Chapter 70: The Struggle Between Wang and Lu

Physician Du finally felt a surge of clarity, having sorted through the causes and effects in his mind, quietly weighing how best to respond to the unfolding events. Luo Gan, however, was still lost in confusion, understanding only the broad strokes, and suddenly realized there were still key questions he hadn’t grasped.

“Physician, you mentioned the struggle between Prefect Lu and Magistrate Wang earlier—could it be that my men and Attendant Liu fell into misfortune because of this?”

Physician Du analyzed, “Given the circumstances, such speculation is not unfounded. Magistrate Wang is irascible, and Prefect Lu is greedy. The two are well-matched in their depravity. If they are at odds, it can only be because both covet the same treasure—a treasure of which there is only one.”

Luo Gan let out a heavy sigh. Clearly, the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined. He had thought that simply finding a suitable place for the Winter Flower and resolving Anping County’s snow crisis would suffice. Now, entangled in a power struggle, he found himself sinking deeper into the mire.

“I’d heard that Constable Zhang and Magistrate Wang have long been at odds, and he was dispatched to act as a gatekeeper at the Sima estate. In hindsight, it seems likely that Prefect Lu orchestrated this from behind the scenes.”

At this, Luo Gan felt a wave of relief. Ironically, the rivalry between Prefect Lu and Magistrate Wang had inadvertently helped clear him and his companions of suspicion. Yet this raised another question.

“So if Prefect Lu was behind this, then Constable Zhang was used as a pawn.”

“There are indeed rumors that Constable Zhang and Prefect Lu are quite close, which could prove detrimental to Magistrate Wang.”

To think Constable Zhang was entangled in such relationships! Luo Gan shook his head. It seemed Liu Buwen had underestimated the complexity of Constable Zhang’s situation. Their plan to use him had backfired, with Prefect Lu turning the tables. The matter was becoming clearer.

“I see. Constable Zhang… secretly leaked information to Prefect Lu.”

Physician Du picked up a string of bodhi beads from the table, turning them thoughtfully in his hand.

“But one thing confuses me: if Constable Zhang was in Prefect Lu’s pocket, why were it Li Bufan and Magistrate Wang’s men who raided the Sima residence? And why did Constable Zhang himself vanish? The sequence of events seems contradictory.”

Luo Gan pondered carefully. From what was known, Zhang Jifeng belonged to a local powerful family. Wang Gemao’s intent to eliminate him was not without reason—their interests clashed. The constable who’d reported Wang Gemao for hiding the divine tortoise in Zhang Jifeng’s house had been promoted, while Constable Zhang’s position in the yamen became precarious, reduced to a doorkeeper—neither here nor there.

If he wanted to restore his status by informing on Luo Gan, it would not have been a wise choice. Wang Gemao would only continue to make things difficult for him, so siding with Prefect Lu was the better option. Logically, if he betrayed them, it should have been Prefect Lu’s men who came, not Li Bufan and his ruffians. Could it be that Constable Zhang, too, had been set up?

“Damn!” Luo Gan clapped his hand, realizing something was amiss. Physician Du quickly inquired.

“If Attendant Liu was seized by Prefect Lu, it must be that Constable Zhang betrayed the whereabouts of the Winter Flower, using it as leverage.”

Physician Du sighed deeply. “No wonder there’s a bounty on your head. The rivalry between Wang and Lu, it seems, all centers around you.”

Luo Gan felt a surge of sorrow as well. “Not only that, but it seems the misfortunes befalling everyone originate with me.”

“And the Winter Flower, is it real?”

“It is,” Luo Gan admitted. At this stage, there was little point in concealment. Since he was a wanted man, hiding in Physician Du’s residence, if he were to be given up, it would have happened already.

“Hmm… On one side, Magistrate Wang is hunting your companions; on the other, Prefect Lu holds Attendant Liu captive. A single misstep could lead to disaster with unimaginable consequences.”

The lamplight flickered across Luo Gan’s troubled face as Physician Du scrutinized him, trying to gauge what choice this young man before him would ultimately make.

In his heart, Physician Du was already weighing his options, his mental abacus clattering away. If Luo Gan chose to save his brothers at the expense of the Liu family, then come morning, Physician Du would have to report him to the authorities to ensure the safety of the Lius and his own innocence. If, instead, Luo Gan chose to throw himself on Prefect Lu’s mercy, it would only show a lack of wisdom—perhaps even ulterior motives towards the Liu family, revealing him as heartless and untrustworthy.

“In this case, I will need your assistance, Physician Du.”

“Oh?” Physician Du’s internal calculations paused—the young man had arrived at an answer more swiftly than expected.

“I have considered the matter. With the rivalry between Wang and Lu, we cannot act rashly. If you, Physician Du, were to intercede with Prefect Lu, it would do little good; you would likely be suspected of shielding an old friend and risk being detained yourself. As for me, I am wanted throughout the city. Everyone knows of the Winter Flower, but no one realizes it is the key to ending Anping County’s plight. I believe now is not the time to make this public.”

Physician Du narrowed his eyes, as if trying to see through Luo Gan. “You fear that if they think you are refusing to hand it over, their embarrassment will turn into violence?”

“Precisely! So, I hope you will go to Magistrate Wang. As long as you spread the word that I, Luo Gan, let slip my whereabouts and have already been secretly captured by Prefect Lu, and that the Winter Flower is hidden away and likely to fall into Prefect Lu’s hands any day—”

“In that case, your guild brothers would become useless.”

“Not just useless—Wang Gemao would be furious. Then, you, Physician Du, could take the opportunity to advise him: let my brothers go to Prefect Lu, loudly proclaim that the Winter Flower is in Magistrate Wang’s possession, and, when the moment is right, help me escape, drawing Prefect Lu’s men into a scramble for the flower.”

Physician Du was astonished and immediately asked, “And what of Brother Liu?”

“I will go to Prefect Lu myself. For a wanted man to stride openly into his presence is bound to startle them. Then I will candidly inform them that the Winter Flower is already in Magistrate Wang’s hands and has nothing to do with Brother Liu. I will nominate my guild brothers to lead the way on condition that the Liu father and son are released. This will draw Prefect Lu’s men to attack Magistrate Wang’s yamen, setting them against each other.”

“Hmph. Prefect Lu aside, you say your guild brothers will lead the way for Magistrate Wang, but I see many holes in this plan.”

“Please, Physician, point them out.”

“If I were Wang Gemao, knowing how many of your brothers there are, I would send only one or two as guides and hold the rest as hostages. What then? Would you still dare make such a move?”

Luo Gan remained calm, responding almost without hesitation, “Where there is policy, there is countermeasure. I have already considered this. Among the constables promoted by Wang Gemao, there is a greedy man named Li Bufan. Such officials are loathsome, but a little silver opens many doors. We can bribe him to quietly set our people free.”

“Then why not have Li Bufan release them from the start?”

“Heh, that would be too obvious. If there is a conflict between both sides, Li Bufan can take advantage of the chaos to free our men unnoticed—we reap the rewards without exposing ourselves.”

Physician Du had lost all interest in his tea, instead listening intently to Luo Gan’s plan, his eyes gleaming. “Brilliant! How confident are you that they will fall for it?”

“That depends on how convincing our lies are!”

It was strange—Luo Gan had always relied on small tricks, never imagining he would be forced into such a desperate situation. He truly had little experience in schemes, but if he wanted to save everyone, he had no choice but to use unorthodox means.

This young man’s analysis stirred something in Physician Du. Clearly, Luo Gan was not without wit. By playing both sides, exploiting the conflicting interests of Magistrate Wang and Prefect Lu, he sought to rescue his companions.