bookcurios Chapter 111 ended before it even began.
Chapter 111 ended before it even began.
When Xue Heyu heard her deliberately mention the former county magistrate and emphasize the words "local tyrant," a thought struck him.
“I will be careful. Miss Yu, this bandit suppression…”
He still wanted to persuade Yu Wanran not to participate. He wanted to repay a debt of gratitude; how could he put his benefactor in danger instead?
Yu Wanran had previously worried about collusion between officials and bandits. Now, facing the newly appointed Xue Heyu, she was no longer afraid of any inside story behind the bandit suppression operation. To reopen trade routes as soon as possible, she resolutely volunteered.
"Lord Xue is dedicated to serving the people, and I, a humble citizen, also wish to help the soldiers suppress the bandits! Is it possible? Why doesn't Lord Xue test my skills?"
Compared to the bunch of good-for-nothings in the government office and the garrison troops who rarely trained, Yu Wanran was more confident in her own martial prowess!
Before the words were finished, a burst of laughter erupted from outside the door. Magistrate Hao, dressed in his official robes, strode in with a bailiff. His facial muscles twitched, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"I wondered what important guest Lord Xue was entertaining? It turns out a young lady volunteered, proving that women are just as capable as men, and wants to join the bandit suppression team organized by our office!"
He observed the expressions of the two people in the hall with amusement.
"Since this young lady has repeatedly volunteered, Lord Xue, why do you disagree?"
He looked helpless and spread his hands.
"The people of Decheng privately complained that the government troops were incompetent and had not done their best to suppress the bandits. But I posted a notice to recruit people, and after ten days or half a month, not a single person had the courage to come to the yamen to volunteer!"
Xue Heyu frowned, feeling a growing resentment towards his former colleague.
Knowing full well that he was entertaining guests, they barged in! How could they possibly respect him? Did they really think that after leaving office and coming to the capital for a new post, their official rank would be higher than his?
Moreover, allowing bandits to run rampant in the area is a dereliction of duty by the county magistrate!
The imperial court specially sent him to Decheng because this town was an important military and political center, and they hoped that he could replace his incompetent predecessor in quelling the banditry.
This Magistrate Hao is so stupid that he doesn't even realize it, yet he dares to secretly challenge him?
Yu Wanran pretended not to notice the sarcasm in Magistrate Hao's words, stood up and gave him a slight bow, then turned to Xue Heyu.
“Uncle Xue, although I came to visit you on my father’s orders, I should help you since you are in trouble.”
Magistrate Hao harbors ill intentions. Her relationship with Xue Heyu must be made public. Before Xue Heyu has even taken office, rumors are circulating about her relationship with him, which not only damages her reputation but also tarnishes Xue Heyu's official standing.
Xue Heyu immediately realized what was happening and followed Yu Wanran's words with a worried expression: "My dear niece, you came here to visit your uncle. If something were to happen to you, how could I face your family?"
Magistrate Hao stared at the two men with suspicion.
Before entering, he clearly heard Yu Wanran refer to herself as a commoner, so how did she suddenly become his niece? Could he have misheard?
I thought the new one was like him and shared a hobby in some area.
Yu Wanran's cold gaze swept over the yamen runners who followed closely behind Magistrate Hao.
The other person was the same one who had previously shooed her away at the gate. She hadn't initially taken this kind of sycophantic bully seriously, but this constable immediately informed Magistrate Hao about her repeated requests for service—clearly, he was Magistrate Hao's lackey?
This is absolutely intolerable!
She quickly concealed the anger in her eyes and smiled at Xue Heyu, saying, "Uncle Xue, whether I can help you or not, we'll find out by trying."
She pointed to the yamen runner.
"Brother, as a government official, you must be incredibly strong and skilled in martial arts! Ordinary petty thieves would have no choice but to surrender if they encountered you?"
The constable, with a smug look on his face as if to say, "You've got some knowledge," forced a smile in front of the two former and current county magistrates: "It's nothing, I'm just a squad leader!"
Yu Wanran's lips curled slightly.
"Then please test me, brother, and see if I am qualified to join the bandit suppression team?"
The yamen runner was stunned and looked at the two officials.
Magistrate Hao wore an expression of anticipation, watching the spectacle unfold. Seeing Xue Heyu frown, he stroked his beard and chuckled, "What harm is there in trying? Master Lu Ban, be careful not to hurt Lord Xue's niece!"
Having said all that, seeing Yu Wanran's calm expression, Xue Heyu guessed that she was confident in saying this, so he could only go along with it.
“Alright, my dear niece, if you can defeat Lu Ban in a martial arts contest, I will allow you to join the bandit suppression.”
He was a newly appointed official, struggling to find capable men. Furthermore, the garrison commander of Decheng remained ambiguous about mobilizing troops to suppress the bandits. With ambitious individuals both inside and outside the city stirring with desire, he urgently needed to achieve some political success to gain control of Decheng.
The hall was not very spacious, so the group went to the courtyard.
Lu Ban's eyes held a hint of disdain, but his words were eloquent: "My lords, weapons have no eyes. If Miss Yu insists on a contest, then let's settle it with our fists!"
Regardless of whether Yu Wanran is Xue Heyu's niece, she has already offended him once, and she cannot embarrass him in public again this time.
Although Magistrate Hao valued him highly, he was eventually going back to the capital to report for duty. His future still depended on the new magistrate.
Yu Wanran unfastened her sword and tossed it to Yan Qing. With a faint smile on her face, she stepped into the center of the arena first.
Seeing this, Lu Bantou also took off his sword and entrusted it to a yamen runner who had come to watch the commotion. He tightened his belt and wrist guards, lifted a corner of his black robe, and tucked it into his waistband for easy movement.
He didn't intend to seriously injure this arrogant woman, but he was determined to use this opportunity to show the two lords that he was a capable man, worthy of great responsibility!
Xue Heyu watched the two of them nervously, thinking that no matter what, he would immediately call a halt if Yu Wanran was in danger.
Xue Jingui glared at Lu Ban with great displeasure. He thought to himself, "This bastard, I'll have to remember him!"
How dare they target their own and the master's benefactors?
Lu Bantou spoke reservedly, "Miss Yu, please make the first move!"
He stood with his hands behind his back, his face completely at ease.
Yan Qing, standing to the side, scoffed coldly. He thought to himself, "This man is truly courting death, daring to look down on my master?"
His master had practiced martial arts since childhood and, by chance, had become an apprentice of a renowned master! Even if dozens of guards from the Duke's mansion were to swarm him, they wouldn't be able to harm him. This lowly yamen runner was so arrogant; he was simply a frog in a well!
Yu Wanran glanced at Lu Bantou's unsteady lower body and slowly walked towards him.
Lu Bantou watched her movements intently.
Yu Wanran appeared nonchalant as she threw a punch. In the instant Lu Bantou dodged to the side, she suddenly kicked out, sending the opponent's massive frame flying!
"Bang" sound!
Lu Ban Tou didn't even have time to dodge; he flew backward like a kicked piece of trash, plowing a deep trench in the flowerbed seven or eight meters away.
Before he could even feel shame, anger, or regret, a tightness in his chest caused him to faint.
This was only because Yu Wanran held back. If the other party were an enemy, this blow would have either killed them or seriously injured them!
Everyone stared in disbelief, looking at Lu Ban's head lying upright in the distance, and then at Yu Wanran, who was calm and still in the arena as if she hadn't moved at all, and felt like they were hallucinating.
This competition ended before it even began!