Chapter Forty-Nine: The White Dragon Horse

Cui Min has gone bankrupt!

If the people from Zhengzhou hadn’t arrived, Cui Min would probably have lost even those two shops. According to the information Zhong Hongyi received, this time the Cui family had sent Cui Qianli, the second son of Cui Junzhou from one of the five branches in Zhengzhou.

He was about the same age as Cui Min, but his status was something Cui Min could never hope to attain. Cui Qianli gave Cui Min a few hard slaps before Cui Min slunk out of Luoyang in disgrace. It was likely that the Cui family would keep him out of sight for a while, and unless some extraordinary opportunity arose, he probably wouldn’t get another chance in this life.

To tell the truth, the Cui family was left in a rather sorry state by Zheng Yanqing this time, their pride seriously wounded. However, with Zheng Yanqing currently the center of attention, even if Cui Qianli wished to retaliate, he dared not act rashly.

Because the nephew of Duke Yang of Yue, Yang Xuanjiang, was about to take up the post of Governor of Yiyang. At Yang Su’s behest, he had taken a detour through Luoyang to observe the matter. Not only did Yang Su send someone, but Pei Shiju, head of the Hedong Pei clan, also sent his youngest son, Pei Fenghua, to Luoyang. Pei Shiju had four sons and a daughter, with the youngest, Pei Fenghua, being especially favored. The other three sons had been sent out elsewhere, leaving only the youngest at his side.

In a sense, Pei Fenghua represented not just Pei Shiju but the entire Hedong Pei clan. Who would dare make a move in such turbulent times?

On the second-to-last day before the ten-day deadline, another unexpected group of visitors arrived at the Bamboo Garden Retreat.

Du Ruhui, Dou Fengjie, Xu Shiji, and Zhong Hongyi were all present. Zheng Yanqing was holding a tangram, explaining its use with a cheerful smile.

The tangram, also known as the Seven-piece Puzzle or Wisdom Board, was a traditional Han folk game. It was said to have originated from the Yanji Diagram in the Tang Dynasty, a kind of intellectual indoor game for scholars. Yanqing had never seen the Yanji Diagram, but he played with tangrams plenty as a child in his previous life. Spending all day with other children didn’t allow for much variety in play. After all, what interested Dou Fengjie and Xu Shiji might not appeal to Yanqing.

So, based on his memories of the tangram shapes, he had a craftsman make a set. Unexpectedly, even Du Ruhui and Zheng Shian became interested in the game. In the evenings, they would use the tangram as a drinking game, challenging each other to assemble various shapes, with the loser having to drink three cups. Yanqing, having little else to do, joined them in their amusement.

“Young master, someone’s here to see you!”

Although the house was finished and the Mao couple had moved into their new home, Mao Ya still lived in Yanqing’s half-edge retreat, attending to his daily needs.

Everyone was engrossed in their game when Mao Ya came running in.

“Young master, there’s a bearded man named Zhang at the door, says he wants to see you.”

A bearded man named Zhang?

Zheng Yanqing was momentarily puzzled, then remembered.

The only person he could think of who fit both criteria was Zhang Zhongjian.

“Brother Du, Third Brother Zhang is here. Let’s go greet him.”

“I’m not going. I’m finally about to get this puzzle right, don’t distract me... Besides, Zhang Sanlang isn’t here to see me; go on by yourself.”

Du Ruhui, utterly absorbed in the tangram, didn’t even look up.

This fellow was truly obsessive! Before, it was inscriptions and steles; now, it was games. Rumor had it that Du Ruhui and Dou Fengjie had wagered over the tangram game and stayed up all night. Dou Fengjie hadn’t gone home either—after all, Yanqing’s place had food, drink, and beds. He just had someone send word home... His father was far away in Shu; Dou Wei certainly wouldn’t object to his son spending time with Zheng Yanqing.

Yanqing could only give Du Ruhui a helpless look before getting up and heading down the bamboo building.

“Third Brother Zhang!”

In front of the bamboo house stood more than a dozen men in brocade. At their head was Zhang Zhongjian. Beside him was a burly, dark-skinned youth with a heroic bearing.

Yanqing walked out onto the porch, saw Zhang Zhongjian, and clasped his hands in greeting.

“Hahaha, Yanqing, my little brother, it’s been ages! You’ve grown even more handsome!” Zhang Zhongjian laughed heartily, striding forward and scooping Zheng Yanqing into a bear hug, spinning him around in place. “Taller than before, and your reputation’s even grander!”

Why does everyone who sees me feel the need to pick me up, just to show they’re bigger?

Zheng Yanqing really disliked this, but couldn’t very well refuse. After all, he was still just a child...

“Come, let me introduce you to the son of a good friend.”

As he spoke, Zhang Zhongjian set Zheng Yanqing down, took his hand, and motioned the dark-skinned youth forward. “On my recent trip to Lanzhou, I made a good friend, Xue Ju, the Sima of Lanzhou. This is his eldest son, Xue Rengao... Rengao, this is the famous Zheng Yanqing, the celebrated Young Lord Goose, the Half-Edge Master himself.”

“I am Xue Rengao.”

Xue Rengao stepped forward, extending his hand.

Zheng Yanqing quickly returned the gesture, extending his own hand. “I’m Zheng Yanqing.”

As their palms met, Zheng Yanqing’s brow furrowed. Xue Rengao’s hand was calloused—clearly a martial artist’s. Like an iron clamp, it gripped Yanqing’s hand as if to crush it.

A show of dominance?

Yanqing’s eyes flashed, but he kept a smile on his face. Stepping back half a pace, he applied the bear technique from the Five Animal Boxing that Sun Simiao had taught him, his grip suddenly strengthening as he countered Xue Rengao’s hold. The Five Animal Frolics and Health-Guiding Arts, though originally for health, had been adapted by Sun Simiao—who roamed the mountains and often faced danger—into a highly effective martial art. As Yanqing’s bear strength surged, Xue Rengao’s expression changed subtly.

For months now, he had heard nothing but tales of the Young Lord Goose and Half-Edge Master. Xue Rengao, brash and unruly, was not one to admit defeat. Moreover, his father often used Yanqing as an example whenever he slacked off in his studies, rebuking him with Yanqing’s achievements. Over time, though he’d never met Zheng Yanqing, he’d grown to resent him fiercely. Now, seeing Yanqing look so gentle and scholarly, seemingly frail, he was determined to embarrass him.

Who would have thought that beneath that refined exterior, Yanqing’s grip was so powerful!

As they gripped hands, both their faces began to flush...

Zhang Zhongjian quickly stepped up, grabbing their arms and saying, “Let go, let go! What are you two doing?”

Yanqing felt a sudden numbness in his arm, his bones momentarily soft as if all strength had left him. He let go, just as Xue Rengao released his grip, both of them stepping back two paces before regaining their footing.

Xue Rengao put his hand behind his back, shaking it out repeatedly.

“Hey, you’ve got some strength... But this time, for Third Uncle Zhang’s sake, let’s call it a draw.”

Yanqing found it odd and, rubbing his hand behind his back, began to circulate the health-guiding technique until feeling returned to his arm.

“Big guy, I don’t think I’ve met you before.”

“Hmph, of course you haven’t... But thanks to you, I’ve gotten plenty of beatings from my father.”

Zhang Zhongjian laughed, putting an arm around each of their shoulders. “Now, now, you’re both outstanding—one full of literary talent, the other a master of the martial arts. Heroes should recognize each other and show mutual respect.

By the way, Yanqing, look what I’ve brought you!”

As he spoke, Zhang Zhongjian gestured, and a servant led a white colt into the bamboo grove.

Though not large, the horse was spirited and proud. As it entered the bamboo garden, it neighed loudly and stamped its hooves, its snowy mane rippling like waves.

“What a fine horse!”

Yanqing couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Xue Rengao said, “Of course it’s fine... The Tuyuhun call this a Heavenly Horse, said to be the offspring of a divine dragon and a mortal mare. Third Uncle Zhang bought this horse at great expense from the Tuyuhun especially as a gift for you.”

There was a note of jealousy in his tone.

“A gift for me?” Yanqing looked at Zhang Zhongjian in surprise. “Third Brother, how could I accept?”

“Why not?” Zhang Zhongjian laughed, leading the white colt to Yanqing. “A fine horse for a hero! With your talent, Yanqing, you’re sure to soar to great heights. When I saw this horse, I thought no one else in the world but you could be its match. This is the rare White Dragon Horse; today I give it to you as a present.”

“If you won’t take it, I will!” Xue Rengao chimed in.

Yanqing burst out laughing. “You, with your dark complexion—how could you suit it? Besides, when did I ever say I didn’t want it?”

With that, he took the reins.

The White Dragon Horse neighed and reared on its hind legs. Yanqing stabilized himself, gripping the reins tightly, but the horse was wild and refused to yield.

“This is a dragon horse—ordinary methods won’t tame it. I’ve heard that to subdue a dragon horse, you have to bite its ear...”

At that, Zheng Yanqing gathered the reins, leapt nimbly onto the horse’s back, and held tight as the White Dragon Horse bucked and reared, trying to throw him off. Yanqing clung firmly to its neck, refusing to let go.

By now, Du Ruhui and the others had come out and stood in shock at the scene.

Zhang Zhongjian called out tips on how to tame the horse. He couldn’t understand it—the colt had been docile on the journey, but now was suddenly so wild. Yanqing was being tossed about so violently his bones felt as if they would come apart, and a surge of anger welled up within him.

Damn it, you think I’m easy to bully?

He squeezed with his legs, lifted himself suddenly, and hugged the horse’s neck tightly, then vaulted up with all his might.

There was no time for hesitation—with so many people watching, especially that black-faced youth, how could he let himself lose face as the Half-Edge Master?

He bit the White Dragon Horse’s ear.

Strangely enough, at that bite, the horse gradually calmed down.

When Yanqing finally dismounted, his legs were so weak he almost collapsed to the ground.

Xue Rengao stared in amazement. “You actually bit it!”

“Wasn’t it your idea?”

“I only heard it from the Tuyuhun, but I’ve never seen anyone actually do it...”

“Bah!” Yanqing was furious, but seeing Xue Rengao grinning, he quickly let go of his anger, patted the White Dragon Horse’s head, and said, “It’s mine now—who cares how I tame it? Better than some people just standing by and drooling with envy.”

“You’re the one who’s envious!” Xue Rengao shot back, glaring at him. The two locked eyes for a moment before both suddenly burst out laughing.

——

Hmm, that’s another six thousand words done. Please give some recommendations and encouragement!