Chapter 23 – Evil People

Sushi10-12 minutes 30.01.2022

The kind of “colleagues” Fang Tinglan might meet in Jiumeng City didn’t need to be stated. Compared to the appearance and dress he’d imagined of the Liang King’s subordinates, this man was really… quite different. The stranger was short, age clearly youthful, wearing the trademark floral shirt of Jiumeng City’s playboys. The only sign that this person wasn’t the womanizer he looked like was the Tisu embassy’s seal hanging from his waist.

“Since your excellency seems to be acquainted with me, it’s only fair you let me know who you are as well, no?” Fang Tinglan’s fingers paused and returned his dagger to its original position.

“Zhou Buyi1Buyi: (不疑) lit. not suspicious.” The “playboy” replied, standing straighter. As he buttoned his sleeve cuffs, he continued his self-introduction.

“Don’t call me ‘your excellency’; it’s disgusting. Just now, Officer Fang was having a very lively discussion with the Chen King. Did the Liang King send you as well?”

“However, Mister Fang, I advise you to get your story straight before trying to lie to me. I write a factual report to the Liang King every month.” Zhou Buyi interrupted before Fang Tinglan could reply.

“Truthful?”

“Maybe, maybe not.” The other smiled. “It all depends on what Mister Fang can exchange for a certain Zhou’s writings.”

“You’re quite straightforward,” Fang Tinglan laughed.

“I’ve always believed that when one negotiates with emotions, it might move another’s heart. But if one negotiates with money,” Zhou Buyi motioned to his own chest, “Then one needs to cut out a piece of their heart.”

As he spoke, he walked closer and closer to Fang Tinglan, stopping just in front of the man. He glanced down at Fang Tinglan’s dagger, then lifted his eyes again.

“So, is Mister Fang interested in offering a part of his heart?” He said with a playboy’s shameless smile.

Since the taverns nearby weren’t open yet, Zhou Buyi took Fang Tinglan down a couple turns before stopping in front of a set of tightly closed doors. He knocked. Moments later, a pretty Tisu girl stuck her head out. Seeing Zhou Buyi, she was momentarily shocked, then giddy, then angry; it was as if someone had spilled a variety of spices across her face. The woman said nothing for a while.

“…Why are you here now?” She finally forced out in a complicated tone.

“My friend and I have things to talk about, but I don’t trust any of the places nearby. I’d feel the most reassured here.” Zhou Buyi winked. “And I’ve been missing you.”

The man had a baby face and his flirtatious words were sweet like honey. Fang Tinglan nearly gagged2nearly gagged: a more literal translation would be that even the base of his teeth tasted sour. Sour means basically cringey; typically said of overdramatic, cliche romance plots, etc. at this performance. The girl, however, blushed and squirmed before quickly opening the door.

“He’s visiting the city outskirts today and probably won’t be back until evening,” she added.

“Isn’t that even better?” Zhou Buyi cheerfully kissed the girl’s hand, earning him a look.

Fang Tinglan and Zhou Buyi waited in the living room while the girl hurried upstairs to prepare a room. When she was ready, she came out and waved at them from the landing.

“It’s the usual place. Does our friend want anything to drink?”

“He’ll have the same as me.” Zhou Buyi beckoned to Fang Tinglan, “Let’s go.” Seeing Fang Tinglan’s expression become guarded, he smiled again.

“Mister Fang’s brave enough to lie to the emperor, the Liang King, and the Chen King. Why would you be afraid of a nobody like me?”

Under such clear provocation, Fang Tinglan didn’t bother to say anything else. He gave a cold laugh and mockingly made an “after you” gesture3gesture: like so.

Though the tearoom was small, everything was neat and tidy. The hostess brought the two a cup of green tea each. When she turned to leave, Zhou Buyi caught her arm. He played with her fingers, earning himself a slap on the back of his hand.

“Your client is still here; control yourself.”

“It’s not certain yet whether he’s my client or not.” The man glanced at Fang Tinglan, then laughed.

As soon as the girl left, Zhou Buyi changed his position, relaxing into a soft chair. He lazily picked up his cup of tea, and in an exceedingly inelegant and improper manner, took a gulp.

“I’m sure you have plenty to say. Feel free to ask whatever you’d like. Just like that little hostess said, we can stay and talk until dusk.” He sighed. “If only we could stay the night too. The beds at the embassy are too hard; they make my back sore.”

Faced with Zhou Buyi’s strange frankness and his seemingly unconcerned attitude, Fang Tinglan wasn’t able to grasp the man’s morals. He looked down at his cup, staring into the scintillating green.

“When did you find out?” He asked directly.

“It was pretty easy actually. This Qin Weiyu thinks himself very cautious but leaves tracks everywhere.” Zhou Buyi sneered. “Even though I didn’t attend the firework show, he was far too arrogant in taking care of his partner afterwards. Of course I’d notice.”

“Take care of?” Fang Tinglan focused on these words as he faintly recalled the woman accompanying Qin Weiyu that night.

“Officer Fang, you shouldn’t underestimate your childhood friend,” Zhou Buyi said without looking up. He sat with his chin almost resting on his chest, his hand distractedly stirring his tea.

“I just started this job last year. There were two before me. One died in a crash; his carriage overturned and the person himself flew out, splattering his brains on the stones lining the road. The other happened to eat pufferfish that hadn’t been cleaned properly and died on the spot. They both sound like accidents, right? But I don’t think they were. In Jiumeng City there are no accidents, only cause and effect.”

“These things you said, I could choose not to believe you.” Fang Tinglan shook his head. “After all, I’ve known Qin Weiyu for eight years and I’ve only just met you.”

“What’s eight years in the grand scheme of things? Qin Weiyu has stayed in Tisu for ten.” Zhou Buyi raised his eyebrow, continuing in a gleeful manner.

“Mister Fang, you’d do better to believe me. I’m sure you’ve had the answer for a while now.”

Fang Tinglan said nothing.

He did have the answer. The young boy once scared of catching crickets was now capable of playing victim while assassinating people. It wasn’t that he thought Qin Weiyu was wrong; Fang Tinglan would do the same, if not worse, were he in the same position. It was Zhou Buyi’s sneer. Fang Tinglan realized on a deeper level — everything had changed. Not just Qin Weiyu, not just himself, but also the entirety of Dongzhou.

Fang Tinglan remained silent for a long time.

He took a sip of the tea.

“Not bad,” he murmured.

Zhou Buyi followed his lead and smilingly took a sip as well.

Since they’d already broached the topic, the atmosphere relaxed.

“Well, since he’s that sort of person, how have you survived until now?” Fang Tinglan returned.

“Those two were too unyielding. They took their job too seriously, reporting everything suspicious that they saw. Of course they’d die quickly. I’m different. If Qin Weiyu drinks himself senseless in front of me, I’ll join him. We understand each other, and are happy with each other.” Zhou Buyi answered righteously, not caring at all for his official job. “So, I approached you this time hoping we might understand each other as well.”

“You’re not very loyal to His Majesty the Liang King.”

“And you are?” Zhou Buyi roared with laughter. “Who cares about any ‘loyalty’ bullshit. Can it be exchanged for money? Even if I worked diligently here, when I return to Dongzhou and see, for example, the two foals the Liang King is raising, I’ll still have to bow and call them ‘White Horse Sire’ and ‘Black Horse Sire.’ Humans are worth less than horses. If I give him my loyalty, what will he give me? A high quality saddle?”

“You hate the Liang King,” Fang Tinglan stated viciously.

“No, no. I don’t hate him,” Zhou Buyi denied. His voice turned colder.

“Frankly speaking, Mister Fang, I wasn’t born into a family like yours. I was the son of a low ranking official. My father simply delivered the Liang King’s favored concubine out of the city during the civil war. Only then was he promoted. He took this position seriously, treating it like a treasure, and thought of every possible way to send me to work for the Liang King. Too bad I disappointed him, and wasn’t able to take any official position. The only reason the Liang King ever remembered me was because my nanny was from the south and taught me the Nanjing language.”

He suddenly stopped, downed his tea, and sat up.

“I have seen you before, in Dongzhou.”

Fang Tinglan didn’t respond.

“Twice actually.” Zhou Buyi held up two fingers. “The first was when your family was still peaceful. You took a Wulong kid all the way to Chijin’s red light district and passed by me on a horse, as pleased as could be. The second time was at the Liang King’s palace. I was helping move some books when I passed by the pavilion. You were plotting something together with the Liang King. Soon after, Qin Weishen took over that particularly difficult area around Ruling gold mines — your handiwork. Since then, I knew. We’re the same type of person.”

“What type?”

“Evil. People.” Zhou Buyi enunciated each syllable.

Fang Tinglan smiled. He tried to stifle his laughter through pursed lips, but it sprang out to form a clear and comfortable sound, as if he’d heard an extremely funny joke.

“Then what is it that the evil you wants from the evil me?” The man said while laughing and shaking his head.

“Well… Even though I’m not sure what you wish to do in Tisu, I’m certain I can help you. As for the reward for the evil me, it’s surely smaller than your ambition. Simply speaking… ” Zhou Buyi leaned forward, pressing down on the small table between them, and rubbed his fingers together in a “pay me” gesture. He greedily licked his lips.

“I also want a gold mine.”

Mister Fang’s scoundrel of a friend is now here! He’s scum who has only money and girls on his mind. Thoughts while writing: “young man, are you a heartbreaker?” (X so sorry

1

Buyi: (不疑) lit. not suspicious

2

nearly gagged: a more literal translation would be that even the base of his teeth tasted sour. Sour means basically cringey; typically said of overdramatic, cliche romance plots, etc.