Chapter 4 Frost Descent (Six Down)

  "It's my fault, I've dragged Brother Lei down!" From Wang Jun's words, Yuwen Zhi had already known the reason for Lei Wanchun's injury. He rushed forward a few steps and bowed deeply to express his gratitude. "Don't worry, brother, we will definitely settle this account for you sooner or later!"

  "Right, can't let that guy who shot the cold arrow get away!" Ma Fang had always admired Lei Wanchun and was unwilling to accept the reality of his injury, waving his fists and shouting.

  "Never mind!" Lei Wanchun stretched out his uninjured arm and forcefully pulled Yuwen Zhi up, "As long as you can safely get out of prison, that's all that matters. As for revenge or not, don't mention it again. I was sneaking around at midnight listening to other people's secrets and got caught by accident. It would be strange if they didn't shoot me with arrows! But you, from now on, be more careful when doing things. Although I often scold you, I also don't want you to die unjustly in prison!"

  "Big brother's teachings are, little brother has taken note!" Yuwen Zhi nodded and replied in a low voice.

  Qin Guoyong and Qin Guanzhen, the two brothers, were completely bewildered. After waiting for everyone to calm down again, they finally went forward and asked in a low voice: "What's going on? When was Brother Lei injured? What does it have to do with Zi Da's case? Can someone tell us? We're both about to become idiots!"

  "Really! Brother Lei, didn't you go to the Magistrate of Wannian County's house and scare him with a knife?" Little Ma Fang asked with a face full of admiration.

  "Let Ming Yun tell you about it. I'll go have a cup of tea first!" Lei Wan Chun smiled and walked towards the door of the house.

  Everyone suddenly realized that he and Zhang Xun were still standing in the courtyard. They quickly made way for them, letting them enter. Wang Xun ordered a servant to bring tea utensils and filled each person's cup with water. Then, he organized his thoughts and recounted how Lei Wanchun had encountered Jia Chang on his way back from a banquet, and how Jia Chang had asked Lei Wanchun to find a way to stall the county catcher Xue Rongguang for Yuwen Zhi's case. He described how Lei Wanchun had sneaked into Xue's residence at night and discovered someone secretly plotting inside, how he was discovered and injured by an arrow, and how he coincidentally met with Guo Guo Furen and was rescued, leading to Yang Guozhong taking action. As for whether Lei Wanchun met Jia Chang in the first or second half of the night, and what kind of relationship existed between Guo Guo Furen and the two men, Wang Xun naturally glossed over these details using a subtle writing style.

  The whole process is actually very simple, but the various forces involved behind it are too complicated. After listening to Wang Xuan's description, everyone, including Ma Fang who was still young and inexperienced, fell into deep thought. For a long time, Qin Guo Zhen was the first to come back to his senses from his thoughts, sighed, and said in a low voice: "This pool of water is getting murkier and murkier! We originally only wanted to save Zi Da from danger, but who would have thought that we would get stuck at such a deep level! Fortunately, the Jingzhao official doesn't know yet who the person was who sneaked into Xue's residence at night! Yang Guozhong is also eager to grasp the opponent's handle and took the initiative to take over the matter. Otherwise, it's likely that everyone would have had a hard time coping!"

  "It's all my fault, I've caused trouble for everyone!" Upon hearing this, Yuwen Zhi stood up again and bowed to the crowd.

  "He's not blaming you!" Qin Guo reached out to steady him, "This storm came too suddenly, and it's not just your problem. Everyone would have found it hard to stay far away from it even if they wanted to. If we're going to blame someone, we can only blame ourselves for being too full of ourselves before and not knowing when to retreat, which led to today's disaster! But now is not the time to talk about this. You're lucky to have escaped unscathed, that's already a blessing from heaven!"

  "Yes! If it weren't for a coincidence, I'm afraid we wouldn't have been able to rescue you!" Wang Xuan also nodded and added in a low voice.

  After calming down Yuwen Zhi, Qin Guo Jing hesitated for a moment before continuing: "But I always feel that Jia Chang's persuasion of Lei Da Ge to deal with Xue Rong Guang is not just about giving Zi Da time. It's likely that he has already sensed the arrangement inside Xue's house. He just doesn't want to get himself into trouble, so he let Lei Da Ge take the lead!"

  "This crafty and cunning bastard! He's really asking for death!" Upon hearing this, Ma Fang immediately jumped up and started cursing loudly, "His house is not far from mine, let's go and barge in, drag him out and make him apologize to Brother Lei!"

  "I'm afraid we've all wronged him!" Wang Xun saw the situation and quickly explained for Jia Chang. "In fact, Zida was able to escape safely this time, thanks to Jia Chang. I used to think he was too cunning and not a good person. But after this incident, I found many of his good qualities!"

  "Who?" Ma Fang disbelieved, his eyes wide with protest.

  "Is Zida the one he helped release?" "Was it him that you didn't finish talking about just now?" Qin Guo and Qin Guanzhen asked in succession.

  "Hmm!" Wang Xuan nodded slightly, "Just now I didn't have a chance to finish speaking, and was interrupted by Ma Fang. That Zida was able to escape safely this time is indeed thanks to Jia Chang. Yesterday he took me to an unremarkable wine shop outside Anfumen, using the pretext of eating to send in a large sum of money. Today Zida was released!"

  Everyone present was not an outsider, and Wang Xun didn't need to hide anything from them, so he carefully described the bizarre experience of being taken away by Jia Chang to drink wine yesterday. It was clear that such a bizarre thing had far exceeded the endurance of several others. After hearing his words, everyone stared at each other with wide eyes, no one dared to believe whether they were in a dream or not.

  "It's actually a clear price, a clear price!" Zhang Xun was the most shocked, his left fist waving in front of his chest, his fingers opening and closing, sometimes clenched, sometimes relaxed. The classics had never taught him such things. A lifetime of learning had filled his belly with knowledge. But all that ink had been useless at this critical moment, not even worth half a package of gold and silver. How could scholars throughout the land bear such a thing?

  "I think it's pretty good. At least they deliver after taking the money. Much more noble than those who just take the money and don't deliver!" Ma Fang looked at the problem from a completely different angle, and would never be able to understand Zhang Zhou's anger. He chuckled and said in a conciliatory tone.

  "Little guy, don't bother Zhang Da anymore!" Lei Wanchun saw that Zhang Zhou was about to go crazy and quickly pulled Ma Fang with one hand, laughing as he ordered.

  "Ah! Hmm!" Ma Fang looked innocent and stepped back a few steps, closing his mouth in consideration of Lei Wanchun's face.

  Lei Wanchun shook his head and smiled wryly, rummaging through his pocket to produce a yellowed book. At first glance, it was clear that the book had been around for some years. "This is a sword manual. It's different from what you usually see. I got it from a friend in Bohai State. Legend has it that it was created by a great general of the previous dynasty. Last time, I gave you the sword. This time, I'll give you the complete set. Take it back and study it carefully. If there's anything you don't understand, come ask me!"

  "Alright, thank you, Brother Lei!" Ma Fang's attention was immediately drawn to the knife manual, and he took it over, eagerly flipping through it, hiding in a sunny spot to ponder.

  After settling down Ma Fang, Lei Wanchun turned his head towards Zhang Xun, "Sir, this matter should be viewed from two aspects......"

  "Don't come to comfort me!" Zhang Zhou let out a long sigh, his thin figure looking especially lonely. "I used to be inexperienced, but after going through a few things, I got used to it. Those who can take money and get someone out of prison the next day are probably countable on one's fingers in the imperial palace. This disaster is probably getting more and more troublesome!"

  "It's none of our business!" Wang Xuan, who had never been too concerned about the current situation, smiled and comforted in a low voice.

  His words attracted three pairs of angry eyes. Not only Zhang Zhou, but also the Qin brothers turned their heads around. The eldest, Qin Guo, looked at him with a "hate iron for not becoming steel" expression and said: "How can you still not understand the principle that 'under the nest, there is no intact egg'?! If things continue to develop in this way, I'm afraid it won't be long before the capital will once again be filled with rivers of blood!"

  "It can't be that serious!" Wang Xun was startled, opening his eyes wide in refutation. "Isn't it just a few more eunuchs? Originally, Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong were also not peaceful!"

  "Good grief!" Qin Guo shook his head in exasperation. The people present were either too young or too inexperienced to understand the tragic events that had unfolded in the capital during the reigns of Zhongzong, Weizhong, Ruizong and Taiping Princess. Even Zhang Xun and Lei Wanchun might have only heard a few rumors about it. Unlike the Qin family, who had witnessed several power struggles from start to finish and recorded them as a secret family tradition, so that their descendants would not blindly follow in the footsteps of the likes of Longsun and Shangguan.

  "Originally, Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong were openly in conflict but secretly struggling, basically maintaining a balance of power. So after several rounds of fighting, it was the small fish who suffered. Neither side had been seriously hurt! It's no wonder that Zhang Xun, who had passed the imperial examination, could explain the key points to Wang Xun, Lei Wanchun and Yuwen Zhi with just a few words, leaving them stunned on the sidelines. The person in the palace, I don't know who he is, but judging from his speed in saving Yang Guozhong's son, it's very likely that it was Gao Lishi himself. In the past, he basically didn't take sides. Now, suddenly intervening in the affairs of Wan County, it's equivalent to announcing that he's ready to stand on Yang Guozhong's side. The original balance between Li and Yang has completely tilted towards Yang Guozhong. If Li Linfu fails to make a comeback, I'm afraid..."

  "I'm afraid many officials will have to make a trip to Lingnan following Li Linfu's faction!" He didn't even finish his sentence, but even someone as rough as Lei Wanchun understood the implications. With a chuckle, he added loudly, "What are you worried about? How many good people are among them?"

  "Although that's what you say, this is absolutely not a blessing for the country!" Zhang Zhou glared at him and concluded in a bad mood. The heavy atmosphere in the room was completely dispelled by Lei Wanchun's irresponsible words. Everyone either nodded or shook their heads, chuckled a few times, and then changed the subject to talk about things unrelated to the current situation.

  Regarding the family's future, the Qin brothers were in a hurry to return and discuss with their parents, and they didn't want to stay any longer. After chatting for a few words, they prepared to bid farewell and go home. Seeing the Qin brothers leaving, Zhang Jun also lost interest in sitting with everyone and chatting idly. Using Lei Wanchun's need for quiet rest as an excuse, he stood up and bid farewell together. Wang Xun originally wanted to set up a wine feast at home to dispel the gloomy atmosphere for Yuwen Zhichong, but seeing that the Qin brothers and Zhang Jun's eyes always carried a heavy and inescapable sadness, he smiled and sent them off.

  Just as they stepped out of the living room and hadn't yet reached the front yard, Wang Xiang, the young servant, came running over again with a smile. From a distance, he waved his hand vigorously at everyone, "Young Master Hou, several old masters, hurry up and take a look at the front gate, Old Master Yuwen has arrived!"

  Seeing the noble guest in front, the people below were still making a ruckus. Wang Xun was somewhat displeased, his face sank, and he rebuked in a low voice: "Which Yuwen gentleman? Are you so happy that you don't even have any proper manners? Is this how I usually teach you?"

  "Yes, it's indeed Young Master Yuwen's older brother!" The young servant Wang Xiang was startled and stopped in his tracks, responding with his head lowered.

  "Get him out of here, I don't have time to see him!" Wang Xuan immediately flared up like oil on fire, raised his eyes and shouted loudly.

  "He, he......" Wang Xiang frowned and pursed his lips, "He, ......"

  "What's wrong, didn't you hear me?!" Wang Xuan kicked him forward and ordered furiously.

  His legs were not strong, and the young servant Wang Xiang stumbled and almost fell to the ground, his eyes welling up with tears. "He...he's bare-chested, with a few wooden rods on his back, saying he's come to apologize! There are so many people gathered at the gate!"

  "Who's asking for punishment with a humble attitude? What kind of crime is he confessing to me?" Wang Chun was completely stunned, standing still on the spot, his mouth wide open.

  Yuwen De is an imperial appointed official, yet he's begging for mercy like a commoner. Isn't this a joke? Just as I was wondering, Zhang Zhou suddenly interjected, "I'm afraid it's because of Zi Da and the person who helped him escape from prison. He relied on Zi Da having no backing to do those despicable things before. Now that he's found out Zi Da has a powerful backer who can't be provoked, how could he not be scared to death?"

  Upon hearing this, everyone was again left crying and laughing. A few stinky fish and rotten shrimp had become entangled in the struggle between Yang Guozhong, Li Linfu, and Gao Lishi's three factions, and they themselves didn't even know where the winds would blow them next, so how could they possibly threaten Lord Yuwen De? But they knew it in their hearts, how could others discern the subtleties within? It was as if they had stepped into the Yellow River while dreaming, no matter how hard they washed, they couldn't get clean.

  "Let him go! Get him back home as soon as possible, don't let him cause trouble for Second Brother!" After all, he was his own biological brother, and even though he had hated him before, Yuwen Zhi couldn't bear to see him continue to lose face. He sighed and suggested in a low voice.

  "Go!" Wang Xuan stepped back, sighing. Things outside were always beyond his imagination, one wave after another, expanding his horizons while also colliding with the limits of his understanding of human nature.

  Everyone quietly kept a distance from Yuwen Zhi, halfway turning to another side door, so as not to see each other's embarrassment. After leaving the house, occasionally looking back, you can still see Yuwen De's white and tender calves, carrying two large bundles of thorns, under the autumn sun, it was particularly dazzling!

  It's already a frosty weather, fortunately he has a layer of fat on him.