Chapter 72: Your Brother Truly Wasn't Lost by Me

Page 1 of 3

After leaving Old Hu’s house, Luo Gan found the morning market already in full swing. The marketplace was dazzling, and whether it was vegetable vendors or peddlers of sundries, all threw him knowing glances, as if he were sworn brothers with them, or close kin. With his mind in turmoil, Luo Gan found nothing pleasing to the eye and avoided people wherever he could. He suddenly remembered he was still a wanted man, pitiful and hunted, and so he covered his mouth to appear even less conspicuous.

In the distance, the constable with a stalk of wheat in his mouth strolled toward him—that was none other than Li Buer. From a mere gatekeeper at the city gates, Li Buer had climbed his way into a minor position at the yamen, and by now fancied himself half a living deity.

What business was there to keep anyone busy in Anping County under the control of Wang Gemao? Everyone was on edge; just the sight of the yamen made people lose heart and dare not enter. Naturally, whenever Li Buer appeared, folks were careful to follow the rules. Living off the public coffers, it wouldn’t do to be too ostentatious. So, Li Buer always took a few underlings to patrol the area—he’d go out hungry and return with a full belly.

Having been extorted more than once, Luo Gan wanted nothing to do with Li Buer. The man was sly and treacherous, never up to any good, and running into him always meant bad luck.

The market road wasn’t particularly wide, so Luo Gan stepped aside to avoid a head-on encounter. Li Buer’s eyes flicked toward a nearby bun shop. The shopkeeper, head bowed, hurriedly presented several hot buns in both hands, not daring to look up.

“Oh? Hot, are they? Our buns have gotten efficient!” Li Buer sneered.

“Of course, Master Li! How could I let you eat cold ones?” the shopkeeper replied obsequiously.

Li Buer didn’t even glance at the buns. With a gesture, two of his underlings stepped forward.

“There’s not a shred of meat in these. Even my lord’s dog eats better,” Li Buer said arrogantly, feigning disdain. Yet as he took a bite, a look of satisfaction crept across his face.

The shopkeeper hesitated, perplexed. “Strange, I saw the magistrate yesterday, and he didn’t have a dog…”

Li Buer, in a fit of mock anger, tossed half a bun onto the stall. “No dog, huh? Then no one’s eating your dog-food buns. You call them buns, but is that all you serve?”

The shopkeeper, flustered, quickly packed some meat buns and handed them over. Li Buer dismissed him with a wave, letting his lackeys take the food. Luo Gan watched the whole scene carefully.

After Li Buer and his men left, the shopkeeper sighed, but, noticing the furtive glances of the other vendors, dared not vent his frustration too loudly.

Luo Gan thought for a moment, then approached the shopkeeper. “Shopkeeper, I’ll have a few buns.”

The shopkeeper looked dejected, regret clear on his face. “There are no hot buns left, sir. You’ll have to wait.”

Luo Gan pointed to the buns Li Buer had just discarded. “No matter, I’ll take those.”

The shopkeeper stared at him in surprise. “Are you serious? Those just got thrown away. I can’t sell them.”

Luo Gan laughed. As the saying goes, no business is without a little cunning, but honest tradesmen are rare indeed.

Page 2 of 3

“You’re quite a character. Who insists on taking dirty buns and yet can’t buy them?”

The shopkeeper turned away. “My parents always taught me, never harm others.”

“In that case, I want them all the more. Honesty like yours is worth more than gold. I don’t buy buns, I make friends.”

The shopkeeper, seeing Luo Gan didn’t seem like a bad man and was even willing to comfort him in his time of trouble, broke into hearty laughter. He wanted to give the buns to Luo Gan for free, but Luo Gan insisted on paying. Back and forth they argued, until at last the shopkeeper added a meat bun to the package, balancing the scales for both. Both were pleased.

In truth, Luo Gan wasn’t really after the buns. Now that he was wanted all over the city and his friends and family in dire straits, he realized how helpless he was. Winning people’s hearts was essential; even when slandered, a good name could spread. Advancement required public goodwill. Deeds of kindness, repeated often enough, would soon see good rumors travel far.

Lost in pleasant fantasies of his own virtue, Luo Gan strolled toward the residence of Prefect Lu. Suddenly, a strong hand gripped him, shaking him rudely from his reverie.

“Where’s my brother? Where’s Xiaozhi?”

The voice spelled trouble, and sure enough, Han Chong and Bamboo Zhang, two burly men, stood before him, their imposing figures making it hard for Luo Gan to breathe.

His mind raced. He’d rehearsed many explanations for Han Chong and Bamboo Zhang, but now, faced with them, his mind went blank.

“Xiaozhi may have been caught up in a misunderstanding. I was just about to try and find a solution.”

“A misunderstanding? Is it a crime or a false charge? How can you explain it alone?” Bamboo Zhang demanded, his presence menacing as he pressed Luo Gan for answers about Xiaozhi’s whereabouts.

Han Chong’s gaze bore into Luo Gan, waiting for his reply.

Luo Gan felt deeply awkward. “It’s a false charge, I assure you. Your brother Xiaozhi isn’t missing because of me. He’s done nothing wrong. His arrest was pure misfortune.”

Han Chong said, “Brother Luo, you’re not a villain, but is my brother in danger?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? And you’re still here, safe and sound?” Bamboo Zhang feigned outrage, seizing the chance to intimidate Luo Gan.

Direct by nature, Bamboo Zhang’s impulse could actually work in Luo Gan’s favor. If they beat him, at least things would be out in the open. But if anger boiled over, Han Chong would side with Luo Gan, and no matter how frustrated he was, he couldn’t harm him. Bamboo Zhang’s rashness would only embarrass Luo Gan, which wouldn’t be understood.

“Believe me, justice cannot be undone. I am about to try to rescue them.”

Luo Gan uttered the word “rescue.” Bamboo Zhang could not be relied on, but Han Chong was worth winning over. Since he was already a wanted man, if his whereabouts were discovered, all would be lost. It was better to try to draw Han Chong and Bamboo Zhang into his plan.

Sure enough, the two questioned him further. Luo Gan hinted that this was not the place to talk and led them to a quieter spot.

“We are caught up in matters not of our own making, but in the conflict between Magistrate Wang and Prefect Lu.”

Page 3 of 3

Han Chong pondered this, while Bamboo Zhang searched for an opening to attack.

“They suspect we obtained treasure from the Sima estate and tried to take it for themselves. When they found Xiaozhi and the others empty-handed, they thought I’d hidden it and fled. That’s why there’s a citywide manhunt…” Luo Gan spoke with a face full of misery, as if suffering an injustice as grave as snow falling in June. “Worse still, my old friend Liu’s family has all been arrested by Prefect Lu, dragged into this mess.”

Bamboo Zhang asked, “What kind of treasure?”

Han Chong was baffled. “Isn’t it more important to go together to Magistrate Wang and clear up this misunderstanding? Xiaozhi is in his hands.”

Bamboo Zhang dared not press further, feeling his question was ill-timed.

“Clear up the misunderstanding? If only it were that simple.”

Bamboo Zhang sneered, “Who’d believe a wanted man like you would walk right into the trap?”

Luo Gan shook his head. “No, this is a struggle for power. Going to them won’t solve anything—it would only put us and them in greater danger.”

Both Bamboo Zhang and Han Chong were perplexed, but Luo Gan continued.

“Think about it—Magistrate Wang believes I hid the treasure, but there is no treasure. With his temperament, he’ll want us dead or alive. He’d never believe our words, and would not only arrest us but likely torture us as well.”

“Then what do you suggest? Enough rambling—get to the point!” Bamboo Zhang impatiently slapped his palm, urging Luo Gan to speak plainly.

“My thought is, we should seek out Prefect Lu. The bounty was issued by Magistrate Wang, and since the two are at odds, it’s safer to go to Lu for now. If we can ensure Liu’s family’s safety and have their old friend, Physician Du, persuade Magistrate Wang, we might stand a chance.”

Bamboo Zhang shook his head, unconvinced. Han Chong said nothing but was deep in thought.

Han Chong finally asked, “Are you confident?”

“I can’t say I’m certain, but it’s better than waiting for doom.”

Han Chong exchanged a glance with Bamboo Zhang.

“Very well! In that case, let me go with this Physician Du, and you and Bamboo Zhang go to Prefect Lu together.”

This turn of events surprised Luo Gan, but faced with their reasonable requests, he could not refuse.