Chapter 145: A Glimmer of Hope
Because he had already sensed that Li Longjiang was suspicious! If they pushed him too hard, desperate and cornered, the consequences could be dire! Rather than provoking Li Longjiang, it was better to leave him a way out. That would also make things easier for himself.
“Governor Li, I suddenly don’t feel like eating anymore. How about we take a stroll around the city?” Luo Tong suggested.
“All right…” Li Longjiang broke out in a cold sweat. There was indeed poison in the food! Last night, some influential families had approached him with threats and bribes to cooperate. They originally planned to drug Luo Tong and throw him out of Jinyang, but they hadn’t expected him to see through it so quickly.
…
Following Luo Tong to the bustling streets, they saw the endless flow of townsfolk in Jinyang City. The scene was lively and vibrant.
Luo Tong chuckled softly, “Governor Li, you’ve really been conscientious in governing your district. Once I return to Chang’an, I’ll be sure to report this to His Majesty!”
“Thank you, young lord!”
They wandered around the streets for quite a while without doing anything. Li Longjiang was filled with worry, fearing that last night’s incident might be exposed. He was constantly uneasy.
Suddenly!
Up ahead, a crowd had gathered, seemingly watching some commotion.
Trying to divert attention, Li Longjiang said casually, “Young lord, look over there… perhaps something significant is happening. Shall we go and see?”
“Good idea!”
The group was unaware of the danger closing in.
As they entered the crowd and were about to see what was happening inside, daggers suddenly appeared, thrusting toward their waists—especially at Luo Tong. He was caught completely off guard and stabbed in the side.
Puncture after puncture…
Several of the Golden Blade Guards were also struck, blood splattering across the street corner.
“Assassins!” “Protect the master!”
Liu Yi, wounded twice but still standing, barked orders to the guards.
In an instant, the surrounding townsfolk scattered.
The Golden Blade Guards formed a protective circle around Luo Tong.
“Young lord, please hang on! Our reinforcements will be here soon!” Li Longjiang, having recovered from his shock, wore a look of both anger and fear. He rushed forward to check Luo Tong’s wounds.
…
Liu Er kicked him aside angrily. “How dare you ask about the master’s condition? Weren’t you the one who arranged these assassins?”
“Of course not!”
“Young lord, please trust me… and you all must trust me!” Li Longjiang tried to explain at length, but it was useless.
At that moment, the dagger-wielding assassins appeared again. They had no intention of giving up.
One after another, they lunged at Luo Tong with their blades.
“Kill!”
Clang, clang, clang…
In the frantic close-quarters combat, the Golden Blade Guards held their ground, refusing to step back.
“Governor Li, don’t panic. I believe this matter has nothing to do with you!” Luo Tong, clutching his wounded side and gritting his teeth against the pain, said firmly.
“Yes, yes… this has nothing to do with me!” Li Longjiang was drenched in sweat and at a loss for words.
“Rest assured, young lord, reinforcements will arrive shortly. Just hold on a little longer!”
“All right!”
Luo Tong was a true tough man. In history, he had once fought Wang Buchao, then ninety-eight years old, so fiercely that his intestines were exposed; yet he pushed them back inside and kept fighting. Such resilience was unrivaled throughout the ages. Even Guan Yu’s bone-scraping treatment wasn’t quite like this.
…
The battle lasted for fifteen minutes.
The enemy forces grew increasingly numerous, eventually surrounding the entire area densely.
Just as they were about to break through the defenses and assassinate Luo Tong, reinforcements arrived.
From a distance, soldiers from the prefect’s office and nearby barracks appeared almost simultaneously.
Without hesitation, Li Longjiang shouted, “Men, seize these rebels!”
“Hooah! Hooah!”
The government troops advanced with spears and shields, stepping in formation.
They quickly encircled the assailants.
With their superior numbers and rigorous training, even the most skilled swordsmen dared not confront them.
“Retreat! Retreat!” Seeing the tide turn, the swordsmen from the influential families prepared to flee.
But it was too late!
The soldiers had already closed the ring tightly, sealing off any escape.
Li Longjiang roared continuously, “Arrest them all! Any resistance will be met with deadly force!”
After a while, all the swordsmen from the families were captured—including those carrying daggers.
…
Liu Yi approached and cupped his hands in apology: “I misunderstood you earlier, Governor Li. Please forgive this rough man.”
“How dare I!” Li Longjiang breathed a sigh of relief.
He was furious and disgusted by the families’ tactics—agreeing to secretly let Luo Tong leave, then attempting an assassination in broad daylight, recklessly risking his life. It was utterly despicable.
“Young lord, your injuries are severe. Please return to the prefecture office to rest. I’ve already arranged for a physician to treat you. Also…”
He hesitated for a moment.
“Governor, please speak plainly!” Luo Tong urged.
“Yes,” Li Longjiang gathered his courage. “I do have some ties with the influential families. But after this incident, I see them clearly now. I will no longer cover for their reckless schemes. Once we return to the prefecture, I will confess everything. Even if you send me to the Ministry of Justice for punishment, I accept my fate.”
“Good.”
Luo Tong had been waiting to hear those words.
“To make a mistake is not the end. What matters is correcting it. You can still be a worthy comrade!”
“As long as you confess and assist me, I guarantee your safety once we return to the capital!” Luo Tong said straightforwardly.
“Thank you, young lord!”
Li Longjiang was surprised by Luo Tong’s magnanimity. Inwardly, he was glad he had pulled back from the brink instead of going all the way with the families, or else death would have been inevitable.
…
Back at the prefecture office, several physicians gathered to diagnose and treat Luo Tong and the Golden Blade Guards.
The injuries were not severe—merely significant blood loss and weakness.
Li Longjiang asked, “Young lord, is your mission in Jinyang to eliminate the influential families? Was this an order from His Majesty or His Highness the Prince of Jin? If you need my help, please command.”
“No help is needed. Just stay away from them, and that will be meritorious enough.”
“Uh…”
What kind of answer was that?
Li Longjiang anxiously said, “Young lord, I bear the burden of guilt and urgently need to redeem myself. If there is anything you require, please send me—I will accomplish it!”
Two physicians were tidying their medical supplies inside the room.
Luo Tong waved them away and said, “Governor Li is intelligent. You must understand that dealing with the influential families cannot be done openly by the authorities—it will only escalate the situation uncontrollably, and the common people will suffer the most. Thus, His Highness the Prince of Jin has tasked me to act discreetly.”
“I understand…”
Li Longjiang nodded.
Being forbidden from intervening in the affairs of the families meant no chance to earn merit.
What would happen if the court later investigated his collusion with them?
He might lose even the possibility of redeeming himself.
This thought weighed heavily on him.