Chapter Sixty-Five: A Monumental Secret

Feng Xiaobao hurried back, bringing along the Tang siblings, and learned what had happened:

Yang Chengxian and Cheng Boxi had returned to Luoyang, first settling Hong Xiaoshui and Lady Yang at Feng Xiaobao’s small manor outside the city. Each then went home, while among the two military masters, Yang Deyong stayed behind to guard the manor—an arrangement that could not be called anything but cautious.

Yet unexpectedly, in the pre-dawn hours of the following day, a gang of black-clad men stormed the manor, shouting that the bandits of Xindu Mountain were all here. Brandishing torches and weapons, they broke down doors and killed anyone they encountered, mercilessly brutal. The messenger, one of the manor’s guards, was still shaken, recalling the morning’s events with lingering fear.

“They burst in with torches, slaughtering everyone in their path. We guards fought back, but were all slain. If I hadn’t been ordered to watch over their courtyard—Hong Xiaoshui and Lady Yang—I too would have died confronting them!”

“They found their courtyard, and Brother Yang stepped forward to fight, but was beset by several of them. He could not defeat them outright, so he fought wherever he could.”

That was the right tactic—against such fierce, superior foes, Yang Deyong could only keep moving, never allowing himself to be surrounded, for escape would otherwise be impossible.

“So how were the black-clad men dealt with? Did Yang Chengxian lay an ambush, or did someone else come to their rescue?” Feng Xiaobao asked urgently.

“Neither!” the messenger replied, surprising everyone. “It was Madam Hong who acted, driving off all the black-clad intruders.”

“Madam Hong fired stones—fourteen in all—each striking its mark. Not one missed, and the black-clad men fled!”

Hong Xiaoshui?

Feng Xiaobao keenly noticed the title “Madam Hong” used for Hong Xiaoshui. So Yang Chengxian had taken Hong Xiaoshui as his own, making her his second wife!

As the son of a general, he could not take the bandit widow Hong Xiaoshui as his principal wife—she was the second. Previously, Hong Xiaoshui had been captured by Yang Chengxian, who was not yet twenty, while Hong Xiaoshui was past thirty, still possessing a mature allure. Yet Yang Chengxian had not minded; after two nights together, Hong Xiaoshui accepted him—otherwise, she would never have been allowed to reclaim her weapon.

This gang of black-clad men, claiming to be Xindu Mountain bandits, had come under the pretext of rescuing “King Hong.” Yet the one they meant to rescue, “King Hong,” stepped out herself, striking each foe with a stone as swift as lightning, sending them fleeing, their heads cracked, faces bloodied, bones broken and shoulders bruised, utterly defeated!

“Hong Xiaoshui truly is formidable!” Feng Xiaobao exclaimed, recalling her unmatched prowess at Xindu Mountain. If not for his own exceptional alertness, he would never have bested her.

But what had brought the black-clad men here?

To rescue Hong Xiaoshui? No one would believe that—it must have been for Lady Yang. What could Lady Yang have that warranted such trouble? Feng Xiaobao remembered Xuanqing’s words.

“This is fate!” Xuanqing had not accompanied him, staying busy at the manor, but had told Feng Xiaobao: “Your journey to Xindu Mountain was fraught with danger yet blessed, your fortune long-lasting. What you’ve gained so far is but a small prize; greater rewards await, but that greater gain is meant for Heaven—if you claim it, your fortune will turn to disaster!”

He spoke with deep meaning: “Do not covet what you find; keep your sights long and wide.”

Xuanqing’s teacher was Li Chunfeng, a master of the Tang, so his words carried weight. Most fortune-tellers speak in riddles, but Xuanqing, bound in friendship, explained the future with uncommon clarity!

Gaining fame from slaying bandits and acquiring gold—was that only a small prize?

What was the greater gain? Something so grand it must not be claimed, but given to “Heaven”—in Tang, that meant the imperial court. What could it be?

What could it be indeed?

Did Lady Yang carry a secret? What sort of secret would Xuanqing call a “greater gain”?

Feng Xiaobao resolved to find out.

...

The horses galloped toward Feng Xiaobao’s manor outside the city. From afar, they saw a crowd in front of the manor; as they drew nearer, they realized Yang Chengxian was leading a group, confronting the officials at the gate!

Feng Xiaobao and his companions arrived, dismounted, greeted Yang Chengxian, then questioned the officials: “Who are you to surround my home?”

A middle-aged official with a black beard stepped forward, dignified and proper. “Are you Sir Feng? I am Pei Zongchao, Judicial Assistant of Luoyang. This morning your manor was attacked by thieves, with more than ten casualties—a major case! I am charged by the court to oversee justice and cannot ignore this matter!”

Judicial Assistant, also called Judicial Deputy, was the officer responsible for investigating and judging criminal cases.

His words were upright and authoritative. Feng Xiaobao replied, “Oh, first the thieves, then the officials?”

Pei Zongchao’s heart skipped a beat, but he pressed on sternly: “Lives are at stake; I must investigate thoroughly. You’ve arrived just in time—I ask that everyone in your household come to the Luoyang prefecture for questioning, and that you yourself accompany us.”

He continued, “Sir Feng, every household has its rules, every nation its laws. There has been a murder here, and it must be investigated. Moreover, the bandit Hong Xiaoshui is hiding in your manor, her crimes countless. I am here to arrest her and bring her to justice—do not make a mistake.”

He then advised Yang Chengxian: “Young General Yang, you lead men against the authorities—this is serious. Even your father could not escape blame if the court learned of this. Fortunately, you have not committed any grave wrong yet. If you open the way, I can make exceptions and not report this incident.”

Yang Chengxian snorted coldly. “Let me confer with Sir Feng first!”

After the incident at the manor, Yang Chengxian and Cheng Boxi had arrived with their men, sent word to Feng Xiaobao, and waited for his return to discuss matters. But the authorities came swiftly, demanding to seal the manor and examine the scene, and take everyone away under the pretext of investigation.

Yang Chengxian knew Feng Xiaobao’s pharmaceutical factory held a great secret, and the officials’ true target was Lady Yang and her even greater secret—otherwise, why so many moves in succession?

Lu Yingbu had tried to buy Lady Yang; Kang Anda had tried as well; a hundred cavalry attacked en route; then the midnight assault after arrival, and now officials personally intervening!

It was all too alarming!

Yang Chengxian dared not let the officials enter, so he and his men blocked the gate. With two military masters present, the officials dared not act rashly, but this was not a solution; to oppose the authorities was risky.

“Where’s Cheng Boxi?”

“He’s inside!” Yang Chengxian gestured.

“What’s he doing in there?” Feng Xiaobao had barely finished his question when Cheng Boxi emerged from within.

Feng Xiaobao’s sharp gaze swept over him, noticing that though he forced himself to appear calm, his hands trembled and his feet shook, as if in an unusual state.

What had happened to agitate him so?

In full view, Cheng Boxi pulled Feng Xiaobao and Yang Chengxian inside the gate. Once out of sight and earshot, he whispered, “Lady Yang just revealed the secret of that old capital official—a secret as vast as the sky.”

Feng Xiaobao and Cheng Boxi each gripped his arms, urging him to speak quickly. Cheng Boxi drew a deep, labored breath and said, “It’s gold—a vast amount of gold in Laizhou!”