Chapter 28: How Refreshing!

Su Wu replied immediately, "Every word is true. I am the victim of that murder-for-hire plot, having escaped with my life only by sheer luck. It is precisely because I insisted on addressing those countless heinous crimes that I became the target of such an assassination. The mastermind who facilitated the hit is someone I can seize at any moment, and as for the oppression of the local people, they weep and plead for justice every single day..."

As Su Wu spoke, he kept his eyes fixed on Cheng Wanli.

"Magistrate Meng..." Cheng Wanli remained noncommittal, speaking only these two words, his tone trailing off significantly.

In truth, he was waiting for Su Wu to respond, "Magistrate Meng is in a difficult position, which is why he dispatched me to the Prefecture Office. As long as the Prefect makes the decision, Magistrate Meng will be the first to stand up for the people."

Cheng Wanli scrutinized Su Wu once more before remarking, "You are a remarkably clever man..."

"It is merely a matter of life and death, forced by circumstances," Su Wu replied.

"Go back and tell Magistrate Meng that regarding this matter..." Cheng Wanli paused, then added, "Since there is both human and physical evidence, the official documentation should be impeccable. If so... that would be excellent."

Su Wu knew he had truly seized this opportunity and bowed, "Rest assured, Excellency, it shall be handled perfectly."

"Clever men are a blessing..." Cheng Wanli nodded and added, "A clever man has a bright future ahead."

"Thank you for your favor, Excellency!" Su Wu naturally cupped his hands in a salute.

"Very well, you may go... I await your official report." Cheng Wanli waved his hand.

As soon as Su Wu retreated, Cheng Wanli let out a long breath, as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart—at least half of it, anyway.

Once Su Wu stepped out of the office, Wu Song had already been waiting for a long time. He stepped forward and asked, "Brother, the Prefect did not take offense, did he?"

Su Wu looked at Wu Song. In truth, such an opportunity could have been his, but Wu Song had not been able to reach into the heart of the Prefect. It mattered little, however; in this life, he would repay Wu Song with deep brotherly affection and ensure his family could be reunited.

"It is nothing. Tomorrow at dawn, we shall leave the city. I must also notify Yu Baosi and give him some instructions!" Su Wu was ready to act. The murderous intent in his heart could no longer be contained.

Yet, Su Wu remained calm. This matter was already aimed at Dong Ping. Given Dong Ping’s temperament, if he were pushed too far, he would surely act recklessly. How might Dong Ping act recklessly? Su Wu thought, perhaps he would immediately run off to join the bandits, which would be manageable. But what if... Dong Ping decided to rebel on the spot with his loyal followers? Would he cause a massacre in Dongping Prefecture, kill the entire family of Cheng Wanli, kidnap his daughter, and then flee to the hills? With Dong Ping’s character, that was not impossible. He had to take extra precautions.

The pressure was mounting. He first needed to find a place to stay near the city gate so they could leave quickly tomorrow, then meet with Yu Baosi to give clear orders. Upon returning to their lodging, Su Wu remained on high alert. In Dong Ping’s territory, one had to be vigilant; he and Wu Song did not even sleep that night.

Although it was unlikely that Dong Ping would mobilize a full troop of soldiers to kill them, it was entirely possible he would hire a few thugs to perform some dirty work. Having been assassinated once before, Su Wu was extremely cautious. They stayed awake all night, and as soon as the city gates opened, Su Wu and Wu Song rode out of the city at full speed.

Passing by the Dulong Ridge, they did not linger and hurried all the way back to Yanggu County. They arrived at the county office by dusk and finally rested. After waking and washing up, Magistrate Meng sent for them. Su Wu hesitated about whether to tell the Magistrate everything, as he had, after all, used him to get to the Prefect.

Magistrate Meng Yi asked, "How did it go?"

Su Wu replied, "It went smoothly. I reported much to the Prefect, and he intends to intervene..." He held back some details.

Meng Yi nodded, "Good, very good. Since the Prefect intends to intervene, it is no longer my concern. I shall not interfere; you may proceed as you see fit..."

Su Wu understood Meng Yi’s attitude—he wanted no part in the success or failure of the plan. Still, Su Wu said, "With your permission, Excellency, if there is credit to be earned, it shall be yours. If it fails, the blame shall be mine alone."

Meng Yi did not commit to an answer and simply waved his hand, "Go, go, attend to your business..."

Su Wu turned and left with Wu Song. They headed out of the city immediately; for matters of killing and arson, one needed help—he could not always rely on just the two of them. Where to find help? They headed toward the forests of Jingyang Ridge.

Below the mountain pass, there were scattered thatched cottages. The land here was not very fertile, and the dry fields could not sustain a whole family, so the villagers relied on the mountains for their livelihood; there were many hunters here. As soon as Su Wu reached the entrance of the village, he was spotted. A man ran toward him from a great distance, "Is that you, Brother?"

Su Wu waved from afar, "It is I..."

"Brother, what brings you to the mountains? Haha... and I am the first to run into you!" The man sprinted along the mountain path, navigating the winding, rugged road as if it were flat ground. Upon reaching them, the man helped hold the horses and led the way, "Brother, you have truly come! What a joy, what a joy! Please, come quickly to Brother Lin's house."

As they entered the village, many men gathered from all directions, and children surrounded them, eager to catch a glimpse of the "Tiger-Slaying Constable Su." Even the women peeked from their doorways. By the time they reached Lin Mao’s house, Lin Mao was coming down from the hillside fields, mud still on his legs, equally excited, "Brother, you have come at a good time! I have been hoping for your arrival."

"I have come because there is a matter at hand..." Su Wu did not engage in pleasantries.

"If there is a matter, that is good! Even better! Quickly, prepare wine and food, and let us listen to what Brother has to say." Lin Mao shouted orders to everyone around.

Su Wu was not in a hurry. He looked around the village as Lin Mao introduced him to the households one by one. The entire village was filled with a joyous atmosphere; one family brought out tables, another chairs, one fetched wine, another brought out dried meat... Before long, several tables of wine and food were prepared. Without a room large enough, they sat in the threshing ground in front of the village. Many children gathered around, laughing as they stared at Constable Su.

"Brother, please!" Lin Mao gestured.

Su Wu picked up his wine cup, "Brothers, I am truly at a life-or-death moment, and I had no choice but to come to you. Let us drink this cup first." After speaking, Su Wu drained the cup.

Lin Mao immediately signaled to those around him, "Drink with him, drink!"

Once the bowl of wine was finished, Lin Mao shooed away the children and turned back, asking anxiously, "Brother, why do you say you are at a life-or-death moment?"

"It is a long story, but I shall tell it slowly... There are many villains in the county, and I have a nature that cannot tolerate even a grain of sand in my eye. This time, I have stirred up a great deal of trouble..." Su Wu recounted the whole tale.

Lin Mao stood up, "So it was that Ximen Qing! We sell most of our mountain goods to him, and who among us has not been cheated or bullied by him? Now he dares to attempt to kill you, Brother? He deserves to die, truly deserves to die!"

"Brother, think of a plan, and let us just kill the man!"

Su Wu looked around. It was true: righteousness is often found among the humble. These men were all salt-of-the-earth, righteous souls.

"I have thought of a plan, which is why I have come to ask for your help," Su Wu replied.

"Just tell us what to do, Brother!" Lin Mao raised his hands. Everyone around chimed in, "Just tell us, Brother!"

Su Wu stood up, poured a bowl of wine, signaled to the crowd, and downed it in one breath, "Thank you, brothers!"

"Brother, what are you saying!"

"Exactly! If you are so polite, you are not treating us like brothers!" Lin Mao echoed the words Su Wu had spoken at the office earlier.

"Very well, then I will not be polite. Eat and drink!" Su Wu cast aside his reservations.

Seeing this, Wu Song was filled with excitement. He downed a bowl of wine and declared, "Refreshing!"