26

Qiang Ling looked at a group of his warriors and ordered them to

-- Set up a checkpoint on the south road and initiate toll collection. Hang Hing has given all the reasons and we have not answered him. We are giving him one.

The warriors nodded silently. Setting up a checkpoint and collecting tribute meant an armed clash. There were about 20 men. It was easy to understand that Hang Hing would come with at least 200 men.He would kill them in combat and that would be the reason for Qiang Ling to respond accordingly. Everyone nodded silently. They would randomly choose 2 men who could escape and spread the news. It was a necessary sacrifice.

As they were saddling up to leave, one of the men said separately to Qiang Ling.

-- My lord, my son is going to take the exams for a civil servant. He has to present a remarkable deed from a relative. Will you vouch for him?

-- He counted on it.

Another one came up and said to Qian Ling.

-- My lord. I have a 6-month-old child. My wife is 18 years old. Will you look after them?

-- They are part of my fief," said Qiang Ling.

The group went out ready to fight to the last man. They had sworn to do so. They would not step back.

III

The warriors pitched the tent.

They placed the count's flag and waited. They would fight to the death.

They had hours and some peasants passed by, who denounced harassment, aggression, abuse, and intimidation by Hiang Hing's people.

In the evening they saw a group of horsemen in the distance.

-- Hang Hing's scouts," said the detachment chief, "No doubt they will attack us at dawn.

It didn't happen that way. It would be a war of nerves, to see if they would retreat.

At dawn, in the cold and foggy morning, the warriors saw four horsemen arrive.

-- I have come to breakfast," said Qiang Ling, climbing down from his horse.

-- My lord, I must protest. You don't have to be here. You know that Hang Hing is coming with a large number of men to destroy this post.

Qiang nodded.

-- "Damn the chieftain who leaves his men to their fate alone," he said, "Besides, I'm getting married. I'm getting married. I consider that to be in grave danger.

2-

The Nissan Z400 made a U-turn, overtaking cars and braking brutally, while a man ran wildly, knocking people and objects over.

The policewoman got out and at full speed ran after the man, followed hard by Melissa.

The man ran through narrow streets, climbed onto a roof, ran past several clothing stores, climbed up several walls, until he lost them, sweaty and panting.

He caught his breath a little and went out to another avenue, to receive a forceful kick in the pit of his stomach.

-- Tell me, you bastard. How much are you paying to kill me? !! DIMEEE!" he said as he gave him two forceful blows in the kidneys, knocking him to his knees.

-- Hey Ye-Ye-- said Melissa coming in breathless--that can't be done. People are filming us.

-- You know what? My partner leaves behind two kids and a wife," she said, slamming his head against the wall.

-- And your husband will soon be wearing white at your funeral," the man laughed, "Who?

-- Who?

-- The ones you were watching. Who else but them!

-- Stupid.

-- $280,000 Hong Kong dollars.

-- Well, look. That gives me satisfaction. I can't tell my husband, he'd be the first one looking to kill me.

-- Are you married? Melissa asked dumbfounded.

-- And I make love three times a week. And I'm furious, because I didn't reach orgasm this last time," she replied, kicking the man goodbye.

Ye-Ye saw the crowd.

-- What are you looking at," she asked loudly, "have you never seen a woman beat her cheating husband?

The crowd dispersed and they both walked to where they left the Nissan, to get it with no tires and no stereo and the alarm blaring.

-- Who's that guy from earlier?

-- My most effective informant. I have to do some theatrics... You know.

-- Well, it's not gonna last long like this.

-- Worse if they find out he's my informant. Let's go find one of "your boys."

-- I don't have a boyfriend.

Ye-ye raised her arms to the sky in a "why me?" gesture...