Chapter 4, I have arrived

It is indeed quite interesting

Bao Zheng bowed and said: "Your Majesty has already issued a self-punishing edict due to the great disaster. Heaven and Earth will naturally appreciate Your Majesty's sincere intentions, and next year will surely bring favorable weather and abundant rain"

From the crowd that blocked the gap emerged an official, as dark as a peasant, who halted the horse and spear of the military general

The general returned Tie Xinyuan to Wang Rouhua, who had just begun to feel a glimmer of hope, and scratched his head, saying: "Whether it is the Court of Judicial Review or the Kaifeng Prefecture handling the case, isn't it all a dead end? My nephew does not believe that you, uncle, would show any leniency."

The constables responded with a roar, arriving ten paces outside the imperial city, brandishing their knives and shouting: "Those outside, raise your donkey ears and listen clearly, the governor has issued an order: anyone daring to approach within ten paces of the imperial city shall be executed!"

With a place to stand, Wang Rouhua seemed to have boundless energy. In a very short time, she not only set up a simple tent with an oilcloth but also laid all the dry clothes in the bathtub. She jumped into the bathtub with her son and the little fox, preparing to sleep

Bao Zheng stepped forward and ordered someone to unlock the iron chain around Wang Rouhua's neck, saying with a smile: "Your Majesty is benevolent; it is indeed a stroke of luck for you and your son to be freed. It is not suitable to settle down at the foot of the imperial city. How about I find you a better place to live?"

Bao Zheng, disregarding the heavy rain from the sky, removed his hat and let the rain drench his face as he loudly proclaimed: "Benevolence and filial piety are the pillars of our Great Song's foundation, and the law of the land is the very basis of our state. How can we casually abolish it just because of an unforeseen incident involving a prince? Your Majesty, please think carefully!"

This principle is exceedingly simple; Tie Xin Yuan has never considered that resting with his mother by the royal wall is a grave offense

The general jumped down from the warhorse while supporting Tie Xinyuan, bending down and saying: "This peasant woman has indeed committed a capital offense against the heavenly laws"

Tie Xinyuan looked at the two people talking under the umbrella with resentment and malice. Bao Zheng seemed to sense something, turned around, and glanced at Wang Rouhua, who was shivering in the rain. He took a couple of steps closer to her and said: "I will ensure that your son is taken care of, you need not worry."

Wang Rouhua's breathing was steady; she had already fallen asleep and naturally could not hear her son speaking in a strange tone. The little fox lying at the feet of Tie Xinyuan heard it, perked up its ears in confusion, and upon not hearing any further sounds, it placed its mouth back on its tiny tail.

Wang Rouhua's tears fell on Tie Xinyuan's face, like the heavy rain outside, while Tie Xinyuan's gaze was coldly fixed on Bao Zheng's face, not blinking at all

The young emperor, after finishing his words, turned to glance at Tie Xinyuan, who was sitting on the ground with her ears perked up in listening. Seeing her and her child in such a pitiable state, he felt a pang in his heart as he recalled his three sons who had died young. He waved his hand to the eunuch and then turned to get into the carriage

The sky had not yet completely darkened, but more than a dozen large gas lamps had already illuminated the surroundings as if it were broad daylight

The man sitting on the warhorse, resembling a god of war, seemed to make the one before him unable to even stand upright. He stood before the horse and scolded the general, saying: "Foolish!"

Bao Zheng sighed and said to Wang Rouhua: "Take care of yourself!"

Wang Rouhua has escaped great peril, and her mood is naturally excellent. She playfully ruffled the little fox's head and said: "You are also quite fortunate."

Wang Rouhua stubbornly pushed her son's head, which was always trying to peek out, back into the swaddling blanket, and shooed the little fox aside. Only then did she comfortably rest her head on the bundle containing money, and before long, she fell into a deep sleep.

Wang Rouhua was still in a state of confusion, unaware of the changes that had occurred, but Tie Xinyuan understood clearly. Seeing the flag held by the soldiers marked with "Song" and considering the titles used by the two individuals, how could Tie Xinyuan, who was extremely well-versed in historical texts, fail to deduce their identities?

Bao Zheng hesitated for a moment and said: "No, however, the dignity of the law must still be upheld"

The previously quiet Tie Xinyuan suddenly burst into loud cries, the sound piercingly sorrowful. Wang Rouhua, upon realizing that her child would no longer have a mother in the future, also knelt on the ground and wept bitterly. No matter how the constable, holding the iron chain, tried to drag her away, she remained seated in the mud, holding her son and weeping in anguish

Seeing that her son's swaddling cloth was already soaked, Wang Rouhua did not dare to delay. She hurriedly took the changed swaddling cloth; although that cloth was somewhat damp, it was still drier than this set of swaddling cloth.

Before long, a frail young man emerged from the carriage, sheltered under a large umbrella. He glanced at Wang Rouhua and her child, then looked up at the dark sky and slowly said to Bao Zheng: "Disasters are unending; this is Heaven's warning to me. The suffering of the people is my responsibility."

The dark-skinned official glanced at the military officer and coldly remarked, "Those who violate the heavenly laws must naturally be held accountable. However, this peasant woman is not one of your soldiers. Even if she possesses a sharp knife, there must be another reason for it. You are a military officer; what authority do you have to deal with the common people?"

Yang Huaiyu, Bao Zheng

Two burly men stood on the yoke of the cart, remaining steadfast despite the pouring rain, while the soldiers standing on either side were as silent as statues.

The sound of crying finally attracted the attention of the person in the carriage. A figure draped in a raincoat, holding a whisk, stepped out of the carriage, spoke a few words in a low voice to Bao Zheng, glanced at the mother and son, Wang Rouhua, who were sitting on the ground weeping, and then returned to the carriage

Wang Rouhua, beaming with joy, held her son in one arm while grasping the heavy five guan of copper coins in the other. Before she could express her gratitude to the eunuch, he had already vanished from sight.

Wang Rouhua let out a muffled groan and dragged her reward back to the corner.

It is still raining in the sky, but the intensity of the rain has diminished significantly. Occasionally, droplets that drift into the corners of the city walls strike against the oilcloth, creating a muffled sound.

Wang Rouhua sat in the bathtub and prayed: "Seventh Brother, this is all thanks to your blessings from the heavens. You must ensure that our child grows as strong as an ox, so that he can carry on your lineage and continue the family legacy. I will also work hard to raise our child."

The swaddling blanket is already soaked. Just a moment ago, the little fox hidden in the blanket was frightened, but now, due to the crowd, it is hiding even more cautiously. Its mischievous tail keeps brushing against Tie Xinyuan's skin, causing his cries to become even sharper several times.

Regardless of the circumstances, these two historically renowned figures, one being brutal and the other pedantic, could not even ensure the safety of themselves and their child, who were merely seeking refuge in a corner from the heavy rain, ultimately failing to preserve their lives

The young general bowed and expressed his gratitude, saying: "Thank you, Uncle Bao, for your teachings. I, your little nephew, have taken note of them"

Wang Rouhua returned to the corner, placed her son back in the bathtub, and proudly shook his rain-soaked head, saying to him: "Son, our family has struck it rich; we now have 8 guan of money. What do you think about us building a small house to live in right here? The rest of the money will be saved for you, and when the time comes, I will definitely find you a beautiful wife like a flower."

With a chain around his neck, Wang Rouhua was dragged out from the corner by the constables while holding onto Tie Xinyuan. Suddenly, Tie Xinyuan noticed a large horse-drawn carriage that had just stopped not far away.

Bao Zheng looked around, his pupils narrowing, and said to the constable beside him: "Apart from that mother and child, anyone who approaches within ten steps of the imperial city shall be executed!"

Killing this peasant woman would preserve the dignity of the law? I do not see it this way. The royal family has lost three princes over the years, and the reason I have not had any offspring during this time is likely related to the excessive harshness of the laws.

Having clearly heard the conversation between the Emperor and Bao Zheng, Wang Rouhua, now aware that she would not die, felt a surge of her fierce peasant spirit. She tightly embraced her son and declared loudly: "I am a subject of Your Majesty, and naturally I will follow Your Majesty's arrangements. I would rather set up a thatched hut at the foot of the imperial city than live in the grand mansion you offer!"

Even if there is, it is still unfair

One should repay kindness with kindness and enmity with enmity. In the previous life, what pained me the most was not being able to repay the debts of gratitude I owed before arriving here. In this life, I naturally cannot tolerate such a situation occurring again

Tie Xinyuan understood that this was the most authentic side of Wang Rouhua's heart; whether it was the emperor, the governor, or the general, they were all too distant from her.

Through the gaps of the swaddling, Tie Xinyuan gazed at the dark sky, revealing a strange smile, and said in a clear and measured tone: "I have arrived!"

The black-faced official let out a muffled sound and said: "Once the law of the state is established, it must naturally be executed according to the law. Although there are human feelings beyond the law, the imperial authority cannot be despised; this is an ironclad rule. Huaiyu, you are young and impetuous, and you must never again engage in such reckless behavior. Your father is currently serving as the defense commander in Fengzhou, and many people are watching him, hoping for his downfall. As you serve as the personal guard of His Majesty, the Dragon Guard, you must not give anyone a handle to grasp; otherwise, it will implicate your father. This woman has indeed committed a crime punishable by death, but the plight of her being a widow with orphans is truly pitiful. Killing someone in the street is extremely detrimental to your future reputation as an official!" This woman has indeed committed a crime punishable by death, but the plight of her being a widow with orphans is truly pitiful. Killing someone in the street is extremely detrimental to your future reputation as an official!

Tie Xinyuan could not sleep, repeatedly attempting to control his tongue to practice speaking. The greatest trouble of being a baby is the inability to communicate with others

She would rather regard the scene just now as a manifestation of her husband's spirit than believe that those officials were showing great compassion

Wang Rouhua finished speaking and then hugged her son, burrowing into the corner of the wall. The eunuch who had been standing nearby chuckled and said: "This is quite reasonable! Even if His Majesty gives a thatched cottage, it is more honorable than a grand mansion given by others. This is five guan of money, a reward from His Majesty for you and your mother."

Tie Xinyuan opened his toothless mouth and laughed with a cawing sound. The little fox, seeing that there were no more people around, jumped out of the swaddling and called out to Wang Rouhua with a whimpering sound.

The emperor shook his head and pointed outside the city, saying: "Enough, I have seen enough of the common people's corpses today, and I truly do not wish to create another. Issue a decree, let me borrow a corner of the royal residence to provide shelter for her and her child, and you shall not speak further on this matter!"

The young man coughed lightly and said: "Over the years, I have already issued three edicts of self-accusation. In the eyes of heaven, I fear I have become a sinner. Forget it, just do not create more troubles for me, and I will be content. Do you think this mother and child have the ability to threaten the palace, or to assassinate me?"

However, he does not practice speaking in order to start a conversation with his mother tomorrow, as that would frighten her and also scare the people of Tokyo

After the eunuch finished speaking, he ignored the awkwardly standing Bao Zheng and took off his own raincoat, draping it over Wang Rouhua's shoulders, saying: "This is a gift from our family to you, just for the words you spoke earlier"

Bao Zheng felt a moment of confusion, then shook his head to dismiss the strange thoughts in his mind. As the saying goes, "A scholar does not speak of strange forces or chaotic spirits." He indeed should not think too much about it; after all, it was just a child who had not yet reached adulthood