by Jeremy Han
THIRTY SEVEN
“He eats their flesh after drinking their blood?” Ji said, revulsion written all over his face. The rest of the agents stared at the group of wounded soldiers with shock. The men actually bowed their heads in shame.
“Yes Lord.” And he recounted the same story that Fang Xiaoju had told the people at his ‘base’.
“All of you are guilty of breaking Ming law. Punishable by death.” Ji said harshly. The men shuddered at his wrath and knelt down. But Ji’s mind was working on something else. Patterns were forming and his gut told him he was on to something that would break the deadlock in his search. But his inquisitiveness would not be quenched after it had been tantalized by the story of a cannibal. He pressed, “Why does he need to drink human blood and eat human flesh?” Ji Gang’s stomach churned.
This time, the garrison commander spoke up. The man seemed relieved that they were not going to be executed for being implicit in this hideous crime. Instead, confessing seemed to give him a much needed catharsis. “The Marquis was wounded severely several years ago when quelling rebels in this region. That was his duty as a member of the royal household. He was not young, but he took his duties seriously. After subduing the disloyal factions, he finally reported to the emperor that all was peaceful in this part of the empire. But as a result he made several enemies. His hand was heavy and cruel; many people lost their loved ones, even those who were not rebels. There was an assassination attempt and the Marquis almost died from blood loss. His entourage was ambushed on one of his ‘inspections’ around the country side and he was shot by archers numerous times. He was assumed dead, but was rescued by a strange man who lived in the mountain. That man saved his life. When the Marquis recovered, he asked the man what miraculous medicine did he give him?”
“Human blood?”
“Not just human blood. The blood and the flesh of virgin girls.”
“And henceforth he became a cannibal?”
“Yes. After that, he took the medicine man into his residence.” The officer stopped and then said forcefully. “That man is evil. From that time onward, the Marquis started his wicked feasts of human blood and flesh.”
Ji Gang stood towering over the wounded guards, mulling over what was said. There was nothing unusual consuming human parts for health but those were confined to placenta mostly, which Chinese physicians had labelled as the ‘purple chariot’ because of its colour and high nutrients. But to drink the life blood and eat the flesh of a living young child was too much. He decided to interrogate them as the bone setter went to work. Something in his gut told him that this might be either everything or nothing. No harm asking anyway since he had no other leads to occupy him this cold and dreary morning. Executing them would not lead to anything. Moreover he could do that later if he wanted. He had the authority to arrest everyone involved including the Marquis. The emperor was away in Mongolia fighting a campaign; he won’t have time to know which of his distant cousins had been executed for crimes – not if Ji Gang could tell him that the Marquis was causing disorder in his empire by eating his subjects.
“All of you are injured, so I presume the men you fought must be highly skilled, good enough to injure armed and trained soldiers.” Ji asked.
The man replied. “Yes. Two of them fought in a way that we’ve never encountered before.”
“Describe.”
“One of them moved like a monkey. He was agile and unpredictable. He attacks unexpectedly from odd angles and positions. He also imitates the monkey’s movement to throw us off. The other man, his movement was like flowing water; fluid and quick, avoiding our attacks rather than defending and then using our own force against us.”
Ji looked at An, the second most senior agent in his team. Something familiar had piqued their interest. An spoke in recognition, “Li Jing and Fu Zhen. Former bodyguards of the Jian Wen Emperor.”
“Yes. It must be them. Two best friends; the exact opposite of the other, Li Jing hot headed and aggressive while Fu Zhen, also known as the Farmer because of his past occupation, patient and gentle in nature. Li Jing practises the Monkey Fist, a martial art that originated as a court dance performed for nobility during the Han Dynasty before the warrior class in their midst started to see that the highly acrobatic movements and unpredictable actions could be tweaked into a deadly martial art. They infused the techniques of attack and defence into the dance movements and patterns, hence the entire style looks more like a playful monkey dance than a martial art. Nonetheless, it is one of the rarer styles and hence very difficult to fight against. His friend Fu Zhen is the opposite. He practices Neijia ‘internal’ martial arts, hence his fluid and seemingly effortless movements focusing on avoiding rather than confronting the enemy’s attacks. When there is opportunity, he will come close and prevent your hands from moving by sticking his hands to yours. No one really knows which branch of martial arts his form is derived from, although some say that it originated from the Wudang mountains in the eastern part of the empire.”
An added for the benefit of the other team members, “Two very dangerous men.”
Ji Gang continued thinking aloud, “Two of Emperor Jian Wen’s former bodyguards at the same place, within the area where we are looking for the emperor: Too much of a coincidence I think.”
An Deli added, “The members of the team that helped the emperor to escape had lain low for the last eighteen years, avoiding contact with one another. Only now they start to surface at the same time when we are also looking for him. By coming together, it seems that they have a common purpose worthy of breaking cover.”
Ji replied, “This warrants a visit to the residence of the Marquis.” He motioned to his men, “Li Wei and Lu Ximing, you will lead men from this garrison to search and make enquiries throughout the city. Focus on inns and temples and places where travellers can stay. An Deli, your team will follow me. We will speak to the Marquis at once. Commander, take a hundred men with you and follow me. I will deploy you as I see fit once we have a clearer picture. My gut feeling tells me we will snag our prey tonight!”
The men chorused, “Yes Lord Ji.”
The palatial residence of the Marquis was brightly lit as the men approached the gate. The sun had set by the time Ji and his team arrived after riding hard all day. The garrison commander and his troops were still a distance away, marching. Only the Dong Chang had the privilege of having mounts. The huge building stood majestically in the middle of the city with high walls and towers. It was the only stone building as the poorer inhabitants of the city lived in wood or mud brick houses. Guards were posted at the huge red gates gate, standing under big, round lanterns that illuminated the area. There was a large brazier ablaze to provide the men with warmth in the cold winter evening.
“Stop!” The officer on duty challenged the team from riding forward. As Ji approached, he noticed that there were no archers or additional guards. The Marquis is really not expecting any trouble from the people of the city, he thought. He dismounted and without a word, flashed the imperial seal at the guard. “Open the gate. We need to see the Marquis now.”
The officer froze as he recognised the two dreaded words etched on the gold seal
‘Eastern Depot’.
“Yes Sir. Immediately.” He waved to the guards to open the door and then dipped his head as the riders passed. An Deli, Yong Ju and Ma Hun dismounted and followed their commander on foot as grooms took their horses. One of the soldiers ran ahead to inform the Marquis as they strode across the wide, open outer courtyard. The soft yellow light cast by the huge lanterns created shadows that stretched across the vast yard. Whenever the breeze blew, the shadows danced. A servant came out and spoke to Ji in a high pitched voice, “Sirs, you can’t come in as you wish. This is the Marquis’ residence; even the Dong Chang has to respect the protocol here.”
Ji pushed the man aside without a second thought as he strode toward the inner sanctum of the palace. They could see that the Marquis was having his meal surrounded
by young female servants. Ji could not help but wonder if they were his slaves or they were his food. He clenched his fist. He had a mission and he had to control his natural disgust for the man until he could get what he wanted. The soldier that had informed the Marquis scuttled away like a bug as Ji and his party came forward. One of the Marquis’ bodyguards came forward. He was a big man and he approached Ji’s team with hostility. He lifted a hand and shouted a warning for them to stop. Before he could complete his sentence, he lurched forward clutching his open throat as warm blood gushed out, staining the white snow with crimson. Steam rose as the warm, life-giving liquid met the cold, unfeeling ice. From where the Marquis was sitting, no one had seen any movement except for the split-second brilliant flash of light that reflected off the shiny blade as it cut across the moon light. An Deli had drawn, slashed and sheathed his sword in less than a second. It was so fast that all the Marquis saw was An moving a step forward, the reflection of the moon on the blade and then his bodyguard pitching forward. By now, the body was already flat on the ground. And then they were inside his pavilion. The servants and female slaves left quickly. The rest of his bodyguards did not dare move. Without an invitation, Ji sat down silently at the Marquis’ table. He took a pair of chopsticks and lifted a piece of meat from the stew pot and put it into his mouth as though he was the master of the house.
The Marquis glared at him. By now, the distant relative of the emperor was fully aware who his visitor was, except that he did not know why he was here. But he was not intimidated.
“Do you like the taste?” The Marquis asked Ji Gang.
“Not too bad.” Ji replied.
“It will be better if the meat goes with a little wine.” He reached out and poured a little of the fragrant alcohol for Ji. “Please try again.”
Ji savoured another piece of meat and then sipped the wine. “Exquisite.”
“Yes. It is a local...specialty I would say. One only available to me.”
“What is it?” Ji asked.
The Marquis laughed. “So impertinent. Since you are already at my table, you should enjoy the food. Don’t be rude and ask. You should know that only the best and rarest delicacies end up on my table. Eat and enjoy. We can talk later.”
He smiled patronisingly at Ji Gang, “Trust me; there is no better meat than this in the whole of the empire.”
Without a warning, Ji Gang’s arm swept across the table and the fine china broke with a loud crash. The noble’s bodyguard swept into action, but was restraint when the Marquis lifted a hand commanding them to stop. Ji spat the chewed meat in his mouth onto the floor in a display of disgust and pointed an accusing finger at the Marquis and said,
“You cannibalistic monster!”
The Marquis laughed.
“You think this is human flesh? No, no...it is not. I did not expect something so trivial to throw our esteemed visitor into such a flux.”
Ji ignored the barb. “The garrison commander had exposed your evil deeds to us. You have been doing this for years.”
“So you are here to try me for my crimes? Are you worthy?” The Marquis sneered. “I am royalty after all.”
Ji had no time for this, even though he would like to execute the Marquis summarily. “You have a girl in custody.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Ah yes. No doubt you know what she is for.”
He subconsciously looked into the sky and saw that the moon was full then he gave the commander a knowing look. There was no fear in his eyes at all. The Marquis was as cool as a vampire. He wanted to see what Ji was up to. He had in his eyes the disdain the rich and powerful always had toward government servants. Ji could see it and controlled his temper. He would deal with him later. The Eastern Depot had the power to try anyone without going through due process but like anywhere else in the world, one had to always tread carefully with nobility. Ji’s eyes followed and saw the full moon coming out from a veil of clouds. The girl would be murdered at midnight.
“I want the girl. She is vital to our mission.”
The Marquis nodded his head in mock admiration. “So you waltz into the residence of a marquis and demand a prized possession from him after insulting him with your bad manners? After killing one of my men? And expect me to hand her over to you obediently? Do you take me for a dog, Commander Ji Gang?”
Ji Gang glared back; he was not intimidated. He said slowly to the Marquis. “The girl will be the bait to lure a group of rebels out. These rebels are personally wanted by his Majesty. If you hold her, you obstruct his imperial wishes.” For emphasis, Ji took out the golden seal placed in his trust by the emperor and laid it on the table. It shone brightly in the room. Then he waited. But the Marquis was unmoved. He stood up slowly. His leg shook visibly to indicate an old, severe injury. It was true – the Marquis had never fully recovered from his battle wounds and it must have upset an old warrior like him tremendously. It had hurt him enough to turn him into a cannibal.
“The emperor is far away. Moreover I am his blood kin. If I refuse, what can you do? Can you haul me all the way back to the Capital or will you execute me immediately like so many victims of the Dong Chang?” He paused and then continued, “I am not anyone, Commander Ji. Remember your place. You are talking to a kin of the emperor who has fought alongside his Majesty and had bled for the empire.”
“Do not make me take the girl by force, Marquis.”
Suddenly, the Marquis burst out laughing. “You are really pushing it hard aren’t you?” Then the Marquis leaned closer to Ji Gang in a conspiratorial manner and whispered, “Who is this girl that would make the head of the emperor’s security throw away his career by threatening a member of the royal family? I am told she is just the daughter of a street performer, not some rebel princess. What is your interest in her, Ji? If she is the daughter of a rebel, then, as a general of the Ming army and a Marquis of the empire, I will be glad to assist you to arrest them all. Who are they, Ji? Who are you really after?” After a sneer, he added, “They are not really rebels, are they? I am the supreme military commander of this region. I know who the rebels are.”
The rest of Ji Gang’s team looked at each other uneasily before turning to their commander. Then the Marquis continued, “You are going after bigger fish, aren’t you? Tell me, Ji, and I might just give you your girl.”
THIRTY EIGHT
The housing compounds of the rich were designed the same way. There would always be a front yard that functioned as the external courtyard. Then there would be an audience hall for the master of the house to receive his guests and to hold functions and events. Beyond this was the inner courtyard, which was an area for the members of the household to relax, to play or to reflect. Here, one could usually find the rock gardens and pavilions with ponds and willow trees. After this, it was the residential area where the bedrooms and study rooms were. Behind this area, the workers lived. There would be a compound for the auxiliary buildings like the kitchens, the stores, and the servant quarters and in the case of a politically powerful person like the Marquis, a prison and a guard house. Next to the buildings was a small shed. The small building was the mao fang ‘the toilet’ for the workers. From a defence point of view, it was the only flaw in the design of the whole compound. Situated in the furthest and darkest corner of the compound because of its smell, the hut had troughs that sloped downward and out towards the street. Down the trough were night soil buckets placed there for the night soil collectors to remove the pails of shit and piss for disposal or sale as fertilizer. It was the only place that one could gain access through to the compound by going under the walls undetected – provided one could stand the overwhelming smell of accumulated shit in all its forms. The flaw was never thought of as one because this was after all a residential compound and not a military one; and people, no matter what, needed to defecate.
Long Wu, who had by now become familiar with the city because he had acted as Zhao’s scout several times looking for Li Jing and Fu Zhen peered round th
e corner to make sure that nobody was there. He hunkered down when he heard the approaching footsteps of the night watchman and waited for him to pass, listening to his footsteps fade. Besides the people on municipal duty, it was a quiet, cold winter night. Long gazed upwards and saw that tonight the moon was full. The street had a light film of snow which reflected the brilliant moon light, a gentle white icing over the dull, dirt path.
Once the road was clear, he sprinted noiselessly towards the night soil buckets. They were huge wooden tubs with dark stains from the years of use. A faint smell waft towards them and spoiled the crispness of the cold and pristine air. Behind him, the Acrobat, the Farmer, and Zhao Qi followed. Yula stayed behind, becoming invisible in the dark. She armed herself with a bow and a quiver full of arrows; she was the covering party. Once they were in, she would find somewhere to perch herself so that she could have an all round view. The Acrobat had said that there was nothing better for a Mongol to do than to shoot arrows. Yula had laughed at that and said that she could do many more things than use a bow and arrow while looking lasciviously at her lover. Long had agreed to that with his eyebrows moving up and down, then everyone laughed, breaking the tension. It broke the stress and brought a brief smile on Li Jing’s face. That was some time ago. Now, everyone was as quiet as the sleeping city. No matter how many times they went to battle, the preceding minutes were always the most tense and frightening.