“Yesterday, you leveled false accusations against honorable and good people, and we treated you kindly, even advised you. But instead you now brazenly defy the law by killing an innocent man in broad daylight.”
“I have to take revenge on Shi Men and unfortunately, that man interfered with me. He hid Shi Men whom I pursued and would not tell me where Shi Men was. In my anger, I lost control and killed him. I am ready to take responsibility for my actions. However, I ask your Highness to also apprehend Shi Men so that the injustice committed by someone towards my late brother can be avenged and punished!”
“Nonsense! You dare to instruct me in my duties! The murder you committed on Secretary Li is an entirely different matter and has nothing to do with Shi Men. You are twisting the truth and won't confess until whipped!”
The official gave a signal and four executioners rushed at Bu Siong, forcing him to kneel and lashed him with bamboo sticks on his back. After receiving twenty strokes, Bu Siong tried to remind the official that he was the commander of the Security Forces who had done much for the government. But to no avail, someone's service to the government seemed to have no meaning and left no impression on the heart of a high official, unlike the shiny silver gifted by Shi Men. Bu Siong received another fifty lashes. Then this ill-fated martial artist was put in a wooden collar and taken back to prison. The prison officer was a friend of Bu Siong, and they admired and liked this gallant man, considering him a noteworthy martial artist who deserved respect. Despite their desire to help Bu Siong, they could not speak up because their lips were smeared with the honey bribes lavished by Shi Men all the way to the prison. However, a few days later, after hearing the daily cries of resentment from Bu Siong, the prison officials then drafted a statement addressed to the high prosecutor Chen in the city of Tung-Ping-Fu. Prosecutor Chen was the superior of the court officials in Ceng Sian. Thus, Bu Siong, as the defendant, was brought before Prosecutor Chen in the city of Tung-Ping-Fu, along with the owner of the restaurant Wang Luan and two singer girls who were considered as witnesses. Prosecutor Chen was known as an honest and fair official.
“What's the reason you killed Secretary Li?” he asked Ba Siong when the interrogation began. With a loud voice, Bu Siong recounted all the events that had taken place, talking about the death of his biological brother, the diversion of his brother-in-law, and his belief that his brother was murdered, and the murderer was Shi Men along with his brother-in-law.
“Because I couldn't get justice from the district court, I decided to take revenge on Shi Men myself. But unfortunately, in my anger I ended up killing Li. I am willing to sacrifice my life to avenge my brother.” Carefully, prosecutor Chen examined the witnesses. He then accepted the confession of the prison officials and signed the letter while saying to his subordinate.
“Bu Siong killed Li unintentionally, in his quest for revenge for his brother's death. He is honest and wise, and should not be treated like a common murderer and criminal.” On his orders, the large and heavy wooden collar was then removed from Bu Siong's neck, replaced with a smaller and lighter one, as a sign that he was considered a minor defendant. Of course, this incident was reported by a spy to Shi Men who was trembling in fear. He knew that bribing or greasing Prosecutor Chen was absolutely impossible. This matter had to be handled differently. Shi Men quickly executed his strategy. He knew exactly what to do.
He quickly sent a request letter accompanied by a very valuable gift to General Yang in the eastern capital. General Yang was his good friend and he asked this General to persuade official Cai who was the teacher of the palace prince. Because Cai-Taijin (official Cai) was a good friend of General Yang, certainly the General's persuasion would be taken into account. The persuasion was for Cai-Taijin to send a letter to prosecutor Chen, asking the prosecutor to not handle Bu Siong's case lightly, but to impose a penalty on the former security officer. Prosecutor Chen was indeed honest and fair, but he was indebted to Cai-Taijin because this official was the one who contributed to him holding his current position. So, upon receiving the letter from Cai-Taijin, he was helpless.
Nothing could be done but to fulfill the request of his benefactor. Although his heart felt disappointed, the next day he was forced to declare that Bu Siong was clearly guilty as a murderer of an innocent person. Therefore, he decided that Bu Siong should be severely punished, not with the death penalty but with forty lashes on his back, branded, then exiled to the front, two thousand miles away. Bu Siong had to accept this punishment even though he was resentful. After being lashed forty times, his face was branded with several warning letters that he was a dangerous murderer. After that, under strict surveillance and escort, Bu Siong had to serve his sentence in that distant place. However, he was allowed to settle his household affairs in the city of Ceng-Ho-Sian before leaving. Bu Siong gave all his wealth in his residence to his nephew, Bu Ying, appointing a trustworthy friend of his brother. The rest of his money he gave to the two guards who would take him to the punishment place, as the cost of their long journey. Many people felt sorry for this mighty tiger killer. They donated money, food, and liquor as travel provisions for this unfortunate martial artist. Finally, Bu Siong departed, escorted by two soldiers, leaving Ceng-Ho-Sian, heading to his place of exile, far to the north, near the Great Wall!
Bu Siong's departure to serve his punishment was a great joy for Shi Men. He felt as if a big stone that was pressing on his heart had been removed. So happy was Shi Men that he threw a big party at his house. The Lotus Water Lodge located at the back of his house, in his spacious garden, was beautifully decorated and cleaned. New silk curtains of various colors were hung to create a festive and cheerful atmosphere. A group of musicians, dancers, and singers were brought in to liven up the party. All his wives and the inhabitants of the Shi family's household were present in their finest and newest clothes. Everyone was enjoying themselves. While they were eating and drinking, partying happily, Siauw Thai, the servant, sent two lovely children, a boy and a girl, into the party... They each carried a package.
“We were sent by the Hua family to deliver flowers as a tribute to the honorable ladies.” The two children paid their respects and handed over the large package. One package contained a beautiful and delicious large cake, a festive cake like the ones usually eaten in the Palace and very expensive. The second package contained fresh and beautiful roses, which were apparently just picked, and like the large cake, certainly expensive. Goat Toanio was very happy to receive this gift.
“Ahh, your master has really gone out of his way for us,” said Goat Toanio and she ordered the servant to take sweets to serve to the two teenagers. She also gave a silk handkerchief to the girl, and a hundred copper coins to the boy. After asking their names as a sign of hospitality, Goat Toanio then asked them to go home.
“Pass on my respect and thanks to your ladies,” said Goat Toanio. To her husband, Goat Toanio said after the children left.
“Lady Hua is really too kind. She has often sent tokens of respect to us. It's a pity that I haven't been able to repay her yet.”
“My friend Hua married her nearly two years ago,” Shi Men informed his first wife.
“He always praises his wife's good character. And indeed, that lady deserves praise. If she weren't good, she wouldn't want to bring such young and beautiful servants into her home.” “I've only met her once, at the burial of the eunuch official Thaikam Hua. If I remember correctly, she was a bit short, her face a bit round, and pretty her eyebrows beautifully shaped. She must be no more than twenty-five years old.”
“Do you know, she was originally a concubine of the Chief Secretary of the Palace named Liang from Ta-Beng-Hok. She brought a lot of wealth when she married Hua.”
“Ah, we must repay her kindness at the next opportunity.” The husband and wife chatted about their neighbor who had made a good impression with those small deliveries. Lady Hua, who was the subject of Shi Men and Goat Toanio's conversation, was actually named Li Peng Nio. She became the concubine of Chief Secretary Liang, the son-in-law of General Cai from the eastern capital. Liang's wife was very jealous, and she had many pretty young servants and young concubines secretly killed and buried in a quiet corner of the garden. So, when Li Peng Nio became his concubine, Liang hid his beloved concubine in a beautiful cottage, guarded by a trustworthy servant.
When the shocking event occurred, namely when the Official Liang and his entire family were murdered one night. Li Perg Nio and her servant were able to escape because they lived outside. She fled and managed to carry a lot of very valuable jewelry. Some time later, due to the kindness of the eunuch official Hua, she was made the first wife of his nephew, Hua Ce Shu. After the elderly eunuch Hua retired and returned to his hometown, Ceng-Ho-Sian, bringing his nephew and his wife, and after the elderly official passed away, all his wealth was inherited by his nephew. As we know, Hua Ce Shu was one of the nine men of pleasure led by Shi Men.
Because Hua Ce Shu was rich, he received a respectable place in this group. After the family party was over, in a half-drunk state, Shi Men staggered to visit Kim Lian's room that night. Kim Lian happily welcomed her husband and was ready to serve him as best she could. However, in the semi-drunk state, Shi Men was lackluster even though Kim Lian had tried to make herself as attractive as possible. Shi Men opened the mosquito net and called Cun Bwe, Kim Lian's fifteen-year-old virgin servant. When Cun Bwe entered the room carrying a cup of tea requested by Shi Men in his previous shout, Kim Lian quickly closed her bed net. Shi Men smiled,
“Why are you shy of your own servant? Lady Peng, our next-door neighbor, doesn't make a fuss when her husband enjoys himself with one of his two female servants. The older servant is the same age as our Cun Bwe, and the one who came to bring flowers earlier was the second servant. Their lovely children. Ahh, that Hua is indeed lucky, able to pick all the flowers in his own garden without being forbidden by his kind-hearted wife.” Kim Lian pouted, looking at her husband with wide eyes.
“You're really a lecher. I know your intentions. When you talk, your mind is full of Cun Bwe, isn't it? Alright, if you want Cun Bwe, take her. Why talk in circles and take the neighbor as an example? Tomorrow I will arrange for you to satisfy your desire for her.” Of course Shi Men was overjoyed. “My sweet wife, you are really wise and kind to please me. Indeed, a person like you deserves my love.”
And he kissed Kim Lian because imagining how the young servant would be his prey tomorrow morning aroused his lust. And the next day, Kim Lian kept her promise. She deliberately left her residence to visit Goat Toanio all day, giving Shi Men the opportunity to indulge himself with Cun Bwe, the young servant. This was the fate of women in that era. Being a slave who had no power at all over herself, even her life was at the mercy of her master! Whatever her master wanted, she had to give. The fate of women like Cun Bwe was no better than a mere pet dog or cat.
Glossary
- Shi Men: Character in the story, seen as an antagonist.
- Bu Siong: Main character of the story. A martial artist seeking revenge.
- Cai-Taijin: An influential official in the story who plays a key role in Bu Siong's punishment.
- Pondok Teratai Air: Literal translation is "Water Lotus Lodge". It is Shi Men's residence.
- Goat Toanio: Shi Men's first wife.
- Hua Ce Shu: A wealthy character, part of Shi Men's group.
- Kim Lian: One of Shi Men's wives.
- Cun Bwe: Kim Lian's young servant.