However, the rain did not relent; it continued to pour incessantly. The sky seemed to have a leak, with torrential rain falling like a deluge, and floods rushing through the woods, rampantly overflowing.
No one dared to speak; anxiety was evident on everyone’s faces. Zhang Fang turned to look at the crowd behind him. There were over a hundred of them—criminals, officials, and bandits combined. Even if they continued moving to higher ground, it was not a feasible solution. The rain kept pouring, and the valley below was already submerged in a muddy flood. Only the tops of tall trees protruded above the water’s surface. This situation clearly indicated that the nearby river dam had breached. Otherwise, the flood wouldn’t have risen so quickly.
“Inform me about the situation around here,” Zhang Fang asked Ah Biao.
Ah Biao wiped the rain off his face and replied, “Five miles ahead is Mei County. That place is chaotic due to the absence of a county magistrate. I’m not very clear on the specifics; I seldom come here. Boss Chen should know the situation better; it’s his hometown!”
Zhang Fang gestured, and Lin Zheng immediately shouted, “Bring the bandit chief Chen over!”
Mu Qing was responsible for guarding Boss Chen and looked down on Lin Zheng’s pompous behavior but still brought him before Zhang Fang.
“Boss Chen, tell me about the situation in Mei County,” Zhang Fang said, looking down at the valley and twirling a thin wooden stick between his fingers.
Boss Chen hated Zhang Fang deeply and refused to cooperate, shouting in a rough voice, “Kill me if you want! Don’t expect me to tell you anything!”
Zhang Fang turned his head and glared at him, poking Boss Chen’s shoulder with the thin stick while slowly saying, “There are a thousand ways to die in this world, but a man like you should die gloriously. Leave behind a legend for the world to talk about in admiration, rather than dying like livestock at the hands of others. Wouldn’t that be a disgrace?”
Boss Chen looked up at Zhang Fang in shock, rain streaming down his face. Zhang Fang’s words struck a chord with him; as a notorious mountain bandit, it would be a disgrace to be quietly killed by others!
With a cold snort, Boss Chen asked Zhang Fang, “What do you intend to do?”
Zhang Fang did not respond directly but instead began to discuss a different matter.
“I once read some tales that depict a villain whose actions make people grit their teeth in hatred, wishing to rid them from the world immediately. But when this heinous villain sacrifices themselves at a crucial moment to save others, their actions touch many hearts, suddenly making them a hero, and a legendary story is left behind that people remember and often discuss.”
After hearing this, Boss Chen stared at Zhang Fang with a look of disbelief, scoffing as he asked, “You don’t expect me to learn from the idiocy of such tales, do you? I have a chance to live; why should I sacrifice my life to save others?”
“So you prefer to be slaughtered like livestock? Letting others applaud your demise?” Zhang Fang wiped the rain off his face with his hand.
Boss Chen fell silent.
After a while, he said to Zhang Fang, “I also want to die gloriously like those in the tales, but I have no such opportunity!”
“I will give you that opportunity. Provide a clear account of the situation in Mei County, and then join me in cutting wood and making rafts to rescue people.” In a place without a governing official, this rainstorm had led to floods, and he didn’t know how many people were trapped. Zhang Fang needed to organize these people to rescue others.
“Alright! I’ll listen to you!” Boss Chen had been waiting for Zhang Fang to say that. As long as Zhang Fang gave him this opportunity and let him go, he could find a chance to escape and rise again!
“Let him go.”
As soon as Zhang Fang’s words fell, Mu Qing, surprised, reminded him, “Young Master Zhang, you can’t let him go! He’s trying to deceive you!”
Zhang Fang was well aware of Boss Chen’s intentions, but the situation was critical; they needed to cut wood and build rafts to survive. Everyone’s hands were required for work, and if they diverted energy to monitor these bandits, when the waters rose, no one would have a way out! Whether Boss Chen was genuinely cooperating or pretending, Zhang Fang had to go along with the act.
Raising his hand to gesture, Zhang Fang said to Mu Qing, “No need for more words. I trust him.”
Mu Qing was at a loss for words, not expecting Zhang Fang to be so naïve. He had no plan to follow Zhang Fang’s wishes and release Boss Chen.
Seeing Zhang Fang so easily fooled, Boss Chen arrogantly shouted at Mu Qing, “Why don’t you release me already!”
Mu Qing, furious, kicked him, and Boss Chen fell to the ground, covered in mud, dirt on his face. Spitting out the mud, Boss Chen gritted his teeth and cursed fiercely, “What’s the meaning of this?!”
Zhang Fang grasped Mu Qing’s hand, looking resolutely into his eyes, and said seriously, “Please, Brother Mu, trust me.”
Mu Qing was about to roar, denouncing Zhang Fang’s naivety when Yuan Quan and Chang Bao came to his side, holding his shoulders, urging him to swallow his words.
Yuan Quan said, “I trust Young Master Zhang.”
Zhang Fang was a brave and resourceful person, and Chang Bao agreed that Zhang Fang’s actions must carry deeper meaning. Therefore, he was willing to trust Zhang Fang and follow his lead.
“Thank you for your trust, brothers!” Zhang Fang nodded to them, crouching down to help Boss Chen up, then calling for Hao Zhuang to unlock the handcuffs and shackles from Boss Chen.
Hao Zhuang frowned, disapprovingly saying, “Young Master Zhang, this is a ruthless criminal. What if he runs away once you let him go?”
Zhang Fang turned to look at the rushing yellow water below, helplessly saying, “The situation is critical. If we don’t unite to cut wood and make rafts, no one will survive.”
Zhang Fang’s words directly pierced through the mental defenses of the group. Since the heavy rain began, they had been moving to higher ground endlessly, and the speed at which the water swallowed the plants filled them with unease. While they feared the situation, they consoled themselves, thinking maybe the rain would stop soon. When it does, the waters would quickly recede. But now, Zhang Fang had stated the harsh reality, preventing them from continuing to comfort themselves.
Hao Zhuang, feeling heavy-hearted, clenched his fists, wiped the rain from his face, and stepped forward to unlock Boss Chen’s handcuffs and shackles.