Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 116 : Chen Yang

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If Xiao Chiye said he would return in three days, then he would return in three days. When he hurried back to the foot of Cizhou’s city gates in the middle of the night, the city gates had already been opened, with torches brightly illuminating the city walls. The Imperial Army held the captives in line and entered. Zhou Gui had cleared out the prison in the south for the Imperial Army to hold these bandits in custody. He received Xiao Chiye and said, “Your Lordship has been working hard! The soldiers are tired after having eradicated the bandits. I’ve already gotten men to prepare meals for all. Everyone, this way, please.”

Xiao Chiye dismounted and said, “Thank you, Your Excellency, for going to the trouble.”
Zhou Gui followed Xiao Chiye in and said with a radiant expression, “I saw General Tantai’s report that the bandits have been taken captive in the east. They have been completely disbanded. And Your Lordship personally went after Lei Jingzhe. This is truly… truly marvelous!”

Xiao Chiye had already caught sight of Shen Zechuan, and Shen Zechuan had also seen Xiao Chiye. A few guards were following behind Shen Zechuan, and Qiao Tianya was carrying a lantern in hand; they had obviously been waiting for a long time. Still speaking to Zhou Gui, he said, “I shall have a detailed discussion regarding Lei Jingzhe with Your Excellency in the study tomorrow morning.”

Zhou Gui thought Xiao Chiye was tired from being on the go, so he hurriedly nodded and said, “sure.” Kong Ling was more perceptive than him. Although he was not used to it, he also knew that they were getting in the way, so he threw out a random excuse and led Zhou Gui away.

Chen Yang stepped forward to take the horse. The guards behind all kneeled on one knee and said, “Congratulations to Master on your triumphant return!”

Xiao Chiye undid his arm guards and took off the Conqueror Bow and said, “You may rise. Have you been waiting long?”

Shen Zechuan took the lantern over from Qiao Tianya and turned around to walk with Xiao Chiye along the street. He answered, “Quite a while.”

Xiao Chiye lowered his fingers and took the lantern over from Shen Zechuan’s hand, while Shen Zechuan took the arm guards Xiao Chiye had just taken off to look it over.

On seeing this, Xiao Chiye said, “These are old stuff from a few years back. The metal was cast by Libei, and the leather strings on top were supplied to the Eight Great Training Divisions right from Qudu. It came apart from the chafing the last time I drew the Conqueror Bow here. I’ll think of a way to replace it before I return to Libei.”

The leather strings used for binding on the arm guards were indeed worn out. Shen Zechuan hooked it several times and said to Qiao Tianya. “Take it and put it aside first.”

Noting that both of them were moving in the wrong direction, Xiao Chiye could not help but cast a sidelong glance where the Zhou’s residence was. Then he looked at Shen Zechuan and said, “Have we moved out?”

“Of course, we have to move out.” Shen Zechuan went up the stairs. “It’s not convenient to keep staying in Zhou Gui’s residence. He just had a grandson at the beginning of the year, and his entire family is crammed into two courtyards. It’s too much of an inconvenience to them. I had someone ask around a few days ago, and it just so happened that a residence here caught my eye.”

Both of them had already entered the wide alley as he spoke. The slabstone path led right to the main entrance. Xiao Chiye sized it up and said, “It’s next to the main street, and it’s close to Zhou Gui’s residence. It’ll be convenient to discuss matters during normal hours. You’ve chosen an excellent location.”