Chapter 0001: The First Character A

"Second Uncle, it's already late at night, and I don't think Master Li will be coming. Why don't you go back and lie down for a while? I'll keep watch for you here." As soon as the words were spoken, the faint sound of a night watchman could be heard from outside. It was now the third watch of the night, and in another two watches, it would be dawn. From the perspective of the young man, Master Li from the interrogation room was probably unaware, nestled in some courtyard, dreaming sweetly with a tender young woman in his arms. As for the county magistrate, there was no need to mention him; according to the scholars, he had long since completed the rites of sleep in the back office. The entire county jail was eerily quiet, with only the detained prisoners remaining, along with Wang Zhong and his uncle Wang San. Sitting in the empty watch room during the long, damp, and chilly night at the end of April was not easy to endure.

When it came to this matter, Wang San became animated, half-squatting on a stool with an excited expression as he gestured. Whether it was the monk Yinian from back then or the later rebellion led by Ye Dazhang from Siming Mountain, both events occurred in recent years, especially the latter, which had only transpired a few months ago. Wang San was not boasting; he indeed followed his father to the city gate to watch the commotion. However, there were too many people, and he was too far away to clearly see the appearance of the army, only catching sight of a few flags fluttering in the wind from a distance. As for what he claimed about the Imperial Forest Army, that was pure nonsense; the forces that suppressed the rebels were not led by any great general, but rather by Liang Nai, the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, along with the Green Camp and the supervisory banners.

What is it for? Hehe. Wang Zhong let out a cold laugh, and for some reason, hearing Wang Zhong's laughter made Wang San's hair stand on end. He had never imagined that his second uncle's cold laugh could be so chilling

There is an old saying that goes well: once you enter this confined space, whether you are a dragon or a tiger, you must lie low. It does not matter if you were once a distinguished official or an ordinary commoner; here, everyone is merely referred to as a prisoner. If you wish to live more comfortably and have a better life, you must avoid losing your life in a confused manner in the middle of the night. The only way to achieve this is by offering substantial bribes, as there is no other path. The treatment you receive will depend on the generosity of those who provide the bribes. Of course, sometimes the prison warden will also adjust his treatment based on the individual. If he encounters certain special prisoners, he may offer them special consideration. How does one discern this? It relies on being well-informed and also on one's own perceptiveness.

Do you know what happened at He Yuanwai's house?

However, sitting at the table now are not the pale-faced and frail Kong Yiji, but rather two robust men with full faces. One is slightly older, appearing to be in his thirties, while the other is much younger, just over seventeen or eighteen. They are certainly not in the Xianheng Tavern of Shaoxing Prefecture, but rather in the county jail of Yuyao County.

"What are you shouting about!" Wang Zhong unceremoniously slapped Wang San on the forehead and said, "What did your uncle say to you earlier? How could you forget so soon?"

Not just collusion, let me tell you the truth, this old man He is clearly the mastermind! Kid, have you heard of Zhu San Taizi? In fact, this old man He is the Zhu San Taizi of that time!

Huangjiu is a common wine from Shaoxing, and fennel beans are a staple accompaniment for ordinary families throughout the seasons, often referred to as "guo jiu pi". In the works of Mr. Lu Xun, these two items frequently appear, with perhaps the most memorable instance being Kong Yiji from the Xianheng Hotel.

Wang San was stunned by the news, taking a while to regain his composure. However, he still felt puzzled; even if He Laoyuan was the Prince Zhu San, what did that have to do with them? It should be noted that the He family had already been destroyed, and those who were not dead had all been captured.

"Second Uncle, what... what are you saying?" Wang Sanmeng looked up and saw Wang Zhong's cold expression. He had always thought that the He family had encountered trouble because they had offended someone, perhaps a powerful figure in the province had set their sights on the He family's assets and pinned the blame on them. However, Wang Zhong's expression now indicated to him that he, Wang San, had clearly guessed wrong. Could it be that Old Man He was really colluding with the monk Yinian? But that shouldn't be the case! They were practically on the verge of death, rebelling? But now, Wang Zhong's expression told him that he, Wang San, had clearly guessed wrong. Could it be that Old Man He was really colluding with the monk Yinian? But that shouldn't be the case! They were practically on the verge of death, rebelling? What was he after?

Two... Uncle... Are you not joking? Zhu San Taizi, this name is indeed well-known, how could Wang San not have heard of it? Decades ago, when the Qing Dynasty entered the pass and took over the world, the former Ming Dynasty vanished into thin air. However, Zhu San Taizi, like a lingering ghost, would emerge every few years to cause a stir. The most notorious incident was during the time of the Sanfan Rebellion, when Zhu San Taizi, under the alias Yang Qilong, nearly turned the entire capital upside down. It was not until the Sanfan was quelled and Yang Qilong was executed that things gradually settled down. Decades ago, when the Qing Dynasty entered the pass and took over the world, the former Ming Dynasty vanished into thin air. However, Zhu San Taizi, like a lingering ghost, would emerge every few years to cause a stir. The most notorious incident was during the time of the Sanfan Rebellion, when Zhu San Taizi, under the alias Yang Qilong, nearly turned the entire capital upside down. It was not until the Sanfan was quelled and Yang Qilong was executed that things gradually settled down

Wang Zhong shook his head, put down the wine bowl, and with a bitter smile, lowered his voice, saying: "Silly boy, go back? Hehe, these past few days you have been with your uncle for eating, drinking, and all other matters, you can't leave even a step, do you understand?"

Individuals like Wang Zhong, who become prison heads before reaching the age of forty, are rare in the entire Qing Dynasty, though not entirely nonexistent. The previous prison head lost his position due to insufficient discernment and excessive greed, which offended others. This created an opportunity for the prison guard Wang Zhong to use a sum of silver to secure his current position under the authority of Master Li in the execution chamber. Therefore, since assuming the role of prison head, Wang Zhong has secretly reminded himself that the misfortunes of his unfortunate predecessor serve as a cautionary tale, and he must not repeat the same mistakes.

However, now Wang Zhong unexpectedly told him that He Laoyuanwai was actually the Zhu San Taizi from back in the day. This unbelievable news completely stunned Wang San. But upon reflection, whether it was the Yinian Monk or Ye Dazhangjiao from Siming Mountain, weren't they all also operating under the banner of Zhu San Taizi? Could it be that this matter is true? Is He Laoyuanwai really the Zhu San Taizi who has caused unrest in the Qing Dynasty for decades?

Ah! Wang San was momentarily taken aback and couldn't help but exclaim.

"I remember, uncle, you said that brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons go to battle side by side. You asked me to accompany you on night duty these past few days... But uncle, night duty is one thing, why am I not even allowed to go home?" Wang San rubbed his forehead, which had been slapped red, and said somewhat aggrieved.

A pot of yellow wine, a plate of fennel beans

Looking at his nephew's confused expression, Wang Zhong couldn't help but sigh. This honest child really isn't cut out for this line of work; being too straightforward can lead to losses! If it weren't for his elder brother's repeated private requests, Wang Zhong wouldn't have agreed to let Wang San take on this job. Now it seems that this position is still not suitable for Wang San. Once this situation passes, he will find another opportunity for this child.

"It is not that you are not allowed to return, but that you absolutely cannot return!" Wang Zhong glared at Wang San as he spoke

You foolish boy! Wang Zhong sighed and finally revealed the truth: "The He family still has a fish that has fallen into the net, you see, it is the one currently detained in No. 1 Jiazi.

Have you heard about the incident at Mr. He’s house in the city some time ago?" Without paying any attention to Wang San's rambling, Wang Zhong asked again

Cell No. 1A has been occupied? Wang San still does not understand. He has only been in this line of work for a few days, but he knows that the cells in the prison are arranged according to the letters A, B, C, D. However, in Wang San's mind, this arrangement is merely an ordinary label. Moreover, this is just a regular county jail, not the infamous Tianlao of the Ministry of Justice in the capital. Usually, it holds petty thieves and minor offenders. So what if Cell No. 1A has been occupied?

You haven't seen that the character "A" number 1 has entered the person. Wang Zhong's lips curled towards the cell.

If it were not for the fact that Wang San is his own nephew, and knowing his honest and simple-minded nature, Wang Zhong would have either confronted him on the spot or given him a good scolding upon hearing those words

You! Seeing that Wang San still hadn't understood, Wang Zhong couldn't help but shake his head. After thinking for a moment, he quietly asked, "Do you know Jin Heshang?"

The young man lifted the wine jug, bending slightly at the waist to pour a full bowl of wine into the bowl placed opposite him. The older, robust man raised the bowl with his right hand and took a sip. With the fingers of his left hand, he casually picked up a piece of fennel bean from the dish, flipped his wrist upward, and gently flicked it. The fennel bean traced a graceful arc in the air, landing accurately and neatly into his already opened mouth, followed by a series of chews and a pleasant exhalation of wine aroma.

Wang San's face showed a moment of confusion and bewilderment. What is the difference between "not allowed to return" and "cannot return"? Aren't they both the same in that one cannot go back?

Ah! Upon hearing this sentence, it was as if a thunderclap had suddenly exploded beside Wang San's ear. As soon as he shouted it out, Wang San immediately realized, covering his mouth, his face filled with terror as he looked around in panic.

What about Mr. He? The Mr. He from the east of the county? As a resident of Yuyao County, how could Wang San be unaware of the major incident that occurred in the county not long ago? Just recently, the family of Mr. He in the county was involved in some serious matter, and the governor's office sent people to raid the He family overnight. Six female members of the He family hanged themselves, while more than twenty others were taken away that night without anyone knowing where they were taken. Soon after, news came that the elderly Mr. He, Mr. He the elder, and Mr. He the fourth, who had fled to other places, were also arrested. Just recently, the family of Mr. He in the county was involved in some serious matter, and the governor's office sent people to raid the He family overnight. Six female members of the He family hanged themselves, while more than twenty others were taken away that night without anyone knowing where they were taken. Soon after, news came that the elderly Mr. He, Mr. He the elder, and Mr. He the fourth, who had fled to other places, were also arrested

"Going back? Lying down for a while?" Wang Zhong lifted his eyelids to glance at his nephew sitting opposite him. Wang San was the son of his elder brother. Although this child appeared to be stronger than him, he was too straightforward and simple-minded. These seemingly good qualities in daily life were not advantageous in the county jail. In the jail, relying solely on strength and ferocity was not enough; what mattered more were perception and cleverness.

This young nephew is not very clear about it, but I heard someone say that Old Master He and Monk Yinian have colluded. Haha, isn't that a joke? Old Master He is already seventy-five this year, an old man close to the coffin, still stirring up trouble? Moreover, I have seen Old Master He before; he is a timid and cautious person, always avoiding ants when walking. I do not believe such nonsense; it is likely that someone above is coveting the He family's wealth..." Wang San shook his head and said, but before he could finish his sentence, Wang Zhong interrupted him in a low voice: "You may not believe it, but I do!"

Most likely! Do not underestimate Wang Zhong just because he is merely a jailer; he is well-informed. He personally heard Old Master He being specifically instructed by Master Zhou regarding the matter of Zhu San, the Third Prince. This is absolutely reliable

"Jin Heshang? Jin Heshang... Are you referring to Yinian Heshang?" Wang Sanyi was momentarily stunned before realizing: "I know, I know, of course I know! Three years ago, Yinian Heshang and his brother Zhang Niandi raised a banner of rebellion at Dalan Mountain. Before long, the imperial court dispatched a large army to suppress them. Later, a few remnants who were captured caused another disturbance in Siming Mountain, but in the end, the Imperial Guard annihilated these rebels completely. By the way! When the army returned victorious, I went with my father to the city gate to watch. Wow, this Imperial Guard is indeed impressive, just like what is portrayed in the plays, with long spears and flowing banners, dressed in white and silver armor, those banners waving high! Three years ago, Yinian Heshang and his brother Zhang Niandi raised a banner of rebellion at Dalan Mountain. Before long, the imperial court dispatched a large army to suppress them. Later, a few remnants who were captured caused another disturbance in Siming Mountain, but in the end, the Imperial Guard annihilated these rebels completely. By the way! When the army returned victorious, I went with my father to the city gate to watch. Wow, this Imperial Guard is indeed impressive, just like what is portrayed in the plays, with long spears and flowing banners, dressed in white and silver armor, those banners waving high..."