Chapter 4, Ideals

The bandit boasted for a long time, but upon seeing that Zhao Wuji was surprisingly not as anxious as before, he felt a sense of alertness as the newly appointed constable beside him was casually laughing and joking with him. He pressed the hotel manager with a knife and slowly made his way downstairs. The hotel manager, half a head shorter than him, was already terrified to the point of wetting his pants, his legs trembling incessantly, making him appear even shorter.

Huairou is located at the border, and Guo Pu served as an official with integrity, receiving a meager salary. Fortunately, he had some properties at home, which allowed him to occasionally have someone bring him some silver. He himself was unwilling to engage in bribery, and thus, surprisingly, after serving three years in this position, he continued to hold the same post without promotion. He was a carefree person and did not take these matters to heart

At the moment of stalemate, suddenly, someone shouted "Ah!" from the right front of the bandit, sounding like a wail of ghosts and howls of wolves. The bandit was startled and turned to look, only to find a young man shouting at the top of his lungs. By the time he realized he had been tricked, it was too late; an arrow flew in from the building across on the left, striking him squarely in the neck. The arrowhead pierced through, and with its momentum unabated, it pinned him against the wall.

Wu Anguo had several favored disciples, among whom Zhang Zhengxin was the most cherished. Seeing that he was determined to follow, Wu reached out to take his bundle and said: "Then let's hurry and get on the carriage. Once we reach the city and you start missing home, you mustn't cry."

In the past half month, Wu Anguo has nearly taught the fundamentals of mathematics. The children from Jianghuying have some basic skills in accounting, having learned the craft from their parents since childhood. As long as they recognize Arabic numerals, they quickly become familiar with addition and subtraction within a thousand. They have now begun to memorize the multiplication tables. During breaks, Wu Anguo also took the time to teach the young people military boxing. In the open space at the temple entrance, over thirty young people spread out their stances, exuding a vigorous and dynamic energy.

"Brother, do you really want to spend the rest of your life here?" After the students dispersed, Li Shanping quietly asked Wu Anguo

At this moment, Wang Hao was already furious, cursing inwardly, "Zhao Wuji, you are truly shameless. Yesterday, we risked our lives to help you, and afterward, you went back to take the credit for yourself. Not even a word of thanks. Today, you come again with your eyes on this tiger skin. But Zhao Wuji is a high-ranking official in Beiping, and offending him might even be too much for the county magistrate to handle, so he could only suppress his anger, his face turning red and his neck thickening. He huffed and said, 'This is a priceless treasure; without a thousand taels of gold, it cannot be sold.' He thought to himself, I will ask for a high price; although your official rank is great, you cannot just take our clerk's belongings.

Early the next morning, several civil disputes were handled in the second hall. They were nothing more than trivial family matters, which Guo Pu amicably mediated, thus resolving the issues. However, outside the main hall, there was a great commotion. Upon inquiring further, it turned out that the common people had heard that a hero who could slay tigers had arrived, and they rushed to the yamen to witness the excitement.

A crowd hurriedly gathered at the street, surrounding the restaurant so tightly that not a drop of water could pass through. A few young ruffians, noticing Wu Anguo's arrival, quickly flattered him to clear a path.

There is no need for you to be modest, sir. Although you are a scholar, such courage is rare in the world. Upon hearing about your matters for the first time, I, Guo, wished to pay a visit, but I have been occupied with official duties. Today, I finally have the opportunity to meet. Having such a person in our county brings me great pride.

After exchanging a few polite remarks, the two began to discuss the matter of slaying tigers and subduing dragons. The rumors circulating in the streets and alleys had long been heard by Guo Pu, and hearing the details again at this moment still felt thrilling. Upon learning that Wu Anguo had returned from overseas and had bravely drawn his sword for justice, his admiration increased even further. When he heard about Wu Anguo's achievements in constructing waterwheels and windmills, he couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder the crops in this disaster-stricken village are thriving so well. Mr. Wu is truly a great sage! As the ancients said, traveling a thousand miles is like reading ten thousand books; this saying is indeed not false"

"Captain Wang, do not rush, take your time to speak." Wu Anguo set down the pen in his hand, while comforting Captain Wang, he picked up the large bow and slung it over his shoulder, as Zhang Zhengxin handed over the large knife from the side

Zhao Wuji, seeing that he remained silent, assumed he was moved and continued, "Brother, your physique is robust, and keeping this tiger skin is of little use. Why not give me a favor and sell it to my relative? As for the price, I assure you it will be fair."

The immortals now reside in the Guandi Temple in the village. It is a sacred place in the hearts of the villagers of Jianghuying. Every day, the sound of young people studying can be heard, which is indescribably pleasant. Since the introduction of waterwheels and other innovations, the work in the fields has become less laborious, and parents are more willing to encourage their children to study more and achieve some success

Guo Pu smiled faintly, took Wu Anguo's hand, and walked out through the side door to greet the people in front of the yamen. The crowd of commoners, upon seeing Wu Anguo's stature, first gasped in admiration. Wu Anguo could not help but grab the stone lion in front of the yamen and walked around it several times. The entrance of the yamen instantly became more lively than during a festival. Several bodyguards from different escort agencies mingled in the crowd, initially having heard that Wu Anguo was coming and wanting to meet him through martial arts, but upon witnessing the scene, they realized they did not possess such strength and had to abandon that thought. Some local ruffians felt a twinge of fear in their hearts and from then on dared not to cause trouble on the streets easily.

This grand discourse was unheard of by Li Shanping, who wished to refute it but vaguely felt some truth in it. If he were to express agreement, it would contradict the words of the sages. It seems that this afternoon's education for the students has once again been disrupted by Wu Anguo. Wu Anguo often teaches the children some rhetoric that sounds plausible yet contradicts traditional values. Fortunately, he has not yet introduced concepts like equality among all people; otherwise, it would surely frighten Li Shanping to death.

It is said that "the tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease." It is time for Wu Anguo to make his appearance. Just a few days after taking office, while he was in the flower hall guiding Zhang Zhengxin's studies, Captain Wang Hao rushed in, panting and shouting, "This is bad! There are, there are robbers killing people in the street and resisting arrest."

Wu Anguo often heard the villagers say that the county magistrate was an honest official. At this moment, seeing him so courteous, he did not wish to be negligent and quickly returned the greeting, saying, "I dare not, I dare not." Over there, Li Shanping, in his wheelchair, clasped his hands and said, "I did not know that the esteemed official had arrived, and I failed to welcome you from afar. I hope you will forgive my oversight."

When Wu Anguo brought the tea, the conversation between the host and guests had reached a joyful point, free from any restraint. Guo Pu was a person eager to learn, not from a background of imperial examinations, but rather selected from Shaoxing during the early establishment of the Ming Dynasty when officials were elected from various regions. Thus, he did not possess much of the pedantic air. Wu Anguo, drawing from his historical knowledge, fabricated some extraordinary tales from overseas. Guo Pu found these stories quite interesting. At the highlights of the tales, he even displayed a look of serene longing. Occasionally, he compared them with those of the current dynasty, expressing considerable admiration for what Wu Anguo mentioned about the University of Cambridge (established in 1209) and the Model Parliament (1295, England), which left Wu Anguo quite astonished. The two attendants gradually became more familiar and engaged in more conversation; both were local officials, one named Wang Hao and the other Li Ling. Guo Pu had always treated them well, and they held him in more respect than fear.

"To reflect upon oneself without shrinking back, even if clad in coarse garments, I remain unperturbed. To reflect upon oneself and shrink back, even in the face of thousands, I shall advance regardless." On this day, while discussing the "Mencius," Li Shanping noticed the young people listening attentively and paused to explain: "These lines speak of courage, not the kind that involves fighting in the streets, but rather the profound wisdom and courage of humanity. The key lies in self-reflection; if one is without guilt in their heart, then courage will naturally arise. If one feels guilt yet still bullies others with their power, that is not courage, but evil. Courage is, in fact, a kind of magnanimity, a reflection of character. The first criterion for assessing character is whether a person possesses a distinctive, fearless, 'even if faced with thousands, I shall advance' kind of 'great character,' rather than merely a 'small character' of the common folk. In the future, regardless of what you do, remember to be a true gentleman, without shame before heaven and earth, and do not become a mediocre person who drifts along with the tide." The first criterion for assessing character is whether a person possesses a distinctive, fearless, 'even if faced with thousands, I shall advance' kind of 'great character,' rather than merely a 'small character' of the common folk. In the future, regardless of what you do, remember to be a true gentleman, without shame before heaven and earth, and do not become a mediocre person who drifts along with the tide.

Li Shanping teaches the children the Four Books. Now that the imperial examination has been opened, if any of these children can achieve success, the entire artisan community will feel honored. In fact, with Wu Anguo's skills, he could certainly place within the top three in the martial arts examination. Li Shanping has urged him many times in recent days, but Wu Anguo always just smiles it off. He does not respond, and Li Shanping cannot force him. Occasionally, when he thinks of the Western stories Wu Anguo mentioned, he recalls that over a thousand years ago, King Arthur changed the long table for discussions into a round table, so that his subordinates would feel no sense of distance and could speak freely. However, since the founding of this dynasty, all civil and military officials must kneel to present their petitions, which is indeed a humiliating way to serve. It would be better to seek freedom in the mountains and fields. Yet, considering Wu Anguo's abilities, Li Shanping feels a sense of regret.

The plump shopkeeper suddenly lost all restraint, and Gu Luru rolled down the stairs, his eyes rolling back in his head, fainting from fright. Captain Wang quickly found someone to pinch his nose and give him water. Zhao Wuji rushed forward with his men to confront the thief, who was already dead, his round eyes still wide open, unable to believe that such a swift arrow could exist until his last breath

As everyone reached the village entrance, they were reluctant to part ways. Wu Anguo reminded all the disciples to study diligently and practice martial arts, and to come find him in the city during the farming off-season, where he would continue to teach them. The disciples responded with red eyes.

Zhang Zhengxin hurriedly approached, bowed deeply, and said, "I am willing to serve by my master's side, always ready to listen to my master's teachings." His words came out in a breathless manner, yet they were very sincere

Soon, the messenger brought in Guo Pu. Although Guo Pu came from a wealthy family, he had never seen such a large sum. He was quite puzzled about the identity of the customer buying the tiger skin. It was Li Shanping who was quick-witted and whispered, "Brother Wu has no desire to stand out; keeping this white tiger skin may not be a good thing, selling it would be just right." He deliberately emphasized the words 'white tiger.' Guo Pu, being exceptionally intelligent, understood the situation in an instant. He then instructed Wu Anguo to take out some silver and gave it to Wang Hao and Li Ling, thanking them for their help in bargaining. Li Shanping, still quick on his feet, reiterated, "Brother Wu has no desire to stand out; keeping this white tiger skin may not be a good thing, selling it would be just right," again emphasizing 'white tiger.' Guo Pu, being exceptionally intelligent, understood the situation in an instant. He then instructed Wu Anguo to take out some silver and gave it to Wang Hao and Li Ling, thanking them for their help in bargaining. He also asked them to spread the word that the tiger skin had been sold to alleviate poverty. The two initially declined but then accepted the silver and returned home in high spirits.

The next day, after breakfast, Guo Pu pulled Wu Anguo aside and said: "Ever since the previous magistrate sacrificed his life while fighting a tiger, this small county on the border has been without a magistrate. I hope, brother Wu, that you can consider the needs of our county and agree to stay for a few days. I know you do not care for fame and fortune, but the safety of the county cannot be left unattended." Wu Anguo initially intended to decline, but he could not withstand the magistrate's persistent requests. Li Shanping urged him desperately, while Wang Hao and Li Ling also kept encouraging him from the side. He had no choice but to agree.

Understood, the students replied in unison. In their eyes, Wu Anguo had long been an idol in life

The county magistrate waved his hand and said, "Today I am in plain clothes, precisely to avoid conventional formalities; you need not stand on ceremony, sir." He turned around, took two envelopes of silver from his attendant, presented them with both hands, and said to Wu Anguo, "This is the reward of 200 taels previously established by our county for eliminating the monsters; please accept it with a smile, sir."

Regardless, he became the richest person in Huairou County overnight, and this achievement left Wu Anguo immensely excited. In the twenty-first century, he often fantasized about winning the lottery. Now that his dream has come true, how could he not be happy? However, after the initial joy, he gradually began to worry. Having been here for over two months, the question of what to do in the future indeed became a source of concern. Being a minor official, he often encountered the unpleasant demeanor of Zhao Wuji, which was truly disheartening.

Wu Anguo asked Li Shanping to entertain the guests while he went outside to boil water and brew tea. The county magistrate, noticing Li Shanping sitting in a wheelchair, softly inquired, "Are you the brave scholar Li Shanping who dared to pull the tiger's whiskers of the Mongols?" It turned out that with the spread of wooden crafts from the artisan camp, the stories of Wu Anguo and Li Shanping had also circulated widely. "Brave Scholar" was the nickname given to Li Shanping by the common people in the streets and alleys.

Guo Pu saw that Wu Anguo had agreed, and turned to Li Shanping to ask: "Brother Li, would you be willing to take the position of a clerk, so that you and Brother Wu can meet often?" Li Shanping had already decided to follow Wu Anguo, and the county magistrate's invitation was exactly what he wanted, so he readily agreed.

The ticket system in China, along with books, first appeared during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. The convenience of using silver notes in martial arts novels was not something Wu Anguo could enjoy. He was left with a pile of gold, unsure of how to handle it. In the end, he had no choice but to ask Li Shanping to find a safe place for it. Fortunately, it was within the county office, where no thief dared to come and steal.

"Isn't it great to allow the elders here to harvest more grain and earn more silver?" Wu Anguo, seeing that Li Shanping was asking earnestly, could not bear to disregard his enthusiasm. He got up from the ground and looked at him seriously, saying, "When one is poor, one should focus on self-cultivation; when one is prosperous, one should seek to benefit the world. This benefiting the world does not necessarily require one to become a high-ranking official. Moreover, the fleeting nature of wealth and life is like passing clouds; why should we be so constrained by it?"

"What a splendid yet superficial existence, like clouds of life and death. Only such individuals possess such spirit, and for this, one must rise to the occasion." As he spoke, a scholar in a blue robe and cap emerged from outside the door, applauding and cheering.

"Just like Mr. Wu, who, despite not knowing what lies by the water's edge, still dares to attend the meeting alone with a single sword. You have learned Mr. Wu's martial arts, but you must also learn his magnanimity." After these days of interaction, Li Shanping gradually realized that Wu Anguo was not some reincarnated Xuanwu, and that he had risked his life that day for a group of villagers he had never met before. Thus, his admiration for him grew even stronger. Li Shanping also gradually understood that Wu Anguo was not some reincarnated Xuanwu, and that he had risked his life that day for a group of villagers he had never met before. Thus, his admiration for him grew even stronger

The thief shouted on the stairs: "Zhao Wuji, you coward, if you have the guts, come up here and fight me one-on-one. What kind of hero brings so many helpers? If you lack the ability, step aside. When I reach Mongolia, I will naturally return this fat man to you." He was originally a military officer who, after getting drunk, killed someone and was preparing to escape to Mongolia, but unexpectedly caught Zhao Wuji's attention. At this moment, seeing the large crowd of onlookers, he was very displeased and shouted at the crowd: "What are you looking at? Once I become a high official in Mongolia, I will definitely come back with troops to kill you all and wipe out your families."

I will open a congee factory, Wu Anguo recalled the jokes told by the late Mr. Ma Sanli. He mocked himself for a while. Upon reflection, he realized that his greatest joy was teaching at Jianghuying. At that moment, he made a decision. Why not open a free school? The knowledge he had acquired from the 21st century, if imparted to the people here, what kind of effect would it have? In his dreams, Wu Anguo envisioned himself as the principal, surrounded by countless students, who might one day establish an equal, free, and prosperous nation. Wu Anguo thought excitedly that the Ming Dynasty itself was merely a child just learning to walk.

Wu Anguo, seeing the topic shift to himself, quickly interjected, "Don't listen to Mr. Li's nonsense. That day, I simply couldn't bear to disappoint everyone, and I was feeling quite flustered. When you encounter such things, the first rule is not to be afraid. If you cannot match them in strength, then find a way to outsmart them. If outsmarting them also fails, then retreat for the time being and think of other methods. In any case, one must not be reckless in a moment of bravery. It is essential to understand that preserving one's life is necessary to continue the fight. Courage is not merely superficial; as Mr. Li said, as long as one has a clear conscience, that is enough. The disparity between the enemy and us is significant, and retreating for a moment does not equate to cowardice."

After watching for a while, Captain Zhao spoke: "Brother, you are truly a hero. Yesterday's arrow came as if it flew from the heavens, which greatly impressed me." Seeing Wu Anguo humbly wave his hand, he continued: "With your skills, it is indeed a pity not to join the military and vie for a title of a marquis. A relative of mine is a prominent figure in the capital (Nanjing, note by the author), and he could help introduce you.

Just as I got on the carriage and traveled more than half a mile, I suddenly heard someone shouting from behind, "Master, wait, Master, wait," in a youthful voice that had not yet lost its innocence. I stopped to look, and in the distance, a young boy was running towards me with a bundle on his back. Who else could it be but the third son of the Zhang family.

As for the pursuit of fame and success, Wu Anguo had heard plenty of it already. He was inherently a person who went with the flow and was not particularly enthusiastic about becoming an official, so he merely smiled faintly and said little.

This is a very tranquil village, as beautiful as a paradise beyond the world, where even the hurried traveling merchants cannot disrupt its serenity. The farmland by the roadside is as neat as satin, and occasionally, a gentle breeze passes through, causing the millet on the field to sway, creating waves of green. On one side of the farmland is a newly opened vegetable plot, where nameless seedlings break through the soil, revealing hints of tender yellow amidst the fresh green, showcasing vibrant vitality. A large waterwheel continuously turns by the river, delivering a steady flow of water to the fields. At the edge of the fields, busy farmers bend over to tend to the crops. Occasionally, they lift their heads to exchange a few words with passing travelers.

Wouldn't your brother's talent be buried just like this

As night fell, Wu Anguo ordered several dishes and a jar of wine from the newly opened restaurant at the village entrance, arranging for the guests to dine. The restaurant was run by Old Yang's son, primarily catering to traveling merchants who came to purchase wooden goods. The chef, having heard that the county magistrate was visiting, was eager to showcase his culinary skills, and managed to prepare several seasonal dishes quite impressively. The hosts and guests engaged in lively toasts, enjoying themselves immensely. The Craftsmen's Camp was a half-day's ride from the county town. After Guo Pu finished his meal, he sent Wang Hao and Li Ling to stay overnight at a villager's home. He himself set up a simple bed in the Guandi Temple, not minding the modest accommodations. He chatted with Wu Anguo and Li Shanping until the early hours of the morning.

I am Li Shanping, yet I am merely a scholar with no strength to even bind a chicken. The term 'iron courage' is a jest, my lord. Upon hearing the mention of the most painful yet proudest moment of my life, Li Shanping felt a flush of embarrassment on his face and quickly downplayed his own merits.

Everyone had a few cups of tea, and Manager Hu subtly mentioned wanting to see the skin of the white tiger Wang Hao, having served in his position for many years, was quite astute and immediately replied, "Looking is fine, but my family's chief magistrate does not lack for money, so it certainly will not be for sale"

Manager Hu instructed his attendants to bring in two boxes, which he opened for Li Shanping to inspect. Indeed, they contained gold of substantial quality. After collecting the tiger skin, he took his leave with Zhao Wuji. The remaining individuals in the room were left staring blankly at the gold.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, Zhang Zhengxin came to report that Zhao, the head constable from the provincial city, had brought a guest and was waiting at the county office. Thus, everyone dispersed from the banquet and hurried back to the county office with Wang Hao and Li Ling. Upon entering, they exchanged greetings, and Zhao explained the purpose of his visit. The other guest was a distant relative of Zhao, surnamed Hu, who worked as a second manager at a trading firm. Hearing that Zhao had met the hero who fought tigers, he specifically came to pay a visit. The other guest was a distant relative of Zhao, surnamed Hu, who worked as a second manager at a trading firm. Hearing that Zhao had met the hero who fought tigers, he specifically came to pay a visit

"Why not, two thousand taels of gold, I wonder what the esteemed official thinks of this offer?" said the previously silent Manager Hu in a soft voice.

Two thousand taels of gold is an amount that Wu An Guo cannot comprehend. Upon arriving in this world, he found that all the credit cards he brought were unusable. The only wealth he possessed was this small amount of reward silver, with no other resources. At that time, silver was expensive while land was cheap; one tael of silver could already buy a good acre of farmland. He had never seen gold before. However, seeing Wang Hao's astonished expression, he understood that two thousand taels of gold was certainly a figure that exceeded the psychological capacity of an average person. Thus, he said little and the transaction was completed.

Wu Anguo could not decline any longer and had no choice but to accept. Seeing that the two attendants were still standing outside the door, he hurriedly invited them in along with the county magistrate, offering them a seat and tea. However, the two men were unwilling to sit down; after some tugging back and forth, they only leaned halfway down when the county magistrate finally spoke.

The journey was not easy, and there were several places where people had to lift the cart to move forward. By the time we reached the county town, it was already night. We then stayed in the east and west flower halls behind the county office. The next day, the county was divided into three grades, with a county for every 200,000 people. A county with 300,000 people was considered a superior county. Huairou, having been oppressed by the Mongols for a hundred years, had a population of only about 100,000. Therefore, it was classified as an inferior county. The county magistrate was a ninth-rank official, elected from the south. According to the regulations of the Ming Dynasty, officials must serve in a different place and are not allowed to bring their families. The county magistrate resided in the main hall of the county office, the east flower hall was for the assistant, and the west flower hall was for the county vice magistrate. As it was a small county, a vice magistrate was not appointed; this role was generally assumed by the county clerk (county constable), who was the head of the six doors of the county. The county clerk was usually a martial person recommended by local gentry, and in the event of any disturbances, the clerk had to be at the forefront. Thus, the position of clerk in this border area was not one that anyone was eager to take on.

Wu Anguo and Li Shanping were so engrossed in conversation that they did not notice a guest arriving. Upon turning around, they saw a man who stood seven feet tall, with a fair complexion and a pair of eyes beneath well-groomed eyebrows that shone like polished lacquer, exuding a remarkable spirit. A short, neatly arranged beard adorned his chin. Behind him followed two attendants, leading three horses, suggesting that they had been waiting outside for quite some time.

I have already discussed it with my father, and he is agreeable. My elder brother and second brother have also promised to take care of matters at home. The little fellow had anticipated that Li Shanping would ask this question and responded calmly and unhurriedly

Wu Anguo was happily doing push-ups when he heard a question. Without raising his head, he replied, "What is there to complain about? The local customs are simple and the scenery is beautiful. I am lost in the mountains and rivers, with neither heaven nor earth taking notice. Alas, look at you, I have forgotten how many I have done even after just one interruption, and I have to start over. One, two, three ... "

Most of the villagers go to the carpenter shop of Old Man Yang in the village, where new and interesting items appear every few days. If one arrives early enough to buy them and takes them to the city, they can fetch a very good price. Even if they do not buy anything, it is still refreshing to see; having lived for over half a lifetime, it is the first time they have encountered such convenient items. Take the wind gourd, for instance; with a gentle shake, the wind can blow the fire in the stove high. Who would believe it if they had not seen it with their own eyes? Not to mention the waterwheel and windmill, which have benefited every village in the surrounding area. The creators of these wonders are seen by the local villagers as deities descended to earth. This carpenter's workshop has turned misfortune into fortune; occasionally, some villagers think that if it weren't for the disturbances caused by the monsters, the deities would not have come down.

On the second day, Guo Pu publicly praised Wu Anguo once again, and the other servants were also given a two-day holiday. Everyone surrounded Wu Anguo to celebrate at the restaurant. Although Wu Anguo had only been there for a few days, he was very generous and down-to-earth, which made him quite popular. Once everyone was seated, the shopkeeper, supported by someone, hurried over from home to express his gratitude, and naturally, all the expenses for the drinks were waived.

Sigh! The little fellow, seeing that the master had agreed, leaped onto the cart, took a seat at the front, received the whip from Old Yang's hand, and called out "Giddy up," as the cart sped away

Wu Anguo, seeing this man with a leopard-like head and ringed eyes, initially thought he was a hero. Unaware of whether he should take action to apprehend him, he was suddenly filled with rage upon hearing the words about siding with the Mongols. He called for Captain Wang to step forward, to greet Zhao Wuji and ask him not to rush forward with his men, but to find a way to stabilize the situation with the bandit first. He then summoned Zhang Zhengxin, instructing him accordingly, before withdrawing from the crowd and circling to the opposite building.

"Is your father not taking care of you? How does your master usually teach you?" Li Shanping asked displeasedly

As Wu and Li were about to greet him, the man had already arrived, bowing deeply to the ground, "I am Guo Pu, the magistrate of Huairou County, thanking Mr. Wu for eliminating harm to the people."

The villagers, upon hearing that the two gentlemen were leaving, felt a deep sense of reluctance. However, the craftsmen's community had never produced such high-ranking officials, so they were also happy for the two. They quickly harnessed the horse-drawn carriage and loaded onto it the tiger skin and dragon skin of Wu Anguo, along with the large sword and longbow. They entrusted the old man Yang to drive the carriage and take the two gentlemen into the city

It turned out that Captain Zhao from the provincial capital was pursuing a notorious bandit and had tracked him down to this location. Upon discovering that the bandit was drinking in a tavern, he intended to apprehend him. However, the bandit was already on high alert and swiftly struck down a nearby constable with a single blow. He then seized the tavern keeper as a hostage, leading to a standoff between both parties in the tavern. Upon hearing this, Captain Wang hurried to report the situation and urged Wu Anguo to devise a plan. If Captain Zhao were to charge in recklessly, it was likely that the tavern keeper would lose his life, which would reflect poorly on the local authorities. If the bandit managed to escape, he would cross into Mongolian territory, and the authorities in Huairou County would inevitably face charges of negligence.

When the tiger skin was taken out, even the well-informed Manager Hu was startled enough to spill his tea. Generally, a tiger of this size is already rare. Moreover, it is the skin of a white tiger, which is a once-in-a-thousand-years occurrence. What is even more fortuitous is that at that moment, Wu Angguo had just shot the tiger in the eye, so this tiger skin bore not a single scar