Chapter 52: Hong Yuying, Daughter of Hong Chengchou

An hour had passed before a servant finally brought Li Yi forward.

But just as they reached the door of the study, the sound of an argument rang out from inside.

A clear, spirited young woman shouted in anger, "Why am I not allowed to go out? Mother sent me here to look after you, not to be imprisoned!"

"Yuying, Mizhi is not like the capital. Bandits are everywhere here. What if you run into danger? Listen to your father," Hong Chengchou pleaded with his daughter, his tone indulgent yet weary.

But Hong Yuying was having none of it. The door to the study was flung open and a young girl in a pomegranate-dyed, cross-collared long dress burst out.

She looked about Li Yi's age, with bright, expressive phoenix-like eyes, delicate nose and lips, and fair skin that gave her an adorable, charming beauty.

Yet now her face was flushed with anger. She met Li Yi head-on, rolled her eyes at him, and said bluntly, "Move aside."

Li Yi glanced at her and stepped out of the way.

Hong Yuying stormed off, still seething.

The servant entered the study to announce Li Yi’s arrival, and he waited outside for quite a while longer.

"Come in," called Hong Chengchou from within.

Li Yi entered the study. Following Shi Kefa’s instructions, he bowed and greeted quietly, "This humble commoner pays respects to my lord."

"Hmm," Hong Chengchou responded, his eyes never leaving the memorial in his hands, his brow furrowed deeply.

Li Yi waited, bent at the waist, for a long moment.

At last, Hong Chengchou set the document aside, but did not bid Li Yi rise. Instead, he regarded him with a frown.

He was surprised at how young Li Yi appeared. But seeing the young man’s upright, handsome figure and calm, mature bearing, Hong Chengchou nodded ever so slightly.

Clothes make the man, as the saying goes; first impressions are crucial. If Li Yi had shown up in his ragged sheepskin coat, face still callow, even if he didn’t anger Hong Chengchou, he would have surely been looked down upon.

Shi Kefa had instructed Li Yi to bathe and dress properly, knowing Hong Chengchou’s temperament and quietly lending him a hand.

"There’s no need for so much ceremony," Hong Chengchou finally said.

Li Yi straightened and stood quietly to the side.

Hong Chengchou regarded him with growing curiosity. "How old are you?"

"I’ll be sixteen after the New Year," Li Yi replied.

"Sixteen? A hero in his youth, indeed. Do you have any family?" Hong Chengchou stroked his beard with a smile.

"My parents passed away early. I have only a betrothed wife."

Hong Chengchou’s brow creased slightly.

No parents or brothers—that meant he had no ties, and would be difficult to control. The idea of giving Li Yi important responsibilities faded in his mind.

"Shi Kefa has recommended you to me several times, saying you are skilled in training troops and possess great martial prowess. I happen to be short of capable men at my side. Would you be willing to serve directly under me?"

Li Yi hadn’t expected things to take this turn. Shi Kefa had hinted before that Hong Chengchou wanted to use Li Yi’s recent success against the bandits as an opportunity to make him a military officer, then help him establish a standard battalion.

But now, Hong Chengchou was suggesting he become a personal retainer—a servant at his side.

Though serving a high official was prestigious, Li Yi had no interest in leaving behind his modest roots for the life of a household servant.

"My lord flatters me. I only wish to remain in my native land and do what little I can," Li Yi replied.

His refusal sparked a trace of anger in Hong Chengchou, but as a senior official, he maintained his composure. "If that is the case, I won’t insist."

With that, he offered tea to signal the meeting was over.

Li Yi did not linger. He stood and left immediately.

Shi Kefa was still waiting in the front courtyard. When he saw Li Yi, he hurried over.

"How did it go?"

Li Yi shook his head with a wry smile. "Lord Hong wanted me as a personal attendant, but I refused."

"How could that be?" Shi Kefa was surprised. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Go home for now. I’ll pay Lord Hong another visit."

With that, he turned and headed straight for the study, not looking back.

Li Yi saw he couldn’t dissuade him, so he sighed and left with the servant leading the way.

He had barely left the front courtyard when a commotion broke out.

The steward shouted, "Miss has snuck out! Hurry and find her!"

This, however, had nothing to do with Li Yi, so he paid it no heed.

Since he was already in Mizhi County, he thought he might as well call on Gao Yigong.

Last time, Gao Yigong had helped him contact Secretary Zheng to rescue Liu Zongmin, and the two had formed a friendship.

Li Yi found a tavern, and had barely drunk a cup of watered wine when an irate Gao Yigong stormed in.

"Brother Gao, what’s wrong?" Li Yi asked.

Gao Yigong sighed. "With the year-end approaching, the county office has started demanding back taxes. Many merchants can’t pay, and have been thrown into prison. The jails are already full. What kind of world is this?"

Li Yi understood. The national treasury was empty, and the Chongzhen Emperor was trying everything to raise revenue and cut expenses.

But the northwest was harsh and poor—such ruthless measures might squeeze money from the Jiangnan region, but here they would only breed resentment and rebellion.

Gao Yigong looked earnestly at Li Yi. "Brother Li, next year the authorities will press even harder for taxes and grain. Who knows how many common people will be ruined. Troubled times are ahead. You should make preparations soon."

Li Yi nodded. "Thank you for the warning, Brother Gao."

As they drank a few more cups, their spirits lifted and conversation flowed freely.

In the end, Li Yi told Gao Yigong he would be marrying on the eighth day of the next month.

Gao Yigong was delighted. "I’ll be there for sure," he promised with a smile.

After settling the bill, the two parted ways.

Li Yi led his horse out of the city, heading north along the main road.

Once his horse had warmed up, he mounted deftly, pressed his heels to the animal’s sides, and rode at a steady pace back toward Li Family Village.

The sky was overcast, and though it was still early, dusk seemed to have fallen.

A bitter wind blew. Refugees had built makeshift shelters in the gullies for warmth, and beggars lined the roadside.

In just a few days, the number of ragged, despairing refugees had multiplied.

As he watched the swarming masses reach out with bony hands to beg, Li Yi felt uneasy and spurred his horse to hurry past.

After three miles, a sudden cry of pain pierced the air.

Li Yi’s eyes narrowed. He saw bloodstains at the roadside and the trampled prints of horses’ hooves.

Clearly, a violent encounter had taken place, with casualties.

Following the trail of blood, Li Yi came upon a withered tree and saw a corpse in blue martial garb.

The body had a deep, bone-revealing cut across the face, with multiple knife wounds on the chest and back—evidence of a savage assault.

Li Yi’s gaze grew cold. He recognized the clothing—the uniform of one of Hong Chengchou’s household guards.

He thought carefully, then retrieved his Tiger Fang spear from his horse and followed the horse tracks.

After more than a mile, he heard voices ahead.

Careful to avoid snapping twigs underfoot, he crept closer and saw a group of men.

Five mounted soldiers in tattered armor, armed with spears and sabers, circled several people.

Nearby, seven or eight fierce, burly men watched with drawn weapons, ready to pounce.

In their midst were three of Hong’s household guards, and a pale-faced Hong Yuying.

Li Yi hadn’t expected to stumble upon such a scene.

It was clear what had happened—Hong Yuying had snuck out, the guards had chased after her, and they had been targeted.