Chapter 348: Countermeasures
Chapter 348: Chapter 348: Countermeasures
Everything was prepared quite well, but unfortunately, the heavens didn’t cooperate. On this night, the sky began to drizzle, and the rain kept getting heavier.
Trapped inside the house, Xu Zitian sighed with relief. Wu Xingshun patted his chest, "It’s raining, so maybe we can save our necks this time, right?"
Zhang County and the others couldn’t leave. They were forced to stay in the house to protect themselves.
Fortunately, Xu Zitian and his companion were not ones for indulgence. They didn’t like living in the county government office because it would appear to blur the lines between public and private. So they bought a small courtyard with just six rooms, a well, and a small garden.
It was just enough for the two of them and their attendants.
When they came in, they figured out a way to send out a message, but they didn’t know if they’d get any help.
Now trapped here, they couldn’t get out, and no one could get in. They had enough food to last a few more days, but they feared the other party would get desperate and reckless.
They guessed the opponents would eventually use fire to attack. This rain had likely saved them this time.
"I’m afraid not," Xu Zitian said. Although he had only dealt with the Third Prince once, letters from his master and senior brothers mentioned that the Third Prince wasn’t a good guy, just better at pretending than the other princes.
Having only just met, not only did he want their position, but he likely wanted to control this side of Lingnan as well.
Such ambition, should he succeed in his scheming, would probably cause unrest throughout the realm.
If royal power cannot transition smoothly, it would spell disaster for the nation.
"Our food can last for a few more days, but I fear our rescue won’t make it by then."
Wu Xingshun looked bitter. "Got duped into coming here by you, and now we’re really in this together, life or death. How about we swear brotherhood first?"
Xu Zitian appeared puzzled. "What’s gotten into you?"
"A pact to die on the same day. Since we’re all going to die, let’s make a blood oath so when we reach the underworld, at least we’ll have company."
Xu Zitian aimed a kick at him, but it was too weak, and he nearly stumbled, saved by a guard’s hand supporting him.
Wu Xingshun doubled over with laughter, clutching his belly. "With your feeble frame, you’re trying to kick me? Careful you don’t throw out your back. We can’t exactly call a doctor right now."
"Ah Da, grab him."
"How can you be so despicable? Ah Da, don’t listen to him. I’ll buy you a roast chicken later."
Before he finished speaking, he was already in Ah Da’s clutches. "You don’t want roast chicken?"
Xu Zitian thumped him on the backside with his foot, letting out a breath, then said, "Don’t think a single roast chicken can bribe Ah Da. So stingy, and you still think you can get away with it."
Ah Da, holding his arm, nodded along. "Mr. Wu, you’ve really become stingier."
Wu Xingshun wriggled free, covering his rump, his face puffed with indignation at them. "It’s not that I’m stingy; I’m truly broke..."
"Alright, enough chatter," Xu Zitian looked at the rain outside, "we need to stay alert overnight."
During the day, they wouldn’t dare make a move, considering wealthy families surrounded them, and some had private guards. Any commotion would have them checking things out.
Even if they wanted to silence them, they’d do it covertly.
"I hope my senior brothers get the message soon. Even if we lose our lives here, the Third Prince shouldn’t gain anything out of it."
Despite saying this, both men knew clearly in their hearts that the Third Prince wouldn’t let them leave Zhang County, nor would he let them walk out of this little courtyard. The past few days had already exhausted their patience.
In a small courtyard in the county town, Chen Dafu finally met the person he had been waiting for late into the night.
"Mr. Chen," the visitor, Yao Zhengshu, asked respectfully, "You summoned me so urgently. Is there something important?"
Seeing him, Chen Dafu immediately stood up, "Mr. Yao, you’re finally here."
"The situation’s urgent. How many people can we dispatch from our side?"
"My men are already assisting the Third Prince in clearing the bandits, leaving only four or five able hands temporarily," Yao Zhengshu explained to Chen Dafu in case he wasn’t aware. "This time, His Majesty sent the Third Prince to handle the bandit situation. Our people have been assisting discreetly along the way."
"The Third Prince again," hearing there were so few people, Chen Dafu felt a headache coming on.
"Is there something amiss?" Both of them were aware that the princes had already started competing with each other.
Chen Dafu briefly recounted the current situation in the county. Yao Zhengshu found it incredulous, "The Third Prince would be this reckless?"
He’s just a prince without a title and dares to act so boldly?
"Why wouldn’t he dare? Don’t forget what his mission is this time."
"Bandit suppression," Yao Zhengshu’s face changed after finishing the statement. "Right, then just frame County Magistrate Xu with a random crime, and it’s all justified.
Lingnan, His Majesty has already decided to pacify this area and will soon send troops to guard it. Such a big piece of the pie, do you think the Third Prince doesn’t want a bite?"
Yao Zhengshu fell silent. It wasn’t just the Third Prince; even he had secretly bought a couple of estates in this area.
"But he’s still a prince," Yao Zhengshu wavered, "We..."
Chen Dafu didn’t give him a chance to speak further, instead he said directly, "Xu Zitian is a disciple of Grand Tutor Lu."
Yao Zhengshu’s eyes immediately cleared. "So he’s a top disciple of Grand Tutor Lu. I’ll gather some people to surround the small courtyard right away."
Grand Tutor Lu had been a benefactor to him. Without Grand Tutor Lu’s fair judgment back then, his family might have been exiled to who knows where.
"Don’t be hasty," Chen Dafu certainly couldn’t let him be so rash. "Try to withdraw your forces, leaving a few outside the courtyard. If anyone makes a move, assist them secretly.
Additionally, find a way to report the situation to the top."
"Should we inform Grand Tutor Lu?" Yao Zhengshu felt it was better for Grand Tutor Lu to handle this. No matter how you look at it, they’re still father and son; what if favoritism occurs?
These situations weren’t unheard of. If it happened, Grand Tutor Lu’s top disciple might end up taking the fall.
"You mustn’t act rashly on this matter, and refrain from dragging Grand Tutor Lu into it.
I’ll find a way to spread some rumors in the county so they wouldn’t dare to act impulsively.
The Third Prince doesn’t have the authority to dismiss court officials, but since he’s still acting, he’s undoubtedly well-prepared.
This is beyond our control; it’s for the Emperor to decide."
The Third Prince was granted certain privileges to handle affairs, but he still needed evidence. Fear loomed that he would fabricate some charges, and when that time comes, even if Xu Zitian had the biggest grievances in the world, there wouldn’t be an outlet for redress.
"Truly despicable," Yao Zhengshu trusted the integrity of Grand Tutor Lu. His disciples might have weaknesses in other areas, but in handling political affairs, they were straightforward.
"Mr. Chen, I’ll personally stand guard outside the courtyard," Yao Zhengshu declared, laced with anger. "I want to see how this Third Prince intends to frame a loyal official."