"Just dispatch Yamen runners on whatever pretext you can think of, such as searching for burglars or something like that. Impose a curfew and have Yamen runners patrol the streets every night. Make an excuse to focus the defense on the Lu family. Those bandits will surely have misgivings once they see the defense line. Even if they're bold enough to launch a frontal attack, we can fight back against the enemies with righteous cause."

That was right. How come he didn't think of this! Ling Zhang's eyes lit up.

As long as they managed to make it through the next half a month, Zhang Chong would be eliminated, and all worries about this issue would be totally unnecessary.

"Most importantly, we can also force Zhang Chong to keep his grievance to himself," Ling Zhaowen added.

"Zhang Chong?"

Ling Zhaowen smiled, "You forgot the duty of Prefecture Guards? Yamen runners are indeed not enough, but Prefecture Guards are more than enough to handle the bandits, right?"

"I get it," Ling Zhang said excitedly. When something happened in the city, Prefecture Guards were obliged by law to provide assistance, and Zhang Chong couldn't refuse. Moreover, Zhang Chong had to stop those bandits from getting into the city. Otherwise, how would residents think of Prefecture Guards?

With this plan, Ling Zhang was relieved.

After the consultation between the two was over, Yuwen Tong arrived.

It was not until Ling Zhang saw Yuwen Tong that he recalled he had to find a way to explain to Yuwen Tong his previous reaction as well as the plan of him and his Uncle. After all, his knowing in advance what Zhang Chong was going to do was the very prerequisite for this plan.

Yuwen Tong, however, was in no hurry. On entering the room, he first greeted Ling Zhaowen. "My men are having their eye on both Zhang Chong and Jia Zhong. If anything happens, we'll be informed immediately."

"I'm much obliged to you, marshal." Ling Zhaowen thanked Yuwen Tong. "We have only ourselves to blame for getting into this mess, yet we put you to so much trouble. I feel deeply ashamed."

"There's no need to thank me, Uncle Ling. The Ling family is a benefactor of my family. Since I'm in Tanyang, I won't let any harm comes to the Ling family."

Ling Zhang was fretting about how he should explain himself to Yuwen Tong, but it turned out that Yuwen Tong had no intention of asking him about it at all. After having a brief talk with Ling Zhaowen, he stood up ready to take his leave.

"Uncle, I'm going back as well," Ling Zhang also hurriedly said as he saw this.

Ling Zhaowen nodded. Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong left, the former following the latter. A rather meaningful smile appeared on Ling Zhaowen's face as he watched them leaving.

After leaving the courtyard of Uncle Ling, Ling Zhang had been waiting for Yuwen Tong to ask him all along, but Yuwen Tong kept silent all the way.

Finally, when they returned to the Green Bamboo Mansion, Ling Zhang couldn't help but ask him first, "Was there nothing you wanted to ask me about just now?"

"Aren't you going to tell me right now?"

So Yuwen Tong had been deliberately waiting for him to run out of patience and tell him on his own account? Ling Zhang was secretly angry with himself for not having been more patient.

"Just now, I saw that Uncle Ling looked unworried. Manifestly you've already come up with some kind of countermeasure. Do you need my help?"

Having noticed that there was a ghost of annoyance in his eyes, Yuwen Tong knew that he probably had displeased him, so he stopped teasing Ling Zhang.

Surprisingly, after his annoyance dissolved, Ling Zhang was less anxious and less worried. He knew that he was no match for Yuwen Tong, that Yuwen Tong probably knew all his thoughts.

"Do you still remember I mentioned that my men once found some people, presumably bandits, entered the Prefecture Encampment?"

"I do."

"I'm afraid Zhang Chong is going to directly adopt coercive measures and try to eliminate my family through the hands of those bandits, so I consulted with my Uncle and we came up with a countermeasure."

Ling Zhang gave a half-genuine, half-sham account of the matter but had no idea whether Yuwen Tong believed him or not. There was nothing he could deduce from the expression on Yuwen Tong's face.

"My Uncle will impose a curfew on the pretext of searching for burglars in the city. Then he'll dispatch patrol teams. Apart from those Yamen runners, the Prefecture Guards will also send some men to help with the defense. In that case, even if Zhang Chong wants to take action, he won't be able to do it for the moment. Besides, as long as we manage to make it through the next half a month during which Zhang Chong and the Jia family will be eliminated, all problems will be readily solved."

After hearing his remarks, Yuwen Tong nodded and said, "This countermeasure is pretty good. A lot of trouble will be resolved. But the mere pretext of searching for burglars might not be convincing enough. It would be better if we put on a show." "Put on a show?" Ling Zhang was confused.

"Imposing a curfew and dispatching a great many of men to catch common burglars is a little dramatic. Zhang Chong probably won't buy it and might even see through it, but if there's bloodshed, it will be a different story, since ferocious and outrageous burglars are far more convincing."

"But how can we make sure that it's only acting? That nobody dies? We may find more helpers, but the more people involved, the higher the risk of leak."

"All you have to do is tell me the target. I'll have my men handle the rest."

Ling Zhang had a sudden inspiration. "Okay. I'll consult with my Uncle and give you a reply later."

Yuwen Tong had no objection to this.

Ling Zhang went back to Ling Zhaowen's place and told him Yuwen Tong's suggestion.

Ling Zhaowen smiled, "Marshal Yuwen's reputation is not unwarranted. Even the way he does things is more discreet. Where do you think is the most suitable target?"

"Let's ask Uncle Lu for help. It will also make a convenient excuse to have Yamen runners focus defense on the Lu family. We can even request Yamen runners to stay in the Lu family. Besides, there will be a lot of people going to the Lu family to offer their condolences, which will make it even more difficult for them to do whatever it is they want to do to the Lu family."

Watching Ling Zhang in gratification, Ling Zhaowen said, "Then let's do this your way. I'll tell Lu Kui the plan."

"Do it as soon as possible, Uncle. I'm afraid Yuwen Tong needs to make some arrangements. If there's too little time, they might not be able to make enough preparations."

"Rest assured. I'll go to the Lu family right away."

"Then I'll have Wang Dashan take a few guards to escort you there."

Ling Zhang went to his dwelling in the Guards' yards and told Wang Dashan to bring his men to escort Ling Zhaowen. Then he exhaled in relief. Finally, half of this issue was resolved.

"Young master, are you teaching us today?" Qiu Bing ran over and asked.

"I am. I'll tell Captain Wang and the others when they return."

In the Green Bamboo Mansion, a guard saw that Ling Zhang was teaching those guards again. He went to Yuwen Tong and reported, "Marshal, Childe Ling is teaching those security guards again."

On hearing this, Yao Yi said to Yuwen Tong, "Marshal, Second Master Ling has also just left the house. It's said that he was heading for the Lu family. Why do you think Childe Ling was so sure that Zhang Chong would collude with bandits to attack the Ling family?"

"The Ling family is a local family here in Tanyang, so it's normal that they have some sources of intelligence that we don't know about," Yuwen Tong said with a calm look. "Go and make some arrangements for what I just bade you to do. When people of the Ling family are ready, cooperate with them and make sure nothing goes awry during the acting."

"Yes."

After an hour, Ling Zhaowen returned and told Ling Zhang that he had consulted with the Lu family, that they could start the cooperation once Yuwen Tong's men were ready.

"Great. I'll tell Yuwen Tong right away."

Ling Zhang hurriedly went back to the Green Bamboo Mansion and said to Yuwen Tong, "We found our cooperator. It's the Lu family."

As if not having known anything about this in advance at all, Yuwen Tong bade Yao Yi to make arrangements once again in front of Ling Zhang. Yao Yi obediently took the order without any changes of his expression.

"We can do this tonight."

"So soon? I'll send someone to-"

"Just sit down and have a rest. Yao Yi, go and inform Uncle Ling."

"Yes."

Fairly concerned, Ling Zhang still wanted to do it himself.

"Both your Uncle and the one you called Uncle Lu are not three-year-old children. Certainly they can handle this small issue."

After hearing this, Ling Zhang forbore from going. He lowered his head to look at his partially sweat-soaked clothes and said in embarrassment, "I'll go and change my clothes."

"Okay."

Ling Zhang returned to his room and changed. Though everything had been planned out, he kept having this feeling that he seemed to have overlooked something.

After changing clothes, he was about to go next door when suddenly he recalled what he had overlooked. "Xia Feng, go and get Liu Yi. Tell him that there's something I want him to do."

Xia Feng hurriedly left. Before long, Liu Yi arrived. "Young master, what can I do for you?"

"You and Captain Wang have to stay sharp at night in the next few days. It's very likely that those people we've been expecting will show up."

Liu Yi was secretly startled. "Did Childe have any messages?"

"Kind of. Anyway, you must keep your eyes peeled and stay vigilant during the next few days. If my deduction is right, those people will definitely show up."

"Yes, young master. Captain Wang and I will keep our eyes skinned."

If things went well, this time he would be able to find out which gang those bandits in direct collusion with Zhang Chong belonged to!

On that very night...

"Can I go with you?" Ling Zhang asked, watching Yuwen Tong with a pleasantly surprised look on his face.

Yuwen Tong said that he could bring Ling Zhang to the Lu family, which was a pleasant surprise for Ling Zhang, since he had thought that he would have to wait at home in boredom.

"Of course, but you have to change into night-suit first."

The so-called night-suit Ling Zhang changed into was in fact merely an outfit of a dark color. He didn't have any pitch-black clothes like those worn by Yao Yi and others.

The outfit was fairly skintight, which not only accentuated his figure but also provided a perfect foil for his white skin. In the candlelight, his skin stood out in sharp, almost dazzling relief against the clothes.

"What's the matter? Do I look weird?"

Upon seeing that Yuwen Tong was staring at him, Ling Zhang mistakenly believed that he looked strange in that outfit. Somewhat awkwardly, he said, "I don't have any night-suits. This outfit..."

"This outfit is pretty good," Yuwen Tong said. After walking around Ling Zhang with his eyes fixed on his neck, he withdrew his gaze and said, "Let's go. It's about time."

...

The Lu family was located in the southern part of the city, actually not very far away from the Ling family. Unlike the Ling family which had a simple family structure, the Lu family was a large family with numerous members. Lu Kui alone had three sons and four daughters.

The one who was going to cooperate with them in the trick was Lu Kui himself. Originally, Mrs. Lu volunteered to help but her offer was declined. After all, Mrs. Lu was a woman and there were some things inconvenient for her to do. Besides, there might be some unfavorable rumors if she got involved in this.

"To prevent divulgence, currently my wife and my father are the only ones aware of this in my family apart from me, so there might be confusion and disorder in my home when it happens."

"Rest assured, Uncle Lu. My Uncle will come here to help you keep things under control in your home as soon as possible."

"Okay," Lu Kui nodded solemnly. "Then what should I do now?"

"This is Guard Yao. Just do whatever he tells you to."

Ling Zhang signaled Yao Yi to come over and introduced him to Lu Kui.

"Rest assured, County Magistrate Lu. We'll fake a wound on you, which requires some disguise skills. When the operation starts, we'll give you a pill which will temporarily send you into suspended animation. Your breathing will be undetectably weak and nobody will be able to find out that you're still alive."

Of course, this kind of means was miraculous and mysterious in Lu Kui's eyes. He had only heard some rumors about it in the past but had never expected that the medicine, which could send people into suspended animation when ingested, did exist.

"Okay, then. Thank you, Guard Yao," he said.

From start to finish, Yuwen Tong, who had been standing beside Ling Zhang all along, kept silent. Lu Kui just thoughtfully flicked a glimpse at him but sensibly asked no questions.

Late at night, when the whole Tanyang was in a deathly hush, a sudden dismal screech emanated from the mansion of the Lu family in the southern part of the city.

"A man was killed!"

"Somebody help us! Burglars! Master was assassinated!"

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Brass gongs were sounded, and the whole Tanyang was alarmed. At this late hour, bursts of crying issuing from the mansion of the Lu family sent chills down people's spines.

"Goodness me. How did this happen? Those bandits and burglars have already entered the city?"

"Check the doors and windows. Make sure they're all firmly locked. Move that cabinet here to block this door!"

Soon, the whole Tanyang was thrown into confusion and chaos. Many residents got up and, too concerned to light their candles or lamps, hurried to check their windows and doors, blocking the gates with heavy furniture.

Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong, who were standing on the rooftop of a high pavilion in the backyard of the Lu family, could almost see three-quarter Tanyang. They could also faintly hear noises coming from all sides.

Ling Zhang felt a little guilty about frightening so many residents, but his sense of guilt lasted only a brief moment.

The clanging of gong indicated that the one sounding it was heading directly for the Prefecture Yamen. Before long, all Yamen runners on the night shift were dispatched. About eleven or twelve people rushed towards the mansion of the Lu family located in the southern part of the city.

"There." Ling Zhang stared at a moving luminous spot in the distance. That was lighted torches held by Yamen runners.

Children of the Lu family were also woken up, crying out loud. They were totally unaware of what was really going on, and their heartache was real, which was why their weep sounded exceptionally heart-rending.

Standing on the rooftop, Ling Zhang stared down at the chaotic situation in the Lu family, his eyes gradually growing thoughtful. Maybe on that night in his last incarnation, the Lu family was in even deeper confusion and horror as cacodemon-like bandits broke into their houses killing everybody on sight regardless of their age and gender.

"They're here."

Yuwen Tong's voice came into his ears. Ling Zhang, who was abruptly brought back from his recollection, gazed forward and found that staff members of the Prefecture Yamen had already arrived.

"What happened?" the Yamen runner heading the team asked.

"Officer, a burglar intruded into our master's study. Our master happened to be sleeping in the study and was killed by the burglar!" the butler of the Lu family hastily ran out and said in a tearful voice, weeping.

"What? Lead us to the scene right now." Shocked, Yamen runners strode towards the depths of the mansion of the Lu family.

Lu Kui's study was in a mess with blood all over. Lu Kui was lying right on the floor. There were several saber wounds in his body. The fatal one was in his abdomen, which was caused by a saber that had gone straight through him.

A Yamen runner put a finger before Lu Kui's nostrils to check his breathing. Then with a frown, he stood up, his eyes sweeping around the study which had been rummaged.

"Little Three, Little Four, go back and report this case to Lord Tao. Request him to issue an order to conduct a citywide hunt for the murderer immediately. In addition, send someone to inform Lord Ling."

"Yes, sir!"

Mrs. Lu nearly cried herself to faint. She was sitting on the ground against the door, weeping bitter tears of grief. Upon seeing that the Yamen runner confirmed Lu Kui's 'death', she was secretly relieved and started crying even louder.

"What a goddamn burglar! Why did you kill my husband? My darling, what a tragic fate you had!"

With his eyebrows knitted, a Yamen runner flicked a glance at Mrs. Lu and said, "I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Lu. Please go outside and have a rest. I promise we'll find clues, bring the murderer to justice and avenge Lord Lu's death."

Crying uncontrollably, Mrs. Lu was guided out of the room by her handmaids.

The Yamen runner performed an intensive search in the study, which took him quite a long time. Then he queried the servant responsible for routine cleaning of the study. After confirming the stolen valuables in general terms, he came to a conclusion.

"All stolen things were expensive carvings made of either gold or jade. It seems that the burglar intruded into the study to steal but was spotted by Lord Lu who was sleeping inside, so he killed him."

"Guys, search the whole mansion carefully, in case the murderer is still hiding here."

"Yes, sir!"

"Old Master Lu, please tell your family members not to walk around lest they encounter that murderer."

Lu Kui's father, Lu Fengnian, nodded in deep grief and said, "Thank you for kindly reminding us of this."

With Lu Fengnian's presence, all members of the Lu family soon gathered together. Servants also collected, trembling, too afraid to go anywhere alone.

Before long, Tao Feng and Ling Zhaowen arrived, bringing half a dozen Yamen runners with them.

The search lasted until daybreak, Yamen runners checked everywhere in the mansion of the Lu family, but other than bloodstained footprints on the wall of the backyard, they didn't find anything suspicious. Following the string of footprints, they went outside and checked the perimeter but there was no other trace.

Due to this horrific murder, Tao Feng's face was extremely sullen. He ordered a four-hour delay in opening the city gate and a citywide hunt for the murderer.

All residents of Tanyang were jittery, discussions on the matter of the Lu family everywhere.

Naturally, people of the Jia family also heard the news. At first, Jia Zhong was stunned, but then he burst into laugh. "This is great news! With his death, I got one fewer enemy standing in my way! What a divine intervention!" Having had enough laugh, he said with a regretful look, "It's a pity. Why wasn't it Ling Zhaowen who was killed?"