"You are willing to do that? You are truly nice people."
At that little house which was only lit by small candles in the late evening, Shao Rong grinned at the girls who were once Zhu Yi's victims, and their parents.
"Zhou Wang will be very happy to hear this. You would be greatly rewarded by him..."
"Please tell His Highness, no need for him to give any reward. Because it is indeed the duty we should do!"
Grandsire Zhang shouted. Grasping his granddaughter's fingers, he continued. "Because of that cruel Fan Wang of Luoyang, my granddaughter, who was always cheerful, is now so haggard. We all can't forgive him!"
"But thanks Heaven, Zhou Wang arrived just in time." A Zhou continued in a fiery manner. "My daughter has been forced to undress at that time... I can't imagine what would happen if Zhou Wang didn't come!..." Next to him, his daughter who was evidently the inn young waitress suddenly trembled, her hands clenched tightly.
"Yes... my daughter is still traumatized, but her symptoms are light. I can't imagine if her virginity is really taken away!…" A Chen sighed.
"His Highness Zhou Wang has helped our daughters. But now he is in danger because of us, we certainly must help him!" Grandsire Zhang said firmly.
"Even if you must face the Emperor?"
Everyone suddenly fell silent.
"You still should do it." Shao Rong continued. "Even if you must deal with the most powerful monarch in this country, you still have to stay on the path of righteousness. Because Heaven always stands up for righteousness. So don't be afraid." Shao Rong smiled again. "You are not alone."
The door opened. Wu Qi, accompanied by dozens of selected San Hu Wei soldiers, was now in the room.
"Well! Look at these mighty soldiers! They will protect you. So you're not afraid anymore, are you?"
The villagers gazed at the soldiers. Slowly, they beamed.
"Ah, I am unafraid, really!"
"I agree with Master! We mustn't be afraid of the despots, otherwise, when will the righteousness win?"
"We have to be nice people! We will help our helper with all our hearts!"
The silence of the night under the gloomy moon was broken by the excited cheers of all villagers. By the spirit of defending the truth and justice.
Zhu Yi once said, the people were those who only sought safety, ungrateful when they were given something good, and would surely obey any orders when they were bullied by the ruling authorities. But now, Zhu Yi's words were failed to prove tonight. The cynical and condescending words would not last for long. Because Zhu Yi had forgotten, that people are humans, who have a conscience. Just as humans often forget that nature is something alive, not inanimate, so they also have a lively heart. The commoners maybe plebeians, maybe underprivileged, maybe rude and sloppy - nevertheless, the people are still human beings. They can gratitude the virtue, and know that kindness must be rewarded with kindness. That was, the true integrity. The ultimate truth.
The Karma always applies to everything. The Evil will surely come off as Evil. And goodness, will bring good results in the end.
***
"And they also refused to get any reward, Your Highness," Shao Rong reported to Zhu Su. "They said, you have helped them, so they should return the favor to you."
Wu Qi continued, "Mr. Chen also reported, some Dong Chang agents tried to lure the witnesses. But all witnesses closed their mouths tightly, remaining quiet even though they were given a great amount of money. Your Highness, you can rest assured now."
"I am sure that Brother Di's spy will start investigating, because of Yi that brat," Zhu Su sighed. "But that's good. I am assured now." He turned to Shao Rong. "And I will still reward them. After all, they have saved my life. Make sure they make no refusal and tell them to think of it as a voluntary gift from a Fan Wang to the people."
Shao Rong stared at Zhu Su, eyes sparkled an immense glow of admiration.
"But Your Highness, you are truly amazing. It's really not an easy matter to get deep affection from people, because what I always notice is, the people usually do not really love their leaders, and only talk it as flattery. Your Highness, you are really an admirable leader!"
Zhu Su chuckled. "Ah... actually I just feel sick of Yi's arbitrary behavior. Everything I did at that time, was all based on emotion for a moment. In fact, I was scared when hearing Yi threatened me in front of the Emperor!"
"It's normal to feel scared. After all, you are still a human who is far less perfect than Deity. Moreover, your life journey is full of punishments and death threats. But this time you are not afraid anymore, are you? When it comes to righteousness, Heaven will step in to help you!"
Still smiling, Zhu Su replied, "You're right... I shouldn't be afraid anymore. And... I am more confident that people are actually willing to support their leader. If I walk on the right path, people will support me. If I can prove that the Ming government is not as bad as they think, they will definitely be loyal to Ming. Yes! I become even more excited with my research!"
As Zhu Su and the others had expected, the officials strongly protested that three men from unidentified sects were recruited into the Team of Wellbeing. They soon spoke out any kind of comments right away, the same irritating as the previous ones. However, Zhu Su's determination to succeed in his research was very strong. He wanted to finish what he had done. He wanted to destroy the anarchism of Huan Shikang and his cronies. And more importantly, he wanted to free the people from suffering.
He had no time to sit quietly and listen to them. No time for him to heed them and let his research be neglected and his enemies' hopes be fulfilled. It was not what he wanted! He was willing to shut his ears tight, force himself to be obsessed and workaholic, in order to make his mission accomplished!