lovenovelstory Chapter 41 Rising to Fame
Chapter 41 Rising to Fame
The news spread like wildfire, originating from the county government office.
The first thing to spread was what they saw and heard at the entrance of the county government office.
That day, Li Sheng and his men escorted seven bandits into the city, which already attracted attention. Later, a large number of people gathered in front of the yamen, and many people saw a young man in coarse cloth clothes come out of the county yamen after receiving a reward, followed by several men, looking very imposing.
"Have you heard? A man named Li Sheng from Siyang Township... I think it's Li Sheng? He led a group of local militia to kill the Yellow Turban rebels in the north and has already been rewarded by the county magistrate, rising from a commoner to a village head!"
The speaker was the owner of a tea stall; he had a loud voice that could be heard throughout the entire street.
"you do not say!"
A merchant standing nearby chimed in, holding a teacup in his hand, his eyes wide with surprise.
"I have a relative who works in the county government. He said that Li Sheng charged into the bandit's den alone, and with a swift stroke of his halberd, he killed more than ten people, including the bandit leader, on the spot! The blood spurted more than ten feet high!"
"More than ten feet tall? Your relative saw it with their own eyes?"
"No, that's not it... but my relative said that when those bandits were brought in, they were tall and strong, but they were still tied up tightly!"
A chorus of tsk-tsk sounds rose from the tea stall.
"Siyang Township? Isn't that a small township in the south? When did such a person emerge from there?"
"What's wrong with a small village? Can't heroes emerge from small villages?"
Discussions arose one after another, growing increasingly fantastical with each passing tale.
……
In the eastern part of the county town, in front of the butcher shop.
Several women waiting to have their meat cut huddled together, heads close together, their voices huddled in low voices.
"My husband told me that Li Sheng... is quite a big guy."
The speaker was a family member of a soldier from the prefecture or state. As she spoke, her ears turned red, and she covered her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed.
"What makes it unusual?"
"Not only is his back strong, but his arms are also thicker than our leader's legs. One sweep of his halberd..."
She paused, then lowered her voice even further, almost whispering.
"Seven or eight people couldn't stop him, you can imagine how much strength that must take..."
Several women chuckled and shoved each other.
At this moment, an older woman rolled her eyes and spoke in a voice as sweet as honey.
"You tell me, this kind of person, at night...wouldn't they exhaust people to death?"
Several women burst into laughter.
"Pah! You're utterly shameless!"
The person next to her chuckled and patted her on the shoulder, but her own eyes were sparkling, and she couldn't help but chime in.
"However, then again, I'm afraid ordinary women couldn't withstand someone like that."
"Hey, tell me, has this hero ever married?"
"What, are you asking around for your cousin?"
"screw you!"
……
The place where the news spread the fastest, of course, was the notice board at the city gate.
The county government posted a new notice, which read: Li Sheng, a local militia member from Dongping Village in Siyang Township, has rendered meritorious service in leading the people to suppress the Yellow Turban rebels. He is hereby recommended as the head of Siyang Pavilion. It is hoped that he will perform his duties diligently and protect the people of the area.
A crowd gathered in front of the notice, people of all literacy levels squeezing in.
A middle-aged man in the front row finished reading, swaying his head and stroking his beard with a sigh.
"Heroes have always come from all walks of life. This young man, a commoner, stepped forward to kill the bandits and protect the people; this is truly a righteous act. The county magistrate's recommendation of such a virtuous and capable official is also a good policy."
"Sir, how old is this Li Sheng you mentioned?"
"It wasn't written on the notice, but I'd guess she's in her early twenties."
"A mere twenty-something who's already a village head? I'm over forty and still farming at home!"
"With your meager abilities, how can you compare to them?"
At this moment, someone in the crowd glanced at the notice, his lips twitched, and he couldn't help but whisper to the person next to him.
Do you know who this Li Sheng is?
People around became interested and gathered around.
"Who is it? Tell me quickly!"
He looked around and lowered his voice even further.
"Li Sheng is the same extraordinary man who utterly defeated the county magistrate's men a month ago..."
"Is that Li Sheng, the one with all the mystical rumors who supposedly died and came back to life?"
"Yes, that's him."
There was some commotion in the crowd.
How did you know?
"I...I was one of the county soldiers whom Li Sheng spared. I was on duty at the county office when Li Sheng came to collect his reward that day, there's no mistake!"
Hearing his confident tone, the eyes of several people widened simultaneously.
"I remember now, isn't that Li Sheng, the one who single-handedly fought against twenty or so county soldiers?"
The man blushed and stiffened his neck as he spoke.
"It wasn't more than twenty, it was more than a dozen of our brothers, all armed and ready, and in the end... in the end, he single-handedly took them all down."
A collective gasp filled the air.
"One person? Taking on more than a dozen of you?"
"Are you kidding me?"
He became a little anxious, and his face turned bright red.
"I'd be a cuckold if I lied to you! You know what? That Li Sheng... he's no ordinary person."
"What do you mean?"
He swallowed hard, his eyes becoming somewhat unfocused.
"We were ordered to capture him that day, but he was already dead. We could have captured the entire Yellow Turban rebel group, but then he suddenly... suddenly stood up."
He paused, his voice trembling.
Have you ever seen a dead person come back to life?
The people around looked at each other in bewilderment.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"I'm not lying!"
His voice rose a few decibels.
"I saw it with my own eyes! He was stabbed with a spear, blood was everywhere, we all thought he was dead. But then he suddenly opened his eyes, stood up abruptly, and the wound closed up instantly! Then he lifted our captain up with one hand, like he was lifting a chick!"
Some people didn't believe it and scoffed.
"Have you lost your mind from being beaten? Who has that much strength?"
Believe it or not!
He flicked his sleeves, turned and walked away, but after taking two steps he turned back and said through gritted teeth.
"Anyway, let me tell you, that Li Sheng is no ordinary person; he's a follower of the Way of Peace. If you don't believe me, go to Dongping Village and see for yourselves!"
After saying that, he left without looking back, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.
"The Way of Peace? Aren't they rebels?"
The surroundings were completely silent.
The crowd gradually dispersed, but the name Li Sheng, like a seed, fell into the ears of countless people.
……
Siyang Township, Dongping Village.
Liu Lu was on duty at the sentry post. Although he was close to Li Sheng, his relationship with him would not change when it was his turn to perform a task.
Just then, the sound of hooves grew louder as it approached. Liu Lu glanced over and saw an official in a black and red robe rein in the oxcart and dismount.
The man stopped, casually brushed the dust off his robes—a composure only an experienced official possessed.
He looked around and walked towards Liu Lu.
"Is this Dongpingli?"
Liu Lu quickly stood up.
"That's right. You are...."
"I am a local patrolman."
The man's voice was neither loud nor soft, and his gaze passed over Liu Lu, already surveying the terrain behind him.
"Is there a man named Li Sheng here? The one who captured and killed the Yellow Turban rebels?"
Upon hearing the name "Li Sheng," Liu Lu immediately straightened his back.
"You, you're looking for Brother Sheng?!"