Chapter 95: I’ll Carry You All
Before Zhang Fei’s shout had even finished, Gao Wenyin turned and rushed toward the stone platform with a missing corner.
“Sister-in-law!”
Everyone was shocked.
Just as it seemed she would meet her tragic end, a dark figure suddenly appeared in front of Gao Wenyin, and she collided with him.
Gao Wenyin nearly knocked herself unconscious, swaying slightly. When she looked up, she instinctively called out, “Fifth Brother?”
It was the coachman.
With an impassive face, the coachman said, “Please take care of yourself, Sister-in-law.”
“Sister-in-law!”
The young man reacted quickly, rushing forward, “Why would you do this, Sister-in-law?”
Tears that had been welling in Gao Wenyin’s eyes finally fell, “Your big brother is already gone. Now that I’ve seen all of you safe, I have no more attachments.” The scholar said, “But if something happens to you, how can we face our big brother?”
Gao Wenyin stubbornly shook her head, “My mind is made up. Even if you stop me today, I will find a way to join your brother. Please understand and let me go.”
Hearing this, everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
“Wait a minute!”
A voice called out.
Everyone turned their heads to see Zhang Fei, still lying on the ground, addressing Gao Wenyin, “Lady! A person should keep their word. I bought you for fifteen hundred strings. You are my woman now. Shouldn’t you at least say goodbye to me before you die?”
“You bastard, what are you talking about?”
The black-faced man was infuriated and stormed forward, grabbing Zhang Fei, “How dare you insult my sister-in-law! Do you think I won’t skin you alive today?”
“Da Niu, stop!”
Gao Wenyin quickly rushed over to shield Zhang Fei and spoke to the black-faced man, “Da Niu, you have been wrongfully accused, and there may still be a chance to clear your name. But if you kill someone, you will never be able to turn back.”
She then looked at the others, indicating that her words were also meant for them.
The black-faced man released Zhang Fei reluctantly, muttering, “Sister-in-law, I… I was just trying to scare him. I didn’t mean to kill him.”
Zhang Fei suddenly burst into laughter, “Come on! You look like a black whirlwind, but you’re as weak as a lamb. And the rest of you…!”
He glanced around, “You’re all just a bunch of cowards.”
“What did you say?” The black-faced man bristled with anger.
“Stop!”
The scholar, fearing for Gao Wenyin’s safety, quickly stepped in and pulled the black-faced man aside. He then turned to Zhang Fei, “I, Feng Nanxi, have been insulted many times in my life, but this is the first time someone called me a coward. I’d like to hear your reasoning.”
Zhang Fei smiled, “You all have healthy limbs, but a minor official destroyed your families, and instead of seeking revenge, you’re planning to run away. You even talk about becoming bandits. But bandits don’t kill corrupt officials; they kill those trying to make a living, people just like you. If that’s not cowardice, what is?”
“Ah…”
The black-faced man was furious, ready to charge at Zhang Fei again, but Feng Nanxi and Gao Wenyin stood in the way.
Zhang Fei, feeling confident, looked down on him, “Look at you! A prime example of a coward, shouting and threatening good commoners like me. If you have guts, go shout at the Kaifeng Prefectural Office! Instead of acting like a fool here.”
The black-faced man, pointing at Zhang Fei, challenged, “Do you have the guts to go to the Kaifeng Prefectural Office?”
Zhang Fei sneered, “The Kaifeng Prefectural Office is like my bathroom. I can go there whenever I want.”
The black-faced man scoffed, “Anyone can brag. I could say I’m the emperor’s sworn brother.”
“Such ignorance.”
Zhang Fei shook his head, “Go to the city and ask around about Zhang San. Mention my name to the guards at Kaifeng Prefectural Office, and they’ll be so scared they’ll wet their pants.”
“Pen-in-cap Zhang San?”
The scholar was astonished.
Zhang Fei grinned, “So you’ve heard of my name. Great, tell this black-faced guy about my stories. Any case I take on gets resolved. Ever heard of the case with the Director of the Agricultural Affairs Bureau?”
Gao Wenyin’s face lit up, turning to Zhang Fei excitedly, “Can you help clear the names of my brothers?”
Zhang Fei replied, “Rephrase the sentence from a question to an affirmative statement.”
Still somewhat dizzy from the earlier collision, Gao Wenyin repeated, “You will clear my brothers’ name.”
“Excellent!”
Zhang Fei nodded, smiling, “You poor souls, stop pretending to be tough. Free me, and I’ll help you.”
The black-faced man quickly grabbed the scholar’s arm and whispered, “Nanxi, don’t trust this guy. Look at his sharp face; he’s definitely not a good person.”
“Hey, hey, hey! You illiterate fool, don’t try reading faces. This is a handsome man’s standard jawline. Look at yourself in the mirror; you look like a rapist.”
“How dare you call me a rapist! I’ll…”
“Da Niu!”
Gao Wenyin scolded, “Calm down. This Zhang San seems very talented and might really help clear your names.”
“I… I need to pee.”
With that, the black-faced man stormed out.
The scholar nodded to the coachman, who came behind Zhang Fei and raised his knife.
Zhang Fei almost wet himself but only felt his limbs free up. He stretched his arms and turned to the coachman, “You have great knife skills, but next time, don’t use them.”
Gao Wenyin asked, “Can you really clear my brothers’ names?”
Zhang Fei walked over to Li Si, feeling a sticky sensation in his groin. He stopped, his handsome face turning red. Not like this; this is embarrassing.
“Brother Zhang San?”
Gao Wenyin saw Zhang Fei’s knees slightly bent, his hips sticking out, and his face as red as blood, feeling curious.
Zhang Fei turned his head, giving Gao Wenyin a complicated look. Damn woman, I was ready, and now you pull this stunt, making me mess myself!
He crouched down to untie the ropes binding the frightened Li Si and then complained to Gao Wenyin, “Can you ask another question?”
Gao Wenyin blushed, remaining silent.
“I am Feng Nanxi. Nice to meet you, Brother Zhang San.” The scholar stepped forward and saluted.
“Zhang Fei.”
Zhang Fei responded curtly.
Feng Nanxi pointed to the coachman, “This is my brother, Long Shan.”
Long Wu? I might as well be called Gao Jin. Zhang Fei looked at Long Shan, “Have we met before?”
Long Shan also studied Zhang Fei.
Li Si suddenly pointed at Long Shan, “Isn’t he the one who saved me from the river?”
Zhang Fei realized, “No wonder you looked familiar.”
Long Shan just nodded slightly.
Feng Nanxi then introduced the young man, “Shi Tingxiu.”
“I am Shi Tingxiu,” the young man said, cupping his fists.
“The one who just left…”
“I don’t want to know.”
Zhang Fei raised his hand, “Tell me, what’s going on?”
Feng Nanxi immediately explained everything to Zhang Fei.
It turned out that Shi Tingxiu had an elder brother named Shi Tingjun.
The Shi brothers were from a wealthy family in Xiahe Village, Kaifeng County.
In the Northern Song Dynasty, ordinary farmers were divided into five classes. A first-class household like the Shi family was already considered landed gentry, though not part of the privileged class.
They were equivalent to the middle class of the Northern Song Dynasty.
This class was always the most miserable, making a fortune with their own hands, only to become the prime target of exploitation. The government couldn’t exploit the poor or the elite, so they targeted the middle class.
After their parents passed away, the brothers refused to be resigned to a life of farming and ventured into the silk trade.
They traveled widely and bravely, growing their business significantly.
During this time, they befriended Feng Nanxi, a second-class household member in Kaifeng County. They also helped Long Shan and the black-faced Niu Beiqing, also known as Da Niu.
The group became sworn brothers.
At the beginning of this year, Shi Tingjun and Feng Nanxi were conscripted for corvee labor, and Long Shan and Niu Beiqing volunteered to accompany them. They were tasked with escorting five thousand taels of government silver to Xiangyang.
The Northern Song government cleverly assigned such tasks to first and second-class households. This not only saved money but also ensured that in case of an accident, the government wouldn’t lose out. They would just confiscate the property of the households involved as compensation.
This was all calculated.
Unfortunately, they encountered a shipwreck. Shi Tingjun first saved Niu Beiqing and, knowing the silver couldn’t be lost, threw the chest ashore before being washed away by the flood.
But the chest contained rocks instead of silver.
Charged with losing five thousand taels, the government confiscated all the escort’s property, including the Shi and Feng families. Long Shan and Niu Beiqing, who were not officially conscripted, had nothing to lose.
But even their property wasn’t enough to cover the loss.
The government could never suffer a loss!
So the money had to be replaced.
Shi Tingjun would be forced into labor, and Gao Wenyin would be “confiscated” as a slave belonging to the government.
Feng Nanxi, who had worked as a clerk at the county office, knew the government’s tactics. He quickly sent Long Shan back to warn Gao Wenyin and Shi Tingxiu.
Meanwhile, he and Niu Beiqing searched for Shi Tingjun’s body and investigated the incident.
There were too many suspicious points. According to the plan, they were supposed to switch to the river route midway, as it would they would save much time traveling downstream.
Shi Tingjun, familiar with the river, knew it was dangerous after days of heavy rain and suggested taking the land route. But the transport official insisted on the river route to save time.
Ironically, the official, feeling unwell, didn’t board the boat but agreed to meet at the next dock.
As expected, they encountered a flood, and the bottom of the boat suddenly split apart. Plus, the chest contained rocks.
Clearly a conspiracy!
They found Shi Tingjun’s body downstream, mourned deeply, and planned to report the transport official and seek revenge.
On the way, they heard that the government was hunting them, accusing them of ignoring the official’s advice, insisting on the river, and causing the shipwreck.
They even suspected the brothers of staging the accident to steal the silver.
Desperate, they hid and returned to Bianjing.
Long Shan arrived first but was too late. Learning Gao Wenyin would be sold at White Crystal Inn, he infiltrated the inn as a coachman, even “saving” Li Si while he was in Bianjing.
Shortly after, Feng Nanxi and Niu Beiqing arrived.
Rescuing Shi Tingxiu was easy, but Gao Wenyin was crucial as the government aimed to sell her for money.
She was watched closely by officials, so they planned to rescue her after the auction.
After hearing this, Zhang Fei frowned and asked, “Do you trust me?”
They exchanged glances.
Talking about trust at a first meeting seemed far-fetched…
Feng Nanxi glanced at Gao Wenyin, thinking her suicidal thoughts might be postponed by this. Looking at Zhang Fei, he thought, this man, unafraid of the powerful and righteous, might really be of help. When he represented Cao Dongdong, he had actually spoken up for Instructor Lin in court.
Zhang Fei was undoubtedly the most talked-about figure this year. His news was closely followed by Feng Nanxi, who also sought justice.
After careful consideration, Feng Nanxi suddenly bowed, “Please save us. We will never forget your great kindness.”
Shi Tingxiu, surprised, quickly followed suit.
“Since you trust me, I promise to help clear your names,” Zhang Fei solemnly assured. Looking outside the temple, he added, “Come to my house. The Kaifeng Prefectural Office is closed for the new year holidays. We’ll have to wait until next year to file a complaint.”