Chapter 180: Death by Horseback Stroke

"From every angle, it looks like that fellow Mao is the one pulling strings behind the scenes, aiming to harm our lord."

In a room at a tavern on West Street, after carefully analyzing the situation with the night scouts, Wen Daxing finally reached this conclusion.

"Chief Wen, we need to think of a plan fast."

One of the night scouts said urgently.

Although their scouting missions were dangerous, these night scouts enjoyed the best benefits in the army; even when land was distributed to households, they received treatment equal to officers. Their interests were already tightly bound to Wang Dou. If someone wanted to harm Wang Dou, or even if Wang Dou were transferred elsewhere, who knew what would become of them? What would happen to their families? So they, as subordinates, cared even more about Wang Dou's safety and future than Wang Dou himself.

A fierce glint flashed in Wen Daxing's eyes. "Dealing with that Mao isn't hard, but after all, he is an Assistant Regional Commander. The matter is grave and must be reported to His Lordship for a final decision."

He pondered briefly, then ordered, "Li Gen, Wu Wenyu, Luo Defu, you three stay in Yongning City to continue the investigation. Long Er, you come with me back to Baoanzhou City."

The men all clasped their fists in acknowledgment. That Lao Er also responded, but with a northern Shanxi accent. He was from Wutai in Shanxi; in his everyday speech, when he said "I," he pronounced it "nan" (in the fourth tone), and many other parts of his accent were hard to understand, giving these night scouts, who were mostly locals from around Baoanzhou, quite a headache.

This Long Er had an ordinary appearance, of medium build, the kind you'd lose in a crowd, except he looked older than his years — a man in his twenties who appeared to be in his thirties. He still hadn't settled down and started a family, remaining a bachelor. But when it came to skill, he earned the respect of his squad brothers: an excellent rider and archer, adept with a saber, expert at tracking, and able to set traps and snares with ease. Because of his fine skills and quick wits, Wen Daxing held him in high regard, subtly treating him as a trusted confidant.

As for how a man from Wutai, Shanxi, ended up in Baoanzhou — Long Er was not one for idle talk, and since he never brought it up, others felt awkward asking him directly.

Their plan was set. With a single command from Wen Daxing, these night scouts, who came and went like the wind, vanished from the room in an instant, leaving it empty.

Time entered the middle of the eighth month of the tenth year of Chongzhen; the autumn sowing season had arrived.

Compared to previous years, this autumn sowing in Baoanzhou was filled with laughter and cheerful voices everywhere. The irrigation wells and waterwheels for every household's newly reclaimed fields had all been completed, ensuring water for the fields. As for plow oxen, one ox was leased to every three military households. Wang Dou still had a surplus, so he allocated them as appropriate, allowing some civilian households to lease oxen as well.

Everyone seized the autumn sowing season, planting seeds and planting hope, looking forward to next year's harvest and the prospect of a prosperous life.

The response from all around was heartening. Watching the bustling labor scenes in the fields, Wang Dou and Department Magistrate Li Zhen, who were on an inspection tour, were both very satisfied. Wang Dou said, "At last, autumn sowing has come. Once next autumn arrives, the soldiers and civilians of Baoanzhou will have a certain supply of food and grain. In three years, Baoanzhou will surely have prosperous soldiers and civilians, with crowds and carts gathering like spokes at a hub. This is all due to the benevolent virtue of the Department Magistrate."

Li Zhen sighed, "I am ashamed. Were it not for the toil of the Garrison Commander, how could Baoanzhou have such a thriving atmosphere?"

Li Zhen knew his own affairs best. Without Wang Dou's planning, painstaking effort, and solutions to various difficult problems, how could Baoanzhou have achieved such success? He himself could talk eloquently, but when it came to practical matters, without Wang Dou's operations, he could only stare helplessly. Although Wang Dou humbly attributed the credit to him, for the first time he felt a sense of shame. Wang Dou's success had also completely overturned the image of military men he had held in his mind.

The two exchanged polite compliments, imagining the bright future of Baoanzhou. Li Zhen could not help but stroke his beard and chuckle.

Just then, Han Chao suddenly hurried over and whispered a few words into Wang Dou's ear. Wang Dou nodded, and without betraying any emotion, smiled at Department Magistrate Li Zhen and said, "I have official business to attend to. I must trouble you, Magistrate, to take extra care here."

Li Zhen said, "Please, go ahead, Garrison Commander."

Watching Wang Dou's retreating figure, he thought to himself, "What matter makes Wang Dou leave in such haste?"

In the Garrison Commander's residence, inside Wang Dou's study, Wang Dou, Han Chao, Han Zhong, and Wen Fangliang sat upright, listening as Wen Daxing gave a detailed report on the intelligence gathered from Yongning City.

Among the three in the study — Han Chao, Han Zhong, and Wen Fangliang — the Han brothers were Wang Dou's absolute confidants, entrusted with any task. As for the others in the prefectural city, Zhang Gui had not yet reached this level, and Chi Dacheng was too rigid by nature. Although he worked diligently and was fairly loyal to Wang Dou, many dark and extra-legal matters were inconvenient to let him know.

Now Wen Fangliang had joined them, showing his rising status in Wang Dou's estimation. Sensing the secretive atmosphere in the study, Wen Fangliang could not help but feel excited. He had finally become one of the Garrison Commander's most trusted confidants.

As it happened, Wen Daxing had once been a retainer of Wen Fangliang's. Now that he had risen step by step and was even in charge of the night scouts of Baoanzhou City, Wen Fangliang felt quite gratified that his former subordinate had achieved such success.

Wen Daxing said, "I led the brothers on reconnaissance in Yongning City, Yanqingzhou City, Huailai Route City, and other places. First, rumors spread wildly in Yanqingzhou City, saying that Your Lordship had an ambiguous relationship with Young Lady Ji of the Military Defense Circuit. After the rumors spread, Magistrate Wu of Yanqing was furious and sent someone to cancel his son's engagement to Young Lady Ji. Circuit Intendant Ji was equally furious and summoned Young Lady Ji back to the Circuit Intendant's residence."

Everyone in the study stole glances at Wang Dou's expression. Wang Dou remained impassive and said, "Continue."

Wen Daxing said, "I have ascertained that the ones spreading the rumors were several trusted subordinates of Huang Peng, the Battalion Commander under the Assistant Regional Commander of the Eastern Route of Xuanzhen. I also discovered another matter: the Yongning Garrison Commander Wu Yunsong died of illness, and Assistant Regional Commander Mao once recommended Your Lordship to the Military Defense Circuit as the new Garrison Commander of Yongning City, but Circuit Intendant Ji refused."

Upon hearing this, Han Zhong flew into a rage. He was about to speak, but his elder brother Han Chao sternly silenced him with a look.

Han Chao said, "Brother Wen, how did you learn of the affairs within the Assistant Regional Commander's residence and the Military Defense Circuit's residence?"

Wen Daxing laughed. "The Assistant Regional Commander's residence is full of greedy, money-grubbing wretches. As long as you spend money, they'd sell out their own parents. Even in the Circuit Intendant's residence, if you're willing to spend, finding out information isn't particularly difficult."

Han Chao nodded and said no more.

Wang Dou stood up and patted Wen Daxing on the shoulder. "You've worked hard. Go and rest."

At this gesture from Wang Dou, an expression of excitement appeared on Wen Daxing's face. He knelt and heavily kowtowed once. "I would die for Your Lordship."

He rose to his feet and withdrew silently.

After Wen Daxing left, Han Zhong let out another thunderous crash, kicking a chair flying. He cursed, "Another Du Zhen! These bird-brained goods, incompetent themselves, yet always thinking of stealing the fruit!"

He glared, his eyes bulging. "Fools courting death, trying to move against us. If we could take out Du Zhen back then, we can take out this fellow Mao now!"

Hearing Han Zhong's words, especially the name Du Zhen, Wen Fangliang's body trembled. The death of Du Zhen back then — everyone in Shunxiang Fort had thought it was the work of bandits. He never imagined... A chill rose in his heart. He never imagined that years ago, the Garrison Commander had already been so ruthless and so deep in his schemes. This gave Wen Fangliang a sense of Wang Dou's unfathomable depth. But that matter was no longer important; what mattered was that now he himself was the Garrison Commander's trusted confidant. No matter whom Wang Dou wanted to deal with, he would follow closely.

Han Chao glanced impassively at Wen Fangliang, then barked at Han Zhong, "Second Brother, how can you be so disrespectful in front of His Lordship? You are far too insolent!"

Han Zhong had a bit of a temper and would kick chairs at the slightest provocation. This was already the second chair of Wang Dou's that he had broken. But of course, Wang Dou would not quibble over such a trifle. He waved his hand, signaling Han Chao to drop the matter, and rose to pace slowly within the study.

Han Chao concentrated and pondered for a long moment, then suddenly said, "Something is off about this. Mao Bin spreading rumors and causing such an uproar doesn't seem to benefit him in any way."

Wen Fangliang laughed. "It's not hard to understand. Mao Bin is a waste, so naturally his subordinates are wastes too. When Your Lordship refused his demand for wealth and beautiful concubines, he harbored a grudge and wanted to stir up trouble between Magistrate Wu and Your Lordship. Unexpectedly, his subordinates botched the job, and Mao Bin, being incompetent, couldn't control the situation. In the end, he just dropped a stone on his own foot."

Han Chao said, "Be that as it may, Mao Bin has still gained something. I estimate that the Military Defense Circuit Intendant has already formed a different opinion of Your Lordship. This matter is quite disadvantageous to Your Lordship. Although the talk of transfer has subsided, having such a superior lurking and watching from the side — I fear that even as one wave subsides, another will rise. There will be no end to it. As the saying goes, it's easy to dodge an open spear but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. We must think of a solution."

He added, "I also heard that the Yongning Garrison Commander Wu Yunsong was as strong as an ox. How could he suddenly die of illness? There is something highly suspicious about this."

Han Zhong shouted, "Just take out that fellow Mao and be done with it! Why all this trouble?"

Wen Fangliang said, "Brother Han the Second, Mao Bin is an Assistant Regional Commander, an official of the upper second rank, a considerable court official. He's not like that petty Du Zhen of years past. We must be cautious."

Han Zhong yelled, "So what if he's an Assistant Regional Commander?"

Wang Dou paced in his study. The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease. He exerted himself to the utmost, yet there were always fellows who were more adept at ruining things than accomplishing them, seeking to trouble him. Even if he wanted to keep a low profile, he was ultimately like a pearl in the gravel, drawing attention. Since it was so, why should he keep a low profile?

Having come this far, he had no room left for choice, nor time to wrangle with anyone. He could only advance, ceaselessly advance. Whoever stood in his path must be swiftly cleared away — no hesitation, no wavering! So it was with Du Zhen, so it was with Mao Bin, and so it would be with anyone in the future!

He abruptly halted his steps and laughed loudly. "Brother Han the Second is right. So what if he's an Assistant Regional Commander? So what if he's a high official of the upper second rank? Mao Bin is but a rat. For me, Wang Dou, to kill him is like slaughtering a dog! Since he's grown tired of living, we shall do a good deed and grant his wish!"

The last sentence seemed squeezed out from between Wang Dou's teeth. The bone-chilling coldness in his voice seemed to bring a chill into the very study.

Wen Fangliang felt a coldness spread through his entire body. Yet at the same time, he rose together with Han Chao and Han Zhong, knelt down, and declared in a clear voice, "We would die for Your Lordship!"

Wang Dou entrusted this matter to Han Chao to handle. Han Chao in turn summoned Wen Daxing for a secret talk. Entrusted with such a covert and critical task, Wen Daxing was so excited that his whole body trembled. If this matter was accomplished, he would surely become a trusted confidant upon whom the Garrison Commander would rely in the future — perhaps even like Lord Han.

Soon, Wen Daxing returned to Yongning City. A few days later, he found a woman.

Unlike Du Zhen, using the old method against Mao Bin was more difficult. Mao Bin holed up in Yongning City all day, making an "encounter with bandits" difficult. Wang Dou was far away in Baoanzhou — how could he mobilize so many "bandits"? With guards swarming around Mao Bin, "assassination" was equally hard to arrange. A different method had to be devised. Moreover, Mao Bin was, after all, an Assistant Regional Commander, a matter of significant impact. How to choose a plausible and reasonable manner of death for him was a difficult problem.

So Wen Daxing found a woman — a concubine by Mao Bin's side.

Watching this woman called Gao Lingshuang, Wen Daxing could not help but sigh at her alluring beauty — not yet twenty, yet she possessed the full, voluptuous figure of a mature woman, a pair of phoenix eyes glistening with such thick, stirring charm they made one’s heart race. No wonder she had become Mao Bin’s most cherished concubine.

Gazing at her full, high bosom, Wen Daxing felt his throat itch. Looking straight into Gao Lingshuang’s eyes, he said bluntly, “Lady Gao, do you want revenge?”

Gao Lingshuang’s expression changed. Wen Daxing said, “An elder brother, an elder sister, and the lover you cherished most — all killed by Mao Bin. You were seized and dragged into the Mao estate to suffer endless humiliation. Have you never thought of killing Mao Bin to avenge your family?”

Gao Lingshuang shot to her feet and said sharply, “Who are you? How do you know so much?”

Wen Daxing said, “You need only know that I, like you, am someone who hates Mao Bin to the marrow. I ask you only this: do you want revenge?”

Gao Lingshuang burst into sobs and sat down. “How could I not? Day and night I long to kill that beast and avenge my family. But I still have my mother and little sister. Killing an official is a capital crime — even if I do not fear death by slow slicing, what of my mother and sister?”

Wen Daxing said, “There is a way to make Mao Bin die, and to spare you the charge of killing an official.”

Gao Lingshuang said, “What way?”

Wen Daxing said, “Very simple. I have heard that Mao Bin often suffers dizziness, shortness of breath, shivering, and nausea?”

Gao Lingshuang said, “That is true. What of it?”

Wen Daxing gave a cold laugh. “That illness works in our favor. Find a chance to share his bed. Beforehand, have him drink some wine, and slip in a little *drug. While you are in bed, wrap your arms around his neck…”

He walked up before Gao Lingshuang and said, “Forgive my presumption.”

Gao Lingshuang, her face flushed, let Wen Daxing do as he would. Wen Daxing embraced her, pressed both hands against a certain spot on her neck, and after demonstrating, said, “When the bed-play grows intense, do this. Mao Bin will surely drop dead on the spot, and no outsider will suspect a thing — they will only think he overindulged his lust and died of ‘equine stroke’!”

Having been held by Wen Daxing for a few moments, Gao Lingshuang’s breathing quickened, her bosom heaving unceasingly.

Her cheeks flushed crimson. After a long pause, she said in a very low voice, “Fine. I agree. But I have one condition.”

Wen Daxing said, “Name it.”

Gao Lingshuang said, “I want you to guarantee the safety of my mother and little sister. And afterward, I want you to take me away with you.”

Wen Daxing said, “Good. I agree.”