Chapter 55: Golden Treasure
Rain beat on the green tiles, water curtains like waterfalls.
On the corridor, Yang Jinbao’s fat body suddenly stiffened, the playful smile on his face instantly frozen.
Then with a back leap, nimble like a big fat goose, he flapped down onto a side railing chair.
Only then did he yank off the black cloth over his eyes, squinting his small eyes, looking at Hong Yuan with shock and suspicion, “Which family’s youth dares to tease your Treasure Grandpa?”
Hong Yuan smiled. Seeing that this cheap martial uncle was already fat and bloated, full-faced with fat meat, but between his brows and eyes one could still see some resemblance to Yang Lie, he immediately gave a salute.
“Hong Yuan has seen Martial Uncle. Your big brother sent me to find you.”
Yang Jinbao was stunned, his eyes suddenly widening. He leaped down from the chair, circled around Hong Yuan once, scrutinizing even more carefully, and tsked: “You’re Ergouzi’s disciple? Empty words without proof, what evidence do you have?”
Hong Yuan glanced at those curious peeping warbling swallows and smiled, “No evidence, but Teacher told me that when Martial Uncle you were fourteen, you were tricked away by the Brothel Madam from the county’s pleasure house, didn’t return all night, and the next day the Brothel Madam personally sent you home, leaving behind two qian of silver as a gift, resulting in your parents beating you harshly, unable to get out of bed for three days and nights…”
“Enough, don’t say it!” When Hong Yuan said ‘fourteen’, Yang Jinbao’s brows were already twitching wildly, stretching out a fat hand to block the other’s mouth.
But Hong Yuan lightly turned and dodged away, spilling out all the rest of the words in one go. Yang Jinbao’s face was already black as the bottom of a pot.
Only those few coquettish women let out a series of stifled laughs.
“Master, so you have such a past, no wonder you’re so fated with us sisters.”
“That bitch who broke Master’s body, which family is she from? This concubine will go reason with her.”
Yang Jinbao had a face full of bad luck, waving his hands repeatedly: “Get lost, get lost, my martial nephew is here, all of you go away first.”
The several women left giggling and frolicking, bickering, complaining as they walked: “Master really uses people forward but not backward, just now he was intimate with us, now he flips face, hmph! Tonight don’t think of us sisters serving you…”
“Martial nephew is really handsome, have you opened the meat yet? This slave has a sister in Wei Cui Tower, a delicate pure courtesan, how about this slave takes martial nephew to comb the cage?”
“You this wanton wench, I
Hong Yuan looking at the several women, some mature women over thirty, some pretty and lively eighteen or nineteen-year-olds, couldn’t help but sigh: “Martial Uncle this life, lived really comfortably.”
Yang Jinbao leaned against the railing, spread his legs, sat down carelessly: “Since you know Treasure Grandpa lives comfortably, then don’t come bother me!”
“I don’t care what Ergouzi sent you to find me for, I’ve long quit Jianghu, only want to live a rich and idle life, my martial arts wasted seven or eight parts, looking for me to learn martial arts is the wrong door.”
Just said a few serious words, regardless of Hong Yuan’s reaction, his demeanor suddenly became lecherous: “But you are after all my martial nephew, I as martial uncle not entertaining you would really be unreasonable, how about this, tonight martial uncle takes you to the neighboring Wei Cui Tower to see the world…”
“No need for that, I’ve seen the world together with Yang Lie brother, especially Yang Lie brother, he really is that heroic, great, no need for more words!”
Hong Yuan waved his hand, face full of admiration.
“Yang Lie, what did that stinky kid do?”
Yang Jinbao muttered: “Actually didn’t call me along, really unfilial.”
Calling you along would really be too filial.
Hong Yuan’s expression turned serious: “Martial Uncle, this time you really have to come with us.”
Yang Jinbao dug his nostril, flicked out a small booger: “Say one two three, Treasure Grandpa really doesn’t believe the sky has fallen?”
“Not that serious, just accidentally killed a few more people.”
Hong Yuan said lightly: “Among them Golden Soup Camp Commander Guo Zhen, Hua Family Young Master, Wei Zhenzhu, Grain Transport Gang’s third Head, other small roles and some gang leaders, county great families and tyrants, all kinds totaling ten or twenty, no need to mention more.”
Yang Jinbao’s mouth gaped open, already stupefied listening.
Rainwater from the eaves pouring on his head also ignored, only after a good while, did he pat his somewhat stiff face.
“You’re joking with me?”
Hong Yuan said faintly: “Martial Uncle please compose yourself, Hong someone is a modest gentleman, never jokes with men.”
“Fuck!” Yang Jinbao leaped up, kicked the railing, splintering pieces of wood, he cursed angrily: “Plagued Ergouzi, fuck his grandma, why doesn’t he go die.”
“Martial Uncle like a mad dog, speech vulgar, please recover, I must remind Martial Uncle, Teacher’s grandma is also your grandma…”
Hong Yuan said solemnly.
“Shut your mouth! I saw at a glance you’re seemingly honest, actually sly and cunning, not good goods.”
Yang Jinbao huffed.
“Seeing Martial Uncle like this, clearly doesn’t want to go, has backbone!” Hong Yuan raised his thumb, praised: “Since so, martial nephew will go first.”
Said so, but body didn’t move an inch.
Yang Jinbao glared at Hong Yuan, sulked half a day, then slumped his face: “Can I not go? Dare I not go? If I stay, afraid to be cut thousand knives ten thousand cuts.”
He flung his sleeve, hands behind back, face like a dead father, strode away.
“Martial Uncle, you this is?”
“Treasure Grandpa is running away, gotta arrange the women and servants at home first.” Yang Jinbao said angrily.
Walked a stretch, turned head asking Hong Yuan: “What exactly did you all do? Why kill those people?”
Hong Yuan then simply told the Moon Embracing Garden matter.
Only ten some sentences to summarize.
In short, he entered Moon Embracing Garden, discovered Yang Erhu threatened, life on the line, he immediately acted, chopped Hua Feiyun, chopped Wei Zhenzhu, chopped Grain Transport Gang Jin San, Guo Commander…
“Moon Embracing Garden Hero’s Arena? How did Ergouzi get involved?”
Yang Jinbao in the prefecture city, though didn’t participate in that Moon Embracing Garden, had heard of such an arena fight.
He deeply looked at Hong Yuan once, although the other said it lightly, key points mostly glossed over.
But Yang Jinbao knew well the danger within.
So many Noble Clans big shots participating, guard strength how powerful? How many in number?
Yang Jinbao knew with his butt there were numerous.
Yang Erhu’s martial arts he knew deeply, now not in prime of life, probably declined much, so truly leading this matter is this nearby youth looking elegant like jade?
Able to kill rampantly in the guard-clouded, masters-numerous Moon Embracing Garden, still safely exit, this martial nephew’s martial arts height, probably exceeded his imagination.
Soon, Yang Jinbao gathered all the women, servant women, Household Guards, Steward from home to the corridor to speak.
Total not even twenty people.
Yang Jinbao’s gaze scanned the field, sighed.
Steward Zhang first asked: “Master, don’t know gathering us for what?”
Yang Jinbao said: “Master I idle too long seek movement, plan to wander four directions, don’t know when can return, after all acquainted once, before leaving, gotta arrange you all well.”
These words out, everyone on site panicked, Yang Jinbao good-natured, always smiling, never mistreated servants.
Such a Master, hard to find with lantern.
Servants just panicked pale, those women all cried whimpering, one by one calling ‘Master Master’, about to pounce over.
“Enough!” Yang Jinbao low shouted, stern face: “This matter I decided, no need discuss. These years I saved some money, though not much…”
He in prefecture city bought properties, besides this Courtyard House, two big shops, not saying gold flowing daily, at least comfortably off, never worried for silver.
Just expenses also big, thus saved money really not much.
Of course, for these women and servants, also quite rich.
His main wife died early, only Yang Lie this sole son, after no remarriage, though frequented flower streets willow alleys, took in many Brothel prostitutes, never birthed more heirs.
Before these women entered door, Yang Jinbao mentioned whenever unwilling to follow him, he would send a generous gift.
Over years several sent out door, Yang Jinbao never broke word.
Seeing Yang Jinbao plan set, no way to change, women could only wipe tears, accept arrangements.
“Servants, each take five months’ pay!”
“Steward Zhang, later you distribute.”
Yang Jinbao looking at the house Steward said.
Steward Zhang nodded yes, then heard Yang Jinbao sigh: “After silver given, you return, after all served me ten years, gotta leave you a big gift.”
This Steward Zhang ten years worked for him, wholeheartedly, even if give him the shop, Yang Jinbao wouldn’t stint.
Pity, can’t do that.
Steward Zhang no ability to hold the shop, not one works, giving him just harms.
His remaining Wealth just over thousand taels or so, plans to keep one two hundred taels himself, rest split to Steward and several women.
Though in gale sudden rain, distributing money done quick, servants one by one took money, came to thank and bid farewell.
Women likewise, only one plump figure, oval face mature woman tightly hugging Yang Jinbao, “Master, slave waits you return.”
Yang Jinbao pushed her away, laughed: “Jin Suo’er, you know Master’s temper, most likes fun, this go out not play thoroughly how willing return? So, better find a honest steady man to marry!”
“Master…”
“Ai! Gotta know to adapt, even if you marry, Master returns can still find you to play! Alright, go!”
Sent off this Jin Suo’er, corridor already only three left, besides Yang Jinbao and Hong Yuan, that Steward Zhang.
“Steward Zhang, why not gone?”
“Master’s Wealth, I divided to several madames, myself won’t keep!” Steward Zhang smiled.
These words made Yang Jinbao brow raise, heard Steward Zhang continue: “I old age, no heirs, too lazy to move place, this Courtyard House better let me guard for Master, also save Master returns, even home gone.”
Yang Jinbao pondered slightly: “Steward, I won’t hide, this trip out, to avoid disaster, you if stay here…”
Steward Zhang bowed, smiled: “I probably can guess, but no matter, die at home better than die outside.”
Yang Jinbao looked at him good half day, deeply sighed, no more words.
Not long, Yang Jinbao packed complete.
Actually nothing much to prepare, besides pocketed two hundred Silver Notes, just changed to tight clothes, wore raincoat, head Conical Hat, waist hung Steel Saber.
At this moment, he no longer had prior rich look, even fat face seemed cold stern.
Two stepped out Courtyard House moment, ‘boom’ a dull thunder exploded in rolling ink clouds, heavy rain even more pouring.
All way silent, toward City Wall going, turn a Street, exactly crossed with a team full mud, quite wretched people.
Proceeding between, such teams encountered more and more, mostly extraordinary clothes, body mud water hard hide luxury, each shocked uncalmed, faces with post-disaster survivor joy.
Hong Yuan’s movement too fast.
Even after entering city delayed this time, those from Moon Embracing Garden escaped Great Families tyrants, Noble figures just arrived city.
For these people, no place gives more security sense than prefecture city.
Thus even not prefecture city Noble Clans, those county Great Families also unanimously fled into prefecture city.
Until saw again dozens Armored Soldiers, each face ashen, guarding a big cart, hastily passing.
Yang Jinbao body paused, said: “That’s Golden Soup Camp’s personal guards, their direction is Guo Family…”
Sudden rain, Golden Soup Camp remaining these Armored Soldiers naturally can’t let Guo Zhen rain all way, thus after entering city found big cart transport corpse.
Only these people one by one grief dead, plus heavy rain pouring, didn’t see clearly holding Oil-paper Umbrella brushing past Hong Yuan.
Hong Yuan laughed: “Martial Uncle, want to say what?”
“Nothing, just suddenly remembered, some things not done, gotta wait a bit.” Yang Jinbao said.
“Can’t wait!” Hong Yuan light laughed, suddenly closed oil umbrella, big hand reached, grabbed Yang Jinbao’s shoulder.
Yang Jinbao suddenly felt unable move, following body not own rapidly leaped out, fat body in Hong Yuan hand also light as nothing, moments arrived a Wall Top.
Foot tip quick point wall, floating light shadow crossed over.
Whoosh sounds amid, heavy rain wild wind poured, Yang Jinbao only felt four directions all ‘buzz’ ringing, face couldn’t help shocked.
Abruptly, Hong Yuan movement stopped, Yang Jinbao gasped, cursed: “You want to kill martial uncle?”
He looked back, fierce rain curtain, where see City Wall shadow, just this moment, Hong Yuan brought him in this muddy rain ground rapid run, already leaped several li away.
“Alright, Martial Uncle, I know what you worry.”
Hong Yuan looking at Yang Jinbao, laughed: “You and my Teacher years not seen, just right reminisce brothers’ bond, he at Jade Belt River and Dragon Spine River junction that woods, surely you can find.”
“Remaining matters, leave to me!”
Speaking between, Hong Yuan figure swayed, already toward prefecture city returned.
