Chapter 145: The Treasure Map
Xie Jing heard the name and felt it familiar. After a moment of thought, he suddenly realized, “You said her name is Liu Ruyi?”
“That is the name of our lady,” the guide replied.
“Is she from outside?”
The guide hesitated, then shook his head, indicating he did not know.
Here, “not knowing” clearly meant he didn’t want to say more. Pressing further only confirmed that she was someone from the town mayor’s household; nothing more could be learned.
The people of Shuiniu Town had very little contact with the outside world and were wary of outsiders. Even Hu Da’s playful teasing and bribes couldn’t extract anything; instead, the guide turned pale with fear and preferred to huddle under a roof outside rather than join them in sheltering from the rain.
Hu Da whispered, “Young master, these mountain folk are like this. Unlike outsiders, the older generation seldom deals with the outside world—they’re very wary of strangers.”
Xie Jing glanced at the villager shivering under the eaves and said, “I think he’s familiar with the mountain paths.”
Hu Da considered for a moment: “Perhaps he came up the mountain with Young Master Cao and the others these past two days. But I think he’s quite reluctant; he’d rather turn back immediately.”
Xie Jing nodded and instructed: “When we descend the mountain, send two people to follow him and keep an eye on him.”
Hu Da acknowledged.
At noon, they made a small fire in the temple to warm some dry rations. When the rain stopped, they headed down the mountain.
The guide walked quickly, as if some beast were chasing him. Only after reaching the foot of the mountain did his expression improve slightly, sweat on his brow and face pale.
Xie Jing did not follow the direction the guide suggested. “You can go back first. I’ll look around a bit. It’s close to the town; we’ll return ourselves later.”
The guide seemed keen to avoid entanglements. When told to leave, he immediately ran off without looking back.
Xie Jing, with plenty of men, didn’t mind and circled the area to observe the surroundings.
Shuiniu Town resembled other parts of Shu in that the surrounding area was mostly mountains, with only a few small plots of cultivated land, where villagers diligently tended the meager soil.
It was not farming season, and some green vegetables were planted. Unlike the north, even in late autumn the fields remained lush and green. Xie Jing, having spent many years in the north where snow had already fallen, couldn’t help but glance at the crops with interest.
While observing, he suddenly noticed three or five suspicious people not far away. They wore dull gray clothes and held pointed bamboo-like rods, speaking with local villagers.
They were short, hunchbacked, and looked sly and secretive.
Squinting at them, Xie Jing recognized the leader. After a moment, he gestured to Hu Da and whispered: “Bring that person over. I want to ask him a couple of questions.”
Hu Da immediately took several men from Western Sichuan and brought the leader over.
At first, the leader struggled and yelled, but upon seeing Xie Jing, he suddenly stopped, eyes lighting up.
Xie Jing, on horseback, leaned slightly forward, twirling his whip, and smiled: “You look familiar. What are you doing here?”
The man in gray was Huang Renfeng. Xie Jing didn’t expose his identity publicly. Huang Renfeng, clever and perceptive, scanned Xie Jing and the men beside him. Seeing no immediate threat, he smiled broadly: “Manager Xie!”
Huang Renfeng, from the north, knew the Bai family had far-reaching influence and assumed Xie Jing’s men were their guards. Hence he addressed him as “Manager Xie,” just as he had in Nanfang.
Xie Jing nodded and allowed Hu Da to release him.
The others accompanying Huang Renfeng hurried over. They wore similar dusty gray clothes, looking wary and alert.
Xie Jing wrapped his whip around his wrist twice, observing him, and said: “This isn’t a place to talk. Come with me.”
They didn’t go far. Near the fields were several old trees, thick enough for three people to hug, and some tree stumps. Xie Jing found a cleaner spot to sit, surrounded by Western Sichuan men, taking only Huang Renfeng aside to talk.
Huang Renfeng recounted his experiences: he had been tricked by Xie Jing into coming to Shu to search for treasure. From Rongcheng Fu, he connected with local laborers near Jiangkou, scouting ancient tombs during the dry season and unearthing some treasures. By chance, some treasures had been mistakenly taken by the military camp, but soon the camp officers assigned him a minor post with a team to handle antiques and treasures for payment.
Xie Jing glanced at the others in gray, hiding under a nearby tree, and asked: “Are those two from the military too?”
“No, they’re just helpers I gathered myself. It’s our bad luck—some treasure was dug up at Jiangkou, but it wasn’t ours; the credit went to others…” Huang Renfeng complained.
Xie Jing asked: “Did you find the sunken silver?”
Huang Renfeng shook his head but quickly added: “Actually, we found some hints. The other day, we dug three large baskets of copper coins by the river!”
Xie Jing inquired: “Where exactly did you dig, and how many people came?”
Huang Renfeng replied honestly: “All at Jiangkou, less than a hundred miles from here. The roads aren’t good, and the river is rapid. We didn’t come this way.” He looked around, moved closer, and took a parchment from his bosom: “Manager Xie, look—this is a treasure map someone provided. We dug according to it and even found a stone tiger!”
Xie Jing twitched: “A stone tiger?”
Huang Renfeng: “Yes, black stone. We haven’t seen the stone dragon yet, but it should be soon.” He rubbed his hands: “I copied this parchment while no one was watching. Supposedly, a stonemason gave it to us, saying his ancestors passed down that half of the treasures seized by the Western King in Shu were sunk in water, the other half transported to the mountains to fund the army. The Western King planned to rise again, but those who hid the silver never returned, and no one else knew. This is the vague map left behind, showing treasure in the mountains near this town.”
Xie Jing examined it. The drawing was rough; the stone tiger and dragon were vague, just basic shapes.
Huang Renfeng whispered: “Manager Xie, does this tiger look like the one you showed me? The stone dragon on the original map isn’t clear, maybe due to age or water damage. I could only roughly sketch it.”
Xie Jing recognized it. Huang Renfeng had drawn the dragon incorrectly; it should face downward as if drinking water—identical to the small black stone dragon Xie Jing had.
Huang Renfeng wanted to ingratiate himself, so Xie Jing accepted the map. Originally, Xie Jing had hoped Huang Renfeng would help search for his family in Western Sichuan, but now he returned to the Xie family, while Huang Renfeng was still dreaming of the Western King’s ten thousand of sunken silver. Since the treasure map was offered, Xie Jing took it.
He asked Huang Renfeng about the people seen over the past two days. Since they scouted at night, they hadn’t seen the missing individuals.
Xie Jing instructed: “Keep watch for them. If you see anything, contact me immediately.”
Huang Renfeng eagerly agreed.
Xie Jing handed him a silver note from his sleeve. Huang Renfeng’s eyes brightened as he took it. Xie Jing whispered: “Be careful on night roads. This town is strange.”
Huang Renfeng grinned: “Don’t worry. I know the rules, and the Jiangkou adviser is here too.”
Xie Jing nodded, saying no more.
Hu Da approached quietly: “Young master, this man is connected to the military. He might be scheming. Better be cautious.”
Xie Jing nodded: “I know.” Huang Renfeng only sought a share of the prize, currying favor to secure his own path.
On the way back, Xie Jing encountered no one and rode while observing the town.
Back at the official building, he went straight to Lord Bai Jiu.
Xie Jing reported everything about Huang Renfeng. Lord Bai Jiu asked about the adviser’s identity, then relaxed slightly: “It’s fine. I know who it is. Luo Nianqiu mentioned him; he’s an old acquaintance, part of the Luo family. They’re at Jiangkou. How many troops do they have?”
Xie Jing: “Several battalions, I heard.”
Lord Bai Jiu considered: “With Bai Mingyu and Mr. Huang missing, and those fetching Hong’er also gone, this cannot be delayed. The longer it drags, the more dangerous. I’ll go to Jiangkou tomorrow to find help. You stay here, hold your position. Whatever they say or do, stall for time until I return.”
Xie Jing: “Understood.”
He then reported the guide’s information: “Master, the guide said there’s a lady here, Ruyi, Liu Ruyi.”
Lord Bai Jiu thought for a moment, hearing Xie Jing mention “the pipa girl,” then remembered who Liu Ruyi was.
Xie Jing asked: “Should we inform Young Master Cao?”
Lord Bai Jiu: “Wait until he returns, then tell him.”
Xie Jing nodded and glanced outside: “Looks like more rain. Has Young Master Cao gone out to search?”
Lord Bai Jiu: “Yes, he went to the mayor. Some matters to discuss.”
Standing close to Lord Bai Jiu, Xie Jing pointed out: “On my way back, I noticed many dragon and tiger carvings, on doors and windows.” He touched a stone relief on the wall behind Lord Bai Jiu—small carvings of animals, too worn to see clearly.
Meanwhile, at the mayor’s home:
The old mayor warmly received Cao Yunzhao, offering hot tea and insisting he eat a meal.
“Just simple fare,” the mayor said with a smile, “Upper officials visit unexpectedly; this is all we have. Taste the local flavor.”
Four small vegetable dishes and salted fish were served with rice—plentiful but old.
Though Cao Yunzhao’s group was large, movement in town was difficult. With the mayor’s help needed, they sat and ate, exchanging a few words.
Cao Yunzhao, fond of art, quickly grew impatient with the mayor’s outdated bureaucratic talk. His gaze fell on a central hanging scroll; wanting to compliment it, he couldn’t. Then he saw the Eight Immortals offering table, brightening: “Your table and chairs are well-crafted, the small carved beasts are exquisite. Are they dragons and phoenixes?”
“They are dragons and tigers,” the mayor replied kindly. “All left by our ancestors. The town is poor; over a hundred years, nothing has changed.”
Cao Yunzhao laughed: “When I arrived, I saw the town using wooden boards as doors. Startling.”
After the meal, Cao Yunzhao suggested staying a few more days. The mayor hesitated, then agreed, with one request: he wanted Cao Yunzhao to oversee his wedding.
“According to the old calendar, it’s most auspicious when upper officials are present. I take the liberty to ask,” said the mayor.
Cao Yunzhao agreed casually. The mayor happily recounted much about “Lady Ruyi,” insisting she was a noblewoman.
Cao Yunzhao teased: “Lady Ruyi? You’re enjoying marital bliss at your age.”
“No, no, Lord Cao misunderstands. It’s just a title; her name contains ‘Ruyi’.”
“What’s her name?”
“Liu Ruyi.”
Cao Yunzhao paused mid-sentence, staring blankly. He forgot to finish his question, then after a moment forced out: “That Lady Ruyi—is she from the north?”
The mayor, puzzled: “How do you know? Her family was indeed from the north, long ago. She came to Sichuan years ago and has stayed here since.”
Cao Yunzhao felt uneasy.
The mayor hesitated, then asked: “Old acquaintance?”
Cao Yunzhao shook his head, wanting to avoid trouble for Liu Ruyi. The mayor sighed, looking at Cao Yunzhao with regret: “My fault. You’re from the north; she’s an old friend… there’s no other way.”
Cao Yunzhao tried to protest but suddenly felt a wave of fatigue, unable to stand.
Before losing consciousness, he vaguely saw several figures rush out from the room. He tried to open his eyes to see more but fell into endless darkness.
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