Adventures of the Mad Monk Ji Gong by Guo Xiaoting

Author:Guo Xiaoting
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-8048-4322-5
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

CHAPTER 36

The prime minister questions a false dragon; Chai and She find a hanging man

IN the library when Yang Zaitian asked the assassin’s name, the outlaw replied, “My name is Hua and I am called Cloud Dragon. My nickname is Robber Rat of the Universe, and I am, indeed, from Four Rivers.”

“Do not ask further, Elder Brother,” Protector Zhao said. “I will have him taken to the residence of Prime Minister Qin and follow the prime minister’s instructions.”

Yang Zaitian went over to Ji Gong and thanked him. “If it were not for the help of the saintly monk, I would now be beneath the Yellow Springs. From now on I will never dare to doubt the words of Buddhist and Daoist monks.”

There was a knock at the library door and a gatekeeper entered to report that the men had come from the yamen of the Great Protector. A moment later Zhao Fu and Zhao Lu came in, bringing a parcel of clothing. Protector Zhao at once changed into his usual attire. “Who knew that I was here and sent for my things?” he asked as he dressed.

“It was the watchman at the entrance of Rui Lane,” Zhao Fu replied. “He came at Ji Gong’s orders. He brought the news very early and told us to bring the clothing to the home of Yang Zaitian.”

When he heard this, Protector Zhao understood for the first time what had been happening. After he had finished dressing, he asked Ji Gong whether he wished to return on horseback or in a sedan chair.

Ji Gong said, “Protector, why don’t you go to see that the robber is locked up. I will follow after you.” Yang Zaitian came out to the gate to see everyone off. The protector then said farewell. The four headmen—Chai Yuanlo, She Jengying, Lei Siyuan, and Ma Anjie—transferred the prisoner under guard to the estate of Prime Minister Qin, and word was sent on that they had arrived.

The night before, after the monk had left with the Great Protector, Prime Minister Qin had waited in the library until after the fourth watch. When he failed to see the monk return, he began to feel tired and went to sleep in his clothes on the kang in the library. In a little while it grew light. He rose, drank some tea, and ate some pastries. Then one of the household people came in to report: “Protector Zhao is now at the gate, bringing with him some headmen who are guarding an outlaw they captured. They await your pleasure.”

Prime Minister Qin said, “First invite the Great Protector in; after a little while bring the robber before me.”

The household person went out and said, “The prime minister has invited Great Protector Zhao to come within.”

When he arrived in the library, Great Protector Zhao explained in detail the events that had occurred at Rui Lane, including the capture of the robber, praising Ji Gong for his part in the capture.

Prime Minister Qin immediately asked that the outlaw be led in.

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