Chapter 068: When Officials and Citizens Protect Each Other

After dismounting, Zhang Xutu strode quickly toward Li Dong, took the initiative to grasp his hand, and gazed him up and down for a long while before exclaiming, “So young, yet already favored by the Sage himself! A meteoric rise awaits you—what fortune! I almost misjudged you.” As he spoke, he clasped his hands together in a respectful gesture, raising them in the air to show due reverence to the Sage he had just mentioned.

Li Dong was thoroughly bewildered. What could Zhang Xutu mean by such words? He replied, “I beg you, Deputy Prefect Zhang, please enlighten me—I am utterly lost.”

“You don’t know yet? Naturally, you wouldn’t understand!” Zhang Xutu went on to say that Prefect Ye Jishan had already sent someone to summon Li Dong from Zhangqiu to Qi Commandery, for some great matter was about to take place. As for what precisely that matter was, he glanced about conspiratorially and said in a hushed tone, “This is not the place to speak. Come to my humble abode, and we shall discuss it at length by candlelight.”

Li Dong was now even more at a loss as to what had occurred to make Zhang Xutu so secretive and excited. Still, since he had come with a matter of his own that required discretion, he nodded his assent.

What was Zhang Xutu’s rank? Deputy Prefect of Qi Commandery, a position akin to a high provincial official. And Li Dong? Merely a commoner, at most a capable young man with family connections to officialdom.

Zhang Xutu’s attendants understood the disparity all too well. Yet when they saw the deputy prefect dismount to greet Li Dong, extend his hand, and observe the strictest courtesies, their minds swirled with suspicions. Who was this young man, to receive such honors?

Zhang Xutu made a gesture of invitation and insisted that Li Dong take his horse, while he himself would walk back. Li Dong was unwilling to accept. Would that not be usurping his host’s place, like the bird occupying another’s nest? Besides, he was young and nimble, while Zhang Xutu was older and the night journey would be troublesome for him. Li Dong resolutely refused to ride and insisted they go on foot.

Ever since he met Li Dong, Zhang Xutu had stubbornly refused to remount his horse. Thus, the two men walked side by side to the deputy prefect’s residence.

The guards at the gate, seeing Li Dong return and greeted with such respect by Zhang Xutu, breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they had not slighted him earlier—else their backsides might well have been beaten raw by now.

In truth, Zhang Xutu always taught his staff: all visitors were to be treated with courtesy, not scorned or kept waiting out of pride. If he learned of any guard behaving like those at the Prefect’s yamen, he would certainly administer a few strokes as punishment.

Once inside, the two men walked together, with Li Dong falling half a pace behind out of respect. Passing through corridors and turning several corners, they reached the main hall, where they took their seats as host and guest.

Zhang Xutu ordered a pot of fine tea, with a pinch of salt and sugar added. “This tea,” he said, “I rarely share with anyone. But since you are here, I shall indulge myself.”

Adding sugar to tea was understandable, but salt made for an odd taste. Li Dong gingerly sipped a little; the flavor was strange, neither distinctly bitter nor astringent. Setting the cup on the small table before him, he bowed his hands and said, “Forgive me for disturbing you so late—it is only that I have an urgent matter to ask your help with.”

Zhang Xutu waved his hand dismissively. “No matter how great your trouble, it must wait. Drink your tea!” He lifted the lid and skimmed the surface of the tea, then blew gently and took a small sip, smacking his lips. “Ah, tonight I fear sleep will elude me.”

He mentioned this “matter” several times, yet still did not explain. Li Dong’s curiosity only grew. At last, he asked directly what had happened.

Zhang Xutu set down his cup, pondered a moment, then smiled. “It is a most auspicious thing!” He then explained the situation in detail: the events leading up to it, and that the scouts sent to Zhangqiu would likely return to Qi Commandery tomorrow.

From Zhang Xutu’s unusual behavior, Li Dong had already guessed it was good news, though he feared it might bring trouble. Now, hearing the explanation, he finally relaxed.

The Emperor Yang of Sui had sent someone to paint his portrait and wished to see him in person. For any ordinary man, such tidings would merit great celebration and feasting, neighbors crowding in with congratulations as if swept along by the rising tide, hopeful of basking in reflected glory.

Li Dong’s feelings were quite different. This was a deposed and reviled emperor, infamous for cruelty and estrangement from all kin, who now extended him an olive branch—hardly a prospect to excite the heart. What most occupied Li Dong’s mind was how to help Qin Qiong and his father escape their predicament.

He bowed and said coolly, “I too have a vexing matter in need of your advice, Deputy Prefect Zhang.” He then recounted how he had come to Qi Commandery to forge weapons, met the Qin family, and described all that had transpired between the smithy and the warriors sent by the Prefect.

At the end, he asked in puzzlement, “What kind of man is the Prefect, and how might this affair be smoothed over?”

“These two matters are, in fact, one and the same!” Zhang Xutu slapped the table, certain in his words. From Li Dong’s calm tone regarding the emperor’s portrait, and his anxiousness about the smithy, Zhang Xutu could tell that the prospect of advancement left him unmoved. Some people are simply indifferent to wealth and rank.

Why not use Li Dong’s current predicament to draw him in? It would be killing two birds with one stone. The Prefect was notoriously harsh and fiercely protective of his own men. If he learned that his chosen warriors had been slaughtered, with hardly any survivors, his wrath would be fearsome.

But if the two matters were made one, surely the Prefect would not dare oppose the Emperor, nor offend Li Dong, who stood on the threshold of high favor.

Li Dong was shrewd by nature, and after a moment’s thought, understood Zhang Xutu’s meaning. Yet he was loath to become entangled with the Emperor, and so he countered, “Is there no other way?”

Zhang Xutu was momentarily surprised, but then replied in an easy tone, “There is another way, but it is most troublesome.” His meaning was that the twenty slain warriors could be recorded as casualties in the campaign against Zhishi Lang at Zhangqiu, and their families would receive compensation from the court, avoiding a public outcry.

The Qin family, working daily at the smithy in Qi Commandery, could hardly be in league with murderous bandits. The matter must be thoroughly investigated, the root of the problem removed—else, trouble would only return, and Li Dong could not be relied upon to intervene every time.

From the first encounter with the mysterious warriors, Li Dong had intended to address both symptoms and causes—a foresight that now matched Zhang Xutu’s own.

“So, I must go to Dong’e in person?” Li Dong mused, staring into the air as he considered.

“That will not be necessary!” Zhang Xutu waved his hand unconcerned. “Let the magistrate of Dong’e handle it. How could I trouble you to see to it personally?” In truth, he feared Li Dong’s absence from Qi Commandery would delay the portrait, and if the Emperor were displeased, with his mercurial temper, not even the combined weight of all officials in the commandery could bear the blame.

Li Dong shook his head, rejecting Zhang Xutu’s advice. “Since blame has already been shifted onto the Qin family, I cannot trust the magistrate of Dong’e. I had best go myself, to ensure their safety.”

From this, Zhang Xutu could tell Li Dong had little faith in officialdom, fearing the magistrates would shield each other and cover up for the true culprits. He himself had just shielded Li Dong from a capital case, and his cheeks flushed at the thought.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Xutu suggested, “It does no harm to make the trip—consider it a chance to enjoy the scenery. Still, I believe it best to meet with Prefect Ye tomorrow; after all, he is the true head of the commandery, with the authority to settle such matters.”

Li Dong said nothing, but nodded in agreement. He thought to himself: this has already taken up too much of Zhang Xutu’s time—I cannot impose further. As a guest under another’s roof, it is hard to act freely.