Chapter 74: The Troublesome Bamboo Zhang

What was originally a courtroom trial had now turned into a negotiation.

Governor Lu understood the offer Luo Gan was making: he and his companions would serve as insiders to seize the Winter Blossom from Wang Gemao, and in return, he wanted the Liu family father and son to be released.

The Liu family had been used as leverage against Luo Gan from the start. They were certain he would attempt a rescue; openly, they still held value as bargaining chips, but if things were taken by force, it would be easy enough to place the blame on Wang Gemao. Either way, it would be advantageous.

Kneeling, Luo Gan shuffled a few steps forward and continued, “I beseech you, Governor, see with clarity and grant the Liu family their freedom. I am willing to serve you faithfully. With the help of my brothers within the yamen, we will retrieve the secret treasure and present it to you. Thus, the great deed will be accomplished!”

Luo Gan was shrewd, opting for the first choice, which left him some room to maneuver. But how could one trust someone who was not a true ally? Words alone were not enough to settle the doubts in Governor Lu’s heart.

“These so-called brothers of yours have already been apprehended by Magistrate Wang. How can they assist you now?” Governor Lu was testing whether Luo Gan had a plan; working with a headless fly would be courting death.

“No need to worry. I have already arranged matters. At your command, Governor, I will accompany you, and together we will reclaim the great treasure.”

The officials on either side of the hall whispered among themselves—some nodded in agreement, others shook their heads in dissent; opinions were varied and inconclusive.

“Hmph. Old Liu Chengyu has always been cautious. Whether or not he’s involved with forbidden texts must be carefully investigated. As for the secret treasure, it is a national treasure and must not fall into villainous hands!”

As expected, the governor relented. The safety of Liu Chengyu and his son would win Du the physician’s trust, and next, using the governor’s men to clash with Wang Gemao would allow them to reap the benefits.

Luo Gan smiled inwardly, revealing nothing. Everything was unfolding as he had planned.

“Thank you, Governor!” Luo Gan bowed in gratitude.

Governor Lu pondered to himself, having his own plans. Luo Gan’s little scheming was nothing; if things went well, he could go along with it. In the end, securing the Winter Blossom was what mattered.

Suddenly, a minor official hurried into the hall, causing a stir among the officials. Governor Lu was just about to rise when the sound of footsteps startled him.

“Governor! A criminal has been apprehended within the prefectural compound, caught climbing over the wall. What punishment does such a crime deserve?”

Luo Gan looked around anxiously, a sense of foreboding rising within him.

Governor Lu slammed the table, “Audacious scoundrel! Bring him in!”

The official withdrew, and soon after, brought in Bamboo Zhang.

Bamboo Zhang was disheveled and ragged, his clothing torn—likely from climbing the wall.

Luo Gan, upon seeing him, shut his eyes tightly, despair etched on his face.

Bamboo Zhang hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, begging for mercy, but Governor Lu was unmoved.

“What nerve you have! Climbing over the wall into the prefecture—were you planning to steal or usurp my position?” Governor Lu’s voice echoed through the hall; even if Bamboo Zhang had nerves of steel, they would have been shattered.

“He should be executed! Treason!”

“A thief! He deserves to die a thousand deaths.”

As the officials, so were their subordinates—self-preserving, always aligning with the side of reason.

Luo Gan was exasperated with Bamboo Zhang, whose actions only sabotaged his own plans. He could not fathom what madness possessed him; like repelling magnets, he always managed to undermine him.

Even so, Luo Gan dropped down to his knees again.

“Governor, this man is my friend. He was waiting outside for me and, seeing me delayed, acted rashly out of concern.”

Bamboo Zhang nodded vigorously, for once wholeheartedly agreeing with Luo Gan, which made Luo Gan both amused and exasperated.

Governor Lu was not reassured by Luo Gan’s handling of affairs. Entrusting such matters to a stranger was unsettling enough—and now, the heavens had delivered a fool right to his door. How could he let such an opportunity slip by?

“Hmph, the tiles from the compound wall are already on the ground. The law cannot permit such trespass. Your friend will have to stay here for a while.”

“Governor, didn’t we have an arrangement…” Luo Gan pleaded.

“One thing at a time! The law is the law; it must be upheld!” Governor Lu replied righteously, his voice ringing with authority.

Luo Gan struck the ground with his fist and sighed.

In the prison, Du the physician came to visit Erhu and the others.

Though it was the yamen’s holding area, with the cold and the dwindling population, few ever ended up here. The entire cell was taken up by members of the Bamboo Grove Guild.

Du handed out some loose coins, dismissed the jailers, and gathered everyone together to talk.

“Let me be clear: this is no trivial matter. None of you can afford to make mistakes.”

Even the usually brash Erhu was cautious, crouching and listening intently.

“I’ve made an arrangement with President Luo. Since both parties want the secret treasure, let the treasure choose its own master. Magistrate Wang is a reasonable man—if you cooperate fully with him, you’ll be released.”

Little Zhi was taken aback, clearly dissatisfied.

“Du, did you misspeak? The man who arrested us is a good man?”

Farmer Jia’s eyes gleamed, flickering as he pondered Du’s words. Uncle De simply glanced over and shook his head in silence.

Erhu said, “I get it now—cooperate and hope for a lighter sentence.”

Du nodded. “The magistrate is giving you a chance—turn back while you can.”

Uncle De, deeply dejected, asked Du, “Do you have a plan?”

“Yes. Tomorrow, you’ll lead the others to Sima’s residence, retrieve the great treasure, and then hand it over to Magistrate Wang.”

“The great treasure? What treasure? Wasn’t it already—”

Du quickly cut him off, gesturing to silence Erhu. “Was already… hidden at Sima’s residence, right? Once you find it, give it to Luo Gan. As long as you understand your situation, that’s all that matters—do you understand?”

His tone was stern, intimidating the group, but Uncle De and the others caught on to some hidden meaning. Erhu paused, deciding not to press further.

With that, Du hurriedly took his leave.

Uncle De signaled to Erhu and the others. Farmer Jia moved closer to the door, cleverly keeping watch for any approaching jailers.

“There was something cryptic in Du’s words just now,” Little Zhi concluded after weighing it over.

“I think it’s odd too, but can we really trust him?” Erhu asked.

Farmer Jia grew impatient, thumping his chest. “Simpleton! If you can’t rely on Du now, who else can you trust?”

Erhu pouted, unhappy at the thought of entrusting his fate to a stranger. He had learned the importance of independence since childhood; the help of others usually came with strings attached, and honest folk rarely benefited, often suffering losses instead. His wife, Ayu, always reminded him at home not to be taken advantage of.

“Don’t you want to see Ayu again?” Farmer Jia pressed.

Erhu did not reply. After all these years together, what would Ayu think if she saw him in his current state?

Uncle De, on the other hand, was quite at ease. His spinach patch was ruined anyway, and with no wife or children at home, his old age was a solitary affair. He didn’t mind; without worldly attachments, to end his days in the fields would be a happy thing. Yet fate had other plans—here he was, freezing in a prison cell, fearing he might not survive the night.

They all fell silent for a long while, until someone finally spoke up and broke the stillness.

“We’ll take it one step at a time. Brother Luo must be working on a plan out there—we will be saved!” Little Zhi declared with unwavering resolve.