Chapter 55: Hong Chengchou’s Second Attempt at Recruitment

Warhorses thundered ahead, churning through the muddy ground.

No sooner had the two of them reached the city gate than a patrol archer stepped forward to bar their way.

“Hey, don’t you know the rules? So many horses—there’s a tax to be paid.”

Before he could finish, a whip lashed brutally across his face.

The archer screamed, clutching his cheek as he tumbled to the ground. The other archers, faces twisted with malice, quickly surrounded them.

Hong Yuying regarded them icily. “Open your damn eyes. Even I dare you to stop?”

Seeing her audacity, the archers hesitated, afraid to act recklessly. The injured archer glared at her in fury, hurling curses, “You wretched whore, today I’ll strip you bare and drag you through the streets!”

At that moment, a squad of elite cavalry galloped out from within the city. Their white-faced steward, upon spotting Hong Yuying, broke into a delighted smile.

“Miss, you’re finally back!”

The wounded archer’s expression changed instantly when he saw the steward. He dropped to his knees, stammering, “I was blind, I offended your noble self, I deserve to die, I deserve to die!”

With several resounding slaps, the archer struck himself hard, his cheeks swelling red.

Hong Yuying, still seething, grabbed a whetstone from her saddlebag and smashed it viciously against his head, leaving him bloodied and battered.

“Worthless fool! How dare you speak to me that way.”

Blood streamed down the archer’s face, but he dared not wipe it away.

The white-faced steward signaled, and two cavalrymen dragged the archer off. Amid his desperate screams for mercy, they beat him half-dead on the spot.

Some of Hong Yuying’s anger was spent, but as for the man’s fate, she couldn’t have cared less.

Li Yi, seated calmly on horseback, saw everything clearly.

That archer would likely be dead within two days from his wounds.

Noticing Hong Yuying seated before Li Yi on horseback, the steward frowned. “Miss, who is this?”

“This man saved my life. If not for him, I would have fallen into the hands of bandits.”

Upon hearing this, the steward bowed. “Thank you, sir, for rescuing our lady.”

He then summoned a sedan chair. “Miss, please, allow us to escort you back to the residence quickly.”

Hong Yuying waved her hand. “I’ll go back with him.”

Turning to Li Yi, she said directly, “Let’s go.”

Li Yi nudged his horse forward, entering Mizhi County. They soon arrived at the temporary residence of Hong Chengchou.

He dismounted and lifted Hong Yuying down from the saddle.

The gathered maids and matrons stared in astonishment, and even Hong Yuying’s face flushed red.

“Why are you just standing there? Hurry and help me.”

She shot a sharp look at the maids, who hastily came to support her.

“Take me to see my father,” she ordered, pointing at Li Yi. “Bring him too.”

Li Yi shook his head with a wry smile. He wondered how a scholar-official like Hong Chengchou could have such a headstrong, unruly daughter.

Still, he could tell she was helping him. So, following the maid’s lead, he entered the residence.

In the reception hall, Hong Chengchou was pacing anxiously. When he saw his daughter come in, he strode forward, both angry and concerned.

“So you finally return? There’s chaos outside, and you still sneak out on your own?”

Hong Yuying pouted, her fox-like eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly aggrieved.

Seeing this, Hong Chengchou’s heart softened.

“All right, all right, you’re back safe. Don’t ever sneak out again.”

“Father, I almost never saw you again.”

Hong Chengchou grew pale with alarm. “What happened?”

Tears in her eyes, Hong Yuying recounted the day’s events, especially emphasizing how Li Yi had rescued her.

Hong Chengchou, shaken, offered her a few words of comfort before turning to Li Yi, calmly scrutinizing him. He then motioned for his daughter to be led away to rest.

Once she was settled, he summoned the white-faced steward.

“Send some sharp men to investigate. Were these bandits after me deliberately, or was it mere chance?”

He glanced at Li Yi, his face unreadable. “Also, find out if there’s any connection between him and the bandits.”

Li Yi understood that Hong Chengchou suspected him of colluding with outlaws and putting on a show. But his conscience was clear, so he remained composed.

Hong Chengchou watched him carefully as he spoke, noting Li Yi’s calm demeanor, free of guilt or fear, and his expression softened.

He took the main seat. “Li Yi, fame and fortune do not come easily. You have neither rank nor family background, only your martial skills—such a man cannot go far. You refused my offer before, which shows backbone. I’ll give you one last chance: become my personal guard and, within two years, I’ll recommend you for an officer’s post. In five years, you could be a battalion commander, and in ten, you could be the chief military officer defending the border.”

The post of chief commander was usually held by officials of the second or third rank, the highest military authority in a region. Hong Chengchou was making it clear—if Li Yi pledged loyalty, he would ensure Li Yi became a third-rank official with real power within ten years.

By then, Li Yi would only be twenty-six, rising from commoner to general—a meteoric ascent that many could only dream of.

Hong Chengchou sipped his tea, waiting for a reply.

“I am but a rough and clumsy man, unfit to serve a great lord,” Li Yi replied, his answer unexpected.

Hong Chengchou’s brows knitted in displeasure. He stared at Li Yi for a long moment before finally speaking.

“Very well. As you wish, I will make arrangements. You may await my orders.”

“I will submit to your decision,” Li Yi replied, turning to leave.

Suddenly, Hong Chengchou spoke again. “Li Yi, the Ai family’s silver is not easily earned. If you are innocent, for Yuying’s sake, I will protect you. Otherwise, I will be the first to see you dead.”

Li Yi turned and bowed. “I am indeed innocent. Thank you for your protection, my lord.”

Once Li Yi had left, the white-faced steward entered.

Hong Chengchou muttered, “This young man has refused me twice, unmoved by high office and great rewards. I cannot fathom what he truly seeks.”

After a moment’s thought, he turned to the steward, his voice cold.

“Take my visiting card and have the commander of Yansui send troops to wipe out the bandits who attacked my daughter. Leave no survivors.”