Chapter Four: The Supreme Stratagem—To Kill

Hearing Zhang Mo’s words, Lü Shuang softly said, “I just asked you earlier, sir, because there was a part I didn’t quite hear clearly. I also thought that the words ‘Cold Mountain’ must have been a mishearing.” Xu You likewise lowered his voice, saying, “It was only for the sake of rhythm, to seek a fitting line. If I were to change ‘Cold Mountain’ to ‘Maple Bridge,’ not only would it repeat ‘River Maples’ from the previous line, but it would also ruin the rhythm of the entire poem.”

This explanation sufficed for Lü Shuang, but when it came to Zhang Mo, it seemed almost flippant. He then raised his voice and said, “Sir, perhaps you are unaware, but a few years ago, when I was visiting Maple Bridge Monastery, I encountered an old monk sweeping the grounds. He observed my demeanor and sensed that I harbored many unresolved grievances. Intentionally, he swept a pile of dry leaves to my feet, blocking my path. Just as I was about to angrily demand an explanation, he suddenly said, ‘In this world, there are those who slander me, deceive me, insult me, ridicule me, belittle me, despise me, hate me, and cheat me—how should one deal with such things?’”

Zhang Mo’s interest was piqued and he asked, “Sir, how did you answer him then?”

“How could I possibly answer? I racked my brains for a long time but found no solution. The old monk, as if smiling enigmatically, simply walked around the pile of leaves and continued on his way, saying, ‘Simply endure him, let him be, avoid him, respect him, ignore him—ten years from now, you’ll see what becomes of him!’”

“Slander me, deceive me, insult me... endure him, let him be, avoid him…” Zhang Mo murmured those words twice under his breath. Suddenly he shuddered and could not help but take a step forward, asking, “Sir, do you know the monk’s Dharma name?”

“His name is Cold Mountain.”

Zhang Mo was taken aback, then burst into hearty laughter. “Indeed, indeed! From this night on, Maple Bridge Monastery shall bear the name of Cold Mountain!”

When his laughter faded, Zhang Mo bowed deeply and said, “Meeting by chance on the river, to receive a fine poem, hear brilliant words, and have all my fatigue melt away like spring snow—it is truly delightful! However, I must hurry home and cannot linger. If you ever find yourself in Zhuji, please come visit; I will prepare my humble abode to welcome you.”

Xu You had yet to give his name, but Zhang Mo was not offended by this lack of formality. Instead, he offered genuine friendship, displaying a generous and gracious spirit that was truly admirable.

“If I have the opportunity, I will certainly call upon you.”

“Very well, until we meet again!”

As the large boat pulled away, Qiufen entered carrying a basin of hot water. Xu You rose to his feet and said, “You should rest early too. Tomorrow, when we reach Wu County at dawn, Feng Hu will see you safely ashore.”

Qiufen, unaware of the conversation that had just transpired, exclaimed in surprise, nearly dropping the basin, and looked at Xu You. “Young master, is Lü Shuang going to part ways with us?”

Xu You smiled. “I only just found out. Lü Shuang grew up in Wu County and came east with the boat simply because it would have been inappropriate for her to travel so far alone as a young woman. Now that she is home, it is only natural that she leaves us.”

“I see…” Qiufen glanced back at Lü Shuang, who managed a faint smile and said, “The young master is right. My home is here. In the future, if you and the young master visit Wu County again, be sure to stop by Qingle Tower and talk with me.”

“Qingle Tower?”

“Yes, that’s my home. Since I have nowhere else to go, I must return there.”

Xu You left the cabin and walked to the prow of the boat, pondering Lü Shuang’s last words, a trace of reluctance stirring in his heart. Zuo Wen emerged from the shadows and asked, “Sir, is there something amiss with her?”

Zuo Wen was someone Xu You would one day rely on as his right hand, so there was no need to keep secrets from him. Xu You replied, “At first, I simply didn’t understand why Lady San sent Lü Shuang to me, so I wanted to test her with words. I hadn’t expected her to be so strong-willed as to throw herself into the river rather than compromise her integrity. But after talking with her further, I realized that many of my earlier doubts had reasonable explanations.”

Zuo Wen, having lived for years in the Yuan household, had often seen women gifted as concubines or courtesans, so he had not thought much of it during the journey—until the events of that night made him realize Xu You had grown suspicious of Lü Shuang. He asked, “Then, sir, why do you still seem troubled?”

Xu You gave a wry smile. “Because I cannot tell how much of what she says is true.”

Zuo Wen looked at him in astonishment. Xu You, with his keen mind and sharp perception, was usually formidable. How could he be at a loss when it came to a mere Lü Shuang?

“If you do not mind my clumsiness, sir, may I ask what the two of you discussed? I have been in the Yuan household for many years and might know a thing or two that could help.”

Xu You had just such an intention, so he recounted her words. Zuo Wen frowned. “I’ve never heard that the second young master had such peculiar tastes… but he serves in Jinling most of the year and spends little time in Jinling…”

“So this matter cannot be verified. Even if things are as Lü Shuang says, the household would surely keep it secret and forbid anyone from letting it slip.”

“Exactly! But it is true that Lü Shuang is from Wu County. Years ago, the second young master paid two hundred thousand cash to buy her from Qingle Tower. When the lord found out, he gave him a severe scolding and confined him for several months to study the classics, telling him to stay away from such frivolity. Everyone in the household knew about it!”

“I guessed as much. If she were lying, we’d find out as soon as we reach the city tomorrow. Feng Hu, have you noticed? When it comes to important matters, what she says cannot be verified, but with trivial things, she is always precise. It’s all so muddled—what’s true and what’s false is impossible to tell.”

Zuo Wen thought for a moment and said, “I have three strategies for dealing with Lü Shuang.”

“Let’s hear them.”

“The best plan: kill her!” Zuo Wen’s tone turned cold and stern. “Dispose of her in the river without leaving a trace. If Lady San asks later, simply report that she died of illness.”

Xu You nodded. “And the next?”

“The middle plan: put her ashore at Wu County, regardless of whether she’s true or false—it has nothing to do with us any longer. But in this case, might she return to Jinling and slander you, angering Lady San? Or perhaps she will seek you out again, using her charms to win your sympathy, making it hard for you to sever ties? Or perhaps she has some other scheme we haven’t anticipated? All these are possible!”

Xu You, having just had that conversation with Lü Shuang, felt some pity for her plight, which made him hesitate. Zuo Wen, worldly and experienced, understood the hearts of young men and women and had precisely grasped Xu You’s difficulty.

“And the third plan?”

“The last plan is to act as if nothing is wrong—set aside all doubts and let Lü Shuang remain at your side. Once we reach Qiantang, she will be isolated and closely watched. Even if she does harbor ill intentions, she’ll be like a bird in a cage, unable to cause any harm.”

Xu You pondered for a moment. “In your opinion, the best plan is naturally to choose the first?”

This time, it was Zuo Wen’s turn to smile wryly. “From your perspective, sir, the first plan is the cleanest and leaves no future trouble. But if it were up to me, I’d probably go with the second.”

Xu You laughed. “I thought a veteran like you, Feng Hu, hardened by years in the army, would surely be ruthless. I didn’t expect you to be so compassionate toward women.”

“Ahem…” Zuo Wen looked embarrassed and lowered his voice. “Though I am a soldier and killing is part of the job, I find it hard to harm women and children. Especially after spending these days with Lady Lü Shuang, I do not believe her to be the scheming or ruthless type. But if you command it, I will obey without question!”

“It was wrong of me to jest. To spare women and children is an act of kindness; I shouldn’t make light of it.”

Xu You finally made up his mind. “Qiantang is hardly a safe place. We’ll have too much to deal with there, and it’s unwise to keep an unstable element by our side. As for your first plan, though clean and decisive, remember this: human life is not like chives, to be cut five times a year. Once someone dies, they can never return. Unless there is irrefutable evidence, do not kill lightly. Let’s send her ashore tomorrow morning.”

The next day, at dawn, as the first cold rays of light spilled over the horizon, Xu You stepped out of his cabin and saw Qiufen hurrying toward him. “Young master, Lü Shuang is trembling all over, her forehead is burning, and now she’s started to ramble incoherently…”

Xu You and Zuo Wen, who had come at the sound, exchanged worried glances. If she had truly caught a chill, how could they, in good conscience, send her away? Zuo Wen bowed and said, “Sir, I learned a little medicine from the army doctor in the past. Allow me to go in and take a look.”

Xu You hadn’t expected this from Zuo Wen. “Go, then.”

A short while later, Zuo Wen came out from behind the curtain, his face grave, and approached Xu You quietly. “She truly has caught a chill—it’s not an act.”

For an ordinary woman, after such an ordeal and a plunge into the cold river, falling ill would not be surprising. But having witnessed Shui Xi’s martial skill, Xu You had assumed Lü Shuang must also possess hidden abilities, and such a slight illness should hardly have affected her.

Yet seeing her now, could it be that he had wronged an innocent?

“Let’s enter the city and find a doctor. We can’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Xu You spoke with resignation. He was never truly heartless. Even in these blood-soaked, merciless times, he still kept a small light burning in his heart—a light that had never gone out.