Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

Chapter 112 Tiger Mountain Journey

"it is good!"

Xue Heyu excitedly blurted out a cheer!

Xue Jingui jumped up and down, clapping his hands repeatedly.

Yanqing felt honored and smiled broadly.

"Concession!"

Yu Wanran bowed to Lu Ban and said two words in a low voice.

The group of constables who had been running to check on their colleague's life were now bewildered and silently glanced back at her.

You don't have to be so polite, the person is unconscious...

Magistrate Hao stood frozen in place, his face extremely grim. Only when Xue Heyu turned his attention to him did he awkwardly clap twice.

"Truly a heroine among women! No wonder she had the courage to volunteer to join the bandit suppression team! Lord Xue, your niece is quite remarkable!"

Xue Heyu was overjoyed. He felt that Yu Wanran was not only his savior but also his lucky star! With Yu Wanran's help, how could the bandit suppression not succeed?

At this moment, Lu Ban was finally awakened by his colleagues' repeated calls. He was so ashamed that he hung his head and pretended to be dizzy.

Magistrate Hao scolded the group of clueless yamen runners in a bad mood: "Why aren't you carrying Lu Ban's head back to the jail and calling a doctor to take a look? You never train properly, and now you can't even beat a woman. You're a disgrace!"

This entire bureaucratic staff was essentially his people. To see them humiliated in front of their successor was truly disheartening.

Turning to Xue Heyu, he still had to politely cup his hands and say, "Lord Xue, I've reserved a private room at Fuyun Restaurant. Shall we go for a drink at noon?"

Xue Heyu laughed and said, "Lord Hao, my niece has come from afar, and I still have to entertain her. Let's reschedule our appointment with Lord Hao for another day, so I can give you a proper send-off!"

Magistrate Hao smirked.

"In that case, I'll take my leave first. Lord Xue, we'll continue our business this afternoon."

After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.

After Yu Wanran and the other unrelated people had all left, she returned to the Third Hall with Xue Heyu. Xue Heyu sincerely extended an invitation: "Miss Yu, I would like to invite you to dine at Jubinlou Restaurant. Would you do me the honor?"

Yu Wanran was looking forward to discussing the bandit suppression with him, and readily agreed.

Upon hearing this, Xue Jingui cleverly rushed ahead and booked a private room at Jubinlou Restaurant.

Xue Heyu asked Yu Wanran to wait a moment, then went back to the back office to change into civilian clothes. He and Yu Wanran then walked to Jubinlou Restaurant. Yanqing and Xue Jingui, both considered confidants of the two men, stayed in the private room, and the four of them dined together.

During the meal, Yu Wanran asked, "Lord Xue, how much do you know about the banditry in Qingling Mountain?"

Xue Heyu frowned. He had only recently arrived in Decheng and was not yet settled. All his knowledge and understanding came from Magistrate Hao and his associates in the government, as well as from rumors circulating in the streets.

He had no idea what the bandits of Qingling Mountain were.

He didn't know exactly how many bandits there were; whether it was one group or multiple groups; or whether they were connected to the local tyrants in Decheng. Magistrate Hao hadn't provided detailed information, so he didn't know.

Yu Wanran pondered for a moment: "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. To suppress the bandits, we must first understand their situation. Lord Xue, I am willing to go to Qingling Mountain to investigate, find out where the bandits are, and then report back to you."

Xue Heyu now believed in Yu Wanran's abilities. However, he was a little worried because Yu Wanran only had one attendant with her.

“Miss Yu is willing to serve the imperial court, and I, representing the Decheng government, am naturally extremely grateful. However… it is far too risky for just the two of you to act!”

"It's better than this!"

He slammed his fist on the table and made a decision.

"Miss Yu, please come to the yamen again tomorrow. I will arrange for a few capable men to accompany you to Qingling Mountain."

Noticing Yu Wanran's hesitant gaze, he quickly added, "It's definitely not a good-for-nothing like Lu Bantou! This time when I came to Decheng to take up my post, my family also sent several capable people."

Yu Wanran smiled knowingly.

"Ok."

Suppressing bandits is their common goal. Only through sincere cooperation and meticulous planning can they restore peace to the people of Decheng.

After the banquet, Xue Heyu took his leave and returned to the yamen with Xue Jingui. Yu Wanran led Yanqing back to the inn early to rest, conserving their energy for the upcoming battle.

The next day, Yu Wanran checked out of the guest room. Leading her horse and carrying her luggage, she and Yanqing arrived at the yamen. They didn't see the legendary carpenter Lu Ban; instead, an unfamiliar yamen runner respectfully led them to the second hall.

Xue Heyu wore a blue silk robe and a black gauze hat. On the square badge on his chest was embroidered a mandarin duck, which represented the seventh rank of official. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with black brocade, and a black silk sash was tied around his waist, from which hung a white jade pendant, exuding a dignified and refined air.

Upon seeing Yu Wanran, without much small talk, he immediately summoned the prepared personnel.

Two imposing, burly men and a short, stout, round man.

Xue Heyu pointed to the two burly men and said, "Miss Yu, these two are my men. You can order them around with confidence. The one on the left is named Dou Yi, and the one on the right is Qiu Yan."

Then he introduced the short, fat man.

"This is Du Hu, a constable from the yamen. He knows the roads in Qingling Mountain and can be your guide."

"A local tyrant," Yu Wanran couldn't help but glance at Du Hu again.

The three stepped forward to greet him. Xue Heyu repeatedly instructed them to follow Yu Wanran's instructions and to prioritize safety.

Considering their mission was to gather intelligence, and aside from needing to disguise themselves, carrying much luggage was inconvenient. Yu Wanran left her horse at the yamen (government office). As for provisions, Xue and Yu had already arranged for them to be prepared.

The five men immediately disguised themselves as a group of villagers, carrying baskets and vegetable baskets, and came out of the back gate of the yamen to the city gate to take a carriage.

Not a single driver was willing to take the trip to Qingling Mountain. Yu Wanran had no choice but to settle for second best and follow Du Hu's suggestion: first go to Zeshan Village outside the city, stay there for the night, and then walk forty or fifty li to Qingling Mountain.

In order not to alert the enemy, we have no choice but to work hard.

On the way, Yu Wanran and Du Hu chatted. It turned out that Du Hu's hometown was Zeshan Village. He was lucky enough to find a job in the government office, which allowed him to bring his family to the city.

However, some other relatives of the Du family remained in Zeshan Village.

Yu Wanran subtly inquired of Du Hu about the local specialties of Qingling Mountain. Du Hu thought for a long time and said that the mountain was abundant in mushrooms.

However, these things, once dried and brought into the city, won't fetch much money. But if you're lucky enough to dig up valuable herbs, you could make a fortune.

Unfortunately, bandits have been rampant lately, lurking in the Qingling Mountains and frequently coming out to rob and plunder. Most herb gatherers dare not enter the mountains, causing medical treatment and medicine to become expensive in the city.

Yu Wanran mentioned that there is a small river at the foot of Qingling South Mountain.

Du Hu casually remarked, "Yes, there are two or three villages over there. The villagers make a living by digging the river mud to make inkstones. But that's where the bandits are most rampant. In one village, it's said that the entire population was wiped out. Alas, it was so tragic!"

Yu Wanran's heart skipped a beat; this was exactly what she wanted to hear!

But the entire village was killed?

Are bandits really that rampant?

"Then let's start our investigation with the village at the foot of Nanshan Mountain. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"

Du Hu and his two companions assumed Yu Wanran was indeed Xue Heyu's great-niece. Their attitude was respectful, and their words were often ingratiating. How could they possibly refuse her decision?

As we traveled to Zeshan Village, everyone discussed things and got along well.