The next day as Jiu walked to work he pondered his decision, wondering if his plan would work and
even if it did would it be the right course of action to take. Jiu wondered if his father would have made the same
decision as him. However, before he had time to think about it Zhang called,
“
You there, come over here” (Zhang knew Jiu’s name but it would look suspicious if he had singled
him out over all the other labourers). Jiu walked over nervously, wondering if his plan could possibly succeed.
“
Well,” Zhang asked sharply, “what have you decided?”
“
I have decided to get you the information detailing the areas of weaknesses in the wall.”
Zhang looked at Jiu with satisfaction but Jiu could still see the cruelty in the icy eyes that he despised
so much.
“
I will give you one day” Zhang said. Jiu nodded curtly and walked off to a tiring day that could be one
of his last on the wall.
That day Jiu crept into the tunnel that led into the cave where all the plans for the great wall were
recorded. All the workers knew about this but none of them dared to come in for fear of losing their jobs.
Besides, it was bitterly cold and the ground was harder than steel. On the wall there was a great drawing of this
area of the great wall, but it had a large circle pointing out an area that could easily be infiltrated and had to be
modified. Jiu immediately knew where the area was and he quickly worked out that if this part of the site was
attacked much more of the wall could easily and quickly be destroyed. He ran home to tell his daughter the
news.
Before he could greet his wife and children Mei asked excitedly to see him. He followed her outside
(
as it was the only place they would not be overheard) and she immediately recited at top speed,
“
Lien Hua told me to go home as soon as Zhang arrived but I ran outside and listened through the
window which was slightly ajar,” she paused briefly, “Zhang said that they would meet with those other traitors
at sunset tomorrow in the massive cave near the great wall and then they would plan their next treacherous
move.”
“
I will have to alert the court immediately” he said. He thanked Mei and went off for a well deserved
rest after his action-packed day.
The next morning Jiu went to the market and stood behind an important member of the imperial court
who he knew from his visits to the great wall work site. He then loudly whispered in his ear,
“
There is a secret meeting regarding the destruction of the great wall in the enormous cave near the
great wall building site at sunset.” The imperial courtier immediately turned around, but he was too late, Jiu had
already disappeared.
It was just after sunset that evening. Jiu had told Zhang what he knew and had already received the
reward, which was carefully hidden. Mei had informed the whole family what had happened and they had
packed their cart with all their possessions in readiness for their escape. The meeting had just begun. Seven
members of the imperial court were also there, hiding in the shadows, but they couldn’t hear or see Jiu. There
were about fifteen people in the cave including Zhang and Lien Hua. Within five minutes of the meeting starting
there were shouts as the imperial guards stormed in and arrested all of the conspirators. Jiu slipped away quietly.
He didn’t stay to claim any credit, he would be content to escape with the reward, find some land and live
peacefully with his family far away from the great wall which had caused him so many troubles.
* * *