Despite the Xu family’s large estate, mostly in land and property that couldn’t be quickly sold, Hanxiao had to borrow money. Hanren spent the afternoon seeking loans. Even so, by nightfall, they hadn’t raised the full five thousand taels. Hanxiao, worried about missing the midnight deadline, added family jewelry to fill a large chest and hurried towards Li Town.
Since the carriage could not leave the official road, eight people were asked to carry the large box of silver using thick wooden poles, arriving at the place where bandits had taken Han Zhong.
Unexpectedly, they waited for quite a while. As the moon reached its zenith and passed midnight, the bandits with Han Zhong had not appeared. Han Ren anxiously said, “Why haven’t they come? Could something have happened? Second Brother, do you think our eldest brother has been harmed?”
Although Han Xiao was more composed, his constant pacing revealed his inner anxiety. Seeing Han Ren’s similar doubts, he tried to reassure him, saying, “No, they haven’t received the silver yet.”
After waiting longer, there was still no sign of the bandits or Han Zhong. Han Ren grew increasingly anxious: “Second Brother…”
“Quiet…” Han Xiao signaled Han Ren to be silent.
By the torchlight, Han Ren saw Han Xiao slightly tilt his head, listening intently. He noticed rustling sounds from the distant grass, distinctly different from wind-blown leaves, suggesting someone was approaching.
“They’re here!” The brothers exchanged a glance, both showing nervousness and anticipation in their eyes.
As the person drew nearer, Han Ren’s fists clenched tightly, his eyes fixed in that direction, trying to discern a human-like silhouette in the dark night.
“Han Xiao! Han Ren!” The person called out excitedly, entering the torch’s light.
Han Xiao exclaimed in surprise, “Eldest Brother? Why are you alone?”
Han Zhong had come by himself, with no bandits accompanying him.
Han Ren rushed over, supporting the unsteady Han Zhong: “Eldest Brother, are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine, just tired,” Han Zhong shook his head, steadying himself with Han Ren’s help, and looked at Han Xiao. “The bandits, all the bandits were chased away by a great hero.”
Han Xiao looked hopefully behind him, “Is that so? We must properly thank that hero.”
