Volume Two: The Great and the Small Chapter Fifty-Six: The Tragedy of the Little Man

"Is that truly how it happened?"

As the carriage rumbled through the quiet, deep-night streets of Beijing, Qi Changfeng, acting as the driver, expressed his astonishment.

Huang Ming, sitting beside him on the driver's bench, gave a bitter laugh. "I truly underestimated the situation this time. I was deceived by an insignificant, seemingly harmless wretch."

"And what does the young master intend to do next?"

"Naturally, I must find Feng Wu. I truly wish to ask him why he felt the need to deceive me so!" As he spoke, Huang Ming’s eyes glinted, and his anger was palpable.

Qi Changfeng, however, was somewhat worried. "I fear we may not be able to find him again..."

It was true; a small-time character like Feng Wu would undoubtedly flee the moment he sensed danger, making it incredibly difficult for Huang Ming to track him down.

While they spoke, the carriage finally arrived at the gates of his residence. They immediately spotted several familiar horses tethered outside—the mounts belonging to Huang Bingkun of the Imperial Guard.

Huang Ming composed himself before saying, "He must have come to gather information. Thanks to them this time, I truly owe them an explanation."

Sure enough, as they stepped down in the front courtyard, Huang Zhong hurried over to report, "Young Master, Battalion Commander Huang arrived after dark and is waiting in the front hall."

"Understood. Arrange for someone to escort Ziyan back to rest; she has had a tiring day." Huang Ming nodded thoughtfully toward Zheng Ziyan, who was carefully stepping off the carriage. She blushed, curtsied hurriedly, and followed the servants toward the rear of the estate.

As for Young Master Huang, he headed straight for the front hall with Qi Changfeng. Seeing Huang Bingkun still sipping tea, he smiled and said, "Rest easy, Battalion Commander Huang. Liao Kui has been convicted and apprehended. You of the Imperial Guard have truly been a great help to me this time."

Huang Bingkun immediately rose and bowed. "Young Master Huang, you are too kind. We have only contributed a minor effort; it is your strategic mastery that has allowed us to serve the people."

After Huang Ming sat down with a smile, the officer continued, "Actually, your subordinate has come tonight with another matter to report."

"What is it?"

"We have apprehended Feng Wu."

"Hmm?" Huang Ming was visibly stunned. He had only just realized the importance of this man and was worried he had already fled the capital—how had he fallen into the hands of the Imperial Guard so quickly?

Could it be that Huang Bingkun and his men possessed an uncanny ability to read minds, or were they somehow clairvoyant regarding his own thoughts?

Huang Bingkun, assuming Huang Ming had forgotten such a minor figure, explained, "He is the jailer from the Southern City Military Guard, the one named Feng Wu. This fellow suddenly returned home at dusk today and started packing his belongings to run. My men, whom I had stationed nearby, moved in and took him into custody."

Huang Ming was even more curious. "You have had men watching him all along? Why?"

"How could we truly let such a wretch go after he harmed you so, Young Master?" Huang Bingkun replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Even though he revealed that he was acting under Liao Kui’s orders, that hardly counts as atonement for his crimes. I had intended to deal with him properly once this matter was settled. I did not expect him to go to the Censorate today and then start packing, clearly intending to flee. That is why we apprehended him, and he is now yours to dispose of."

Huang Ming laughed. "You have done well!"

He understood now: this Feng Wu had never truly escaped the surveillance of the Imperial Guard.

Small people have their own ways of surviving. Sometimes, through their humility and petty schemes, they might even cause a person of higher status to stumble—as Huang Ming had just discovered. However, small people also have their own weaknesses and tragedies.

Having little power and being unable to control one's own fate is the greatest weakness of the small-minded. If the powerful truly wish to deal with them, they don't even need to speak; there are plenty of others eager to arrange things for them.

Such was the case here.

Although Huang Ming had been deceived by Feng Wu and had completely overlooked him, the Imperial Guard had not let him go. They had been waiting to "handle" him as a favor to Huang Ming. By pure coincidence, they had managed to catch the treacherous fellow, bringing his grand plan of escape to a complete end.

After praising the officer, Huang Ming suddenly asked, "By the way, where is Feng Wu now?"

"We have him detained in a vacant courtyard nearby. Would the Young Master like to see him?" Huang Bingkun asked, clearly surprised. He had assumed Huang Ming would simply issue orders on how to dispose of the man; he had not expected him to place such importance on him. It seemed his decision to watch the man had been the right one.

"I have important matters to ask him in person," Huang Ming said, rising. "Since he is nearby, let us go now."

"This... very well." Huang Bingkun hesitated slightly but agreed. He and his men quickly led Huang Ming and Qi Changfeng out, heading straight for the nearby Sicheng Lane, where the prisoner was being held.

Around the third watch, they arrived at a seemingly ordinary residential courtyard.

The place looked perfectly normal from every angle, and even the family living inside were the most ordinary of citizens. However, this was a secret outpost for the Imperial Guard in the Southern City, used to eavesdrop on the whispers of the neighborhood. Of course, that function was largely defunct now, as the Imperial Guard’s oversight powers had been stripped away, leaving it as little more than a temporary hideout.

Feng Wu was bound, sitting in a room with a cloth gag stuffed in his mouth, preventing him from making a sound.

When he saw the door open and Huang Ming walk in slowly, his eyes widened, his body trembled, and he struggled, letting out muffled whimpers as if begging for mercy.

Just as Huang Ming was about to gesture for Huang Bingkun and his men to step outside so he could speak with the prisoner alone, the officer stepped forward and handed him a large bundle. "Young Master, this is his personal luggage. There are several hundred taels of silver inside."

"Oh?" Huang Ming paused, then nodded at Huang Bingkun with satisfaction. "Since this silver was recovered by the hard work of your men, it belongs to you all. Here, I will add some more to make it a round thousand—consider it a token for your efforts."

He took a five-hundred-tael banknote from his robe and handed it over.

Huang Bingkun thanked him profusely; he knew he had done the right thing, for Young Master Huang was known for his generosity. He did not know that Huang Ming’s mind was occupied with more pressing matters, though he was clearly satisfied with the result. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I need to speak with this wretch alone. I ask that you..."

"I understand, sir. We will stand guard outside and ensure no one disturbs you." The Imperial Guard members, having received an unexpected windfall, were grateful and quickly stepped outside.

Qi Changfeng moved to the doorway to keep watch.

Thus, only Huang Ming and the terror-stricken Feng Wu remained in the room.

As Huang Ming stepped forward and removed the gag from the man's mouth, the wretch immediately began to beg, "Young Master, spare my life! I know I was wrong..."