Chapter Ten: The Counterattack

Although Red Leaf Shoal was not a crucial waterway between the north and south, aside from the vessel carrying Xu You, more than a dozen other boats waited for the boatmen to tow them through. At this moment, three boats were docked to their left, both ahead and behind, and the hidden arrow had come from that direction. However, it was impossible to determine precisely which boat Yue Yao was concealed on.

Zuo Wen kept his head lowered, feeling grateful to Xu You—not for pleading on his behalf, but for the tone and attitude with which he spoke, treating him as an equal.

Feng Tong was no fool either. He frowned in thought, quickly grasping Xu You’s implication, and exclaimed in alarm, “You mean…”

“Indeed. Though the Xu case has been settled, some people remain unwilling to let go, intending to take advantage of my journey to Qiantang to attempt some underhanded schemes.” Xu You said calmly, “If you’re afraid, Steward Feng, I can disembark here and return to Yixing on my own.”

Feng Tong retorted angrily, “What are you saying, sir? Our Yuan family has crossed the river for a hundred years. Though we aren’t fond of contention, we have never feared anyone. Rest assured, on this journey to Jinling, no one will lay a finger on you!”

These words made Xu You view Feng Tong in a new light. Though the man was irksome, he had some backbone when it came to defending the Yuan family.

After all, since Xu You was aboard the Yuan family's boat, he was their guest. For the Shen family to send assassins after him was a slap in the face for the Yuan family—no wonder Feng Tong was so furious!

“Zuo Wen, tell me, do you have any countermeasures?”

Zuo Wen replied respectfully, “As soon as we left Yixing, I noticed a bream boat behaving suspiciously behind us, deliberately keeping a distance of over twenty yards—not too far, not too close. When I investigated the rear, I found the boat had vanished without a trace, so I hurried over, just in time to encounter the attack on you, sir—”

“I asked for countermeasures, not these useless details,” Feng Tong said impatiently. “Just tell me what we should do now.”

Xu You found himself increasingly intrigued by this Deputy Commander Zuo. Not only was he skilled in martial arts, but he was also astute and capable—able to spot a tail early on, connect the suspicious boat with himself, and, upon noticing a change, act decisively to resolve the crisis.

It sounded simple, but was far from easy. Without keen observation, he wouldn’t have spotted the tracking boat. Without deep understanding of the Shen-Xu rivalry, he wouldn’t have realized in such a short time that the target was Xu You. Most importantly, without strong execution, even if he had the first two traits, he might not have arrived in time to strike.

Observation, analysis, execution—these were the three essential qualities Xu You had demanded of his subordinates in his previous life as a private equity manager. Though the era had changed, the essence remained; only appearances differed.

In essence, this era was no different from those that followed.

Zuo Wen gave a bitter smile. “The assassin this time is adept at concealment and unpredictable in technique. Moreover, we are on the open river, which favors archers. The enemy is hidden, we are exposed—it’s truly difficult to defend against.”

Feng Tong’s expression grew grim. With Xu You present, admitting such weakness seemed tantamount to confessing the Yuan family’s impotence. He glared at Zuo Wen, showing no mercy. “You’re ranked first among the ten military commanders of the Yuan estate, yet all you can do is speak defeatist words that bolster the enemy? If you can’t handle a few vagabonds, what use are you to our lord?”

No matter how tolerant Zuo Wen was, he couldn’t help but feel anger at such words. He answered in a deep voice, “My skills are modest, which is why I handle minor tasks like greeting guests. As for other matters, without our lord’s orders, they are not my responsibility.”

“You!” Feng Tong hadn’t expected Zuo Wen to talk back. He knew Zuo Wen had always been a troublemaker among the Yuan estate’s retainers, but in recent years, perhaps after suffering enough setbacks, he’d been relatively respectful. Yet today, he dared embarrass Feng Tong in front of Xu You!

Outrageous!

Feng Tong was about to explode when suddenly Xu You shouted, “Watch out!” With a swift shoulder bump, he knocked Feng Tong back several steps until he collided with the mast, then fell forward onto the deck. His tall cap slipped, hanging awkwardly by his neck, leaving him utterly disheveled.

“Steward Feng, are you alright? Did you get hurt?” Xu You’s smile vanished in a flash, replaced by an anxious expression as he helped Feng Tong up. Feng Tong’s chest felt tight, his mind blank. Only when Xu You called out did he finally gasp for breath and ask in confusion, “What happened just now?”

“You didn’t see?” Xu You realized, “Ah, I forgot you don’t practice martial arts, Steward Feng. While we were talking, another poisoned arrow was shot at you. I had no weapon at hand, so I pushed you aside to avoid the arrow. Fortunately, I moved quickly and you weren’t harmed.”

As he spoke, Xu You glanced at Zuo Wen. Zuo Wen understood immediately that Xu You was helping him, and quickly added, “Indeed, the poisoned arrow came fast and sharp, its tip grazing Steward Feng’s chest before plunging into the river on the starboard side. If Xu You hadn’t noticed early, I might have reacted too late.”

He was meticulous; he’d fabricated the story of the poisoned arrow falling into the river, so Feng Tong wouldn’t suspect anything when he found no extra arrows on board.

Upon hearing this, Feng Tong broke out in a cold sweat, forgetting any desire to reprimand Zuo Wen. Led by Xu You, he stood up, his lips trembling. “The villains are truly audacious, sir. Let’s return to the cabin and make plans!”

“Very well, Steward Feng, please.”

Back in the main cabin, Zuo Wen first examined the surroundings, then drew the curtains over the windows to prevent their silhouettes from becoming targets for the hidden archers. Xu You and Feng Tong sat facing each other. Feng Tong, experiencing such danger for the first time, took a moment to calm his nerves before saying, “Where do these ruffians come from, to dare attack even the Yuan family’s boat? They must have a death wish!”

Vagabonds of the rivers and lakes made their living at the edge of a blade—it was a business for those who did not value their lives. Not only the Yuan family, but even the emperor would be challenged if enough profit was offered.

Of course, daring to take risks and succeeding in them were two very different things.

Xu You remained silent.

Feng Tong waited a while, then frowned. “Sir, you said earlier that some are unwilling to let go, meaning the Shen family. But thinking further, after fighting your Xu family, the Shen family was left with nothing but losses. Why would they risk offending the Yuan family by sending assassins? It doesn’t make sense!”

Xu You beckoned to Zuo Wen, who stood to the side. “Deputy Commander Zuo, why are you standing? Come, sit.”

Zuo Wen was flustered. “How could I sit before honored guests?”

Xu You laughed heartily. “To be precise, I’m just a commoner now—hardly an honored guest. Or does Deputy Commander Zuo find me beneath him?”

Zuo Wen hurried to reply, “I wouldn’t dare, sir, you overstate it!”

“Then come along, no need for formality. Today’s matter is thorny—we’ll need your courage and skill. Steward Feng, wouldn’t you agree?”

Feng Tong, proud of his status, disliked sitting with Zuo Wen, even with Xu You, whom he tolerated only because of the marriage contract with Third Lady. Otherwise—hmph!

Seeing Feng Tong remain silent, Zuo Wen felt embarrassed and inwardly troubled. Xu You urged him, “Steward Feng, your earlier question can be answered by Deputy Commander Zuo. Why not invite him to sit and join our discussion?”

Feng Tong reluctantly nodded. Zuo Wen wished to decline, but couldn’t bear to refuse Xu You’s goodwill, so he knelt to sit respectfully a little behind them.

“Deputy Commander, just now Steward Feng said the Shen family wouldn’t be foolish enough to risk offending the Yuan family by sending assassins after me. What do you think?”

Zuo Wen bowed. “If the bream boat hadn’t disappeared, I wouldn’t be certain this was related to the Shen family of Wuxing. But as soon as the boat vanished, Yue Yao from Four Elusive Arrows took action—clearly there’s something amiss!”

“Where is the issue?” Xu You pressed.

“First, last night upon arriving at Yixing, I saw Shen family retainers spying outside your manor, so the bream boat tailing us must be connected to the Shen family. Second, Four Elusive Arrows—or at least Yue Yao—must be on that boat. Third, the attackers likely had no set plan; seeing our boat halted at Red Leaf Shoal, with you alone at the bow, they seized the rare opportunity and struck. Fourth, before acting, the Shen family would want to distance themselves, so the bream boat disappeared, probably heading north. Thus, whether the assassination succeeds or fails, the Shen family can claim innocence.”

Xu You smiled, casting an approving glance at Zuo Wen, and asked Feng Tong, “Steward Feng, do you find Deputy Commander Zuo’s explanation satisfactory?”

“Well… it’s plausible. After all, it wasn’t the Shen family themselves who acted, and we have no evidence that these vagabonds are connected to them…”

Zuo Wen interjected, “The Four Elusive Arrows only kill for money, belonging to no faction.”

Feng Tong’s mouth twitched; he almost suspected Zuo Wen’s mind was off today, daring to interrupt him again and again. On any other day, would he dare speak out of turn?

Xu You clapped his hands, pulling Feng Tong back from his outrage. “That’s it. The Shen family has money—they can hire assassins. I fear there are others besides Four Elusive Arrows. Steward Feng, you must consider carefully; if you regret it now, I’ll leave the boat so as not to implicate the Yuan family.”

The stratagem of provocation always worked best on the simple-minded, and its success rate was high. Feng Tong, recalling his recent peril, felt a sudden resentment toward Xu You, but he had orders to escort him to Jinling and was also infuriated by the Shen family's disrespect. He said, “As I said, the Yuan family has crossed the river for a century without fear. Sir, you need not repeat yourself.”

“Good! In that case, I leave everything in your hands, Steward Feng. My health is still recovering and I feel tired—I’ll go rest in my cabin.”

“Ah?” Feng Tong was stunned. “Sir, you—”

“What?” Xu You was about to rise, but seeing Feng Tong’s confusion, he knelt again and asked, “Do you have more to say, Steward Feng?”

Feng Tong opened his mouth, lacking quick wit, and blurted out his thoughts. “Didn’t Deputy Commander Zuo say he had no solution? We still need your help to plan a response!”

Though Xu You was young, he’d grown up in the Xu family, renowned for their martial prowess in Jiangdong. He was steeped in military lore and was a famous prodigy in martial arts. To deal with these vagabonds, his skills were indispensable, so after losing faith in Zuo Wen, Feng Tong pinned his hopes on Xu You, unwilling to let him withdraw.

Zuo Wen kept his head low, fists clenched. He had indeed said the Four Elusive Arrows were hard to deal with, but with strict defense and careful arrangements, the hundred elite retainers on board could surely prevent any real incursion. Feng Tong’s humiliation was intolerable!

He raised his head to retort, but caught Xu You’s gentle shake of the head—a reassuring gesture. His eyes stung, and he lost the desire to waste words on such incompetents, sitting quietly.

Xu You had been waiting for Feng Tong’s plea. When life was at stake, he certainly wasn’t going back to sleep. His apparent retreat was just a way to negotiate terms.

He feigned hesitation, saying, “I do have some experience with matters like this. However, there is one difficulty—Steward Feng may not agree…”

Feng Tong, desperate for any solution, said, “Speak, speak!”

“To deal with the Four Elusive Arrows, I need full command of the ship!”

“Ah?”

Xu You’s expression turned solemn. “Without orders, the military cannot function. If I don’t have command, I can’t ensure every step is carried out exactly as I intend. Any oversight could lead to another surprise attack. At that point, not only I, but you, Steward Feng, may not escape another deadly assault.”

Feng Tong weighed the matter carefully. All those aboard were Yuan family retainers; even if Xu You had command, he couldn’t stir up much trouble. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Alright, so long as we reach Jinling safely, everything will be done as you say!”