Chapter 43: Wine Warms the Heart, Gall Still Swells

When the jail door swung open, Wan Xiu, his hands weighed down by heavy shackles, assumed it was that Inspector Ma coming to coax a confession out of him again.

But when he raised his head, he discovered that the visitor was none other than Diwu Lun of Changling. Diwu Lun set a plate of meat and a jug of wine on the ground, then pulled from his robes two clay cups he had begged from the wardens. He smiled at Wan Xiu. "When we parted at Changling after our autumn outing, I never imagined we would meet again in such a scene as this."

Wan Xiu tried to clasp his hands in salute, but the shackles restrained him. He could only bow his head and ask, "What brings Gentleman Diwu here?"

"I was on my way to Maoling to pay you a visit, and happened to pass by Xiliu Pavilion."

Diwu Lun surveyed the cramped jail cell — truly filthy beyond endurance, reeking of urine, its straw pallet crawling with who knew how many lice. This was to be Wan Xiu's bed for the night.

Wan Xiu looked ashamed. "Wan Xiu is now a prisoner in chains. I cannot lay out a proper feast to receive you, Boyu."

Diwu Lun poured a cup of wine, stepped forward, and placed it in Wan Xiu's hands. "Just now outside, I spoke with Inspector Ma. He told me how this affair began, and added that the killer may not have been you?"

Wan Xiu stared at the cloudy wine in the clay cup and shook his head. "I did kill the man. Inspector Ma is overthinking it."

Diwu Lun picked up a slice of meat and fed it to the ravenously hungry Wan Xiu. "But Inspector Ma's investigation found that the dead man's aged mother and many in the lane all say it was Yuan Chu, son of Yuan She, who led men to that door. You arrived later, and you even shielded the dead man's mother from harm."

Wan Xiu still would not relent. "The county office clerk Wang Youweng has an elder brother by the same mother named Qi Taibo. Qi Taibo was on good terms with the great gallant Yuan, but treated Wang Youweng with contempt, so Wang Youweng nursed a bitter grudge. He then slandered the great gallant Yuan to the County Magistrate with false charges. Wang Youweng deserved to die, but his mother was innocent. Even among thieves, there is a code. I killed the son and protected the mother — what is so strange about that?"

"I have already recounted all this to the commandery Grand Governor and the commandery Assistant. The sentence is settled. Has Boyu believed Inspector Ma's words and come to persuade me to retract my confession?"

Diwu Lun shook his head. "The reason I am so certain is that, although I have met you only twice, I know your character well."

Wan Xiu laughed. "What does Boyu know of me?"

Diwu Lun said, "I have heard that the great gallant Yuan She is called 'the Guo Jie of our age.' Then does my friend know how Guo Jie met his end? First he offended the court and was arrested. His retainers, far from lying low and biding their time, went out and killed a man out of indignation. This led the high ministers at court to conclude that Guo Jie, a mere commoner, had played at power and deceit, and that his clients had wantonly murdered the innocent over a trifle. Though Guo Jie claimed ignorance, this crime was graver than if he had killed the man himself. They sentenced Guo Jie to death for the crime of Grand Treason and Iniquity."

"When you first heard of my deeds of filial duty and righteousness, you stopped the bravo Yuan Juxian had sent to assassinate me. You broke a bow as a token of good faith, and you went to great lengths to broker a reconciliation. A man of such breadth, who knows right from wrong — how could he, at a critical moment, commit a blunder so grave that it would draw the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties' attention and bring about Yuan Juxian's arrest? That would not be venting anger on his behalf — it would be destroying him."

Diwu Lun's analysis cut to the bone. Wan Xiu fell into brooding silence.

Diwu Lun pressed on. "Does my friend know how they will deal with you once you reach the Master of Fates' office?"

Wan Xiu gave a hearty laugh. "Nothing more than death."

He had killed two men, one of them a county office clerk. Even a voluntary surrender could not reduce that sentence.

Diwu Lun said angrily, "What of your wife and children? They will be implicated too." He had heard from Ma Yuan that Wan Xiu already had a son of seven or eight.

Wan Xiu closed his eyes. "The great gallant Yuan will care for them in my stead."

"Why must it come to this?" Diwu Lun shook his head, wanting to argue further.

Perhaps moved that Diwu Lun, after only two meetings, was so certain he would not kill, Wan Xiu sighed and said, "Let me tell Boyu a story."

He lifted his head. "The great gallant Yuan is by nature gentle and modest, rich in feeling and in honor. He devotes himself to relieving the poor and rushing to the aid of those in desperate need."

"Twenty years ago, the great gallant Yuan went to Cockcrow Lane in Maoling to attend a banquet. Just as he entered the lane, he heard the sound of bitter weeping. He climbed the steps to look. In the poorest, most remote alley, he found a household — a broken mat for a door, utterly destitute. The mother of the house had just died. The youth there could only wrap her in a straw mat; he could not even afford funeral rites. He was barely past ten, and could do nothing but weep."

At this, Wan Xiu's face grew sorrowful. "The great gallant Yuan looked on and was silent for a long while. He left only one instruction: 'First bathe the deceased. Wait for my return!'"

"Then he went to the home of the friend hosting the banquet and sighed, saying, 'Your neighbor lies dead, stretched on the ground with no proper shroud — how could I have the heart to feast and make merry? I beg you, clear away the wine and the dishes!'"

"The guests then vied with one another to ease the great gallant Yuan's distress. The great gallant Yuan sat to one side, trimmed a wooden tablet, and wrote out a detailed list — from burial clothes and coffin above, down to the rice and jade placed in the mouth of the dead — omitting nothing. He handed it to his guests and friends to procure. Only when the sun had sunk in the west did they finish buying everything and return."

Wan Xiu's face broke into a smile. "The great gallant Yuan inspected everything himself, then rode with the others, bearing the coffin and goods, to the home of the dead. He encoffined the deceased, and then, like a mourning kinsman clad in coarse sackcloth, he did not leave until the burial was complete. That is how the great gallant Yuan rushes to others' distress, how he treats people with utter sincerity!"

Diwu Lun's eyes widened with sudden understanding. "That dead woman's son — could it be…"

A glint of tears shone in Wan Xiu's eyes. "That worthless wretch, so poor he could not bury his own mother, was none other than Wan Xiu!"

He rose to his feet and looked at Diwu Lun, his gaze turning fierce. "Later, when someone slandered the great gallant Yuan, calling him 'the chief of villains,' I went at once and killed the man who spoke those words!"

"After that, I lived as a fugitive for several years. Only when the Xin was established and a general amnesty was proclaimed did I return to Maoling. I then pledged myself to the great gallant Yuan's service, and it has been ten years now."

"Hearing this, does Boyu still think me innocent?"

Diwu Lun replied, "Hearing this story, I think that during those years you wandered in exile, you were able to shed your rashness and become so steady and composed — that is no small feat. It makes me all the more certain that you are not the killer."

Wan Xiu sat down in resignation. "I never thought that, on the brink of death, I would meet a man like Boyu. Since that is so, I shall tell you the truth."

His expression grew solemn. "Rough and uncouth as I am, I have heard the story of Nie Zheng."

"Nie Zheng received kindness from Yan Zhongzi. After he had buried his mother, he resolved to repay that debt. He assassinated Han Gui — a white rainbow pierced the sun! He killed many men, and in the end, he slashed his own face, gouged out his eyes, and disemboweled himself to die."

"I revere Nie Zheng. And what the great gallant Yuan has done for me far exceeds what Yan Zhongzi did. He bought me a house, arranged my marriage, and recommended Confucian scholars to be my teachers, fulfilling my wish to study the books of the sages. That Wan Xiu has become what he is today is owed entirely to the great gallant Yuan."

"Now the great gallant Yuan is growing old, and he has only one son at his knee."

"It is my turn to emulate the great gallant Yuan of those years, and rush to another's desperate need!"

By this point, it was all but confirmed that Wan Xiu had not killed anyone, but was offering himself to die in that Yuan Chu's place. How lamentable — Yuan She had over a hundred men under him, yet in the end only Wan Xiu stepped forward. Or had he held the others back, and gone smiling to shoulder the charge himself? That would indeed be like his character.

At this thought, Diwu Lun could not help but feel both reverence and sorrow for Wan Xiu. He had misjudged this man before. He was no seeker of fame, but a true gentleman.

Wan Xiu's resolve was so firm that further persuasion was useless. After a moment of thought, Diwu Lun untied the knife from his own waist and laid it before Wan Xiu.

"My friend, there is a way to keep you alive without retracting your confession."

"Take this knife and hold me hostage. Threaten the Inspector outside to release you, then drive off in a carriage. Once you are safe, let me go. With luck, you might yet escape."

Wan Xiu stared blankly for a moment, then broke into a helpless laugh. "Boyu, I have been a bandit. Even I know that if the authorities encounter bandits holding a hostage, they may strike down the hostage as well."

"I am a Palace Gentleman, not some ordinary hostage," Diwu Lun said. "What is more, I am acquainted with Ma Wenyuan. He should not be willing to strike me down."

Though he said this, Diwu Lun felt a flutter of uncertainty in his heart. He did not know Ma Yuan well; he only sensed that the man spoke and acted on whim, often leaving him perplexed. Yet he also faintly perceived that Ma Yuan's words held a measure of sympathy and respect for Wan Xiu. It might be worth a try.

Wan Xiu still refused Diwu Lun's foolish scheme. "Boyu has studied the classics. You must have heard the saying: 'A gentleman does some things, and refrains from doing others.'"

"For braves such as us, honor and integrity weigh heavier than life itself."

He bent down and pushed Diwu Lun's knife back toward him. "Even in death, I will be Wan Junyou — who broke a stout bow with his honor, who never harmed a worthy scholar, who remained true from beginning to end."

Wan Xiu prostrated himself and bowed his head low in a long kowtow, thanking Diwu Lun for his kindness. "Not a Wan Xiu who clings cravenly to life, turns his blade upon a true friend, and in the end destroys his own name!"

…

A dying man's words are kind. That phrase "true friend" had indeed come from the depths of Wan Xiu's heart.

This stirred Diwu Lun's emotions all the more deeply. Since his transmigration, his temperament had shifted somewhat; he was not easily moved. But today was different.

For in this age of moral decay, he had encountered a true knight-errant — not one like Yuan She, outwardly warm, benevolent, and modest, but inwardly harboring a love of killing.

"A pity. Such a terrible pity. I should have gone to Maoling sooner, should have befriended Wan Xiu earlier."

Sighing inwardly, Diwu Lun emerged from the jail, still turning over in his mind what other means might save Wan Xiu — and then he started in fright.

Ma Yuan, it turned out, had been standing by the door the whole time, his hand resting on the hilt of his ring-pommel saber, his breathing so faint he had not made the slightest sound. He was now looking at Diwu Lun with a faint smile.

Is this bastard eavesdropping?

But Ma Yuan had already walked a few steps away. He turned his head and spoke first: "If I remember correctly, last time at Changling, Boyu owed me a favor, didn't he?"

Hadn't Ma Yuan just said he'd forgotten about it? How come he suddenly remembered again?

Diwu Lun couldn't fathom what Ma Yuan intended, so he simply clasped his hands and acknowledged it.

"Then repay it tonight."

Ma Yuan said with a smile: "Could Boyu put up the money to treat the officers and men under my command, and everyone in the precinct, to a hearty round of drinks?"

An hour later, sitting in the main hall of the precinct lodge, watching the cups and goblets clink before him, Diwu Lun thought to himself: "Sure enough, the magistrate can set fires while the common folk can't even light a lamp. So as long as you're an official, group drinking is basically something no one cares about..."

After Ma Yuan insisted Diwu Lun treat everyone to repay the favor, he'd bellowed one line in the precinct: "Tonight's wine is on Gentleman Diwu!" — which set off a burst of cheers, and every last jar of wine in the precinct stores was hauled out.

Diwu Lun could only obediently pay up. The Ma clan of Maoling was a distinguished family of six thousand dan — even if he was just a petty Investigator, did he really lack for a round of drinks? Could Ma Yuan be trying to...

He truly didn't lack for it. Throughout the feast, whether it was the officers and soldiers under Ma Yuan's command or the Precinct Chief and precinct father, all came to toast Investigator Ma, and he turned down every one.

"You all drink your fill — getting dead drunk is no problem. In the depths of this winter cold, you gentlemen still have to trudge along with me on the road. Tonight, let Ma Yuan stand the night watch. Worry not!"

And the other person at the feast who barely drank was Diwu Lun. He kept his wits about him.

Although Ma Yuan did not drink, he was not idle either. Urged on by his officers and men, this handsome man, seven chi and five cun tall, stroked his beard and rose. He came down before the hall and personally performed a dance for everyone.

The dance was something he had learned among the Xiongnu and mixed tribes in Shang Commandery, quite different in style from Han dances. But the song — Diwu Lun had heard it before. It was actually "East of Pingling"!

"East of Pingling, pines and cypresses and paulownias — who knows who seized the righteous man?"

"Seized the righteous man, beneath the high hall — pay a million cash, two racing horses."

"Two racing horses, bitter indeed to part — turning to see the pursuing clerk, the heart aches."

"The heart aches, blood pours out — go home, tell my family to sell the yellow calf."

This poem sang of the everyday reality of Guanzhong at the end of Han and into the Xin Dynasty. The story took place at Emperor Zhao of Han's Pingling, not far from here. Those who plundered homes and robbed were not bandits, but petty officials of the government — these men extorted the law-abiding people, ruining innocent commoners and stripping them of everything.

But now, this song, coming from the mouth of the very sort of villainous official the common people cursed and reviled most bitterly — an Investigator — felt deeply ironic.

Only, everyone had drunk themselves tipsy and long since lost all judgment. Swaying and lurching, they sang and danced along, finding nothing amiss.

By the time of the "people settle" watch, the entire precinct lodge was a mess of cups and platters. People lay sprawled every which way, snoring like thunder.

Only two remained clear-headed.

Ma Yuan moved through the hall, patting this one, shoving that one, even nudging some with his foot, making sure they were all dead asleep.

And Diwu Lun had endured his nearly uncontrollable drowsiness to hold out until now. Not drinking himself, watching a bunch of drunks babble nonsense was truly torment.

He was considering whether to tell this Investigator Ma that Wan Xiu had indeed taken the fall for Yuan Chu, and to come forward himself to testify — perhaps that could persuade the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties to spare Wan Xiu's life? Only, with Wan Junyou's temperament, the moment he heard of it he'd likely kill himself, and no one could stop him.

Just as he was about to speak, Ma Yuan called out to him first.

"Boyu, get up. It's time to go do the real work."

"What real work?" As Diwu Lun rose, he glanced at the ring-pommel saber hanging at his waist.

But he saw that Ma Yuan had indeed begun to lower his head and untie his waist sash... and the seal and cord attached to it.

It was the half-size small seal of a commandery Investigator, tied with a black cord. Ma Yuan held it in his palm and glanced at it, then with a scornful smile, tossed it straight into a wine cup that still had dregs in it!

"Wenyuan, what are you..."

"Drunk. I am dead drunk." Ma Yuan, who had barely touched a drop, really did seem to sway a little. He then drew a silk letter from inside his robe — who knew when he had written it — pressed it down on the table with a cup and platter, and then strode straight out.

Diwu Lun hesitated a moment, then slowly followed him out, only to hear Ma Yuan say: "I am deeply drunk today, but not from ale — I am drunk on Wan Xiu's chivalrous honor, drunk on Boyu's benevolence and righteousness! I heard every word of your conversation."

He softly hummed: "East of Pingling, pines and cypresses and paulownias — who knows who seized the righteous man... Who else could it be? Investigators, officers and clerks, that's who! A righteous man must not die in vain. I do not wish to be woven into the people's songs and cursed by them in days to come."

"My mind is made up. The Office of the Master of Fates — I'm not going. And this Investigator post — I'm done with it!"

Diwu Lun was stunned speechless. Ma Yuan finished speaking and laughed aloud, feeling utterly exhilarated. And the target toward which he strode in great steps was none other than the jail where Wan Xiu was held. The key to unlock his shackles was right there, clutched in his palm!

"I'm going to free Wan Xiu! And flee into the mountain forests with him!"

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"Boyu, will you come along?"

PS: A new week — requesting recommendation votes.