Chapter Eighty-Four: The Strategy

Although this family was poor, it had always been warm and loving. The old man, Zhou Tie, though somewhat quick-tempered, cared for him deeply. As someone who had crossed over into this world, Zhou Zhi felt fortunate to have landed in such a household. Poverty could be remedied by earning silver; everything could change, so long as the family remained safe. Each member of the household had become Zhou Zhi’s Achilles’ heel. Hearing that his father, Zhou Tie, was in trouble, Zhou Zhi anxiously asked what had happened.

Wang Ren, flustered and worried, finally stammered out the story.

This year, when the government sent people to perform corvée labor, they were led there by officials. But on the return journey, once the officials had brought everyone back within the borders of Qingdu County, they stopped escorting them, as the laborers came from all directions. The officials simply let everyone go their own way home.

Zhou Tie had always been honest and straightforward outside, a man of few words. During the period of corvée labor, however, he had befriended a few people. Among them was a man named Geng Zhong, about thirty years old, who had taken the initiative to approach Zhou Tie, treating him kindly throughout their service. The two became close.

Geng Zhong hailed from Xin Village.

Xin Village lay at the border between Tang County and Qingdu County—a remote place where government control was lax, and it had become a no-man’s land.

When Zhou Tie’s group returned home, they passed through Xin Village. It was late, and Geng Zhong warmly invited Zhou Tie, Wang Ren, and several others to rest at his house and continue their journey the next day.

Because Zhou Tie had gotten along well with Geng Zhong, who seemed honest and upright, he and Wang Ren, along with four others, decided to stay the night at Geng Zhong’s home.

Geng Zhong’s wife, Lady Geng, was just as hospitable. That evening, they dined at Geng Zhong’s house and then settled in for the night.

Although Geng Zhong was a farmer, his life seemed quite comfortable. Dinner included a large pot of stewed meat, which delighted Zhou Tie and Wang Ren, leaving them grateful to Geng Zhong.

But the next morning, Geng Zhong claimed that fifty taels of silver had been stolen overnight and accused Zhou Tie of the theft. He was nothing like the man he had been before—now vicious and cold. He gathered over a dozen men from Xin Village, who proceeded to beat and threaten Zhou Tie, demanding he return the silver.

Yet Zhou Tie would never steal; how could he produce fifty taels of silver? He suffered greatly. Geng Zhong and his men searched Zhou Tie’s body and bedding, but found nothing. Still, they insisted Zhou Tie must have hidden the silver during the night.

So Geng Zhong sent Wang Ren back to inform Zhou’s family, demanding they bring fifty taels of silver to ransom Zhou Tie. A deadline was set: if the money was not delivered by the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Zhou Tie would be handed over to the authorities for punishment.

After hearing Wang Ren’s account, Zhou Zhi was furious.

This was clearly a malicious frame-up, someone was trying to ruin the Zhou family.

Zhou Zhi naturally suspected Chen Wenju or that Taoist Li Shun, but without evidence, he could not draw conclusions. The immediate priority was to rescue his father.

Mother, Lady Zhou, had been busy in the inner room sewing new clothes. Upon hearing the news, she was distraught. “Just as our family’s fortunes started to improve, this happens. How could your father steal someone else’s silver?” she murmured.

Overcome with grief and anger, Lady Zhou was comforted by Zhou Zhi, who managed to calm her somewhat. She looked at him with deep reliance.

In the past, Lady Zhou would not have depended on Zhou Zhi so much, but after all that had happened, she trusted him completely. He had become the backbone of the family.

Wang Ren spoke up as well: “Brother Zhou Tie has been honest all his life. How could he turn thief and steal their silver? They must be framing him.”

Zhou Zhi forced himself to remain calm. “Uncle Wang, please don’t worry. I will handle this matter. I am grateful you rushed here to deliver the news.”

Such a major issue was beyond Wang Ren’s ability to help; he could only sigh helplessly before leaving.

Zhou Zhi sat at the edge of the kang, his eyes narrowed as he pondered his options.

To file a complaint with the authorities? That would not work. There was no evidence to prove Zhou Tie’s innocence, and the officials might very well side with Geng Zhong. After all, Zhou Tie had stayed at Geng Zhong’s house.

If the whole affair was orchestrated by Li Shun and Chen Wenju, going to the authorities was even less advisable. The Chen family had connections at the county office, while Zhou Zhi was but a poor commoner—why would they help him?

If complaining wasn’t an option, should he really bring fifty taels of silver to Geng Zhong? The family’s fortunes had only just begun to improve, and coincidentally they now had exactly fifty taels. It had taken great effort for Zhou Zhi and his sister, Zhou Luyun, to earn that silver—how could they simply hand it over?

How could Zhou Zhi accept such humiliation?

What to do?

He clenched his fists, suddenly standing, his gaze growing cold and steely.

He instructed his mother to take care of the family, then hurried off to Nan Village. Since the adversary played such dirty tricks, civility was pointless. He would first deal with Geng Zhong and his cronies and rescue his father; whatever consequences followed, he’d face them one step at a time.

Ruffians like Liu Hui usually acted at night and slept during the day. Zhou Zhi soon found Liu Hui’s home.

Upon hearing Zhou Zhi’s story, Liu Hui was incensed. “Brother Zhou Zhi, your concerns are mine. I’ve always said, whatever you ask, I will risk everything for you. Just tell me what to do.”

“Gather all your men, arm them well. Tonight, we go to Xin Village,” Zhou Zhi said in a low voice.

“Understood!” Liu Hui replied, excited.

His underling Zhang Dong was at Liu Hui’s house, and Liu Hui immediately instructed him to assemble the crew.

Just from Nan Village, nearly twenty ruffians were gathered. Zhang Dong sent them to recruit from neighboring villages as well. By dusk, Liu Hui’s house was filled with forty or fifty men, including Niu Desheng and Liu Wa.

Both were exhilarated, having the utmost respect for Zhou Zhi. Tonight, it seemed Zhou Zhi was leading them in action—it was as if he was joining their ranks.

With Zhou Zhi, the “cold-faced butcher,” as their leader, they imagined their future would be much improved.

As for the sly Monkey, who had been severely beaten by Zhou Zhi that night, he was absent, his shoulder bone still healing.

Everyone was armed—some with machetes or cleavers, others with long sticks.

Zhang Dong reported to Liu Hui that the men were assembled.

Liu Hui turned to Zhou Zhi with a smile. “Brother Zhou Zhi, behold, these are my brothers. Tonight, all of us—including myself—will follow your orders.”