Moma Liangshan

Chapter 16 Lin Chong visits Zhang's house in prison, promising to protect her.

Seeing the prefect's displeasure, Wang Hao remained composed and said, "Your Excellency should understand my intentions. Lin Chong is a pillar of the nation. If he were to die unjustly due to the machinations of a villain, we would be failing His Majesty's great favor!" Mentioning Emperor Huizong, the prefect recalled the origins of Wang Hao's rise to power and dared not act rashly any longer, saying, "If I hadn't considered Lin Chong's injustice, why would I have hesitated for three days? Surely you understand who Lin Chong hates, so while he may be spared death, he cannot escape punishment. I hope you will forgive me!" Wang Hao bowed in thanks, saying, "Grand Commandant Gao is powerful and deeply favored by the Emperor. To oppose him openly would be unwise. As long as Lin Chong's life is spared, I will repay Your Excellency's leniency handsomely!" The prefect shook his head, saying, "My decision not to take Lin Chong's life is already..." "This goes against Grand Commandant Gao's original intention. If I were to accept your reward, I fear I myself would be implicated. Besides, even if you hadn't come, the Kaifeng Prefecture wouldn't have taken Lin Chong's life." Wang Hao said, "Your Excellency's noble character is truly admirable!" The Prefect shook his head and said, "There's no need to flatter me. The Kaifeng Prefecture acted this way for two reasons. First, Lin Chong is innocent; second, I want to tell certain people that the Kaifeng Prefecture belongs to the Song Dynasty, not to any particular individual. Back then, Bao Zheng executed imperial relatives; though I am not capable, I can still save the life of a pillar of the nation." Wang Hao, filled with admiration, said, "Your Excellency's kindness will be forever etched in my memory. I take my leave!" The Prefect replied, "Please proceed, young master. I will not see you off."

Leaving Kaifeng Prefecture, Wang Hao went straight to the prison without stopping. He announced his name and paid a bribe, and the jailer, not daring to delay, personally led him to Lin Chong's cell. Lin Chong, having just been flogged, lay prone on a straw-covered prison bed. The jailer opened the cell door, and Lin Chong looked up, saw Wang Hao, and involuntarily sighed, saying, "Young master, what brings you here?" Wang Hao helped Lin Chong up, saying, "Hearing that the instructor has suffered an injustice, I dared not neglect my duty and came to visit." He then looked at the jailer, took out a piece of silver, and said, "Please send a doctor specializing in bruises and sprains to treat Instructor Lin's injuries." Seeing the menacing look on Wang Hao's face, the jailer dared not be careless and hurriedly took the silver, saying, "I will go and fetch him immediately, young master, please wait a moment." He then quickly left the cell. Wang Hao called for Ma Decao and said, "The instructor is newly injured and needs to eat more meat to recover faster. From today onwards, you will send someone to deliver his meals every day without fail." Ma Decao agreed. Lin Chong struggled to his feet and said, "Lin Chong is just a prisoner, I don't deserve such kindness from you, young master." Wang Hao said, "Life is full of ups and downs, it's common for a person to experience such things. Instructor, there's no need to take it to heart." Lin Chong said, "I have worked diligently all my life, and I have been especially careful in serving my superiors. I can say with certainty that I have done nothing wrong to the emperor or my family. But who knew that such a calamity would strike and I would end up in prison!" Wang Hao comforted him, "The innocent are innocent, and you have nothing to fear. You will surely be exonerated one day." Lin Chong sighed and said, "I hope it is as you say, young master!"

Wang Hao asked, "Instructor, is there anything you're worried about? Please tell me, and I will do my utmost!" Lin Chong glanced at Wang Hao and said, "Lin Chong's only worry is my wife at home!" Wang Hao said, "I bought a manor two miles outside the East Gate, named Erlibao. The furniture is a bit rough, but all the residents are my bodyguards. If my wife doesn't mind the simplicity, no one will dare to bother her." Lin Chong immediately knelt on one knee and said, "Young master, your kindness is immeasurable. If there is an afterlife, I would gladly be your foot soldier." Wang Hao quickly helped Lin Chong up and said, "Our friendship is that of gentlemen, and we should treat each other with sincerity. Now that you have suffered such a calamity, as a friend, I will certainly do my best. When you are cleared of your name, Instructor, let us meet again at Fanlou and drink and reminisce!" Lin Chong was filled with sorrow and remained silent. Wang Hao continued, "I saw Madam this morning and she was very worried about Instructor Lin's safety. If Instructor Lin misses Madam Lin, I can arrange for her to visit him in prison." Lin Chong shook his head and said, "The prison is dark and gloomy, and I am still injured from the beating. If Madam Lin saw me in this state, she would only be more worried. It's better to keep it out of her sight." Wang Hao thought for a moment and asked, "Has Instructor Lin been convicted?" Lin Chong replied, "Exiled to Cangzhou." He then revealed the gold mark on his face. Wang Hao added, "Please write a letter, Instructor Lin, so that it can be presented to Madam Lin. Firstly, to comfort her, and secondly, to explain the reason for her relocation." Lin Chong nodded and said, "Young Master, you are very thoughtful." He ordered the jailer to bring paper and ink, and Lin Chong picked up a brush and began to write. A quarter of an hour later, Lin Chong finished writing and handed it to Wang Hao. Wang Hao put it in his pocket and said, "Instructor Lin, please rest assured and recover from your injuries. I will take care of things at home." Lin Chong thanked him again. Wang Hao said, "To avoid any unforeseen complications, I will take my leave now and make arrangements immediately." At that moment, the doctor who was treating the club wound arrived, and Wang Hao turned and left.

Upon leaving the prison, Wang Hao immediately went to Lin Chong's house. He met Zhang and took out a letter from his pocket, saying, "Instructor Lin is temporarily safe, please rest assured, Madam. This is a letter from Instructor Lin." Zhang hurriedly took the letter, saying, "Thank you so much for your great kindness, young master." Wang Hao said, "The arrangements for what to do next are already outlined in the letter. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now and visit again tomorrow." Zhang said, "Thank you for your trouble, young master." Wang Hao said, "Instructor Lin and I hit it off immediately. Now that a friend is in trouble, I should do my best. Please, Madam, don't delay and make a decision soon." With that, he left.

Sitting on the oxcart, Lin Chong thought, "Gao Qiu's son plotted against Zhang Qiu, thus scheming to harm me. Now that I've protected Zhang Qiu, I'll surely offend Gao Qiu. I must be careful!" He shouted, "To Fanlou!" Ma Decao changed direction and headed straight for Fanlou. Upon entering Fanlou, the waiter recognized Wang Hao and immediately came to serve him, saying, "Young master, you are a rare guest. Are you here for drinks, lodging, or to find someone? I will arrange it immediately." Wang Hao asked, "Does Miss Li have any guests today?" The waiter replied, "Not at the moment." Wang Hao said, "Go and inform her quickly!" The waiter replied, "Please wait a moment, young master!" A moment later, the waiter reported, "Miss Li requests your presence!" Wang Hao turned and went upstairs.

Li Shishi brewed fragrant tea and said, "Brother, it's been quite a while since you've come!" Wang Hao replied, "Fanlou is a place of extravagant spending. If you came every day, you'd probably lose all your capital." Li Shishi covered her face and laughed, saying, "The Eight Immortals Wine is famous throughout the capital. You make a fortune every day. In a few days, you could even buy Fanlou in the blink of an eye!" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "I've come today to ask you something, sister." Li Shishi was intrigued and pointed to the wooden chair beside her, saying, "Please have some tea, brother." Wang Hao sat down, picked up Li Shishi's teacup, and said, "How many seasonal vegetables are available right now?" "Brother, I've designed a dish for you to try another day, how about it?" Li Shishi said. "Brother, you can brew Eight Immortals Wine, so this dish must be exceptional too. Why not today? I haven't eaten yet, how about today?" Wang Hao said, "The stove and tableware for this dish are specially made. And the best place to eat it is on a pleasure boat on the Bian River." Li Shishi became even more interested and said, "Please prepare it as soon as possible, brother. I'm really looking forward to it." She then asked, "Have you eaten yet, brother?" Wang Hao said, "No." Li Shishi said, "Then let's eat and chat."

After ordering food and drink, Wang Hao and Li Shishi sat down facing each other. Wang Hao said, "A friend of mine has been imprisoned for offending Grand Commandant Gao, and I must protect him. I'd like to ask what the consequences will be, sister?" Li Shishi asked, "Is it a deep-seated hatred?" Wang Hao said, "Not really. Gao Qiu's son has taken a fancy to Lin Chong's wife and tried to forcibly take her. Lin Chong refused, and was thus framed and imprisoned." Li Shishi looked indignant and said, "Taking someone else's wife and daughter is truly despicable. If you handle this matter properly, brother, Gao Qiu will not dare to act rashly." Wang Hao asked, "Please advise me, sister!" Li Shishi said, "Although Gao Qiu..." Despite his high position, Gao Qiu's rise to power was fundamentally due to the Emperor's favor. Therefore, when judging people, Gao Qiu didn't care about their rank or position, but only their standing in the Emperor's eyes. If someone was a favorite of the Emperor, even if they were just a commoner, he would never dare to offend them rashly.” Wang Hao understood the key point and said, “That's why at the Fanlou banquet that day, Gao Qiu treated my sister and me almost like equals, without any arrogance.” Li Shishi replied, “Gao Qiu's current position isn't solely due to scheming; the Emperor's favor is the root of his power. If someone is a favorite of the Emperor, opposing them would be…” "It's all about the Emperor's favor. The Emperor's favor is more important to Gao Qiu than his life, so as long as you gain the Emperor's favor, Gao Qiu won't and wouldn't dare to make things difficult for you," Wang Hao said. "What are the Emperor's preferences?" Li Shishi replied, "The Emperor possesses the entire realm; his preferences aren't necessarily for luxury and extravagance, but rather for novelty and wonder." Wang Hao said, "I understand, brother. I'll make up for the meal I owe you as soon as possible. Perhaps that meal will be my greatest guarantee in deterring Gao Qiu." Li Shishi said, "In that case, sister is truly impatient." Wang Hao smiled and said: “If that meal met your approval, sister, then I’m sure the Emperor would be satisfied as well,” Li Shishi said. “Sister is just a courtesan; I don’t have such high standards.” Wang Hao said, “Sister, there’s no need to be modest. I’ve always believed that the most beautiful woman in the world is also the most difficult to please. So I have absolute confidence in you.” Li Shishi smiled happily and said, “When I’m older, I wonder how many noble ladies will fall for me. At that time, in this capital city, I’m afraid the one most longed for by young women will be none other than you.”

Wang Hao joked, "Having seen so many older sisters, I'm afraid that if they weren't exceptionally beautiful, they wouldn't even catch my eye." Li Shishi replied, "I love your serious yet glib tongue."