Chapter 8: Uncle Yang Pays a Visit

“Brother Yang!” Old Liu greeted him upon hearing his arrival, with Liu Yi-tiao following closely behind. Yang Bofang had once intervened to help Liu Yi-tiao; by all accounts, he was considered a benefactor of the Liu family, and they could not afford to treat him with neglect.

Liu He-shi took Liu Xiaohui into the inner room. Though the Tang Dynasty was known for its openness, women were still not permitted to meet with guests from outside.

“Come in, come in! We were just about to have dinner. If you don’t mind, Brother Yang, please join us.” Old Liu warmly ushered Yang Bofang inside, then called out, “Yi-tiao, hurry and bring your Uncle Yang an extra set of bowls and chopsticks!”

“Ha ha, in that case, I’ll gladly accept your hospitality,” Yang Bofang replied cheerfully, seating himself beside Old Liu and smiling as he watched Liu Yi-tiao fetch the tableware for him.

Old Liu poured a cup of wine and handed it to Yang Bofang, saying, “Brother Yang, come, let us have a drink together. Thank you for standing up for Yi-tiao last time. Without you, this boy might not even be alive today.”

Yang Bofang took the wine and replied, “Brother Liu, it was nothing but a small effort; you needn’t dwell on it. Besides, Yi-tiao is a promising lad—I like him. In fact, even if I hadn’t stepped in last time, he would’ve sorted things out himself. My intervention may have even hindered him.”

Recalling the events at the market earlier that day, Yang Bofang felt a surge of emotion.

With Liu Yi-tiao’s conduct today, there was no way Wang Shuai could have bested him. The beating last time might well have been a performance on Liu Yi-tiao’s part.

“Uncle Yang, you’re too kind,” Liu Yi-tiao said as he entered the hall with the bowls and chopsticks, approaching Yang Bofang. “Twice you’ve helped me; I will never forget your kindness. Come, Uncle Yang, let me toast you.”

Yang Bofang shook his head, gently pushing aside the wine Liu Yi-tiao offered. “I cannot accept this cup. First, I didn’t do much to help, and second, even if I did, it was my duty. I’ve come tonight mainly to see if you returned safely, and to verify the rumors circulating outside. Now I see they were true.”

Old Liu asked anxiously, “Brother Yang, what do you mean by that? Has Yi-tiao gotten into trouble again?”

Liu Yi-tiao was frustrated—why did parents always assume the worst?

Yang Bofang said, “He felled Wang Shuai with one punch, injuring three meridians in his lungs. He brought Wang Kui down with a single sheet of paper, leading to his dismissal and retirement. Brother Liu, do you call this trouble?”

“Really?! Big brother, you’re amazing! I worship you!” Liu Er-tiao, the mischievous child, chimed in at the wrong moment, earning a glare from Liu Yi-tiao.

“Quiet! Stop causing trouble! Go to the inner room!” Old Liu sent Liu Er-tiao away, then turned to Liu Yi-tiao with a grave expression. “Yi-tiao, is what your Uncle Yang said true? Did you really hit Wang Shuai and accuse Wang Kui?”

Liu Yi-tiao replied with a calm nod.

“You! Yi-tiao, what am I to say to you? It’s only been a few days, and you’ve caused such a huge incident!” Old Liu exclaimed loudly. “I’ve told you, the Wang family is powerful—we can’t afford to provoke them! You not only hit Wang Shuai, but also accused Wang Kui. Do you think they’ll let us go? It’s over. With Wang Kui’s temperament, he won’t rest even if he kills you!”

“Father!” Liu Yi-tiao shot to his feet. “A man must take responsibility for his actions! Since I did it, I’ll bear it all. You needn’t worry about being implicated. At worst, I’ll stake my life on it.”

Liu Yi-tiao was furious. Was this how a father should be? People say the bond between father and son is deep, but seeing Old Liu now was deeply disappointing.

He couldn’t help but recall Wang Kui, who mercilessly beat Wang Shuai in court. Perhaps they were cut from the same cloth.

“Yi-tiao, mind your words to your father. He’s only worried for you!” Yang Bofang also stood, pulling Liu Yi-tiao back to his seat. “Your father isn’t wrong. Wang Kui won’t let you off. You may think that after sending Wang Shuai to prison and bringing down Wang Kui, you’ll be safe. For most people, that would be true. But Wang Kui is no ordinary man. Do you know what he did before becoming the chief constable?”

Liu Yi-tiao shook his head, thinking Old Liu’s reaction was too extreme, but now, hearing Yang Bofang, he wondered if there was more to the story.

“A thug! The most notorious ruffian in Sanyuan County!” Yang Bofang said. “He commanded over a hundred brothers, all ruthless men who terrorized the region. Is someone like him easy to provoke?”

“Eh?!” Liu Yi-tiao was startled.

Boss, little brothers, thugs—wasn’t this just a criminal syndicate? The Tang Dynasty’s underworld.

“How could such a man become chief constable of Sanyuan County? A criminal as an official—what a farce!”

Yang Bofang explained, “It was the previous county magistrate’s clever idea—to fight evil with evil. He appointed Wang Kui as constable to restrain his own men. That’s how Sanyuan County enjoyed peace for over ten years. Only we old-timers know this; you youngsters may never have heard it. Though I don’t know why Magistrate Wang dismissed Wang Kui through your hand, just for injuring Wang Shuai, Wang Kui won’t let you go.”

Hearing this, Liu Yi-tiao’s heart grew steady.

Wang Zhihong had served as an official for years and was a scholar; he would never act recklessly. He wouldn’t gamble the peace of his jurisdiction unless he had a plan.

“Uncle Yang, don’t worry. Wang Kui is yesterday’s news; he won’t stir up much trouble now,” Liu Yi-tiao said confidently, smiling. “If he’s smart, he’ll keep his head down for a few days. If he’s foolish enough to come looking for trouble, his days are numbered.”

Twice in one day, Yang Bofang had seen this confident smile on Liu Yi-tiao’s face. The first was when he struck Wang Shuai and accused Wang Kui; what was this second time for?

“Yi-tiao, how do you...”

“Uncle Yang, don’t ask now. When the time comes, you’ll know. For now, it’s pointless to say more. If I were Wang Kui, I’d find a place to lie low. Revenge isn’t as easy as it seems.”

“Oh?” Yang Bofang nodded, sensing something in Liu Yi-tiao’s words.

Liu Yi-tiao poured a cup of wine, placing it before Old Liu. “Father, I was wrong to blame you just now. I apologize; please forgive me!”

Mistakes must be corrected—there was no shame in admitting fault before one’s own father.

Old Liu took the cup and drained it in one gulp. “It’s not your fault; I didn’t explain things clearly. You’re still young and don’t know many things. Later, I’ll have your mother pack your things; tonight, you should go out and hide.”

Liu Yi-tiao replied, “Father, I already said Wang Kui is no longer a threat. If he doesn’t come looking for trouble, so be it. If he dares to come, I guarantee he won’t leave.”

Old Liu was stunned by Liu Yi-tiao’s words. He finally noticed the change in his son. Compared to his previous recklessness, Liu Yi-tiao now possessed a calm steadiness that inspired confidence.

It was just like when he claimed he could cure a cow’s illness—one couldn’t help but believe everything he said.