Chapter Eight: Ambushed While Transporting Grain

Xian Yuzhou sneered inwardly. It was enough that the imperial court did not go insane and punish him for groundless crimes; how could they possibly grant him a promotion or a raise? In the current state of the imperial court, he only hoped to look after the people of Chengping County well enough that even if the court were to suddenly investigate one day, he could barely scrape by and live in peace. As for anything else, he dared not think of it, nor did he dare to dream.

"We want to provide relief, too. I know Magistrate Ping cares deeply for the people, but we are truly powerless. If we save others, our own children will starve. What father could possibly bring himself to do that?"

"If that is the case, we will no longer make things difficult for you." Wei Tianze took out a document and commanded, "Magistrate Xian, I have a mandate from the Prime Minister’s office here. I order you to lend five hundred jin of grain to Long'an County. Once the relief funds for Long'an County arrive within the month, Long'an County will surely repay you double. If you refuse to lend it, that is resisting an imperial order!"

Xian Yuzhou was incensed. He called this not making things difficult for him? For three years, had the imperial court ever allocated a single cent? It was clear as day that this five hundred jin of grain would be gone forever.

Wei Tianze intended to draw up a formal agreement with Xian Yuzhou, but Xian Yuzhou sent them away directly. Even if a document were signed, it would be useless; if Long'an County could not repay the grain, could he really have them pay with their lives?

Wei Tianze paid out of his own pocket to hire a few men to help transport the grain to Long'an County. Upon reaching a desolate area in the outskirts, several masked bandits suddenly emerged, brandishing broadswords and looking menacing. "Leave your grain behind!"

The commoners accompanying the transport, seeing the bandits, abandoned their wages and fled for their lives.

Wei Tianze gathered his courage and said, "Good heroes, this grain was borrowed from Chengping County to provide relief to Long'an County. I know you act as bandits only for survival. We will give you one sack, and you let us take the rest, alright? The people of Long'an County are waiting for us to bring this food back to fill their stomachs."

The bandits remained expressionless and snorted coldly. "In these chaotic times, it is hard enough to save oneself, let alone care for the lives of others! Hand over the grain immediately and get lost! Otherwise, do not blame my blade for being heartless!"

Ping Borui retorted sharply, "Do not push your luck! I am the Magistrate of Long'an County. If you persist in your folly, I shall see to it that you are all rounded up! I advise you to take one sack and leave at once!"

This grain was not easily won; how could they just let it be lost? The people of Long'an County were all eagerly looking forward to their return with the supplies! If they lost these two hundred jin of grain, how could they face the people of Long'an, and how could they answer to Chengping County? Chengping County had finally managed to scrape together those two hundred jin for them, and if they were to cowardly hand it over to bandits, it would be an unforgivable sin against heaven and earth!

"Since you refuse to show appreciation, don't blame us for being ruthless! Do it!"

Wei Tianze and Ping Borui fought desperately to protect the grain, preventing the bandits from succeeding. Wei Tianze shouted, "Stop! If you dare touch this grain, are you not afraid of the court's pursuit?"

"Don't listen to his nonsense! Seize the grain and head back to the camp to cook!"

The bandits no longer feared the authorities; their priority was to eat and survive.

The bandits ruthlessly shoved Wei Tianze and Ping Borui aside, beating and kicking them. Just as the grain was about to be seized, a man suddenly appeared in the mountains.

The man was robust and highly skilled in martial arts. In a few swift moves, he left the bandits covered in injuries. Realizing they were outmatched, the bandits yelled, "Retreat!"

Seeing that help had arrived, Ping Borui hurried over to help Wei Tianze up. "Master Wei, are you alright?"

Though Wei Tianze was a man, he was physically frail and slighter than the average man.

Wei Tianze struggled to climb up from the ground and responded weakly, "I am fine."

After the bandits had fled, the man who had come to their rescue walked up to them and said in a low voice, "Magistrate, Master Wei, are you both unhurt?"

Ping Borui stared at the man who had saved them, surprised. "Zhao Ziheng, why are you here? You didn't happen to call that gang of bandits yourself, did you? I tell you, this is grain for Long'an County; don't you dare touch a single bit of it!"

Zhao Ziheng looked aggrieved. "I just saved you, you corrupt official—did you not see that? You can't tell right from wrong. If I wanted to get my hands on this grain, I would have just taken the cart and left!"

Ping Borui realized he might have misunderstood Zhao Ziheng. "You truly won't try to take this grain?"

"I won't! I heard you went to Chengping County to borrow grain and worried you might run into bandits on the way, so I followed to check. As it turns out, I was right to come, wasn't I?"

"Then who told you to act like a bandit? When I saw you, my first thought was naturally that you were here to rob us."

"If I didn't act like a bandit, I would have starved to death long ago! Many of the people in Long'an County are alive because of the grain I 'robbed from the rich to help the poor.' You corrupt official, you really have no sense of justice!"

Wei Tianze said, "Thank you, Brother Zhao, for your righteous assistance."

"You don't need to thank him; this is what he ought to do! Long'an County raised him; it's only right that he contributes."

Zhao Ziheng let out a disgruntled "Hmph."

Wei Tianze smiled. "Regardless of whether it was his duty, he saved us just now. Since the bandits have been repelled, we should quickly transport the grain to Long'an County to avoid further trouble."

The three of them transported the grain together. With Zhao Ziheng, a robust man, on their side, their pace toward Long'an County quickened significantly.

Just as dawn broke, they arrived at Long'an County.

When the people saw them returning with grain, they cheered with joy. "Magistrate Ping and Master Wei are back with the grain!"

"Did Master Wei really manage to borrow grain from Chengping County?"

"He did! I saw them pulling three carts of grain!"

"Let's go, let's go, let's go see!"

The people ran over excitedly to greet them.

Wei Tianze shouted, "Everyone can rely on these five hundred jin of grain to get by for the time being. Once the imperial court's grain arrives, the hard days for Long'an County will be over!"

"Master Wei is truly a kind soul!"

"Indeed, with Master Wei here, the good days for Long'an County are coming."

"Come, come, everyone line up in order to receive your share."

Wei Tianze was responsible for organizing the line, Ping Borui was in charge of distribution, and Zhao Ziheng kept order to prevent any looting or trouble. The entire process was orderly.

The people had not eaten their fill in a long time; thanks to the grain Wei Tianze had borrowed, they were finally able to have a full meal. Wei Tianze's prestige among the people grew with each passing day.

With the grain providing temporary relief, they only needed to wait for the imperial relief supplies. However, Wei Tianze still had a critical issue to solve: the water shortage in Long'an County.

A long-term lack of water was not sustainable. Even if grain were delivered, it would be in vain without water to use, and the situation in Long'an County would remain largely unchanged.

Wei Tianze headed toward the mountains in search of a water source.

Seeing her leave, Zhao Ziheng worried for her safety and followed closely behind. "Where is Master Wei going?"

"I am going into the mountains to have a look and see if I can find any mountain springs."

If he could find a water source in the mountains, he could organize the people to channel the water down.

Zhao Ziheng smiled. "Master Wei is truly kind-hearted. If you become an official, you will surely be a good one who benefits the people."

Wei Tianze smiled faintly. "Thank you for the praise. I also wish to be a good official who seeks the welfare of the people."

"Then why are you not an official yet?"

"Isn't that what I am working toward? Although I am currently just a door attendant in the Prime Minister's office, Prime Minister Wei has promised me that if I can resolve the disaster in Long'an County, he will recommend me to the Emperor for an official post."

"That is truly wonderful. You will certainly be a good official."

Wei Tianze looked at him. "Don't just talk about me; what about you?"

Zhao Ziheng was stunned. "What about me?"

"With your impressive skills, why not join the army? You might even become a young general."