When Bai Shizhong said nothing, his expression grew even more grim.
This was pure armchair quarterbacking!
It seemed this old fellow truly believed that it wasn't his fish that got caught in that damn net, and now he felt free to make light of the situation.
"Don't worry, this is just the final step. I believe our esteemed Mr. Wang is smart enough not to do something so foolish."
Noticing Bai Shizhong's peculiar expression, Cai You quickly realized his mistake. He cleared his throat and then said,
"This is, after all, a last resort. If we resort to this, it will be impossible to even consider aiming for the Prime Minister's position for years to come!"
Although Bai Shizhong still felt a bit uneasy, he knew he needed Cai You's support to ascend to the cabinet. Thus, he could only endure it.
"You can rest assured about that. I'll find someone to give our Mr. Wang a little warning, so he doesn't keep bothering us with his idle mischief lately!"
"If that's the case, I'll have to trouble you."
With this assurance, Bai Shizhong's burdened heart finally felt a little lighter.
After a brief chat, Bai Shizhong took his leave.
The exchanges between important figures were always so serene, but the interactions among the common folk were far from relaxed and pleasant, especially when one of them was left hanging from a tree...
Initially, those people were merely angered by Wang Chao'an's actions and, in a fit of righteous indignation, tied him up.
However, after dozens of lashes, when Wang Chao'an revealed his identity as a steward of the Wang family, the situation changed completely.
Even though he was merely a servant, one had to consider the master before striking the dog. They had inexplicably tied up and beaten a steward of the Wang family, and moreover, had been tricked into losing goods worth ten thousand taels of gold. Even the most unconcerned among them knew this matter was about to blow up.
Almost immediately, they dispatched someone to the Prince of Yun's manor, hoping to report the incident to the Prince.
However, whether it was Wang Chao'an's bad luck or his usual string of misdeeds,
When the messenger arrived at the Prince of Yun's manor, Zhao Kai was already in a furious rage over the Emperor's forceful appointment of Consort Liu as Empress.
Even the consorts in the Prince of Yun's manor dared not enter to placate him, let alone these messengers.
The matter was thus left in a stalemate. Without the Prince's instructions, those people dared not release the captive.
As for handing the matter over to the Kaifeng Prefecture, that was even less likely.
Poor Wang Chao'an was left hanging from the tree, suspended for a full day and night.
Fortunately, these people still held some reservations. He was given half a bowl of thin porridge during the night.
Even so, after receiving fifty lashes and then being hung from a tree for an entire day, Wang Chao'an was hanging on by a thread, his life hanging by a mere sliver.
"Shopkeeper, this fellow isn't going to die on us, is he?"
Seeing Wang Chao'an's near-death state, the shop assistants were starting to get scared.
No matter how incompetent this fellow was, he was still a steward of the Wang family. If he were to die here, every one of them would likely face severe repercussions.
"First, get him down. Take him to the wood shed and get him something to eat and drink. Make sure someone keeps a close eye on him!"
It was fortunate for Wang Chao'an that their moment of mercy allowed him to cling to his life.
However, he himself understood that a whole day had passed, and the ten thousand taels of gold he carried had vanished.
If he didn't return soon, he'd likely be hacked to death upon his arrival.
It wasn't until the latter half of the night that Wang Chao'an regained some of his strength.
Hearing the snoring sounds from outside, Wang Chao'an quietly got up.
Seeing the two guards fast asleep, Wang Chao'an, enduring the stinging pain on his back, tiptoed to the back gate and slipped into the night.
This was the capital of the Great Song, and even in the dead of night, the streets were bustling with people.
After winding through several alleyways, Wang Chao'an finally saw figures on the street.
However, just as he was about to loudly call for help, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted once more.
"This is all according to the orders from above. Don't blame me for being too rough!"
If Wang Chao'an could have seen this person's face, he would have likely started cursing them by now.
Ever since he first encountered this person, every meeting had been a period of terrible misfortune for him.
The first time they met, he was directly knocked unconscious and then tied up and taken back.
The second time they met, he was directly tricked out of ten thousand taels of gold by this scoundrel, which led to him being hung from a tree and whipped dozens more times.
After narrowly escaping, he ran into this fellow again in an alley.
This solid blow to the head truly left him wanting to cry but having no tears.
"Why all the nonsense? When you drugged those people just now, why were your movements so practiced?"
Inside the carriage, Yuan Xingchi asked casually, yawning.
"You know as well as I do, ever since we followed the General, this is what we practice every day! On the battlefield, if you can capture someone alive, things like ambushing with clubs and administering drugs are all commonplace!"
Upon hearing Yuan Xingchi's question, the coachman chuckled sinisterly and then lowered his voice, saying,
"Alright, let's go. We'll send him back first, and then it will be time to see our Mr. Wang put on a good show!"
Yuan Xingchi spoke as he stretched his arms long.
"Yes, sir!"
The coachman responded and then, driving the carriage, headed straight for Wang Fu's residence.
——————
It was nearing the fourth watch, the sleepiest time of the night.
Even the gatekeepers of the Wang family were leaning against the gate, fast asleep.
However, at this moment, a hurried knocking echoed from outside the gate.
"Who is it? What's with the knocking in the middle of the night? Are you trying to rush me to my death!"
When the gatekeeper opened the small gate and looked outside, there was no one to be seen.
Just as he was grumbling and preparing to close the door, he suddenly spotted a black sack appearing at the corner.
"Xiao Liuzi, stop sleeping. Wake up, look at that!"