Chapter 067: Good Things Take Time
Father Qin shook the sweat from his body and sighed, “You heard what those military officers said just now. They covet the treasured blades in your possession and intend to seize them for themselves. This sort of thing will surely happen again in the future. It would be wise to forge a scabbard and keep your sword hidden away. That is the proper way.”
Luo Shixin immediately protested, “But my spear is so long—how could I possibly make a scabbard for it?”
Father Qin laughed and waved his hand. “Yours doesn’t need a scabbard. It’s only a little better than an ordinary weapon. So long as you don’t let go of it, with your natural strength, no one could easily take it from you. But Li Dong’s sword is a divine artifact. If he flaunts it, he’ll inevitably invite trouble and complications. He must be careful and prudent.”
Li Dong felt a cold shiver in his heart, understanding the truth of Father Qin’s words. With such a wondrous sword and his own lowly status, it would be fine if he only encountered upright people, but if he came across someone strong and unscrupulous, surely they would covet the sword and not rest until it was theirs.
“Father, your advice is entirely correct. I am deeply grateful for your guidance and will never forget it!” Li Dong’s cheeks flushed. He knew Qin Ai’s words were a warning to him; after all, he had just obtained this precious sword at a young age and could not help but have a tendency to show off.
Father Qin nodded with satisfaction. “You are teachable! There is still a little of that strange stone left—just enough to make a scabbard. Not much will remain after that. It’s a pity this house now has a gaping hole from the fire.”
Qin Qiong then spoke up, “It’s late already. We’ll make a few simple repairs—enough to keep out gentlemen, if not scoundrels. Tomorrow we can take the time to mend things properly.”
“That’s all we can do,” Father Qin replied.
Li Dong, however, was pondering silently. He feared that by tomorrow, this blacksmith’s shop would become a place of trouble. That magistrate—what sort of person was he? His men had been beaten soundly; would he let the matter rest? Likely he would send men over tomorrow—or, if impatient, even tonight—to search the place. He had to resolve the matter tonight. Given how complicated things were, he could only go to the county office and plead with Zhang Xutuo; perhaps he would have a better solution.
As Father and Son Qin entered the shop to work on the scabbard, Li Dong handed the sword over to them, saying, “I have an errand to run. I’ll be back soon. Once you’ve finished, don’t wait for me—when I’m done, I’ll come find you.”
Without waiting for their reply, he slipped out of the shop. Qin Qiong hurried after him, but only caught a glimpse of Li Dong’s departing figure, already far away.
Once in the inner city, Li Dong looked for an elderly man and bowed, asking, “Excuse me, sir, could you direct me to the county magistrate’s residence?”
The old man’s face was wrinkled like a crane’s, his skin like parchment. He stared at Li Dong for a while before asking, “Young sir, what brings you to the magistrate’s residence at this late hour?”
Li Dong bowed again. “I have urgent business and would be grateful for your guidance, elder.”
The old man rambled for some time about how there were people at the county office in the morning but none in the afternoon, and then finally said, “Head straight east for about a mile, turn left and go a few hundred paces, then turn right for a bowshot’s distance. When you see a large locust tree, turn left again. Walk as long as it takes to smoke a pipe, and you’ll find the magistrate’s residence.”
Li Dong memorized the sequence—left, right, left—and thanked the old man before hurrying off. After a dozen paces, the old man called out, “Young man, come back!”
Li Dong found this odd and quickly returned. “Is there something else, sir?”
“Ah! These old eyes are getting dim, I can’t seem to do anything right these days. I even wet my shoes when I cough!” the old man lamented. “I told you wrong just now. When you reach the locust tree, don’t turn right—that way you’ll fall into a ditch. You should turn left!”
Li Dong couldn’t help but smile. “Would I really be so careless as to fall in?” he thought, though he was grateful for the old man’s kindness. He thanked him a third time and strode east with renewed speed.
During the Sui period, government offices worked in the mornings, and unless there was urgent business, most officials were out strolling by afternoon. Only a few remained on duty in the most important departments. Now that dusk was falling, the offices would surely be empty—just as the old man had said.
Li Dong, knowing this from his time in Zhangqiu, had not asked for directions to the county office, but to Zhang Xutuo’s residence. At this hour, with lights just beginning to glow and people at supper, Zhang Xutuo should be at home.
Following the old man’s directions, after the time it took to eat a meal, Li Dong saw a grand residence up ahead, with red lanterns hanging high at the gate and broad stone steps several feet tall. Several guards stood before the door.
Li Dong quickened his pace and announced to the guards, “I am Li Dong of Zhangqiu, here to request an audience with the magistrate. Please inform him.”
The guards exchanged glances. One of them said regretfully, “What unfortunate timing. The governor sent for him just now; Magistrate Zhang left moments before you arrived. If you hurry, you may still catch up—it’s only been the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.”
Li Dong cursed his luck, thanked the guard, and after asking directions to the governor’s residence, sped off in pursuit.
By the time he reached the governor’s gate, night had fully fallen.
Li Dong begged the guards to announce him, but they refused no matter what he said. “The governor, magistrate, and county constable are meeting late at night—there must be important business. If any of us interrupts, we’ll be in for trouble. Come back tomorrow at the office!”
No matter how Li Dong pleaded, wearing his voice thin, the guards would not relent, even telling him to stand farther off and not get in the way.
In the past, Li Dong would have lost his temper, but as he needed to ensure the safety of Father and Son Qin, he could only endure. He stood at a distance in the darkness, waiting for Zhang Xutuo to finish his business and come out so he could explain everything.
Time slipped by—two hours passed in silence. Li Dong’s stomach was gnawing with hunger, but for the sake of the Qin family’s peace, he forced himself to hold on.
Only near midnight did something finally stir at the governor’s gate. Zhang Xutuo and another man emerged, saluted one another, and parted ways, each on horseback with a few dozen attendants.
Li Dong thought, “That other man must be the county constable. This matter must not be known to more people, lest word spread and bring trouble.” He waited until the constable had gone far, then saw Zhang Xutuo’s figure recede into the night.
Li Dong stepped from the shadows and sped after him.
The guards at the governor’s residence were a little surprised. “He’s not very old, but he’s patient—he waited all this time in the dark!” They watched Li Dong’s determined pursuit with admiration.
After a stretch, Li Dong saw Zhang Xutuo and his men ahead and called out, “Magistrate Zhang, please wait! I have something urgent to report!”
In the stillness of the night, his voice carried far. Zhang Xutuo reined in, turning to peer into the darkness.
When Li Dong was a dozen paces away, the guards raised their weapons in a defensive formation, shouting, “Halt! Who are you to disturb the magistrate at this hour?”
Li Dong stopped at once and called out loudly, “I am Li Dong of Zhangqiu, here to see Magistrate Zhang!”
The guards did not reply, but advanced cautiously, fearing that a mere youth could have no real business with Zhang Xutuo—perhaps he was an assassin.
But when Zhang Xutuo heard, he was overjoyed. Leaning forward in his saddle, he peered at Li Dong until he recognized him, then exclaimed delightedly, “Ah! All my searching was in vain, and here you are delivered to my very door! What good fortune!”
With that, Zhang Xutuo swung down from his horse, dismissed the guards, and strode quickly toward Li Dong.