Ch. 93 - Hero of the Common Folk
At the mention of orcs, Tang Qi perked right up.
After all, they were the fundamental reason their entire town had fled as refugees.
So he pulled out a gold coin, flicked it into Chuck's hand, and without revealing his identity yet, continued walking while probing:
"Aren't the orcs blocked outside the southern Great Wall, who knows how far from here? How could they make Longgold City declare martial law?"
Chuck was delighted by how "sensible" this gentleman was, which made him work even harder.
Walking ahead to lead the way, he explained in greater detail:
"The news came from inside the city. Apparently half a month ago, that 'Starberry Magnate' [Merle Barrye] reported to the [Dragon Council Hall] that his territory had been attacked by orcs.
This gentleman is one of the few nobles in the city who truly owns a territory and made his fortune from it—
Though I hear the noble circles think he reeks of farmyard manure, no one mentions it openly.
After all, the wealth he extracts each year from selling starberry wine and fruit pulp could easily buy up some fallen noble's estate.
And he's never stingy with his gold coins, hosting parties at his mansion every week, inviting those nobles to feast.
People are all speculating that he's trying to secure a position as a [Masked Lord]."
Tang Qi glanced back at Melade, noticing a sudden surge of inexplicable confidence radiating from the little white pig.
Hey, hey—they're calling your whole family country bumpkins who like to throw money around, why are you feeling proud about it?
He continued probing:
"So the orcs destroyed his territory? Didn't Longgold City send troops to stop them? Why is the city still under martial law half a month later?"
"Our Public Lord, [Leon Lionheart], immediately dispatched an army deep into Dawnmist Forest, but a week ago, they returned in utter defeat.
I still remember what they looked like when they left Longgold City—however confident they were leaving, they were equally dejected returning.
If not for the orcs occupying that territory and showing no desire to expand outward for now, the Lord would probably have tried deploying the [Flying Dragon Cavalry]."
Utter defeat?
Tang Qi began to reflect—had he underestimated that orc tribe?
But considering Dawnmist Forest's complex terrain and treacherous mists, if the orcs received advance warning and prepared an ambush, relying on those two hundred physically powerful warriors to defeat a probing vanguard force wasn't impossible...
"So the Lord doesn't plan to retake the territory?" Tang Qi asked.
"Not at all. Apparently he's regrouping, so that the second venture into Dawnmist Forest will be victorious and minimize Longgold City's losses."
Chuck simply stopped in place, beckoned Tang Qi to lean in and listen, then answered in a low voice:
"That's what they say, but I suspect this Lord is hoping to take advantage of this rare opportunity to collect some 'Spear Tax'—
That's a fee for recruiting mercenaries during special times. Every ten days they collect two silver coins from every household.
Although this tax money is nominally paid to mercenaries, do you really think they won't pocket some of it themselves? No one would believe otherwise."
"So how long will this drag on? Can the Starberry Magnate accept this outcome?"
"He's probably in no mood to care about any of that, right?"
Chuck shrugged and resumed his small steps.
"The soldiers didn't just bring news of defeat, they also brought news of his legitimate son's death—
I hear the old lord cried his heart out and is preparing to hold a grand funeral for the young master at [Burial Grounds]."
"Burial Grounds?"
"Longgold City's cemetery, located on the low hills bordering Dawnmist Forest to the east. It's quiet, peaceful—the largest park in the city district."
"No—we need to hurry into the city!" Melade exclaimed.
Tang Qi couldn't suppress his smile:
"Of course, young master. Rush to attend your own funeral?"
"No, no! If they confirm my death, the 'Brotherhood Club' will definitely cancel my membership, and then I'll have to accumulate credit points all over again!"
"What would that result in?"
"I won't be able to book that smoking-hot male model!"
"Fuck, I thought it was something important? Just switch to a different one!" Stonecrusher couldn't help but curl his lip.
"'Tender ducklings are always elevated to swans.' It's because of people like you with more money than sense driving up prices that their hooks become worth more than gold."
These words reached Chuck's ears, and he immediately realized:
"Wait—there usually aren't this many people arriving at Dragon's Tail Pass together.
Don't tell me... you're the residents of that Starberry Town!?"
"More or less."
Tang Qi figured this might be a good opportunity to build some reputation.
"The day before the orcs reached Starberry Town, we led everyone in town to escape. After 24 days, we crossed through Dawnmist Forest and finally arrived at Longgold City to seek refuge."
"Good heavens, that must be quite a story!"
Halflings are always clever—he immediately recognized Tang Qi's intent in emphasizing this and started flattering him.
Unlike rough dwarves or humorous gnomes, this race that looked like proportionally scaled-down humans always managed to maintain conversation at a comfortable level for everyone.
They were skilled at blending into any racial community.
So much so that their traces could be found in every corner of the world.
"Why not come rest at my inn for a while? I'm sure my children would love to hear about your experiences."
He was so friendly that Tang Qi's group completely failed to realize this fellow had been leading them toward his own inn from the very beginning.
Looking at the three-story residence built of bluestone and timber, its roof decorated with verdant broad leaves and bearing a sign reading [House of Friends], it truly made one want to stay there.
But Tang Qi still declined with a wry smile:
"You'd be better off marketing to that red-haired young lady in our group. If the price is fair, she'd be happy to settle the townspeople there."
"No worries."
Chuck pinched his nose, even humming somewhat proudly:
"Actually, I already sent my daughters to handle that."
"But we still need to enter the city."
"I really haven't deceived you, sir. Even if you inform the guards of this noble young master's identity, they won't let you into the city."
Chuck sighed deeply and still advised:
"The guard captain watching the city gate is rigid as can be—his thinking is literally hard as stone!
Just a few days ago, he refused entry to a noble young lady—
'Do you know who I am? I'm Wendy of the [Silver Shield] family, my father commands the [Flying Dragon Cavalry]!'
The halfling first mimicked a woman's shrill voice, then coughed twice and performed a one-man show in a deep voice:
'I know, miss. But no matter who it is, entering Longgold City requires the Lord's permission.'
'Yes, so I'm going to find my father to get the permission to show you!'
'Then please go find Lord [Silver Shield].'
'But my father is inside Longgold City!'
'Entry requires the Lord's permission.'
'Enough! Do you believe I'll have my father dismiss you!'
'I apologize, but even Lord [Silver Shield] has no authority to do so.'
'Why not?'
'Because we belong to the [City Guard], not the same system as the [Flying Dragon Cavalry].'"
Chuck's imitation was spot-on—he even grabbed his brown short hair into two little tufts, which at least let Tang Qi know this Miss [Silver Shield] had twin-tails.
At the same time, he caught some key words:
"So the Public Lord directly issued the martial law decree?"
"Yes. But that's not really important. What's important is—that captain belongs to the [City Guard], mostly common folk from Longgold City's Lower District serving as guards.
These people won't openly mock nobles, but they absolutely won't bend over backward for nobles either.
If not for the [Silver Shield] family's illustrious reputation, he probably would have thrown that young lady in jail already.
So even if this 'magnanimous' young master reveals his identity, he probably can't overcome that captain's stubbornness..."
Thinking of how he'd been mocked and suppressed by everyone in the group these past days, just this simple courtesy was enough to move Melade:
"You're the first person to see my magnanimity at first glance!"
"Is it possible he meant literally wide and thick?" Stonecrusher couldn't help teasing with hands on hips.
"No, I naturally meant personality."
Chuck wouldn't speak his inner thoughts aloud.
This indeed earned Melade's approval:
"I like you, little guy!"
Just as the halfling felt proud of his verbal skills, he suddenly heard Tang Qi remind him:
"Perhaps you should know, when he says 'like,' it's not just the literal meaning..."
Chuck's expression froze, then he remembered Melade's earlier shout about "male models."
He hurriedly corrected himself:
"Well, I meant literally."
Melade wailed:
"What did I ever do wrong to make you treat me like a dwarf!?"
"Fuck you!"
Stonecrusher instinctively raised his leg to kick his ass.
But just as he lifted his leg, he remembered what hooks meant to this little white pig.
This made him quickly stop the motion, spitting silently:
"Goddamn afraid you'd enjoy it."
Tang Qi looked at Chuck: "You said the guards are commoners, right?"
The halfling nodded blankly: "Yes."
"Good—anyway, thanks for the information, but we're still going to take a look."
Tang Qi got the intelligence he wanted, not being stingy about flicking out another gold coin into Chuck's hand, then promptly pulled the others away.
Chuck hurriedly followed:
"Really, it's not worth wasting time, they won't listen to your explanations. They won't let anyone in or out!"
"They will."
"There was a persistent painter before, quite famous. He clamored about wanting to leave the city to sketch landscapes, and was promptly thrown in jail!"
"I'm different."
"Why can't you wait until martial law ends? I estimate in a few more days, after they harvest another round of 'Spear Tax,' it'll be about done..."
"Because I need to enter the city early to rent property and get settled.
And the longer it drags on, the harder it is for those three hundred townspeople behind me.
They're not like me—they can't sustain the expenses of staying here."
Tang Qi walked all the way to beneath the great gate of[Dragon's Tail Pass].
It was a massive arched gateway connecting to thick gray walls, about twenty meters high. The stone pillars on both sides were carved by craftsmen with fantastical dragons—
Compared to Yiwu's build, its body appeared more slender.
Dragon wings extended from the neck all the way to the tail. If you straightened its spine, it would probably look like a sword.
Several guards in chain mail carrying spears stood watch outside the city gate.
Among them was a human male equipped with sword and shield, plate armor and steel helm, easily distinguished from the rest, who sprawled bored at a desk.
Seeing the group approach, he couldn't help spitting:
"Damn Chuck, didn't I tell you to keep people outside Dragon's Tail Pass? Why do you keep bringing people to the city gate again and again?
Give back all the commission I paid you!"
Tang Qi turned to point at the 'captain,' looking at the embarrassed Chuck:
"This is the real reason you kept trying to stop us?"
"Well, I took the captain's money, so I can only follow his orders—'Integrity is a merchant's first principle' after all."
Chuck felt somewhat awkward too, caught between the two, he could only quietly advise Tang Qi, this outsider:
"Don't you understand yet? The Lord stationed them at the gate for martial law precisely to create an appearance of 'urgent circumstances' to collect 'Spear Tax'!
Before the next round of tax collection, they absolutely won't relent.
Let's go, let's go, don't get in their way here... this captain doesn't have the best temper.
The prison food in Longgold City isn't as good as we halflings' hometown cuisine!"
Somehow, though the two were meeting for the first time, Chuck always felt this 'outsider' seemed to have a special affinity, making him unconsciously radiate goodwill.
But Tang Qi acted as if he hadn't heard the warning at all, loudly explaining to the fierce-looking City Guard captain approaching:
"Respected sir, I'm not trying to be unreasonable, but the situation is urgent. I must report our hardships along the way to you, so that the Lord can understand the full situation!"
"Sigh, why won't he listen to reason?"
Chuck couldn't help shaking his head and covering his face.
He felt he'd given adequate warning. If this gentleman still insisted on entering the city and got thrown in jail for it, there was nothing more to say.
He really had tried his best.
But the expected rebuke and cursing never came.
Instead, the iron boots striking the stone pavement made increasingly slower "clanging" sounds.
Until the captain walked right up to Tang Qi and asked peacefully, even hesitantly:
"Friend, what happened?"
"Huh!?"
Chuck's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets like marbles from shock at the captain's attitude.
If he'd known, he wouldn't have been so certain about telling him he'd definitely be thrown in jail.
The astounded halfling now just wanted to pull out a red nose to stick on his face...
But—
This absolutely wasn't the rigid guard captain from his impression!
That man dared defy even nobles!
Let alone face a complete stranger, an 'outsider'!
Yet why, why was his attitude so friendly, his tone so gentle...
As if encountering a long-lost old friend?
Only Tang Qi knew the source of this friendliness—
[Bearing: Hero of the Common Folk].
[In the eyes of commoners who haven't met you, you are surprisingly approachable.
Your words are more likely to convince them, your songs sound especially pleasant to them.]
As a hero, being treated differently by a common guard captain was perfectly normal, wasn't it?