The cloaked woman did not respond, simply skillfully treating the shopkeeper's wounds.

"Shopkeeper, what will you do now that your wine shop has been burned down?" Wei Changle saw the shop assistant weeping beside them, understanding this sudden disaster was undoubtedly a devastating blow.

The shopkeeper's face was filled with grief, merely shaking his head, unable to speak.

"This happened because of me," the cloaked woman finished applying medicine to the shopkeeper's shoulder and spoke: "I will compensate for your losses. However, I don't have much silver on me, and you can't follow me to Shan Yin to get silver. How about this - go stay at the Yongle Inn in Anping County for a few days. Someone will send you silver there."

With these words, she essentially admitted she was Fu Wenjun, also from Shan Yin.

Night Crying Man had injured and set fire today specifically targeting Fu Wenjun, and the wine shop was collateral damage.

The shopkeeper wasn't foolish. Understanding the situation, he shook his head: "Night Crying Man has always been a scoundrel. This is my fate, something I can't escape."

"Zhi Nu, come here!" Wei Changle called out.

Zhi Nu quickly ran over.

"Here are over 170 taels of silver," Wei Changle told the shopkeeper. "Give 30 taels to each of the two injured civilians. Keep the rest as compensation from Night Crying Man."

The shopkeeper hurriedly said, "No, this... this won't do."

"We can't stay here," Wei Changle said decisively. "Over 170 taels isn't much, but it's enough to open a new wine shop in the city. I'll also give you a horse. Take your assistant and head south, go as far as possible, and start a new life."

Zhi Nu, quick-witted, immediately handed the silver to the shopkeeper and distributed the remaining silver to the two injured civilians, offering some comfort. Both were extremely grateful.

Fu Wenjun finished treating the shopkeeper's wounds and went to treat the arrow wounds of the other two injured people.

She wore a cotton coat with a thick cloak, yet her figure remained graceful and elegant, moving with a charming and beautiful demeanor.

Wei Changle brought a horse and asked the assistant, "Can you ride?"

"Northerners ride horses, Southerners take boats," the assistant quickly responded. "I'm from the North and know how to ride."

"Take your shopkeeper and leave quickly," Wei Changle helped support the shopkeeper, helping him mount the horse with the assistant.

The shopkeeper gratefully said, "Second Master, your great kindness... I don't know how to repay you. You've made an enemy of Night Crying Man, so you can't go to Shan Yin anymore. I've heard that in the past year, the first two county magistrates of Shan Yin met with major incidents. One died, one went missing. You... you would be the third..."

Wei Changle was stunned, frowning. "Such a thing happened?"

"Indeed," the shopkeeper said. "But I don't know the specific details."

Wei Changle smiled. "Thanks for the warning. Safe travels."

The assistant mounted the horse. Knowing they shouldn't linger, they thanked Wei Changle again before riding away.

Wei Changle watched them leave, his expression turning cold.

This wasn't even Shan Yin County, yet Night Crying Man dared to run rampant here. How much more would the people of Shan Yin suffer?

"Second Master, after such a big incident, are we still going to Shan Yin?" came the worried voice of Old Wei from behind.

Wei Changle turned around, seemingly unconcerned. "Are you afraid?"

"This servant isn't afraid, just worried for the second master."

"Those Night Crying bandits are terrified of the Wei family," Wei Changle glanced at Fu Wenjun nearby. "Would they dare to touch me?"

Old Wei always looked worried, sighing, "Open attacks are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against."

"So you mean we should return to Taiyuan and not go to Shan Yin?" Wei Changle felt his hands getting cold, breathing warm air onto them. "The wine shop is burned, we have no shelter. Should we continue north or turn back to Taiyuan?"

"Naturally, it's up to the second master," Old Wei finally showed a slight smile. "Going to Shan Yin will definitely cause some trouble. If the second master doesn't want to go, returning to Taiyuan isn't a bad option."

Zhi Nu, listening nearby, couldn't help but interject, "Uncle Wei, the posting to Shan Yin was an official order from the Jiedushi's office and can't be disobeyed. Moreover, the old master said if the second master doesn't report to Shan Yin, he'll be imprisoned for two years. The old master has always been true to his word."

"You old fool, trying to trick me back to Taiyuan to prison? I'm not returning to Taiyuan because I'm afraid of imprisonment, but to benefit the people of Shan Yin. Are you trying to stop me from serving the people?" Wei Changle roared.

Old Wei looked aggrieved, "This servant is letting the second master decide. I didn't say to return to Taiyuan."

"Still arguing? Believe me, I'll punish you!" Wei Changle glared, then his expression turned serious. In a low voice, he asked, "But the shopkeeper just said the previous two county magistrates of Shan Yin met with incidents. One died, one went missing. What's going on?"

Old Wei, seeing Wei Changle staring at him, hurriedly shook his head, "Second master, this servant doesn't know."

"I don't understand why the House would send you with me to Shan Yin," Wei Changle sighed. "You can't fight, can't take care of people, don't know anything. What use are you, you old fool?"

"Second master, there are eighteen states in Hedong Road, with fifty to sixty counties large and small. How could this servant know everything?" Old Wei looked more aggrieved. "Shuozhou is at the northernmost part of Hedong, and Shan Yin is at the northernmost part of Shuozhou, far from Taiyuan House. I'm just a servant and can't even understand the affairs of Taiyuan House, let alone Shan Yin."

Zhi Nu obediently pointed at the still-unconscious Song Kun, "Second master, he's a Shan Yin battalion leader. He definitely knows about those two county magistrates. Should we wake him with water?"

"We have time on the road, no need to rush," Wei Changle looked up at the sky. Snow was falling, everything was pitch black, and the burning wine shop was gradually dying out. He ordered, "Those two injured men can't walk and will freeze to death if left here. Zhi Nu, give each of them a horse and have them head south."

Zhi Nu agreed and immediately went to fetch the horses.

Fu Wenjun, after applying medicine to the two men, approached and hesitated before speaking, "Wei Changle, I have something to discuss with you."

Discussion? Clearly, she wants to ask for something.

Asking without even being polite, calling him directly by name. But considering her... well-endowed figure, he won't quibble.

"I don't know your depth. Don't make too excessive a request," Wei Changle wasn't someone who would agree to everything, and maintained his principles.

Fu Wenjun stood elegantly and pointed at the unconscious Song Kun, "Can you hand him over to me?"

Wei Changle was stunned, then laughed, "You have a grudge against him and want to kill him?"

"Can you agree?"

"Okay," Wei Changle said, "But can you answer three of my questions?"

Fu Wenjun understood this was an exchange and readily agreed, "You can ask, but I might not answer."

"What exactly are these Night Crying Men?" Wei Changle stared at her. The night was too dark, with no firelight, and her face was covered, making her features indiscernible. "Are they officials? Whose subordinates?"

The journey to Shan Yin was inevitable, and he knew nothing about the place. This was a chance to learn from Fu Wenjun.

"After Cloud State was ceded to the Tatar people, Shuozhou became the northernmost frontier," Fu Wenjun answered straightforwardly. "Although border military fortresses exist, each county in Shuozhou increased its city guards. The Night Crying Men are the city guards of Shan Yin."

Wei Changle asked curiously, "If that's the case, why are they called Night Crying Men?"

Fu Wenjun's voice was cold: "Although they are city guards, they no longer treat guarding the city as their duty. They've become Shan Yin's tax collectors. Two years ago, tax collection was transferred to the Household Treasury. These city guards now belong to the Household Treasury, collecting and demanding all large and small taxes. The people of Shan Yin are struggling. The Household Treasury officials create cunning pretexts to oppress the people, making their lives even more difficult. Many cannot pay the heavy taxes. Once they fall behind, these city guards appear in villages at night like bandits, robbing, killing, bullying and assaulting women. The people cry to heaven, but no one answers, hence these city guards got the name 'Night Crying Men'."

"Is this related to Shan Yin being called the 'Realm of a Thousand Bandits'?" Wei Changle realized something.

He understood the principle of forcing people into prostitution or banditry.

Fu Wenjun replied, "You're about to become Shan Yin's local official. You'll soon know how the people under your jurisdiction live."

A cryptic response.

Wei Changle smiled slightly and asked his second question: "I heard the previous two county magistrates of Shan Yin met with incidents. Lady Fu, do you know the details?"

[--------------------------------------------]

Enjoyed the chapter?

If you want early access to new chapters and to support the continuation of this story, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support means a lot and helps me bring more great content to you! 

Join me on Patreon: Patreon.com/flokixy