Chapter Thirteen: Caused by a Horse...

Yu Zhongwen was one of the eight pillar statesmen and a prominent figure among the powerful families of Luoyang, a key member of the Guanlong faction. Maizi Zhong treated him with due respect, which was expected. However, Yan Qing reconsidered—although the Yu family, one of the eight pillar statesmen, was not exactly a scholarly lineage, its heritage spanned over a century, marking it as a prestigious clan. Yan Qing had never met Yu Zhongwen himself but had encountered Yu Zhongwen’s clan elder, the master of Yi studies, Yu Zhonghua, more than three years prior. Yu Zhonghua’s demeanor was refined and elegant; even if Yu Zhongwen were different, it was impossible for him to speak with the roughness of the man in white. Hence, Yan Qing immediately dismissed his initial suspicions.

The man in white seemed indifferent toward Yan Qing, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Maizi Zhong.

“Maizi, I know what weighs on your mind, but using such methods to compete with others borders on bullying. If this reaches the wrong ears, it might backfire. If you want to compete, to prove your superiority… hmm, I have an idea—care to hear it?”

Maizi Zhong quickly replied, “I am eager to learn from Master Yu.”

“And you, young man?” Zheng Yanqing dismounted his horse and regarded the man in white, withholding judgment.

The man in white smiled, “Young man, you have a fine horse… After the Qihan Festival, the Nanyuan Horse Field will host a match of jiju—an ancient form of polo—in honor of the Emperor. Maizi, if you’re interested, why not challenge this young man in a jiju match before the event? A true gentleman wins by fair means, and His Majesty will not hold it against you. What do you think of this plan?”

Maizi Zhong’s eyes lit up at the proposal.

“Maizi accepts Master Yu’s suggestion. Zheng Yanqing, on the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, we shall meet at the Nanyuan Horse Field for a double-gate jiju match, eight players each, with ten goals determining the victor. The loser must leave Luoyang before the first day of the new year.”

The man in white beamed, nodding repeatedly.

“Excellent. A match decided by jiju, with the victor taking home a beauty—truly befitting a man of honor.”

“Then it’s settled. Master Yu, Maizi bids farewell!”

With that, Maizi Zhong vaulted onto his horse and, with his retinue, spurred off. Zheng Yanqing stared wide-eyed, mouth agape, unable to intervene. Neither the man in white nor Maizi Zhong seemed to acknowledge him—they appeared to disregard his presence entirely.

The man in white said, “Young man, prepare well. There are still fifty days until the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month. When the time comes, help me teach that old madman a harsh lesson.”

“But—”

“A man’s word is his bond; no backtracking or babbling. It’s settled!”

With that, the man in white, accompanied by his elite guards, strolled away leisurely. Zheng Yanqing mounted his horse once more, watching the man’s retreating figure with a bitter smile.

These people—accustomed to lofty heights in daily life—he had never wished to quarrel with Maizi Zhong, yet now he seemed relegated to a mere bystander. Why had no one sought his opinion?

“Gatekeeper, who is that man?”

As they passed through Jianguo Gate, Zheng Yanqing could not help but ask the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper replied solemnly, “That is Yu Juluo, former governor of Fengzhou, the venerable pillar state general!”

Yu Juluo? Zheng Yanqing started slightly at the name, thinking, “So it was him.”

Yu Juluo was not widely renowned in later generations, certainly less so than the familiar Wagang heroes—he remained relatively obscure. Yet, since the founding of the Sui dynasty, he was one of its most illustrious figures.

Hailing from Xiangyang County in Fengyi Commandery, Yu Juluo joined the Thousand Ox Guards at a young age. In the Battle of Pingchen, he distinguished himself, earning a magistrate’s appointment. During Emperor Kaihuang’s reign, when banditry plagued Jiangnan, Yang Su requested Yu Juluo’s assistance; in every battle, he achieved notable success and was titled Duke of Gaotang County.

In the late Kaihuang years, Yang Su led an expedition from Lingzhou against the Turks, again accompanied by Yu Juluo. Leading only a few riders, Yu Juluo charged into the fray, routing the Turks decisively, earning the rank of Pillar State General and governor of Fengzhou.

It was said that during Yu Juluo’s tenure in Fengzhou, the Turks dared not graze their herds on the borderlands, so formidable was his authority.

According to military treatises distinguishing fierce generals from cunning ones, Yu Juluo undoubtedly belonged to the former category. Unfortunately, he had a brother whose violent temper led him to massacre subordinates, resulting in his arrest and dismissal by Emperor Yang Guang. Though later released, the brother committed suicide in despair, causing the emperor to regard Yu Juluo with suspicion.

During the mid-reign bribery scandal involving General Liang Boyin, Yu Juluo was similarly removed from office.

Yet even so, among the Sui ministers and especially the scions of the powerful, Yu Juluo was an idolized figure. No wonder Maizi Zhong behaved like a mouse confronted by a cat in his presence.

Zheng Yanqing scratched his head and urged his horse beyond Jianguo Gate, his mind heavy. Unbeknownst to him, news of the wager between him and Maizi Zhong had already spread rapidly after his departure from Luoyang.

On the northern bank of the Luo River lay Tongtuo Workshop, among the Tang family’s holdings.

The Tang surname appeared as early as the Western Han era, yet this Tang lineage was distinct, descending from the Northern Wei imperial family. When Emperor Xiaowen of Wei changed the Xianbei surname Tuoba to Yuan, one branch adopted the surname Tang, signifying descendants of the royal clan’s main gate. They established a hall named Pilitang in their genealogical records.

Though the Tang family belonged to the Guanlong faction, they were less populous than other noble families.

In the Northern Zhou years, only Tang Jian emerged prominently, serving as governor of Jingzhou in the early Kaihuang period.

By Tang Sheng’s generation, the family’s numbers had further dwindled, with only two brothers besides Tang Sheng himself, making them less comparable to other aristocrats.

The long winter night was bitterly cold.

Inside a large residence of Tongtuo Workshop, Tang Sheng sat in his study finishing official documents. He coughed lightly.

Earlier that year, he had accompanied Yang Guang on a northern inspection tour but unfortunately caught a cold. In childhood, Tang Sheng had suffered an illness that left him with a chronic respiratory ailment—what modern terms might call asthma. Overexertion easily triggered attacks. Yang Guang had initially intended to appoint him as a prefect, but reconsidered due to the heavy burden of the post.

He was stationed in Luoyang as General of the Right Garrison Guard, both as a mark of trust and to allow him to recuperate.

After all, Luoyang was the capital in all but name, with abundant renowned physicians and plentiful resources, making care convenient.

Yet Tang Sheng was restless; even with few duties as General, he often worked late into the night.

Having tidied his papers, Tang Sheng rose to leave. At that moment, the study door opened, and a middle-aged beauty entered, holding the hand of a little girl with triple buns.

The girl, about five or six years old, was as delicate and lovely as a porcelain doll. Upon entering, she broke free from the woman’s grasp, spreading her arms with a joyful cry, “Daddy, hold me!”

“Guanyin Servant, Daddy has worked hard all day and is tired… don’t disturb him.”

“No, no, I want Daddy to hold me!”

Tang Sheng’s gaunt face softened with a gentle smile.

He knelt and lifted the girl into his arms, pressing his forehead against hers, eliciting delighted giggles.

“Madam, why haven’t you rested yet?”

The middle-aged woman was Tang Sheng’s wife, Lady Gao, herself descended from the Northern Qi imperial clan. She had married Tang Sheng and bore him a son and a daughter. Tang Sheng had three sons: the eldest, Tang Xingbu, from his first wife, who most resembled him in bearing. Tragically, during Yang Liang’s rebellion, Tang Xingbu was assigned to defend Taiyuan and died when the city fell.

The second son, Tang Heng’an, and the third, Tang Xingcao, were born to concubines.

Originally, after the death of Tang Xingbu, the youngest son, Tang Wuji, Lady Gao’s child, should have inherited the family’s honors.

Yet for reasons unknown, Tang Sheng bestowed the eldest son’s merits upon the second son Tang Heng’an, who became a distinguished general. Privately, however, Tang Sheng favored his youngest daughter, the little girl in his arms, Tang Wugou, affectionately called Guanyin Servant.

Lady Gao smiled, “This evening, Lord Pei’s daughter, Shuying, invited me to play backgammon for most of the night; we just returned.”

“Oh? Shuying came to Luoyang? When?”

“Two nights ago at dusk… but she kept it quiet, only bringing me and Princess Guangping along today.”

“Is Princess Guangping well?”

“She seems fine!”

Princess Guangping was Emperor Wen of Sui’s third daughter, married to Duke Yuwen Jingli of Ande County. The Shuying Lady Gao mentioned was Pei Shiju’s youngest daughter, a resolute and opinionated woman. She had married a minor official, Li Dewu, but following the Crown Prince’s failed coup, Li Dewu was exiled to Lingnan for six years.

Pei Shiju wished for Shuying to remarry, but she resolutely refused, leaving him helpless.

Lady Gao enjoyed a good relationship with Princess Guangping and Shuying, naturally visiting when Shuying came to the city.

Tang Sheng was indifferent, holding his daughter on his lap, playing with Guanyin Servant as he asked, “You haven’t seen each other in a while. Did anything interesting come up?”

Lady Gao shook her head. “Not really. Shuying said she’s pleaded with Lord Pei to recall her husband from Lingnan and asked me to request you to speak on Li Dewu’s behalf before the Emperor. I firmly refused.”

“Li Dewu has been in Lingnan for seven years; the Emperor may not even know of him. Well, the problem shouldn’t be too difficult. Tell Shuying that I agree to take up the matter and will find an opportunity to petition.”

Tang Sheng was a man who valued his promises; he rarely agreed lightly but, once committed, would endeavor to see it through. Lady Gao nodded happily at his promise.

“By the way, on my way back, I heard something.”

“What?”

“General Maizi’s grandson had a conflict with Master Banyuan at Jianguo Gate but was stopped by Old Pillar Yu, who arranged a jiju contest on the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month… Oh, and I had previously misunderstood Master Banyuan, thinking him frivolous. People say that that afternoon at Dadings Restaurant, he and Cuiyun were discussing poetry. If he were truly frivolous, how could Cuiyun, with her temperament, have met with him? Shuying said she didn’t know where those rumors came from. She even asked Cuiyun during their incense offering at Baima Temple at noon… It seems Cuiyun has quite a favorable impression of Master Banyuan.”

“Oh?”

Tang Sheng abruptly ceased playing with Wugou and turned to Lady Gao.

“Mother, I know Master Banyuan—the proud young gentleman, right?” the little girl on Tang Sheng’s knee suddenly spoke.

Tang Sheng was taken aback. “Guanyin Servant has met Zheng Yanqing?”

Lady Gao was startled too but then smiled and nodded. “That was long ago, when the late Emperor was ill and you were Left Commanding General, guarding the inner palace. At that time, Wugou, I, and Xingbu had returned to Luoyang. On the way to Xiangshan Temple to offer incense, we happened to see the young lord going to the academy to study. We glanced but did not speak.”

“Oh!”

Tang Sheng nodded. No wonder Lady Gao had never mentioned it; it was merely a passing glance.

He lowered his head, smiling at his rosy-cheeked, adorable daughter. “My Guanyin Servant’s quick wit is quite remarkable.”

“Hehe, that young gentleman truly stands out. How old was he then? Riding a donkey, dressed in white, with a certain scholarly grace… In these past two years, I’ve seen many handsome young men close to his age, but few can compare. The Duke of Tang’s second son might be one—but though brave, he lacks a little refinement. Aside from him, no one else matches up.”

Tang Sheng made no further inquiries, his expression calm.

After playing with Wugou for a while, he lifted her and said, “Madam must be tired too; you should rest with Guanyin Servant.”

“And you?”

“I’ll come later, hehe.”

Lady Gao took the little girl and left, while Tang Sheng sat by the brazier, gently stirring the charcoal with an iron sieve.

During the northern expedition accompanying the Emperor, Prefect Li Yuan of Loufan had approached Tang Sheng, asking him to take Zheng Yanqing as a disciple.

Tang Sheng knew of Zheng Yanqing and appreciated his poetry and writings. So when Li Yuan mentioned it, he agreed, though he did not understand the relationship between Zheng Yanqing and Li Yuan.

Li Yuan explained that Zheng Yanqing was a student of his cousin, who cared deeply for him—worried he might neglect his studies or be bullied in Luoyang—thus asking Li Yuan to find him a teacher.

Li Yuan thought long and hard, deeming Tang Sheng the most suitable.

Tang Sheng became interested in Zheng Yanqing, a prodigy with literary talent, a member of the Zheng family—though not from the main line, still a scion of a distinguished clan—and felt no harm in accepting him.

Yet, when returning to Luoyang, before meeting Zheng Yanqing, Tang Sheng heard rumors of him molesting a Miss Pei.

This displeased Tang Sheng, who thought that despite Zheng Yanqing’s talents, his character was shallow.

He pondered how to tell Li Yuan to reject Zheng Yanqing as a disciple—but then Zheng Yanqing took action.

Why, at this time, would he meet Pei Cuiyun so openly at Dadings Restaurant?

Tang Sheng’s thoughts stirred with a strange smile.

Master Banyuan must be fighting back—using the simplest way to counter slander about his character.

“If I had done such a thing, how could Pei Cuiyun sit with me at the same table?”

Indeed, the young man’s tactics were direct and effective.

Still, who had spread such rumors? Were they mere gossip or malicious fabrications? If deliberate, whoever dared sully the Pei family’s name likely was no ordinary person.

At Tang Sheng’s rank, many considerations weighed heavily.

Taking Zheng Yanqing as a disciple could strengthen ties with the Li clan, which was good—but offending others could bring trouble.

He resolved to watch and wait.

——————————————————————————

Yan Qing returned to the Bamboo Garden and recounted his conflict with Maizi Zhong to Wang Zheng.

Xu Shiji heard this and immediately said, “Yan Qing, why fear? Maizi Zhong isn’t all that. We might not lose to him.”

“But the problem is, I don’t know how to play jiju!”

Zheng Yanqing smiled wryly and looked at Xu Shiji.

Jiju, also called daqiu or jiqiu, was essentially polo.

Its origins were unclear, but in the Sui era, jiju was a popular outdoor sport, one of the three main activities alongside cockfighting and buqiu (a game resembling later soccer).

Cockfighting was common among all classes; buqiu was popular among the lower classes; jiju was reserved for nobles and the military due to its basic requirement—a good horse.

For poor families, owning such a steed was a lifetime’s fortune.

Beyond the horse’s price, upkeep was costly. Good horses demanded strict care, including quality feed.

Maintaining a horse could cost more than its purchase price.

Yan Qing was fortunate to have received a jade-hoofed steed from Zhang Zhongjian; Xu Shiji’s father was a wealthy merchant, so his mount was fine too.

But what about the others? How many could match their luck and status?

“You don’t know jiju—why did you agree?”

Yan Qing scratched his head. “I didn’t agree, and no one asked me.”

True; neither Yu Juluo nor Maizi Zhong would care for Yan Qing’s feelings. He had a fine horse, and jiju was the era’s most popular outdoor sport. Combining these facts led to the assumption that Yan Qing could play.

If he lacked the jade-hoofed steed, Yu Juluo might have proposed other solutions.

But since he possessed such a steed, Yu Juluo naturally assumed he was a jiju player.

If he played, he must have teammates.

Moreover, Yan Qing was from the Zheng family, so playing jiju was plausible.

The crux lay with the jade-hoofed steed. Yu Juluo didn’t consult Yan Qing; once decided, it was done.

Xu Shiji chuckled wryly, “So what now?”

Shen Guang suddenly said, “You can learn jiju, but your biggest issue is that you only have two people and two horses, counting yourself and Xu Shiji. I guess you can’t refuse, so you must participate. Eight players on each side means you need six more men and six more horses!”

Indeed, learning jiju was one thing; finding six more players and horses was another.

Xu Shiji stroked his cheek. “Shen brother is right.”

Yan Qing wasn’t well acquainted with Luoyang’s noble youth, and since he was to face Maizi Tiezang’s grandson, even if he knew some, few would help.

No men, no horses—what use was learning jiju?

“Shen brother, can you play?”

Shen Guang smiled, “I’ve played a few times… Fine, count me in. Still need five men and six horses.”

“Horses…” Yan Qing pondered softly. “That’s less worrisome. There are still fifty days until the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month. I’ll think of other ways. But how to find the men? And what do we need for jiju?”

“Eight jiju sticks, preferably made from zhe wood; a field for practice.

“Wooden balls aren’t hard to get; markets have plenty. The key is finding enough men and horses.”

Sui-Tang era polo was played without protective gear.

Unlike some extravagant films where players wear full armor, that was unlikely.

Yan Qing thought for a moment and said to Xu Dachui, “Dachui, please visit Xiong’s shop tomorrow and ask the steward to send a letter to Brother Zhang Zhongjian. Tell him I need ten good horses and ask if he can deliver them within twenty days.”

His first thought was not the Zheng family but Zhang Zhongjian.

That man had many contacts in the Western Regions and might solve the horse problem.

“Tomorrow morning, I’ll visit the Dou residence to see if we can borrow horses and a field. We’ll practice while waiting and searching…”

Yan Qing scratched his head with a forced smile. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. With all of us alive, we won’t die of thirst or despair.”

His coarse words amused Shen Guang.

“I’ll handle the jiju sticks.”

Shen Guang thought a moment and laughed, “Many Hu merchants in Tongyuan City enjoy jiju, and some even make jiju sticks. I’ll see if I can bring a few people over. Even if I can’t find men, at least the sticks will be ready.

“Xu Shiji, you shouldn’t idle either. Let’s all take action. You can teach Yan Qing how to play, alright?”

Xu Shiji immediately brightened.

Honestly, being friends with Yan Qing was tough—not because he was bad, but because he was too outstanding. So outstanding that being with him was pressure multiplied.

Yan Qing was a master of poetry and prose, brilliant and skilled in martial arts. He seemed to know everything; even his tea-making was superior.

Now, finally, something he couldn’t do. He looked just like an ordinary person, only more clever.

Xu Shiji had found a skill that surpassed Yan Qing’s. Before, Yan Qing always critiqued him; now it was his turn.

Yan Qing read the intent in Xu Shiji’s smile and laughed too.

Though Xu Shiji was a rising military star of the Early Tang, he was still a youth at heart.

The shadow in his mind seemed to lift somewhat.

Yan Qing threw his arm around Xu Shiji’s neck, grinning, “Mr. Xu, for the next fifty days, I’m counting on you!”