarse tea and wait for you, Xiao Xiao."

This is a thoughtful person. Xiao Yi raised his hand in a bow and said, "See you then."

"Alright, Secretary Xiao, take care."

Xiao Yi mounted his horse and rode away, pulling on the reins.

The blood on his hands had dried, which made him feel quite uncomfortable, but he wasn't in a hurry to wash them. After all, in these times when human life was as cheap as grass, it was rare to have tried to save an innocent life together with others.

Guo Xin was craning his neck to look when he saw him return. He asked, "Do you know that person? What were you whispering about?"

We were strangers before, but now we are.

"You're really brave."

"If we don't gather intelligence now, it will be too late once they start searching us."

"By then, we will have already escaped Kaifeng."

Xiao Yi said, "Perhaps."

Guo Xin said, "We can't go anywhere, let's go home first."

"No." Xiao Yi said firmly, "We'll find an inn nearby and leave as soon as the city gates open."

"But……"

"Remember, Madam asked me to take you north, so carry it out strictly. Don't cause trouble, and don't make her worry about you on top of taking care of the whole family."

"Know it."

"Let's go," Xiao Yi said. "Let's buy some things first, then take me to the market."

"Yes, my lord!"

Guo Xinru responded loudly, as if venting his dissatisfaction.

They arrived at the southern market town, which was adjacent to the Bian River, where boats came and went. The streets were lined with shops, their signs fluttering, and the sounds of hawking, bargaining, and porters' shouts filled the air. People buying New Year's goods thronged the streets.

Leading the horse on foot, we smelled a complex mix of animal dung, spices, and various ingredients and goods.

"Goo-"

Xiao Yi looked toward Guo Xin's stomach following the sound.

"My lord, my stomach is really not good. Would you like something warm to eat?"

"Okay, what do you want to eat?"

"Leave it to me to choose." Guo Xin was overjoyed. He looked around, pointed, and said, "Eat that one."

Following his finger, we saw a shed made of four jujube wood poles, covered only with two layers of burlap for wind protection, without any sign. An old woman was busy at the stove, calling out, "Baozi! Freshly made and steamed Nirvana baozi!"

"Eat."

The four of them huddled around the small table, squatting on small stools, their heads almost touching. The three members of the Guo family each ordered a basket of pork dumplings, while Xiao Yi ordered three baskets of fish dumplings, and then went to the soup noodle stall a few steps away to buy a basket of eggs.

"It's my treat," Guo Xin said generously, turning to Guo Xin with his chin raised. "You pay first, and I'll give you eight percent interest later. Let me tell you, the mutton dumplings at the banquet are the real delicacy."

A basket of pork costs five coins, while a basket of fish costs ten coins. These are considered a big meal that ordinary people have to grit their teeth to afford.

According to Xiao Yi's general understanding, the monthly salary of an ordinary soldier is only one or two thousand coins, which is beyond the reach of most families.

To be honest, Zhang Mantun was quite valuable, worth a thousand strings of cash or a million coins.

Pity.

A short while later, the steaming hot dish was served.

Guo Xin picked up his chopsticks, took a deep sniff, and said, "Be careful, it's hot. The broth inside is the freshest. Take a sip like this first... Delicious!"

Xiao Yi was well-traveled and knowledgeable, and didn't think that a few soup dumplings and buns needed to be savored slowly, so he ate them at a leisurely pace.

He ate with great focus, finishing three baskets of dumplings in no time. The next moment, Guo Zongyi pushed the steamer over.

"My lord, please eat more. Mingyan can't eat anymore."

"You rascal," Guo Xin couldn't help but say, "Why don't you think about me? He's already eaten so much."

Guo Zongyi lowered his head shyly, occasionally glancing at Xiao Yi with eyes full of admiration.

This was the first hot meal Xiao Yi had in Kaifeng.

(End of this chapter)