59 A Night of Complaint I (1/2)
Meng Fuyao turned her body to one side and let go of his hand. She said with a stern tone, ”I am a good citizen who knows my place, and I am determined to follow your orders, Old Sir. If you want the cangue on me, it must happen. If you want me caged, I must be caged. I am uncompromising and firm when it comes to fulfilling orders.”
”You... You... Ugh!” Assistant Magistrate Su's face turned ashen while it hung shocked for a long while. Then, he embarrassedly said, ”It's my bad... I'll make it up...”
Meng Fuyao had been waiting for that sentence. She turned around smiling. ”You really want to make it up to me, Old Sir?”
”I have lost my manners...” Assistant Magistrate Su wiped off his sweat. He was always a flexible, smooth and slick in establishing social relations kind of person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sent to manage this complex cohabitation-of-different-ethnic-groups situation as the assistant. It was only after his arrival that he had experienced Ah Shina's tough-as-nail temper. The heavy responsibility of mediating relationships between the people had to be greatly exercised. For every argument, he had to step in, and for every fight, he had to pacify, all in exchange for a comfortable life under Ah Shina's reign. Now that King De's army was 500 meters away and that Zong Yue was his exclusive guest, he would in no case offend a friend of Zong Yue.
”That's good.” Meng Fuyao smiled more politely. ”Since you're so sincere, Old Sir, how dare I refuse? If sincerity means offering an apology, then it doesn't matter whether you free me. Help that family settle down first, alright? When that's done, my mood will be good again. When my mood is good again, there's no need to use the cangue.”
Assistant Magistrate Su stared at her resentfully and entered the hall to write a decree before passing it to the bailiff. He instructed him to arrange a place for the old man and his family and to take care of them until they leave.
Meng Fuyao stretched her body.
Pop... pop–––
The tightly bundled rope ruptured entirely and fell to the ground, chunk by chunk.
Assistant Magistrate Su glared at that rope that had so easily snapped. His complexion turned grey as a hint of timidity flashed across his eyes. Nevertheless, he hurriedly smiled. ”Let's go to the rear hall, please. Please.”
However, Meng Fuyao stood still. ”Sir Su, you don't have to be polite. It isn't the time to be polite.” Her expression slowly calmed down, and an apprehensive look took over her face. ”Sir, the danger is imminent. The people will suffer in this war. Do you really have no plans?”
While feeling distracted, Assistant Magistrate Su sized her up quickly, while guessing whether she was an envoy sent by the imperial court. He deliberately replied, ”This... The Rong people are powerful, tough and valiant, and not ones to be provoked. Let's scheme slowly... scheme slowly...”
'Slowly, your head!' Meng Fuyao's anger was building up. She took a step forward and proclaimed, ”Sir Su, 'slowly' is possible now, but will there be enough time to 'scheme slowly' when we reach a crucial juncture in future?”
”Young brother, is there a need to say such frightening words?” Assistant Magistrate Su laughed unsightly. ”The Rong and Han families have been co-living harmoniously in Yaocheng for a few decades now. Why resort to weapons... ”
”Bah!” Meng Fuyao spat inwardly but restrained the expression on her face. She spoke unhurriedly, ”It's up to you to deceive yourself and everyone else, but you're in charge of managing Yaocheng. If the people of Yaocheng do meet with difficulties in the future, can you still bear the blame and consequences, Sir Su?”
Assistant Magistrate Su was unable to smile. He asked gravely, ”What does this has got to do with me?”
Meng Fuyao looked attentively at him, shook her head and said, ”Nothing.”
Not waiting for Assistant Magistrate Su to sneer, she continued word by word. ”A catastrophe is about to happen. Just based on simple human conscience, I am unable to watch the citizens fall to the enemy's hands. I am unable to see innocent people being humiliated, and their land being plundered. I cannot sit by and do nothing about these.”
She let out a cold smile and cast a glance toward Assistant Magistrate Su. ”Sir, as a leader of Yaocheng, you have been bearing the hardships with equanimity till this day, and I admire you for this.”
”What are you going to do, then?” The facial muscles of Assistant Magistrate Su started to cramp, and after some time he exploded, ”As an intellectual who lacks the strength to even truss a chicken, how am I to set myself against the mayor, who has his private soldiers? How can I singlehandedly protect 10,000 people?”
”To confront the enemy, outwit them with strategy.” Meng Fuyao stared at him and said clearly, ”There are actually quite a number of methods that you can employ.”
”Oh?”
”In order to protect the Han people, gather a force to be stationed within the city walls. The military force will subdue the Rong people.”
”Absurd! I have no power to engage the White Pavilion Army, and even if they do come, the Rong people will immediately turn violent. When that time comes, only meaningless war ensues.”
Meng Fuyao cast another glance at him. It was a glance that said, ”So you aren't actually an idiot.” As if nothing had happened, she continued, ”Recruit strong Han men under the name of King De and train them up with the pretense that they're to be sent out of Yaocheng and into King De's army. Chinese young males are to be convened for military drills. This way, the Rong people will not obstruct you. Once that's done, a full-strength army division will be deployable whenever necessary.”
Assistant Magistrate Su did not speak. The flickering look in his eyes indicated that he had grasped her idea. He muttered to himself irresolutely.
”Sir, you are this easily moved?” Meng Fuyao smiled while leaning close to him. ”There's another effortless way to gain an advantage over the Rong people...” she trailed off.
”Oh?”
Meng Fuyao lowered her head and whispered into his ears. Suddenly, the tip of Assistant Magistrate Su's brows shot up. His facial expression changed, and he exclaimed, ”You are crazy!”