pappabearbooks Chapter 50 Wu Song Joins the Army
Chapter 50 Wu Song Joins the Army
Inside the prison in Yanggu County, Zhang Da was again arranging for the prison guards to pack up.
"Take all this food and drink away! Who gave you permission to drink while you were on duty?"
The jailers, looking miserable, packed up the food and wine. One of them couldn't help but complain, "Zhang, you drink just as much as we do every day, and you're criticizing us."
"How can that be the same?" Zhang Da glared at him. "Even the lord doesn't usually come here."
As he spoke, Zhang Da couldn't help but feel a little irritated.
If Li Chong hadn't come, he would have been the local tyrant in this prison, and any prisoner who wanted to be more comfortable would have to send him money.
Therefore, although the position is not very prestigious, it is quite lucrative.
But Li Chong's repeated visits have made him hesitant to go too far lately, resulting in a significant drop in his income, which inevitably fuels some resentment in his heart.
But what can you do when someone is a high-ranking leader?
Hearing a report from outside that Li Chong was almost there, he hurriedly went out to greet him.
But in his heart he was thinking, "Why don't I go back and ask that guy surnamed Fu? But that guy has a big appetite. If he finds an excuse, it's better to just leave it at that."
After thinking it over, Zhang Da shook his head and decided to wait and see.
If Li Chong keeps such a close watch, he can find another way.
Zhang Da went out to greet him, and Li Chong returned to the prison.
"You don't need to come along. I have some details about a case to ask Wu Song about today, not to inspect the place. You should go and do what you need to do."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Da couldn't help but think to himself, "What details do they really need to ask in prison?"
But when he heard that Li Chong hadn't come to inspect, he subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
After carefully following for a few steps, Zhang Da said ingratiatingly, "Then please make yourself at home, sir. If there's anything you need, just let me know."
Li Chong nodded sternly and strode into the prison.
When he came before Wu Song again, this time he did not "reflect on his mistakes by facing the wall."
Upon hearing the noise, he immediately stood up and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency."
Across the cell, Li Chong asked, "Well? Erlang, have you thought it through? Do you want to be exiled thousands of miles to the south, or do you want to listen to the county and atone for your crimes through good deeds?"
Wu Song remained silent for a long while.
He was completely baffled as to why a county magistrate would take a liking to a prisoner like him.
Wu Song had no idea that Li Chong would decide to help him just because of his name.
After a long pause, Wu Song's slightly hoarse voice rang out: "May I ask, Your Honor, if it is truly discovered who that adulterous woman's lover is, will Your Honor grant me revenge? Or will you punish him according to the law?"
Li Chong said solemnly, "If the government really finds out who the adulterer is, then naturally they should punish him according to the law. But if someone is taking revenge privately and the county has no leads, then there's nothing we can do."
The subtext of his words was clear: Li Chong supported Wu Song taking revenge on his own.
Having said that, Wu Song had nothing more to say.
One is the unknown south thousands of miles away, and the other is his homeland where he was born. It goes without saying which one he would choose.
Wu Song knelt down on both knees: "This humble servant is willing to obey your orders, sir, even at the cost of my life."
"Good!" Li Chong was overjoyed and helped Wu Song up from his kneeling position through the crack in the prison door.
As he leaned closer, Li Chong lowered his voice and said, "Starting these next few days, you should pretend to be sick. I'll have them change your cell, and someone will rescue you then."
Wu Song nodded in agreement.
After offering him a few more words of encouragement, Li Chong impulsively left.
Wu Song looked bewildered, unsure whether the road ahead was bright or dark.
Zhang Da stepped forward: "Has the master finished asking his questions?"
"Hmm." Li Chong nodded slightly.
Logically speaking, it would be most convenient for Zhang Da to handle this matter; as a prison warden, getting someone released would be a piece of cake for him.
However, Li Chong was unaware of Zhang Da's stance, and Zhang Da was not short of money, so Li Chong was really worried about him and could only go through several rounds of detours.
Zhang Da escorted Li Chong out of the prison. Once they reached the gate, Li Chong seemed to have just remembered something.
"Oh, right."
He turned to Zhang Da and said, "Wu Er just said that he hasn't been feeling well these past few days and asked me to get him a quieter cell. Could you take care of that?"
Zhang Da was taken aback at first, then immediately nodded in agreement.
"That Wu Erlang is a hero, and I admire him greatly. I will certainly do as you command, sir."
"In that case, I won't keep you any longer. You stay and guard your post well, and don't send anyone else away."
After leaving those words behind, Li Chong left.
Watching Li Chong leave, Zhang Da asked with some suspicion, "Was he really here on business?"
Because there's plenty of money to be made in prison, Li Chong made two trips there in the past few days, and Zhang Da assumed that Li Chong was there to get a share of the profits.
Therefore, he specifically instructed the jailers to be extra careful, fearing that Li Chong might find something to use against him.
But now it seems that Li Chong didn't mean that.
After thinking for a long time without coming up with a solution, Zhang Da immediately gave up trying to think about it.
He strode towards his room, shouting, "Come on, bring up the dice and dominoes! Also, send someone to get Wu Er a quieter cell, quick!"
The jailers gathered together and soon began shouting and yelling.
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A few days later, Wu Dalang brought several people to the prison and met Zhang Da.
"Place your bet now! Place your bet now!"
Zhang Da called out as betting orders were placed, casually asking, "You want to go in and see who it is? What's your relationship with Wu Er?"
Wu Dalang smiled ingratiatingly: "When Wu Da was alive, he lent me a lot of money. Now that his brother is in trouble, I'm heartbroken. Since the magistrate has spared his life, I have to come and express my gratitude."
"Tch~~~"
Zhang Da sneered: "You've got some sense, kid. You didn't stick your neck out when he was sentenced to death, but now that he's alive, you know you should repay the favor."
Wu Dalang smiled sheepishly: "If he really dies, wouldn't my favor be wasted? Zhang Tou is always generous, please make an exception."
As he spoke, Wu Dalang took out a silver ingot from his sleeve and stuffed it into Zhang Da's hand.
After weighing the silver in his hand, Zhang Da smiled with satisfaction.
He didn't care whether Wu Dalang's words were true or false; making money was what mattered.
Looking back, Wu Dalang had brought a rolled-up quilt, some clothes, and food—quite a lot of things.
"Go ahead, go ahead." Zhang Da turned around and waved his hand. "But don't blame me for not warning you, Wu Er hasn't been doing well these days. If he catches the plague, don't come looking for me."
Wu Dalang was thrilled and immediately replied, "Of course."
Zhang Da casually pointed to someone on the card table: "Hey you, take them over there."
Wu Dalang thanked the jailer profusely and left with him, calling out as he did so.
His brothers carried the rolled-up blanket and other items, and hurried after him.
Behind them, a group of jailers were gathered together, shouting incoherently.
"Big! Big! Big!"
"Small! Small! Small!"
Zhang Da laughed heartily: "I won! Pay up, pay up!"