In the back hall of Anlin County Government Office, Magistrate Du, Chief Inspector Yan, and Jia Tuo sat down at a table to drink.
The three were drinking merrily when a yamen runner rushed in to report: "Your Excellency, something has happened. Someone is causing trouble at the foot of Huishan Mountain and has beaten up Master Jia's men."
Magistrate Du was a typical middle-aged, overweight man with a greasy face. He was gnawing on a chicken foot when he heard the yamen runner's report. He threw the chicken foot back onto the plate, grabbed a silk handkerchief to wipe his hands, and said, "These unruly people dare to commit evil deeds on my territory. How many are there?"
The constable replied, "Two."
Magistrate Du didn't believe it and asked, "Aren't there people there? How come they couldn't even handle two?"
Yan, who was drunk, slurred, "Lord Du, the other side must be quite skilled in martial arts. They are probably strong men with special abilities. Of course, the few incompetents you sent can't handle them."
Yan Ba Zong had every right to say that. Although he was just a battalion commander, he was still a military officer, a big, burly man who looked like half a black tower when he sat there, and he was a man who could command hundreds of soldiers.
Magistrate Du felt uneasy, but dared not vent his anger on Chief Yan. He could only say to the yamen runners, "These two are nothing but two people. Immediately send a few men to lock them up and bring them to the county yamen. I do not believe they would dare to defy the government."
As the two were arguing, Jia Tuo spoke up: "My lords, this matter is not so simple. In my opinion, it would be better to summon the person in first and ask for details."
Jia Tuo was originally a monk, but after leaving the monastic life, he engaged in illegal activities. Whether it was because he had shaved too hard and damaged his hair follicles, or because he felt that maintaining the appearance of a monk was more appropriate, his head remained bald, with the ordination scars still visible on the top of his head. The only difference between him and other monks was that he didn't wear monastic robes or prayer beads, and he indulged in eating meat and drinking alcohol without restraint.
Upon hearing Jia Tuo's instructions, the yamen runners quickly went out and called the man in.
A short, stout man came in, his face swollen and swollen. As soon as he entered, he began to speak with tears in his eyes: "Chicken, duck... Wu Bo Dai Li."
He Jia Tuo waved his hand to signal him to stop talking, and asked the tall, thin man behind him, "What's going on?"
The tall, thin man said, "Reporting to Master Jia, we were collecting money at the foot of the mountain, doing just fine. Suddenly a woman came and knocked our brothers down with a few punches and kicks... We were caught off guard."
Magistrate Du and Chief Steward Yan both laughed upon hearing this. Magistrate Du said, "Were you beaten by women?"
The tall, thin man said, "I managed to dodge it. The brother who was beaten said that the woman's fist was as heavy as an iron hammer; one hit and he couldn't stand up."
Yan, the head constable, glanced at Magistrate Du and said, "Lord Du, did you see that? I told you the men you sent were all incompetent fools. They all look big and strong, but they're as weak as cotton. They'd cry out if a woman hit them."
Magistrate Du was so angry that his face turned red. He asked the tall, thin man, "Was it really a woman who did this?"
Jia Tuo said, "My lords, please don't be in a hurry. Let me ask you clearly."
Magistrate Du said, "Old Jia, what else do you want to ask? I'll just send men to arrest these two women and interrogate them in court."
Ignoring Magistrate Du, Jia Tuo asked the tall, thin man, "What do those two women look like?"
The tall, thin man said, "She was dressed like an ordinary woman from the countryside, nothing special. But the one who didn't hit anyone was carrying a medicine box, so she looked like a doctor."
After they beat you up, did they run away?
"No, they just stayed where they were, as if they weren't afraid at all."
Jia Tuo said, "Then this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was prepared."
Yan, the head constable, laughed and said, "Who cares if they came prepared? Old Jia, let my men handle it. I reckon even if Lord Du's constables go, they'll be wasting their time."
Jia Tuo said, "My lords, this matter is not so simple."
Magistrate Du was taken aback and said, "What could it be? It's just two troublemakers causing trouble."
Jia Tuo chuckled and said, "Two women suddenly attacked my men, and then they didn't run away. It's obvious they're trying to get back at me."
His question made Magistrate Du and Chief Steward Yan somewhat realize what was happening. Magistrate Du said, "They're after you. Do you know them?"
Jia Tuo said, "How would I know her? But I can roughly guess what kind of person this woman who hit me is."
Yan Bazong said, "You've never even seen this woman before, yet you can guess who she is?"
“If I’m not mistaken, trouble is brewing,” Jia Tuo said, waving for the others to leave before continuing, “We may have messed with someone we shouldn’t have.”
Magistrate Du and Chief Supervisor Yan were anxious and urged each other, "Old Jia, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me quickly."
Jia Tuo said, "That woman can easily defeat several strong men; her fists are as heavy as iron hammers. Have you heard of her?"
Both of them exclaimed, "We've never seen anything like it. There's no woman like this in the world!"
“But there is a woman who can do that,” Jia Tuo pointed to the roof, “the newly appointed Grand General Meng Ruliu.”
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Du nearly slid off his chair. Commander Yan immediately stood up and exclaimed, "How could that be? You're saying the General has arrived at Huishan?"
Jia Tuo said, "These two women came to Huishan and inquired from passersby, so they must have found out about our relationship. But they still came to the foot of the mountain to start trouble, and then they didn't run away. They completely disregard us. Do you two gentlemen think that ordinary women would have this courage and ability?"
Magistrate Du was sweating profusely, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief: "That makes sense, but... this is troublesome."
Jia Tuo laughed and said, "You two probably haven't realized it yet. Let me give you another hint: who do you think is the woman who can have the General personally accompany her?"
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