Chapter 71: The Unexpected

The scene was utter chaos, with many villagers shoved and jostled by the constables, falling to the ground as cries and shouts echoed without end. The constables, too, were pulled and torn at by the villagers, some losing their uniforms, others their official hats. One constable, furious, bellowed, and at his command, the constables raised their batons and advanced on the villagers.

A villager collapsed under the blow, blood gushing from his head, ceasing not at all. Watching this, Gou Ye was filled with rage and immediately ordered the Guo brothers to halt the constables’ violence. Though the constables were many, none could match the Guo brothers. As three or five constables were beaten to the ground, the villagers surged forward, raining fists and kicks on those fallen men.

The lead constable shouted, “You unruly rabble! Gathering to resist the law, assaulting officers of the court! Brothers, seize the troublemakers! Draw your swords—any who resist the law shall be dealt with on the spot!”

Village Chief Li heard these words and knew the situation could not be allowed to escalate further. He rushed to the head constable, who, not knowing Li’s intentions, saw him approach with a raised hand and mistook him for a rebel. Instantly, he drew his weapon. As Li reached him, a sharp pain shot through his abdomen, and he saw the gleaming blade pierce his belly. Blood surged within him, and a mouthful of it sprayed forth, splattering the constable’s face crimson. Enraged that his appearance was sullied, the constable kicked Li violently, knocking him to the ground.

The moment the village chief fell, everyone was stunned—including Gou Ye, who pushed through the crowd and rushed to Li’s side. Silence fell, and all moved toward the chief. The lead constable sensed the atmosphere had changed—a death had occurred, and the matter was grave. Without further thought, he led the constables in a hasty retreat from the village.

Li was cradled in Gou Ye’s arms, his eyes closed. Though he still breathed, he had no strength left; pain had rendered him nearly numb. He could feel his life slowly slipping from his body. Gou Ye called desperately for Grandpa Li, but the old chief could no longer open his eyes. Exhausted, he summoned his last bit of strength to murmur, “Protect Tumen…”

He did not, as in television dramas, deliver a long speech at death’s door. Li’s words ended here, and he was gone. Gou Ye cried out, tears streaming uncontrollably. Yun Niang, witnessing the scene, covered her mouth and nose, crouched down and wept aloud. Not only the two of them—every villager stamped their feet and shed tears.

Holding the chief, Gou Ye’s mind was flooded with memories: “Little Yun Niang, your young husband is here to work—ha ha ha…” “Grandpa Li hopes you can help Tumen Village, help those villagers suffering day by day. I don’t ask you to make them rich—just do what you can, find ways to let them eat their fill and stay warm, that is enough…” “It is not easy to do good, easy to do wrong. To be a villain is easy, to be a gentleman is hard. But you must not, because villainy is easy, indulge in wrongdoing. Nor should you, because being a gentleman is hard, shrink back and lose confidence. Gou Ye, you and Yun Niang are clever children, both still young. Grandpa believes you can do better…”

Whether in Gou Ye’s proudest moments or in his lowest, Chief Li had always given him the most important guidance. Though before Gou Ye’s crossing, he had not interacted much with the chief, the memories etched in his mind were irreplaceable, as was his affection for the old man. Li had watched Gou Ye and Yun Niang grow, treating them as his own children.

He treated all villagers as his own, caring for and helping everyone. All had witnessed this, and for so many years, Li’s prestige in the village was due not only to his deeds, but more importantly, to the warmth he fostered—making the villagers feel they were part of one big family.

Now, the person beloved by everyone—the man who carried his tobacco pouch every day, whose wrinkled face was always full of smiles—was gone. Some could not accept it, believing Li would rise again, stand up for the villagers, ease their burdens, settle disputes. With him there, everyone felt a comforting sense of security.

As realization set in, the villagers’ anger turned against the constables. One by one, they returned home, grabbed their tools, and prepared to go to the county to seek justice for the chief. Gou Ye, despite his grief, could not allow matters to worsen; he knew what Li’s last words meant: “Protect Tumen Village.” It was both hope and command.

Gou Ye placed Chief Li in his son’s arms, rose, and stood before the crowd. “Friends, I know you are angry and sorrowful, and want to seek justice for the chief. My feelings are the same. But now, I cannot let you go. I cannot let you risk your lives. If anyone here comes to harm, it is not what Chief Li would have wanted. If he were still here, I believe he would stand with me to stop you from going to the county—because he wouldn’t want you to be hurt.”

“Gou Ye, let me go to the county! The chief died in injustice—we must seek justice for him!” “Yes, justice must be done!” The villagers raised their sticks, and if not for the Guo brothers’ efforts, they would have rushed out of the village.

Gou Ye looked at them, his eyes bloodshot. “Come, everyone look—look at Grandpa Li lying on the ground. I can let you go if you wish, but if you feel you can meet the chief’s expectations, then go ahead. But if you remember the chief’s instructions, and heed my advice, I hope you can all calm down. We must seek justice for ourselves, and vengeance too, but not today. If we go to the county now, not only will we fail to avenge the chief, but we will give the magistrate an excuse to accuse us of rioting. We would only harm ourselves, and Chief Li’s death would be in vain. But I promise you—I will give everyone an explanation. I will avenge the chief, and I will fight for justice against this unfair treatment. Please trust me!”

With these words, Gou Ye bowed deeply to the crowd. At once, everyone calmed, laid down their sticks, and wept in silence.