Chapter 0004: Cousin

"Second brother, I see that it is getting late; we should first escort the young lady back to the county town," Luo Feng said.

Young man Luo Wu, a resident of Changbai Township in Zhangqiu County, is the fifth in his family order. Luo Feng imitated the manner of Qin Qiong and performed a respectful gesture.

Qin Qiong, riding his large yellow steed, single-handedly defeated three opponents and captured two alive. Luo Feng also knocked down three fleeing individuals with his kicks and punches. There were still ten remaining, but after being blocked in their path by Qin Qiong on horseback, they lost their courage and knelt down to surrender.

Ah, so it's Xiao Wu's cousin. This is even better, Brother Qin, we are going to make a fortune this time. These thieves are the Blue-faced Eighteen Ghosts, and the authorities have been hunting them down. Now that they have fallen into our hands, we can go to the yamen to claim our reward. The leader, Blue-faced Ghost Zhu Hua, is worth one hundred guan, and the other seventeen each have a bounty of ten guan, which adds up to two hundred seventy guan. The yamen has already stated that there is a reward regardless of life or death!

My goodness! Five hundred and forty stones of rice? That's an enormous reward. There are eight of us here, plus Brother Qin, making a total of nine people. How much reward will each person receive, and how much rice will that amount to..." Luo Qi could no longer remain calm.

Luo Wu's mother and Qin Qiong's father share a common grandfather, Qin Xiaoda. This means that Luo Wu's maternal grandfather and Qin Qiong's paternal grandfather are actually full brothers. By this calculation, they are quite closely related. However, due to the large number of members in the Qin family, the branch of Qin Qiong's family is the main legitimate line, while Luo Wu's mother's family is considered a minor branch, especially since it is a side line. Therefore, they are not as close.

Thank you for your assistance, miss. I believe we have settled this matter. Luo Feng said as he cupped his hands towards the carriage

At this moment, Uncle Luo San and the others had completely forgotten their previous fears; all that remained was exhilaration. Facing those blue-faced ghosts who were kneeling and begging for mercy, trembling in fear, they showed not the slightest hint of kindness.

Bind them all together

Third Uncle, the main credit for this goes to Second Brother Qin; we are merely providing some support.

Oh, so it is Luo Wudi. Qin Qiong said this on the surface, but he still felt puzzled inside. This is the border between Zhangqiu and Licheng counties; Zhangqiu and Licheng are neighboring counties, yet Qin Qiong does not recall knowing a young man named Luo Wu at all

Luo Feng spoke in a serious manner

However, there were times in the past when Luo Mu Qin would indeed mention some situations regarding her family of origin to her children, and it was merely casual talk. But at this moment, Luo Feng spoke directly about it.

Although the Qin family weakened over several generations due to the Northern Zhou's destruction of Qi in earlier years, their population remained quite prosperous

Such a family may not be considered a prominent aristocracy on a national scale, but in Qijun, particularly in Licheng County, it is quite a distinguished and well-respected lineage with a history spanning several hundred years

In fact, I didn't capture many just now; I only killed three and captured two in total, while you all captured more.

A total of ten strings, this time we have indeed caught thirteen, which amounts to one hundred and thirty strings

"This is unacceptable, Second Brother, we cannot take credit for your achievements." Luo Feng still declined.

In fact, Luo Feng did not lie; the original Luo Wu's mother indeed came from the Qin family in Licheng County, and there is indeed a familial connection with the Qin Qiong family, although it is not particularly close, merely a relation within the same clan. However, the mother has not been in contact with them for many years and would not know about the current situation of her nephew, Qin Qiong.

"I wonder which branch of the Qin family from Licheng your esteemed family comes from?" Qin Qiong inquired about some details, and Luo Feng answered truthfully. The more Qin Qiong listened, the more astonished he became, as everything Luo Feng mentioned was indeed accurate. After a careful verification, he even recalled some memories of Luo Feng's mother, as she was, after all, his paternal aunt. When he was young, his aunt had also returned to her maternal home, but over time, their interactions had diminished, leading to a fading of his memories.

Uncle San rudely attributed the merits of the thirteen thieves to their side. Luo Feng stood there panting heavily; his body, just recovering from a serious illness, was not up to the task. The recent actions had left him gasping like a broken bellows. Fortunately, there was a fierce warrior like Qin Qiong, who swiftly killed the leader of the thieves and shattered their morale; otherwise, it would not have been so easy to succeed.

"No, no, without you, Second Brother, we would not be able to defeat the bandits at all. I fear we might even jeopardize the escort mission assigned by our superiors." Luo Feng insisted on not taking advantage of Qin Qiong. Although the bounty for a bandit was ten guan, and despite the fact that grain prices had risen significantly this year, one guan could still buy two shi of rice. The bounty of ten guan for a bandit would be enough to provide for a family of several people for nearly one to two years.

Luo Feng gave Luo Qi and Luo Jiu each a tap, saying, "The accounts cannot be settled this way. The main credit for capturing the thief belongs to the second brother, so naturally, he should receive the larger share of the reward. We merely assisted, so it is sufficient for us to have the soup while the second brother enjoys the meat"

Cousin! Luo Feng laughed heartily as he grabbed Qin Qiong, feeling genuinely happy to have such a formidable relative

Luo Feng laughed and said, "The total bounty for the eighteen blue-faced ghosts is two hundred seventy guan, which can be exchanged for five hundred forty shi of rice."

"Xiao Wu, this time we have struck it rich." As San Shu spoke, he untied the belt of the blue-faced ghost and bound him up like a pig.

I, a humble young lady, would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Brother Luo and Brother Qin, as well as to these brave gentlemen for their life-risking rescue. Once you have escorted me back to the Zhangqiu County office, I will certainly report the situation to my father and ensure that he rewards you all generously

Cousin, do you not remember our family? My mother also has the surname Qin, she is from the Qin family of Licheng in Qijun. My mother used to tell me many stories about her family, so I know that there was a cousin who once served as a recording officer in the army of the Northern Qi Prince of Xianyang. After the fall of the Northern Qi, he returned to his hometown and no longer held office. I also heard that there is a second cousin in that family named Qin Qiong, who has loved martial arts since childhood, and is skilled in archery and horsemanship, quite impressive. It is said that last year he was appointed to the provincial army and went to serve under the General to protect the children's tent. Just now, when I heard you introduce yourself as Qin Qiong, I immediately recognized you as my cousin's second cousin, Uncle Bao.

Qin Qiong nodded and said, "Indeed."

At this time, he was still quite young, merely a newly selected guard, who had become a personal soldier under the command of Hu Er due to his outstanding martial skills, yet he had not yet gained any fame. It seemed somewhat unreasonable for a young man from a neighboring county to know him.

I never expected that you are the son of Seventh Aunt." Qin Qiong happily patted Luo Feng's shoulder

The Blue-faced Eighteen Ghosts are merely a rabble, and after their leader Zhu Hua was killed by a single blow, their morale was utterly shattered. In contrast, with Qin Qiong and Luo Feng, two fierce and mad individuals, leading the way, several villagers transformed into warriors driven mad by the bounty.

Qin Qiong shook his head

The Qin family of Licheng can be considered a small gentry in the local area. The ancestor of the Qin family, Qin Peng, once served as the Governor of Shanyang during the Han Dynasty. By the time of the seventh-generation ancestor, Qin Xiu, he held the position of Grand Minister of Gold and Purple and Minister of Rites during the Jin Dynasty. Qin Qiong's great-grandfather, Qin Xiaoda, served as the County Magistrate of Guangnian in the Northern Wei Dynasty. His grandfather, Qin Fangtai, was the Secretary of the Prince of Guangning in the Northern Qi Dynasty, and his father, Qin Ai, also held the position of Military Officer and Secretary to the Prince of Xianyang in the Northern Qi Dynasty.

The so-called Blue-faced Eighteen Ghosts are merely a group of individuals evading their duties. In the past, they were either farmers or petty vendors, none of whom possessed any real skills. They relied on their numbers to block roads and commit robbery, but when they encountered a formidable person like Qin Qiong, they naturally fell apart with ease.

With a cousin like Qin Qiong, why not acknowledge him? It is not as if one is clinging to him for no reason

At this moment, Luo Feng suddenly remembered that this young lady was actually the daughter of the county magistrate. Not only had he captured the wanted criminal, but he had also protected the magistrate's daughter.

Luo Jiu was also there, counting the reward by cracking his fingers. "This year, grain prices have surged; a dou of rice can be worth fifty coins, and a bolt of silk can only be exchanged for two dou of rice. By this calculation, a blue-faced ghost has a bounty of ten guan, which can be equivalent to twenty shi of rice or a hundred bolts of silk. Eighteen blue-faced ghosts, that amounts to three hundred sixty shi of rice?" By the time he calculated this, he was already astonished with his mouth agape.

Moreover, Luo Wu's mother was also a woman of humble origins in the family, and she married an extremely ordinary blacksmith. After her marriage, there were few relatives left in her natal family, and thus she seldom maintained contact with other members of the Qin family in Licheng.

This left Qin Qiong momentarily stunned, as he carefully pondered the implications of this relationship

There are a total of 9 individuals, while the bandits number 18, making it just right for each person to handle two. The leader of the bandits is assigned to Qin Qiong, which means that Luo Feng and his two sensitive companions have a bounty of 20 guan, while Qin Qiong, as the leader, has a bounty of 110 guan

At this moment, Qin Qiong rode over on his horse. He fell off the saddle and stood there, sizing up Luo Feng several times. There seemed to be some confusion between his brows, "This young brother, I just heard you call me by my courtesy name, and then you called me 'Second Brother' again. May I ask if you recognize me?"

Luo Feng thought to himself, how many people in later generations do not know the name of you, Qin Qiong, also known as Qin Shubao? Even if they do not understand your prowess as a fierce general during the end of the Sui and the beginning of the Tang, they are generally aware of the door god, Qin Qiong. Not to mention that in the legends and novels of the Sui and Tang dynasties, you, Brother Qin, are undoubtedly the main character.

Let us do it this way: each person will receive two credits, and the leader will be this Qin Er Ge. The woman in the carriage, seeing that the argument outside was still ongoing, spoke up to remind them.

However, looking at the still youthful Qin Qiong now, he would indeed be quite puzzled

While speaking, the sound of galloping hooves could be heard from a distance. Looking up, a group of horsemen appeared.

More than ten riders galloped ahead, closely followed by nearly a hundred young men on foot.

"Cousin." Qin Qiong was also very pleased; the ancient concept of familial affection was strong, unlike the modern era where relationships are often superficial. Holding onto Luo Feng, he seemed to feel a sense of blood connection.

Who is this again?" Luo Feng surveyed with some nervousness

Qin Qiong is tall and robust, with a strong physique, a broad back and a slim waist. He has a square face, a light golden complexion, eyebrows like swords, and a pair of bright, expressive eyes, embodying the typical characteristics of a Shandong man

Qin Qiong's magnanimous and generous demeanor instantly earned the admiration and delight of Luo Qi and the others, who all expressed their praise enthusiastically

Qin Qiong quickly waved his hand, "Cousin, that is not how we should phrase it. If you ask me, we all contributed, so it would be best to simply divide the reward equally among us."

The Qin family has established itself in Licheng for hundreds of years, with a flourishing lineage and numerous descendants