Chapter 14: The Ways of the Authorities

Old Master Liu could no longer bear it and shouted angrily, “We’re all neighbors here. When Yi brought meat to share, everyone ate until their mouths were shiny with grease. So why is it, now that Yi is in trouble, you’re all afraid of getting burned?”

Li Yi stepped forward to support Old Master Liu. “Please, don’t be angry. Since Hunter Liu has spoken so, I have a question for him.”

He then looked around at everyone, upright and forthright, meeting the villagers’ gazes without the slightest hint of evasion.

Once the villagers quieted down, Li Yi turned to Hunter Liu and said, “Hunter Liu, by what you just said, do you mean that if a bully harasses your wife and daughter, you should stand by and do nothing? If a villain bullies your neighbors and relatives, you should just watch? If a wealthy official humiliates the poor and weak, should they simply endure it?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Hunter Liu replied angrily.

Li Yi looked at him coldly, mocking, “Then may I ask, when Ai Wanhua harassed my betrothed, what should I have done? When he insulted my respected elders, what should I have done? When he sent thugs to take my life, what should I have done?”

Hunter Liu faltered, glancing at the thoughtful villagers, unsure how to answer.

When it came to arguing, a man used to hunting in the mountains was no match, even ten of him together, for Li Yi, who had spent decades navigating heated debates.

Li Yi couldn’t be bothered to spare him another glance. Instead, he raised his voice, “Since Hunter Liu can’t answer, I’ll answer for him. Everyone wants nothing more than a peaceful life, a warm home with wife and children. But if someone insists on provoking us, bullying our wives and children, insulting our elders, or even threatening our lives—there’s only one thing to do: Fight back. Hit them as hard as you can.”

“Well said!” Li Guo shouted from the side.

Hunter Liu gritted his teeth. “I can’t out-argue you. No matter what, if you go to the Ai family to confess, whether you’re beaten or killed, take responsibility yourself. Don’t drag everyone else into it.”

“That’s enough, Hunter Liu. What nonsense are you spouting?” Great-grandfather tapped his cane and scolded him sharply.

“Hah, Hunter Liu is just afraid of the Ai family’s revenge. Why provoke us? If we, as neighbors, stand by and watch Ai Wanhua drive Yi and his family to death, our ancestors would be ashamed,” Aunt Li said plainly, exposing Hunter Liu’s true motives.

Li Zijin also called out loudly, “We pride ourselves on loyalty. Living in the same village, could we really stand by and do nothing?”

Hunter Liu tried to speak again, but Old Master Liu strode over and slapped him hard across the face.

“Spineless wretch! How did our Liu family produce such a coward? Get out of here!”

Hunter Liu clutched his cheek, glaring venomously at the villagers. “Believe what you want, but Li Yi has provoked the Ai family. Sooner or later, he’ll bring disaster on us all.”

With that, he turned to leave.

He hurried to the Ai family to explain himself, hoping to avoid their revenge falling on him.

But as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, he ran into two constables.

Next to them stood four burly Ai family retainers, each holding a heavy staff, their expressions unfriendly.

“C-c-constables?” Hunter Liu’s legs trembled, and he froze in place.

The constables shoved him aside without mercy and strode into the courtyard, announcing loudly, “Li Yi of Lijiazhuang, your crime has come to light. Come with us.”

When the villagers saw the two constables, their hats adorned with bird feathers, clad in blue cotton uniforms with archer sleeves and swords at their waists, their faces changed drastically.

Ordinary people didn’t dare challenge officials—the King of Hell was easier to deal with than his underlings, after all.

The villagers usually feared these constables and petty officials most. Now, seeing their hostile manner, a chill of dread settled over everyone.

Great-grandfather hobbled forward, forcing a smile. “Sirs, I am the village head. May I ask what business you have with Li Yi?”

A constable glanced at him and snapped, “We’re on official business. Who are you to question us, you old fool?”

Great-grandfather, despite his age, dared not protest. Instead, he took out a handful of copper coins and offered them obsequiously. “Sirs, you’ve worked hard. Please take this for a hot drink.”

Seeing the chance for a bribe, one constable said, “Today our master is a guest at the Ai family’s. He happened to witness the Ai family’s second young master injured. Now the Ai family accuses Li Yi of Lijiazhuang of assault, malicious intent, and conspiring to rebel. We are ordered to arrest him.”

At the charge of conspiring to rebel, the villagers erupted in panic.

This was a capital crime—punishable by death.

“You’re lying! It was Ai Wanhua who tried to shame my master’s wife and was punished by my master!” Li Guo shouted.

The constable sneered, “Well, here’s a bold one. Boy, did you really witness it?”

Li Guo was about to answer, but Li Zijin quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.

Seeing Li Guo silenced, the constable said, disappointed, “Are there any other witnesses?”

The villagers dared not speak.

Another constable grumbled, “Damn, these mud-legged peasants have gotten crafty. They know that if they get involved, we’ll have an excuse to throw them in jail and squeeze their families for silver to bail them out.”

As the constables spoke, Great-grandfather shot Li Yi a look, signaling him to escape quietly.

But the constable caught on instantly, his expression darkening. “Old man, don’t try anything clever. Our master’s waiting. If Li Yi escapes, we’ll arrest your whole family for aiding a criminal.”

Li Yi pushed aside Aunt Li, Old Master Liu, and the others shielding him, and stepped forward. “I am the one you seek. Don’t involve the innocent.”

The constable, hand on his sword, sized him up. “You’re Li Yi?”

“Sir, this is Li Yi—he’s the culprit. It has nothing to do with us,” Hunter Liu shouted.

One constable drew his sword and barked, “Li Yi, we know you’re a skilled fighter. Don’t try anything, or your whole village will suffer for it.”

The four strong Ai family retainers circled Li Yi, wielding their iron-tipped staves.

Li Yi stood unyielding. Out of concern for the villagers, he did not resist.

Another constable produced a pair of rusty shackles and cautiously approached, binding both Li Yi’s hands and feet.

Having seen the injuries suffered by the Ai family’s thugs, they took no chances.

Once the shackles were secure, the two constables breathed a sigh of relief.

Though the villagers feared them as tigers, with bandits rampant these days, the constables dared not be careless.

Having captured Li Yi, the constables showed no intention of leaving. Instead, one glanced around at the villagers, a greedy, sinister smile on his lips.

He grabbed Great-grandfather and whispered, “Li Yi is in custody, but whether or not there are accomplices is up to us. Do you understand?”

Great-grandfather, full of rage, asked, “How much do you want?”

The constable slyly raised five fingers.

Five taels of silver.

Great-grandfather glared at him in fury. At this time, a single wen could buy two black cakes. Five taels of silver was a year’s savings for a family of three who neither ate nor drank.

“Old fool, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Here’s your chance to show respect. Otherwise, a few people in your village will pay the price.”

He pointed at three half-grown boys nearby. “I suspect these boys are Li Yi’s accomplices. Arrest them.”

Another constable drew a rope and moved to seize them.

The boys’ parents wailed and rushed to shield them, only to be struck down by the constables’ sword hilts, their cries of pain filling the air.

“Stop!” Great-grandfather, grief and fury etched on his face, blocked the way, tears streaming down his cheeks. “We’ll pay—we’ll pay, isn’t that enough?!”

The constable who had struck them spat contemptuously. “You should have been sensible from the start.”