Chapter 33: Stealing Credit

Chapter 33: Claiming Credit

Hu Sheng's eyes were shadowed with dark circles, and stubble dotted his chin; this weary appearance somewhat diminished his striking good looks. Yet, when Zhao An saw him, he felt only a pang of tenderness and pity. Realizing the depth of his own emotions, Zhao An knew, once again, that he had truly fallen.

Feng Shaoping stood beside Hu Sheng, observing Zhao An's solicitous care—checking on him, busily fetching water for him to wash his face, and urging him to eat. Feng Shaoping felt like an unwelcome extra, not even meriting a glance.

After the three had finished breakfast, Zhao An was about to guide Hu Sheng to his room for rest when Hu Sheng pointed at Feng Shaoping and said, "Didn't you send someone to find him, saying you wanted him to escort the bandits who plundered Wang Family Village to the authorities?"

In truth, the previous night, after Hu Sheng and Feng Shaoping encountered the audacious bandits from Half Slope Village who had attempted to rob them, they learned that these same bandits had once tried to raid Zhao Family Village, only to be utterly defeated and sent packing.

According to the captives' confessions, they had been repelled by patrols before even entering Zhao Family Village. Nevertheless, Hu Sheng worked through the night to settle the several thousand people he had brought back, then rushed down the mountain without delay to confirm Zhao An's safety. He and Feng Shaoping arrived just outside the village, where they coincidentally met Liu Hu, who was on his way to town to seek help.

Upon hearing from Liu Hu that Zhao An was indeed safe and sound, Hu Sheng calmly proceeded to Zhao An's door and knocked.

Zhao An fed Hu Sheng chicken and shredded pork porridge with fried fish, then firmly insisted he go to his room to sleep. "Rest well; don't worry about anything else for now." Then, turning to Feng Shaoping, who, though slightly fatigued, appeared more energetic, he said, "Since Young Master Feng hasn't gone to town yet, why don't I accompany you to the county seat with these bandits?"

Though Feng Shaoping envied the attention Hu Sheng received, he knew escorting the captives to the county seat was serious business. Before leaving, he could only cast a resentful glance at Hu Sheng, only to be met with a cheerful smile, which only fueled his irritation.

Transporting over a dozen individuals, both living and dead, to the county seat was too much for Liu Hu to handle alone with an ox cart. Fortunately, Scholar Zhao's family offered a donkey cart, but it was only for the living. The seven deceased were stacked like logs and bound to the ox cart, while the four survivors squeezed into the small donkey cart. Zhao An personally drove, and they slowly made their way out of the village.

Along the way, some people, seeing the dead, quickly steered clear, while others approached to watch and inquire.

Zhao An remained silent, but Feng Shaoping enthusiastically informed the onlookers that these were the bandits who had robbed Wang Family Village and had now been apprehended. Feng Shaoping had been regularly patrolling various villages with constables, so people were quite familiar with him. Hearing his words, they showered him with compliments.

Zhao An watched as Feng Shaoping boasted to these unsuspecting bystanders, claiming he had led the pursuit of these bandits to Zhao Family Village and, with the villagers, captured the gang. He even exaggerated his martial prowess, saying he could take on three bandits at once and that the bandit leader had been so terrified of him he fled in terror.

Though Zhao An recognized these fabrications, he understood that Feng Shaoping wasn't trying to steal credit but was instead attempting to legitimize Zhao Family Village's militia training. Otherwise, Zhao An's actions, though taken in self-defense, could be severely scrutinized and lead to serious trouble.

Liu Hu, who had accompanied Zhao An, failed to grasp Feng Shaoping's underlying good intentions, believing he was merely trying to steal credit. With a cold expression, he repeatedly cast hostile glances at Feng Shaoping on his horse. However, due to Feng Shaoping's status as the county magistrate's son, Liu Hu could only seethe in silence.

Zhao An observed all this and decided that upon returning, he would conduct a moral education session for the villagers. At the very least, he needed to ensure they didn't flaunt their strength or challenge the authorities in the surrounding villages. They needed to understand that their martial skills were for self-defense only, and that to achieve a good life, they must focus on economic development.

What should have been a half-hour journey by ox cart took them a full hour. Feng Shaoping, much like when Zhao An first met him showing off his lightness skill in public, behaved like a frivolous and attention-seeking young man, always eager to make a spectacle.

Especially upon meeting County Magistrate Feng, Feng Shaoping seemed to lose all sense, completely oblivious to the pained yet excited expression on his father’s face. He repeated the exaggerated stories he’d told the onlookers, embellishing them even further for County Magistrate Feng.

However, Zhao An had to thank Feng Shaoping for his protection. At least when County Magistrate Feng looked at him, the scrutinizing gaze quickly vanished. Instead, the magistrate began to calculate, based on Feng Shaoping's description, how to report his accomplishments when handing these bandits over to the prefectural government. Even if he couldn't gain any benefits, he could at least mitigate the political damage caused by the massacre at Wang Family Village.

Moreover, with the recent unrest in the city and grain prices having doubled, he could use the execution of the bandits as an opportunity to invite several local gentry to witness the punishment. This would remind them not to push people too far, lest they reap what they sow.

As noon approached, County Magistrate Feng insisted on inviting Zhao An to stay for a meal. At the table, he raised his wine cup with a smile and said, "I must offer a toast to Young Master Zhao. You truly never forget to serve the country, even while living in the countryside. Training militias to assist the government in pursuing bandits is truly commendable."

Seeing the shrewd look and highly suggestive expression on County Magistrate Feng’s face, Zhao An immediately understood his intention. He quickly stood up, raised his cup, and said, "This humble one does not deserve such praise. It is only because the magistrate loves the people as his own that the villagers, grateful for your kindness, have learned to hate evil and dare to fight bandits."

It seemed the magistrate was the one truly trying to claim credit, or perhaps he had taken a hint from Feng Shaoping. Whatever his motive, Zhao An still had to thank him and drained his cup in one gulp.

Having gotten the words he wanted, County Magistrate Feng ate a few bites of food before excusing himself to attend to other matters. He left Feng Shaoping to keep Zhao An company and hurried off.

Feng Shaoping finally dropped his triumphant expression, pushed his wine cup away, and complained, "The old man is so stingy, serving this unsellable, watered-down wine when inviting guests."

Zhao An also set down his cup and picked up a piece of bamboo shoot from the braised ham. "It doesn’t matter. I’m not much of a drinker anyway. At least the magistrate agreed to reward our village with fifty taels of silver. That’s what really matters."

"As if you need such a small amount of silver," Feng Shaoping scoffed, then clapped his hands and called out, "Wang Fu, quickly bring that jug of fine grape wine for young master!"

Zhao An wanted to refuse, but Feng Shaoping laughed softly and said, "I’m using your name as an excuse. I’ve been wanting to drink this for a long time."

Zhao An laughed along, suddenly realizing he had been lending his name to others all day.

When the grape wine was brought out, Feng Shaoping said, "This was made from the grapes your family bought. Brother Hu also likes it. Why don’t you brew a bottle for him yourself? I guarantee he’ll be so happy he’ll agree to marry you on the spot."

Since Hu Sheng liked it, Zhao An was naturally willing to brew wine for him. But Zhao An had to emphasize one thing: "Even if I don’t give him wine, he’d still be willing to marry me."

It should be fine, Zhao An thought, clenching his hand under the table.