Chapter 139: The Boss of Anping Demands Peace (Part 1)

Rumors had already spread. From Zhang Jifeng’s perspective, Shorty Huang could hardly be considered a trusted confidant. The reason was simple: a double-faced and treacherous person, regardless of any cleverness they might possess, is always difficult to trust.

Ever since he swore allegiance to the Zhang family, Boss Zhang had been quite pleased with Shorty Huang. From time to time, he would send him out to run errands, or have him "mediate" when fights broke out with others, resolving many matters that Zhang Jifeng was unwilling to handle himself. Shorty Huang had served Boss Zhang diligently, leaving him thoroughly satisfied.

Within the Zhang family courtyard, Boss Zhang and Zhang Jifeng held completely opposing views regarding Shorty Huang's competence.

Boss Zhang: "Shorty Huang is quite a talent. Are you really at ease sending him off all by himself to deal with Wang Gemao?"

Zhang Jifeng: "Elder Brother, you simply place too much faith in subordinates. That man cannot be trusted."

Boss Zhang was deeply displeased with this, believing that while Zhang Jifeng possessed some physical prowess, he was all muscle and no brains. Even after becoming a constable, he still felt his brother lacked any real prospects.

Boss Zhang: "Do you think the emperor's empire was won with a pair of kitchen cleavers? That he single-handedly overthrew the Sui Dynasty? How naive!"

Like a professional storyteller, he shook his head and gestured dismissively at Zhang Jifeng, tolerating no challenge to his authority.

Zhang Jifeng: "Hah, he's useless and will only make things worse."

Their conversation was far from pleasant; whenever the topic turned to Shorty Huang, their opinions clashed. Subconsciously, Zhang Jifeng always hoped to prove his own worth in front of his elder brother, but Shorty Huang's appearance had undoubtedly shaken his position in his brother's heart. For this reason, he had to fight to win it back.

A sudden commotion sounded outside the door, and several thugs rushed back in, making Boss Zhang's heart skip a beat. It seemed matters were far from simple.

News traveled relatively fast among the constables, and they arrived at the scene before Shorty Huang's body had even completely stiffened. Compared to Zhang Jifeng, Boss Zhang remained remarkably calm, quietly staring in deep concentration at Shorty Huang, sitting motionless like a stone Buddha.

Zhang Jifeng: "What do we do now? That bastard Wang Gemao!"

Boss Zhang: "It is very strange. They claimed it was to fulfill a vow, but people from Wang Gemao's side also died. Under normal circumstances, even if he wanted to take your life, he shouldn't have gotten his own people killed at the scene as well."

"A diversion! It's definitely their diversion! Sacrificing a few small fry—I'm going to find him myself!"

A sharp slap landed across Zhang Jifeng’s face as Boss Zhang angrily scolded his hot-headed younger brother.

"Find him? You're quite something now, rushing off to settle scores before even finding any evidence. What if he came prepared and turns the tables on us? Have you thought about the consequences?"

Zhang Jifeng was clearly agitated and had acted without deep consideration. Boss Zhang soothed him, urging him to calm down.

"Here is what we do: you stay put at home and do not move. The situation is extremely complicated now, and the jade piece has also vanished into thin air. Aside from the possibility of Wang Gemao seeking revenge, it is entirely possible that some passerby murdered for wealth."

Zhang Jifeng harbored doubts about this, but did not show it. Obeying his brother's advice, he sat quietly at home, waiting to see how events would unfold.

Inside the Anping Yamen, Wang Gemao walked toward the emaciated Physician Du, who had not eaten for several days. Central officials had strictly forbidden him from taking any food, allowing him to fully experience the taste of being exploited. As a result, Physician Du was suffering not only from a tormented conscience, but also from severe physical devastation. Nearby, his wife and children had been released and wept bitterly together with him.

Upon seeing that it was Wang Gemao, Physician Du fell to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Prefect Wang! My grievances as an official are beyond words, but my family is innocent! They have nothing to do with this matter. I beg the Prefect to make a thorough and clear investigation!"

Wang Gemao squatted down and instructed the jailer to lead his family outside. The family parted amidst a flood of tears, sweeping away any lingering remnants of their former dignity.

"Now then, there happens to be an opportunity to let your family go. Are you willing?"

Physician Du agreed without the slightest hesitation. Wang Gemao patted Physician Du’s cheek, looking quite satisfied.

In the side room, Erhu remained immersed in lingering agony, filled with terror toward the future. At this point, he had no confidence whatsoever in whether he could rescue Uncle De, and unable to protect even himself, he had no idea what might happen next.

Li Bu'er spat onto the edge of his blade, looking every bit like a ruffian collecting a debt.

"That's why I need to collect some money. In the face of benefits, human nature is far too fragile."

Erhu: "I don't understand what you're talking about! I want to take Uncle De home! I don't want anything else, I don't want anything at all."

A trace of pity flickered in Li Bu'er's gaze, as he felt peasants were far too honest, hesitating and overcautious even when doing certain things, completely lacking the aggressive momentum they had shown during the fight earlier. Once blood was shed—once a human life was involved—things changed entirely.

"I'm saying, you people are clearly government constables; how can you possibly do such a thing?!"

Li Bu'er: "You'll get used to it. Nothing in this world comes for granted."

Wang Gemao opened the door, looking at the two of them with a beaming smile.

"The matter is done, and it will be to the advantage of both of you."

Erhu jumped up in a flash and said, "Lord Magistrate, I'm begging you, okay? Let Uncle De come back, and we'll head right back. We won't want anything, we won't say anything, we'll just pretend nothing ever happened, alright?!"

Seeing how utterly earnest Erhu was, Wang Gemao felt rather at ease, sensing no major threat from him.

"Brother Erhu, look, our ties run deep, and you surely understand me by now. As for who captured old Master Uncle De, you'll have to ask the Zhang family. Otherwise, the two of us making a decision doesn't count, does it? Surely we are doing this precisely to rescue them?"

Utterly speechless, Erhu had no choice but to follow Wang Gemao's instructions.

On a moonless and windy night, Zhang Jifeng sat upright inside his room, listening to the chilling wind outside rustling the paper window unceasingly, feeling deeply agitated within. Shorty Huang had met his end during the day, and now he was left alone in the room at night; chills crept over him no matter how he tried to shake them off.

Between sleep and wakefulness, he faintly seemed to hear some noise. Zhang Jifeng opened the window and looked out, but saw nothing. Just as he closed the window, strange sounds arose once more—they sounded like a woman's groans calling out for something, yet felt like weeping, shouting at a husband not to strike. Suddenly, a light flickered across the way, and the shadows of a man and a woman were cast upon the window paper. Grabbing his saber, Zhang Jifeng stepped outside to uphold justice for the woman. As he walked into the alleyway, the lanterns suddenly went out.

Sensing something was amiss, Erhu swung a heavy club down onto his back, eliciting a cry of pain from Zhang Jifeng. Turning around, all he saw was a masked, burly man raising a wooden club, eager to strike again. Zhang Jifeng thrust his saber at Erhu, who raised his wooden club to parry while keeping his eyes locked on Li Bu'er in the darkness.

Suddenly, a cold flash cut through the dark, piercing straight through Zhang Jifeng's back. The blade protruded from his chest, and Zhang Jifeng let out an agonizing scream. People from Boss Zhang's household poured out, and the servants, armed with weapons, rushed into the alley.

Seeing this, Erhu dropped his club and bolted. Li Bu'er glanced at Zhang Jifeng and didn't linger; the two of them vanished into the darkness.