Chapter Ten: The Living Judge

Meanwhile, Sun Shuo’s fleet confronted the official vessels on the lake. Most of their boats belonged to fishermen; the finest among them were grain transport ships, far less imposing than the government’s warships. A mocking voice rang out from the official ship: “Is this the rebel fleet? They’re only fit to fool children, I suppose.”

Ordinarily, Sun Shuo would have ignored such obvious taunts, but his heart now burned with the desire to uncover the cause of Sun Anzu’s death; he longed for tomorrow to arrive. Turning to Li Wenyuan beside him, he said, “Brother Wenyuan, this is our first time fighting side by side with Brother Dou. Why not show them what we’re capable of, to dampen the officials’ arrogance?”

Li Wenyuan nodded, drew a steel-tipped arrow without a name engraved upon it, and shot it from his bow. The sound of the arrow tearing through the air was followed by a sudden silence: a laughing sailor on the official ship was struck clean through the chest, the arrow emerging on the other side and knocking down the grand Sui banner. The shaft buried itself deep in the mast, quivering.

With a single arrow, the official ship fell silent, and Sun Shuo seized the moment, ordering his men to attack. The government forces were routed, their sailors captured in droves, and the victorious fleet returned to the mountain stronghold. According to custom, rewards were distributed and a feast held in celebration. During the banquet, Sun Shuo said to Zhang Jinchen, “Chief, this victory will surely shake Qinghe County below the mountain. From today, I plan to send Li Wenyuan to Qinghe to gauge the officials’ reaction and prepare for any trouble.”

Zhang Jinchen agreed, “Let Brother Wenyuan take plenty of gold and silver. If possible, try to forge connections among the officers. Mutual non-interference would be best.”

After the feast, Li Wenyuan gathered gold and silver, bade farewell to Dou Jiande and Sun Shuo, saying, “Brothers, await my good news. In the meantime, do not act rashly. Zhang Jinchen is ruthless and unscrupulous; take care.”

With some close calls but no real danger, Li Wenyuan managed to enter the city with a cartload of goods after tipping the gate guards. He found a large residence, parked the cart, and had the servants carry the big chests inside. Once the gates were closed, Li Wenyuan unlocked three of the largest chests, and three robust men emerged. All three had once been condemned prisoners, saved by Sun Anzu; after their rescue, they abandoned their old names and took Sun’s surname, becoming Sun the Elder, Sun the Second, and Sun the Third according to age.

Li Wenyuan said, “You three have records in Qinghe. If you’re discovered and reported, our plan will fail. I’ll go out to gather intelligence; wait here for my word.”

They nodded in agreement. Li Wenyuan disguised himself as a martial artist and went to a tavern, ordered a jug of wine and some snacks, and drank alone. Nearby, he overheard a conversation: “Have you heard? The Living Judge was kidnapped by rebels outside the city a few days ago. He’s just returned to his clinic and won’t make house calls anymore.”

Another replied, “Yes, his clinic used to be the largest in town, but now he’s got to keep his head down. Fame brings trouble.”

“He’s no famous tree, just a quack! I heard he accidentally killed the rebel chief, so he’s afraid to show his face.”

“He killed the rebel leader and still survived?”

“You fool! Why do you think he calls himself the Living Judge? He must have the power to bring the dead back to life. The day he killed the rebel chief by mistake, knowing he wouldn’t survive, he took a secret medicine and feigned death. The rebels saw both the chief and the doctor dead, buried the chief, and tossed the doctor into the woods. When night fell and the medicine wore off, the Living Judge returned to Qinghe.”

Li Wenyuan shook his head at the wild tales these people spun, but he had learned something: the Living Judge was back. He paid for his wine and returned to the residence, pondering how best to approach the Living Judge.

After careful consideration, Li Wenyuan donned a hunter’s garb, wrapped his hand in white cloth, splashed it with pig’s blood, and sought out the largest clinic in the city. Ignoring protocol, he kicked open the door, swaggered to a chair, and demanded, “Which one of you is the Living Judge? Come out and set my bones. Damn leopard bit me, but I skinned and gutted him anyway!” He slammed a silver ingot on the table for emphasis.

Li Wenyuan had learned that the Living Judge, since his return, claimed not to practice medicine anymore, but in truth treated only the wealthy and powerful—so, as long as the money was right, he could be seen.

A young physician approached, smiling, “Brother, my master is aged and no longer sees patients. Let me examine you first.”

Li Wenyuan feigned anger, shoved the young man aside, and snapped, “You? Are you even grown? My hands are worth a mountain of gold! If you mess them up and I meet another beast, will you die for me? Get out, let the Living Judge see me!”

Just then, the curtain parted and an elderly man with white beard and an air of otherworldly wisdom emerged. He stopped the young physician, who was red-faced, and said, “He’s right; a hunter needs dexterous hands.” He glanced at the silver on the table and added, “Let him wait in the bone-setting room. I’ll prepare the tools.”

Led by the young physician, Li Wenyuan entered the bone-setting room, pulled up a stool, and sat. Soon, the Living Judge arrived and began unwrapping the bandage on Li Wenyuan’s hand, growing more puzzled as he found less and less blood. Sensing something amiss, just as he was about to investigate further, Li Wenyuan shook off the remaining bandage, seized the Living Judge’s collar, and pressed a dagger to his ribs.

“Make a sound, and I’ll test whether you can really bring the dying back,” Li Wenyuan threatened. Seeing him nod, Li Wenyuan sheathed the dagger and tried to force him to swallow a pill. The Living Judge refused, clamping his mouth shut. In desperation, Li Wenyuan stomped hard on his foot; the old man cried out, and Li Wenyuan shoved the pill down his throat. It was too late for him to spit it out.

Releasing his grip, Li Wenyuan let the Living Judge collapse onto the floor, dazedly asking, “What did you make me take?”

Li Wenyuan smiled. “You call yourself the Living Judge? That was my family’s Three-Day Death Powder, with a bit of secret ingredient. No one can cure it. We’ll see how much sway you have over the Book of Life and Death—can you survive three days?”

The Living Judge forced a bitter smile. “Enough joking. What do you really want?”

Li Wenyuan, seeing the old man had seen through his bluff, dropped the smile and said, “You killed my chief with your medicine. Before he died, you whispered something to him. I want to know what you said, and how you got off the mountain.”

The Living Judge, realizing Li Wenyuan was from the rebels outside the city, turned pale and rushed to explain: “I was taken to the mountain to treat a knife wound. While cleaning the wound, he mentioned wanting me to stay for lamb stew that night. Years ago, I traveled with General Changsun and treated injuries among his entourage. On the steppe, I learned about ‘trigger foods.’ Hearing he planned to eat lamb, I asked about his recent meals and realized someone intended to kill him. I whispered to him that I could cure wounds, but not hearts; his injury would never heal. That night, he died suddenly. A leader named Zhang escorted me down the mountain, gave me silver, and told me not to speak of it.”

Li Wenyuan was bewildered. According to the Living Judge, he hadn’t killed anyone; the clues pointed back to the now-dead cook. But with no evidence, he couldn’t pursue the matter further. He was so close to the heart of this historical mystery, yet unable to unravel it. As he mulled this over, the Living Judge, still sitting on the floor, asked, “I’ve told you everything—will you give me the antidote?”

Li Wenyuan took out another pill, swallowed it in front of him, and said, “It’s sweet—my own hawthorn and sugar, a little digestive medicine.” He laughed and left, while the Living Judge sat on the floor, his back drenched in cold sweat.

Li Wenyuan, with his three Sun brothers, returned to the stronghold to report to Sun Shuo and Dou Jiande. “The Living Judge is timid by nature, known only for his medical skill. In such dire circumstances, I doubt he would lie.”

Dou Jiande frowned; the case was difficult. The Living Judge had only deduced the poisoning, but didn’t know who was responsible. That night, Li Wenyuan and Dou Jiande wandered in the mountains, watching the moon and chatting idly.

As for Dou Jiande, historical records depict him as a leader of peasants, but they overlook his education. How else could he rise above the other rebels and found the Great Xia dynasty?

While the two strolled, they overheard voices nearby and quickly hid to eavesdrop. One, sounding like a servant, said, “Big Brother, Dou Jiande and Sun Shuo seem suspicious. Sending Li Wenyuan into town wasn’t just to check on the officials. Our men say he visited the clinic and met the Living Judge.”

The other replied, “It’s fine. The Living Judge knows nothing; I brought him in just to deal with their investigation. He has no ties to our stronghold and is timid. They’ll believe whatever he says.”

Li Wenyuan and Dou Jiande exchanged astonished glances; the second voice was unmistakably Zhang Jinchen! The servant asked, “Should we get rid of them?”

Zhang Jinchen said, “No need. Our plan is watertight; they’ll find nothing. In time, they’ll come over to our side and serve me.”

Dou Jiande, furious, forced himself to remain calm. When the two passed out of sight, he and Li Wenyuan returned to the naval second squad and reported what they’d heard to Sun Shuo. Sun Shuo gritted his teeth: “Just as Brother Wenyuan said, Zhang Jinchen is the culprit. Brother, should we strike first?”

Dou Jiande nodded. Now they knew who had killed their brother; there could be no forgiveness. He ordered Sun Shuo to contact Sun Anzu’s old followers and prepare for action, to kill Zhang Jinchen and avenge their brother.

Crash! A teacup shattered. Zhang Jinchen, furious, said to the messenger, “Damn it! I’ve treated Dou Jiande well, but he repays me with treachery and dares to incite Sun Anzu’s old troops to take my stronghold?”

The man nodded, “Yes, Sun Shuo’s men told me they’ve uncovered Sun Anzu’s cause of death—blaming you, Chief. They want us, as Sun Anzu’s former followers, to help overthrow you and support Dou Jiande as chief.”

“We can’t wait any longer, Chief. If we do, we’ll be slaughtered like sheep.”

“Fine. If Dou Jiande shows no loyalty, I’ll show no mercy. Gather the squads, storm the stronghold, and purge the traitors!” Zhang Jinchen ordered coldly.

Dou Jiande and Sun Shuo waited for their allies to return, when a commotion erupted outside. They opened the door to find the courtyard lit by torches, their men and Zhang Jinchen’s men facing off.

Zhang Jinchen, mounted, shouted, “Dou Jiande, Sun Shuo! You traitors! I treated you well—especially you, Sun Shuo. I respected your loyalty to your old chief and entrusted you with important tasks. Why betray me?”

Sun Shuo, enraged by Zhang Jinchen’s self-righteous speech, laughed bitterly, “Ha! Zhang Jinchen, you yourself forgot Sun Anzu’s old ties. You used food poisoning, luring Sun Anzu to his death. How dare you accuse me of betrayal? You’re the true ingrate! Tonight, I’ll avenge Brother Sun and kill you, villain!”