Chapter Nineteen: The Calamity at the Xu Residence

At this moment, the person who arrived at the Xu household was none other than Youzhi, the tax official who had visited once before, responsible for collecting taxes in the countryside.

Though a formal government official, in the chaos of the late Eastern Han, there were simply too many people wearing the title of “official” while behaving like bandits. To the powerful, they were as meek as lapdogs, but to the weak, they were wolves, ravenous and merciless.

Youzhi, who now stood at the Xu family’s gate, was precisely such a man.

Half a month ago, when he first came to the Xu household, he dared not act too outrageously. Though the Xus were refugees and of humble origin, they were not the destitute poor, and who could tell what connections they might have? But now things were different. He had already learned from a wandering bandit surnamed Zhang that, apart from the dismissed and exiled Cai Yong, the Xu family knew no one of consequence. In other words, they had no backing at all.

With this information in hand, Youzhi cast aside all restraint. He led a large group straight to the Xu home and, under the pretext of “tax evasion,” prepared to plunder them thoroughly.

Compared to common peasants, these families fleeing calamity yet of scholarly background always offered richer pickings.

“If I don’t get tens of thousands of coins, even a few thousand would make this trip worthwhile,” he thought, his eyes gleaming.

His nominal salary was a hundred bushels of grain, but after deductions, he received less than half—about forty bushels, roughly eight thousand coins for the year. If he could seize a few thousand coins from the Xu household, it would be as much as his annual wage. As the saying goes, “One haul can feed you for a year!”

With such thoughts in mind, he led his dozen followers straight into the Xu house. Mistress Xu tried to block their way, but he kicked her aside, sending her collapsing to the floor, unconscious.

Xu Fu, furious at the sight, rushed forward to fight, but before he could reach them, the servants had him pinned down, beating him until his face was battered and bruised. He was then bound hand and foot and thrown at the doorway.

Witnessing this, the maidservant Cui’er and the two carpenters dared not move, kneeling in terror at the side, forced to watch as Youzhi and his men stormed into the house, overturning chests and cabinets in search of valuables, as if conducting a household raid.

For a time, the sound of furniture crashing and items shattering echoed from all directions, and Xu Fu’s eyes nearly burst from their sockets in rage.

“Damn you, I swear I’ll kill you!” he shouted.

If looks could kill, Youzhi and his men would have been hacked to pieces a thousand times over by now. But reality offers no such mercy; all Xu Fu could do was grit his teeth and watch helplessly as they ransacked his home.

Soon enough, they found the money chest in Mistress Xu’s room and carried it into the courtyard, setting it before Youzhi.

At this sight, the rage on Xu Fu’s face faded to an icy calm, though the murderous intent in his eyes only deepened.

Unfortunately for him, his hatred did not go unnoticed; in fact, his thoughts had already been seen through.

“You are Xu Fu, aren’t you?”

After inspecting the money chest, Youzhi turned his gaze back to Xu Fu, a mocking smile on his lips.

“I’ve heard of you—just two days in Luoyang and already mingling with ruffians, stirring up trouble and disturbing the peace. Now that you’ve fallen into my hands, consider yourself unlucky. Take him away!”

“Yes, sir!”

At his command, two followers hefted the tightly bound Xu Fu and dragged him outside. The rest heaved the money chest, following with excited faces—another day, another “windfall,” with no thought given to the ruin they left in their wake.

Just as they were about to leave the Xu estate, a desperate voice cried out, “No… you can’t do this!”

At that, those dragging Xu Fu and carrying the chest paused. Turning around, they saw a figure in green rush forward, blocking their way.

“You can’t do this! My young master is a disciple of Official Cai. Release the elder master at once, or the young master will never let you get away with this!”

Seeing the little maid trying to muster courage, Youzhi and his men were first taken aback, then burst into laughter.

“She actually knows who Official Cai is!”

“Too bad she doesn’t know Cai has been exiled. Trying to scare us with that? How amusing!”

Their laughter only made Cui’er more anxious, but she stubbornly held her ground at the doorway.

“You can’t leave! Wait until the young master returns—he’ll know what to do!”

Her words were less a warning and more a comfort for herself. All she could do was hope that Xu Kang would return in time to save the Xu family from disaster.

But those before her had no patience.

Seeing Cui’er barring the door, the nearest lackey waved her off.

“Enough. We don’t have time for your nonsense. If your young master wants to see us, let him come to the yamen. Now out of the way, or don’t blame us for roughness!”

Faced with a dozen burly men, Cui’er’s legs nearly gave out; only clutching the doorframe kept her upright. Yet, even so, she refused to move, tears streaming down her face as she clung to the wood.

“No… you can’t go. I’ll wait for the young master before I let you pass!”

At the sight of her tear-streaked but unyielding face, Youzhi, who had been watching with amusement, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“You insolent maid, daring to defy an official! Clearly, the Xu family is hiding something. Seize her as well—I’ll interrogate her myself!”

“Yes, sir!” grinned the followers, clearly used to such affairs. Leering, they approached Cui’er.

Seeing this, Cui’er’s face turned to terror. She stumbled backwards, crying out for help.

“Don’t… don’t come near! Help! Help!”

“Shut up, you wretch!”

Annoyed by her cries, Youzhi strode over in two steps and slapped her hard across the face, sending her crashing to the ground.

Her cheek instantly swelled, and for a moment her mind went blank.

Taking advantage of her daze, Youzhi’s men quickly bound her with rope.

By now, a crowd had gathered, but not one dared intervene.

Feeling the stinging pain on her face, Cui’er no longer dared resist or call out; she could only sob quietly as they tied her up like a puppet.

Just then, the sound of horses’ hooves thundered in her ears.

She looked up to see a troop of a dozen armored cavalrymen, lances at the ready, riding straight toward them. Behind them marched dozens of soldiers bearing halberds.

When the cavalry reached the crowd, the lead rider pulled his reins, bringing his steed to a halt. He scanned the assembled crowd and asked with a frown:

“By order of Deputy Commander Xu, we are here to receive his family. Can anyone tell me where the Xu residence is?”

“Deputy Commander?”

At these words, Youzhi’s eyes lit up. He hurried forward, bowing ingratiatingly to the rider.

“Sir, my surname is Zhao. I am the tax official of this township, but I have not heard of any general residing here. Might I know Commander Xu’s full name? I shall send men to find his residence at once!”

Zhao’s face was full of obsequiousness, clearly hoping to curry favor. This was only natural: a Deputy Commander was no small post, with real power, both military and administrative—akin to a modern regional garrison chief.

But the cavalry captain frowned in disgust at his servility.

“You are not worthy to know my master’s name. All you need to know is that he is a native of Changshe County, with a mother, Madam Xu, and elder brother Xu Fu, living nearby. Can you find them?”

“What?”

Zhao was stunned, his eyes wide, standing frozen in place. Not only he, but even the bound Xu Fu and Cui’er were momentarily dumbstruck. Soon, though, realization dawned.

Seeing Zhao’s ashen face, Xu Fu burst out laughing.

“Ha! Your days are numbered, you dog of an official!”

Cui’er, too, wept for joy. “The young master has returned—we are saved, the Xu family is saved!”

Noticing their reactions, the cavalrymen realized something was amiss. They quickly dismounted and approached.

“Who are you?”

With delight on his face, Xu Fu replied without hesitation, “I am Xu Fu of Changshe County! If I am not mistaken, your Deputy Commander must be my younger brother, Xu Kang—is that not so?”

The cavalrymen glanced at each other, then saluted in unison.

“We greet you, Master Xu. The Deputy Commander sent us to escort you and Madam Xu. He will be here shortly!”

With that, the leader swung his lance toward Zhao.

“Seize these villains who dared to trespass on the General’s residence! Hold them for Commander Xu’s judgment. If they resist, strike them down without mercy!”

“Yes, sir!”