Chapter 76: The Horse

"Young master!"

The servants, unaccustomed to dealing with scholars and their lofty airs, could only turn to Shen Shi for guidance.

Without so much as glancing at them, Shen Shi replied, "Take everything and hand it over to Magistrate Bao."

Shen Shi was certain that Magistrate Bao would be more than enough to humble their pride. In this regard, no one should ever doubt Magistrate Bao's intimidating presence; his dark, stern face alone was enough to keep people in line.

...

However, the servant tasked with escorting them to see Magistrate Bao soon returned. He came directly to Shen Shi at once.

"Young master, I injured someone."

Shen Dazhuang was spattered with blood, anxiously admitting his fault. He was the most skilled fighter among the Shen family’s retainers—a family of military men, after all. While not as legendary as the Yang family generals, he could easily command a hundred men in battle. Now, with blood all over him, it was unclear whether it was his own.

Shen Shi frowned, "What happened?"

"Young master, as we were escorting them to see Magistrate Bao, we were ambushed just outside the village. Despite our best efforts, they managed to snatch them away."

"Is that so?"

Shen Shi stroked his chin and said, "So someone really does have their eye on the stud farm."

Wealth moves the hearts of men, and warhorses represented more than just riches—they were power. Whether for climbing the ranks or for rebellion, warhorses were crucial assets.

But who could it be?

The target was too broad. Without a clear suspect, Shen Shi refrained from wild conjecture and kept the matter from his family, notifying only Magistrate Bao.

"Master, Jieyu says someone is plotting against the stud farm."

Shen Shi sent word to Gongsun Ce, who immediately went to see Magistrate Bao. Devoted entirely to serving Magistrate Bao, Gongsun Ce was more concerned than Bao himself upon hearing the news.

"Mr. Gongsun, what do you think?" If Magistrate Bao was worried, his stern face betrayed nothing.

"In my humble opinion, this herd of warhorses is of utmost importance, more so than anything else," Gongsun Ce advised.

Bao Zheng gave a nod. "Wang Chao, Ma Han, each of you take ten constables and patrol the stud farm. Remain vigilant."

"Yes, sir," the two replied, and went off to carry out the order.

With the yamen's men patrolling the stud farm, it became impossible for certain people to steal horses or arrange for 'accidents' to befall them. They had failed to gain favor with Magistrate Bao, and as long as that avenue remained closed, their schemes would go nowhere.

Moreover, Bao Zheng's reputation for being unyielding and irascible was well known, even before his arrival.

As for stealing horses, they had already tried. Not to mention the skills of Wang Chao and Ma Han—even the likes of Little Gulu and Big Hei were more than they could handle. Whoever came, never returned. For now, the opposition was forced into inaction.

Then, one day, as the morning sun rose and the mist over the Qiantang River began to dissipate, the broad horizon lifted Shen Shi’s spirits. Just then, he spotted a man approaching.

From a distance, Shen Shi could make out his features—a legal advisor, slick and ruthless. The man headed straight for the Shen household but did not enter; instead, from afar, he cupped his hands and called out, "Might I have the honor of addressing Shen Jieyu?"

His manners were impeccable, like a refined gentleman, but the aura about him was foul, sinister, almost ghostly. Beneath his polished bearing, who knew how many lives he had claimed? It was clear his dealings were far from upright.

Shen Shi nodded and stood his ground, waiting for the man to approach and speak.

"Is your father at home? Might we have a word?"

When he smiled, the corners of his mouth curled up, but his eyes were devoid of warmth—instead, they glinted with the predatory look of a hunter eyeing his prey.

Shen Shi chuckled, finding the man somewhat foolish, and turned away without a word.

He hadn’t even bothered with an introduction, yet expected to be let inside? Did he take Shen Shi for a fool?

"Shen Shi, I've heard the horses your family breeds are quite impressive."

Shen Shi turned abruptly, fixing the man with a cold stare. "Oh? So you’re the one looking to buy horses?"

The man smiled. "My name is Zhao Xue. I hoped the Shen family might step aside and allow us a path."

"A path?" Shen Shi gestured casually and glanced at the man’s aura, replying coolly, "I’m not interested in knowing who your master is. As for the path you seek, go look in the north. You’ll find horses of every kind there."

Zhao Xue’s smile was all politeness. "Shen Shi, as the saying goes, harmony brings wealth. Wouldn’t it be better for us all to prosper together? What can the court really offer your family? Be careful, lest your horses die before they’re raised and your family is ruined in the process."

His words grew icy toward the end. "Raising warhorses is no easy task. The daily feed alone is costly—they need eggs, meat…"

"Are you finished?" Shen Shi asked calmly.

Zhao Xue nodded. The cost of raising horses was immense; even a modest household could be ruined by a single warhorse. There were many reasons why the Song court could not afford to breed warhorses. He was certain that, in the end, any sensible person would yield. Sacrificing one’s family to raise horses for the court was not something most would do.

"Then be on your way."

With that, Shen Shi turned and left.

What a tedious fellow! He wasn’t short of money—only an idiot would get involved in horse trafficking with the likes of them.

Behind him, Shen Dazhuang and the others were furious. Though they’d never fought in battle themselves, their forebears had once lost lives for want of warhorses—defeated, or forced to watch enemies escape when they won. Now, at last, they had horses, and yet there were those who would sell them off. The fact they hadn’t beaten Zhao Xue to death was restraint enough.

"Despicable!"

Faced with the martial spirit radiating from Shen Dazhuang and his men, Zhao Xue felt a chill run through him, and involuntarily took a few steps back, heart pounding with fear.

"Bah! Get lost!" Shen Dazhuang spat disdainfully, slammed the door, and hurried after Shen Shi.

"Shen Shi!"

Humiliated, Zhao Xue watched Shen Shi’s retreating figure and ground his teeth. "Just a mere soldier—doesn’t know whose man I am… I have ways of dealing with you!"

He made no effort to keep his voice down; everyone in the Shen household heard it. The old matriarch summoned Shen Shi to the main hall, inquiring what had happened. Upon learning Zhao Xue’s name, she asked, "Whose man is Zhao Xue?"

Shen Liang quickly replied, "Mother, he is the steward of the Prince of Jin’s household. I’ve seen him before."

"The Prince of Jin."

Suddenly, the matter had become entangled with a prince. The entire Shen family felt a shadow pass over them.

"Madam, Mr. Gongsun is here," a servant announced.

"Quick, invite him in," said the old lady at once.

Moments later, a servant brought Gongsun Ce inside. Zhao Xue’s appearance had already prompted Wang Chao and Ma Han to send word to Magistrate Bao—everyone in their ranks, even Shen Shi’s own father, knew who Zhao Xue was.

This was the start of something big.