Miao Chu

Chapter 311 Superiority
When the patrolman heard Song Miao's question, he initially ignored her, saying that she was not an outsider and could not inquire about the case.

Upon learning that it was the owner of the victim from yesterday, and seeing two burly men, including Chief Escort Qi, standing with their arms crossed behind him, he ran to the back, asked someone, and reluctantly gave a few words of explanation.

When Song Miao asked where the extortionist escaped from and why, the patrolman, seemingly unfazed, replied, "There are no prison cells here. We were originally escorting him to the main patrol station on Shunping Street, but we encountered a fight and a theft on the way. We're in these uniforms, how could we ignore it? This is a matter for you, but what about the people on the street? Of course, we have to catch the thief and mediate!"

"Who would have thought that by the time they were persuaded to come back, the three of them had already broken free of their shackles and disappeared somewhere!"

"What should we do now that the person has run away?"

Hearing the questioning, he became very dissatisfied: "What do you mean, 'what can we do'? They've run away, so they've run away. We can only search around and try our best to catch them. If we really can't catch them, there's nothing I can do!"

When asked about the names and origins of the three people, they were then asked.

The other party said, "Originally, it was meant to be sent to the higher-ups for further interrogation, but I was so focused on catching the thief that I didn't have time to worry about anything else, and the interrogation documents were lost on the way."

—He couldn't even remember his name or hometown.

He sometimes said he seemed to be from Yongzhou, sometimes from Yongzhou, and then from Yongzhou.

The patrolman was not only rude and unscrupulous, but also had a terrible attitude. After a few words, he became impatient, touching this place one moment and doing that place the next, leaving Song Miao and her two companions standing outside.

Seeing that the man had entered the house and remained silent for half a day, Qi, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), was used to dealing with the patrolmen and knew how things worked in such places. He said, "I have a brother who runs a镖局 (bodyguard/escort agency) in the next lane, Liutong Lane. Let's ask him for directions first. We probably won't get any information from him on our own."

Sure enough, the patrolman went in and never came out again.

The three of them waited for about an hour.

The other bodyguard, a younger one, had been waiting impatiently and was quite indignant. He said to Song Miao, "Young lady Song, don't worry, I'll go ask for you!"

With that, he went to question the other people who remained outside.

However, when he looked for this person, they didn't even bother to acknowledge him; when he looked for that person, they didn't even look up, only shouting, "Where did so-and-so go?" and all around him replied with "I don't know," and that was it.

They asked him several times, and some even took their anger out on him.

"What's the rush! Do you think we only have you to worry about? There are plenty of others waiting behind us. Who do you think you are, rushing us like this! If you keep rushing us, we'll consider it troublemaking and I'll arrest you and lock you up with us!"

The镖师 (bodyguard/escort) was so angry his face turned red. He was about to argue, his fists were even hard, but in the end, he was dragged out by the镖头 (bodyguard/escort leader) Qi, who said, "What are you doing! We're here to help Miss Song. If you punch her today, you'll really be going to jail tonight—can't you see he's deliberately trying to provoke you??"

The young镖师 (bodyguard/escort) was furious. He mumbled something for a long time, having learned a lot of good things from the old镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) to curse them, enough to keep him swearing all night long. However, seeing Song Miao beside him, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he changed his mind and uttered a curse: "A bunch of immoral people!"

But one curse wasn't enough to quell his anger, and he couldn't help but say, "We pay taxes and provide corvée labor to support them every day, letting them boss us around. Now that something's happened, not only can't they help at all, but they're also here covering for the wicked! Why doesn't God send down a bolt of lightning and kill them all!"

Seeing the young镖师 (bodyguard/escort) so angry, Song Miao comforted him instead, saying, "Thank you, young镖爷 (bodyguard/escort). You didn't have to suffer like this here. It's only because you're helping me that you're going through all this trouble! But seeing his reaction is actually a good thing. I wasn't sure where to start, but now that I know how he's handling things, I don't need to try to find him anymore. I can just ask the patrolman to find out where the old man is from."

The more the guards at Nanxun Gate protected the person behind them, the more it indicated that the person behind them had connections.

The young bodyguard, who had been furious and whose face was flushed with anger, turned a different shade of red—an embarrassed blush—after hearing Song Miao's words. He said, "I didn't do much, and I almost caused trouble for you, young lady..."

After the three left the patrol post, Chief Escort Qi said, "I'm going to find some acquaintances to ask around. Madam, why don't we find a place to sit?"

Song Miao shook her head and said, "I saw that patrolman was very arrogant just now. I'm afraid he has something else to rely on. I'll ask around here first, Chief Qi. Song Ji also does business with the Kyoto government and knows some people there. I'll go there and ask around to see if I can find someone who can speak to me."

She took the young bodyguard with her to the Kyoto government office. On the way, she bought some snacks, fruits, and braised food. Taking advantage of the midday break, she asked someone to deliver a message and found a few former officers from the Left Army Patrol Office.

Upon hearing that it was Song Miao, the officials came out to see her and, sure enough, she was in person. They were all very happy.

"It really is Miss Song! I don't believe it! We haven't seen you for so long. Then it was replaced by Second Sister Cheng, and recently a young couple has been bringing you breakfast. Everyone misses you very much!"

“I bought your ‘Songji Paper,’ the first grade, which cost a thousand coins. They said it would come with new steamed buns, and I’m waiting for them—what kind of new steamed buns?”

“Miss Song, why don’t you come back to our yamen’s kitchen and work as a cook? We’ve already discussed it before. If you’re willing to come, in addition to the monthly allowance from the yamen, everyone is willing to contribute some money to help you out—don’t you already employ a lot of people at your restaurant? Leave the other things to them and earn some extra money yourself!”

"Exactly! Is there anyone in the world who doesn't want more money? Hurry up and come, you only need to work one meal a day at noon!"

After exchanging a few lively words and laughs, the group finally asked her why she had come.

Song Miao imitated the words and actions of the patrolman at Nanxun Gate, and almost every official's face turned ugly.

"Too deceiving!"

"Those officials at that stall must have all taken bribes from who knows who—Stadium Owner Song, you just wait, I'll find out the truth and then I'll get justice for you! This is outrageous!"

Someone else immediately said, "That old man who's been extorting money is probably still in the capital. Do you know what he and that man and woman looked like? Let's send people down and tell them to keep an eye out. Maybe we can catch him in the next couple of days!"

Song Miao had never seen the three people in person, so she naturally didn't know how to describe them.

She said, "I'll ask them carefully about the people they've met when I get back, and then I'll give them an answer."

"You can ask when you get back; it won't stop us from looking for it here first."

Someone else asked, "Did you tell Brother Feng?"

Song Miao then said, "I didn't tell Inspector Xin. I thought he was still injured and recuperating, and besides, he hasn't returned to the yamen yet."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "Since I don't know the situation, I thought it was better to ask someone I know than someone I don't know. Even without Inspector Xin, I've always been looked after by you officials. I'm shameless and rely on our past friendship, so I've decided to ask for your help this time—but if it's difficult..."

Before the word "difficult" could even be finished, the group of officials who heard that Miss Song was coming to them instead of Feng Ge when she encountered trouble were all grinning from ear to ear.

"No problem! What's so difficult about it!"

“Exactly! What do we constables do all day? We just serve the people! Isn’t stall owner Song a citizen of the city?” “It’s a good thing Brother Feng isn’t here right now. If he were, with his hot temper, he’d probably grab his weapon and head to Nanxun Gate the moment he heard you finish speaking—the people patrolling the stalls there are really awful. I don’t know how many people have suffered the same fate as you! They need to be taught a lesson!”

"If this matter is settled, Mr. Song, when we have time to come over, could you roast a few of those pigeons? And the roasted pork and char siu—Brother Feng gave our family two last time, and after we ate them, the old and the young have been thinking about them all the time. Last time, my dad even went to Song's himself, but he came back saying that he went at the wrong time and missed the roasted pork and char siu coming out of the oven. He was so worried!"

Song Miaoyi agreed to all of them, and finally said, "I'm sorry to trouble you officers, but if you encounter any trouble or things don't go smoothly, please don't force yourself. Just come to my door. I will thank you all for your hard work. There is no wine in the restaurant right now, but we can provide you with plenty of drinks and good meat!"

As she spoke, she handed over the snacks, fruits, and braised dishes she had bought along the way, saying, "I asked you all to do something this time, so I couldn't come empty-handed. I didn't have anything else, so I bought some snacks and treats for the officials in the back office to enjoy!"

"Since you're already here, why bring any food!"

"Why did you buy so much? You must have spent a lot of money!"

"Don't buy it next time, we'll just come and eat it!"

"As soon as I get news, I'll tell the person who brought the breakfast to pass on a message to you—don't worry! If we're quick, we might get news first thing tomorrow morning!"

Song Miao thanked them repeatedly and saw the group of officials to the door.

The young bodyguard, who was standing to the side, thought that although he was not very old, he had been escorting goods for two or three years and could be considered to have traveled all over the country and seen a lot. At this time, he should speak up and make the conversation.

Young Lady Song was young and inexperienced...

However, before he could figure out what to say, he saw these usually dignified officials, one after another, all smiles, asking about the roast pigeon, the roasted meat buns, the drinks, and when Song's shop would have new buns and dishes, and how he could get them.

The officials in the government office were quite different from what he had imagined!

I used to know that Song's food was very popular in the security escort agency, and that Miss Song's cooking skills were highly sought after. Little did I know that in powerful places like the capital city government, anything with the name "Song" would be in high demand—hey, even less so than their security escort agency!
At least the Xu family lived close to Song's shop. When Madam Xu went out on errands, or when someone was passing by, they would all get together to buy food. In terms of opportunities, she had many more chances to eat good meat, vegetables, and other good things than these officials and servants from the capital!

For a fleeting moment, this man, standing in the back office of the Kyoto Prefectural Government, actually felt a genuine sense of superiority.

What about the officials and constables of the Kyoto Prefectural Government?

Sometimes, they might not even eat as well as he does!

As Song Miao led the young bodyguard out of the back office, a patrolman was also peeking out of the back of the patrol station at Nanxun Gate.

He glanced around and quickly asked the person next to him, "Has she left? That young lady?"

It was the same person who had previously used words to dismiss Song Miao and the others.

"They left long ago!" the person asked replied. "Just now, Chief Escort Tian from the Wuwei Escort Agency came to inquire about the old man, asking what happened and if he could provide any clues—it's most likely that the young lady hired someone."

The patrolman hurriedly asked, "What did you say to Old Tian?"

"What else could I say! I just told him not to ask any more questions and not to meddle. That Manager Wu from the east of the city has already spoken, so how could we lowly underlings dare to say a word!"

"That's exactly what I mean! He's a truly influential figure. Don't keep talking like an old man with a big mouth. It's one thing for you to give in, but you're also dragging us down with you!"

"To be honest, after seeing that young lady today, I've learned a thing or two about how to scheme and plot to get her back—she's truly beautiful!"

"You think she's just good-looking? I even went to inquire about her this morning. I heard her cooking skills are outstanding. She really managed to win me over. Aside from her already beautiful face, she can cook and manage the shop—such a good thing, if I were a wealthy man, I would be tempted too!"

As the two were talking, a patrolman who had just finished his shift passed by, overheard them, and asked curiously, "Who gave the order? I heard you two whispering non-stop just now. I heard from the neighbor this morning that yesterday they arrested an old man who tried to extort money from a car accident, along with a man and a woman—even my neighbor next door knows about this case! How come it's caused such a big fuss!"

"And you're telling me! Who knew it would attract so many bored people, one after another, coming into our patrol shop to watch the commotion. We couldn't chase them away, and we couldn't get them to leave no matter how much we called them. I was so annoyed yesterday!"

“This is really getting out of hand, and we’ll be the ones getting yelled at again—who is this rich guy causing trouble here? If all else fails, just find an excuse to get rid of him!! Otherwise, in the end, we’ll be dragged into this and made the scapegoats!”

"The one in the east of the city."

"The man surnamed Wu from the east of the city."

As the two men answered one after the other, the patrolman who came later turned pale.

He swallowed hard and asked, "Which one of his mothers was a very important person?"

After receiving a positive reply, he sighed, shook his head, and said, "He's really... really difficult to please!"

"Be content! At least you're surnamed Wu, not Zhao. If you really offended someone with the surname Zhao, that would be the real problem!"

"If we really mess with that Zhao guy, it won't be us serving him anymore!"

As the group was talking, someone rushed in from outside and shouted, "Didn't we arrest an old man who was trying to extort money yesterday? Who took the case?"

Everyone was stunned and fell silent for a moment.

The man urged impatiently, "Does nobody know? Feng, the shopkeeper on Shunping Street, asked. Anyone who knows, come out quickly! Don't delay, or we'll all get scolded!"

The patrolman, realizing he couldn't avoid it, quickly stood up and said, "I took it—what's wrong?"

The man then said, "Hurry up, do you have any documents? Are they still there? Take them to Shunping Street, they say the higher-ups are pressing for answers and want to question someone!"

The patrolman dared not delay, saying he had no documents, quickly tidied himself up, and hurriedly went to Shunping Street.

At that very moment, Song Miao had already met up with Chief Escort Qi, who had already gathered information.

“My brother asked him, and he only said it was strange. He couldn’t find out anything this time, and told him not to meddle in other people’s business.”

(End of this chapter)