Chapter 4: The Mystery of Wan'er

"Do not panic, these are definitely not the cavalry of the Wokou; it is the reinforcements from the Ming Dynasty that have arrived. Everyone, remain calm to avoid accidentally harming yourselves," Tang Feng shouted anxiously to the crowd

Seeing that Tang Feng was unwilling, Zu Dale felt a slight disappointment in his heart, but he soon smiled and said, "Very well, everyone has their own aspirations, and one cannot be forced. Moreover, you are a filial son, and it would not be appropriate for me to play the villain in this matter. I shall not linger here any longer; I will return and report this matter to the governor, allowing the court to make a decision. Young brother, let us part ways here." After finishing his words, Zu Dale turned his horse's head and prepared to lead the cavalry back.

The cripple behind did not expect that this would be the outcome, standing there in a daze, unsure of what to do next

The commander said, "Not a single pirate managed to escape; it is just that we arrived a bit too late, and the pirates had already been completely slaughtered by a young man from Fu Family Village, who led the entire village in the massacre." After Zuo Dale finished speaking, he looked at the person in front of him, who fell into deep thought, momentarily hesitant to speak, and could only stand quietly with his head bowed, waiting.

"I also have a part in today's matter; it was I, Dong Xiaowan, who killed this person together with Fu Mei, and it has nothing to do with anyone else." At this moment, Wan'er stood beside Tang Feng and spoke loudly to the group of self-serving villagers who were indifferent to the situation.

You people, do you still have any dignity left as human beings? If it weren't for Fu Mei's righteous intervention just now, how could you have survived with your worthless lives? Have you forgotten what happened to Fu Mei's father? Reflect on your conscience and think about it; over the past few years, have you treated that mother and son fairly?" Dong Xiaowan's father squeezed through the crowd, reproaching the silent villagers who were hanging their heads.

Tang Feng's foot paused slightly. Given Dong Xiaowan's temperament, she still wanted to plead for that cripple on behalf of Tang Feng. However, upon seeing Tang Feng's cold expression, she swallowed the words that were about to come out. Tang Feng led Dong Xiaowan straight towards the village, and at that moment, the moon finally decided to show itself, casting a clear light that elongated the shadows of the two figures. The cripple knelt, watching their silhouettes gradually fade into the darkness, filled with deep regret.

"Hmph, you need not worry. If anyone comes to investigate this matter, I will take full responsibility for it," Tang Feng said, looking at the group of villagers before him, feeling an indescribable annoyance towards them.

"Common people, do not panic. I am the General Zu Dale of Ningyuan Xincheng. I have come here to lead the troops in response to reports of Japanese pirates invading. May I ask, where have these pirates fled to?" A general, holding a long knife, clad in bronze armor and wearing a bronze helmet, leaned forward to inquire of the people before him.

This young man, I do not know to which family he belongs, possesses such remarkable bravery and courage. If he were to serve under my command, given some time, he could certainly be trained into a general. It is quite interesting; a few days ago, I went to the market with the steward and happened to encounter these siblings selling a wolf pelt. We then ran into that officer from the Jinyiwei, which led to a minor conflict. Later, I purchased this wolf pelt with my own money. Look, it is the one I am sitting on.

However, it was evident that Zu Dale did not engage with him on this matter, which made the conversation somewhat dull. He could only continue, "I know that someone here has killed an official of the court, and the corpse is still lying over there. The deceased is indeed a captain of the Imperial Guards, and it was he who committed the murder." This cripple indeed did not disappoint Tang Feng's expectations, as he spoke while pointing at Tang Feng.

Zu Dale cast a cold glance at the crippled man before him, observing his eyes darting around, his two greasy whiskers, and his gaunt, knife-like face. It was evident at a glance that he was not a good person. With a hint of impatience, he said to him, "If you have any confidential matters, speak quickly in front of this horse. I still need to return and report the situation here to the governor." After saying this, he disdainfully glared at him and turned his head aside, waiting for him to reveal the confidential matter.

As the two were about to leave, the cripple behind them could no longer hold back and, with a thud, knelt down right behind Tang Feng. He pleaded loudly, "Fu Mei, we all live in the same village and have been neighbors for a long time. Could you please forgive me this once and ask the village chief and the elders to intercede for me, so I can return to the village?" After saying this, he bowed his head to Tang Feng repeatedly, knocking it against the ground.

Dear elders and fellow villagers, the pirates were killed by both you and me, and naturally, you share the responsibility for killing the court's watchdogs. We are all in the same boat, and no one can escape alone. Do you know that there is a joint liability law in the court now? Even if I, Fu Mei, have committed a crime, you cannot escape either. " After Tang Feng finished speaking, he grasped the trembling hand of Dong Xiaowan and walked towards the village. Right now, putting out the fire is the most urgent matter. I wonder if the houses can still be lived in.

The villagers passed by the cripple one by one, each spitting a thick phlegm onto his body and face before continuing on their way into the village

Oh, which hero is it? Come out quickly, so that I, Zu Dale, can have a look as well. These few words from the old man left Zu Dale, who was on horseback, quite astonished, prompting him to hurriedly ask the old man.

This middle-aged man is Yuan Chonghuan. After a moment of contemplation, he took a brush, spread a piece of rice paper on the table, and began to swiftly apply strokes on the paper, though it was unclear what he was painting. In a short while, the portrait of a young man came to life on the paper

"According to the official's words, is there a reward for this informant?" After the cripple finished speaking, he cast a somewhat smug glance at Tang Feng, who was standing not far away, and then glared fiercely at Dong Xiaowan, who was behind Tang Feng.

Without waiting for others to speak, Tang Feng took a few steps to the front of Zu Dale, holding the hilt of his sword with both hands, and bowed to Zu Dale. He responded loudly, "It is indeed my doing. Who allowed these Japanese bandits to invade our Ming Dynasty? Those who offend our Ming Dynasty, no matter how far, must be punished." After finishing his words, Tang Feng stood tall with his head held high

When Wan'er blushed and was about to refuse, her father suddenly rushed over from somewhere. He said to the two of them, "Wan'er, Fu Mei is right. If you move in with him, it will be safer. I know you are concerned about your reputation as an unmarried girl, so I will speak to Fu Mei's mother. We should hurry to fix the house in the next few days, and then arrange your marriage. You two are not young anymore, and you have grown up together since childhood. Given the current chaotic times, we cannot afford to be overly particular. Is Fu Mei's mother at home? I have some great news to share with you." As Wan'er's father spoke, he quickly walked into the back room of the Fu family to discuss the marriage of Tang Feng and Dong Xiao Wan with Fu Mei's mother.

When Tang Feng brought Dong Xiaowan back to his home courtyard, he found that his house was relatively intact; only the front room had been burned down, while the back room was mostly unharmed and still habitable. He said to Dong Xiaowan, "Wan'er, why not stay at my house for the time being? I will go with your father tomorrow to gather some earth bricks and we can repair the house. What do you think?" In reality, the damage to Dong Xiaowan's home was not too severe. This was because the bandits and the brocade-clad guard had focused solely on abducting Dong Xiaowan, thus the house had been spared. However, Tang Feng was genuinely concerned about Xiaowan's safety, which is why he suggested that Wan'er move in with him and his mother.

"Commander, Commander!" Zuo Dale excitedly shouted as he ran all the way to the study. Upon entering, he saw a middle-aged man sitting in a worn-out blue robe on the grand master's chair, with five strands of long beard under his chin, who was intently studying a book in his hands.

Tang Feng harbored no desire to have any entanglements with the Ming Dynasty, especially since Yuan Chonghuan was on the verge of losing his life at the hands of Chongzhen. If he were to enlist, he would undoubtedly fall under Yuan Chonghuan's command, and his future fate would become uncertain. Therefore, he firmly declined.

Tang Feng saw that this matter could no longer be concealed and was about to step forward to admit it to Zu Dale. However, he noticed Zu Dale casting a disdainful glance at the cripple and, in an unhappy tone, asked him, "Do you know the crime of false accusation? Moreover, this young brother saved your life, and this is how you repay him? Besides, when has the court ever sent a brocade-clad captain here? How could I not be aware of this matter?" After saying this, he shot a fierce glare at the cripple, turned his horse's head, and with a sharp whistle, led the cavalry away.

At this moment, a fire dragon was galloping towards them from a distance. The crowd then heard a chaotic sound of hooves, once again breaking the silence that had just settled over the night. It seemed that this night was destined to be a bloody one

As soon as Zu Dale rushed in, shouting and making a commotion, he gently placed the book on the table, then turned around and smiled at Zu Dale, asking, "Dale, how is the situation with the war in Fujia Village? Have those Japanese invaders been completely annihilated?" After speaking, he waited for Zu Dale's response

"Regarding the words of the General, all the young men of our village have executed them cleanly," an old man squeezed out of the crowd and bravely responded. Upon hearing this, Tang Feng understood that the old man was clearly taking all the credit for himself, while forcefully attributing the name of the official's killer to him as well. This made him feel a surge of anger, yet he remained silent, merely observing coldly and watching the situation unfold.

"Dale, come over and take a look, is it him?" Yuan Chonghuan put down his pen, moved aside, and called out to Zu Dale. Zu Dale hurriedly walked closer, and as soon as he saw the portrait on the paper, he quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed, the General's painting is remarkably lifelike, it is him. However, how did the General come to know his appearance and demeanor?" Zu Dale inquired of Yuan Chonghuan, puzzled.

Tang Feng turned back to look at his mother, who had just arrived beside him, and then replied loudly, "I beg your pardon for my rudeness, but I have an elderly parent to care for at home, so I cannot comply with the general's request. I hope the general can understand." After saying this, he cupped his fist in salute to Zu Dale.

"Brother Feng, let us return home and read books together," Dong Xiaowan said gently, lightly linking her arm with Tang Feng's. Tang Feng, holding a knife in one hand, turned his head to glance at the gentle and charming girl before him, and smiled as he nodded. As for Fu Mei's mother and Dong Xiaowan's father, the two had already returned to the village.

"Bah, you despicable and shameless person, from today onwards, you are no longer a member of our Fu Family Village. Get out of here quickly!" The old man walked over and spat harshly in his face. Leaning on his cane, he walked towards the village where the flames were gradually extinguishing; after all, that was still his home.

Zu Dale, accompanied by cavalry, hurriedly returned to Xingcheng. Upon entering the city, he instructed his deputy to take the troops to the camp for rest. He then proceeded directly to the commander’s residence to report to Supervisor Yuan Chonghuan about the situation in Fujia Village.

"The Wokou are coming again, everyone run!" No one knows who shouted, but the crowd immediately erupted, and the villagers scrambled to escape for their lives

Upon returning to the village, Tang Feng and Dong Xiaowan were met with the sight of ruins and broken walls everywhere, with lingering smoke rising in the air. The villagers, undeterred by the residual heat, were laboriously digging through the debris of bricks and stones to recover their belongings.

Tang Feng looked at the group of people, letting out a cold snort from his nose. He has never been soft-hearted when it comes to killing, especially when it concerns his own survival.

Zu Dale observed the young man closely from his horse, noting that he appeared to be no more than eighteen or nineteen years old. How could he possess such courage? It seemed that even among the grass and weeds, true heroes often lay hidden. Zu Dale could not help but feel a sense of admiration for this young man. Leaning down from his horse, he smiled at Tang Feng and asked, "Indeed, you are a true hero. I would like to ask you, are you interested in serving in the military?" After speaking, he fixed his eager gaze on the young man before him, waiting for him to utter the words 'I am willing.'

In the crowd, a limping man squeezed his way out, suddenly blocking the horse of Master Zu Daler. Looking up, he smiled obsequiously at Master Zu Daler on the horse and said, "Your Excellency, I have a confidential matter of great importance to report to you."