Perfect Encounter - Chapter 14.1
PROOFREAD BY AFREANA
Chapter 14. 1
After a month away, Zong Zeqing has become darker and stronger, but he still appeared the same. His baby face looked very kind when he smiled. An Zhifu was courteous and asked him to join them for dinner. Zong Zeqing accepted without being overly courteous. He said he happened to deliver an invitation for the An family, so it was good to have dinner and talk together.
The dinner was served in the hall.
An Zhifu’s thoughts ran deeper, he secretly thought Zong Zeqing to be a nice catch and that it would be good if he could fall in love with one of his daughters. With such hope in mind, he called the whole family over as companions. An Ruoxi and An Ruolan sat next to Zong Zeqing. Still, Zong Zeqing seemed oblivious to the the other’s intention, only telling the story of his busy time at the border garrison and military training. An Zhifu took the opportunity to ask about the border’s situation and whether there would really be a war.
”Master An, rest assured. There is nothing happening for the time being, but it is not certain whether things will escalate to a war or not. The county government would certainly issue a notice if the front line is engaged in war. Also, the front line is far away from Zhonglan City. The fights shouldn’t reach the city. If they do, the government would issue a notice.”
An Zhifu’s face twitched. What is the difference between this and not saying anything?
Zong Zeqing also said: ”Did Master An hear about the South Qin provocation? Do not worry, Master An. It is just a trick of the mouth. We are not afraid. General Long said we should respond, so this time, I am here to deliver an invitation to Master An. In three days, on the first day of October, our Long Army will hold a military training competition and an oath ceremony in the eastern suburbs. The governor has already arranged to set up a stage on the training grounds and invited all officials and people to watch. General said we should not curse, that’s disrespectful. Instead, we will just set up a military formation to practice swordsmanship and do the oath ceremony before the war. This is to present our attitude, to make a show for the South Qin and the people of Pingnan County. We are not afraid of the South Qin. If they want to fight, bring it on.”
After Zong Zeqing said this, he tilted his head, and drank a glass of wine, looking quite heroic.
An Zhifu was busy saying some flattering words. An Ruoxi couldn’t help but ask: “On that day, will General Long be there?”
Zong Zeqing smiled, ”Naturally. Of course, General Long must be there. It is to show South Qin the majestic style of our Great Xiao army. All of you must have never seen an oath ceremony, don’t miss this opportunity. Take the invitation and all of you can go to the platform closest to the training ground. This invitation is the reward for the few meals I ate with Master An. You know, ordinary people can only watch from afar, outside of the venue. Meanwhile, Master An can bring his family to the viewing platform, which will earn you a lot of face. Master An should not disappoint me. It would be better if the whole family arrives. You must come.”
While saying this, he looked around at the An family. When he said the last sentence, his eyes fell on An Ruochen.
An Ruochen listened carefully to Zong Zeqing’s words. She intuitively thought that Zong Zeqing’s current visit was related to what General Long had instructed earlier. The General said he would find a chance to meet her and tell her about the arrangements for leaving home. She waited for nearly a month, and although she was anxious, she believed the General would not go back on his word. Now, the opportunity has arrived, and her heart was happy. On the first day of October, she would not miss it.
The military training competition and the oath ceremony were major events in Pingnan County. Not only for the military, governor Yao Kun also ordered all the magistrates to cooperate. In addition to the show, Yao Kun thought it was a good opportunity to smoke out and catch spies. If there are really South Qin spies lurking in the city, they will definitely come to spy on the people on this occasion. Therefore, the staff would need to take extra precautions, not only checking the ordinary people outside the platform, but registering those holding the invitation to the platform as well.
For several days, the whole city was busy with this matter. In the evening, a tall thin man in court uniform walked through the back alley of the county office and brushed against a man with a note in his palm. He returned home as if nothing had happened, took out the note, and read it carefully. After reading it, he brought it to the candle flame and burned it.
In the western part of the city there was Lai Jin Restaurant. An ordinary small restaurant with two employees and a boss surnamed Xie, named Xie Jin.
Xie Jin was tall and strong and studied martial arts for two years. With these two points of skill, he often bullied neighbors. He bullied the weak and was greedy for money. His reputation wasn’t good.
On this day, Xie Jin walked into the backyard of his own restaurant and suddenly saw a few coins scattered on the ground. He stooped to pick them up. When he looked up, he saw the backyard door was open, and there was a piece of broken silver at the door. He looked around. There was no one, he didn’t know who had broken the money bag and left it behind. Xie Jin’s heart was happy as he ran to the door to pick the silver up. And then when he looked up, there was another ingot of silver outside the back door.
Xie Jin was overjoyed, took a big step, and bent down to pick it up as well. Just at this moment he hesitated, suddenly hearing a man’s voice sounding behind him: ”Do not look back, or your life is lost.”
Xie Jin was startled and stiffened his body in response: “Okay, okay.” Then he turned around violently, wanting to make a move. Yet before he managed to turn around and see anything, a force landed on his face, and with a heavy “pop”, his face became hot and painful. Xie Jin was slapped until he turned back around. Then his back sank to the ground as his arm started to hurt. He screamed. Someone was twisting and stepping on his arm, pinning it to the ground. His face was being pressed. The bridge of his nose almost broke, and the pain made him want to burst into tears. But before he had time to cry, a short sword stuck to his face and plunged into the ground.
Xie Jin was so scared that he didn’t dare to scream. He understood that he was no match for the man behind him. “Great warrior, great warrior, spare my life.” Xie Jin’s voice was shaking and he almost peed his pants.
“Did you hear what I said?”
“Heard clearly, heard clearly.” Xie Jin couldn’t nod. He had to respond in a series of sounds.
“What did I say?”
“Do not look back, or your life is lost.”
“Very good. It seems that your ears are fine. Then listen carefully to my next words.”
“Yes, yes.”
The man behind him didn’t rush to speak. He put down a money bag, placed it right next to the short sword, and opened it so Xie Jin could see the silver inside. “This is ten taels of silver, for you.”
Xie Jin swallowed, not daring to say yes or no.
With additional force put on his back, Xie Jin screamed in pain and said, “Thanks a lot, warrior.”
“On the first day of October, there will be an oath ceremony in the eastern suburbs. You will attend it, find a person and pass a message. It’s simple, right?”
“Right.” Xie Jin swallowed again, not daring to answer.
“After it’s done, go to the grove outside the training grounds to receive another twenty taels of silver. That’s the reward for getting it done.”
Passing the word is worth so many silver taels? Xie Jin gritted his teeth: “Then, who is the person I’m looking for? What kind of message?”
“I will tell you then.”
Xie Jin rolled his eyes: “Just, just a message?”
“Yes.”
“After the message is delivered, it’s a done deal? And then I can get another twenty taels?”
“Yes.”