Chapter Six, Mountain Dwelling

Fan Xicheng mostly received the communication from whom, and at this moment arrived by the mountain stream, seeing that Han Qian did not appear to be acting foolishly, he stood on the opposite bank without saying anything. The setting sun cast its light on his dark, thin face, making it look as if it were covered with a layer of elm bark, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

In the morning, he felt physically weak while riding, a lingering effect of poisoning and several days of not eating properly. However, at that moment, when he mounted the horse again, he felt much more at ease.

After a moment of stunned silence, the elder was the first to react, pulling the young man down to kneel on the ground. He unloaded the bamboo basket from his back and, with a slightly trembling voice, said: "We were just about to deliver these game to the villa when we unexpectedly encountered the young master and Lord Zhao here"

At this moment, Han Qian was no longer content to circle around the villa, but instead rode his horse down to the small creek, crossed to the opposite bank, and began to trot around the farmland.

Han Qian cursed resentfully in his heart, then turned over and mounted the horse again. However, this time Zhao Kuo firmly grasped the reins, causing Han Qian to whip twice in anger without letting go.

In addition to the main courtyard, something happened. The two adjoining courtyards next to the main courtyard have already prepared the lunch in the dining hall of the west courtyard.

Baohua Mountain is located between Jinling and Runzhou. Since Jinling was formerly known as Shengzhou, Baohua Mountain is also referred to as Shengrun Mountain. It stretches in a chain-like formation for over 200 miles along the southern bank of the Yangtze River.

Fan Dahei was quite at a loss, but his rough nature could not withstand the temptation of the delicious food before him. He said in a deep voice, "If my father asks later, Dahei must say that the young master forced me to eat these!"

Fan Dahei, however, was afraid of his adoptive father Fan Xicheng. After receiving a scolding, he did not wait for Han Qian to speak and hurriedly ran back to the northern courtyard; Qingyun also stuck out her tongue and went out to clean up the dishes.

The narrow dirt path surrounding the villa is too constricted, and although the purple-maned horse is quite majestic, it cannot run.

Han Qian also remained silent and did not say anything. Instead, he returned to his study and went to the training ground in the afternoon. He did not see Fan Dahei, but he encountered another household soldier from the villa, Zhao Kuo, who was leading a purple-maned horse and said: "Dahei was sent by Master Fan to handle some matters, so I came to assist the young master in riding the horse"

Young Master, please take it easy. If you were to fall, Old Zhao would have no way to explain it to the family head!" Zhao Kuo, drenched in sweat, rushed over, while Han Qian rode the purple-maned horse at a speed he could not keep up with.

In the past, whenever he encountered a servant who did not obey him, Han Qian would inevitably become furious and agitated. However, at this moment, he was slightly taken aback, as he did not expect that the usually inconspicuous Zhao Kuo possessed such great strength in his arms

After jogging around the farmland for three or four laps, Han Qian was drenched in sweat. He stopped by the stream to rest. Perhaps due to a sudden shift in his mindset, he no longer felt fatigued; instead, he experienced a sense of exhilaration.

Fan Dahei has good stamina; in the future, he will continue to serve me while riding. He will also dine with me in the East Courtyard both morning and evening. Master Fan, please instruct the kitchen to prepare meals in the East Courtyard according to Fan Dahei's appetite, so that no one feels I am neglecting my close associates

At this moment, Han Qian also did not dare to wander around outside, so he rode on horseback, led by Zhao Kuo, as they made their way down the mountain

In the past two or three days, Han Qian had not had a proper meal, and after riding for half a day, he felt extremely hungry. As he sat down, the aroma of the food wafted towards him, greatly stimulating his appetite. However, he was also concerned that the little vixen, Yao Xishui, might be unwilling to let this opportunity slip by and could tamper with the dishes through an insider. His eyes were fixed on the table full of delicacies, yet he dared not act rashly.

Zhao Kuo turned his head and glanced at Han Qian, noticing that Han Qian's expression was gloomy. Uncertain of what the young master was thinking, he fulfilled his duty as a family soldier and turned to sternly question the two hunters, old and young: "Old Zhao, you and your son have had quite a harvest in the mountains today!"

At this moment, Han Qian looked at the young man again. Even though he was being forcefully pulled by his father to kneel on the ground, the tension in his back still gave off an impression akin to a beast ready to pounce and devour. Not to mention the defiant expression hidden in his eyes, which was truly striking.

In recent years, Han Qian has let himself go, but he still understands these simple principles. To his surprise, amidst the mountains and fields, there exists a person with such remarkable archery skills.

This time, you must be brought to the county for punishment

Han Qian kept reminding himself today to remain calm in all matters, but he would not say anything to these two unrelated hunters, just watching Zhao Kuo handle the situation. At this moment, a thought flashed through his mind

Zhao Kuo, in his forties, appears to be of a slender build, with a yellowed face that is marked by the ravages of time, resembling the weathered skin of a rock that has been eroded for a thousand years

During lunch, he clearly told Mingming and Fan Dahei that he would need him to assist with horseback riding in the afternoon. Yet, that old scoundrel Fan Xicheng actually sent him out on an errand on purpose

Otherwise, the efforts that Yao Xishui and those behind her have invested in him are too profound

Is Fan Xicheng trying to assert that he is the one in charge of this villa?

A plate of greens, a plate of sliced cured meat, a large bowl of stewed chicken with mountain mushrooms, a bowl of braised grass carp chunks, and a small wooden bucket holding half a tub of white rice are arranged on the Eight Immortals table by the window. While it cannot be considered a feast of rare delicacies, it is a sumptuous meal that ordinary families cannot enjoy.

Han Qian has been confined to the villa for over a month, being well-fed and well-cared for, without the indulgence of wine and women to deplete his body, and his complexion has somewhat improved

The dirt road between the elm and willow trees is relatively wide, and without the obstruction of earthen walls and houses, the purple-maned horse can gallop freely. If it were not for the fear of Fan Xicheng intervening, Han Qian would be even more inclined to ride his horse down to the lakeshore for a spin

Zhao Kuo did not let go, and Han Qian could not pick up speed to trot, thus losing the meaning of exercise. He then asked him to lead the horse towards the steep and perilous back mountain—this back mountain also belonged to the villa—while casually observing the scenery and the mountainous terrain on both sides.

At this moment, Han Qian caught a glimpse outside the window, where Fan Wucheng was following Qingyun into the western courtyard, his face dark as he untied the purple-maned horse from the peach tree, seemingly in a state of displeasure.

You still need to attend to me for horseback riding this afternoon; are you afraid that your father will break your dog legs for this meal?

The two individuals are dressed in coarse linen garments, with grass ropes tied around their waists, each carrying a sickle. They wear hemp shoes that expose their toes, and each has a hunting bow on their back along with a bamboo basket. The quivers made of bamboo joints are rather rudimentary, appearing familiar, likely belonging to the tenants from the nearby area

Compared to Baohua Mountain, Chishan Lake, located just three to four li from the villa at the southern foot of Baohua Mountain and with a width of thirteen to fourteen li, appears rather unremarkable.

Upon hearing Zhao Kuo's words, the elder's face instantly turned pale. He fell to the ground, kowtowing and pleading for mercy. In his moment of distraction, he accidentally knocked over two bamboo baskets behind him, causing the slain game inside to roll out. Besides a few golden pheasants, there was even a hawk that had been shot through the abdomen with an arrow.

You two, father and son, have quite the audacity. How many times has Master Fan warned you that it is strictly forbidden for you to go up the mountain to poach? Yet you treat it as if it were mere wind in your ears. Do you not realize that this mountain belongs to the Han family? If it weren't for the fortunate coincidence of me encountering you and the young master, would you truly have delivered the game to the manor?

Seeing Fan Dahei clumsily handing over a bowl of rice, Han Qian reached out to take it. He picked up a few slices of translucent cured meat, several pieces of braised fish, a few chunks of stewed chicken, and two greens, pressing them into the rice bowl. He then set the bowl aside, pointed to the remaining dishes on the table, and said to Fan Dahei: "I am not too hungry yet; this is enough for me. You can eat the rest first!"

It is quite common for hunters in the mountains to skillfully use their hunting bows to shoot several pheasants, but being able to shoot soaring eagles in the sky is a remarkable feat of archery

His arm, gripping the reins, was as thin as a withered tree branch, yet it held on as if it were welded from cast iron, firmly restraining the powerful purple-maned horse, rendering it utterly immobile.

Han Qian could not help but think, if the person from his dreams, Zhai Xinping, were here, how would he utilize this exceptionally skilled and untamed young man in archery before him

Han Qian ignored the usually inconspicuous family soldier Zhao Kuo, suppressing his inner dissatisfaction, and calmly spoke to Fan Xicheng on the east bank of the creek

Han Qian was so angry that the veins on his forehead began to throb slightly

The youth's eyes were filled with a rebellious spirit, struggling to rise, yet firmly held down by the elder, lying in the mud.

The farmland on the west bank of the creek covers more than 300 acres, and a complete lap measures about 4 to 5 miles.

Han Qian wore a sullen expression as he turned over and mounted the purple-maned horse, trotting around the mountain villa; Zhao Kuo glanced at Han Qian and was slightly taken aback to see that the young master did not erupt in fury.

At this moment, Fan Xicheng entered with a dark expression, following Qingyun. Upon seeing Fan Dahei still sitting opposite Han Qian, he glared and scolded, "You foolish and ungrateful fool, you don't understand any rules—go to the northern courtyard and clean the stable!"

Fan Xicheng neither spoke positively nor negatively; he merely cautioned the old, thin soldier, who was drenched in sweat, saying, "Zhao Kuo, do not let the purple-maned horse run wild again and throw the young master off. You and I will only be able to repay the gratitude of the family head with our lives."

There is still some distance to the Zhuangzi below, when two hunters, one old and one young, stealthily emerged from the forest.

Han Qian furrowed his brows slightly, thinking that even if this fellow had not colluded with Yao Xishui, he would still have to find an opportunity to deal with him in the future

The two of them probably did not expect to run into Han Qian and Zhao Kuo here, which startled them greatly

Poaching and theft will lead to punishment at the county office, and one cannot avoid receiving a few lashes; moreover, if one does not find someone to bribe or plead for leniency, after enduring a few lashes, one will not only be injured but may also lose several layers of skin.

Fan Dahei quickly consumed the half wooden bucket along with the vegetables, displaying nothing but a satisfied expression, while Han Qian swiftly finished the bowl of food he had set aside.

Seeing Zhao Kuo being whipped twice, he shrank back in fear and did not dare to resist, only holding onto the rope tightly. Han Qian thought to himself that Zhao Kuo usually behaved in such a cowardly manner and had often been bullied by the soldiers of other families, so the suspicion against him should not be significant

As the sun sets, the twilight seems to envelop everything like a faint veil of lavender, and the distant mountains and forests appear to be fraught with peril

The old mongrel is truly like a stone in the latrine, both foul and hard

Two lowly tenants actually dared to run into his backyard to poach wild game. In the past, Han Qian would have long since lashed out with his riding whip; yet at this moment, Han Qian sat pensively on his horse, watching the bamboo baskets on the backs of these two men filled with pheasants and other game, with blood seeping from the bottom of the baskets.

Zhao Kuo turned around to see Han Qian still remaining calm and composed. It was evident that the young master did not intend to easily let go of this father and son duo, so he grasped the dagger at his waist and glared fiercely at the father and son before him