Chapter Thirty-One: All Schemes and Plots

It was unclear whether Zhan Ting had arranged in advance for someone to clear the area, or if the courtyard here was simply too secluded. Despite the commotion and uproar, the noise failed to attract any idle onlookers interested in the spectacle.

Xu You noticed He Ru seemed reluctant to discuss that senior brother, so he did not press further. Surveying the ground littered with wandering swordsmen, he asked, “What do you think Zhan Ting will do next?”

“If he’s not completely foolish, he should have a backup plan. I expect that within a quarter of an hour, the county constables will arrive…”

“Then let’s wait. It’s a good chance to get some fresh air in the courtyard. Qiufen, fetch a few stools from the room. Let us, along with the two gentlemen, sit beneath this ancient locust tree and appreciate the scene—‘amidst the myriad autumn leaves, when the evening light falls upon a thousand households!’”

Qiufen replied and was about to retrieve the stools when Zhan Ting entered, accompanied by seven or eight men. Seeing the group writhing and groaning on the ground, with Dou Qi lying still and uncertain if he was dead or alive, a flash of anger crossed Zhan Ting’s face and he muttered, “Useless!”

“Master Zhan, are these the ones who caused trouble in the inn?” The man who spoke wore a flat-topped cap and a green robe embroidered with grape motifs, his build tall and imposing, his appearance dignified. Yet his eyes carried a hint of malice, scrutinizing people first from their hands and feet, then their chest and belly, finally their face, as if he wished to dissect them with his gaze.

“Yes, Constable Zheng, it’s them. Not only were their documents suspicious when checking in, they behaved recklessly and now have injured so many. I believe they are either criminals or thieves—please take them to the county office for thorough interrogation. Surely there are illegal activities to uncover!”

The constable’s division was subordinate to the legal office, responsible for handling theft and crime. When a case was reported without a clear suspect, they would investigate and search, examining for hidden crimes to start the inquiry. Thus, He Ru had correctly guessed that if Zhan Ting reported to the authorities, those who would come would be constables. It was just as expected.

First, he sent servants to drive them away. When that failed, he used local thugs; when even that proved ineffective, he immediately called in the authorities. Truly, all history is contemporary history—the pattern was identical to the world Xu You had come from!

Constable Zheng glanced over Xu You and his companions without saying much more. He waved his hand, commanding, “Take them away!”

Those behind him were county constables, dressed in green jackets and tied trousers, with ring-handled swords at their waists. At his order, they surged forward.

Zuo Wen was about to act, but Xu You gently shook his head. “Since these are Prefect Gu’s men, let’s leave room for maneuver.”

He Ru said coldly, “Seventh Lord, you’re too cautious—lacking a bit of youthful defiance. These constables, if you fight them, so be it. Would Prefect Gu really hold it against you?”

“Enough, stop pretending. You’re just a few outsiders—what connections could you possibly have with Prefect Gu?” Constable Zheng was a shrewd man, seasoned in official circles. Seeing that even Dou Qi and his group dared resist, and Zhan Ting was intent on punishing them, it was clear these people had no powerful backing. Arresting them could earn ten thousand coins—a lucrative business, far better than chasing thieves.

He sneered, “I won’t waste words. Surrender quietly. With your crimes, you’ll receive some lashes, nothing more. If you dare resist, know that my brothers’ swords have claimed countless criminal lives!”

Lashes?

Xu You whispered to He Ru, “Isn’t the lash punishment specifically for disciplining officials? It’s meant to correct negligence, an official penalty—when did it start being used on commoners?”

The lash, also called the whip, was intended to discipline officials. It was not part of the formal legal code, divided into law whips and common whips. Law whips were made from rawhide, stripped at four edges; common whips used tanned leather, unstripped. The head was made like a goose, a button one foot and one inch long; the sheath two feet and two inches, width three fen, thickness one fen, with handles two feet five inches. Regardless of gender, those punished had to strip to expose their backs. It sounded brutal, but for women it was already an improvement—in the past, women suffered the rod, exposing their private parts; later, to advocate humanity, the rod was replaced by the whip.

He Ru found it curious that Xu You seemed deeply knowledgeable about penalties and statutes, yet understood the facts without grasping their reasons. However, there was no time for curiosity now. He explained, “The lash wasn’t codified during the Cao Wei era, nor in the state of Chu after it settled Jiangdong, which followed Wei’s system. But in the third year of Tai’an, the ruler personally decreed the lash to be added to the formal code, henceforth officials and commoners were punished equally.”

Tai’an was An Zidao’s second reign title, adopted after his second failed northern campaign. That year, the Northern Wei army nearly reached the Yangtze, causing political turmoil at home. Thus, the penalty’s amendment had many political considerations.

It was the first time He Ru referred to An Zidao as “the ruler,” showing he understood discretion. In front of county constables, if he kept mentioning An Zidao by name, how could he talk of revenge or restoring the nation?

“I see.” Xu You nodded, then addressed Constable Zheng, “So, Constable Zheng, what crimes have we committed to warrant lashes?”

Constable Zheng grinned darkly, pointing at the swordsmen on the ground, “Brawling, injuring others… oh, and causing disability. Lashes are already a light punishment. At most, you’ll be locked up for a dozen days, pay a fine, then be released!”

The redemption of punishment was written into law, allowing payment to escape certain penalties. Thus, what Constable Zheng said wasn’t outright extortion.

Xu You realized Zhan Ting’s scheme—give them a beating, lock them up for days; wounded and deprived of freedom, they’d be too preoccupied to meddle in Zhan clan affairs. This method, though simple and lacking finesse, was devastatingly effective against most people—like a three-pronged attack, overwhelming and hard to resist.

“Very well. I’ve been in Qiantang for over two days; it’s time to meet Prefect Gu. No need for force—just lead the way.”

Constable Zheng stroked his chin, his eyes shifting. Suddenly, he put on a friendlier face. “We’re only here because Master Zhan submitted a report. We must clarify right and wrong and report to the prefect for judgment. Since you’re sensible, there’s no need for restraints. Let’s go!”

Zhan Ting’s expression soured. “Brother Zheng, you—”

Constable Zheng interrupted, bowing, “Master Zhan, as I said: right and wrong will be decided by our prefect. Don’t worry—you are a renowned scholar of Qiantang. The prefect is just and wise—he won’t favor outsiders and let you suffer injustice!”

The official office was a place of cultivation—anyone who managed to make a name there was adept at reading the winds and slippery as a monkey. Constable Zheng’s words were carefully crafted: he appeased Zhan Ting without giving Xu You and his group any ammunition. Truly a talent!

“The one who struck was him; I was the mastermind. Let us two accompany you—what do you think, Constable Zheng?”

Constable Zheng considered. Since they were at the Zhibin Inn, they wouldn’t escape. He nodded. “Let’s go.”

Xu You signaled He Ru to remain behind with Qiufen, to care for Lushuang, who was still bedridden. He himself, along with Zuo Wen, followed the constable and the county guards out. As they passed Zhan Ting, Xu You said, “Master Wuqu, we are heading to the county office to surrender. Until the prefect makes his decision, the safety of He Ru and the others is in your hands. If anything happens, you’ll have trouble explaining when the prefect asks.”

Zhan Ting gnashed his teeth in hatred, his eyes full of venom as he watched Xu You depart, then strode out in a fury. At the gate, he ordered, “Seal the doors, post guards. No one enters or leaves except for county officials!”

Leaving the Zhibin Inn, dusk was near. The streets grew sparse, a haze of sunset colors enveloping the landscape, painting Qiantang’s ancient city like a celestial realm.

“Do you truly know Prefect Gu?” Constable Zheng probed.

Xu You replied, “May I ask your full name, Constable?”

“I am Zheng Jing.”

Proper and upright? The name sounded anything but; Xu You suppressed a laugh. “Constable Zheng, you may be mistaken. I am not acquainted with Prefect Gu…”

Zheng Jing’s eyes shifted. “Perhaps you have family ties?”

“You flatter me. Prefect Gu hails from the illustrious Gu clan of Wu County, generations of nobility. I am merely a commoner, newly registered in Qiantang—how could I aspire to such connections?”

“Commoner?” Zheng Jing’s eyes darkened. “Why have you come to Qiantang?”

Xu You feigned surprise. “Didn’t Master Zhan explain? I am a commoner newly settled in Qiantang…”

Zheng Jing and Zhan Ting were acquainted; they often drank and entertained at Zhibin Inn, usually with the bill waived—a decent friendship. So when Zhan Ting sent word of trouble, Zheng Jing rushed over with his men to support him. Otherwise, seeing Xu You’s extraordinary bearing and Zuo Wen’s impressive skills, and hearing hints of a connection to Prefect Gu, he would have acted more cautiously, preferring to let things slide rather than risk a mistake.

He hadn’t expected Xu You to be nothing but a destitute commoner, forced to move to Qiantang and register there. Zheng Jing’s face darkened. “Since you’re a criminal, who allowed you to walk alongside me? Guards, watch them closely!”

Zuo Wen snorted, shielding Xu You. Xu You had seen countless faces among these low-ranking constables. He smiled, “Constable Zheng, the county office is nearby. It won’t take long. Bear with it for now—when we arrive and Prefect Gu reprimands me, you can turn hostile then.”

At first glance, it sounded like Xu You was being considerate, but the more Zheng Jing thought about it, the less it felt right. Yet he found no way to rebut, so he led the way grimly. The other sword-bearing county guards formed a circle around Xu You and Zuo Wen, making it seem as if Prefect Gu were inspecting the populace, Zheng Jing leading, guards flanking—a spectacle that startled passing villagers, who hurriedly stepped aside and respectfully let them pass unimpeded.

The county office of Qiantang loomed ahead!