After leaving the wild mountains, there was finally some sign of human habitation ahead, and Richard Hill was finally able to relax his anxious heart.

Smuggling private salt had always been a serious crime since ancient times—this, Richard Hill knew very well. That was why he chose to take the mountain paths.

This journey was truly a brush with death. Even someone as bold as Richard Hill felt as if he had narrowly escaped with his life upon returning to Ansei County.

Back on the plains, Richard Hill slung his long saber across his back and put on the felt hat commonly worn by swordsmen from Guanzhong. He believed that with these two things, the local thugs in the nearby villages would keep their distance.

He walked nearly twenty li under the gaze of many, and the dilapidated Ansei County town was now in sight.

When Richard Hill pushed his wheelbarrow to the city gate, he was stopped by two soldiers.

“Gao Barbarian, where did you go to make a fortune this time? Why aren’t you trading horses anymore?”

Richard Hill set down the wheelbarrow and cupped his hands, saying, “Can’t make any money trading horses!”

One of the soldiers used his spear to pierce the wool sack on the wheelbarrow, took out a grain of salt from the tear, and said, “Can’t make money trading horses, but you can make money smuggling private salt?”

Richard Hill remained calm, smiling as he pulled out a handful of loose silver coins from his chest and placed them in the soldier’s hand. “Just trying to get a meal, brothers. Please let me through. Another day, I’ll invite you both to my home for a drink!”

The soldier grinned as he pocketed the silver, but then his expression changed and he shouted, “We usually don’t bother guarding the gate, but today we heard you, Richard Hill, were about to strike it rich, so we came here especially to wait for you.

What, you think a few copper coins are enough to send us away?”

Seeing this, the smile on Richard Hill’s face gradually faded, and he sneered, “Stephen Bolton, Simon Bolton, what are you brothers up to?”

Stephen Bolton, cradling his spear, sneered, “Hand over half the private salt to us brothers, or you can look forward to prison and execution.”

Richard Hill pushed his wheelbarrow toward the city gate, saying as he walked, “Stephen Bolton, I know exactly what kind of person you are. If you dare ruin my business, you’ll have to answer to my blade first.”

The Simon Bolton brothers watched as Richard Hill entered the county town without stopping him, only sneering coldly behind his back.

Richard Hill brought the private salt home. Seeing his wife The Green Family beaming with joy, he teased, “The bracelet you wanted—you can finally have it this time.”

The Green Family helped her husband take off his coat as she laughed, “Now that you’re back, my anxious heart can finally rest. I can live without a bracelet, but if I lost you, how could I go on?”

Richard Hill washed his face, slumped under the eaves, and patted his chest, saying, “This trip was truly dangerous. I never expected the bandits in the wild mountains to be so fierce. Next time I take that road, I’ll have to bring more people.”

The Green Family said worriedly, “The new county magistrate isn’t someone easy to fool. You always refuse to join the local militia. If this goes on, he’ll use you as an example for others.”

Richard Hill sighed, “Being the head of the militia means being the grain chief. Look at these years of drought—who can still afford to pay the government grain tax?

If I became the grain chief, who knows how many people I’d drive to their deaths. These officials are useless at fighting bandits or judging cases, but when it comes to collecting grain and lining their own pockets, they’re experts.

I heard that the new magistrate, surnamed Han, had a hundred big chests made as soon as he took office. Looks like he won’t be satisfied until they’re all filled.”

The Green Family noticed a hole in the wool sack and pointed at it regretfully, “You didn’t notice the bag was torn? Who knows how much salt you lost along the way.”

Richard Hill snorted, “It wasn’t torn before. That was the work of the Stephen Bolton brothers. Those two sons of bitches actually dared to extort me. I won’t let this go!”

The Green Family said, “While you were gone, the The Bolton Family brothers joined the local militia. I hear the magistrate values them highly. Husband, be careful—avoid offending them if you can.

In a bit, I’ll take two jin of salt to their house to smooth things over. We’re all neighbors—there’s no problem that can’t be resolved.”

Richard Hill shook his head, “It’s not that simple. Normally, those two brothers wouldn’t even dare breathe loudly in front of me. Today they dared to extort me openly—someone must be backing them. I want to see who’s bold enough to challenge me, Richard Hill.”

As the couple was talking at home, they suddenly heard a commotion outside the wall, and then their front door was kicked open from outside.

Richard Hill sprang up, drew his long saber, and strode toward the intruders. As soon as Stephen Bolton saw Richard Hill coming at him with a blade, he leapt out the door and shouted, “Gao Barbarian, listen up! By order of the county magistrate, you are under arrest for smuggling private salt! Come out and surrender at once!”

Richard Hill came out of the house smiling, pointing his blade at Stephen Bolton, and said, “If you really wanted to arrest me, the city gate would have been the place. You only did this because I refused to be extorted by you, so you’re sabotaging me in secret, aren’t you?”

Simon Bolton quickly said, “Nonsense!”

Richard Hill glanced at the surrounding yamen runners holding iron rulers and chains and said kindly, “Brothers, we’re old acquaintances. Are you really here today to make things difficult for me?”

The leading old yamen runner pushed aside the Stephen Bolton and Simon Bolton brothers, cupped his hands to Richard Hill, and said, “The Hill Brothers, it’s not that we old friends want to arrest you, but the county magistrate has given the order—we have no choice.”