Chapter 10: That's Right, I'm Threatening You

However, Shanglu’s teasing eased the awkward atmosphere a little.

After that, the family continued plowing the fields.

Shang Mingqiu and Wu Guizhi changed the subject, asking Shanglu about his work and life in the county town over the past days. Shanglu only spoke of the good things, sharing happy news and withholding any troubles, and he took the opportunity to lavishly praise Third Lady. Embarrassed by the compliments, Third Lady lightly tapped him with her oil-paper umbrella, telling him not to exaggerate. But Shanglu caught hold of the umbrella, grinning, “I’m telling the truth, not a word is exaggerated.”

The family worked in the fields until the afternoon, not stopping until the remaining land was all plowed. In the days before, Shang Mingqiu and Wu Guizhi had already worked through a fair amount, but if it hadn’t been for Shanglu coming to help today, it would have taken them another two or three days to finish the rest.

After the plowing was done, Shanglu wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He planned to go back and have a meal with his parents first.

By the edge of the field, he washed the mud from his feet in the ditch, wiped them dry on the grass, then put on his boots and picked up his ox-tail knife.

Glancing at the Black Wind Gang members still lingering nearby, Shanglu gave a cold snort, then turned to his parents, “You two go on home first. Leave the plow here—I’ll come back for it in a bit.”

With that, he strode straight toward the Black Wind Gang members.

“Lu’er,” Wu Guizhi called out anxiously, afraid he’d get into trouble with those men.

Even though Shanglu claimed his cultivation had recovered, a mother’s heart still feared her son might come to harm.

What’s more, the Black Wind Gang had a fierce reputation in Luoshui County, not the sort of people ordinary folk could afford to provoke.

Shanglu didn’t slow his pace, but turned and reassured her, “It’s fine. I’m just going to say hello. You two go on.”

Wu Guizhi wanted to say more, but Shang Mingqiu pulled her aside and said quietly, “Our son’s grown. He knows his limits.”

The Black Wind Gang members were a little stunned to see Shanglu walking straight up to them.

Uncertain of his intentions, they grew wary, wondering, “What’s this kid up to?”

Soon, Shanglu stood before them. He wasted no time on pleasantries and got straight to the point:

“I don’t care why you’re here, just listen—don’t do anything reckless. If anything happens to my parents, I’ll repay you a hundredfold, a thousandfold.”

The gang members all froze, not expecting Shanglu to speak to them this way.

“Are you threatening us?” said a younger member with a fierce look on his face.

“That’s right. I am threatening you,” Shanglu replied, not only nodding but raising his ox-tail knife and tapping the young man’s face with the sheath.

“I’m still a constable, still holding office. Even if I can’t deal with the whole Black Wind Gang, there are plenty of ways to handle a few of you. Maybe you’re not afraid for yourselves—but what about your parents, your wives, your children? Are they not afraid?”

At least half the Black Wind Gang members changed their expressions at these words.

Even the fierce young man, who wanted to knock aside Shanglu’s knife sheath, was held back by his companions—one even covered his mouth to stop him from speaking rashly.

An older member, likely the squad leader, laughed awkwardly and cupped his hands. “Constable Shang, you jest. We’re only here on orders to watch the fields; we’d never harm your parents.”

“Let’s hope so,” Shanglu said, not believing a word but not exposing them either. “When I return to the county, I’ll have people pay a visit to each of your homes. If you have anything you want me to pass along, say so now.”

The gang members’ faces darkened again—they only wanted Shanglu far from their families, not going anywhere near them.

Seeing their silence and sullen faces, Shanglu gave a cold laugh and said nothing more.

He hefted his knife and turned back to his own field, hoisting the plow and striding after his parents.

Shang Mingqiu and Wu Guizhi were still worried and walked slowly, looking back every few steps, so Shanglu caught up with them quickly.

Only when the family had gone some distance did the Black Wind Gang men start cursing.

“So arrogant!”

“I thought he was the head constable, acting so high and mighty!”

“Damn him, threatening me with my family!”

But despite their grumbling, many of them were indeed afraid.

Just as Shanglu said, while he might not be able to deal with the Black Wind Gang as a whole, he had plenty of ways to handle a few low-ranking lackeys.

Still, there were some hot-headed types.

The young man Shanglu had tapped with his knife sheath glared darkly, grinding his teeth. “Why are you all afraid of him? He may still be a constable, but he’s lost his cultivation—he’s as good as crippled. There’s so many of us—why can’t we finish him? If you hadn’t held me back, I’d have had his blood on the spot!”

“That’s exactly why we can’t touch him,” the squad leader shook his head. “The magistrate’s performance evaluation is coming up. We all have to keep our heads down for now. Killing a constable, even a low-ranking one, is out of the question—so is selling people or forcing women into prostitution. Wait until the evaluation is over.”

The young man was indignant. “What’s that got to do with us?”

“Everything! If the officials in the yamen have a hard time, none of us will live easy either.”

He shot the young man a stern look. “This is the gang leader’s order! Don’t do anything rash. Otherwise, not only will the authorities come for you, but the gang will clean house too. If you die, that’s one thing—but your family and the rest of us will suffer too.”

Hearing this, even the angry young man could only nod in reluctant agreement.

“I get it. I won’t do anything rash. But it’s hard to swallow this insult.”

The squad leader sneered, “You don’t have to swallow it—just be patient. Once the evaluation’s over next month and that Shang brat loses his badge, we can deal with him however we want.”

“I’ll trample him underfoot and smash his mouth with my knife!” the young man vowed, already fantasizing about getting revenge when the time came.

As it happened, Shanglu was thinking about the same thing.

He hadn’t yet decided what to do when Wu Guizhi suddenly exclaimed, “Hey, why is there smoke coming from our kitchen?”

“It’s Third Lady,” Shanglu looked up and smiled. “She went home ahead of us to start the fire and cook.”

He pointed to his shoulder—the oil-paper umbrella he’d been carrying was gone.

“That girl really is diligent,” Wu Guizhi sighed, though deep down she felt a pang of regret.

Such a hardworking girl—if only she were alive. But she was a spirit.

Even if she’d never harm Shanglu, there was no way for her to bear children and continue the family line…

Remembering what happened to Shang Mingqiu, Wu Guizhi kept these thoughts to herself, not daring to say them aloud for fear Third Lady might overhear.

Soon, Shanglu and his parents arrived home.

On the way, they passed a few familiar villagers, who were surprised to see Shanglu still wearing his constable’s uniform.

But precisely because he was still in uniform, no one dared say anything, and even their greetings were cautious.

This left Shanglu a bit disappointed.

According to how things go in the novels, shouldn’t someone have jumped out now to mock him, only to be slapped down in return?

Pushing open the gate, Shanglu called out loudly, “We’re home!”

He set the plow down in the yard and led his parents into the main hall, where they found water already drawn for washing faces and hands, the temperature just right. On the table, steaming dishes were set out.

Though the food was simple, the presentation and aroma were enough to make one’s mouth water. Clearly, someone who cooked regularly, not just for show.

“What a good girl,” Wu Guizhi sighed again, ever more satisfied, yet more regretful.

If only Third Lady were alive.