A Deeply Rooted Grudge is Hard to Unravel; An Official Remains Unconcerned with World Aff

Song Jiang then asked, "Commander Yang, are you enjoying your days?"

This question really stumped Yang Zhi. He lowered his head and remained silent. Yes, was he truly happy every day?

Every day, he thinks about how to restore the glory of his ancestors. Even though the court is currently waging war against the Western Xia, he has volunteered many times, eager to go to the Western Xia battlefield with Tong Guan. But the court only asks him to escort granite. He is willing to do such a thing. It doesn't matter if he can't go to the battlefield. As long as he can do something, he will eventually be able to restore the glory of the past!

Back then, the Yang family generals fought valiantly on the battlefield, their robes stained with blood, full of spirit and vigor. Even though they ultimately met their end on the frontier, wrapped in horsehide, everyone who spoke of the Yang family generals praised and admired them. However, in his generation, although he was nominally still a military officer of the imperial court, he was not even half as glorious as his ancestors. Wasn't his pursuit to restore his ancestors' glory to himself? But he was getting further and further away from that goal, and he didn't know if he could ever achieve it in this lifetime. Thinking of this, Yang Zhi clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and grief welled up in his heart. Why? Why was fate so unfair?

Seeing Yang Zhi remain silent for a long time, Song Jiang silently drank the wine in his bowl, put it down, sighed, and left. Yang Zhi's burden was simply too heavy; it couldn't be untied with just a few words. Sometimes, saying too much is less effective than letting him figure out for himself what he truly seeks.

After a while, Yang Zhi brought a full bowl of wine to Song Jiang and said, "Clerk, I'd like to offer you a bowl." Without waiting for Song Jiang to speak, he drank it all in one gulp.

Yang Zhi looked at Song Jiang, seemingly wanting to say something. At this moment, Bian Xiang, Mi Sheng, and Wu Song also stepped forward with wine cups, laughing and saying, "Commander Yang, how can you not drink with us? Do you underestimate our drinking capacity?"

Yang Zhi's expression froze! He swallowed the words he was about to say, and stood there blankly holding the bowl, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Despite Yang Zhi's seemingly good relationship with everyone along the way, and the occasional laughter and conversation, he actually had no true friends and no one to confide his innermost thoughts to.

Actually, you can't blame him. His background destined him to be unable to form close friendships with people from humble backgrounds. The gap between classes can never be bridged. In addition, Yang Zhi was proud and arrogant and disdained to take the initiative to make friends, so he was never very popular.

Song Jiang laughed and said, "Commander Yang, don't be so formal. It's fate that we've met, and it's a blessing that we can sit together and drink. Don't you agree that we have this good fortune?"

Yang Zhi felt a warmth in his heart. No one had ever said these words to him before. In the past, every high-ranking official who met him would show off their superiority or make sarcastic remarks about their ancestors. But since meeting Song Jiang, Song Jiang had always been respectful, warm, and easy-going towards him.

Wu Song, Bian Xiang, and Mi Sheng all held him in genuine respect. This respect didn't stem from his status—after all, the Yang family had long since fallen, and he was now merely a fugitive who had lost the tribute of precious stones—but rather from the Yang family's indomitable spirit of sacrificing themselves for the country since the founding of the Song Dynasty.

The Yang family has indeed declined. Many people sigh when they mention the Yang family, and of course, some are disdainful and contemptuous. Yang Zhi has been subjected to too much ridicule and insults since he was a child. He has long been used to the coldness of human relationships and the fickleness of the world. Unfortunately, because he was too proud, he didn't even have a colleague to speak up for him when he got into trouble this time.

It wasn't until Yang Zhi met Song Jiang, who knew the Yang family's history intimately, that he realized the family's past achievements hadn't been forgotten, and their sacrifices were still remembered. Indeed, protecting one's country should never be forgotten.

Yang Zhi didn't know how to start the conversation, but Bian Xiang put his arm around Yang Zhi's shoulder and laughed, "Commander Yang, we're all brothers drinking together, so don't keep such a long face, give us a smile."

Yang Zhi forced a smile, though it looked terrible, but no one cared. This time, Yang Zhi completely let go of his burdens and drank heartily with everyone.

Song Jiang smiled. In truth, he felt some sympathy for Yang Zhi. If he could truly change Yang Zhi's fate, he didn't care whether history would follow its original trajectory. It didn't matter anyway; life was meant to be spectacular, nothing was a big deal.

Thinking of this, he started singing to himself:

Over the years, one person

The wind has passed, the rain has gone.

There have been tears, there have been mistakes.

Do you still remember what you persisted in?

Only those who have truly loved will understand.

There will be loneliness, there will be looking back.

There will always be dreams, and there will always be you in my heart.

Friends for life

Those days are gone.

. . . . . .

None of them had ever heard a song with such a melody before. After Song Jiang finished singing, they were still savoring the sound of his voice!

Their singing wasn't particularly moving, but the lyrics and melody lingered in their hearts!

"Brother, why don't you teach me this song too!" Wu Song said first!

Bian Xiang and Mi Sheng also expressed their desire to learn this song!

Song Jiang laughed and said, "In that case, let's sing together!"

Yes, friends walk together for a lifetime, those days are gone, a word, a lifetime, a lifetime of friendship, a cup of wine. Sometimes friendship lies in the heart, valued for its sincerity, it's that simple. But very few can actually achieve it. Song Jiang also hoped that this song would allow Yang Zhi to completely integrate into their group, regardless of whether he leaves in the future.

Song Jiang said loudly, "I'll sing a line, and you'll all sing a line after me."

. . . . . .

Teaching a few tone-deaf men to sing was no easy task. Finally, after Song Jiang's voice was almost hoarse, these guys were able to sing the whole song.

Seeing that they had learned how to do it, Song Jiang said in a hoarse voice, "It's getting late, let's stop here for today. We have things to do tomorrow!"

Wu Song nodded and said, "Let's rest here tonight!"

Song Jiang wasn't used to sharing a bed with men, and looking at the cramped quarters before him, he sighed and said in a hoarse voice, "There are too many of us to sleep. Tomorrow I'll rent the large house next door, and we'll all go there together!"

Wu Song couldn't say anything more, and Song Jiang and the others also left one after another.

The next morning, Song Jiang gathered everyone in his room as soon as he got up. He sent Bian Xiang with two servants to inquire in the county about people who were good at stealing or had close ties with thieves. He sent Mi Sheng with two other servants to look for suspicious people among the beggars in the county. As for Hao Siwen and Jiao Ting, they were to go outside the city to investigate for the time being. Gongsun Sheng was a free man, and Song Jiang usually wouldn't make many arrangements for him.

He then took Zhu Tong to the county government office. Yang Zhi, seeing that he wasn't involved, hurriedly asked what was going on. Song Jiang explained that the inn also needed someone to keep watch so that any news could be promptly relayed. Yang Zhi nodded, indicating that he had no objection.

On the way, Zhu Tong asked Song Jiang, Mi Sheng, and Bian Xiang if they could find the thief. Song Jiang didn't have much hope. Beggars were often the least noticeable people. If the thief returned to Qinghe County, he would surely do so in a way that wouldn't attract attention. In the past two years, the Yellow River had flooded, and many people had been displaced on both banks. Many of them had fled to various places, and they could only survive by begging. Therefore, these refugees and beggars were usually not too conspicuous.

However, Song Jiang felt that the man would not infiltrate Qinghe County as a beggar. The reason he sent Mi Sheng to check on suspicious beggars was just to be on the safe side, in case he neglected the beggars. If the man really did sneak back as a beggar, he would be in deep trouble. It was also a precaution.

As for the skilled thief, Song Jiang didn't hold out much hope. Judging from the person's methods, he must be a master thief. Master thieves usually don't let outsiders know about their skills, while petty thieves who make a living by stealing only steal valuables, antiques, and paintings. Their methods are mostly clumsy, and they are easily discovered. Not only would the authorities keep a record of them, but Song Jiang also suspected that this thief might have never appeared in the martial arts world before and was not an ordinary thief. At least most ordinary people would definitely not know his true identity.

The most important thing right now is to figure out the motive behind this person's theft. Is it because he wants money? Song Jiang doesn't really believe it. So the motive is what Song Jiang wants to know most. Otherwise, even if you catch the thief, you won't be able to catch the person behind him. Moreover, the thief's skills are so superb that Song Jiang doesn't want him to die. If such a talented person doesn't join Liangshan, Song Jiang will feel that he is not worthy of his nickname "Timely Rain".

However, if the person behind the theft is not caught, the master thief will almost certainly die if caught. You have to know that he stole imperial treasures, which triggered a manhunt throughout Shandong. The theft must be punished, otherwise it would not have ended so well. Song Jiang doesn't have many good solutions for the time being, and can only take it one step at a time.

Upon arriving at the Qinghe County Government Office, I was surprised to find an old acquaintance at the entrance—the constable who had led the group to the restaurant yesterday!

The constable saw Song Jiang greet him with a beaming smile. He had thoroughly enjoyed the meal the day before. Although he had some power, it was difficult for him to indulge in lavish meals at restaurants. His salary was meager, and he couldn't afford to ruin his life just for the sake of food!

After exchanging pleasantries, the constable led Song Jiang into the county government office!

In the county government office, Song Jiang had already handed the official document to the magistrate and explained the whole story!

After listening, the magistrate of Qinghe looked at Song Jiang with a worried expression. The matter was of great importance. In addition to the magistrate, the county magistrate's assistant, the county constable, and the clerk were all present in the county office!

The entire county government office was deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. No one wanted to speak first. After a while, the county magistrate finally broke the eerie silence with his first words.

"Song Jiang, I know your purpose, but my Qinghe County has a population of 30,000. How can you expect me to find someone in just a few days? And how can you be sure that this person is from my Qinghe County?" the magistrate said with a dark face, clearly not wanting to get involved in the matter.

Song Jiang thought for a moment and replied, "I believe this person is most likely from Qinghe County. I only hope that you, sir, will help us find the imperial treasure together."

The magistrate shook his head and frowned, saying, "The item was lost in Jizhou Prefecture, which has nothing to do with me. Qinghe County is not under the jurisdiction of your Jizhou Prefecture either. I can open the door for you, Clerk Song, to investigate this person, but please don't involve us."

Song Jiang sneered inwardly. This magistrate of Qinghe was too slick, trying to absolve himself of all responsibility and only let Song Jiang handle the affairs. He made it sound nice, opening the door to convenience, but in reality, he was just a hands-off manager.

Song Jiang only had about ten men, and time was of the essence. How could such a good thing be given to the magistrate? If they couldn't find the treasure, he would definitely be held responsible. But if they did find it, the magistrate would jump out and claim credit, or even take it all on himself, saying that Song Jiang wouldn't have found the treasure without him. That would be disgusting. Song Jiang believed that these officials were perfectly capable of doing such a thing.

In truth, Song Jiang didn't value this credit too much, but if this matter got out of his control, it would affect the overall plan, and no one could touch it.

Moreover, Song Jiang always felt that this matter was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. He was also interested in finding out the inside story. He always felt that there was an invisible hand silently controlling this matter, and he wanted to find out who was behind this hand.

Thinking of this, Song Jiang smiled and said calmly, "My lord, you are already involved in this matter, so you can't back out now."

The clerk beside him shouted, "How dare you, Song Jiang! Who do you think you are? You're just a lowly clerk. How dare you speak to an official like that? Do you really think Qinghe County can't deal with you?"

Song Jiang maintained his nonchalant smile: "Song Jiang wouldn't dare. However, it's almost certain that the thief is from Qinghe County. The pursuers that night weren't just from Yuncheng County; there were also inspectors and soldiers from Jizhou Prefecture. Although Qinghe County isn't under Jizhou Prefecture's jurisdiction, and the deadline set by Jizhou Prefecture doesn't affect Qinghe County, but..."

"But what?" The magistrate of Qinghe was annoyed that Song Jiang only said half of what he meant.

Song Jiang paused for a moment and said, "However, this matter has not yet alarmed His Majesty or the officials in the capital. If the imperial treasure cannot be recovered within a month, all the counties in Jizhou Prefecture will indeed be punished. And once His Majesty learns of this, the prefect of Jizhou Prefecture, where the treasure was lost, will inevitably be punished. But if His Majesty knows that the thief is from Qinghe County, and the magistrate of Qinghe County refuses to cooperate in the search, I wonder if His Majesty will suspect that the thief was actually sent by you officials?"

The magistrate of Qinghe County's expression changed, but he ultimately remained silent. However, the clerk beside him could no longer contain himself and reprimanded, "Nonsense! How could our magistrate possibly associate with such a despicable person?"

Song Jiang sighed, "I am a nobody, and my words carry little weight. No one can believe me. But if the prefect of Jizhou is afraid of being punished and forces you to take the blame, perhaps my punishment will be lighter? You know, the saying 'better to die for a friend than for myself' is a truth."

Song Jiang shook his head and continued, "You can tell our emperor that he suffered a defeat, that the Yellow River flooded and that local officials failed to provide adequate disaster relief, or even that he is corrupt and unacceptable. But you absolutely cannot tell him that he has no treasures!"