Chapter 3: Taking the Wayward Son Yan Qing to Broaden His Horizons

What a man of deep loyalty and righteousness, Yan Xiaoyi!

Cai Fu, well-versed in *Water Margin*, knew that although the heroes of Liangshan claimed to "uphold justice under Heaven," few of them were truly loyal. The least loyal among them was the so-called most righteous “Timely Rain” Song Jiang.

Yet Yan Qing, born of humble origins and merely Lu Junyi’s servant, was the most loyal of all.

In the original tale, when Lu Junyi returned to Daming Prefecture, Yan Qing warned him that Li Gu was colluding with Lady Jia to frame him. But Lu Junyi not only disbelieved him; suspecting Yan Qing of being the first to accuse him, he kicked Yan Qing to the ground.

As a result, Lu Junyi fell into Li Gu and Lady Jia’s trap, and only Yan Qing stood by him unwaveringly.

Lu Junyi, it seemed, was blind to friend and foe alike—a tragic waste of such a loyal man as Yan Qing!

“A true hero!” Cai Fu couldn’t help but praise Yan Qing.

“Xiaoyi, since that’s the case, I won’t keep anything from you. Actually, I know that Master Lu is innocent. Out of loyalty, I intend to save his life. Moreover, since he is your master and you care for him deeply, given our friendship, I must rescue him!”

“Ah…” Cai Fu’s words left Yan Qing both surprised and elated—after all, Lu Junyi had been branded a rebel by Liang Zhongshu!

If Cai Fu chose to save Lu Junyi, he’d be accused of colluding with a rebel, a truly noble act!

And Cai Fu was no mere commoner; he was a jailer paid by the government!

Yan Qing was at a loss for words and fell to his knees before Cai Fu once more, tears streaming down his face as he swore:

“Thanks to Brother Jieji’s righteous aid to my master, Xiaoyi is willing to follow Brother Jieji through fire and water without hesitation!”

“We’re all brothers here—no need for such formality,” Cai Fu said, helping Yan Qing up and patting his slender yet sturdy arms.

“But before saving Master Lu, I’ll first take you to widen your horizons.”

Widen his horizons? Yan Qing followed Cai Fu’s lead, disguised as a lowly prisoner with his face blackened, trailing behind him.

They left the prison and walked along the road, crossing the prefectural bridge when a tea scholar called out respectfully to Cai Fu:

“Jieji, there’s a guest waiting upstairs in my tea house, eager to speak with you.”

Cai Fu went upstairs and saw a man with a slicked-back hairdo, painted face, and shifty, darting eyes.

It was none other than Lu Junyi’s steward, Li Gu—the treacherous man who framed Lu Junyi.

Yan Qing wished he could tear Li Gu apart, but Cai Fu had warned him beforehand to remain silent.

With a forced smile, Cai Fu asked Li Gu, “What does the steward wish to discuss?”

Li Gu hesitated, glancing at Yan Qing.

Yan Qing bowed low, head down, appearing to be Cai Fu’s subordinate. Li Gu recognized him but, seeing his disguise and demeanor, thought nothing of it and regarded him as just another lowly prisoner. Hoping to engage in illicit dealings, Li Gu wished Cai Fu to dismiss Yan Qing.

Cai Fu chuckled: “He’s my trusted man. If the steward has something to say, speak freely.”

With Cai Fu’s permission, Li Gu dropped all pretense and hinted wildly:

“Without deceit or trickery, all my affairs are known to Jieji. Tonight, if things go smoothly, I’ll offer fifty taels of gold as a gift to Jieji. I’ll handle the officials in the hall myself…”

What a scoundrel!

Yan Qing’s face darkened. He had already guessed Li Gu’s intentions upon seeing him, but hearing it outright ignited his fury: this villain had gone too far!

Remember, it was Lu Junyi who saved Li Gu from freezing to death in the snow when he was desperate and helpless.

Lu Junyi had trusted him for his diligence and literacy, elevating him to steward and handing over the family business.

Yet Li Gu had an affair with Lady Jia, framed Lu Junyi, imprisoned him, and seized his estate…

And now he even offered Lu Junyi’s own gold to buy his death!

Is this still human?

Yan Qing’s gaze turned icy. He clenched his fists so tightly his nails bit into his flesh.

Cai Fu glanced at Yan Qing and, seeing his restraint, thought more highly of him.

Turning back to Li Gu, Cai Fu sneered:

“Have you not seen the inscription on the hall’s stone tablet: ‘The humble are easily oppressed; Heaven is hard to deceive’?

“Your hidden treachery is no secret to me. You’ve seized his property, schemed against his wife, and now offer me fifty taels of gold to end his life.

“When the magistrate steps down, I won’t bear such a case!”

Li Gu’s eyes darted wildly:

“If Jieji finds it too little, I’ll add another fifty.”

Cai Fu’s lips curled into a cold smile and, as in the original story, he dealt Li Gu a sharp rebuke:

“Li Gu, you’re trying to stir cat food with a cat’s tail.

“There’s a famous Lu Yuanwai in Beijing—do you think he’s worth only a hundred taels of gold?

“If you want me to betray him, don’t test me—I want five hundred taels!”

Li Gu quickly said, “The gold is here. I’ll give it all to Jieji, as long as it’s done tonight.”

The man actually carried five hundred taels of gold on him and handed it over with both hands.

Cai Fu admired how cunning the original Cai Fu was, precisely calculating the price Li Gu could bear.

He also despised Li Gu’s ingratitude and ruthlessness.

Even though Liang Zhongshu had already decided to execute Lu Junyi, Li Gu was willing to pay five hundred taels just to buy him an early death and peace in the afterlife.

Cai Fu sneered, handing the money-wrapped bundle to Yan Qing and stood, tossing out:

“Come early tomorrow to carry the corpse.”

Li Gu grinned from ear to ear: “Thank you, Jieji, for making this happen!”

Once they were out of sight, Yan Qing ground his teeth and said to Cai Fu:

“Thank you, Brother Jieji. Today, I have truly opened my eyes!”

“That’s just the beginning!” Cai Fu chuckled. “The real show is yet to come!”

Yan Qing was stunned: More experts? But who could they be?

Even with his clever mind, he could not guess the identity of this mysterious figure.

Cai Fu led Yan Qing home, and just as they entered, a person lifted aside the reed curtain and stepped in.

The man greeted, “Greetings, Cai Jieji.”

Cai Fu sized him up. He was remarkably handsome, dressed in fine brocade and jade belts.

The man bowed upon entering.

Cai Fu asked, “Sir, may I know your name? What do you wish to discuss?”

The man replied, “May I speak inside?”

Cai Fu invited him into the discussion chamber where they sat as guests.

The man hesitated, glancing at Yan Qing.

Cai Fu smiled as before: “He’s my trusted man. Whatever you wish to say, speak without reserve.”

The man gave up pretense and revealed plainly:

“Jieji, don’t be surprised. I am Chai Jin from Cangzhou Henghai County, a direct descendant of the Great Zhou Emperor. My nickname is ‘Little Whirlwind’…”