Unfortunately, the severe drought had created such harsh living conditions that all the animals had retreated deep into the mountains to survive.
Otherwise, luring out a few more would have been enough to end Du Qiang’s life.
The method of attracting wild beasts was something she had learned in her previous life from a skilled individual who had pledged allegiance to Xiao Lingyou.
This technique required a special lure.
The materials needed to make the lure were not common.
Over the past few days, she had been using her mental focus to search through the Space, but she had only found a small amount. The lure she had managed to make was entirely used on the three constables—Du Qiang, Feng Shan, and Sun Hao.
As soon as Du Qiang spotted them, his sinister gaze fixed on Su Yanxi. “Where are you going? Trying to run?”
Su Qinghe stepped forward, neither submissive nor arrogant, and addressed Liu Bantou, “Liu Bantou, our food and water are completely exhausted. We have two unconscious patients in our family, and without water or provisions, we cannot survive.
So, my brother and I thought we would rely on ourselves to search for food and water sources, which would also help lessen the burden on you officers.”
Liu Bantou frowned but did not outright forbid them. Instead, he asked, “Do you still have any of the medicine the physician gave you before we set out?
Du Qiang and Sun Hao are both injured. If you have any medicine, give them some.”
Although Liu Yuan was the Bantou of this group of constables, he usually did not involve himself much in managing affairs.
He did not intentionally bully the prisoners, nor did he intervene when Du Qiang and the others went too far, as long as their actions were not excessively cruel.
Overall, his allegiance clearly lay with Du Qiang and his companions.
Su Qinghe replied, “It’s all used up. We’re heading out now to see if we can find some herbs for my father and the little girl.”
“What? You lowly scum used up all the medicine on yourselves!
It seems I’ve been too lenient with you!” Upon hearing that they had exhausted the medicine, Du Qiang furiously lashed his whip toward Su Qinghe.
This time, Su Qingyu had been prepared. Despite the heavy shackles weighing him down, he swiftly grabbed hold of Du Qiang’s whip.
Enraged, Du Qiang snarled, “Su Qingyu, are you planning a rebellion?”
Su Qingyu was growing increasingly angry.
The Su Family had always been loyal and upright.
Six months ago, while he and his father were guarding the border, they had won three consecutive battles, repelling the enemy for a hundred miles and reclaiming three cities.
Yet, over a trivial matter, the Emperor had urgently recalled them to the capital with twelve golden decrees for questioning.
They were strictly ordered to return to the capital together.
But as soon as they left, the military provisions sent to the border were replaced with moldy grain and sand.
How could soldiers fight on empty stomachs?
Taking advantage of the situation, the Northern Di launched a counterattack and recaptured the three cities they had just reclaimed.
Upon their return to the capital, the treacherous court officials, who only knew how to manipulate power, used their defeat as an excuse to demand punishment.
It was only when three thousand Imperial College students rallied tens of thousands of citizens to plead for mercy that the Su Family was spared from disaster.
After that, his father surrendered his military command and remained in the capital as an idle marquis.
Even his elder brother, who had earned the title of Top Scholar, was implicated and forced to remain idle at home.
Deep down, they understood.
Throughout history, when the cunning hare dies, the hunting dog is cooked. Those with overwhelming achievements often become a threat in the eyes of their rulers.
Thus, the ministers’ memorials were either tacitly approved or directly instigated by the ruler.
They had thought that by relinquishing their military power and resigning from their official posts, the Su Family could live a peaceful and ordinary life.
But who could have imagined that the Emperor’s suspicion would never truly fade?
This time, they actually seized upon Father’s insistence on opening the granaries to distribute food as a pretext to cause trouble.
Reflecting on it now, Su Qingyu felt that the Su Family’s generations of loyal service to the sovereign seemed like nothing but a joke.
Du Qiang was startled by the fierce aura radiating from Su Qingyu.
He quickly tugged at the whip held by Su Qingyu and shouted, “What are you all standing around for? He’s truly rebelling! Why aren’t you attacking him?”
Su Qingyu’s intimidating presence was indeed alarming.
The other constables also grew wary, instinctively reaching for the whips hanging at their waists.
Su Yanxi patted the tense Su Qingyu and stepped forward, speaking calmly, “Constable Du, your wounds are quite deep. I advise you not to let anger accelerate your blood flow. Otherwise, even if we find medicinal herbs, we won’t be able to save you once you’ve bled out.”
Only then did Liu Bantou shout to stop Du Qiang.
He turned to the Su Family and asked, “Is there anyone among you who understands herbal medicine?”
Naturally, the three Su brothers did not.
Su Yanxi replied, “Bantou Liu, I know a little. If I can find herbs to treat wounds, I’ll gather some for Constable Du as well.”
Hearing this, Liu Yuan waved his hands repeatedly, “Fine, hurry up and go!”
At that moment, Su Yanxi’s gaze fell on the wild boar they were carrying, and he negotiated, “Bantou Liu, if I can find herbs for Constable Du, could we have some of the wild boar meat?”
Liu Yuan thought it over—such a large wild boar couldn’t be finished by the six of them anyway. In this weather, meat wouldn’t keep long. Giving some to the Su Family wouldn’t be a problem.
So he nodded and said, “Alright.”
Su Yanxi also took the opportunity to ask Liu Yuan where the water source was.
Liu Yuan pointed them in the direction and added, “The water that had seeped out from the spring eye has already been collected by us earlier. You can only try your luck to see if more has seeped out by now. If not, the spring eye has likely dried up.”
Speaking of this, Liu Yuan sighed silently.
They were only ten days away from the capital, yet conditions were already this dire. The journey to Shachang would take at least another month. What would the road ahead be like…?
It was baffling that Du Qiang, Feng Shan, Sun Hao, and the others still had the mind to pursue women.
He was starting to worry whether he would even survive this trip.
If he had known the outside world was in such chaos, he wouldn’t have vied for this assignment just to skim some profits. Although he had managed to gain some benefits, if he couldn’t make it back, it would be money earned but never spent.
Li Wanzhi and Chen Lan, who had been following them, quickly insisted on going along.
But they were stopped by a sinister voice, “Where do you two women think you’re going?”
Li Wanzhi still vividly remembered how Sun Hao had torn Shen Qingyan’s clothes. Trembling with fear, she didn’t dare to speak.
Chen Lan also lowered her head and said in a trembling voice, “Constable, we… we also want to look for water and food.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…”
Sun Hao let out a few sinister chuckles, his lecherous eyes roaming over the two women.
“You’re not like the Su Family, sentenced to life imprisonment. Why would you need to find water and food yourselves? If you serve us men well, would we ever let you go without meat?”
Chen Lan stared at the wild boar as if she could already see it sizzling on the spit and smell the aroma of roasted pork. Her eyes gleamed with desire as she swallowed hard.
Li Wanzhi, however, was too terrified to even lift her head.
She stammered, “Sir, n-no need… we… we’ll find food ourselves.”
After saying this, she grabbed Chen Lan and ran.
After running some distance, they realized that due to the earlier delay, they could no longer see the four Su siblings anywhere.
But they had heard Liu Bantou giving directions to Su Yanxi and the others.
Li Wanzhi wanted to follow the path Liu Bantou had indicated to find water and also locate the Su family.
However, Chen Lan impatiently shook off her hand, “Sister-in-law, Sun Chaiye already said he’d give us meat! Why did you run away?”
Li Wanzhi’s face remained pale, “You only heard him say he’d give us meat.
Didn’t you hear what he wants us to do in return?”
Chen Lan looked completely unconcerned, “Do what? Just serve them, right?
We’re not noble ladies from prestigious families – just a merchant’s daughter and a hunter’s wife. What’s wrong with serving people as maids, giving shoulder rubs and leg massages?”
“Could it be that after living comfortably in the Shen family for a few days, you’ve really started thinking of yourself as a noble lady, sister-in-law?” Chen Lan sneered at Li Wanzhi with a mocking look.