Chapter Twelve: What We Feared Has Happened

There exists a type of person in reality who cannot bear to see others surpass him. Whenever someone is better than him, he will stop at nothing to slander them, even if the person is a close friend or relative. We often call such people petty villains.

Lu Qian was undoubtedly the vilest among them. Though he usually addressed Lin Chong as a brother and acted friendly, he was secretly consumed by envy for Lin Chong’s talents and character. Now, at last, he had the chance to trample Lin Chong underfoot.

Yet, one must admit, there are times when even a petty villain serves a purpose. For instance, this time, both Gao Qiu and his trusted adviser Wu Zidao had already decided that Prince Yi was responsible for harming Gao Kan. With sufficient evidence, Gao Qiu planned to personally accuse him before Emperor Huizong.

However, driven by jealousy, Lu Qian forcibly pinned the blame on Lin Chong instead.

“Your Excellency, please consider: Prince Yi, an imperial son raised in luxury, would hardly stoop so low as to associate with those ruffians and scoundrels. Even if he did have dealings with them, he holds no grudge against you or your son—why would he strike so ruthlessly? I doubt Prince Yi possesses such strength!”

To be fair, Lu Qian’s accusations were not entirely without logic. But Gao Qiu and Wu Zidao were no fools.

“Lin Chong has no enmity with me either, and I have treated him well. Why would he harm my son so cruelly?”

Lu Qian, intent on framing Lin Chong, had prepared his arguments meticulously for any question Gao Qiu might raise.

“Your Excellency, you are too kind. I often interact with Lin Chong and have long noticed his dissatisfaction with your Excellency. He frequently complains that you are jealous of the capable, that many less talented people have been promoted to high positions while he remains a mere instructor. I have advised him to be magnanimous and cautious in speech, but who could have guessed he would harbor such malice, ultimately injuring your son. If I am guilty of knowing and not reporting, please punish me accordingly.”

With these words, Lu Qian bowed deeply.

Wu Zidao, stroking his goatee, frowned as if wanting to speak, but ultimately swallowed his words.

Nevertheless, Gao Qiu turned to him and asked, “What do you think, Master Wu?”

Wu Zidao carefully chose his words, saying, “So far, we cannot say Prince Yi is entirely uninvolved, but it is clear this Lin fellow is disloyal. Furthermore, detaining Lin Chong could also serve to test Prince Yi’s reaction.”

Gao Qiu nodded, pondering silently for a long while before finally declaring, “Summon Lin Chong to the White Tiger Hall tomorrow. I want to see for myself what sort of creature he truly is.”

Some matters are like this: you believe you have changed something, but after circling round and round, you find yourself back at the beginning. Yet, has nothing really changed?

Aside from his own Prince Yi residence, Zhao Yu also had a villa in the southern part of the city, which had now become the headquarters of the notorious bandit, Young Yu.

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Eliminating Bucktooth Chun was no great feat; the real skill lay in compelling the Kaifeng Prefecture to swiftly retract the posted wanted notices. On the new notices, Young Yu’s name was even erased. What did this signify?

Those who thrive in the underworld of the capital possess senses keener than any hound.

The erratic actions of the Kaifeng Prefecture and the forbearance of High Excellency Gao immediately led all denizens of the underworld to suspect that Young Yu was no ordinary figure.

Thus, in the shortest possible time, Young Yu’s reputation spread across both the criminal and upright circles in the capital.

Since Zhao Yu had achieved the effect he desired, he certainly would not stop there. The time had come to reap the rewards.

A few days later, beginning in the south of the city, Zhao Yu’s men, flying Young Yu’s banner, began openly taking over casinos and brothels, one after another. This takeover did not mean claiming the establishments outright, but, as in modern times, each business would pay protection fees according to its revenue.

What’s that? You refuse? Think again—are you stronger than Young Master Gao? If you don’t pay, don’t blame us when you’re forced out of business. Do you take Young Yu for a pushover?

A blend of soft and hard tactics quickly convinced any dissenters to obediently hand over their silver.

Moreover, some gang members even came forward to pledge allegiance, seeking to call him boss and gain his patronage.

Fortunately, Zhao Yu was no naive youth, unmoved by surface appearances. He accepted the silver, but ordered all unruly gang members to get lost.

Yet as his enterprise expanded, recruiting manpower became necessary.

These miscellaneous affairs were handled by Fat Tiger, Song Zhong, and the others, while Zhao Yu remained at the helm behind the scenes.

Busy days passed swiftly; while things bustled at the villa, Zhao Yu himself was not idle.

Last time, he had arranged to drink with Li Yan, but the incident with the Khitan girl had caused him to break the appointment, leaving Li Yan sulking like a scorned woman.

Zhao Yu felt quite wronged. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to beat Li Yan; he simply hadn’t had the chance. Don’t worry, soon I’ll give you another opportunity to get smacked...

Just as the invitations were sent out, Lu Zhishen came looking for him. The trouble Zhao Yu had feared had finally come to pass.

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Three days after Zhao Yu had invited Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong to drink, Gao Qiu, citing Lin Chong’s breach of military discipline, had him flogged forty times and thrown into prison. The final sentence had yet to be announced, but exile with a tattoo was inevitable.

After hearing Lu Zhishen recount the events, Zhao Yu frowned deeply.

From every perspective, Lin Chong had to be saved; the question was how to do so.

Zhao Yu knew from the stories: with Lin Chong’s abilities, or with Lu Zhishen’s intervention, Lin Chong had countless chances to escape, yet he always obediently submitted to others’ manipulations. Clearly, he was no ordinary loyalist.

He waved everyone else away, and with a grave expression said, “If I’m not mistaken, Gao Qiu is targeting me—second brother is merely suffering on my behalf.”

“Father favors Gao Qiu; he won’t release Lin Chong just because I plead. So the best way to save him is to intercept him en route. By the way, is there any trouble with second sister-in-law?”

Lu Zhishen was no fool; he knew Zhao Yu spoke the truth and nodded. “Sister-in-law wanted to go to the camp to seek justice, but I persuaded her to stay home. She should be safe for now. Also, could you visit Lin Chong in prison?”

This was a request that could not be refused; otherwise Zhao Yu’s efforts to befriend Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong would be wasted.

He nodded, “Don’t worry, big brother, I’ll arrange it and go soon.”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “Could you persuade second sister-in-law to move to my residence for now, just in case someone tries to harm her?”

Though Young Master Gao was crippled, who could guarantee there weren’t other villains? Lu Qian, for one, was unreliable.

To win Lin Chong’s wholehearted loyalty, Zhao Yu had to do more.

After seeing Lu Zhishen off, Zhao Yu did not immediately head to the military prison. Instead, he sat in his chair, deep in thought.

He knew that if he acted too rashly, Gao Qiu might seize upon his actions as leverage against him. Yet Lin Chong must be rescued; intercepting him en route was a last resort. But how could he ensure Lin Chong’s safe release?...

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