Chapter 22: San Niang Truly Knows How to Compliment...

Ximen Qing finally found the place, which was the home of the matchmaker, Mother Xue. After knocking several times, he was let into the courtyard.

"Officer," Mother Xue remarked, "even if you are in such a hurry to have Meng Yulou, you ought to let the woman get a good night's sleep first..."

"Didn't you say you had a plan?" Ximen Qing asked.

"Heh... about that matter... he-he..." Mother Xue immediately perked up, fixing her eyes on the wealthy Ximen.

The man knew exactly what she wanted. He reached into his sleeve and rummaged around. "I didn't bring much with me while heading out in the dead of night, but if the plan is sound, I will make it up to you later."

Mother Xue took the money, not minding the amount, and said, "Remember to make up the difference next time, Officer. Actually, it’s quite simple. People live for their reputations. She is a widow, and he is a rough official from the yamen—this sort of thing... you have plenty of servants and idlers under your command, just send them out to spread the word..."

"Spread what?" Ximen Qing asked.

"Just say... that Chief Su is using his power to bully others and seize the Yang family’s assets, and say that Meng Yulou has been having an illicit affair behind his back—the uglier the rumors, the better," Mother Xue said bluntly.

Ximen Qing suddenly realized the brilliance of the plan. "Heh, that is truly a fine idea. While it won't take his life, it will surely ruin his reputation."

"You are wise, Officer. Once the rumors start in the county, how could Meng Yulou avoid suspicion? And how could Chief Su dare to visit her home again? When that time comes, I shall step in. With the formal proposal of a matchmaker, you can marry her properly. By doing so, Meng Yulou will be cleared of those vile rumors, and you, Officer, will reap the rewards. She will even thank you for not minding her tarnished name. How could she not serve you well?"

Mother Xue spoke with such excitement that it seemed as if the deed were already done.

Ximen Qing was pleased to hear this; the plan was indeed excellent. He nodded. "The money is no issue; just make sure you get it done."

"Alright, you may go back now, Officer..." Mother Xue said, wanting to return to her sleep.

Ximen Qing did not leave. "I shall sit here for a while longer, until dawn breaks."

Mother Xue quickly took two steps back, covering her chest with both hands. "I have heard of your reputation, Officer. Surely you aren't thinking of... even me?"

Ximen Qing broke into a cold sweat. "What are you talking about! Just bring some tea and food. You old hag, you think too highly of yourself..."

Mother Xue chuckled. "You are not one to take a joke, Officer..."

"Go, go, go..." Ximen Qing felt a surge of irritation.

When dawn arrived, Ximen Qing left. He first stopped at his apothecary to settle some matters, then hurriedly exited the city, heading south. He was traveling over a hundred miles to Yuncheng, and then on to the eight-hundred-mile marshes of Mount Liang.

This journey was made with even greater urgency; the time to fight for his life had come. If he failed now, he would truly never dare to return home, let alone dream of Meng Yulou or his vast fortune.

Early that morning, Su Wu also went to the yamen to give Dong Jian some instructions. Accompanied by Wu Song, they rode two of the yamen's horses out of the city, heading east directly toward Dongping Prefecture.

Dongping Prefecture was, in fact, Yunzhou, a name changed only in recent years.

Yuncheng lay to the south of the Dongping Prefecture seat, while Yanggu lay to its west.

West of Yanggu lay the territory of Daming Prefecture, and the city of Daming was not far off. It was practically the economic and military center of the entire Northern Song Dynasty, serving as the Northern Capital. Yanggu County was situated on this very vital thoroughfare.

Daming Prefecture had its share of stories, too. It was home to the famous Liang Zhongshu, son-in-law of Cai Jing, and Lu Junyi, the "Jade Qilin" of Hebei, who was unmatched with a staff.

As Su Wu and Wu Song rode, their horses moved quickly. By noon, they decided to find a place to rest and eat.

Su Wu asked Wu Song, "What lies ahead?"

Wu Song replied, "Brother, how could you not know? Ahead is Dulong Ridge. It is the perfect place to stop and rest."

Dulong Ridge?

So, the stories from the first half of the Water Margin truly took place in the nearby vicinity.

Before Dulong Ridge stood three famous villages: the Zhu Family Village, the Hu Family Village, and the Li Family Village.

As Su Wu rode past Dulong Ridge, the three villages appeared in the distance, laid out in a triangular formation, their earthen walls built into fortresses.

Outside the villages, the fertile fields stretched as far as the eye could see. Why build the villages into fortresses? It was because these fields were so vast and prosperous that they feared bandits would covet them, necessitating self-defense.

During the day, the gates of the three fortresses remained open. As they sat on the official road, many merchants passed through. By offering lodging to travelers, the three villages earned a handsome profit.

In the center was the Zhu Family Village, with the Hu and Li families on either side. These three families held great renown in the world of chivalry.

"Soaring Sky" Li Ying was a man of great reputation. The Zhu Family Village was the most powerful; the old patriarch’s three sons were capable men, and they maintained nearly two thousand retainers. Among them was an instructor named Luan Tingyu, who was particularly formidable.

The Hu Family Village was the smallest, currently held by a brother and sister, Hu Cheng and his sister, Hu Sanniang.

Naturally, the three villages had formed a pact to advance and retreat together, making them as solid as a fortress. Rarely did any bandits dare to cause trouble there.

Looking at the three villages, Wu Song asked, "Brother, which way are we heading?"

Su Wu glanced left and right. "To the Hu Family Village."

The two rode toward it. The Hu Family Village was the smallest and slightly further away, and its merchant business was usually quieter. In the future, it would face complete annihilation, leaving only the "Ten-Foot Green" Hu Sanniang to survive under the hands of those who destroyed her clan.

Upon arriving, Su Wu tried not to dwell on these thoughts, though he couldn't help but think of those bandits from Mount Liang. While there were some men of loyalty and honor among them, as a whole, they had no bottom line when it came to their actions.

Entering the village, they found it small, with one main road. There was no need to look for a tavern. They ordered food and wine—for Wu Song, a meal wasn't a meal without a taste of spirits.

Su Wu did not drink much. Just as they were eating, a group of people rode into the village.

Leading them was a woman. She had long blades strapped to both sides of her waist, and her horse charged toward the tavern entrance without slowing down.

As she reached the door, she pulled the reins, causing the horse to rear up and neigh before coming to a sudden stop. The woman was dressed in a tight-sleeved, close-fitting martial outfit that accentuated her slender waist.

She vaulted off the horse. Su Wu had already guessed who she was, but he was still slightly surprised. The Song Dynasty actually had women who stood six feet tall—no wonder she was called "Ten-Foot Green."

She had a healthy, slender physique, and her features carried an air of martial prowess—arched brows and starry eyes, yet her face remained delicate and handsome.

She was dashing!

"Bring wine and food!" Hu Sanniang sat down as soon as she entered, followed by a group of burly men who took their seats around her.

"Coming, my lady! Right away!" the waiter shouted, beaming with joy.

Seeing Su Wu staring at her, Hu Sanniang felt his gaze. She was not the type to be coy, so she looked back at him.

Su Wu smiled. "Truly heroic."

Hu Sanniang’s eyes crinkled with a smile—a frank, open temperament. Like a man, she cupped her hands in a salute. "You are too kind!"

It was a pity, a great pity that such a girl would eventually end up living in misery, helpless before the enemies who slaughtered her family, forced to marry a "Short-Statured Tiger," and ultimately meeting a tragic end.

"Are you the third daughter of the Hu family?" Su Wu asked, also cupping his hands.

"I am. May I ask the names of the heroes before me?" Hu Sanniang asked. Seeing Su Wu and Wu Song, both carrying sharp blades, with horses outside, and looking tall and sturdy, she knew they were people of the martial world.

"Su Wu of Yanggu," Su Wu replied with a smile.

"Hmm?" Hu Sanniang arched her brows, looked them over, and asked, "Chief Su of Yanggu? The one who hunted the great tiger on Jingyang Ridge in the dead of night?"

Who said reputation was useless?

Su Wu replied, "I did not know such a small feat had traveled so far."

Hu Sanniang laughed. "How far is this? It's only fifty or sixty miles away. We have many merchants passing through here; who doesn't talk about Chief Su of Yanggu being a hero? Who doesn't thank the Chief for keeping the roads safe? Back when that tiger was harming people, our business was desolate..."

"You certainly know how to flatter a person, Sanniang..." Su Wu laughed.

He then saw Hu Sanniang stand up and walk toward them. "Since we have such a connection, would Chief Su care to sit and have a couple of cups with me?"