Chapter 32: Misunderstanding

When Master Song arrived in the prefectural city, he went to the residence of Old Madam Liu and presented his formal letter of introduction. After waiting briefly, the steward led him inside the mansion.

Passing through the garden and winding around the corridors, he entered the main hall, where an elderly man of about sixty sat upright in the central grand chair. The man was broad and stout, with a kindly and benevolent expression, resembling an old deity.

Though Master Song had never met Old Madam Liu before, her bearing and demeanor made it clear she was the principal figure. He stepped forward politely and bowed.

“Your humble servant, Song Changping, pays respects to Old Madam Liu.”

Old Madam Liu smiled warmly and waved his words aside with a courteous air.

“Master Song, please, there is no need for formalities.”

“Your esteemed name has long been known throughout the county.”

“It’s just that I am getting on in years and seldom receive visitors; I hope Master Song will forgive my lack of social graces.”

“Please, have a seat.”

After Song finished his courtesy, he took a seat nearby, and a maid promptly brought tea.

The two seasoned schemers exchanged pleasantries for some time, but seeing that Old Madam Liu made no move to inquire further—clearly feigning ignorance—Master Song grew more certain of his suspicions and took the initiative.

“The Liu family has always lived in Yishui County. Why then has Old Madam suddenly moved the entire household to the prefectural city?”

Old Madam Liu lowered her eyelids, stroked her beard, and replied calmly, “I am old now, my health is not what it used to be, and with renowned physicians based in the city, it is convenient to seek treatment for even minor ailments.”

“Is that so?” Song smiled thinly, the smile not reaching his eyes. “I had thought Old Madam had come to the city to seek refuge.”

Her heart jolted at this remark, her hand trembled, and she accidentally plucked out two beard hairs.

That day, when the blacksmith Qin’s apprentice fled back and reported the encounter, Master Qin knew they had been deceived. But to be safe, he personally visited the Liu residence to confirm matters with the young master Liu.

Young master Liu had already learned the truth from Li Er and had ordered him and his companions to capture the imposter using his name. But Li Er and the others never returned. Now, with Master Qin’s arrival, young master Liu grew furious and insisted on leading men to confront the imposter.

Yet, halfway there, news arrived that the magistrate had been killed. Young master Liu was so frightened that, supported by family members, he returned home.

Such a grave matter could not be concealed from his father, so he hastened to inform Old Madam Liu of the situation.

Old Madam Liu was equally alarmed. She knew full well that the killing of a civil official was no small matter. Those ruthless bandits would show no mercy to the Liu family.

Whether the Liu family was involved in the magistrate’s death depended entirely on the investigators’ words—if they said yes, then yes; if no, then no.

Resolute, she immediately summoned Master Qin and, through threats and inducements, ordered him to keep his household silent.

Master Qin was even more afraid, knowing the Liu family was merely caught in the crossfire, while the blade used by the imposter was indeed a genuine Qin smithy product.

The two came to an understanding, each issuing strict orders at home forbidding any mention of the imposter.

Old Madam Liu then sought out Li Er and his companions to silence them, but only found their corpses, which simplified matters considerably.

Still worried that others might know, she decided to pack up and move the entire family into the city.

When Master Song arrived today, she was already on guard but, clinging to a faint hope, pretended ignorance. Now that Song had confronted her directly, she knew the truth could no longer be hidden.

With a heavy sigh and furrowed brows, she said, “Alas, it seems that Magistrate Ding has uncovered everything?”

Master Song’s face brightened. Knowing he had found the right person, he nodded with feigned modesty.

“Old Madam Liu is meticulous and left no flaws, but the magistrate’s keen insight has ultimately unraveled the truth.”

“However, please rest assured, Old Madam. Your humble servant only wishes to see a peaceful tenure and has no intention of meddling in affairs among the gentry.”

Old Madam Liu nodded, reassured, and expressed Liu family’s goodwill in return.

“Please be assured, magistrate, the Liu family will obey your commands in all matters within the county.”

“Whether it be grain collection, levies, or anything else, the Liu family shall exert their utmost efforts to ensure your smooth governance and future promotion.”

With that promise secured, Master Song’s mission was accomplished. He rose, bowed deeply, and thanked her.

“Thank you for your understanding, Old Madam. Your humble servant will reciprocate in kind. Whatever the Liu family does in the county, we shall turn a blind eye and only assist in settling disputes, never undermining you.”

Their veiled conversation, full of half-truths and tacit understanding, ended in a mutual agreement, though each was speaking past the other.

With matters settled, Master Song was eager to return to the county to report his success. After a few polite refusals to stay for a meal, he took his leave.

As he stepped outside, he saw the carriage and horses already prepared, along with a generous gift inside the vehicle.

He understood this was a hush payment from the Liu family and accepted it without hesitation, boarding the carriage and departing.

Back in Yishui County, he learned that the imposter had once again caused great turmoil, brazenly attacking the government troops. Hundreds perished, including Liang Wanshen and his commanders, whose entire force was annihilated. The surviving soldiers had either fled or been captured; no one knew their fate.

Seeing the hush money Master Song brought from the Liu residence, Magistrate Ding finally felt somewhat relieved.

Fortunately, the timely agreement with Old Madam Liu prevented the imposter from wreaking havoc in the county and costing them their heads.

Now allied, the two families no longer needed to fear such disasters.

Yet new troubles emerged: as magistrate of Yishui, Ding had to clean up the mess left by the imposter and restore order to the military camp, lest the government forces return in force.

What were the losses of two infantry battalions? The prefecture could easily muster a fresh army.

After much discussion with Master Song, they decided that since Liang Wanshen and his men were all dead, it mattered little to shoulder extra blame. They would simply pin all responsibility on the fallen Liang.

With Master Song’s careful wording, the incident was attributed entirely to no connection with the Yushan bandits. Instead, Liang was portrayed as a harsh commander who frequently whipped his soldiers and withheld their rations. The pent-up resentment eventually erupted into rebellion.

Liang Wanshen and all his officers perished among the mutineers, who, fearing imperial retribution, burned the camp and fled without a trace.

The weapons, supplies, and provisions supposedly seized by the Yushan bandits were said to have been destroyed in the fire.

The explanation was thorough, reasonable, and logically consistent.

Perfect!