Chapter 13: She Really Is Something!

Dong Jianbang stood by, asking, “Captain, the magistrate won’t hold this against you, will he?”

Su Wu only replied, “Before passing judgment, the magistrate first looked to me, asked for my opinion, and left room for me to act as I saw fit…”

“Ah?” Dong Jianbang was naturally puzzled.

Wu Song scratched his head, pondering; this matter required careful thought.

Meng Yi was neither good nor bad; he simply understood the bureaucracy well—a seasoned official through and through.

He clearly wished to avoid involvement in trivial disputes. If Su Wu wanted to fight, Meng Yi would go along; if not, he’d still let Su Wu handle it.

Meng Yi also knew who was truly active in the yamen. He valued the merit of risking one’s life to fight a tiger, just as Wu Song, who had saved several lives by killing certain people, was similarly respected.

These matters actually had little to do with the magistrate. As for the military officers, in Meng Yi’s eyes, what were mere soldiers worth?

Su Wu, of course, knew exactly what kind of man Meng Yi was.

Before long, Ximen Qing returned, bringing a box on a stretcher, no longer smiling. He said, “Captain, here are five hundred strings of cash for the purchase of tiger bones and tiger whips. Please tally it…”

“Then no tallying is needed. Take the man away,” Su Wu said with a smile, waving his hand grandly.

Only when Su Wu truly released the prisoner did Ximen Qing speak with harshness: “Captain Su, do you really not take Deputy Commander Yun seriously?”

“Simply upholding the law impartially…” Su Wu smiled.

Ximen Qing said no more and had his servant carry Yun Lishou away quickly to the deputy commander’s house.

Su Wu added, “Remember to come quickly for the tiger bones and whips.”

Ximen Qing said nothing, only hastening his departure, all the while filled with questions. How had he so seriously offended someone? What was going on? How could a peaceful time suddenly turn to turmoil?

As Ximen Qing and his servant carried the unconscious Yun Lishou out of the yamen, a crowd of onlookers gathered, eager to see.

Ximen Qing scowled, “Move along—what are you staring at? Don’t you want to live?”

The crowd reluctantly dispersed.

Once Ximen Qing had gone a few steps, a low murmur spread among those remaining at the yamen entrance.

“Did he really get beaten?”

“Seems so. Why all of a sudden would Captain Su act like this...?”

“Like what?”

“Perhaps Captain Su truly cannot stand Ximen Qing’s gang—the biggest bullies in Yanggu County. I say they deserve a beating.”

“Yes, they need to be taught a lesson, to learn some restraint…”

Then one man, as if seeing through everything, spoke softly: “Captain Su seems a good man, a true hero. But alas, he is weak and alone. I fear his fate will be grim.”

Everyone turned to look at the speaker. No one argued; there were only sighs and a sense of helplessness.

Inside the yamen, the matter had just settled when a young servant from the magistrate’s household came to the rear office and bowed: “Sir, the magistrate requests Captain Su to come to the rear office for a talk.”

Dong Jianbang’s face immediately clouded with worry, but Su Wu waved it off: “No matter…”

Su Wu followed the servant.

Dong Jianbang turned to Wu Song, “Brother Wu, the captain…”

He stopped mid-sentence, unsure how to explain.

“What’s wrong with him?” Wu Song asked.

“He’s… acting strangely now,” Dong Jianbang found the words.

“Strangely? I think it’s good! When you’re angry, you have to let it out. Bottling it in makes no hero. What’s the use of some so-called deputy commander? We shouldn’t fear them,” Wu Song answered.

“Sigh… hard to explain,” Dong Jianbang said helplessly.

In the rear office, Magistrate Meng Yi had prepared tea and invited Su Wu to sit.

Between them stood a small table with a Go board. Meng Yi asked, “Do you understand this game?”

“Somewhat…” Su Wu nodded. He wasn’t joking; he had learned a bit in university, influenced by a roommate who was a ranked youth player.

Meng Yi was somewhat surprised and said, “I had thought you just diligently handled your duties, running errands inside and out. I haven’t known you long.”

“Please speak plainly, sir,” Su Wu said.

“There’s no need for plainness. If you want to fight for something, go ahead. I’m in my fifties, have served in various counties for over twenty years, and have seen much…”

Meng Yi placed a stone on the board and said, “After learning you risked your life fighting a tiger, I realized you are no ordinary man. Look—how about this move?”

Su Wu looked carefully. After some thought, he knew Meng Yi was no expert, merely an enthusiast, and replied, “This spot is better.”

Meng Yi examined it and exclaimed with surprise, “Hey… you really know your stuff! You’re quite a character!”

In truth, Su Wu knew his skill was limited; but times had changed, and modern Go theory and teaching far surpassed any previous era.

Su Wu spoke, “If they keep causing trouble unchecked, someone might get killed. If someone appeals to the prefecture yamen, it would be hard to control. So this must be managed.”

Meng Yi looked at Su Wu, then back at the board, and casually said, “You think well. As an official, I don’t seek glory, only to avoid mistakes. I’ve done so for over twenty years. You’ve done well here. I suppose you know that Yun Liwan is their hidden backer?”

“After considering, if not for vested interests, why else would a deputy commander let his brother roam the streets? It’s because of Yun Liwan that they act so recklessly,” Su Wu answered.

Meng Yi nodded. “The yamen runs smoothly inside and out. I thought you were just honest and diligent, but you clearly have some cunning too.”

“I don’t deserve such praise…” Su Wu was humble, genuinely so—he had always been honest and diligent.

“In a while, I’ll send you on an assignment to Dongping Prefecture,” Meng Yi said suddenly.

“Thank you, sir, for your support,” Su Wu immediately understood. To bring down Yun Liwan, he would indeed have to go to Dongping Prefecture. Meng Yi was truly helping him.

Meng Yi waved his hand, “No need to thank me. After all, this is Yanggu County. You and I share the same heart. Others can’t handle yamen affairs. I might retire and return home in a few years, hoping for peaceful days.”

He looked up and added, “Care to play a game of Go with me?”

“It’s been a long time. I’m afraid I’m out of practice,” Su Wu admitted honestly.

“Winning or losing doesn’t matter, just to pass the time,” Meng Yi said, picking up the stones.

Su Wu helped sort the black and white stones and said, “I might lose to you. I’ll play first if you don’t mind.”

“Ha ha… no need to be polite,” Meng Yi laughed, seeing Su Wu’s first move as a mark of respect.

Su Wu was indeed rusty.

Meng Yi likely used Go to pass time and played smoothly. Their skills were about equal, though Su Wu was already falling behind.

Noticing Su Wu’s awkwardness, Meng Yi said, “No worries. Just play more often.”

“How can I refuse an invitation from you, sir?” Su Wu smiled.

“You speak clearly and elegantly. You must have studied,” Meng Yi asked.

“Not much,” Su Wu answered.

“Ha ha… all the more reason I like you,” Meng Yi chuckled warmly. Far from home, his wishes were simple: safety, some wealth, and comfort.

The game ended with Su Wu’s loss, though scores were not tallied.

Meng Yi seemed indifferent to winning or losing. “Your skill isn’t low. Keep playing. If you truly have luck and meet high officials, a good manner of speech and a solid game will make you more respected by scholars.”

His words were sincere, perhaps believing Su Wu might achieve great things.

In the Song Dynasty, of all the social ranks, only scholars commanded true respect.

“Thank you for your guidance, sir,” Su Wu nodded, feeling a new warmth toward the seasoned official.

“There’s no need for thanks. When one grows old, one wishes to be kind and form good ties. Helping others is helping oneself,” Meng Yi said, waving his hand, clearly having found peace in life.

Su Wu smiled, “I only hope not to disappoint your trust.”

“That’s your own matter now,” Meng Yi replied with a smile.