Chapter 14: The Servant's Defiance

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Upon leaving the government office, a few people still lingered at the entrance. When they saw Su Wu come out, each of them looked at him with strange expressions. Su Wu was taken aback by their odd gazes; he couldn’t quite discern what emotions or feelings were behind them.

He simply raised his hand in greeting. “Everyone, you may disperse now...” Then, anxious to leave, he hurried out, accompanied by Wu Song and Dong Jian. They had things to do—buy a house, purchase furniture, and hire a cookmaid capable of preparing meals.

All these tasks required going through intermediaries; doing it themselves would be time-consuming and exhausting. Where could they find such intermediaries?

Naturally, it was Wang Po, the matchmaker from the small teahouse next door to Wu Dalang’s house—the very same Wang Po who had been involved in the tale of Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian.

“Oh my, isn’t this Captain Su? I was just wondering why there were magpies calling at the house today; turns out Captain Su is paying a visit. Please, have a seat, I’ll brew some tea myself,” Wang Po said, her sharp tongue and round, sturdy figure full of animated expression.

Su Wu, wearing a neutral expression, said only, “I want to rent a street-facing room and find a young servant girl who knows how to cook a few dishes...”

“Oh dear, such a big business! You’ve come to the right person, Captain. Just wait a moment while I step out; I’ll first show you some houses, then some servant girls,” Wang Po said, genuinely delighted by the unexpected opportunity, dancing with excitement.

“Go quickly and return quickly,” Su Wu waved his hand.

Wang Po set the tea on the table and immediately stepped outside.

Su Wu then looked at Wu Song. “Er Lang, my old house is a bit worn but not too bad. If you want to move out and live there, I’ll give it to you. How about that?”

Wu Song shook his head. “Brother, I appreciate your kindness, but I’ve just reunited with my family; it wouldn’t be right to separate now.”

Su Wu smiled faintly. Since the offer was made, it meant Wu Song must have a need. Sooner or later, Wu Song would have to move out because his sister-in-law, Pan Jinlian, was as fierce as a tiger. After experiencing her temperament, Wu Song would want to keep his distance and find a place to live.

“Remember this: if you want it, go ahead; if not, never mind,” Su Wu nodded.

He glanced at Wu Dalang’s house next door, pondering seriously how to resolve this matter. Could he really just watch the story of Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian unfold?

Looking at Wu Song in front of him, then recalling how Wu Dalang had kindly brought him fresh pancakes early that morning, Su Wu thought of the brothers’ hard fate and their touching bond.

It was also a matter of repaying the favor for stealing Wu Song’s opportunity. In this way, his conscience would be clear.

The affair between Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian must not be allowed to happen.

Glancing once more next door, Su Wu made up his mind that he must act swiftly to deal with Ximen Qing first.

As for Pan Jinlian, without anyone deliberately stirring trouble and tempting her, she might never have the audacity for such deeds.

Wang Po was truly a source of trouble—the main instigator who had done countless immoral things in secret.

Meanwhile, Su Wu waited for news about the house.

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Yun Liwan was in his mansion, furious beyond measure. “How outrageous! A mere minor captain dares to insult me so!”

Ximen Qing stood nearby. “Commander, I believe the county magistrate was likely in on it; I fear he is protecting Su Wu.”

“That scoundrel Meng Yi is slippery like an eel; he never truly orders anything—he just turns a blind eye,” Yun Liwan said knowingly.

“That’s good, that’s good. No protection from the magistrate means Su Wu is nothing,” Ximen Qing relaxed slightly, though he was still grinding his teeth in anger.

Ximen Qing was wealthy, but not yet extremely rich. Five hundred strings of cash was a significant sum to him, and he couldn’t help but be protective of it.

His real fortune would come with future opportunities; his initial accumulation of wealth mainly depended on women.

“Do you have any ideas?” Yun Liwan asked Ximen Qing.

Ximen Qing immediately nodded. “Commander, do you have any strong, skilled men under your command?”

“Hmm?” Yun Liwan was puzzled.

“The main issue is Su Wu. He’s actually quite skilled in martial arts, though he never showed it before; I thought he was just a big, strong man. Now I see he’s formidable. There’s also a big fellow with him; I don’t know his name, but he’s skilled too. Ordinary men can’t handle them.”

Ximen Qing answered seriously, racking his brains for a plan.

“Skilled? How skilled?” Yun Liwan, a martial man himself, commanded four or five hundred soldiers—a full battalion, though many were just on the payroll in name only.

“Usually, a dozen or so men can’t get close to him,” Ximen Qing replied.

Yun Liwan’s face darkened. “That kind of skill is troublesome.”

It showed that among those few hundred soldiers, there really wasn’t a tall, capable man to spare. The Song dynasty’s military decline was no overnight affair.

Ximen Qing’s expression also grew grim.

Yun Liwan spoke again. “But it’s not hopeless. I’ll write a letter to Dongping Prefecture. Since it’s a matter of the martial underworld, it must be settled there. I’ll call someone to break Su Wu’s hands and feet.”

Matters of vengeance must be done in secret; openly attacking County Captain Su Wu would be impossible.

“Is this person reliable?” Ximen Qing asked.

“He’s nearly ten feet tall, broad-waisted, and highly skilled. A former outlaw who now deals in horse trading privately. I met him in Dongping Prefecture. If paid enough silver, he’ll handle things properly. He also has a group of capable men; killing and looting is nothing to them.”

Yun Liwan had connections.

“Who is this formidable man?” Ximen Qing inquired.

“He’s known in the underworld as ‘God of Dangerous Paths,’ named Yu Baosi,” Yun Liwan answered. Since they had come this far, the task of running this errand naturally fell to Ximen Qing.

“I’ll go at once,” Ximen Qing said eagerly. “Where exactly in Dongping Prefecture should I look?”

“Take this letter. Don’t involve anyone else. Go quietly and quickly to the carriage station in Dongping Prefecture. Mention my name, and he’ll meet you.”

“Commander, please write the letter quickly,” Ximen Qing said, already burning with hatred for Su Wu. He couldn’t wait.

Yun Liwan only wanted to maim Su Wu’s hands and feet; Ximen Qing, however, thought that if he could kill Su Wu outright, that would be best. He was willing to pay extra.

This was Ximen Qing’s reputation in Yanggu County. He relied on it for survival there. If he didn’t maintain this fearsome image, it would be hard to make a living.

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In any case, with an outlaw like Yu Baosi involved, no trace would be left for the authorities to find.

Yun Liwan wasted no time; burning with hatred, he immediately began writing the letter.

Ximen Qing took the letter and left, already imagining seeing Su Wu’s corpse lying in the street.

Meanwhile, Su Wu was viewing houses with Wang Po. After seeing several, he had already chosen one not far from his old house; that was part of the reason for his choice.

Then they went to select a servant girl at Wang Po’s teahouse. Wang Po brought a large group, praising each one to the skies.

In reality, all were unfortunate souls.

One was the youngest, perhaps only thirteen or fourteen, dressed in tattered clothes, emaciated, looking as if she could faint at any moment.

Su Wu asked, “Can she cook?”

“Of course, a girl must know how to cook! She’s been learning since childhood, quite skilled,” Wang Po boasted, speaking without restraint.

Su Wu paid promptly, choosing the girl mainly out of fear she might starve to death otherwise.

Wang Po took the money—210 strings for the house and 8 strings for the girl—already beaming with joy. “Haven’t you kowtowed yet? Go meet your new master!”

The girl knelt on the ground, kowtowing softly. “Thank you, master...”

“All right, come with me,” Su Wu stood up and left.

The timid girl followed behind.

After walking a short distance, the girl suddenly spoke. “Master, actually, I’ve never tasted proper food before, so I’m not really good at cooking...”

“Huh?” Su Wu turned around. That made sense—she was so thin and near starvation. How could a girl who barely had two meals a day be skilled at cooking?

“Please don’t be angry, master.” The girl trembled at Su Wu’s imposing gaze.

“It’s not your fault,” Su Wu waved his hand, then cursed, “Damn servant, Wang Po, you ought to have your tongue cut out.”

Damn it, they had been tricked by a corrupt broker, though at least the house was decent.

Dong Jian advised, “Captain, don’t be angry; these brokers are always like this.”

Wu Song was furious. “That shameless woman! When I get home, I’ll give her a good lesson.”

“Enough, let it be for now. She can learn if she can’t cook. If this girl isn’t taken in soon, she’ll starve to death. Let’s just do a good deed.”

The girl lowered her head and wept quietly.

Su Wu didn’t bother arguing further. The money had been paid, and now quarreling with a shrew was pointless. Such women survived by making a scene.

Even if Wu Song wanted to beat her in the street, no matter how strong he was, it wouldn’t do any good; it might just get him into trouble.

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