Chapter 65 Section 21

I thought Zigong might not come back. On the way back, two domestic servants kept comforting me, asking me to immediately order the officials to arrest Wan Zhang and Lou Hu.They also gritted their teeth at Chen Tang's behavior: "This Zhuzi is the servant of the Fujun, and the Fujun treats him well on weekdays. I didn't expect that he would betray the Fujun at a critical moment." I hummed and said, "Forget it, those two thieves are also his saviors." So I told them the grievances between myself and Wan Zhang. They looked at each other, showing embarrassment. "Do you think I'm doing something wrong?" I said.

"No." They muttered, "The gang of thieves wanted to usurp the prison, and they deserved what they deserved." I smiled wryly: "Don't say anything against your will. I know what I did right." Amidst the monotonous sound of the rolling axles, I fell into a drowsy sleep. When I woke up, I was sore and my whole family was sitting beside me.Seeing that I woke up, they all showed gratified eyes.My eldest son and his yellow-faced mother-in-law were also close to me, and seemed to be relieved.I feel a little ashamed. "You all go to rest, I'm fine." I groaned and said hoarsely.

At this time, the setting sun shone into the corner of the room, remembering that when I went out in the morning, I was facing the dawn, but at dusk I was lying at home covered in bruises, and I suddenly realized that I was so funny that I couldn’t tell. At this time, the servant came up and reported: "Chen Tang is waiting outside, saying that he must see the Lord." My first wife said angrily: "How dare he come to see the lord? He is not timid. Go and tie him up." "No need." I said, "Maybe he has something to tell me, you go out and tell him to come in."

"How can that be done?" said the first wife, "What if he assassinates you?" As soon as she finished speaking, everyone else agreed. "If he wants to assassinate me, will he help me shoot the assassin?" I said annoyedly, "Besides, with so many of you around, will you just watch him hurt me?" In fact, I know that Chen Tang will never do that, not to mention other reasons, just rely on his style of acting.There were times when he was willing to take the risk, but there was no point in hurting me. Sure enough, as soon as he came in, he "thumped" and knelt down in front of me and said, "I beg you, Lord, to spare Wan Zhang and Lou Hu."

I "hummed": "Is Ting Wei anyone who can bully anyone? Even if I don't mind, will the court not mind?" He was at a loss for words.My words are indeed not sensational, insulting officials of Erqianshi is a serious crime, and no matter how tolerant they are, they will be punished by guarding the border. "You're here to ask me for this? If it wasn't for the sake of saving me, I would have killed you first." Seeing that he was silent, I said again. He suddenly shed tears. This is probably the second time I have seen him cry. I have never seen him before, but today I saw him twice in one day.

I teased him, forgetting my own pain: "I can't see you, you are quite affectionate. I thought today's sub-guild simply shot them, because they shot their benefactor and spread their reputation. It will be even worse, if they are shot together, no one will know. Zigong, you are really unlucky." He looked at me, seemed to be infected, forced a smile and said: "The lord promised not to pursue them?" "How can you be so sure?" I said. "Because the lord is interested in joking with me." He said. Seeing that I was silent, he added: "I know the lord is saying that I had a bad reputation outside, so I was recommended by two princes in a row, but I was still no more than a doctor or an officer. Now I have to shoot and injure my benefactor. Fame, I’m afraid it will be even more difficult in Chang’an. However, the lord is also my benefactor. I shot one benefactor and saved another benefactor. I choose as well."

I shook my head: "Wrong, I shot two benefactors and saved one benefactor. The bad reputation is still greater than the good one." "But I only shot and wounded two benefactors, but saved one benefactor from being killed. The degree is different after all, at least the merits and demerits are balanced." He insisted. "But you killed and injured the relatives and friends of those two benefactors before." As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I immediately felt bad.How can this matter be brought up again. His face remained unchanged: "Oh, those may be God's will. Today, I begged the lord to forgive the two benefactors and saved their lives, so I can finally feel at ease. I think the lord did that in the past. It’s about being diligent in your duties and striving to be promoted—who in this world doesn’t want to be promoted?”

"Okay." I said dejectedly, "Actually, you are worrying too much. If I really want to kill them, I will give an order on the way. How many booths are there along the way from Nanshan to Chang'an? If I want to convey an order, there will be more people." Is it difficult?" He prostrated himself and said, "Thank you, Lord, for your kindness. Tang will do his best to repay you in this life."