The Red Mansion

Chapter 160 Suzhou Guerrilla
Jia Yucun obtained Wang Zimai's confession but failed to find out Wang Zibin's whereabouts.

He paced back and forth in the dark room, his official boots making a dull thud on the blue brick floor.

After a while, he ordered his men to bring Prince Lang to him.

The jailer brought in a disheveled middle-aged man, who was none other than Prince Zibin's elder brother, Prince Zilang. Upon closer inspection, although Prince Zilang was wearing a brocade robe, it was filthy, his hair was disheveled, and his face was ashen. He was hardly recognizable as a gentleman from a wealthy and powerful family.

When Wang Zilang met Jia Yucun, he did not kneel down, but simply bowed.

Jia Yucun waved his hand to dismiss those around him and said warmly, "Brother, please sit down and let's talk."

After Wang Zilang sat down on the stool, Jia Yucun personally poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him, then lowered his voice and said, "To be honest, I already know that your younger brother is a disciple of the Luo sect."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zilang's expression changed drastically, and he nearly dropped the teacup in his hand.

Jia Yucun shook his head and sighed, looking heartbroken, and said, "Wang Long colluded with the Luo Sect to cause trouble. If your brother's affairs are exposed, I'm afraid the entire Wang family will suffer, especially your branch of the family."

Wang Zilang's face was ashen, and he said in a trembling voice, "Please, Venerable Master Jia, save me!"

Jia Yucun hurriedly said, "Brother, don't be alarmed. Lord Wang has been kind to me, how can I sit idly by and watch the Wang family suffer? Tell me, where is your brother now?"

Wang Zilang hesitated.

Jia Yucun was secretly delighted, realizing that Wang Zilang probably knew Wang Zibin's whereabouts.

Jia Yucun leaned closer and said with unusual friendliness, "Now that things have come to this, only I can help your Wang family. If you don't even tell me about this, how can I find a way to protect you?"

Seeing Jia Yucun's earnestness, Wang Zilang pondered for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh: "My wretched younger brother has taken his family and is hiding in a farm thirty miles east of the city."

Upon hearing this, Jia Yucun's eyes flashed with a sharp light, which he then quickly concealed.

Become!

……

……

Having discovered Wang Zibin's hiding place, Jia Yucun was secretly delighted. He quickly tidied his clothes and rode in a sedan chair straight to the Governor-General's office in Liangjiang. Upon arriving at the gate, it was not long before a yamen runner led him inside.

Jia Yucun entered Chen Bina's signing room and bowed respectfully to Chen Bina, who was sitting at the desk.

Chen Bina put down his pen, looked up and asked, "What brings you here today?"

Jia Yucun, with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and said, "This humble official has important news to report! The Prince Bin of the Wang family is actually a 'Good Talent' in the Luo Sect, and he is currently hiding in the Wang family's estate thirty miles east of the city." After speaking, he explained the identity of the "Good Talent".

Upon hearing this, Chen Bina frowned slightly and pondered, "This matter is of utmost importance. How did you find out?"

Jia Yucun remained calm and replied, "When I saw the Wang family members being detained in the government office, I questioned them briefly. Fortunately, the men of the Wang family were righteous and did not dare to conceal anything, so they confessed."

Chen Bina didn't delve into the details, inwardly sighing, "This Jia Yucun was originally a protégé of Wang Ziteng, and obtained the lucrative position of Prefect of Jiangning through Wang Ziteng's connections. Now that Wang Ziteng has fallen from power, he's quick to change his tune, eager to distance himself from the situation, seize the opportunity to gain merit, and turn against his lord. What a clever fellow! In the turbulent world of officialdom, there's no shortage of people like him." He showed no outward expression, only nodding slightly and saying, "Grandfather Jia's loyalty is commendable; this matter has been handled properly."

Immediately, in front of Jia Yucun, Chen Bina summoned a battalion commander and ordered him to send troops to arrest Wang Zibin and bring him to justice.

……

……

It was late autumn, and the Wang family estate, thirty miles east of the city, was a scene of abundant harvest, with golden waves of rice and maple forests dyed red.

Unexpectedly, the village was in complete chaos today, with people stumbling and running around, and trunks and bundles scattered everywhere.

Wang Zibin had just received news that all the male members of the Wang family in the city had been arrested by the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Chen Bina, leading his troops. He figured that his identity as "Luo Jiaoshan Cai Ren" would most likely be revealed during interrogation.

Prince Bin was directing his wives, concubines, sons, and servants to pack their belongings in preparation for their escape.

He was dressed in a moon-white robe, with a fair face and a light beard, looking like a refined scholar. But at this moment, he had lost his usual composure and was sternly urging his wife: "Take the most valuable gold, silver and valuables with you, and leave behind all those bulky items!" Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and soaked his collar.

His wife clutched her handkerchief, wiping away tears: "I advised you long ago not to associate with the Nara sect, but now..."

Before he could finish speaking, Prince Bin abruptly interrupted him, flicking his sleeve: "Foolish! Why bring this up now!"

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves thundered outside the village. Prince Bin pushed open the carved window and saw that the soldiers, like ants, had surrounded the village like an iron barrel. The bows, crossbows, swords and spears gleamed coldly in the bright autumn sun.

The leading captain, mounted on a green horse, boomed: "By order of the Governor-General of Liangjiang, arrest the sorcerer Prince Bin of the Luo Cult!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Bin's face turned ashen. He staggered backward, knocking over a Ru ware vase on the table, which shattered with a crash. He slumped into his armchair, muttering, "Heaven has forsaken me!"

The wives, concubines, sons, and servants were all in a panic.

The officers and soldiers rushed in and arrested everyone.

Prince Bin was bound hand and foot and taken away from the estate.

Farmers working along the way pointed and whispered among themselves. Some recognized him as Prince Bin of the Wang family, and were so shocked that their mouths dropped open—how could this patriarch of a wealthy family have fallen to such a state?
The autumn wind swirls withered leaves, like a fleeting dream of wealth and glory.
Suddenly, a crow cawed, and flew over the haystack, casting an ominous shadow.

……

……

Wang Ziqi was Wang Xifeng's father, and his wife, Lady Feng, was Wang Xifeng's mother.

Wang Ziqi was the eldest son of the main branch of the Wang family, and the older brother of Wang Ziteng, Madam Wang, Aunt Xue, and Wang Zisheng. He originally lived in Shenjing, but later moved to Jiangning with his wives and concubines.

Since Wang Long colluded with Tan Fengchi and Luo Jiao to create chaos, Wang Ziqi knew that he would not be safe if he continued to stay in Jiangning. Therefore, he moved back to Shenjing with his wives, concubines and servants.

Because all the male members of the Wang family in the capital city had been arrested, after Wang Ziqi arrived in the capital, Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng secretly settled him in a house outside the city.

On this day, under the autumn sun, a carriage drove out of the Rongguo Mansion. Wang Xifeng, wrapped in a cloak, sat next to Ping'er inside the carriage.

The carriage arrived at a secluded house three miles outside the city. The black lacquered door was half-open, and an old woman was looking out from the doorway. When she saw the carriage coming, she quickly stepped in.

Upon entering the courtyard, one sees lush flowers and trees, but due to a long period of neglect, the rose trellis has grown haphazardly, and a osmanthus tree casts a fragmented shadow on the ground.

Upon hearing the news, Madam Feng went to greet her in the corridor. When she saw her daughter, Wang Xifeng, step forward, she grabbed her wrist and tears streamed down her face before she could even speak: "My child! It's so kind of you to come see us at this time."

Wang Xifeng felt her mother's hand was as cold as ice, so she quickly gripped it tightly in return and forced a smile, saying, "Mother, what are you saying? Do you think I'm one of those people who scatter like monkeys when the tree falls?"

The mother and daughter entered the inner room, where Wang Xifeng found her father, Wang Ziqi, sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Wang Xifeng helped Feng Shi to her seat before taking her own. Feng Shi then ordered a maid to pour Wang Xifeng a cup of tea.

Wang Ziqi was over fifty years old, his face was haggard, and there were dark circles under his eyes, indicating that he had not slept well for many days. He waved his hand to dismiss the people around him, not even letting Ping'er stay. When there were only three people left in the room, he lowered his voice and said, "Feng Ge'er, this time our Wang family is probably going to suffer a disaster."

Wang Xifeng's teacup trembled slightly, then she smiled and said, "Father, you are overthinking things. Only that Wang Long from the collateral branch is courting death by colluding with that damned Luo Cult. Apart from him, everyone else in our Wang family is innocent, especially our direct line. Even though Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Wang Xi are currently detained, it should only be temporary, and they will most likely be released."

Wang Ziqi sighed deeply, his sigh carrying a heavy regret: "My son, how could you know..." He swallowed the rest of his words before finally saying, "Besides that wicked Wang Long, your Uncle Bin also has ties with the Luo Sect, and is a 'good man' in the Luo Sect."

Wang Ziqi explained what a virtuous person was, and then continued, "This matter is also my fault. I thought it was just a harmless affair and did not stop it."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng was as if struck by lightning in a clear sky. Her usually sharp and eloquent mouth was speechless for a long time, and she could only feel a buzzing in her ears.

She had thought that the Wang family only had one ignorant Wang Long who colluded with that damned Luo sect, but she never expected that an elder named Wang Zibin would appear and become deeply involved in it.

Wang Xifeng looked up at her parents' haggard faces, her heart burning with anguish. She wrung her handkerchief tightly, her nails digging into her palms, and sighed inwardly, "All these years in the Jia household, I've been adept at pleasing everyone, able to please the old lady and keep those unruly servants in check. Who would have thought my own family would harbor such a source of trouble..."

……

……

According to Jiang Nian's arrangement, Chen Bina, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, was to be responsible for suppressing many Roman Catholic churches.

The day after Jiang Nian led his troops away from Jiangning, on September 14, Chen Bina began cracking down on many Roman churches.

On this day, Chen Bina's officers and soldiers raided and shut down a Roman Catholic church located at the Jiangning Wharf.

At Jiangning Wharf, there stands a dilapidated little temple with peeling walls and a crooked plaque; its name is simply Wharf Temple. This Wharf Temple was a meeting place for the Luo sect, and its backyard led to the wharf.

In the morning, in front of the temple gate at the dock, several early-rising fishermen were tidying up their fishing nets when suddenly the temple gate creaked open a crack, and a lame man peeked out. It was none other than Gu the Lame.

Gu the Cripple, in his forties, used to be a cripple. Last year, he planned to earn 1,600 taels of silver from Xiangling, but under Wang Dian's coercion, he only sold her for 400 taels.

After selling Xiangling, Gu the Cripple joined the Luo Cult by chance. With his cleverness and by bribing Hu Baishun, an old official of the dock temple society, he became a minor manager of the dock temple society.

At this moment, seeing that the area in front of the temple was calm, Gu the Cripple limped over to the backyard and opened the gate.

Soon, the believers filed in.

Gu the Cripple led dozens of believers into the back hall.

Inside the hall sat the old official Hu Baishun. He was nearly fifty years old, with a fat head and big ears. He wore a brown robe that was neither new nor old, but a heavy brocade pouch hung at his waist—it was full of the "offerings" from the believers.

The "old official" refers to the person in charge of the performances, also known as the "vegetable head".

In the center of the back hall, there is a statue of Luo Zu, and the "Five Books and Six Volumes of Sutras" are neatly arranged on the offering table.

Hu Baishun sat on the armchair with his belly protruding, looking just like a Maitreya Buddha. The elbows of his brown robe were worn smooth, and the brocade pouch hanging at his waist jingled with the slightest movement.

Once everyone was present, Hu Baishun cleared his throat and said, "The usual rules..." He had only said three words when he let out a burp—he had eaten too much this morning. He continued, "Let's first pay homage to our ancestor."

Gu the Cripple hurriedly limped forward to help him up, and Hu Baishun stood up with his help, leading the crowd to light incense. Amidst the swirling smoke, the believers knelt and worshipped before the statue of Luo Zu like pounding garlic.

Suddenly a commotion was heard outside the temple, startling the sparrows under the eaves into a flurry of activity.

Gu the Cripple, with his sharp ears, immediately changed his expression. His lame leg was three times faster than others. He darted to the back window and peeked out through a crack—and what he saw made him instantly lose his mind!

But a large number of soldiers had already surrounded the small temple, their bows, crossbows, swords, and spears gleaming coldly.

A military officer shouted, "By order of the Governor-General of Liangjiang, raid the cult's lair! No one inside is to escape!"

Gu the Cripple felt as if his soul had left his body, and cried out in alarm, "Disaster!"

Hu Baishun was so frightened that the fat on his face twitched.

The believers immediately erupted in chaos. Some were so frightened that their legs went weak, while others panicked and tried to crawl under the altar.

Although Gu the Cripple was lame, he was as agile as a monkey at this moment. He darted and jumped to the back wall, climbed over the wall, but was captured by the soldiers guarding the outside.

"Kneel down!" A soldier kicked Gu the Cripple to the ground.

Meanwhile, in the back hall, Hu Baishun was being held down on the offering table by two burly soldiers. His fat face was pressed against the lotus seat of the portrait of Luo Zu, and silver coins clattered all over the floor from his brocade pouch. He trembled and said, "Sir, spare my life! I was just... just reciting scriptures..."

"Preaching the scriptures?" Qian Zong sneered, pointing to the "Five Books and Six Volumes of Scriptures" on the altar. "Preaching such heretical and misleading scriptures?"

……

……

Jiang Nian personally led He Yun, two personal guards, and forty elite cavalrymen straight to Suzhou.

Even though we're rushing to get somewhere, we still need to take appropriate breaks along the way.

It took four days, until the afternoon of September 17th, for Jiang Nian and her group to finally arrive in Suzhou.

Upon arriving in Suzhou, Jiang Nian went directly to find Shi Xiao, the guerrilla commander guarding the city.

Shi Xiao was having tea in the signing room when he suddenly heard that the imperial envoy had arrived with dozens of elite cavalry. Because he was guilty, he was startled at first, but then he straightened his military uniform and rushed out of the gate to greet him. He saw that although the imperial envoy Jiang Nian was covered in dust, his eyes were frighteningly bright.

After exchanging greetings, Shi Xiao led Jiang Nian into the hall.

Jiang Nian didn't even drink tea, and went straight to proposing to mobilize troops to suppress the Luo Sect.

Upon hearing this, Shi Xiao's heart skipped a beat, but he showed no sign of it on his face: "This subordinate will immediately mobilize elite troops!"

It is worth mentioning that Shi Xiao has a legitimate son named Shi Shao, who was Jing Qing's former sweetheart.

Jiang Nian was unaware that Shi Xiao was actually a disciple of Yao Jisheng, the leader of the Luo Sect.

Shi Xiao hurried to the signing room, took out a slip of paper, wrote "Move quickly," handed it to a trusted servant, and whispered, "Send it to Yunyan Temple in Tiger Hill immediately and give it to the Master!"

The servant obeyed the order and left, leading a fast horse and galloping straight towards Tiger Hill.

Shi Xiao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Although he was Yao Jisheng's disciple, he dared not openly disobey the orders of the Imperial Envoy and the Governor-General of Liangjiang. He could only hope that Yao Jisheng could be transferred in time.

(End of this chapter)