Chapter 013: Life Shrouded in Layers of Suspicion

This remark struck Li Dong like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. His heart was filled with anxiety, yet his face remained impassive.

Just as he had suspected, Zhang Junke indeed had the background of a bandit. Scenes of their strange behavior since meeting them flashed before his eyes. If Du Fuwei hadn’t taken the initiative to reveal the truth, no one would have known. Was it possible Du Fuwei, eager to claim credit and rewards, had used and then deceived them afterward?

Zhang Junke was a man of the wilds—bold and straightforward, but lacking in caution. That possibility existed. But why would he willingly follow Du Fuwei to Zhangqiu? He seemed to hold Du Fuwei in high regard. What had transpired between them? Did they not know that since ancient times, officials and bandits have been enemies?

His mind was a tangled mess. Li Dong desperately wanted to find Du Fuwei and ask him face to face. Yet, at the same time, Lu Rou had vanished without a word. What had happened to her?

Li Dong asked, "Who reported them?"

"Who else but him?" Li Hun regarded his son, hardly recognizing him—was this truly the mischievous boy who had always been such a headache? When had he become so calm, so unflappable in the face of change? He now possessed the bearing of a true general.

"I understand. That man is no good," Li Dong cursed. Now was not the time to confront him. First, he had to find a way to rescue Du Fuwei and the others, then see if Lu Rou was in danger; afterward, he could settle accounts with the traitor.

Important matters must be dealt with first; difficult matters handled cleverly; urgent matters approached with patience. No matter what problems arose, one must take the initiative. Falling behind and becoming passive would only complicate things further, making them harder to resolve. He had to seize the opportunity and act before they did, turning passivity into initiative. Otherwise, if Du Fuwei and the others lost their heads, or if word reached the higher-ups in Qi Commandery beyond Zhangqiu, the trouble would become immeasurable.

Li Dong turned to leave.

Li Hun quickly grabbed his arm, asking urgently, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to the prison to visit them," Li Dong admitted to his father without hesitation, seeing no reason to conceal his intentions.

Li Hun exclaimed, "Are you mad? Or just stupid?" In his view, Du Fuwei and the others had been brought into the city by Li Dong himself. Not being arrested as an accomplice was already lenient—yet Li Dong insisted on plunging headlong into the eye of the storm.

"Let go, Father. I know what I'm doing." Li Dong, shaken so hard by his father that he nearly became unrecognizable, hurriedly stopped him. Du Fuwei had been sent out of the city to seek reinforcements at his instruction. He hadn't brought back Zhang Xuduo, but instead returned with a band of mountain brigands. The result was the same—they had solved the urgent crisis threatening both himself and Zhangqiu. How could he now turn his back on those who had helped him, abandoning them once their usefulness was spent?

At this moment, within the entire city of Zhangqiu, only he could speak on their behalf.

"You know nothing!" Li Hun scolded furiously, but released his son's shoulder. He considered that the prison was heavily guarded; if Li Dong tried to force his way in, regardless of whether he succeeded, just the act of storming the jail would be enough to have him arrested.

Moreover, the prison was the county constable's domain. Li Hun had been at odds with him for years; when bandits attacked Zhangqiu, even in those perilous moments, the constable had still sought to harm both him and Li Dong. To walk into the lion's den now would be courting disaster.

"I do have a clever plan—one that would let us slip into the prison unnoticed," Li Hun thought. At this moment, he was the only one who could help his son. Even if it cost his old bones, he would see this done. Without a few trusted allies at his side, he would be too vulnerable. If his son succeeded, and gained Du Fuwei and the others as supporters, they would have some influence in Zhangqiu.

Li Dong asked, "What plan is that?" His father held a low rank, always cautious and fearful before acting. For him to involve himself in such a dangerous business now meant he must be confident in his approach; otherwise, he would never risk it.

Li Hun relaxed, thinking aloud, "There is someone in the prison whom I once helped."

As it turned out, there was a prison guard named Du Yu, whose family was destitute, often struggling to find their next meal. In the seventh year of the Great Enterprise, floods devastated Henan and Shandong, and Du Yu’s parents were starving, near death.

Li Hun, in charge of the granary—a lucrative post, and revered by all but the three highest officials in Zhangqiu—became aware of Du Yu’s plight and secretly provided him with money and food, helping him through the crisis. Du Yu had been deeply grateful, kneeling to thank Li Hun, vowing that if ever needed, he would spare no effort to repay him.

Du Yu was upright and honest; it was uncertain whether he would risk himself for Li Hun now. But with the situation so dire, there was no choice but to try.

After Li Hun explained the circumstances, Li Dong had formulated three plans, the safest being to handle the matter himself.

The two left the county office and hurried to Du Yu’s home. Along the way, they met acquaintances who greeted Li Hun. He responded with perfunctory courtesies; when asked where he was going, he answered cheerfully that he was visiting a friend. With his authority, there was no one who couldn't be called his friend, making his answer ambiguous.

Upon arriving at Du Yu’s home, Li Dong felt a pang of poverty.

The county office boasted tall red gates, painted beams and carved rafters, imposing and solemn. Du Yu’s house, by contrast, was a thatched hut, with a fence cobbled from branches, dilapidated and incomplete. As a member of the government, with a fixed monthly salary, he should have been better off than ordinary folk. Living so frugally could only mean one thing.

Unlike other prison guards, Du Yu never demanded money from the families of prisoners. He cared little for wealth, making him incorruptible—and thus difficult to sway. Strength comes from lack of desire. This was the root of his poverty.

They pushed open the gate, and an elderly man greeted them—it was Du Yu’s father, surely. Upon inquiry, Du Yu was out on business and had not yet returned. The two waited for a while.

Soon, Du Yu rushed back, delighted to see them, and knelt to salute Li Hun. His father, alarmed by his son's reverence, was flustered and regretted his earlier lack of hospitality.

Li Dong observed Du Yu—thin-faced, bright-eyed, similar in stature to himself—and felt suddenly that success was within reach.

Li Hun quickly helped him up, exchanged some pleasantries, then subtly hinted at the purpose of their visit.

Du Yu was no fool; Li Hun wouldn't visit his humble home without reason. Surely, he wanted something. With relatives and friends imprisoned, perhaps he wished Du Yu to deliver food and clothing. Du Yu readily agreed.

Li Dong said, "What we ask of you is of utmost importance. If it goes wrong, lives could be lost. I think it's best that you not handle it yourself—let me do it."

Du Yu was surprised. "What could be so important? Do you intend to break them out?"

Li Dong explained the siege of Zhangqiu, how he had sent Du Fuwei to seek reinforcements, who returned not with Zhang Xuduo but with mountain brigands, resolving Zhangqiu’s crisis. He laid out the facts and appealed to sentiment and reason, saying, "For the people of the city, whether official or bandit, they are great heroes. Now, thanks to a villain's slander, they are imprisoned. I wish to visit them in person to find out what really happened."

Once again, it was Monday. I beg you all for a recommendation vote, so this book can make the list. Please accept my humble plea! If not, I’ll roll on the ground in despair.