Section 070: Target—Dong'e County

Li Dong was merely a commoner from Zhangqiu, while Ye Jishan held the esteemed office of Prefect of Qi Commandery, wielding significant power and influence. Having been so thoroughly embarrassed by Li Dong, Ye could only force a bitter smile, feeling deeply troubled within.

He mused to himself, “It is easy to invite a god, but hard to send one away! Already, I find myself vexed by one man in my jurisdiction who has won the emperor’s favor; now, another, this uncouth Li Dong, appears, heedless of decorum—this will be the death of me.”

Zhang Xutuo, for all his experience and caution, never abuses his imperial favor to lord it over me. But Li Dong, emboldened by borrowed authority, has become unbearable in his overreach. I must devise a flawless plan to rid Qi Commandery of this pestilence; I cannot allow him to linger here, bringing me endless trouble day after day.

Yes.

An idea struck him. Ye Jishan, a veteran of officialdom with a shrewd mind honed by years of maneuvering, quickly settled on a solution for Li Dong. Since the emperor holds him in such high regard, why not use this to my advantage, gently pushing him along?

With this plan formed, he presented an ever more respectful and accommodating face to Li Dong, agreeing to every request without hesitation. Even when he deliberately set obstacles in Li Dong’s path, the young man readily assented, leaving Ye Jishan with the sensation of striking a soft pillow—no resistance, no refusal—yet a vague unease gnawed at him, though he could not quite put his finger on the potential consequences.

Having received positive answers to all his requests, Li Dong departed satisfied, leaving Ye Jishan behind and exiting the commandery office with Zhang Xutuo.

Zhang, knowing that Li Dong was determined to visit Dong’e, gave him a token, instructing him that should he encounter danger, he need only bring it to the county office in Dong’e; the magistrate would surely offer every support and not sit idly by.

Li Dong took the token, recognizing it as a military dispatch order for Qi Commandery. Since he intended to travel incognito to Dong’e, where no one knew him, he doubted he would have need of it. Still, as Zhang was concerned for his safety, he accepted it and tucked it into his robe.

When Zhang Xutuo offered to send him back on horseback, Li Dong politely declined. He did not wish the Qin family to know he had aided them so greatly in secret. Sometimes, being the object of gratitude is more trouble than it’s worth—it weighs on the heart.

With Li Dong refusing, Zhang could only retract the offer. After bidding farewell, Li Dong continued on foot through the streets, weaving his way toward the Qin family’s smithy.

Not far from the west gate, Li Dong saw several men atop the smithy roof, tools in hand, repairing the tiles. Judging by their number and build, they were certainly not Qin Qiong, his father, or Luo Shixin.

Li Dong was pleased. It seemed Ye Jishan was efficient—before he had even returned to the smithy, the repairmen had already arrived. If the government always worked with such speed and efficacy, what could trouble the common folk?

Yet rather than rendering such good service to the people, officials often preferred to curry favor, neglecting their duties. No wonder the mighty Sui dynasty teetered on the brink of collapse.

Quickening his steps, he reached the smithy, where Qin Qiong and the others were outside, calling up to the roofers to repair the house with care. Seeing Li Dong return after a night’s absence, nearing noon, they hurried over with questions.

“Aiya, you’re finally back—we missed you so much!” Luo Shixin cried, waving his arms in excitement.

“Yes, you said you’d be right back, yet you were gone all night. We were worried sick,” Qin Qiong said with relief at Li Dong’s safe return.

Old Qin was the last to speak, letting out a long sigh. “We were just discussing going to look for you when this group showed up, claiming you’d sent them to fix the house. What on earth happened?”

Li Dong laughed and assured them, “Look, I’m back safe and sound. No need to worry.”

Qin Qiong handed him a sheathed longsword. “Here, this is the sword from yesterday. The scabbard is finished too. From now on, it’s yours to keep.”

Li Dong examined it—embossed with chrysanthemums and plum blossoms, heavy and solid. Drawing it slightly, the exposed blade gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.

Old Qin’s face grew serious. “From this day on, you must be extra careful. Do not draw this sword unless absolutely necessary. Its peerless quality will attract those with evil intent—it could bring you harm.”

Li Dong was deeply grateful—what fortune, to receive such a wondrous blade! He replied, “I’ll wrap it securely in cloth and keep it with me at all times. It will not leave my side, and I’ll not draw it unless in direst need.”

Old Qin nodded in approval.

When Li Dong mentioned his imminent journey to Dong’e, everyone was shocked.

Dong’e was nearly a thousand miles from Qi Commandery—why go so far without cause, when things were fine here?

Luo Shixin protested loudly, “No, I’m coming too!”

Li Dong smiled and gently reasoned with him. “I have important business in Dong’e. When it’s done, I’ll return. Wouldn’t it be better for you to stay and help Big Brother at the smithy?”

Qin Qiong, sharp as ever, though unaware of Li Dong’s true purpose, guessed from the recent events—his father’s arrest by the Commandery Marshal, the prompt arrival of repairmen—that Li Dong’s identity was far from ordinary. His business in Dong’e must be equally significant; bringing Luo along would only complicate matters. He too urged Luo Shixin to stay.

Reluctantly, Luo agreed.

Old Qin cautioned, “The journey is long and fraught with unseen dangers. Young man, you must be vigilant—never let your guard down or fall prey to trickery.”

Li Dong expressed his gratitude to them all. “Rest assured—I’ll be gone only a few days, and I promise I’ll return.”

Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin were reluctant to see him go, their eyes brimming with tears. Old Qin, trying to be stoic, turned away and wiped at his eyes with his sleeve—though clearly, he too was moved by Li Dong’s brief stay with them.

Back at the commandery office, Ye Jishan summoned a skilled artist to paint Li Dong’s portrait. It took a full three hours to complete. Examining the finished likeness, Li Dong was impressed by its lifelike quality and rewarded the artist handsomely.

While Li Dong sat for his portrait, Ye Jishan dared not stray far, though there was no need for Li Dong to be confined. Only after the portrait was done did Ye’s mood lighten somewhat; he invited Li Dong to his home, where he entertained him with fine food and drink, ever mindful to avoid any slight that might incur imperial displeasure.

Li Dong, not particularly fond of Ye, did not make things difficult, responding with polite indifference.

The next day, he requested a fine horse from Zhang Xutuo, mounted up, and, after bidding farewell, rode out the southern gate toward Dong’e in the southeast.

After Li Dong’s departure, Ye Jishan carefully preserved the portraits of both Zhang Xutuo and Li Dong, then composed a letter recommending Li Dong to Emperor Yang of Sui: “This young man from Zhangqiu, Li Dong, is unmatched in martial skill and wisdom. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to keep him close—he will prove invaluable in the campaign against Liaodong. I beg Your Majesty to consider!”

Once finished, he entrusted the letter to a trusted officer, warning him repeatedly to guard it with utmost care. The officer, acutely aware of the letter’s importance, tucked it securely inside his clothing and mounted his horse, racing toward Liaodong to deliver it to the emperor.

Neither Zhang Xutuo nor Li Dong knew anything of these machinations.

Had Zhang known, he would never have agreed; if anyone were to go to Liaodong, he would go himself. That distant northeastern region was bitterly cold, and the soldiers from the central and southern provinces could not acclimate, many perishing and never returning.

Had Li Dong known, he too would have refused to serve a doomed emperor. Yet as events unfolded, who could say what might change his mind?

Traveling by day and night, after three days Li Dong was still over a hundred miles from Dong’e and began to slow his pace.

Dong’e lay in the southeast of Qi Commandery, crisscrossed by rivers and lakes. Many roads forced riders on horseback to take lengthy detours, wasting precious time. At one river, Li Dong hired a small boat, led his horse aboard, and asked the boatman to ferry him across.

Li Dong sat at the stern, leading his horse, while a few burly men and veiled village women sat at the bow.

From the moment he boarded, he noticed the men exchanging furtive glances and gestures, their demeanor decidedly suspicious.

By now, the boat was far from shore, in midstream, with no settlements nearby. Li Dong instinctively hid his sword, still wrapped in cloth, behind his back and heightened his vigilance.

On land, these men would be of little concern, but in the water, where movement was restricted, the outcome was uncertain. Li Dong knew his swimming was poor—hardly more than dog-paddling—while these watermen, bred by the rivers, would have every advantage.

As the boat rocked across the river, the boatman suddenly stopped rowing and turned to the village women at the bow. “Forgive me!” he said.

No sooner had he spoken than the burly men sprang to their feet, flashing knives. “Hand over anything of value!” they barked. “Cooperate and you’ll live—delay, and you’ll meet your end!”

The women trembled in terror, never imagining the boatman and passengers alike were bandits. Some, paralyzed by fear, threw all their valuables into the hold at once.

Others, either too anxious or unwilling to part with their belongings, clung tightly to their bundles, refusing to let go. The tighter they gripped, the more obvious it became that something valuable was inside—an invitation for trouble.

The men leapt forward, pressing blades to the women’s bodies. “Is money worth more than your life?” they snarled. “Hand it over, now!”

Still the women, shaking, would not comply.

Infuriated, one of the men slashed at a woman’s clothing, ripping a gaping hole and exposing her white chest, dazzling all present.