Chapter 26: Developments Within the County

"Chief Li, how has this county treated you?" Magistrate Ding asked, sitting high upon his grand master's chair, his tone mild and amiable.

Li Yun hurriedly bowed his body, his voice humble and filled with trepidation. "Your Honor’s grace is as heavy as a mountain to this lowly one. Were it not for your patronage, I would still be a man under indictment at home; how could I have ever returned to the position of Chief?"

Having spent many years navigating the treacherous waters of the yamen, Li Yun was an old fox. The moment he heard Magistrate Ding’s words, he knew the man was looking to buy loyalty and had a task to delegate. He became instantly alert. If such tasks were handled well, it was a great merit that could turn him into the magistrate's trusted confidant, but if he bungled it, the "amiable" magistrate would surely reveal a much more volatile side. Whether to accept, politely decline, or feign compliance was a matter of personal experience, with no set rules to follow.

"I have a task for you. Are you willing to take it on?"

Li Yun fell to his knees immediately, swearing an oath. "To have earned the trust of Your Honor is a blessing beyond measure. Even if you were to demand my head, I would have no word of complaint!"

"It is not so severe as that. Rise quickly." Magistrate Ding waved his hand with satisfaction, signaling Li Yun to stand. "This matter is of great importance and must not be leaked. Can you ensure that?"

"Your Honor may rest assured. I have been tight-lipped since childhood. Even when drunk, I speak no nonsense, and I never talk in my sleep." Li Yun spouted nonsense, doing his best to bamboozle the magistrate.

After some deliberation, Magistrate Ding ultimately chose not to reveal his inner suspicions to Li Yun, merely ordering: "Go and investigate quietly. Determine which of the local gentry were on bad terms with the previous magistrate, and whether any of the gentry families have recently left our county in secret."

"As this involves the gentry, do not make a grand display of it. Proceed with caution."

"Once you have finished your investigation, report only to me. Do not let another soul know."

Li Yun was stunned, failing to understand the purpose of such an inquiry. However, being a veteran of the yamen, he knew there were things he was not meant to understand. He lowered his head, cupped his hands in a salute, accepted the mission, and took his leave.

After striding out of the yamen, he headed directly toward the west of the city. As part of a family of chiefs in Yishui County, he possessed his own network of informants among the common folk. Many of his underlings had learned spear and staff techniques from him and called him "Master," ensuring that no major or minor event in the county escaped his notice.

Had it not been for Li Gui’s sudden uprising—charging straight into the yamen and killing the magistrate, catching him off guard—he would not have been caught in such a passive position. Had there been even a whisper of Li Gui’s rebellion, he would have strangled it in the crib.

Outside the West Gate of Yishui County stood an inn called "Welcome Guest." The proprietor, Zhu Fu, was one of his disciples, known in the underworld as the "Smiling Tiger." The inn, located outside the city walls, did not have booming business, but being near the gate, it saw many travelers coming and going, making it the most convenient place to gather intelligence.

The hour was still early, and it was not yet mealtime, so the inn was empty. As soon as Li Yun entered, Zhu Fu spotted him and hurried over with a smile.

"Master, what brings you to my humble shop today?"

"I have something to ask you."

Understanding the gravity in Li Yun's voice, Zhu Fu immediately hung out the "Closed" sign, shut the inn, and invited Li Yun into the back courtyard. He set up a table, prepared a few simple dishes, poured the wine, and only then sat down to speak.

"Master, whatever news you seek, just ask."

Li Yun, true to his word about being tight-lipped, recounted the magistrate’s task to Zhu Fu without reservation, then asked: "The main road outside the West Gate leads to the prefectural city. If any of the gentry were to leave, they would surely pass through here. Have you noticed anything?"

Zhu Fu slapped his thigh. "Master, you’ve asked the right person!"

"Some time ago, a caravan passed by. I went to take a look, and it was the family of Old Master Liu. I don't know why, but they were all traveling to the prefectural city, even taking their three-year-old toddlers with them."

"Do you recall the date?"

"Of course. It was the very day after the previous magistrate was killed."

Li Yun had originally dismissed this task as a minor errand, not an investigation into the private misdeeds of the gentry. But hearing that specific date, his heart skipped a beat. Recalling the magistrate's emphasis on finding out who was on bad terms with the predecessor and the demand for absolute secrecy, he made a connection. His throat went dry, and he dared not think further.

Seeing the shifting expression on Zhu Fu's face, it was clear he had realized something too. Li Yun felt a deep regret for having leaked so much, but the words were out, and like spilled water, they could not be recovered. He warned him sternly: "I told you this today because I don't treat you as an outsider, but let this stay between us. Do not let a word of this slip, do you understand?"

Zhu Fu hurriedly patted his chest in assurance. "Master, rest easy. I am not a loose-lipped man; I will certainly not speak of this nonsense outside."

Li Yun, his mind in turmoil, dared not continue drinking. After repeatedly admonishing Zhu Fu, he rose and left. He visited his other informants as well, though he was far more cautious this time, asking only for information without providing context.

He hadn't known what he would find, but the results were startling. It turned out that the day Li Gui had "tricked" the guards to get his blades, he had used the name of Young Master Liu. Whether it had been a genuine deception or something else, it was now impossible to say.

The gatekeeper who had opened the door for Li Gui had fled in fear after the magistrate's death, but now, it was hard to tell whether he had truly escaped or had already been killed.

Li Yun dared not investigate further. Feigning total ignorance, he reported to Magistrate Ding: "The family of Old Master Liu in the west of the city departed for the prefectural city on such-and-such a date."

"As for which gentry were on poor terms with the former magistrate, I have yet to find anything. I ask for Your Honor's patience for a few more days."

Magistrate Ding, calculating the dates, realized it had been the day after Li Gui killed the official. He had his own suspicions, so he did not push further, waving his hand to dismiss Li Yun, effectively letting the investigation slide into oblivion.

Early the next morning, Clerk Song quietly slipped out of the county and headed straight for Yizhou City.

***

Meanwhile, Liang Wanshen, having gained the support of Magistrate Ding, began to act boldly. He posted notices and started recruiting troops on a large scale throughout the county.

The lives of the common people were increasingly bitter; becoming a soldier and earning a steady ration was not a bad way out. As for the risks of death on the battlefield, that was merely a joke.

Would life be any better if they didn't join?

If you walked the road, you could be crushed by the galloping horses of the nobility; if you farmed honestly, you could be worked to death by forced labor; if you married a beautiful wife or raised a delicate daughter, you could be targeted and beaten to death by ruffians; you could starve in floods or droughts; or fall ill in old age with no money for medicine...

Disaster often struck while one sat quietly at home. Even if one performed good deeds daily, there was no escaping the cycle of life and death.

If that was the case, what was so terrible about dying in battle?

There were so many applicants that Liang Wanshen could afford to be selective, choosing only the strongest and most robust men. These were excellent recruits—physically fit and yet not corrupted by street life, meaning they were honest, obedient, and easy to train. If not for having lost their land to various causes, these would have been fine, law-abiding citizens!

In less than a few days, Liang Wanshen had filled his ranks and began training them day and night.