“Old Peng, your man has lost his mind!”
Master Zhu pointed at Mr. Feng. “He actually urges us to rebel!”
“Mr. Feng, never mention this plan again!”
Master Peng’s face went white. “Do you know what rebellion means?”
County Lieutenant Zhao said nothing, but cold sweat broke out. A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes as he looked at Mr. Feng.
Every year in Dakang, countless people turned to banditry because they could not survive. Many others, oppressed by local officials and powerful families, rose up in sudden violence.
For example, two years ago in the neighbouring prefecture, a prefect and his family were hacked to death in the street by four brothers for oppressing the people. It caused a sensation. On execution day, the crowd packed the field so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through.
But rebellion was different from banditry or sudden murder.
Banditry meant finding a local backer and paying protection fees. Places like Heishui Gou or Hutou Mountain were ignored by officials. At the slightest hint of trouble, Zhao would even send men to tip them off.
Rebellion required raising a banner and formally declaring war on the court.
No emperor cared about a band of bandits. No emperor could tolerate rebellion!
They supported bandits, oppressed the people, even plotted against Jin Feng, a noble. All this affected only Jinchuan. The great figures in court paid no attention.
But if they dared raise a banner in rebellion, it would reach the court at once!
What awaited them would be the court’s most merciless suppression.
Resisting suppression was not just shouting slogans. It needed masses of followers to have any chance of success.
The people hated Zhao and the others so much they wanted to skin them alive. Who would fight for them?
That was why the three were terrified when Mr. Feng mentioned rebellion.
“My lords, let me finish!”
Mr. Feng said, “I know we cannot rebel. I mean we can use the threat of rebellion against Jin Feng!”
“You’ve scared yourself silly.”
Master Zhu said coldly. “Is this threatening Jin Feng? This is hastening our deaths and handing him a knife.”
“For anyone else, it would not work. But my lords, remember Jin Feng’s ties to Marquis Qing.”
Mr. Feng said, “Jinchuan is Marquis Qing’s fief. By Dakang law, if we rebel here, the marquis will be implicated. He might be stripped of his title and office!”
“Jin Feng values loyalty and has an extraordinary bond with the marquis. He will not stand by and watch this happen!”
County Lieutenant Zhao’s eyes lit up. He understood.
“My lord is wise!”
Mr. Feng clasped his fists in flattery. “But rebellion is a mutual destruction tactic with Jin Feng. Use it only as a last resort!”
“Mr., do you have a better plan?”
Zhao asked quickly.
His mind was in chaos. He could only hope Mr. Feng had a way out.
“Jin Feng has Zhao Kuan. Given his vengeful nature, he will not spare my lord or the two masters.”
Mr. Feng said, “Even if you escape this, you cannot stay in Jinchuan.”
“As long as we live, we can deal with the future later.”
Zhao asked, “Can you get us out?”
The two gentry nodded eagerly.
Now, they sought only survival.
“There is a way, if my lord will cooperate.”
“What way?” Zhao pressed.
“My lord is still the garrison county lieutenant. Who can stop you from leaving to suppress bandits?”
Mr. Feng said, “I will not hide it. I once hid a large boat under Yan’gui Mountain by the Jialing River. Once my lord and the masters reach the riverbank, you can sail downstream a thousand li a day. No matter how capable Jin Feng is, he cannot catch you.
Then you can live as wealthy idlers in the south or sail out to sea.”
“How blind we were!”
Zhao slapped his forehead hard.
When the servant reported Zhao Kuan’s abduction at the gate, Zhao panicked and ordered the gate sealed.
Now he saw Mr. Feng was right. Jin Feng held only an empty title, no office. Even with evidence, he could not convict directly.
Zhao remained a court official. Jin Feng dared not kill him casually like Zhou the tutor.
He had no right to stop a county lieutenant suppressing bandits or to touch the garrison!
He could march out boldly with the soldiers.
Sealing the gate only incriminated himself.
But it was not too late. In his years as lieutenant, he had squeezed much from the people. If he escaped, it was enough for a lifetime of hidden wealth.
“Thank you for the guidance. I will arrange it at once!”
Zhao bowed solemnly to Mr. Feng.
His view of Mr. Feng had turned completely. He now saw him as the cleverest man alive.
Mr. Feng smiled and returned the gesture, letting Zhao go.
“My lord, you cannot abandon us!”
Seeing Zhao leave, Masters Zhu and Peng blocked him, pleading.
“Relax. I will send garrison uniforms over. Put them on and leave with me!”
Zhao said impatiently.
“Thank you, my lord, thank you!”
The two gentry, tears of gratitude in their eyes, saw Zhao out of the Wei restaurant.
When they returned to discuss details with Mr. Feng, he was gone.
At that moment, Mr. Feng was rushing with several men through alleys to the east city.
Jinchuan county seat was not large. Soon they reached the east wall.
Ancient walls encircled the city. Guards could not watch every spot.
In peacetime, soldiers manned only gates and corners. Other sections were patrolled once a fortnight at best.
This stretch where Mr. Feng stood was rarely visited.
The man beside him skilfully lifted a board covered in rotten grass, revealing a hole the size of a water vat.
“Big Dog, is this how you usually sneak in and out?”
Mr. Feng glanced at the hole and asked.
“Yes. My master and I dug it for over half a year. It’s our lifeline.”
Big Dog said, “If you hadn’t helped me before, Mr. Feng, no amount of money would make me tell.”
“Jinchuan will be Jin Feng’s domain. You cannot stay. Come with me.”
Mr. Feng offered.
“Thank you, Mr., but you know I have an old mother, wife, and children. What would happen to them if I left?”
Big Dog shook his head. As he started to say more, his eyes widened.
Looking down, a knife tip protruded from his chest.
