Chapter 136: The Shop and the Captive

Following Wei Zheng’s intervention, Li Shimin was eventually persuaded that the Duke of Song was innocent. However, Fang Xuanling and his associates were displeased that Wei Zheng had meddled, causing their plans to go awry.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui began to reorganize their strategy and map out future actions.

"I have received a system notification," Fang Xuanling said. "The next step is still to establish public granaries and promote reforms in domestic policy."

Du Ruhui replied, "In that case, we are effectively being forced into an even more passive position."

Fang Xuanling looked confused, not fully grasping Du Ruhui’s meaning.

"By indulging our opponents, we are merely nourishing a future threat. Through my subordinates, I have learned that while it was indeed the Duke of Zheng who appeared on the surface to save the Duke of Song, that is only the surface."

"The surface?" Fang Xuanling asked. "Could this have something to do with our competitors in the game?"

"Do you remember that clown you mentioned, the one doing calisthenics?" Du Ruhui countered.

Fang Xuanling slammed his hand against the desk, venting his frustration on the furniture. "They are colluding! The bastards."

"For now, we don’t know the exact nature of their cooperation," Du Ruhui said. "But for a commoner to go out of their way to rescue a high-ranking official is inherently abnormal. The key is that he is one of the transmigrated competitors."

A cunning smile spread across Fang Xuanling’s face. "Interesting. We originally only intended to weed out those who were eyesores in the imperial court. To think we would also uncover their connections—we must eliminate them."

Du Ruhui added, "The enemy is in the light while we are in the shadows. The situation is still in our favor."

***

In the prison, Xiao Yu finally saw the light of the outside world and let out a long sigh. "To be alive and see the light again—it feels wonderful."

Luo Gan and his companions, along with servants from the Duke of Song’s estate, had been waiting for a long time.

Xiao Yu looked around and asked Luo Gan, "Where is the Duke of Zheng? Didn't we owe his intercession for this?"

Luo Gan replied, "It was my brother here who happened to meet the Duke of Zheng by chance. That gave us the opportunity to explain the situation to him, which led him to speak on your behalf."

Liu Buwen added, "Fortunately, the Duke of Zheng is a man of principle. Once he understood that this was not a malicious act but rather a case of an official being framed, he realized it would be a misfortune for the Great Tang. Otherwise, knowing his character, he likely would not have helped."

Xiao Yu looked back at the bustling scene of Chang'an, his eyes filled with infinite contemplation.

"You have done me two great favors," Xiao Yu said. "First, by risking danger to deliver my message, and second, by seeking help from the Duke of Zheng in time, preventing me from remaining trapped. Though I suffered a bit, it was nothing serious. You have performed a great service."

Luo Gan said, "Regarding the delivery of that message, the Duke of Song has already helped our friend Liu Buwen successfully qualify for the preliminary examinations for imperial office."

"Let me reiterate," Xiao Yu said. "Liu’s qualification was due to his own merit; it has nothing to do with me. At most, I merely helped him with the registration. Since you have helped me greatly, I will grant you one wish within my power."

After much thought, Luo Gan said, "We would like to have a foothold in Chang'an—perhaps a shop where we can make a living."

"Have you considered becoming aides in my estate?" Xiao Yu offered. "When the opportunity arises, I could even secure you minor official positions."

Luo Gan politely declined. "We appreciate your kindness, Duke of Song, but our talents truly lie in this direction. We have no desire to pursue fame and rank for now; we only hope to build our own business and do something decent."

Xiao Yu was surprised. As a scholar-official himself, he could fully understand why someone like Liu Buwen would want to pursue a career to change his life. But for Luo Gan and the others to want to be merchants—and to reject an opportunity placed right in front of them so matter-of-factly—struck him as a difference in stature and vision. He concluded that this was why they could accomplish small tasks but never anything world-shaking.

"If that is your wish, so be it. Let us go to my estate to discuss it further."

Xiao Yu worried that things were becoming increasingly unfavorable. Though he held a high position, there were always adversaries interfering with him, even seeking to end his life. He feared this was not merely a political game, but a competition in a larger contest, leaving him little room to maneuver. Clearly, Fang Xuanling was no friend of his, and Xiao Yu had yet to devise a brilliant plan for the road ahead.

***

Things were even more abnormal in Anping County, where Uncle De and Er Hu were completely unaware that they were about to face a massive conspiracy.

Uncle De was resting in a thatched hut while Er Hu had gone out to do some manual labor. It had been over ten days since they arrived from the village, and they had yet to achieve any results. Both men were deeply troubled.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out. Two or three masked bailiffs burst in, beat the resting Uncle De, threw a sack over him, and abducted him. The old man was carried away on their shoulders without a chance to struggle. When Er Hu returned to find the hut empty and a pool of blood on the floor, terror gripped him, leaving his mind blank.

A minor official outside noticed Er Hu and hurriedly approached. "What happened?"

"It’s urgent!" Er Hu cried. "The old man from my village has disappeared, and there’s blood on the floor. He’s elderly—what if something terrible has happened? What should I do?"

The official comforted him, claiming to be a patrol officer from the magistrate’s office, and suggested they go see Magistrate Wang together to find out what was going on.

At the magistrate’s office, Wang Gemao had shed his former lethargic demeanor. He sat in his study reading intently, exuding an air of scholarly grace. Seeing Er Hu arrive, he hurried forward to take his hand.

"Brother Er Hu, you’ve come! What is the matter?"

"Magistrate Wang! I have been wronged!" Er Hu exclaimed. "The old man from our village has vanished, and there is blood in the room!"

Wang Gemao’s expression turned complex as he sighed heavily. "Ever since the wolves took power, they have been covering the sky with one hand and running wild in Anping County. Who else could it be?"

"But we are just humble commoners," Er Hu said. "What could we possibly have to do with them?"

"It’s perfectly typical," Wang Gemao replied. "Since you came here regarding the village fire, Zhang Jifeng’s men naturally want to intimidate you to make you know your place."

Er Hu was filled with rage, as if he could tear the roof off the building. "Those scoundrels! I must make them pay!"

"What do you intend to do?" Wang Gemao asked.

"I’ll rescue Uncle De," Er Hu declared. "I’ll confront them and make them release him."

"And if they refuse? Wouldn’t you just be throwing yourself into a trap?"

Er Hu was filled with hatred. "If that’s the case, I’ll make sure they all know the consequences of their actions!"

Wang Gemao looked at Er Hu, admiring the hero’s chivalrous spirit. "They will certainly deny it. But if you eliminate those people, you would be doing a service for the people, and everyone would thank you. Don't worry—if anything happens, I will handle it on my end."

Er Hu nodded, signaling for Wang Gemao to tell him exactly what to do next. Wang Gemao smiled cryptically.