Chapter 27: Are You All Seated Securely?

Su Wu felt as though he had truly encountered a madman; there was simply no end to it.

Su Wu spoke up, "General Dong, I am Su Wu, a constable from Yanggu County. This is my brother, Wu Song. We are here on official business; why must you be so aggressive and overbearing?"

"I don't care who you are. Today, this ends in death or total defeat!" Dong Ping was clearly in a towering rage. His already paranoid and dark personality left little room for reason.

However, the soldiers on either side did not actually move to retrieve their horses. How could they engage in a mounted duel on the streets in front of the prefectural government office? Even if there were no onlookers, the street was far too narrow for horses and blades to be used effectively. Furthermore, what general would ever engage in a life-or-death struggle with a civil servant within city limits? If something were to happen, how could it possibly be resolved? Would the Prefect really have them thrown into prison for trial? Or would they be forced to flee, never to return home?

"Are you not going yet!" Dong Ping roared.

The soldiers looked pained. One of them finally spoke up, "General, perhaps we should challenge them to a duel at the military training ground tomorrow?"

The others quickly chimed in, "Yes, General! You can display your skills properly at the training ground; this place is far too inconvenient..."

"General, if someone is killed here, it will be impossible to settle..."

Among the crowd, murmurs began to spread.

"Constable Su Wu of Yanggu County? Is that the same constable from the official report submitted earlier? The one who supposedly hunted down a tiger on Jingyang Ridge all by himself in the middle of the night?"

"It looks like him... it is."

"It must be him. Yanggu County, Constable, Su Wu—who else could it be?"

Someone else called out, "General Dong, this is a minor matter; let it go. Constable Su is an official himself and has rendered meritorious service. Why must you behave this way toward a colleague?"

"Exactly, General Dong. You really cannot fight on horseback in the middle of the street..."

Dong Ping turned his head to see the Assistant Prefect, the Magistrate, the Judicial Inspector, and several other officials, along with a host of clerks and assistants, all gathered there.

Su Wu seized the moment to speak more tactfully, "General Dong, if you have a grievance, you have already vented it, and you have already subjected me to your insults. Do you truly harbor such deep-seated hatred for me, Su Wu?"

This was a tactic of retreating to advance. Today's events were clear to all; having gained the upper hand in public opinion, he knew when to feign humility.

"Hmph!" Dong Ping snorted, paced twice, and looked back at Su Wu. "This is not over!"

***

A voice rang out from the entrance of the government office: "Enough, enough! Disperse! What kind of behavior is this?"

Everyone turned to look and began bowing in respect. Only Dong Ping did not turn back or offer a salute; instead, he turned and stomped away. His soldiers followed him, casting hurried bows before scurrying after him.

Su Wu looked toward the person who had spoken. A man in a conspicuous red official robe stood there, the wings of his cap swaying slightly as he moved. Red robes denoted a fifth-rank official; this was undoubtedly Prefect Cheng Wanli.

Su Wu stepped forward and cupped his hands, "Greetings, Excellency."

Cheng Wanli was in his early forties and did not appear aged. He stroked his thick beard and scrutinized Su Wu. "Hmm, you are here on official business?"

"I am here under the orders of Magistrate Meng," Su Wu replied, neither humble nor pushy.

"Very well, enter the office and attend to your duties," Cheng Wanli said, turning away.

It was already near dusk, yet he was still having Su Wu report for duty. The task itself was simple—delivering the annual tax ledgers—but Su Wu found it strange. Logically, once the business was concluded, he should return home. Why, in the stories, did Wu Song’s errand take over a month?

Su Wu entered the office accompanied by a servant. Instead of the main hall, Prefect Cheng Wanli met him in the rear study. As soon as Su Wu entered, Cheng Wanli looked him over repeatedly.

After the formalities, Cheng Wanli asked, "You possess quite some martial skill. I hear you held your own against Dong Ping. Are you the one who killed the tiger on Jingyang Ridge?"

"I am," Su Wu replied.

"Sit!" Cheng Wanli gestured.

Under normal circumstances, a low-ranking official like Su Wu would never be offered a seat before a man of such status. The divide between them was like heaven and earth. Su Wu sat, but his curiosity grew.

Cheng Wanli continued, "You are truly a brave man. Since you have offended Dong Ping, I will be frank: that fellow and I do not get along at all..."

What did this mean? Su Wu grasped the implication immediately and replied, "That fellow... I did not know him before today. But he is arrogant, overbearing, and bullies others excessively. Had I not been pushed into a corner, how would I dare to offend him?"

***

"Hmm..." Cheng Wanli nodded. In truth, he was also baffled. He had been an official for years, but he had never encountered anyone like Dong Ping. He was a unique specimen in the entire Song Dynasty—a brazen brute who insisted that the Prefect marry his daughter to him. When rebuffed, Dong Ping would even glare at the Prefect with hostility.

Cheng Wanli was actually a bit intimidated. He was a scholar faced with a soldier, and reason had no place here. He worried that the man might do something reckless in a fit of rage. Dismissing him was a bureaucratic nightmare involving the Bureau of Military Affairs; he would need to document multiple crimes, and as a newcomer, he had yet to find the leverage he needed.

Cheng Wanli asked, "If you are free, would you be willing to be seconded to the prefectural office for a time?"

So that was why Wu Song’s errand had dragged on so long in the stories. It seemed this scholar Prefect was feeling insecure. It was all the fault of that madman, Dong Ping. He assumed that as Dong Ping gradually calmed down, Cheng Wanli stopped worrying. Yet, Dong Ping was truly vengeful; when the time came, he would slaughter the Prefect’s entire family and abduct his daughter to the Liangshan stronghold.

Su Wu was not Wu Song. He replied, "Excellency, the office is currently swamped with tasks; I truly cannot spare the time."

Cheng Wanli’s expression shifted slightly.

Su Wu continued, "If you are looking to guard against that man, this is only a temporary measure, not a long-term solution. If you seek a permanent fix..."

The opportunity had arrived, and Su Wu was seizing it.

Cheng Wanli raised an eyebrow. "You know what is on my mind?"

"I am merely guessing, Excellency. Please take it as idle talk. Dong Ping relies on his martial prowess and is arrogant. His rudeness today shows he is a man who holds no respect for his superiors. Rather than merely guarding against him, why not take the initiative?"

"Oh? Since you are just talking, why not continue?" Cheng Wanli waved his hand.

"Yun Liwan, a military officer in Yanggu County, is Dong Ping’s trusted henchman. In Yanggu, Yun Liwan has committed countless crimes, condoning his brother’s gang, bullying the people, and exploiting the countryside. His crimes are too numerous to recount. He acts as if he owns the county and has even been involved in hiring assassins..."

Su Wu spoke at length. Whether Yun Liwan was truly Dong Ping’s henchman was less important; since Yun Liwan served as a commander under Dong Ping, their relationship was undoubtedly close.

Cheng Wanli’s eyes began to gleam. He asked, "Can you substantiate all these claims?"