Chapter 14: Becoming the Bait

Li Shimin was an excellent administrator, selecting men solely for their talent; as long as one possessed ability, it would not go unnoticed under his rule.

Wang Zhihong was undoubtedly one such talent. Young and accomplished, with the distinction of having passed the imperial examinations, he was not someone Li Shimin would allow to languish long in a small county like Sanyuan.

Therefore, Wang Zhihong’s future was destined to be bright. Anyone who attached themselves to him at this time would surely rise to prosperity along with him.

The man in the yellow tunic treated Liu Yitiao with great respect. In his eyes, Liu Yitiao had already entered the ranks of the truly gifted—a wise man hidden among the common folk.

Upon returning to the county office, Wang Zhihong did not immediately hold court to question Liu Yitiao. Instead, he quietly instructed the man in the yellow tunic to bring Liu Yitiao to his private quarters in the rear hall.

Wang Zhihong held Liu Yitiao in high regard; leaving aside the strength he’d shown when striking Wang Shuai, the mere fact that he dared to lay hands on a tax official and accuse Wang Kui outright was enough to command his respect.

This was a young man with great potential, Wang Zhihong thought, observing the slightly nervous Liu Yitiao before him. He had already deduced that Liu Yitiao must have guessed his own resolve to remove Wang Kui even before striking Wang Shuai. Otherwise, a clever man like Liu Yitiao would never have taken such a risk so lightly.

“Liu Yitiao, do you know why I brought you here?” Wang Zhihong began.

Liu Yitiao bowed slightly, feigning ignorance. “I believe it’s because of our family’s little yellow ox. My actions were somewhat inappropriate, too rash—I’ve troubled you, sir.”

Wang Zhihong saw through Liu Yitiao’s act, but his expression did not change. “According to the laws of the Great Tang, anyone who maims a plow ox without cause, killing it or rendering it unfit for labor, is to be punished with eighty strokes and imprisoned for three to five years. In your case, how many years do you think I should sentence you to?”

“Sir, our little yellow ox is fine. It just has an extra hole in its nose—it won’t affect the spring plowing at all. I beg your wise judgment.”

“Oh?” Wang Zhihong glanced in surprise at the man in the yellow tunic. Wasn’t the ox supposed to be dead? Why was it alive now?

The man in the yellow tunic understood immediately and stepped forward to explain respectfully, “Sir, I’ve already had Liu Yitiao’s ox brought back. It’s now in front of the office and appears to be unharmed.”

His words obviously favored Liu Yitiao, but Wang Zhihong was not surprised. After all, it was thanks to Liu Yitiao, albeit indirectly, that he had risen to the position of chief constable. What puzzled him, however, was why the man in the yellow tunic was being so deferential today. Was it because of Liu Yitiao?

Wang Zhihong turned his gaze back to the not particularly tall young man. “Though the ox didn’t die, the fact remains you struck it. The crime of injuring a plow ox is not a minor one.”

“Sir, if you have something to say, please do so directly. My poor heart can’t take this suspense,” Liu Yitiao replied with a wry smile. A higher official’s presence alone was intimidating enough, let alone when he was just a commoner.

Wang Zhihong laughed, took a sip of hot tea, and said slowly, “Very well, let’s be frank. I can overlook your offense of intentionally injuring a plow ox, but in return, I need your help to eradicate Wang Kui and his gang. What do you think?”

Liu Yitiao’s expression grew even more pained. Men like Wang Kui—cunning, ruthless, and resourceful—were not to be trifled with unless absolutely necessary.

“Sir, capturing criminals and ensuring the people’s peace is your duty as the county magistrate. You have both money and men at your command. Bringing down an ageing local ruffian like Wang Kui should be a simple matter. Why drag a humble commoner like me into this? I have elderly parents above and young siblings below to care for.”

“Do you think Wang Kui is merely an old ruffian?” Wang Zhihong stared intently at Liu Yitiao. “If he were just a common thug, do you think I would have tolerated him this long?”

“He’s Liu Peng’s nephew,” the man in the yellow tunic explained, seeing Liu Yitiao’s confusion. “Liu Peng is an adviser to the Crown Prince, an old retainer who watched the prince grow up.”

The inept Crown Prince, Li Chengqian? Liu Yitiao was taken aback. So that was the connection—no wonder Wang Kui had run rampant in Sanyuan County for so many years; he had powerful backing at court.

Liu Yitiao glanced at Wang Zhihong, asking, “And now this Liu Peng—has he fallen from grace?”

Wang Zhihong nodded slightly. “He’s lost the Crown Prince’s favor, but out of old sentiment, the prince hasn’t removed him from office.”

“Then what do you have to worry about? The greatest threat is gone. Why involve me?”

“We need an excuse,” Wang Zhihong replied, standing up. “We need a reasonable, lawful pretext—one sufficient to bring about Wang Kui’s downfall. And only you can provide it.”

“I see,” Liu Yitiao caught on quickly. “You want me to be the bait, to use Wang Kui’s hatred for me to lure him into your trap, is that right?”

Wang Zhihong nodded in satisfaction. Speaking with intelligent people was always easier.

“But will Wang Kui fall for it? He’s a shrewd judge of the situation, adept at seizing the right moment. He knows what is possible and when. Would a man like that walk into a trap now?”

Liu Yitiao understood Wang Kui well. A man who could beat his own son half to death was truly dangerous.

“That’s not your concern; I have my methods. I just want to know if you’re willing to take the risk,” Wang Zhihong said confidently.

“You’re not thinking of…?” Suddenly, a chilling thought crossed Liu Yitiao’s mind. The only way to provoke Wang Kui into rash action would be to endanger Wang Shuai, who was still in prison.

Wang Zhihong nodded. “Wang Shuai has done enough evil over the years—it’s time to settle accounts.”

Seeing Liu Yitiao’s uneasy expression, Wang Zhihong added, “Don’t worry, the Great Tang values the rule of law. I won’t actually harm Wang Shuai. All I need is to let a rumor escape.”

“I’m not concerned for him,” Liu Yitiao replied. “If he died, I wouldn’t mourn; the sooner such people are gone, the better for the people. What I am worried about is that if Wang Kui really comes for me, what will happen to the safety of my family? Wang Kui is not a kind man.”

“These next few days, Chief Constable Huang and the county constables will be stationed near your home. Your safety is their responsibility,” Wang Zhihong assured him. “Chief Huang is a skilled fighter. With him there, you and your family will be perfectly safe.”