Qin Guo's gaze lingered on Song Jinzhao. A teenage girl who could take down four grown men. "Where did you learn your martial arts?"
Soft strands of hair escaped from her fuzzy rabbit-fur hat. Song Jinzhao raised her eyebrows. "A retired military householder in my village taught me before he passed."
A flicker of surprise passed through Qin Guo's eyes; he hadn't expected this girl to have connections to the military camp.
"How much for the fish per catty?"
"Fifteen coppers."
It seemed he wouldn't have to bother selling it himself.
Qin Guo pulled a money pouch from his robe and tossed it to Song Jinzhao. "I'll take it all. Haul the cart to the county magistrate's office."
Song Jinzhao caught the pouch and opened it. By her estimate, it contained no less than forty taels of silver.
The fish on the cart weighed at most a thousand catties. At fifteen coppers per catty, it would sell for about fifteen taels. This was a blessing in disguise.
"Thank you, General. We'll deliver it right away."
Horse hooves splashed slush onto the roadside as Qin Guo and his men rode ahead into the city.
Old Man Song took a deep breath, nearly staggering on his feet.
Oldest Song's heart raced, his words tumbling out in an uncontrollable, incoherent rush. "How could you be so bold, daring to oppose the authorities?"
Song Jinzhao tucked the money pouch into her pocket with an air of nonchalance. "The magistrate of Xining City is known for his integrity. The previous city guards never harassed the common folk. He must be unaware of this."
"Those four were no match for me. Even if that General hadn't shown up, they wouldn't have dared to escalate the situation. What was there to fear?"
Second Song eagerly sidled up to ask, "Jinzhao, how much silver did that General give you just now?"
Old Man Song scowled and barked, "Get over here and push the cart! Let's deliver this fish."
Arriving at the magistrate's office, a guard at the gate pointed at the cart and ordered, "Go around the back. The front steps are too high for the cart."
Getting fresh fish to eat in deep winter was a treat. Good thing he was on duty today, or he'd have missed out.
At the back gate of the government office, the soldier who came out to move the fish widened his eyes in surprise upon seeing Song Jinzhao. He hadn't expected the fish seller to be her.
Not resting even in the dead of winter, always finding ways to make money.
Song Jinzhao recognized him as the soldier who used to guard the city gate and casually inquired, "Sir, you're not on gate duty? Did you get a promotion?"
The soldier gave a bitter smile. "Promotion? Hardly. Those northern bandits from Shuobei have been restless lately. The city walls of all thirteen border towns have been taken over by the Thunderstrike Army. We've been patrolling day and night these past days, worked to the bone."
Hearing this, Old Man Song and the other two men's expressions changed. The Shuobei bandits hadn't been seen for several years. How could they be back?
A thoughtful glint flashed in Song Jinzhao's eyes as she probed, "Does this mean there will be war?"
The soldier shook his head. "I hear there aren't many of them. Probably just bandits roaming the border between the two countries, nothing major. But it's best to stay indoors these next few days, especially don't go to Yunzhong City."
Of the thirteen border towns, Yunzhong City was closest to Shuobei and the first line of defense for Dongzhao Kingdom.
On the way home, Old Man Song and the others walked four or five times faster than they had come, wishing they could leap home in one step and never come out again.
Old Man Song said, "You were too young to remember when those Shuobei bandits were rampant."
"Every winter, they would raid villages near the border, leaving not a single grain of rice behind. Without food, many villagers couldn't survive the winter and starved to death. It was a wretched sight."
Song Jinzhao asked, "Was our village ever raided?"
Oldest Song shook his head. "Yunzhong City and Hanyan City stand in front of Xining City. Most of the bandits can't get through."
Second Song, wanting to scare Song Jinzhao and curb her boldness, added, "Six years ago, seven bandits fled to Yunqiao Town. By the time they were caught, they had already killed seven families. I heard their eyeballs were gouged out."
After pulling the cart into the yard, Old Man Song took Song Jinzhao aside and warned her, "Don't leave the village these next few days. Even with the Thunderstrike Army here, there's no guarantee someone won't slip through like six years ago."
Seeing his serious expression, Song Jinzhao gave a slight nod.
She took out some silver from the money pouch and handed it to Old Man Song, Oldest Song, and Second Song. "This is for your trouble. Thank you, Grandpa, Uncles, for helping me haul the fish to the city."
Old Man Song waved his hand, unwilling to accept. "You already gave us fish. No need for silver."
Ignoring Old Man Song's refusal, Second Song deftly pocketed the money himself. "Remember to call me next time something like this happens. Your auntie has probably cooked the fish by now. I'm heading home for dinner."
Watching his hasty retreat, Old Man Song felt a pang in his chest. "Just give it to your uncles. Grandpa doesn't want it."
Since Second Song had taken the money and run, Oldest Song had to be given his share, or it wouldn't be fair.
Suppressing his excitement, Oldest Song thought, making two taels of silver for one trip—he'd struck it rich.
Once home, Second Song immediately bolted the door. Song Second Aunt, who was chopping radishes, stopped her knife when she saw his guilty look.
"What's wrong? Why are you so flustered?"
Second Song kicked his soaked shoes toward the wall and scrambled onto the heated kang to warm up. "If I hadn't run fast, I was afraid Father would make me return the silver to Jinzhao."
Song Second Aunt rushed to the kang, her eyes gleaming. "Jinzhao gave you money for selling the fish?"
Second Song nodded, taking out the silver and placing it before her, laughing heartily.
"Two taels! I got two taels for one trip! Dad didn't want us to take it. Good thing I was quick."
Song Second Aunt snatched the money, blowing on it in her palm. "I knew helping out would come with benefits. You were being lazy, afraid of the cold, almost missed out on this silver."
Jinzhao was generous. As long as you helped, your family wouldn't lose out. Song Second Aunt had long understood this.
She pressed further, "How much silver did she get for the fish altogether?"
If she gave two taels to their family, she must have made a good sum.
Second Song recalled the incident at the city gate, his expression turning sober.
"Jinzhao didn't say. The buyer threw her a money pouch. I don't know how much was inside."
He recounted the events at the city gate to Song Second Aunt. "Best not to leave the village lately. Afraid something might happen."
Song Second Aunt sat dumbly on the kang, her earlier joy gone.
Shuobei bandits—they were murderous demons. Please don't let them come here. May the Thunderstrike Army kill them all.
After returning home, Song Jinzhao spent the entire afternoon urging Song Qiming to study. "I'll send you to private school when spring comes. You must study hard. Aim to pass the county-level imperial examination the year after next."
The county-level exams were held every two years. The most recent one was this past April; the next would be in April, two years from now.
Song Qiming looked up. "Elder Sister, did something happen?"
Song Gaoli had failed the preliminary exams for three years. The county-level exam was even harder. If he started private school next spring, he'd only have a little over a year to prepare by the exam after next.
Song Jinzhao collected herself and shook her head slightly. "It's nothing. Elder Sister is just worried that if war breaks out, the authorities might press-gang you into the army."
Song Shixue, who was preparing medicine beside them, said, "Brother will only be eleven after the New Year."
Song Jinzhao didn't pursue the topic. "Elder Sister is overthinking. We'll have hotpot with fish for dinner."
If things truly became desperate and war broke out, it wasn't impossible for an eleven-year-old male to be dragged to the battlefield.
With no adult male in the household now and Qiming being the eldest boy, she had to prepare for the worst.
Seeing the worry still etched on Song Jinzhao's brow, Song Qiming quietly pushed aside his thoughts and focused a little more intently on his book.
