Chapter Forty-Five: Arrangements in Order

When the soldiers heard the words “confiscate property,” their spirits lifted with joy. Such tasks always fell to the soldiers, which meant there would be plenty of spoils to claim. If they didn’t seize this chance to make a fortune, when would they? Immediately, everyone vied to be first, charging into the villagers’ homes to plunder. The air was soon filled with shouting, horses’ neighs, chickens flapping, and dogs barking—a scene of utter chaos. The villagers, however, suffered bitterly. Bound together in a line and guarded in the open space at the village entrance, they could do nothing but watch as the soldiers rummaged through their homes.

Li Wenyuan and Zong Luoho returned to the mountains. Standing atop the watchtower, they looked down at the village below, where thick smoke was rising. Li Wenyuan said, “It’s done.” Without so much as a glance, he placed his hand on Zong Luoho’s shoulder and continued, “After this is over, all those in the city who colluded with the magistrate in evil deeds, I’ll leave them to you to deal with—the soldiers included.”

Zong Luoho said nothing, but his hands gripping the stockade’s railing were so tense they’d turned pale. After a while, he took a deep breath, sighed heavily, and asked Li Wenyuan, “General Li, you’ve served in the government for some time. Tell me, to these cruel officials, what do the people mean to them?”

Li Wenyuan gazed at the distant village, his heart heavy with regret. Though his earlier scheme was only meant to force the magistrate into such actions, he hadn’t expected the man to be so ruthless. Yet he knew that regretting now and trying to devise a new plan was no longer realistic. Not wanting these villagers’ sacrifices to be meaningless, Li Wenyuan hardened his resolve and chose not to waver. Hearing Zong Luoho’s question, he answered offhandedly:

“Chief Zong, you may not know, but an official’s duty is to govern. To manage the people, oversee their affairs, enforce their laws. To put it plainly, to officials, the people are little more than cattle or beasts of burden. If they obey and work hard, they might get a full meal. If they don’t, or if the officials want to entertain their friends, then the people are slaughtered, served up as a feast.”

Zong Luoho asked, “Then why is it that at the founding of every great dynasty, the officials are always upright and just?”

Li Wenyuan replied, “Not so—you’re mistaking effect for cause, Chief Zong. It’s not that every dynasty begins with upright officials; rather, it’s because of such officials that the people are united and a golden age is born.”

Zong Luoho was about to reply when a sentry pointed to the village below and said, “The soldiers have withdrawn, but the villagers are still tied up.”

Li Wenyuan said, “Chief Zong, it’s our turn now.”

Zong Luoho nodded and turned to his brothers in the mountain stronghold. “Take good care of the place while I’m gone. I’ll be back after some business in the county.”

Li Wenyuan and Zong Luoho had disguised themselves this time, dressing as peasant peddlers with rough linen clothes, hiding their prepared tools in their baskets. At the city gate, two soldiers stopped them. The leader barked, “You two, halt. What are you doing here?”

Li Wenyuan bent low, smiling obsequiously. “Sirs, my brother and I are farmers from the south of the city, here to sell some wild produce.”

The soldier lifted the cloth covering their baskets and saw only seasonal goods inside. Still, he said, “What wild produce? You don’t look like honest folk. Step aside—let me have a thorough look at you.”

Zong Luoho smiled and cupped his hands. “Please, sir, have mercy. We’re honest farmers, just trying to scrape by. Might you spare us and let us earn a living?”

The leader sneered, “Every man who passes through this gate claims to be honest. It’s not your word that counts, but mine.” He made to search them. If he truly did, he’d surely find the tools hidden in the baskets—something they could not afford.

Noticing the soldier’s gaze lingering at his waist, Li Wenyuan understood. He quickly set down his carrying pole and slipped a string of coins into the soldier’s hand. “Sir, in such heat, please take this to buy some tea to cool off. My brother and I will be bringing more produce to market in the coming days. Could you see us through?”

The soldier’s expression brightened. “Ah, you farmers know your manners. I won’t give you any trouble. For the next few days, you may pass without inspection—just finish your business and leave quickly.”

Li Wenyuan bowed, thanked him, shouldered his pole, and led Zong Luoho into the city.

Not long after entering, Li Wenyuan spotted several men at a roadside tea stall waving to him—his own loyal retainers. He and Zong Luoho joined them, ordered two bowls of tea, and sat down together.

“How is it? Where are the villagers being held? Any news?” Li Wenyuan asked quietly.

One man replied in a low voice, “Master, this time the magistrate hasn’t put them in the refugee camp. He posted a notice saying a band of tax-resisting rebels had been captured, and they’ll be executed in three days. They’re all locked in the county jail.”

Li Wenyuan, sipping his tea, was taken aback at this. The magistrate was breaking all convention—this move was unexpected. Their own plans would now have to be hastened, or else it would be too late to save the villagers. With his mind made up, he told Zong Luoho, “Chief, the plan has changed. We must capture Huru tonight.”

Zong Luoho, troubled by thoughts of the innocent villagers, agreed at once.

Li Wenyuan dismissed his men, instructing them to gather that night at the courtyard where Huru, the Hu man, was hiding. He then turned to Zong Luoho.

“Chief Zong, the man we must seize tonight is Ashina Huru, son of the Khagan of the Western Turks. He has kept a low profile in Sui territory, with only three Hu guards. Among them, there’s a tall man named Baduk, the most skilled in martial arts; the other two are merely strong brutes. Huru’s own skills are less than Baduk’s, but as the Khagan’s son, he’s no weakling. Here’s the plan: my men will occupy the two lesser guards. Chief, I must trouble you to keep Huru busy—seize him if you can, but if not, just make sure he cannot escape. Baduk, I’ll handle myself.”

Zong Luoho nodded. “Very well, as you say, General Li. I won’t let Huru get away.”

“Then I’ll count on you, Chief. Tonight’s task concerns the lives of over a hundred innocent villagers. We cannot afford to fail.” Li Wenyuan spoke with solemn gravity.