Inside, Lu Fang drank a cup of hot tea, warming his body before rising to inspect another area before returning to the government offices.
He stepped outside, glancing toward where he had last seen Lu Ling and Shu Rui. He didn’t see Lu Ling, but Shu Rui was being stopped by two officers.
Frowning, Lu Fang thought, What are they doing, holding the boy back so harshly?
A junior clerk peeked and casually remarked, “Probably just a street office inspection. Nothing to worry about.”
Lu Fang couldn’t hear the exact exchange but saw the officers speaking sternly, leaving Shu Rui looking harried. What a commotion over such a small matter!
Lu Ling, who had accompanied Shu Rui, had slipped away, leaving Shu Rui to face the officers alone. Lu Fang had no expectation of meeting them, but now he strode down, clearly annoyed.
The clerk, previously unconcerned, quickly followed, puzzled at the sudden anger.
Shu Rui, wary of officials who enjoyed creating trouble, kept his tone meek: “Sir, this is the fault of a humble commoner. I didn’t know soliciting from an inn at the city gate required paying the street office a management fee. The officers fining me is appropriate.”
“Management fee? Fine?” Lu Fang raised his eyes. “Since when are citizens forbidden to solicit customers for inns at the city gate? And where did this fee and fine come from?”
The officers’ palms were sweaty; they dared not speak.
Lu Fang, realizing the situation, pointed at them angrily: “Shameless! You two are exploiting your positions to extort money from the people!”
The officers quickly pleaded, “Sir, it’s a misunderstanding! The young innkeeper misinterpreted things.”
Lu Fang snapped: “I saw clearly you pushing him around—stop your excuses! Bring these officers back to the office for investigation. Let’s see how much illicit gain you’ve collected!”
The clerks accompanying Lu Fang immediately seized the officers. The agents, who had been watching nearby, were stunned.
“Big brother… the officer’s been taken? Will we lose our route?”
“Don’t be foolish. Officer Zhao has connections; you have nothing to fear.”
The mole-faced man cursed under his breath, realizing that previously, no one interfered with them, but now they had the Inspector here. Street office matters weren’t under his control, and the officer was asserting authority. The agents quickly slunk away.
Lu Fang muttered, “Lu Ling, where did you go? Leaving your brother here in this cold?”
Shu Rui explained, “He returned the guests to the inn. I stayed behind to see if we could solicit a few more customers. I didn’t know there were such rules here.”
Shu Rui’s heart was full of gratitude toward Lu Fang for stepping in on his behalf. Had he not come, those two infuriated officers might have continued to bully him further.
Still, with Lu Fang having resolved the immediate issue, Shu Rui felt a lingering worry. He spoke softly, “Those officers never actually took the fine from me; Uncle just scolded them, and it was done. But with how they act, I fear there may be others later. For Uncle to intervene on my behalf…”
Seeing Shu Rui handle the officers without fear, even arguing with them intelligently, Lu Fang recognized his sharpness and cleverness. Smiling gently, he said, “Do not worry. I know what I’m doing. It’s cold—go home early. I have my duties to attend to as well.”
Shu Rui bowed and acknowledged him, saying nothing further. Out in the street, the comings and goings of people could easily reveal his connection to Lu Fang, which might sully Lu Fang’s reputation if others assumed favoritism.
Lu Fang, hands clasped behind his back, turned and happened to see Lu Ling arriving in a carriage. Thinking the boy had come at just the right moment, he cast a glance at him and went on his way without a word.
Lu Ling, confused, stopped the carriage, dismounted, and walked over to Shu Rui. “What did he say to you? Give me the gist. Could it be that he was upset we were soliciting business out here in the open?”
Shu Rui shook his head. “You misjudged Uncle—he actually helped me.”
He recounted the whole incident with the officers to Lu Ling.
Lu Ling frowned. In the time it took for the carriage to arrive and leave, so many complications had arisen. He noted how the agents had behaved arrogantly, and now Shu Rui had to face such trouble.
Gripping Shu Rui’s arm, Lu Ling asked anxiously, “Are you all right? Were you frightened?”
“What could happen? This isn’t my first run-in with officers pressing people around. I’m not afraid. The troublesome officers have been taken away by Uncle; my only concern is if they bring others—it’d be difficult to handle.”
Shu Rui sighed. “I tried just to solicit some customers. We managed to attract three, and even they were scared away by the officers. To make matters worse, it stirred up all this trouble—what rotten luck.”
Lu Ling patted his back lightly. “Uncle is cautious. He wouldn’t act recklessly. Don’t worry.”
“I’ll take you back first. With the rain, it’s easier to receive guests at the inn. Officer Jiang has returned to the inn, and two guests have already arrived. I’ll go solicit again later.”
Shu Rui shook his head. “Those agents have been punished; they won’t be acting so arrogantly for now. I’ve already taken a loss—I won’t risk more by pushing it.”
Despite Lu Ling’s attempts to persuade him, Shu Rui stayed firm. While exchanging a water pouch at the door, he carefully memorized the faces of the agents. Together, they managed to bring in two more guests before returning to the inn.
Back at the inn, the two guests were settled, and it was almost time for dinner service. The rain kept most evening diners away, leaving things relatively quiet. Lu Ling mentioned he wanted to check on home affairs, and Shu Rui accompanied him, assuming he would ask about Lu Fang’s earlier intervention.
However, Lu Ling slipped out immediately after leaving the inn, not heading home. Still annoyed by the officers’ earlier actions—especially how the agents had bullied him—he tracked the mole-faced agent, ambushed him in a dark alley, and gave him a thorough beating.
“Ah! What have I done to offend you, sir? Please spare me!” the man cried, realizing he had finally met someone capable of teaching him a lesson.