Chapter 26: A Cultured Thug

The matter goes back to several days earlier, the day Wan Xiu drew the black pill.

The great knight-errant of Maoling, Yuan She, was ever eager to help those in need and enjoyed tremendous renown; bold young men from all quarters flocked to serve him, and he kept over a hundred retainers. Before his gate, carriages and riders came and went without cease — some were powerful nobles who admired his lofty principles and sought his acquaintance, others came with favors to ask…

And among those favors was a request for Yuan She to help kill a man in vengeance!

But ever since the court stripped Yuan She of his post as "Palace Attendant," he had kept out of sight these past few years, refusing visitors, and most matters of the jianghu he entrusted to his eldest son, Yuan Chu.

Back in the day, Diba Bao had followed Yuan She for several years as an enforcer and was on good terms with Yuan Chu. Now, wounded and returned, he came wailing to lodge a complaint, saying that the village bully, the Diwu clan, had seized their water and humiliated his elder brother, and that if this wrong went unavenged, he might as well be dead.

Yuan Chu, young and quick to trust, gave it no further thought. Deeming it a trifle not worth reporting to his father, he summoned three of his father's young knights and bade them "draw pills and lend a blade."

The practice of "drawing pills and lending a blade" meant dyeing small wooden pills three colors — red, black, and white — and having the young knights draw lots: he who drew the black pill was to scout for information and cover their tracks; he who drew the red pill was to wield the blade and kill; he who drew the white pill was to follow behind and, should the red-pill man meet with mishap, recover his body and arrange his funeral, so that he would have no worries left behind.

Yuan She's men had always operated in such three-man teams, each supporting the others, and for over a decade they had never met with failure.

Wan Xiu drew the black pill, charged with going ahead to scout for intelligence. Since the other two were youngsters who had only just joined, he was placed in command of this mission.

But when Wan Xiu arrived first at Changling and began making inquiries about this Diwu Lun, he sensed something amiss.

The man bore no resemblance whatsoever to the wicked young villain Diba Bao had described; on the contrary, he was widely praised, and had even been summoned for office by the local authorities.

Wan Xiu simply saw the matter through to the bottom and discovered that the Diba clan had seized the water first, and that Diwu Lun and his grandfather had stopped them — they had brought disgrace upon themselves.

He made his judgment at once: "If we were to kill Diwu Lun without distinguishing black from white, not only would we betray all benevolence and righteousness, we would also bring trouble upon Sir Yuan."

And so, on the eighth day of the ninth month, he trailed Diwu Lun's carriage. Just as he was hesitating over how to explain himself, the carriage stopped. Wan Xiu approached and opened a conversation, but no sooner had the words left his mouth than Diwu Lun, badly startled, began circling the carriage to keep away.

To win Diwu Lun's trust, Wan Xiu even broke his beloved bow — the very one his father had left him.

Because he had acted on his own authority in this matter, Wan Xiu dared not reveal his identity. He immediately wheeled his horse and rode back, finding the red-pill and white-pill men waiting for him by the River Wei. The two youths, on their very first mission and now faced with such a turn of events, were utterly at a loss and could only heed Wan Xiu's counsel to return to Maoling and report.

Wan Xiu was certain that Yuan Chu, headstrong and self-willed, would fly into a towering rage and might even go in person to kill Diwu Lun. He therefore went straight to the Yuan family's tomb-side residence and sought an audience with the reclusive Yuan She, explaining the full truth of the matter.

"We who practice chivalry do so to rescue good men from hardship and distress — I never thought we would be used. Had it not been for your steadiness, Junyou, my son would have nearly been deceived by lies and wrongly slain an innocent and worthy gentleman."

Yuan She had always acted by a code. His family had for generations held posts of two thousand piculs; in his youth he had been summoned to office for his filial piety and fraternal duty, and had served as County Magistrate and Palace Attendant, earning a name for conducting funerals, sharing his wealth, and yielding precedence to others. Even when he moved in the underworld, helping others take revenge and settle blood debts, he never abandoned benevolence and righteousness, and he still cherished his good name.

Yuan She therefore gave the order: Yuan Chu and Wan Xiu were to return to Changling and put this matter to rest.

And that was why Wan Xiu knelt before the commandery office gate and, seizing the moment while a crowd had gathered, hastened to lay the whole affair open, so as to preserve his master's chivalrous name. He hoped the matter could conclude in a way that brought a win for both Yuan She and Diwu Lun.

Such was Wan Xiu's simple and pure intent, yet he had no idea that the Diwu Lun across from him regarded him with deep wariness, seeing only a man of meticulous mind who advanced step by careful step, and who had actually used him as a whetstone to polish his own reputation.

But on the surface, Diwu Lun followed the steps the other man had laid out for him and laughed heartily: "A stalwart fellow indeed! That day I had hoped you would stay and share a cup of wine — who would have thought you would leave without so much as a backward glance. These past days I have thought of you constantly, and even sent men to search for you, not to seek revenge, but to…"

"Return that broken bow to you!"

"My bow… the gentleman still has it?" This was something Wan Xiu had not expected.

But there was no time for the two to say much more, for the cheers of the crowd gathered outside the commandery office had already drawn out Grand Governor Zhang Zhan himself. When he emerged and learned the full story, far from growing angry, he laughed.

"Excellent! I am acquainted with Yuan Juxian, and this man is truly worthy of being a retainer in his household — he has been steeped in his chivalrous spirit."

"In ancient times, Chu Ni, unwilling to assassinate Zhao Xuanzi, dashed himself against a locust tree and died; today we have Boyu, who with benevolence and righteousness broke a stout bow, and Wan Xiu, who confessed his own fault. This too shall make a fine tale!"

…

On the road, traveling together with Jing Dan, Wan Xiu, and the others, Diwu Lun at first could not grasp the logic behind Zhang Zhan's words.

A mob boss from the next market town sends men to kill a commoner under your jurisdiction — a worthy gentleman, all right — and they fail. A few days later they turn themselves in. Shouldn't you first invite them into the commandery office for a drink of water, have the Robbery Bureau interrogate them, and then arrest the mastermind behind it all?

Yet Zhang Zhan did absolutely nothing. Urged on by the cheering crowd, he simply let Wan Xiu go and told them to settle their own grudges privately however they saw fit!

Diwu Lun had thought he had already adapted to this era; only now did he realize he would have to work hard just to understand them.

In adjudicating cases by the Spring and Autumn Annals, guilt is determined by intent. Those whose intent is good but who violate the law are pardoned; those whose intent is evil but whose acts conform to the law are executed. In Zhang Zhan's eyes, Yuan She and Wan Xiu naturally fell under "those whose intent is good but who violate the law," and were not to be pursued.

Thus, far from being angered, Zhang Zhan even saw this as a sign that moral instruction was being carried out well — for otherwise, how could it happen that a would-be killer was swayed by benevolence and righteousness and actually came back to confess?

No wonder Zhang Zhan governed his commandery so poorly — he was far too superstitious about virtue, righteousness, and moral edification.

In Diwu Lun's eyes, Wan Xiu had done this purely to burnish his own and Yuan She's reputations. His methods of angling for fame and cultivating a name were even more practiced than his own — this was a man to guard against!

Jing Dan, for his part, suspected nothing amiss and struck up a conversation with Wan Xiu.

"Wan Xiu, from the way you speak, you don't sound like an ordinary young knight. Could it be you've had some schooling?"

Wan Xiu's speech was as unhurried as ever: "Indeed. This humble one studied the Classic of Filial Piety under a master in Maoling and understands a little of the principles of benevolence and righteousness — though of course, far less than Lord Diwu."

He was, in truth, an honest man. At Jing Dan's prompting, he poured out his entire life story like beans tumbling from a pod.

It turned out that Wan Xiu's great-grandfather was called "Wan Zhang," a renowned knight-errant of the Chang'an streets and wards during the reigns of Emperors Yuan and Cheng of the Former Han. Wan Zhang's sphere of influence was the Willow Market west of the city, hence he was known as "Wan Zhang Zixia of the City's West." He had served as Chief Clerk under the Governor of the Capital and was entitled to enter Weiyang Palace, and was on good terms with many nobles, such as the great treacherous eunuch Shi Xian of Emperor Yuan's time.

Then, during the Heping era of Emperor Cheng, there came a harsh official, the Governor of the Capital, Wang Zun. Wang Zun loathed the young knights who ran rampant through the Three Adjuncts and launched a severe crackdown, arresting and striking at the great knights. He seized Wan Zhang and the others and put them all to death, and the Wan clan declined ever after.

By the time it reached Wan Xiu's generation, the family had fallen into the mud. They were so poor that when his mother died, there was no money to bury her. It was a fellow townsman, Yuan She, who learned of this and called upon his retainers to provide a coffin and grave goods, for which Wan Xiu was deeply grateful. When Wan Xiu came of age, it was only natural that he became a junior follower under Yuan She.

But Wan Xiu, mindful of the calamity that had befallen his ancestors, knew that knights-errant rarely met a good end. He therefore saved up his own money to study the classics under a master. Among Yuan She's followers, he alone could converse using Confucian learning.

After hearing all this, Diwu Lun understood: Yuan She and Wan Xiu, though they acted as knights-errant, adorned themselves with benevolence and righteousness, and in their manner of conduct they were closer to Confucian scholars.

The ancients said: the knight defies prohibition by force of arms, the scholar confounds law by force of letters. He had never imagined that the two could actually combine. In the language of later ages, that was… a cultured thug.

"We who follow the great knight-errant Yuan forge private bonds, scatter wealth and goods, act as heroes, and make clear our gratitude and our grudges."

At this point, Wan Xiu caught the dismissive curl at the corner of Diwu Lun's mouth and paused to explain: "Of course, with so many men, the wheat and the chaff grow together, and scoundrels like Diba Bao, who practice chivalry without benevolence, have mixed themselves in."

But what they saw next proved that men like Diba Bao were by no means a minority.

While still far from Diwu Hamlet, Diwu Lun sensed that something was not right.

Drawing closer, they saw that nearly every able-bodied man of Diwu Hamlet had turned out, bearing every sort of farming tool — over two hundred men as if facing a formidable foe, a formation far larger than during the water clash.

After the consolidation, Diwu Hamlet was now bound together like a single rope. At a single rallying cry from the clan head, they could all turn out, each striving to be first — though their fighting ability remained open to question.

Diwu Ba stood atop the courtyard wall, a ring-pommel saber in hand, glaring with fury as he faced off against the uninvited guests.

Outside the courtyard gate was a band of some twenty men, all having ridden up on horseback and uniformly dressed in black fighting garb. Had they put on dark glasses, they would have looked exactly like the yakuza of later ages.

At their head was a young knight-errant only a few years older than Diwu Lun, wearing a Que-Di cap, a hundred-forged blade at his waist. He had brought a portable barbarian-style stool and sat upon it with legs splayed, his manner utterly arrogant, as though he regarded Diwu Hamlet as nothing.

Around him were young knights bearing blades and bows, and standing in attendance were several stout fellows holding long spears or iron halberds — all of them, one could tell, were ruthless characters.

Diwu Lun shot a glare at Wan Xiu: "This is what you, Junyou, call 'resolving a grudge'?"

According to Wan Xiu's account, Yuan She had specially dispatched his eldest son, Yuan Chu, to Changling to act as arbiter and broker a peace between the Diwu and Diba clans. But judging by this show of force, it looked far more like a deliberate provocation!

Wan Xiu, too, furrowed his brow. He begged pardon, then immediately spurred his horse and galloped to the outside of the fortified compound. Dismounting, he strode up to Yuan Chu, dropped to one knee, and said: "Lord Yuan, Wan Xiu has been fortunate enough not to fail in his mission, and has invited Diwu Boyu to return."

Yuan Chu shot Wan Xiu a sidelong glance and sneered: "You haven't failed your mission? How swift, Wan Junyou. You're no good at killing, but first-rate at finding people. Indeed, from now on we'll just hand you black and white pills for every job."

Wan Xiu knew that before coming, Yuan She had given Yuan Chu a harsh scolding — the young hero Yuan had fire pent up in his heart!

Wan Xiu lowered his head: "Last time Wan Xiu acted on his own authority — I am guilty. But this trip to Changling was under our lord's orders, to broker peace between the Diqi and Diwu houses. Even the Liewei Commandery office knows of this matter — we absolutely must not stir up trouble!"

"Do you take me for some ignorant youth who can't tell urgent from trivial?"

Yuan Chu flew into a rage, but then laughed again: "I shall have Diqi Biao take his younger brother's place and come to Diwu Quarter to sincerely beg forgiveness! Bring him forward!"

No sooner had the words fallen than a man was shoved and jostled forward by the Maoling gallants — stripped and bound of his own accord, and with arrows piercing both ears besides. It was none other than Diqi Biao!

The usually overbearing Brother Biao was today like a tiger fallen to the flatlands. He shuffled reluctantly over, shot Yuan Chu a glance, his eyes full of entreaty.

"Must Lord Yuan truly go this far?"

But Yuan Chu showed not a shred of pity. He cursed: "This whole affair was stirred up by your house, and yet it is the Yuan name that has borne the stigma of faithlessness. Diqi Biao, right here before my eyes, you will put an end to this matter today!"

Diqi Biao had no choice. He could only step slowly forward before these several hundred people, his teeth nearly biting through to blood!

It was mid-September; the chill autumn wind blew in gusts, making him shiver involuntarily.

A disgrace. This was already the second time in two months that Diqi Biao had stripped to the waist and begged forgiveness.

Last time had been at the county temple, to play a part in Xianyu Bao's act — but that was kowtowing to the County Magistrate, and with Diliu Du beside him, at least he had company.

But today, Diliu Du had brought his clansmen to watch the spectacle from a distance, pointing and whispering. Diqi Biao could only endure this supreme humiliation alone.

These days, Diwu Lun's reputation was like a sesame stalk in bloom, rising higher with every joint. It was no longer just the County Magistrate extending a summons — even the Governor wanted to recruit him as a clerk. With every polite refusal, his fame climbed another notch.

Diqi Biao had hoped to drag Diyi Liu into the fray to check the Diwu clan, but to his surprise, the other side showed no fear. Diwu Ba had cursed the dog to revile the willow, sending the Township Bailiff home in such a rage that he fell gravely ill. He nursed his hatred, yet dared make no move — he could not even afford to offend Jing Dan, who was close with Diwu Lun.

Later, Diwu Lun even received an invitation from the Marquis of Qiongcheng to attend the Double Ninth banquet at Changping Lodge — that was the threshold for entering the county's elite circles, an honor none of the Di clans had ever attained. The Diyi clan was sick with envy.

By this point, the Diwu clan's rise was unstoppable; they were faintly poised to supplant the Diyi clan as the preeminent surname of the township.

Diqi Biao had warned Diqi Bao a thousand times, urged him ten thousand times, not to go seeking trouble with Diwu Lun on his own. Who could have guessed that the wretch would agree to his face, then slip away that very night and run off to Maoling to call in reinforcements?

Had Diwu Lun truly been assassinated, it would surely have become a major case. The commandery office and county temple would have pursued it to the end, and the Diqi house would likely have met disaster. Mercifully, it fell through.

But the matter did not end so simply. Today, Yuan Chu had suddenly come knocking with his gallants. Diqi Biao had once idled under Yuan She's tutelage too — the lowliest of the low among the followers — and with the Yuan house so powerful, he dared not refuse.

Yuan Chu was blunt: Diqi Bao was far too stubborn, would rather die than apologize to Diwu Lun, and had fled overnight. No one knew where he had gone; he would probably never return.

Brother Bao could run, but Brother Biao could not. Yuan Chu, anxious to fulfill his father's orders, insisted that Diqi Biao accompany him to Diwu Quarter.

If it was peace they wanted, peace it would be. Diqi Biao could not be as willful as his younger brother — for the survival of the clan, there was no shame in it. His house was already ruined in name and scattered of retainers anyway; one more disgrace would not make a difference.

To use this as a stepping-stone to reconcile with the increasingly untouchable Diwu clan — that would not be so bad.

What Diqi Biao had not expected was that the one who would deny him all face was not the Diwu clan, but Yuan Chu.

Yuan Chu had arrived with a bellyful of pent-up fury. First, he was furious at having been deceived; second, furious at Wan Xiu for acting on his own; third, furious at Yuan She's scolding; fourth, furious at Diqi Bao for leaving without a farewell.

And so Yuan Chu vented all his anger upon Diqi Biao.

In name an arbiter, but in truth, it was all to flaunt the Yuan clan's might. Yuan Chu had his men strip Diqi Biao's clothes on the spot and pierce arrows through his ears, like a slave marked for sale, forcibly turning a peace parley into a show of force.

"My lord, this is hardly proper..." Even Wan Xiu could see that this was going too far.

Regrettably, cultured scoundrels are few and far between. Yuan Chu fell far short of his father and had no wish to heed Wan Xiu's counsel; he was bent on having his way. He meant to use the Diqi clan's humiliation to overawe all of Changling — let anyone who dared deceive or exploit the Yuan house again take heed.

At that moment, Diwu Lun and Jing Dan arrived as well. Seeing the scene before them, they more or less understood the reason.

Diwu Lun could not help but chuckle inwardly: "Wan Xiu is clever — so clever even I cannot see through him. A pity he's brought a pig of a teammate along!"

PS: Begging for recommendation votes.