Chapter Forty-Seven: What Must Come Will Come

Every time Zhou Zhi saw Old Wang, he couldn’t help but want to laugh. This white-bearded old man was simply too much like an old child at play. To cross time and land in the Great Ming, only to encounter such a character—it truly was a delight in itself.

But today, Zhou Zhi found himself unable to smile. Old Wang’s face was unusually grave; gone was the cheerful, laughing demeanor of before. He kept casting cautious glances around, his manner secretive and nervous, as if terrified of being discovered. Clearly, something major was afoot.

Zhou Zhi hurried to ask, “Old Wang, I’m here. What brings you?”

Old Wang lowered his voice, “Let’s speak inside.”

Without waiting for Zhou Zhi to lead the way, the old man hastened indoors. Zhou Zhi followed close behind.

His mother, Zhou He, and his elder sister, Zhou Lüyun, were busy preparing supper. Seeing Old Wang, they naturally wanted to greet him, but he waved them off with a stern look and, grasping Zhou Zhi by the hand, led him straight into the inner room.

In the poor rural homes of the north, the layout was always the same: the outer room served for cooking, while the inner room was for sleeping. As for a sitting room—what use would a farmer have for such a thing? Once inside, Old Wang settled himself on the edge of the heated brick bed, exhaled deeply several times, and finally spoke. “Zhou lad, is your official horse still passing loose stools?”

Zhou Zhi didn’t know what he was driving at, so he answered honestly, “Yesterday I found the horse had diarrhea. I came up with a way to stop it, and it seemed to work. But today the problem returned before I could treat it again, and then the headman arrived. Fortunately, I used the same method as yesterday, so now the horse is well again—spirited, just as usual.”

Zhou Zhi’s remedy for the horse’s illness was something of a personal secret, and he had no wish to spread it around, so he kept the details to himself.

Old Wang, however, was a shrewd man. He didn’t press for details—he already knew this young Zhou was extraordinary. After all, he’d invented the bellows and struck up a friendship with the headman, among other things. That was more than enough proof of the lad’s remarkable abilities.

He even suspected that the vegetables Zhou Zhi had sown in the fields might actually survive the winter cold.

Old Wang twisted his beard thoughtfully and nodded, “That’s just as it should be! But tell me, Zhou lad, have you considered why ‘Master Horse’ suddenly came down with diarrhea?”

Zhou Zhi truly had puzzled over this. He cared for the horse meticulously, always giving it warm water—never cold. The weather had been fine for days, and this was the season for fattening the horse. There was no obvious reason for illness. He simply couldn’t understand it.

He glanced at Old Wang and shook his head, “I really have no idea.”

Old Wang’s face lit up, and then, like a storyteller, he began, “Of course you don’t know! Let me tell you, then. I’m getting old and have the habit of rising at night. Last night, the third watch, I went out to the privy and suddenly saw two dark figures pass by my door. I was so startled I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“Who would be out at that hour? And what were they up to? My suspicions were aroused, so I quietly followed them.

“What I discovered was astonishing. Guess where those two shadows went? Straight to your house. They looked around, then slipped into your stable.

“I thought they must be horse thieves and was about to shout to alert you. But then I remembered my age—if they caught me, that might be the end of me.

“Fortunately, they didn’t stay long. They came out soon after, and, seeing they hadn’t stolen anything, I breathed easier.

“But today, when I heard your official horse had diarrhea, I understood it all. Those two were there to poison your horse!”

Zhou Zhi was agitated for a moment before regaining his composure. What had to come would come. After offending Chen Wenju, it was only a matter of time before they sought revenge. He hadn't expected them to stoop to such despicable methods.

He realized, too, why Wang Qi had come so early today. The Chen family must have informed him, which explained his aggressive demeanor, as if he knew of the horse’s illness in advance.

Of course, Zhou Zhi considered other possible culprits, but in White Mountain Village, the Zhou family had always kept to themselves. Only recently had Zhou Zhi antagonized the Chen family. Aside from them, there was no one else with a grudge.

He asked, “Old Wang, did you see their faces?”

“Not at all,” Old Wang replied regretfully. “It was too dark, and besides, I didn’t dare get too close.”

No matter. They’d failed this time, but surely had other tricks in store. Zhou Zhi steeled himself.

Old Wang had taken a considerable risk to bring this warning. He knew perfectly well that the shadows likely belonged to the Chen family. By coming forward, he exposed himself to their possible retaliation. The risk was not small.

With this thought, Zhou Zhi bowed deeply. “Thank you, Old Wang. Had it not been for you, I’d still be in the dark.”

Old Wang chuckled, “No need to thank me. Just be careful from now on. I’ll take my leave!” He rose, and since night had fully fallen, slipped quietly away into the darkness.

As he walked, Old Wang mused to himself: the other day, when riddles were being guessed at the grain-drying yard, Zhou Zhi had spared him embarrassment. Tonight, braving danger to bring this warning, he considered the favor repaid.

After seeing Old Wang off, Zhou Zhi returned inside.

His mother and sister had overheard everything from the kitchen, and their hearts were immediately gripped with anxiety. His mother, Zhou He, wore a worried expression. “What’s happening to our family? One thing after another—how are we to go on?”

Zhou Zhi quickly comforted her, “Don’t worry, Mother. I can handle this.”

His sister, Zhou Lüyun, was also concerned, but unlike their mother, she didn’t nag. Instead, she offered reassurance. “That’s right, Mother. Didn’t you see how little Zhi dealt with the headman today? As long as we have him, everything will be all right.”

Though she spoke bravely, she too was anxious for Zhou Zhi.

But Zhou He, seeing the confidence in her children and recognizing that her son was no longer the boy he once was, but truly the family’s pillar, found her heart somewhat eased.

After supper, Zhou Zhi checked on his younger brother, Zhou Shaocheng, who reported only mild, occasional stomach pain. Zhou Zhi was somewhat reassured, yet still arranged for him to sleep in their mother and sister’s room, so they could watch over him through the night.

Then, Zhou Zhi went to the stable, crouched in a corner, and began carefully considering his next move.