Thrashing
Fang Yuan sells a cart of purple maple leaves at the small bazaar for two primeval stones, then leaves with Bai Ning Bing. Bai Ning Bing suggests they simply capture Shang Xin Ci, but warns that approaching her risks exposing their laborer cover. Fang Yuan agrees about the risk and says he already has a plan: he will go thrash people. ch. 237
In the servants’ tent, Brother Qiang’s group debates punishing the two newcomers over the maple leaf sale, egged on by skinny monkey, who was oppressed by Fang Yuan that morning and now hates him for it. Brother Qiang decides they will teach the newcomers a lesson the next day. ch. 237
Fang Yuan walks into the tent as the servants are about to eat; the men who spent the night plotting against him freeze at the sight of him. He kicks skinny monkey into the coal stove, spilling the meat stew over him and burning him, then throws his two primeval stones at the servants charging him. The stones stop the attack: the servants scramble and fight each other for them instead of continuing after Fang Yuan. He breaks Brother Qiang’s nose with a punch, kicks another servant in the groin who instantly faints, and beats several more to the ground. Skinny monkey collapses, begs for mercy, and slams his head against the ground again and again; Fang Yuan leaves without a word. ch. 237
Bai Ning Bing meets him among the tents and asks why he started this on their first day. Fang Yuan does not answer. He walks to a secluded spot near the old steward’s carriage and cuts himself with his dagger, making no sound, as if he were cutting wood instead of flesh; Bai Ning Bing, listening, once again judges him ruthless and cruel. He then knocks on the old steward’s carriage door until the old man wakes, angry at being disturbed. ch. 237
