Chapter 183: Mission Success
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Han Qiao’s theory was right.
Tu Wansan, who had abandoned Black Wind Mountain, brought the rest of the people to rob everywhere.
They were like locusts, wreaking havoc wherever they pa.s.sed. Not only did they rob food, but they also robbed young girls. They even kept some beautiful wives and raped them on the spot.
When the news reached Puyi County, Constable Qin, Constable w.a.n.g, and the others had just arrived home. They took a hot bath and planned to sleep.
But they were hurriedly called back to the government office.
When Heng Yi arrived, everyone’s expression was grave. When the county magistrate saw that everyone had arrived, he slowly explained the situation.
“Seven villages have already been destroyed. I order you to put down all your work, get fully armed, and ride your horses to exterminate the mountain bandits.”
“Heng Yi…”
County Magistrate Wu looked at Heng Yi, “Don’t let Tu Wansan escape this time.”
“Yes.”
Heng Yi came out of the government office and immediately went home.
This time, he had to bring Bai Cha along.
Shopkeeper Zhu stepped forward and recommended himself, “Master, why don’t you bring me along?”
Heng Yi didn’t know anything about this man at all.
Bai Cha introduced him, “Back then, Shopkeeper Zhu once arrested the rapist, Feng Manlou.”
A rapist usually has good martial arts skills and knows basic kung-fu.
For Shopkeeper Zhu to be able to catch someone with that sort of skill, spoke a lot about his ability.
“Be careful on your way and come back safely.”
In just a short while, Han Qiao had prepared three bags.
“There is some food and washing equipment inside, as well as inner clothes. There are ten taels of silver in these three pouches, one for each of you.”
She didn’t give it to Heng Yi alone, just in case. Every extra silver meant more hope.
“Remember to look at the bottles. There are words engraved on them.”
Heng Yi didn’t want to leave, but he had to do his job.
He was now a constable, and it was his responsibility to capture the mountain bandits.
He rubbed Han Qiao’s face and pulled her into his arms, “Wait for me.”
“Yes, pay attention to your safety”
Han Qiao sent them to the door and watched Heng Yi and the others get on their horses and leave.
She took a deep breath.
“I hope the heavens will bless them. This time, they will be able to capture the Mountain Bandits alive or kill these crazy Mountain Bandits.”
Heng Yi and Bai Cha weren’t around, but Han Qiao brought the children to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
They even agreed to go out for a lantern show after dinner.
She still didn’t let He Cheng go out with them, afraid that Zhao Huan would meet him, or someone to recognize He Cheng and jeopardize his safety.
Han Qiao was pregnant, and she was afraid of being b.u.mped, knocked, or tripped. It would not look good on either of them, so she did not go and stayed at home to chat with her grandparents.
She asked Dong Lai to bring a few servants and Aunt Zhao to accompany the four children out for a walk. If they could guess a few riddles correctly, they could win some lanterns. It would be great if they could win one or two lanterns.
Therefore, Lady Lin was also pulled away.
The streets were brightly lit, and it was extremely lively with people coming and going.
Especially since there was no curfew in Puyi County, there were even more people who came to set up stalls.
The children were rich, but they were still exceptionally thrifty when it came to spending money. They tried their best to guess lantern riddles. There was strength in numbers. They won two small lanterns that were not very eye-catching. Sun Ke was so happy that she could not find her bearings.
She was very happy.
In the end, Han Chi treated them to street wontons.
It was not as delicious as the ones made at home.
Aunt Zhao said that Han Chi was wasting money and that the wontons were not as delicious as the ones she made, but she still finished them happily.
“When I study more, I will be able to guess a few more riddles next year. Then,
1 will get a beautiful big lantern for Ah-Ke.” Han Chi was full of lofty aspirations.
Sun Ke nodded vigorously.
She had already decided to give one lantern to He Cheng and keep one for herself.
Sun Xiu and Sun Yi also bought embroidery thread and fabric with a little lace.
They wouldn’t touch anything else.
The three sisters, however, did not expect to meet Sun Yiming, who set up a stall at the street corner and wrote letters for others.
Sun Yiming had never thought that he would meet his three daughters.
Sun Yiming stood up and looked at the three sisters who were surrounded by the crowd.
He wanted to go up and say something, but the three children quickly walked away. A few servants stopped him and did not let him get closer to them. “Ah-Xiu! Ah-Yi! All-Ke! I’m your father. I—”
Suddenly Sun Yiming’s mouth was covered by Dong Lai’s hand.
“The Madam said that you’d better be sensible. Otherwise, you’ll be in trouble.”
Dong Lai pushed Sun Yiming away and walked at the back.
Because of their accidental run-in with Sun Yiming, none of them wanted to play outside anymore, so they went directly home.
On the way back, they bought masks for each of them and even gave He Cheng one.
When they arrived home, they happily shared the excitement of the street with Han Qiao, not mentioning the matter of meeting Sun Yiming.
In their hearts, Heng Yi was closer to them than Sun Yiming.
“Since it’s so lively, why didn’t you play a little longer? Why are you back so early?”
Seeing that the three sisters were silent, Han Qiao instantly understood.
“So what if you met him? Just ignore him. Did he pester you?”
“He shouted loudly, but Dong Lai gagged him, so he didn’t say anything.”
“You three sisters should also learn some martial arts,” Han Qiao said.
She also had to choose their martial arts master carefully.
It would be best to find a female teacher to teach her three girls.
A male teacher would work fine with the boys. They were physically tougher than the girls.
After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the year would pa.s.s.
Heng Manor had posted a notice saying that they were looking for a teacher and a martial arts master, and the wages were very generous.
Many people came to apply for the job.
Han Qiao asked a middle-aged man in his fifties to stay. He was indeed knowledgeable. Housekeeper Liu chatted with him and found that he was a man of real talent.
The monthly salary was three taels of silver. The children had to start learning after practicing martial arts in the morning, and they had to study after lunch until the evening.
This job wasn’t easy, so he was paid more.
The Headmaster’s surname was Min, so he was called Master Min.
His martial arts master’s surname was Qin. Not only was his martial arts great, but he was also good at using knives, spears, and sticks.
He even introduced Han Qiao to his junior sister, Master An.
Meanwhile…
Heng Yi and the others had been tracking Tu Wansan from the 10th to the 16th.
According to Heng Yi, it was best to settle it once and for all.
Bai Cha and Shopkeeper Zhu had the same thought.
On the 18th day of the first lunar month, everything was ready at Qiaoyi Fast Food Restaurant.
There were cooks, waiters, maids to wash the dishes, people to cook the fire, and people to cut the vegetables. Since Shopkeeper Zhu had not returned, Housekeeper Liu went over to help first.
Han Qiao found a lot of beggars to promote her restaurant on the streets.
“Qiao Yi Fast Food Restaurant opened on the 20th of the first month. For three consecutive days, the first 100 people who enter the restaurant for breakfast will be given a free boiled egg and steamed bun. They would serve braised pork for lunch and pork ribs and radish soup for dinner!”
“Don’t miss it! The food at Qiaoyi Fast Food Restaurant is the most delicious!”
“Rich in variety!”
While everyone in Puyi County heard about Qiao Yi Fast Food Restaurant, Heng Yi and the others were fighting Tu Wansan.
With Bai Cha and Shopkeeper Zhu by his side, Tu Wansan couldn’t escape.
He was killed by Heng Yi.
His head rolled far away, and the bandit didn’t even get a chance to close his eyes..