Chapter 38: Willing
The Imperial Academy.
Ning Yayun, uncharacteristically, was not playing the zither but sipping tea. The professors sat below, lightly flicking their dusters, chatting and laughing amiably.
An Ziyu tapped the table with her ruler, speaking bluntly, “Last time, Zhong Hui went to Wannian County and achieved some merit, which suppressed the arrogance of the Ministry of Revenue for a while. But this is still insufficient; the Ministry could use its influence to oppress us at any time. Do you have any solutions?”
The dusters stopped moving. The room fell silent. The professors sat upright, staring intently into the void, as if wishing to pierce it and enter another realm.
An Ziyu grew irritated, “If you want to establish merit, you must take office at court. The students have gone to the two counties; you could go to court as well.”
A low hum filled the room. Huang Jingyu said, “Dean, after all these years, frankly speaking, our reputation in the two counties is ruined. If we go, we’ll simply be sidelined.”
The elders of the Imperial Academy went to the counties armed with authority, but as soon as their methods were revealed, they all took leave.
Damn it! Must we suffer even for a simple assignment? The elders won’t serve anymore!
As time passed, the two counties lost hope in the Imperial Academy’s people.
An Ziyu glanced at Ning Yayun, touched the fire striker hidden in her sleeve, and said sourly, “Director!”
You’re the leader, why don’t you speak?
Ning Yayun sighed inwardly, feeling the burden of upholding the Imperial Academy’s mess was indeed arduous. He wished he could let his hair down and wander freely among the mountains and rivers.
These obstinate old men, even I am powerless… He sighed aloud.
The professors became lively again.
Knock, knock, knock!
Someone knocked at the door.
An Ziyu slapped the table, startling everyone.
“Come in.” An Ziyu pointed the ruler at the obstinate elders.
The door opened; a minor official entered.
“Director, news just arrived—Imperial Academy student Yang Xuan has been appointed Chief Constable of Wannian County.”
He finished, noticing the room had fallen silent.
What’s going on?
The ruler slammed down on the table.
Boom!
The table collapsed with a crash.
An Ziyu stood, pointing at the professors and reprimanding, “What is this?”
Yang Xuan happened to be peering in at the door. Seeing the scene, uncertain why, he cupped his hands and said, “Professor Zhong, I still have matters in Wannian County, so I’ll head over now.”
Zhong Hui, as if granted amnesty, replied, “Go then, go. I’ll invite you for a drink next time.”
Uh!
A professor inviting a student for a drink?
Yang Xuan quietly asked the minor official, “Are they drunk?”
The official shook his head, enviously, “Don’t you know?”
“What?” Yang Xuan asked.
“You’re the first in the history of the Imperial Academy to be promoted in the two counties.”
…
Yang Xuan never expected to achieve such an unusual first. When he arrived at Wannian County, Zhao Guolin and Wen Xinshu wore gloomy expressions.
“Chief Yang, just now Officer Qiu of Qiu County came, saying Deputy Commander Zhou of the Jinwu Guard volunteered to investigate the Southern Zhou spies,” Wen Xinshu said, disgruntled. “Last time, when we found the treasure, he tried to steal the credit. Now he’s at it again…”
“Seeking revenge and stealing credit,” Zhao Guolin, holding his horse lance, rarely showed anger.
“Let’s see.”
The three left the county office and went to Wang Erlang’s house.
A squad of soldiers had already sealed off Wang Erlang and the aunt’s house. Wen Xinshu stepped forward to negotiate.
“We need to investigate inside.”
The squad leader scowled, glanced past Wen Xinshu, and fixed his gaze on Yang Xuan, saying coldly, “This matter is now in the hands of Jinwu Guard. If you want to enter, call me ‘Lord,’ and I’ll let you pass.”
“Hahaha!” The soldiers burst into wild laughter.
The Jinwu Guard is responsible for Chang’an’s security, their duties overlapping with those of the Constables. In recent years, the Constables had been suppressed so thoroughly that they were always a rank lower when they met.
Deputy Commander Zhou Yan, in charge of security, had previously tried to seize credit with boldness, thinking it would be easy, only to be slapped by Yang Xuan, his dignity ruined.
If Zhou Yan succeeded in stealing credit, his subordinates would share in the merit—an unspoken rule. But this time, they got nothing, so naturally they held no goodwill toward Wannian County’s Constables, even harboring resentment.
Wen Xinshu’s face flushed, “This case was solved by our Wannian County. Why should we hand it over to you?”
The squad leader laughed uncontrollably, holding his belly and pointing…
Yang Xuan slowly approached.
The squad leader kept laughing.
“Hahaha!”
He even provocatively raised his brows at Yang Xuan.
Come on!
Hit me!
Everyone was watching.
Yang Xuan waved his hand.
Slap!
The sound was crisp.
The soldiers stared at their squad leader in disbelief, not expecting Yang Xuan to slap him.
The squad leader covered his face, first shocked, then overwhelmed by the humiliation of being slapped in public, he returned the slap.
“Chief Yang, be careful!” Zhao Guolin rushed forward, Wen Xinshu drew his bow.
Yang Xuan blocked easily with his left hand, then slapped back again with his right.
Slap!
“Now it’s symmetrical,” Yang Xuan mused that since meeting Tang Xiaonian, he had picked up some strange habits. He smiled and asked, “Can I enter now?”
The squad leader’s eyes widened. He was about to command his men to act, but Yang Xuan narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Still trying to steal credit? Go back and tell Deputy Commander Zhou: if he wants merit, he should come himself, not follow behind others and eat their dust!”
He raised his hand, “Old Zhao!”
“Here!” Zhao Guolin thundered in response.
Yang Xuan barked, “Show them my authority!”
“Understood!”
Zhao Guolin, holding the horse lance, slid his right hand down and pressed suddenly. The lance sprang up like a viper.
A gust of wind swept through.
The lance darted swiftly in front of the soldiers, too fast to see, only the red tassel visible as it whipped about.
Moments later, the lance was withdrawn.
Outside, a soldier shouted, “Look at your chests.”
A group of soldiers looked down to find a hole in their shirts at their chest and abdomen.
This was battlefield skill—who among them could match it?
Yang Xuan gently pushed aside the squad leader and walked in.
Behind him, Zhao Guolin followed with the lance.
Wen Xinshu, bow in hand, sneered at the soldiers ahead.
It was the Constables’ duty to investigate this case; Jinwu Guard’s obstruction was only because Constables were easy targets.
How could a minor official, chasing criminals and investigating cases, dare to contend with Jinwu Guard, one of the city’s main forces?
But today, they met their match.
Inside, Zhao Guolin whispered, “Why did Chief Yang act?”
“I couldn’t stand it,” Yang Xuan said.
A solitary tiger in the mountains must establish its dominance by subduing other beasts… A wolf wishing to be king must first bite its foes, shielding its pack.
Otherwise… who would care who you were?
He bore the burden of rebellion—no, of quelling traitors—and his first order of business was to protect his own.
Behind, Wen Xinshu’s eyes were reddened.
Zhao Guolin nodded slightly.
What should a subordinate fear? Only an officer who lacks resolve, pushing his men forward when trouble arises.
“Go report to Deputy Commander Zhou!”
The squad leader, ashamed and furious, wanted to fight but knew he couldn’t win, so he sent someone to fetch reinforcements.
Inside, Yang Xuan looked at the preserved pit and said quietly, “First, the woman next door reported the case. When the investigation yielded nothing, the Southern Zhou spy suddenly acted up—damn it, making trouble out of nothing! Then, upon inspection, hidden treasure was found in Wang Erlang’s home, but the fingerprint on the string revealed their intentions. What are they up to?”
The room was quiet. Rays of light shone into the pit, dust swirling in the beams like tiny dancers… Wen Xinshu lowered his voice, “Could it be they want us to think we found treasure and stop searching?”
Zhao Guolin was surprised, “You could think of that?”
Wen Xinshu grew angry, “Why wouldn’t I?”
Yang Xuan didn’t join their quarrel, pacing slowly by the pit with his hands behind his back.
“It’s a trap.” Yang Xuan recalled many things—he’d watched quite a few crime films recently.
“What are they trying to do?”
Later, on the way back, the three were silent.
The sound of hooves grew dense.
Zhao Guolin looked up, his expression tense, “Chief Yang, it’s Deputy Commander Zhou and his men.”
Zhou Yan approached with over ten riders.
Both sides reined in their horses two paces apart.
Zhou Yan looked at Yang Xuan, smiling like a wolf spotting a rabbit, the corners of his mouth lifted, his eyes filled with cruelty and bloodlust.
“A mere Chief Constable dares to roam freely in Chang’an?”
Yang Xuan smiled, pointing at the sky, “Heaven watches over the world; loyalty and treachery are clear for all to see. The weather seems fine today, but who knows when thunder may strike…”
Zhou Yan sneered, the two groups passed each other.
A hundred paces ahead, Zhou Yan asked, “Have you investigated thoroughly?”
A soldier replied, “Yes, today Bao Dong went to Pingkang Lane to post a notice, something about… taking the Rejuvenation Pill, ‘she’s well, you’re well too.’”
Zhou Yan’s lips pressed thinly. “Act!”
…
The Bao family’s house was large but somewhat old, with many places needing repair still unchanged.
“Father, I’m heading out.”
Bao Dong entered the bedroom. His father, Bao Cai, leaned against the headboard, gently saying, “Father’s health is much better. Study well, don’t busy yourself outside.”
Bao Dong grinned, “I know, Father.”
He slung his bundle and left. Behind him, Bao Cai sighed softly, “It’s all my health dragging down my eldest son, alas!”
Bao Dong left home, making his way to Pingkang Lane.
He first went to a brothel.
“Rejuvenation Pill,” a prostitute approached.
Money exchanged for goods.
The prostitute rubbed up against him flirtatiously, “You used to visit often, now you’re here selling medicine. Want to repay your debt in kind?”
“If you resell it to your clients, you’ll make a profit, so don’t squeeze me dry!” Bao Dong handed over the medicine, becoming ever more adept.
Slap!
A hand landed on his shoulder from behind.
“Who’s there?”
Bao Dong turned, only to be tackled to the ground.
He reflexively said, “Every cloud drifting by is my longing for you.”
With these words, his internal energy surged, then dissipated.
Because a face appeared before his eyes.
“Huang Li, Jinwu Guard Registrar. If you move again, killing you is as good as nothing!”
Bao Dong let his energy fade, giving up resistance, and when restrained, protested, “Why arrest me?”
Huang Li grinned viciously, “The medicine you sold killed someone.”
Later, at Jinwu Guard.
Zhou Yan sat in the duty room. Huang Li came in to report, “Deputy Commander Zhou, the suspect Bao Dong has been apprehended.”
Zhou Yan didn’t look up, merely waved his hand.
Huang Li turned and left.
“Beat him!”
A woman stood nearby, crying, “It’s him!”
Bao Dong was pinned to the bench, two soldiers raising boards…
Huang Li barked, “Her husband died from your Rejuvenation Pill, bleeding endlessly… ‘She’s well, you’re well too,’ now only she remains, the other lost his life. Do you admit guilt?”
“That was probably a sudden death, nothing to do with me!” Bao Dong struggled to lift his head, “Registrar Huang, I take the Rejuvenation Pill every morning and night—full of energy… it can’t be!”
Huang Li sneered, “You’ll only cry when you see the coffin. Tell me—was anyone behind this? If so, your punishment will be lighter. If not… selling poison that kills, your crime is immense!”
Bao Dong shook his head.
“Beat him!”
Outside, the sound of boards striking continued.
In the duty room, Zhou Yan said coolly, “I’m just short of enough merit for promotion—a mere Constable dares to hinder me?”
After the interrogation, Zhou Yan heard Huang Li shouting outside.
“Tell us, who instructed you to sell the poison?”
Zhou Yan smiled faintly, “Do you think my men beat someone for nothing?”
Outside, Bao Dong struggled to lift his head, forced a tragic smile.
“Even in the underworld, my answer is the same… I made the medicine myself, no one else involved!”
Zhou Yan’s face turned cold.
Huang Li approached, crouching beside the bench, “You’d rather die?”
Bao Dong’s mind flashed through many memories… finally settling on one.
—Yang Xuan shook his head lightly, saying, “It’s just a few words, not worth it.”
He struggled to lift his head, nodding forcefully.
“I’m willing!”