Chapter 8, Murder
Zhao Kuo, you are to keep watch here and ensure that Zhao Wuji does not escape. However, you are absolutely forbidden from administering any private punishment or beating, as it would harm my father's reputation. Otherwise, do not blame the Han family for being iron-faced and impartial, as we will bind you all and send you to the authorities for punishment
Han Qian also could not understand how Fan Wucheng had colluded with Yao Xishui and the Late Red Mansion, but it was certain that it was because he had deliberately mentioned wanting to recruit the Zhao family father and son last night that Fan Wucheng fell into the trap, urgently wanting to drive this family out of the farm.
Han Qian observed the arrow wounds of the two family soldiers, both located in the same position on their thighs. He realized that after Zhao Wuji killed Fan Wucheng, he did not intend to carry out a massacre. However, it was somewhat surprising to him that Zhao Kuo remained unscathed under Zhao Wuji's arrows
I now want to ask you, Fan Xicheng, whether Fan Wucheng's armed intrusion, forceful seizure of prey, and expulsion of tenants were your instructions, and whether you are intent on turning my Han family's Qiu Lake Mountain villa into your Fan family's property
Fan Dahei, being mindful of Han Qian's status, did not dare to cast him aside and retreated to the side with red eyes
In the present age, wars are frequent, and in the Central Plains region, nine out of ten households are empty. Bandits invade and plunder the local areas, leading to a shortage of food supplies, and they even resort to using salted corpses as military provisions, a scene of unimaginable horror. However, in the city of Jinling, there has been peace and prosperity for several decades, untouched by the ravages of war, still exuding an air of extravagance.
Han Qian turned around, his gaze fixed intensely on Fan Xicheng, and he let out a cold smile
Had it not been for that dreamlike experience deeply ingrained in Han Qian's memory, he would never have been so meticulous. However, at this moment, witnessing all of this brought a shocking sensation to his eyes
Han Qian felt no drowsiness and had no desire to read the books in the study outside, so he stood by the window, recalling from memory, setting up his fist stance, attempting to practice the 64 Postures of Shigong Quan again, while also contemplating the fragmented memories left from the dream of the night before.
When the rabbit is cornered, it bites back. Fan Wucheng broke into the house to seize the prey and even attempted to drive people out of the manor. Who gave him the audacity? Who allowed him to commit such acts of burglary? Han Qian stood in front of the Zhao family father and son, turned around, and glared at the guards of the manor, sternly questioning them with the words he had long prepared.
Hearing from Qingyun, Han Qian learned that Fan Wucheng had gone to the west bank of the creek early in the morning to drive Zhao Laoguan, Zhao Wuji, and their family out of the villa. However, upon entering the house, he was shot dead by Zhao Wuji. Zhao Kuo and two other family soldiers heard Fan Wucheng's shouts at the training ground and rushed across the creek. Before they could get close, the two family soldiers were shot and injured, but Zhao Kuo was unharmed and ran back to report the news
It was dry and hard, and also rough on the throat, but at this moment, Han Qian was extremely hungry and did not find it too difficult to swallow
It is hard to imagine that a boy of fifteen or sixteen years old could possess such great strength
Han Qian wiped the sweat from his body with a towel and continued to stand by the window. As he looked through the gap in the window at the mountain ridge across, he felt a bit hungry after just one round of boxing. Although he had neglected it for so many years, he had not forgotten the essence of the 64 Postures of Shigong Boxing. It can be said that this was a great fortune amidst misfortune
There are so many tenants in the villa, and Han Qian had previously scrutinized the father and son, Zhao Laoguan and Zhao Wuji. Perhaps it is due to the fact that these two often engage in poaching to supplement their meals that they appear relatively robust.
The windows of the study and the bedroom face the mountain ridge to the east. The study is brightly lit by candlelight, while Han Qian walks into the unlit bedroom, stands by the window, and gazes at the opposite mountain ridge, wondering if anyone will peek out from there at night to observe this side
At this point, Han Qian again cupped his hands towards the onlooking tenants and said, "I kindly ask one of you with swift legs to go and invite the village head to come and mediate the situation"
Apart from having some strength, Zhao Kuo's performance in other aspects is noticeably slower by half a beat
Han Qian nodded, signaling Qingyun that she could go rest. He found a few copper coins in the study and wedged them tightly into the gaps of the doors and windows.
The Sixteen Forms of Shigong Quan were taught by an old Taoist who was traveling through Chuzhou and had a good relationship with Han Qian's father, Han Daoxun, while he was serving as a military officer in Chuzhou
Fan Wucheng was killed while breaking in with a weapon; this matter must be reported to the authorities for handling. Our Han family cannot resort to private punishment and kill!
Han Qian's expression changed slightly as he asked, "What on earth is going on, with all this surprise and alarm?"
This boxing stance, Han Qian practiced from the age of 6 to 12. Although he neglected it for 6 years afterward, he still remembered every move and technique at this moment. However, when he assumed the boxing stance now, it felt extremely awkward. After barely executing a set of punches, he was already drenched in sweat
Han Qian continued to speak with righteous indignation
"Wuji, Wuji!" Two figures rushed out of the room as if driven mad.
The household servants and the maids had already finished breakfast, and there were only a few people left in the kitchen. He saw that there were still a few dark, barely recognizable items that could be called steamed buns in the steamer. He took them out, paired them with a plate of pickled vegetables, and sat by the window in the dining hall of the northern courtyard, tearing them into small pieces and stuffing them into his mouth.
Another characteristic of these tenants is that they watched as Zhao Laoguan and his son Zhao Wuji were beaten to death by the family soldiers, shrinking back in fear and not daring to step forward, let alone persuade the family soldiers to capture Zhao Laoguan and Zhao Wuji and beat them to death.
Fan Wucheng, or perhaps someone else colluding with Yao Xishui in secret, has caused such a commotion in the North Courtyard today; perhaps the truth will be revealed in the next couple of days
Returning to the study, Han Qian picked up a book titled "Du Yang Za Bian" written by the Tang dynasty literati Su E. He did not rush to open it. Seeing that Qing Yun was standing outside the house, clearly restricted by the prohibition, and dared not enter the study casually after nightfall, he inquired through the door.
Seeing Fan Dahei reaching out to pull the girl's hair, Han Qian grabbed his arm and shouted: "Stop! Fan Dahei, you stop right now!"
Others rushed over in a flurry to help tie up Zhao Wuji with the hemp rope and proceeded to kick and beat him mercilessly
Firstly, it is thin
Han Qian was not in the mood to ponder why he felt this way. With a dark expression, he walked into the crowd, positioning himself between Fan Dahei and Zhao Laoguan to prevent Fan Dahei from continuing to assault Zhao Laoguan. However, seeing the frantic expressions on Fan Dahei and the others, he thought to himself that Fan Wucheng must be dead. He then asked calmly.
However, no one expected that the young master, who was sent to the villa to study diligently, would turn out to be such a "reasonable" and "impartial" person of justice
At this moment, Han Qian saw Fan Wucheng lying in a pool of blood inside the room, an arrow piercing through his chest, the dark iron arrowhead protruding from his leather armor. Han Qian secretly felt that Zhao Wuji must have drawn his bow and shot an arrow inside the room. To shoot through leather armor and have the arrowhead emerge from the chest at such a close distance demonstrated remarkable strength and reaction speed. He truly deserved the Black Cloud Bow that was gifted yesterday, and indeed did not let him down.
"Who allowed you, you old dog, to speak?" Fan Dahei lifted a foot and kicked Zhao Laoguan more than a yard away
"Seventh Young Master! Wu Cheng is also wholeheartedly loyal to the Young Master!" Fan Xicheng did not expect that at this moment, Han Qian would completely shift the blame onto Fan Wucheng, unreservedly shielding a tenant who was of no significance to the Han family. Unable to contain the anger in his heart any longer, he raised his voice and shouted.
Murder, murder has occurred
"Zhao Kuo, I would like to ask you, are you the family soldiers of the Han family, or are you the family soldiers of Fan Xicheng?" Han Qian fixed his gaze on Zhao Kuo and the other family soldiers, questioning them sternly
Han Daoxun has owned the estate here for less than a year. His family members and servants can all be considered as slaves of the Han family, having migrated from another place with Han Daoxun. The tenants, on the other hand, are local landless farmers who have been hired, which inevitably leads to some conflicts of interest. Furthermore, Fan Xicheng had previously prohibited the tenants from entering the back mountain to gather firewood and hunt wild animals, resulting in numerous disputes.
Old Zhao immediately bent over like withered grass blown down by the wind, gasping in pain as he hunched there
Two bodyguards each suffered an arrow wound to their thighs, and they fell to the ground cursing loudly: "Kill that son of a bitch, it hurts like hell!"
Seeing Zhao Wuji being severely beaten, and noticing that he was exhaling more than inhaling, he lunged onto his son's body and kowtowed to Fan Xicheng, saying: "Master Fan, please spare Wuji's life. Young Master Fan took the prey from us and drove us out of the manor. Wuji is still young and does not understand, which is why he shot at Young Master Fan! Master Fan, you may chop off his hand that shot the arrow, but please spare Wuji's life! Zhao Laoguan will serve you as a cow or horse in this life and for eight lifetimes to come!"
Han Qian stared unyieldingly at Fan Xicheng and questioned him in a stern voice
"Qingyun, what noise did you hear in the eastern courtyard the night before last that prompted you to call out to Master Fan?"
Han Qian smiled inwardly at the frantic appearance of the two family soldiers. If it weren't for Zhao Wuji being still young and lacking in ruthlessness, these two family soldiers would likely have suffered more than just a thigh wound from an arrow.
The air in the mountains is clear, and the round moon hangs like a silver plate above the mountain ridge, deep within the dark lead-colored sky. The bright moonlight spills down, casting shadows of trees that sway on the ridge. Occasionally, the call of a night owl can be heard, and there is no other sound.
From a distance, one could see Fan Xicheng surrounded by people in front of a thatched cottage. Fan Dahei was holding down the young Zhao Wuji with two others, dragging him out of the cottage and forcefully pinning him to the ground, rendering him unable to struggle.
Fan Wu's results indeed had issues, and Han Qian's expression brightened as he threw down his chopsticks, crossed the small stream, and chased into the village on the west bank where the tenants lived together.
"I made it clear yesterday that the tenants only need to submit half of what they hunt in the back mountain to the manor. I stated this clearly in front of Zhao Kuo, as well as in front of you, Fan Xicheng, and many of the household soldiers. I will ask you again here, Fan Xicheng, is this manor your Fan family's or my Han family's? Should my words not carry any weight?"
On the eve of the event, I was not sure why I felt drowsy as soon as it got dark, so I went to bed early. I was startled awake by a few claps of thunder from the mountain. Worried that rain would come in through the open window, I rushed over, only to hear the young master speaking in the study. I feared that the young master had been cooped up in the study for too long by Master Fan and might be talking nonsense due to being stifled, so I hurried to the northern courtyard to call for Master Fan. However, I did not notice anything unusual. I did not expect that the young master had caught a cold; he must have been talking nonsense in his sleep.
... ...
Fan Dahei and Fan Wucheng are both adopted sons of Fan Xicheng. Fan Wucheng was killed, while Fan Dahei was stopped. The other family soldiers also retreated to the side in disappointment
To discuss the differences between the household soldiers on the east bank of the creek and the tenants on the west bank, aside from Zhao Kuo, who is relatively thin, the other soldiers are all tall and imposing, exuding a formidable presence. Even without drawing their swords or bows, a chilling aura of menace permeates the air.
However, previously, Han Qian was preoccupied with the enchanting and beautiful women in the Wan Hong Building. Yet, upon closer reflection, the Wan Hong Building reveals many mysterious aspects compared to ordinary brothels.
These individuals are all veterans brought back by Han Daoxun from the Guangling Army, accustomed to the brutality of battle and bloodshed, so their imposing demeanor is not surprising. In contrast, Zhao Kuo appears rather submissive, often ridiculed by others among the household troops, which may be related to his character.
The tenants on the west bank of the creek possess two remarkable characteristics
Without seeing Fan Wucheng's figure, one cannot ascertain whether he is completely dead. Just then, the hunter Zhao Laoguan rushed out from the house, with several large footprints on his body, clearly indicating that he had not escaped unscathed inside.
After washing up, Han Qian saw that breakfast was still being prepared in the west courtyard, but he paid no attention and walked towards the north courtyard
What is going on?
The complexities behind this, he could not explain clearly to Fan Xicheng, Fan Dahei, and the others. Moreover, he still harbored resentment towards the family soldiers who would betray him in the future. At this moment, he needed to confront Fan Xicheng head-on to ensure Zhao Wujie was preserved
Hearing Qingyun knocking on the door and calling out, Han Qian opened his eyes and woke up. At this moment, the sky was already bright, and the night had passed peacefully without any unusual occurrences
These household soldiers hold a deep-seated contempt for the young master Han Qian. However, after the commotion in the dining hall last night, Fan Wucheng brazenly barged in with weapons early this morning, intending to drive the Zhao family out of the estate. Upon reflection, it seems that the young master Han Qian's words are not without merit!
A middle-aged woman, dressed in tattered rags that barely covered her body, with disheveled hair and several crimson fingerprints on her face, clung to Fan Dahei's thigh, wailing as she desperately kowtowed to Fan Xicheng, pleading for mercy, knowing that Zhao Wuji was truly going to be beaten to death today, with no place to seek justice.
You ... ... '' Fan Xicheng was so angry that he trembled all over, never expecting that Han Qian's eloquence had become so formidable, directly placing such a heavy blame on him, leaving him utterly speechless.
After a short while, Qingyun rushed into the back kitchen, her face pale and shouting.
Stop!
They have finally found a place to settle down in the Han family, and their family members are all servants of the Han family. Although they are convinced by Fan Xicheng, it is Han Daoxun who is the head of the family, and he shows them even greater kindness. They do not wish to get involved in the disputes surrounding the collusion to usurp the estate.
Wu Cheng came over to confiscate their prey and drive them away from the fields. This little brat actually used the black cloud bow bestowed by the young master to shoot Wu Cheng dead! At this moment, Fan Dahei was furious and instructed Han Qian to block the way, preventing him from pursuing Zhao Laoguan. He then raised his foot and fiercely stomped down on Zhao Wuji's frail back, almost breaking the thin and weak spine of Zhao Wuji.
I do not know either. Just now, Zhao Kuo ran back covered in blood, saying that Fan Wucheng was killed at the village to the west, and two of his household soldiers were shot. At this moment, Master Fan is leading people over there...
However, regardless of the circumstances, Han's little finger is thicker than the thigh of an ordinary person. Fan Xicheng and the other family soldiers are highly skilled, fully equipped, and fierce warriors, akin to wolves and tigers. Even if the tenants are strictly controlled and harbor resentment, they do not dare to express it.
Although Old Zhao was in decent physical condition, Zhao Wuji had committed a murder. He thought he could endure a few harsh blows, allowing Fan Dahei and the other guards of the mountain villa to vent their anger. Not only did he not retaliate, but he didn't even dodge the vital points, resulting in Fan Dahei's kick landing squarely on his chest, nearly causing him to lose consciousness.
The frail girl, with her hair disheveled, howled as she threw herself onto Zhao Wuji, tightly embracing her brother and refusing to let go, fearing that Fan Dahei and the others would strike hard again and take Zhao Wuji's life on the spot
Even those like Feng Yi, who spoke vividly about the secret affairs of the palace, could not fathom the true nature of the Wan Hong Lou, nor did they know which mysterious figure was ultimately in control behind the scenes.
In the city of Jinling, there are hundreds and thousands of brothels and courtesan houses. Han Qian had heard of the renowned Wan Hong Lou while in Xuanzhou, which led him to become a regular patron of Wan Hong Lou just three or four months after being brought to Jinling by his father
... ...
This alone is sufficient to demonstrate that the late "Dream of the Red Chamber" is by no means simple
Zhao Kuo and others hesitated, looking at each other.
Regardless of gender or age, everyone is thin, both emaciated and weak, thinner and frailer than Han Qian at this moment, with a waxy complexion, each one appearing as if they are exhausted to the bone
At this moment, Han Qian is even more eager to understand what kind of conspiracy he is entangled in, or rather, what secrets are hidden behind Yao Xishui and the Wan Hong Lou.
Han Qian wrapped a thin quilt in the shape of a human figure and placed it on the chair outside. Standing in the eastern forest, it looked as if he were sitting at his desk, studying diligently through the night. He then placed the copper basin for washing his face in front of the bedroom window, as if he were lying down to rest in his clothes.
Han Qian got out of bed and restored the arrangement of the study and bedroom to their original state. Upon opening the door, he saw the maid Qingyun outside, looking astonished, probably not expecting that he would close the door so tightly at night while sleeping.