Chapter 5: South of the City (5)

As the sun rose, accompanied by the sound of morning drums, the clear sky over Chang’an shifted from gray to orange, then to red, before being covered in a dazzling layer of gold, casting its brilliance across the land of Yongzhou.

In Ande Fang of Chang’an City, within the Twenty-Three Alleys by the lake, there was complete silence. Occasionally, the chirping of orioles could be heard, only to fade away into the stillness.

Li Kuo got up very early. After a quick wash, he lit the stove, tossing in a few pieces of firewood that sparked into flames. A sense of unease lingered in his heart, though he couldn’t pinpoint what he was worried about. He felt as though some major event was about to happen, pressing down on him so heavily that he could hardly breathe.

With a sigh, he hesitated about whether to visit Nan Jiyun and his family that day when suddenly he heard hurried footsteps. Before Li Kuo could get up, his neighbor Chen Xiaoliu arrived out of breath, sweatdrops rolling down his neck and leaving large stains on his shirt.

“Brother Xiaoqi, something serious has happened. This morning, when I went to Aunt Sun’s house, I saw Dezi get captured by the county officials. You need to find a way to save him—only you can now!”

After saying that, he grabbed a white porcelain bowl from the table and downed its contents in one gulp, not realizing how cold the well water was in the morning. He choked and started coughing violently.

Li Kuo glared at him irritably, then helplessly patted his back, pretending to be angry. “When will you change your impulsive nature? Mother is still resting. She’s not in good health, and if you wake her up, I’ll skin you alive.”

Chen Xiaoliu, however, seemed unconcerned. He shrugged lightly and said, “I don’t believe Brother Xiaoqi would actually hit me. You’re just harsh in words but kind at heart. If anything really happened to me, you’d be frantic!”

Left speechless by Chen Xiaoliu’s words, Li Kuo tapped the back of the boy’s head and scolded jokingly, “Only you understand my temperament. Tell me, how did Dezi end up in trouble with the authorities? He’s always been so law-abiding, right?”

Sniffling, Chen Xiaoliu replied, “I’m not sure about the details. I just went to his house this morning and saw Dezi tied up by a group of officials. It seems they were taking him to the Wannian County office.”

Li Kuo frowned, deep in thought. Dezi usually kept a low profile and never got into disputes with anyone. How could he have offended the county officials to the point of being tied up in court?

Seeing Li Kuo silent, Chen Xiaoliu thought he had also lost his composure. Anxiously stamping his feet, his voice even took on a whining tone: “Brother Xiaoqi, please think of a way! Among us brothers, you’re the one with the most ideas and broadest experience. Dezi has now ended up in the yamen—those places are off-limits to us poor commoners. Last time, Master Li San got drunk and wandered around Humin Street; he was caught by the patrol officers and dragged to the yamen, where the county magistrate sentenced him to twenty lashes. The older folks say those officials only care about money—without some money, there’s no way to get out unscathed!”
Pressed by him, Li Kuo grew annoyed and waved his hand. “Don’t worry yet. We still don’t even understand what happened, so we can’t analyze it objectively. Besides, we know Dezi’s character well—he wouldn’t dare provoke the people in the yamen, even if he had the courage.”
“But, but I’m afraid he might do something stupid on a whim. We can’t just sit back and watch him suffer in the yamen!”
Chen Xiaoliu’s cheeks turned red as he spoke anxiously.
“We need to figure out what happened first before we can come up with a plan. How about this: I’ll go talk to some friends in the yamen to find out what exactly he did. If it’s not serious, I think he’ll be back by the time the bells ring three times this evening.”
Shaking his head helplessly, Li Kuo said softly.
Only after getting an answer did Chen Xiaoliu calm down a bit. After thinking for a moment, he said, “How about I go with you? More hands make light work. I can’t just sit at home while Brother Xiaoqi works himself crazy!”
Li Kuo patted his friend’s shoulder and joked, “Who said you can sit at home? Here’s half a tael of silver. Go to Zhouji Pharmacy and get some medicine. Use the prescription given by Doctor Chen last time—don’t try to cut corners!”
Seeing so much silver, Chen Xiaoliu was stunned. He stared at Li Kuo in confusion and said tremblingly, “Brother Xiaoqi, where did you get this money? Could it be…”
Li Kuo glared at him irritably and sighed, “It’s a long story. Anyway, it’s not stolen or robbed. Hurry up and get the medicine. Don’t dawdle like a woman.”
“Okay, okay. I’m going now.”
With that, he ran toward the courtyard gate. Finally relieved, Chen Xiaoliu thought to himself that Brother Xiaoqi was truly outstanding—since he said the money came from a legitimate source, there was no need for him to worry!

Seeing his friend’s figure disappear at the end of the alley in an instant, Li Kuo felt a pang of sorrow. If Liu Zi didn’t change his ways, he would surely suffer consequences sooner or later. He turned back to the desk, extinguished the fire, took a bowl of cooked corn porridge, and placed two pieces of wild vegetable wrap on a plate, setting it on the small table in the outer room so that his mother could see the food he had prepared as soon as she woke up. After finishing these preparations, he tidied his clothes, picked up a piece of wild vegetable wrap, locked the courtyard gate, and left home.

Chang’an in the early morning was not quiet at all. Vendors had already set up their stalls along the streets, shouting to sell food. The patrol officers and Jinwu soldiers on duty usually sought out sheep jelly and flatbreads, gobbling them down to fill their stomachs first, then stretching contentedly before leaving with a few coins, earning the grateful looks of the vendors.

But Li Kuo had no time to pay attention to these things. He felt that there must be something hidden behind Dezi’s arrest. Although Dezi’s family situation was slightly better than his own and that of Liu Liu, at most he only had a cousin who worked in the Ministry of Works. How could he have offended the imperial court and been arrested by the authorities?

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became, and a headache set in. He tapped his forehead lightly and quickened his pace toward the Wanian County government office. Since Dezi was registered under Wanian County, he should be detained there. And since Uncle Sun was the county’s chief magistrate, he probably had some influence. Surely some bribes would allow him to get his friend back.

The Wanian County government office was located in Xuyang Fang, in the northern part of the city. Li Kuo walked along Qixiamen Street for half an hour before seeing the office’s plaque. Below the oxhide drum in front of the office, a few scholars gathered hesitantly, probably worried about disturbing the county magistrate’s early morning rest and unsure whether to strike the drum.

Li Kuo hurried to the front of the office, bowed to the two guards at the door, and took out dozens of coins from his satchel, saying with a smile, “Dear brothers, you’ve worked hard. Use this money to buy some wine to keep warm. The weather in early spring is unpredictable—make sure you don’t catch a cold.”

The two guards were delighted to receive money so early in the morning but kept a straight face and said, “Our county magistrate is known for his integrity and fairness. Just tell us what’s going on, and we’ll see if we can help convey your message.”

Though they said this, they quickly hid the coins in their sleeves, afraid that Li Kuo might try to take them back.

Although Li Kuo despised the two men’s behavior deeply, he had no choice but to smile and say, “What are you saying, my lords? You’re both acting out of concern for the public good and maintaining order in Wan Nian County, which truly deserves our gratitude. But I’m not here to see the county magistrate; I’m here to see Captain Sun. Could you please convey my message, saying that Li Kuo has come to pay his respects to Uncle Sun?”
Seeing that Li Kuo was actually the nephew of their superior, the two officials immediately wore smiles and said in unison, “So this young man is looking for Captain Sun? No problem at all. We’ll go and inform him right away.”
With that, they turned and hurried inside.
After about half a cup of tea’s time, Captain Sun stepped out quickly. His dark circles and pale yellow complexion showed signs of exhaustion.
With a wry smile at Li Kuo, Captain Sun shrugged and said, “I stayed up late yesterday accompanying the county magistrate to drink in Beili. I’m extremely tired and still not fully recovered. Kuo, what brings you to see Uncle Sun?”
Though Li Kuo knew Captain Sun hadn’t just gone drinking last night, he didn’t want to say too much and simply laughed, “How about Uncle Sun and I go drink some tea together? Standing here for too long might lead someone to poke my back and accuse me of neglecting my elders.”
Captain Sun glanced at the officials around him and realized it wasn’t convenient to talk there. He gave a few orders and then walked with Li Kuo to a teahouse across from the government office.
Once inside, they sat down by a window. Captain Sun spread his hands and said, “Alright, you didn’t come to the office early in the morning just to invite me for tea. Just tell me what’s on your mind. Why be formal with your own uncle?”
Seeing Captain Sun’s sincerity and remembering his kindness toward him, Li Kuo was moved and said loudly, “Uncle Sun, I’m here mainly to ask you for a favor—please help me get that scoundrel Dezi out. I’ve brought all the money needed, so you won’t have to worry!”
He then lifted his bulging pouch, fearing the other might think he was trying to get something for free again.
Captain Sun was shocked. His left hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly, causing tea to spill everywhere.
Frowning slightly, Captain Sun asked doubtfully, “Is the Dezi you’re talking about Feng Deen?”
Li Kuo quickly nodded. “That’s him. I don’t know what trouble he got into, but he was captured by the officials. I’m sure you must have a way to get him out.”

Head Constable Sun shook his head and said helplessly, “If that’s the case, then your uncle Sun is truly powerless. Because he’s not even in Wannian County Yamen. The arrest warrant for him was issued personally by the governor of Jingzhao. If you want to find him, you’ll probably have to go to the governor’s office!”