Jinchuan County Government

"I've always said that Xiaorou can't be exposed to the sun, which means she's destined for a life of wealth and nobility. Now, do you believe me?" Jin Feng pointed at the surrounding women and declared, "From now on, if anyone dares to gossip and call her a harbinger of misfortune, I won't stand for it!"

"We believe you, we believe you! When you come back with the reward, bring me a steamed bun made of fine flour. From now on, I'll call your wife the Goddess of Wealth whenever I see her," a bold village woman teased.

"Even if I don't bring you that steamed bun, you'll still have to call her the Goddess of Wealth!"

"Why's that?"

"Because you'll be earning money from her and living a better life."

"Well, I'll be waiting then."

"Don't worry, you won't have to wait long," Jin Feng said confidently.

As a time traveler, Jin Feng certainly wouldn't be confined to this small mountain village. This was just the starting point, not the end. Whatever he planned to do, he couldn't do it alone. Eventually, many people from Xihewan would find work through him and receive wages from Guan Xiaorou. Wasn't she their Goddess of Wealth?

But for now, the women thought Jin Feng was just boasting, and no one took him seriously. They all turned their attention to Zhang Liang, who had just returned to the village and was kneeling before his mother.

Life was tough for the Zhang family. As the breadwinner, Zhang Liang toiled in the fields until dark every day before returning home. Just as he reached his doorstep, he heard the roar of a tiger from the back mountain. His elderly mother, wife, and younger siblings were still up there digging for wild vegetables. Zhang Liang's heart sank.

He rushed to the back mountain only to find that Jin Feng had saved his entire family. After comforting his mother, he brought his younger brother, Zhang Mancang, who was still shaken, through the crowd to Jin Feng. With his only remaining arm, Zhang Liang thumped his chest and said, "Brother Jin, words cannot express my gratitude. From now on, my life is yours. Whatever you need, just say the word!"

This was the highest form of military respect.

"Brother Liang, your wife is Xiaorou's cousin. We're practically family. No need to be so formal," Jin Feng replied.

These words, though simple, struck a deep chord with Zhang Liang. The Zhang family, with two disabled members, had always struggled in the village. Even the women who dug for wild vegetables avoided Zhang Liang's wife and sister-in-law because they were too efficient. Over the years, Zhang Liang had experienced too much of life's harshness and had come to cherish any kindness shown to him. Jin Feng's bravery in saving his family and his heartfelt words had won Zhang Liang's unwavering loyalty.

The village chief watched this scene with a smile that nearly closed his eyes. In all his years, every time a tiger came down from the mountains, it would take a few lives. But this time, without even forming a tiger-hunting team, the village had managed to kill the tiger without a single casualty. Without Jin Feng even having to ask, the villagers spontaneously brought ropes and poles to carry the tiger to Jin Feng's house.

Guan Xiaorou brought out the peanuts and wedding candies she had brought back that morning and warmly entertained everyone. Though her face was still flushed with shyness, she carried herself like the lady of the house, earning more teasing from the women.

"Jin Feng, who are you planning to take to the county with you?" the village chief pulled Jin Feng aside and asked in a low voice.

Selling the tiger and claiming the reward would bring in a substantial sum. According to custom, Jin Feng would have to provide meals for those who accompanied him to the county, and if he was generous, he might even give them a small red envelope. In these times, opportunities to eat a full meal were rare, so accompanying someone to the county was considered a good deal. The village chief didn't want to make the decision himself.

"Chief, let's take Brother Tie, Brother Liu, and Brother Liang," Jin Feng decided with a smile.

The village chief, of course, had to go, and bringing his son Liu Tie along would be a gesture of goodwill, as Jin Feng would still need to work with the village in the future. Chen Liu, the hunter, was familiar with the county, having gone there several times a year to sell animal pelts, so it made sense to bring him along. The village chief was a bit surprised that Jin Feng wanted to bring the one-armed Zhang Liang, but since Jin Feng had made the decision, he didn't object.

By the time the villagers left, it was already midnight.

"Xiaorou, is there anything you want me to bring back for you?" Jin Feng asked casually as he helped Guan Xiaorou pack.

In these times, a trip to the county was a rare event, and many people might only go a few times in their lives.

"We have enough food at home, so there's nothing I really need..." Guan Xiaorou paused, then added, "But could you bring back a stick of candied hawthorn?"

"Of course," Jin Feng said, making a mental note. "What's the matter? Feeling a bit peckish?"

"My younger sister fell ill a couple of years ago. When my father took her to the county for treatment, she had candied hawthorn once. Ever since, she's been saying that if she could just have it one more time in her life, she'd be content." Guan Xiaorou's voice softened. "When I left, her health was getting worse. The elders in the village say she might not make it through this year... When you come back from the county, can I go visit her?"

"Of course you can," Jin Feng said, pulling Guan Xiaorou into his arms. "I'll go with you."

The first meal he had eaten here had been bought with his mother-in-law's savings. It was only right that he pay her a visit.

Before dawn the next day, the village chief arrived at Jin Feng's house with his son Liu Tie, the hunter Chen Liu, and Zhang Liang. Chen Liu was pushing a large cart.

Guan Xiaorou had risen even earlier and had already prepared a pot of millet porridge, which was now sitting on the table.

"Xiaorou, I probably won't be back tonight. If you're scared, go stay with your cousin," Jin Feng said.

The straight-line distance from Xihewan to the county was only about twenty miles, but a deep gorge lay between them, forcing them to take a detour. This extended the journey to over forty miles, more than half of which was along narrow mountain paths. There was no way they could make it back in a single day.

"Okay," Guan Xiaorou nodded obediently.

The mountain path was rugged and narrow, with many sections barely wider than the cart. Hauling a several-hundred-pound tiger made the journey even more difficult. Fortunately, they didn't encounter any bandits along the way. It took them over six hours to cover the thirty-plus miles of mountain road, and by mid-afternoon, they finally reached the foot of the mountain.

As they rounded the bend, the outline of a city came into view.

This was the county seat that governed Xihewan—Jinchuan County.

The county town wasn't large, spanning only about three to four miles in length and width, smaller than many modern townships. However, its walls, built from large blocks of blue brick, stood over fifteen feet tall. The surface was pockmarked with scars from blades, axes, and fire, as if narrating the battles that had once taken place here.

This was clearly a military town.

Once they reached the main road, the number of people increased, and Jin Feng's cart took up a good portion of the path.

In the mountainous region of Sichuan, tigers were a rampant menace, and the people had long suffered from their attacks. Seeing such a large tiger being hauled on a cart, the passersby quickly made way, showing their respect for the hero who had slain the beast.

This greatly satisfied the hunter and Liu Tie's vanity, and they walked with their heads held high, as if they themselves were the tiger-slaying heroes.

The group entered the county town through the east gate and headed straight for the county government office at the center of town. A crowd of curious onlookers followed them, filling the area outside the government office. Since killing a tiger was considered a public service, the guards didn't give Jin Feng and his companions any trouble. After inspecting the tiger's body and cutting out its tongue, they handed over the reward of three strings of cash to the village chief.