Chapter 028: Encountering an Eccentric in the Cell

There were dozens of cells in the prison, all empty, not a single prisoner in sight. Only at the very end, in one cell, were three prisoners held: the County Magistrate Lu Li’er, the Assistant Magistrate, and the County Captain.

Li Dong and Du Fuwei entered the prison. The environment was dark and damp, with a pungent musty smell assaulting them. Lingering odors of sweat, excrement, and feet hung thickly in the air, so foul it could carry for miles. Even the guards disliked the stench, crowding around a table near the entrance, unwilling to venture deeper inside.

Li Dong walked ahead, Du Fuwei following, making their way toward the innermost cell. Only then did a few reluctant guards trail after them, pinching their noses and frantically waving at the air whenever Li and Du weren’t looking.

The three prisoners huddled in a corner. Hearing voices within the cell, the County Captain couldn't sit still. He scrambled to his feet, clutching the thick wooden bars separating the cell, peering out anxiously and crying out, “Help! Somebody, help!”

The Assistant Magistrate also rose from the corner, but unlike the Captain, he did not shout. Civil officials tended to be more reserved, their conduct steadier.

Lu Li’er was even calmer, remaining squatted in the corner without rising.

All three looked disheveled, their faces covered with tangled beards, resembling mischievous puppies who, in their master’s absence, had scattered neatly stacked firewood every which way—utterly chaotic. At first glance, one might think they’d stumbled into a remote forest and encountered wild, feral beasts.

These three, who once had people beating drums to clear their path wherever they went, now looked utterly miserable. This was the difference that status and position made; one had no choice but to accept it.

The County Captain trembled when he saw Li Dong enter, shaking and crying out, “Li Dong, good lad, let me out, let me out! Whatever you want, I’ll agree to, I swear I won’t go back on my word.”

Li Dong felt a pang of pity seeing the changed faces of Lu Li’er and the Assistant Magistrate, but he steeled himself. The time required it; grand matters could not be derailed by small ones.

The County Captain wailed and pleaded, and Li Dong blinked and said, “Anything I want?” Meanwhile, he thought to himself: this fellow has amassed quite a bit through greed; he ought to bleed a little, reward Du Fuwei’s men, and smooth future command.

Sensing hope in Li Dong’s tone, the Captain grew even more excited. “Let me out, and I’ll agree to any conditions!”

Li Dong chuckled coldly. “My father’s birthday is coming up in a few days…”

The Captain cried out eagerly, “Yes, yes! What’s his zodiac? I’ll have a pure silver piece made in his sign and personally deliver it to Li Hun on his birthday!”

“He’s an ox,” Li Dong replied with a cold smile. This fellow truly had plenty of ill-gotten gains. Without some capital, he wouldn’t dare climb higher. To offer a pure silver zodiac piece—if it were a rat, he’d lose out, so Li Dong simply picked the largest sign.

The County Captain was tongue-tied. He wanted to bargain with Li Dong to lower the conditions but hesitated to let go of hope. Just as he was about to try, the Assistant Magistrate, disgusted with his cowardice, barked, “Enough! Don’t forget you’re still the County Captain.”

Li Dong admired the Assistant Magistrate’s composure. He’d helped Li Dong several times before and had a good relationship with his father, but now Li Dong had no choice but to let him suffer for a while. He nodded at him, saying nothing.

Unexpectedly, the Assistant Magistrate turned his head and muttered, “Ingrate.” His voice was soft, but in the empty cell, it was clearly heard.

Li Dong stiffened, knowing the man misunderstood him deeply. He gave a bitter smile and said nothing more, turning to Lu Li’er.

The County Captain, emboldened, grabbed the Assistant Magistrate’s collar and barked, “How can you speak to Li Dong like that? If you don’t care to live, I still do!”

Lu Li’er remained unmoving in the corner, silent, watching his subordinates squabble without intervening, as though no one else existed in the cell.

Li Dong sighed and said, “I’ve seen Rou’er.”

Lu Li’er could no longer remain calm; he sprang up as if bitten by a snake. “Is she well?”

Lu Li’er had believed that Lu Rou had met with disaster. She was his only daughter—beautiful, gentle, intelligent, his cherished jewel. Ever since he’d been imprisoned, he assumed Lu Rou had also suffered misfortune, so he’d resolved to die, seek oblivion, and spare himself the pain. Now, hearing Li Dong say he’d seen Lu Rou, hope flared within him, and he moved with sudden energy.

“I didn’t misjudge you. Rou’er is in your hands now. Don’t let her suffer, don’t disappoint me. If I must die, at least I’ll have peace of mind.” Lu Li’er’s eyes gleamed with an unusual light, faintly tinged with hope.

“Yes,” Li Dong replied blandly, neither agreeing nor refusing, then changed the subject. “Tomorrow is the public trial. Be prepared—there may be deaths.”

Lu Li’er smiled, rare and genuine, and said no more. He sat back down and curled up in the corner, as if nothing had happened.

The County Captain, hearing of possible deaths, stopped fighting with the Assistant Magistrate and asked Li Dong, “Who will die?”

Du Fuwei, disgusted by his behavior, stomped on the wooden post and barked angrily, “Life and death is up to me!”

The Captain was terrified, glancing between Li Dong and Du Fuwei, unable to figure out which of them held sway. In the end, he placed his hopes on Du Fuwei, ingratiating himself, “Du Fuwei, good lad, let me out, let me out! Whatever you want, I’ll agree to, I swear I won’t go back on my word!”

Du Fuwei gave him a disdainful look and sneered, “Are you offering me a pure silver zodiac ox as well?”

“Yes, yes, I’ll make sure of it.” The County Captain, seasoned in official circles, was adept at adapting to any situation, never missing a beat.

“Then wait and see,” Du Fuwei said, now amused by him. This man was remarkable—a face without a shred of shame, begging everyone he met. The more afraid of death, the less likely he was to escape it.

Leaving the prison, Li Dong sighed, “Tomorrow, you and I will face a hard and bloody battle.”

The three prisoners inside each behaved differently, but none saw through the fact that Li Dong and Du Fuwei were also in a difficult position. They had to secretly protect them, while making the performance convincing enough to pique the interest of the Wise Scholar, ensuring he would watch with keen excitement.