Chapter 70: Returning Home Safe and Sound

It was obvious even to the blind that the army had come to search for the hapless child. Su Lu handed the child a wooden stick to use as a crutch and said, “That’s wonderful. Hurry and go join them.”

“Aren’t you coming with me?” The unlucky child took the stick, but saw that the three men had no intention of moving.

“No, we still have things to do,” Su Yucai shook his head with a smile. “Go on, your mother must be worried sick.”

“Come with me,” the child said, still showing some gratitude. “When you meet my mother, she’ll reward you handsomely. If you wish for an official post, she can grant you one as well.”

“Perhaps another time,” Su Lu politely declined.

“No need, we saved you for the sake of our conscience, not for any reward,” Su Yucai said firmly, shaking his head. “Apart from our conscience, there is nothing in this world worth risking our lives for.”

Su Lu was stunned; his father’s skill at adopting the demeanor of a sage had become ever more polished—he wondered where he had practiced it…

But the unlucky child had clearly never encountered such principles; his gaze toward the three was transformed, brimful of admiration.

“Sir, your virtue is high indeed; I should not have sullied you with worldly matters. Please, tell me your name, so I may honor you day and night!”

“My father’s name is Hao Ren. Just call him Uncle Hao Ren,” Su Lu interjected.

“Very well—She Yunluo thanks Uncle Hao Ren.” The unlucky child bowed deeply to them, studying their faces in an attempt to commit their images to memory.

Yet he found the three had turned and walked away, disappearing without a trace…

The child could only sigh softly, remembering well the unnamed kindness of Uncle Hao Ren, then hobbled down the mountain to meet the warriors searching for him.

~~

The father and sons hid in the forest, watching from afar as the unlucky child, greeted with cheers by the warriors, was helped into a lavish sedan chair carried by eight men. The soldiers and warriors split into two groups—one escorting the sedan south toward Lin City, the other continuing the search in the mountains…

The three skirted the forest’s edge eastward, intending to descend the mountain elsewhere and put more distance between themselves.

“They won’t be looking for us, will they?” Su Tai asked anxiously.

“Don’t worry,” Su Yucai replied, “they’re probably glad we left our names out of it—no debts owed that way.”

“They must be searching for the Chieftain Miao to take revenge,” Su Lu added. “Otherwise, they couldn’t answer to Lady Naiye.”

“It’s more than just giving an answer to Naiye. The Chieftain Miao must die,” Su Yucai said. “Forty years ago, the Chieftain Miao was rampant, conquered many Luo villages, attacked the garrison, even raided Guizhou, nearly killing its governor.”

“The war dragged on for years; the court finally realized the gravity of the situation and appointed Lord Li Jin of Xiangcheng as General of the Expedition, to lead a massive force against the Chieftain Miao. Your grandfather fought in that campaign.”

“The fighting lasted two years, essentially destroying the main force of the Chieftain Miao. The remnants fled into the deep mountains, impossible to track. After withdrawing, the former emperor ordered the guards to continue the pursuit: ‘The remaining bandits must be hunted down and eradicated, lest their descendants become a menace to the people.’”

“Since then, whenever there’s a sign of the Chieftain Miao, the Tusi and garrison mobilize. Over time, it became more routine, but this time the Tusi’s daughter was nearly abducted—they’ll take it seriously now.” Su Yucai spoke with the ease of a seasoned cabbie, leaving Su Lu amazed.

“Father, you know so much?” Su Lu was surprised; mountain life was truly isolated—he himself knew nothing outside Erlangtan and Taiping Town… He hadn’t even known Luzhou was on the north bank of the Yangtze.

---

“In future, you’ll have to study for the imperial exams—these are things you’ll need to learn,” Su Yucai said with pride. “Without knowledge of military and government affairs, how can you compose memorials or policy essays? The great examiners will even test current events.”

“So that’s how it is.” Su Lu realized that mere mastery of the eight-legged essay was not enough; one must know the world without leaving home.

Su Tai’s concerns were different. Taking advantage of a lull in conversation, he whispered, “Father mentioned the Tusi’s daughter was kidnapped—does that mean the person we saved wasn’t a boy?”

“Of course not. Didn’t you see how she bowed to you and said her name was She Yunluo…” Su Yucai replied. “Boys are made of stone, girls of water. Having helped her along the way, I could tell long ago.”

Su Lu was not surprised; he too had noticed, and cautioned his brother, “Whether she’s male or female, it has nothing to do with us. Remember, we never met her, nor saved her.”

“Why?” Second brother scratched his head. “It’s a pity we didn’t get a reward.”

“Afraid you might not live to spend it,” Su Yucai said lightly.

“Ah…” Su Tai covered his mouth in shock, not expecting such dire consequences.

“Brother, father’s not exaggerating,” Su Lu agreed. “Why do you think I stopped her from revealing her mother’s identity as soon as she started?”

“She said her mother was the Pacification Commissioner of Yongning. What’s the issue?” Su Tai asked.

“Think about it. The Commissioner’s daughter, ambushed on her way to visit relatives in Guizhou by the long-vanished Chieftain Miao, her entire escort wiped out, she alone escapes. Doesn’t that seem odd?” Su Lu replied.

Su Tai shook his head, not seeing it.

“Sigh. At least Autumn understands,” Su Yucai sighed. “The Chieftain Miao has been hiding in the deep forest for decades—how could they know She’s daughter was going to Guizhou, and ambush her at exactly the right place and time?”

“Couldn’t it have been a robbery, just a coincidence?” Su Tai asked.

“Impossible. Robbers rob, not commit suicide,” Su Yucai shook his head. “That Su Xia was the Commissioner’s Centurion, his men all elite. Ordinary bandits would flee at the sight. So this was a planned attack.”

“Agreed,” Su Lu nodded. “There must have been an inside accomplice, and a heavy price paid to lure the Chieftain Miao out.”

“Why?” Su Tai asked, still confused.

“Because regardless of success or failure,” Su Lu gestured to the distant hills teeming with soldiers and Luo warriors, “they will face brutal retribution.”

He looked at his simple-minded brother, “They went to such lengths, took such risks, and their plot was foiled by us by sheer accident. If we show ourselves, disaster could follow.”

“Exactly. Whoever the conspirators are, crushing us would be as easy as squashing ants—and our whole family could be implicated,” Su Yucai agreed. “So we must keep our identities secret and sever all ties.”

“I understand now,” Su Tai scratched his head, amazed at the gravity of it all—fortunately, he didn’t need to think too hard…

“Let’s never mention this again, not to anyone—including the old man. He’s old, no need to worry him,” Su Yucai instructed.

“I’ll remember,” Su Tai nodded firmly.

“Me too,” Su Lu replied.

~~

The three walked east for several miles, finally descending to the main road, then sprinted home, reaching Erlangtan before nightfall.

Back on the garrison’s turf, their hearts finally eased. Only then did they feel utterly exhausted, their bodies aching as they grimaced all the way.

“Hey, looks like you ran into bandits?” Captain Zhou, patrolling with his troops, spotted the three ‘wild men’ from afar.

“Not really—just got lost,” Su Yucai thought, you’re not far off.

“Lucky you found your way home,” Zhou advised. “Don’t go into the mountains these days—the higher-ups reported that the Chieftain Miao is causing trouble again, ordered us to step up patrols. I hear they even attacked the Commissioner’s convoy, killed a lot of guards.”

“Mm, thank you. We’ll remember,” Su Yucai cupped his hands, then remembered to extend his brother’s leave, “By the way, Captain, my elder brother needs to stay in Luzhou a bit longer to look after Chun.”

“Got it,” Zhou waved it off. “It’s not me paying his salary—he can come back whenever he likes.”

His tone held a hint of dissatisfaction mixed with resignation…

But Su Yucai cared little for that now—he only wanted to go home, lie down, and sleep until the world turned upside down.

Walking through the street, the three were bombarded by questions from kin and neighbors. Su Yucai managed to reply, but by the time they reached home, he couldn’t even climb up to the stilt house—his sons had to haul him up.

Little Jinbao ran out at the sound, shouting, “Brother’s back! Second Uncle’s done for!”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Su Yucai smiled wryly. “I’m fine, just tired.”

Big Sister-in-law came out, startled at their appearance. “Oh dear, what happened? Did you run into a panda? Where’s Chun and your elder brother—why aren’t they back?”

When it came to social tact, she was unmatched…

Luckily, Su Yucai was accustomed to it, responding calmly, “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. Chun just caught a chill; my elder brother and third brother are in Luzhou taking care of him—they should have already set off for Hejiang.”

“Ah? Is it serious?” She pressed for details about her son. “Is he suffering? It’s not fatal, is it?”

“Rest assured, when we left, Chun was already recovering. He just misses you,” Su Yucai comforted her.

Hearing this, she burst into tears. “I miss him too. Every night when I close my eyes, I see him calling for me. I didn’t think it was real—sob…”

“Enough, don’t wail like it’s a funeral,” the old man came to the door, annoyed. “Can’t you see Yucai and the boys are in such a state?”

She wiped her tears, “I asked, didn’t I?”

“Did you ask if they saw a bear?” the old man retorted.

“It’s a panda, not a bear,” she muttered under her breath.

“…” The old man ignored her, turning to his son, “What happened to you all?”

Su Yucai grimaced, “Ah, don’t ask, father. The main thing is we’re home safe.”

“Is there nothing to worry about?” the old man pressed.

“Rest assured, nothing at all,” Su Yucai affirmed.

“Then I won’t ask,” the old man declared, then ordered, “Daughter-in-law, boil two pots of hot water. Their wounds are damp and their bodies overworked—I need to treat them, or they’ll all have fevers tonight!”

ps. Fourth update to pay off last month’s debt; the next chapter will be a bit late, still need to finish proofreading.