Chapter Nineteen: A Direct Confrontation

The ultimate aim was to make Li Zisheng's murder appear to be the work of the Turks during this exchange, thus shifting the blame onto them. Slinging mud at outsiders was entirely in line with Zhou Boxiong’s style, utterly despicable.

This act, which disgraced the prestige of the Great Tang, begged the question: who was truly behind it, and which faction was secretly stirring the waters to undermine the Empire’s grand designs?

General Deng glanced at Zhou Fulin, displeasure flickering in his heart. Yet now that Zhong Bai had presented this miraculous life-restoring ointment, Deng felt he could take charge of Fang Zhongzheng’s situation. If Zhou Fulin and the academy director insisted on obstructing matters, Deng could always eliminate the troublesome director in secret.

“Since Master Zhong is generous enough to offer such a marvelous medicine, naturally I thank him on behalf of Fang Zhongzheng. However...” The academy director cast a sidelong look at Zhou Fulin, words unspoken, his brow furrowing in silent concern.

“Sirs, since the director has brought up this matter, I, too, have a suggestion,” Zhou Fulin began. “Zhou Linqing is an outstanding member of my family, perhaps not the most brilliant in civil or martial arts, yet certainly not inferior to others. As for Fang Zhongzheng, his injuries are serious. His waist and abdomen are not like ordinary wounds—even with this miraculous ointment that promises healing within half a day, to have him compete in two days would be forcing the impossible. I urge General Deng to reconsider for the sake of his own reputation. Don’t you agree?”

Zhou Fulin’s remarks, composed and measured, were entirely in defense of Fang Zhongzheng. Every word was thoughtful, every concern sincere. Even General Deng could not help but be moved by a scholar so unafraid of power, winning the admiration of all present.

As Zhou Fulin finished, the students below were full of respect, responding in unison, their youthful spirit and righteous indignation swelling as they glared at General Deng with disapproval.

General Deng, watching Zhou Fulin calmly sipping pear blossom wine, was nearly beside himself with anger. This young man was too cunning, deserving death—and whoever backed him deserved it even more.

“Come, tell me: where is Fang Zhongzheng? Regardless of whether he can attend the examination, Master Zhong’s goodwill must be acknowledged. He is, after all, a student of Lingzhou Academy, and the ointment is a rare treasure.”

General Deng knew well that, when scholars clashed with soldiers, reason often fell on deaf ears—but a scholar’s pen could be an infuriating weapon. A single misstep could earn him a lasting reputation for tyranny. He had already endured too much today; after this, he would have to regain the upper hand.

“Report!”

“Enter.”

General Deng responded to the voice calling from outside his tent.

“What is it?” he asked the soldier.

“General, we have located Fang Zhongzheng. He is being held in the prison of the Liu Prefecture villa in Lecheng.”

“What? He’s in prison? Where is he now?” General Deng slammed his hand on the table, his fury barely contained.

“General, he is now in the military camp. However, he is gravely injured and unconscious—it appears he was severely beaten, not merely suffering a minor wound, much less just an injury to his waist and abdomen.”

The soldier clearly knew the story of the abdominal injury was a lie, making it plain for all to see.

Zhou Fulin, hearing the report, gripped his white fan so tightly his knuckles turned pale, his teeth clenched, eyes full of rage as he glared at the academy director.

He had expressly ordered the director to hide Fang Zhongzheng, that traitor, somewhere safe. Who could have guessed that in such a short time Deng Qing would discover his location? The director was a fool, a pig-headed fool, damnable! That Deng had found Fang Zhongzheng so swiftly proved he was no ordinary man—he must have already suspected something.

The director was helpless. He had counted on General Deng being unable to locate Fang Zhongzheng before the examination, or, if luck held, not mentioning him at all. Now, discovered and exposed as being gravely injured in prison, he was finished.

“Master Zhong, please give this soldier the life-restoring ointment and have him take it back to the camp. Summon Doctor Yang from the Lingzhou Medical Hall to treat Fang Zhongzheng—he must be restored at all costs.”

“Zhou Fulin, Academy Director, are you aware of your crimes?” General Deng slammed his palm on the table again. At his question, the director shuddered, glancing at Zhou Fulin, who, though his eyes burned with anger, showed not a trace of panic. He looked calmly up at General Deng, seated at the head of the hall.

“I do not understand what General means by this,” Zhou Fulin replied, rising to his feet.

“You two concealed the truth and secretly harmed a loyal student of the Great Tang—such wickedness cannot be tolerated. If you remain, your poison will spread throughout the realm. Guards! Seize these two criminals and take them out for execution!”

“Yes, General.” The soldiers produced chains from who knew where, moving to shackle Zhou Fulin and the director.

“Wait! General Deng, is it not hasty to condemn us so quickly? Or perhaps you have something to hide? All of us witnessed Fang Zhongzheng fall from his horse and suffer a minor injury outside Lecheng, where he was resting. Yet your soldier claims he was severely wounded in prison. Is this your scheme to make the Great Tang lose the examination deliberately? Are you feeling threatened by my cousin’s substitution, fearing defeat, and so plotting to kill us both to guarantee your plan succeeds and please your master?”

“In my view, Deng Qing, it is you who are the traitor, the Turkic spy sent to sow chaos in our midst. You stand here spouting shameless lies with no regard for decency.”

At Zhou Fulin’s words, the crowd gasped.

Treason was the gravest of all crimes—those tainted by it faced the extermination of their entire clan.

“What a sharp-tongued scholar,” General Deng sneered. “Then answer me: if Fang Zhongzheng fell from his horse, where and when did it happen? For what reason?”

He narrowed his eyes, while the crowd fell utterly silent, knowing full well this was a trap long in the making.