Chapter 31: Stop, Thief!

Su Wu selected a long blade from the storage room and began sharpening it in the courtyard of the yamen. The yamen was bustling, and people coming and going noticed the Captain sharpening his sword, yet they thought little of it.

Only Dong Jian grew suspicious. He approached, squatted down, and asked, "Captain, today..."

Su Wu waved a hand. "It’s nothing. Go back to your duties. Keep an eye on that gambler, Cheng San. Make sure he doesn't leave the yamen; he will be useful later."

"Don't worry, Captain. The wretch is terrified; he wouldn't dare step out of the yamen..." Dong Jian nodded, but then asked again, "Captain, today..."

"Nothing, nothing..." Su Wu repeated, the blade in his hand making a rhythmic scraping sound.

Dong Jian seemed somewhat dejected. He stood up to leave but then asked one more time, "Captain, if there is anything happening today, please make sure to take me along..."

"Oh?" Su Wu looked up and asked, "If I am sharpening a blade, it means there is killing to be done..."

"I will go too!" Dong Jian replied instantly.

Su Wu was moved. Thinking of the night’s plans, which were already well-prepared, he looked at Dong Jian and nodded. "Very well. Go prepare your own blade. Follow me at dusk."

Dong Jian’s dejection vanished. He stood up and headed to the storage room to pick out a weapon. Although he already wore a service saber, those standard-issue yamen swords were purely ornamental. The items in the storage room were at least somewhat serviceable. After selecting one, Dong Jian brought a whetstone and sat down next to Su Wu, grinding away in earnest.

Su Wu spoke up. "You are from a respectable family. You handle your duties at the yamen well, and you are literate. I hadn't considered you for such tasks before, and there was no need for you, so do not overthink it."

Dong Jian replied, "I only feel that you, Captain, have truly changed. Perhaps you are doing something of great importance, and I only think..."

Dong Jian paused.

"Think what?" Su Wu turned to ask.

"I only think that, no matter what, I am not seeking to get ahead in the world. I only wish to follow you. I trust you, Captain; I only fear that you might distance yourself from me."

Dong Jian had clearly organized his thoughts before speaking.

Su Wu nodded earnestly. "Very well! You shall witness this!"

It was not just for Dong Jian to witness; Su Wu himself was witnessing it, and along with Wu Song, they would all see it together. From this point on, things would be different.

Once the blade was sharpened, he slid it into its ragged scabbard and tucked it into his belt. Su Wu left the yamen, with Li Cheng on his left and Dong Jian on his right. As usual, they patrolled the streets. Seeing the pear-seller, Yun Ge, hovering near the yamen entrance, Su Wu beckoned him over.

Yun Ge hurried forward and bowed. "Greetings, Captain."

"Take a message. Tell them... tell them not to worry. I have this handled, and the truth will come to light."

Su Wu had no intention of writing a letter; a verbal message was sufficient. He pulled out a few coins and placed them into the basket filled with pears.

"Don't worry, Captain, I'm off." After a bow, Yun Ge turned and sprinted away, fearful that the Captain wouldn't see how fast he was running.

Li Cheng asked, "Captain, the whole county is in an uproar over this matter. How can it be cleared up so easily?"

Dong Jian nodded. "Indeed. The greatest fear is that public opinion will harden like gold and become impossible to explain away."

Su Wu waved a hand dismissively. "It will naturally be explained."

Just then, they saw Wu Song sprinting back from outside the city walls. He said nothing, only giving Su Wu a nod.

Su Wu gave an order: "Er-lang, you must leave the city first..."

Wu Song looked at Li Cheng and Dong Jian, then said, "If I am not by your side, Brother, I fear..."

"Rest assured. Outside the city is the most critical point. I have these two with me; it is fine," Su Wu replied.

"Very well. Take care of yourself, Brother." Wu Song nodded, then turned to Li Cheng and Dong Jian. "Even if both of you die, you must not let a single hair on my brother's head be harmed."

That was quite a thing to say.

Su Wu waved him away. "Just go quickly."

Li Cheng nodded firmly. "Understood."

Dong Jian gritted his teeth and added, "This time, I shall not be a coward!"

With that, Wu Song rose and hurried away. He knew how to conceal his movements, first lingering at home, then heading to a tea house to sit and observe his surroundings, before finally hopping over a wall from the tea house latrine.

Su Wu continued his patrol as the sky slowly dimmed. They walked to the East Gate, the busiest gate in Yanggu County, and stood still for a moment.

At the gate, a massive man stood out like a crane in a flock of chickens. Standing over two meters tall and weighing some three hundred catties, it was difficult not to notice him.

Su Wu pointed and shouted, "Stop, you scoundrel!"

The massive man turned and ran.

Su Wu gave chase, and Dong Jian and Li Cheng followed, not knowing what was happening but rushing to keep up.

"Do not let the thief escape!" Su Wu shouted as he ran.

Many people looked toward him. It was the time of day when the gates were being closed, and the area was crowded with people rushing to leave.

Su Wu shouted again, "Guards at the gate, do not let that thief escape!"

Whether those guards were habitually lazy or doing so intentionally, they all stood there with blank expressions.

The giant leapt onto a horse and galloped out, bumping into people as he went. In a moment, he had left the city. The horse was not particularly fast, but the thief was exceptionally large and heavy.

Su Wu reached the gate and cursed, "You bunch of useless fools!"

Without stopping, he chased straight out of the city.

After Su Wu had chased out, the guards who had been cursed remained blank-faced.

Someone asked, "Chief Guard, that was Captain Su chasing a thief. Should we pursue or not?"

The Chief Guard replied, "Pursue what? Yamen business is none of your concern. Without an official order, how can you abandon your post?"

"Ah?"

"It is a serious crime not to close the gate at the appointed time," the Chief Guard added.

Everyone fell silent, watching Captain Su and his two officers disappear into the distance. The Chief Guard looked around and said, "Hurry up! Drive everyone out and close the gate. Let’s get some rest."

The gate area was a scene of chaos and noise, with the guards shouting and driving people along. The Chief Guard went off-duty and headed straight to the residence of Yun Liwan.

Yun Liwan asked carefully, "Did he truly chase him out of the city?"

"He truly did, and the gate is closed," the Chief Guard replied.

"How many people?" Yun Liwan asked.

"Three," the Chief Guard answered.

Yun Liwan sat up straight, let out a heavy sigh of relief, and nodded. "Well done. You shall be promoted next year."

"Thank you for your patronage, Assistant Magistrate!"

"Do not speak of today's events to anyone," Yun Liwan cautioned.

"I understand!"

Yun Liwan then asked, "And Ximen Qing, did he leave the city early?"

"Yes, he left after midday."

"Good, good, good. Someone, bring five strings of cash." Yun Liwan seemed completely at ease, his mood bright.

"I would never dare ask for a reward for doing a small favor for you, sir."

"Enough, just take it. It is because it was you; I wouldn't trust anyone else." Yun Liwan was in an excellent mood.