Chapter 9: Someone, Seize the Great Prison!

Back home, Su Wu’s residence, while not entirely destitute, was somewhat shabby. Had he not managed to snag a meal at Wu Song’s, he would have had to cook for himself upon returning.

After washing up, he collapsed into bed, waiting for the morrow.

At this very moment, Ximen Qing’s apothecary was bustling. Of his ten sworn brothers, eight had gathered; one had recently died of an illness—a man named Bu Zhidao, though he was of little consequence. In truth, most of these ten sworn brothers were hardly men of substance; they were mostly local riffraff, scoundrels, and layabouts.

Gathered together, they naturally discussed the events of the day.

"If you ask me, we ought to give that Chief of Police a taste of his own medicine. Does he think that just because he killed a tiger, he’s suddenly a big shot in Yanggu County?"

These words came from Yun Lishou. He was no ordinary man among the ten; as the brother of a brigade commander, he had seen his fair share of the world and its methods.

A man named Ying Bojue spoke up: "We must deliberate carefully. After all, he is a Chief of Police in the yamen..."

Ying Bojue was a ne'er-do-well who had inherited a small amount of wealth only to squander it quickly. Now, he followed Ximen Qing, earning his keep with his silver tongue.

Why was Ximen Qing the leader? Simply put, he had money, was willing to spend it, handled social matters with finesse, and held considerable sway on the streets.

Yun Lishou looked at Ying Bojue, then at Ximen Qing, and said, "Brother, tell me, are we really going to let ourselves be bullied on our own turf in Yanggu County? What is this Su Wu anyway? In the past, when we went in and out of the yamen, we wouldn’t even give him a second glance. He was only fit to run errands for us. If we beat him, we beat him—what can he do? As long as we don't kill him, it’s fine!"

The others waited for Ximen Qing’s decision. Ximen Qing was a cunning man. He pondered for a long time before speaking: "He has just performed a great service for the Magistrate and is riding high in Yanggu County. At this moment, we really shouldn't act rashly, lest we offend the Magistrate and invite trouble for ourselves... it would be hard to face him later."

Ying Bojue immediately chimed in: "Exactly... that’s why we must deliberate."

Ximen Qing continued: "However, if we don't retaliate, it is hard to swallow this indignation. To think even a stray dog is puffing itself up! Here is the plan: he said he wants to find trouble with us, right? Let’s see what kind of trouble he brings. If he strikes first, won't we have the moral high ground? When we fight back then, it will be easy to explain to the Magistrate. If he only talks big, then in a few days, we’ll give him a lesson, and he’ll learn to be obedient and keep to his place."

"Yes, yes, Brother is absolutely right!" Yun Lishou immediately praised him.

Ying Bojue was not far behind: "Indeed, Brother’s intellect is unparalleled!"

"Alright, since we are all gathered today, let’s drink!" Ximen Qing played the part of the elder brother well.

They waited for dawn.

Su Wu rose, washed, and stepped out. After walking only a few paces, he ran into Wu Dalang, who had already traversed several streets.

Wu Dalang, carrying his carrying-pole, hurried forward upon seeing Su Wu: "Chief, Chief, haven't eaten yet this morning, have you?"

He set down his load and began picking out a hot, steaming flatbread from the stove.

"You’re up early too..." Su Wu was genuinely moved. He guessed why he had bumped into Wu Dalang the moment he stepped out; this older brother truly cared for his younger sibling, his efforts born of deep sincerity.

"Selling flatbreads means rising earlier than others. I didn't expect to run into you, Chief. It’s hot, please, help yourself." As Wu Dalang spoke, he handed a flatbread to Su Wu.

Su Wu did not refuse; he took it and bit into it. "Delicious. Has Erlang gone to the yamen yet?"

"He has, he went very early." Wu Dalang nodded repeatedly. He did not say much else, for he was not a man of many words; he simply acted in silence.

"Rest assured. I truly like your brother from the bottom of my heart; I will not treat him poorly." Su Wu understood the meaning behind this flatbread.

"Hehe... If Erlang does anything wrong, Chief, feel free to beat or scold him. He learned martial arts from a young age and has been roaming the streets, acting fierce and aggressive. He really needs discipline." Wu Dalang’s face was full of honest, simple-hearted smiles.

"Rest assured. Your brother Erlang is not the same as he used to be; he is much more sensible than you think." As Su Wu spoke, he reached into his robe.

Before he could pull anything out, Wu Dalang already had the carrying-pole on his shoulder and started walking away. "Chief, you really must not be so formal!"

Watching Wu Dalang’s short legs scurrying away rapidly, Su Wu smiled. He stopped reaching into his robe and took another bite of the flatbread: "Thank you!"

By the time he reached the yamen, Wu Song had already changed into his official uniform, his saber hung at his waist and his hat perched on his head.

Dong Jian had done a fine job.

"Erlang looks quite sharp; he’s even more imposing now," Su Wu said with a smile.

Wu Song looked proud. "I certainly can't bring shame upon you, Brother."

"Call a few men. Let’s head out and have a look around!" Su Wu waved his hand, ready to work.

There were no thieves to catch recently, but there was still a lesson to be taught. They headed straight for the canal wharf. The canal was not very wide—about ten to twenty yards—but it was deep enough for the large ships of the era, though it often required dredging to clear the silt.

The wharf was teeming with laborers, supporting many lives. All walks of life gathered here, including gambling dens, hidden brothels, and small tea stalls. Many rough men would toil all day, earning barely enough to live, only to spend it all away.

Ximen Qing had a major business here: usury—small-scale lending. Once money was lent, it had to be collected, and collection relied on violence. Who was Ximen Qing’s top enforcer at the moment?

It was none other than Yun Lishou.

The relationship between the two was not strictly that of leader and subordinate; it was more of a partnership. In the stories, Yun Lishou would eventually fare even better than Ximen Qing.

Su Wu, accompanied by Wu Song, Dong Jian, and seven or eight yamen runners, arrived at the wharf and ordered: "Go and find out if Yun Lishou is here today..."

Dong Jian was a capable man for such tasks and immediately led his men to search.

A moment later, Dong Jian returned: "He’s at the entrance of the gambling den, beating someone."

Su Wu rushed over and saw Yun Lishou leading a gang of thugs, brutally assaulting a man.

The man was rolling on the ground, begging for mercy: "Master Yun, spare me! Spare me! I’ll have the money tomorrow, I promise, tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow again? If you can’t pay up, your wife—though she’s a bit ugly—is still worth a few coins. How about that?" Yun Lishou said with a smile.

"I really will have it tomorrow, I really will..."

"Beat him! Keep beating him!"

The thugs punched and kicked him, leaving the man wailing in agony.

"Stop! In broad daylight, how dare you beat someone in the street!" Su Wu had arrived.

Yun Lishou looked up, saw it was Su Wu, and his smile vanished, his expression turning vicious. "Is this not Chief Su? The Chief is quite imposing these days. Debt must be repaid—that is only natural. Do you want to take over this business? Why don't you pay his debt for him?"

"If a debt is unpaid, you may report it to the authorities. Private punishment is not allowed. Furthermore, so many people just heard you forcing a man to sell his wife. That is a major crime!"

Su Wu looked around, but saw everyone averting their eyes. The brother of a brigade commander truly held some power.

"Su Wu, Su Wu, are you really going to meddle in other people's business?" Yun Lishou threatened with a menacing glare.

"Men! Arrest this scoundrel who is committing violence in the street and forcing others to sell their wives, and throw him in the jail!" The Chief of Police was here to make an example of someone.

But this "chicken" was not so easy to slaughter. Yun Lishou took an iron ruler from one of his followers, pointed it forward, and sneered: "Let’s see who dares!"

Dong Jian, a man from a decent family, hesitated; he had only killed the tiger to keep his job, and there were no consequences for that. But this Yun Lishou was truly not to be trifled with.