Chapter One: To Be Continued

The scholar seemed disdainful of arguing further; with a sweep of his sleeve, he turned and left. The listeners, still not quite satisfied, continued discussing the matter among themselves before gradually dispersing.

“Again with the endless ‘to be continued next time’...” The young man surnamed Xue muttered angrily. Then he clasped his hands to the others and said, “We have heard enough, so it is time to go home. Elders and brothers, I have a thought, though I do not know whether it is fit to say. This Mr. Half-Circle is only entertaining himself and others. We came to hear the excitement and pass the time; when we go back, we should simply do as we always do. As for those simple folk, if they can find some amusement in it too, why force the matter and spoil everyone’s mood, including our own?”

Yan Shigu nodded repeatedly. “What Little Brother Xue says is exactly right. Listen to the excitement, then set it aside. Surely none of you truly think this is official history? Let Half-Circle play his games; it has nothing to do with us. It is only a bit of amusement.”

Having said that, Yan Shigu also clasped his hands and took his leave.

A few scholars still felt indignant and lingered before the notice board, arguing for quite a while longer. In the end, they, too, drifted away in boredom.

When one group left, another would naturally come forward.

In these times, there was never any shortage of people who watched the spectacle or flocked to it. Thus a new round of debate began once more.

Yan Shigu still lived in the Zheng household.

But the Zheng estate of today was no longer the same estate it had once been. When Emperor Yang rebuilt the new city of Luoyang, all the thousand hectares of fine land under the Zheng name were requisitioned, and in compensation the family was allotted two thousand hectares near the old city of Luoyang.

By appearances, one for two seemed a fair bargain.

Yet land could not be measured so simply by numbers alone.

The two thousand hectares granted as compensation were far less fertile than the original thousand. Zheng Renji had once calculated in private that these lands would need at least three years of restoration. In other words, for three years the Zheng family could not expect much profit from those estates. Fortunately, Emperor Yang also granted a general amnesty and exempted taxes for one year; otherwise, the loss would have been disastrous.

But if one was unwilling, what could one do?

Was he to go before the emperor and say, “I do not want these lands; please exchange them”?

He could only swallow the bitter loss in silence. Zheng Renji was deeply vexed by it. Yet in the industries within the new city, he had actually profited considerably. The old imperial guards who had once served at Tianjin Bridge in the old city were all relocated into the new city. They did not occupy the Zheng family’s properties, but instead pooled money themselves and settled in Huairen Ward beside Jianyang Gate.

Zheng Renji was given an entire street in Datong Market as compensation.

With the old guards no longer obstructing him, Madam Cui’s long-planned restructuring of the family business was put into motion, and Zheng Renji reaped considerable benefit from it.

Then, at the end of the previous year, west of Huairen Ward, two wards away, Emperor Yang issued an edict establishing Fengdu Market and widely invited merchants and households to settle there.

Zhang Zhongjian acted at once, taking over a street in Fengdu Market and naming it Old Tianjin Bridge.

The firm of Hengji was established on that street, and its frontage had grown to more than ten times its former size. The upper floor dealt chiefly in writing implements, while the lower floor sold miscellaneous wares such as scissors, tangram puzzles, and the white sugar newly developed by the Zhang family. Business was booming every day; to call it making a fortune daily would not be in the least an exaggeration.

At the same time, Zhang Zhongjian also secured a wharf in Tongyuan Market, devoted exclusively to transporting goods.

He had wide connections, and behind him stood the support of the Zhang family of Wuxian. Moreover, the Wuxian Zhangs were closely allied with Emperor Yang’s rise to the throne, so the business grew larger and larger. Zhang Zhongjian himself reaped immense benefit. His standing within the Zhang family rose steadily, and his father, Zhang Jiling, entrusted him with all the businesses in hand, giving him ever greater authority.

By comparison, the Zheng family was having a difficult time.

For reasons no one could fully explain, after the suppression of the rebellion of Prince of Han Yang Liang and the completion of the new city of Luoyang, Emperor Yang grew increasingly distant from Yang Su. On the surface, of course, he still treated Yang Su with courtesy and even granted him the title of Duke of Chu.

That was an honor surpassed only by the royal princes themselves.

Yet in truth, Emperor Yang was using a knife of flesh and blood to steadily cut away Yang Su’s power. At this time, the Zheng family—or rather, Zheng Dashi—made a grave mistake by siding with Yang Su. The consequences of choosing the wrong camp were, naturally, severe. In the second year of the Great Undertaking era, after Yang Su fell ill and died, Zheng Dashi never recovered. Zheng Renji was even more unfortunate; he remained in the office of governor of Luo Prefecture for four long years.

Former colleagues who had once held the same rank now became his superiors.

At the start of the year, Emperor Yang of Sui ordered that prefectures be changed into commanderies. He also established the office of Magistrate of Henan, with a rank equivalent to just below the third grade, above all other commanderies. Pei Hongce, who had once been ranked below Zheng Renji, was promoted to Assistant Magistrate of Henan, with a rank equivalent to the fourth grade.

Zheng Renji was so envious he nearly exploded.

But what could he do? It was his own fault for standing in the wrong camp. The Yang Su household, from top to bottom, still seemed as honored as ever, but anyone with discerning eyes could tell that their glory would not last much longer.

For this reason, Zheng Renji sighed and lamented all day long. After Zheng Dashi fell ill, he felt a danger unlike anything he had known before.

“Brother, you are back!”

As soon as Yan Shigu entered, he saw Zheng Renji sitting in the main hall, wearing a worried and miserable expression.

“Why does Elder Brother look like this?” The Zheng family seemed even more diminished than before, but Yan Shigu did not distance himself from Zheng Renji because of it. He was a man who valued loyalty deeply. When he himself had fallen on hard times, Zheng Renji had not only taken him in, but had treated him like a brother. Now that Zheng Renji was in trouble, Yan Shigu had no intention of simply walking away.

He sat down and said with a smile, “The weather outside is lovely; it is just right for a walk. Elder Brother, if you are feeling low, why not go out and take a stroll? Ha, today I met several exceptional men beneath Tianjin Bridge.”

“Oh?”

“One is named Du Yan, the youngest son of Minister of Works Du Guo. He has quite a bearing in speech and manner. Another is the son of the great scholar Xue Daoheng, named Xue Shou. He is studying at the Imperial Academy now, and his literary talent is dazzling, his gifts outstanding.”

“The son of the great scholar Xue?”

Zheng Renji smiled. “I have heard that name as well. He is indeed talented.”

“Yes, Elder Brother should not always sit at home. Frowning like this will not solve anything. Going out to meet the famous men and great masters of the world, to sing and dance with them—would that not be a kind of happiness? Why not gather a few friends, drink wine, and compose poems together? I remember that when you were in Chang’an, you loved such gatherings most of all. It has been a long time since you wrote poetry!”

Yan Shigu’s persuasion truly had some effect.

Zheng Renji laughed. “I do want to compose poetry. It is just that whenever inspiration comes, I always think of the one at home, and all my enthusiasm vanishes at once. Brother, you do not know this, but whenever I write a poem, someone always takes it and compares it to that fellow. Tell me, how can I, a proud man of seven feet, be compared to that child? Would that not make me into Wang White Ox?”

Wang White Ox referred to Wang Tong.

After returning to his homeland, he had lived in seclusion beside White Ox Brook on Dragon Gate Mountain, and so people often called him Wang White Ox.

When Yan Shigu heard this, he could not help laughing. “Elder Brother, the more you think that way, the more miserable you will become. Am I not the same now, forever being compared with Mr. Half-Circle? At today’s gathering, Xue Shou even teased me, saying I must not become Yan White Ox... I am miserable, but what can be done? Did that youngster not say that poetry and books are only for amusing others and oneself?”

Zheng Renji slapped his thigh and laughed heartily. “If you truly became Yan White Ox, then perhaps I would have to become Zheng White Ox. In the future, there may be herds of White Oxen under heaven... Ha ha ha, that youngster did say something not bad after all: to amuse others and oneself. I have indeed fallen short... Very well, I will listen to you, Brother. In a few days let us find some people and go drinking. At worst, I will become Zheng White Ox.”

The two exchanged glances and could not stop laughing.

“By the way, where are Shiji and Hongyi?”

“Oh, they’ve gone to the bamboo garden again to play with that boy... Hah, I can see it clearly now too. Why should I bother competing with him? The boy truly has talent, and he understands what is at stake. Silent for three years, then stunning the world in a single burst. That strange, almost ghostlike work of his is likely to cause another sensation. I read a few passages the other day. At first I thought it vulgar, but on closer reading, I seemed to glean something from it. That boy is remarkable. My father was right: if one cannot suppress him, one may as well let things take their course.

Hongyi gets along well with him now; in the future, he may even be able to help him somewhat. If he truly lends Hongyi sincere support, then Hongyi taking charge of Anyuan Hall, or even entering and presiding over the Compendium Hall, would not be impossible. That would put my mind at ease...”

Yan Shigu said softly, “It is good that Elder Brother can think this way.”

With the knot in his heart untied, Zheng Renji soon regained his former ease. He immediately ordered wine to be brought and clinked cups with Yan Shigu.

The two used that Romance of the Three Kingdoms as their drinking game, praising one episode extravagantly at one moment and cursing another the next. In truth, Yan Shigu himself was also uneasy. To have a little demon pressing down on one’s head was never pleasant. In comforting Zheng Renji, was he not also comforting himself? After a round of talk, his mood indeed became much lighter.

Just as the two were drinking heartily, Zheng Weishan rushed in in panic.

“Master, something terrible has happened!”

“Weishan, you came at just the right time. Have a cup with us?”

Though Zheng Weishan was nominally a steward, he was in truth a member of the Zheng clan, so Zheng Renji was always quite polite to him.

“Master, please stop drinking. Something truly terrible has happened.”

Yan Shigu set down his cup. “What is it?”

“A message has come from Chang’an. His Majesty has executed Gao Ying and He Ruobi, and ordered the Imperial Guards to confiscate their households. Now Lord Pei Renji, commander of the Tiger Cavalry, has already led the Imperial Guards to Luoyang and gone to He Ruobi’s home. They say he is to be exiled to the frontier...”

Zheng Renji shuddered violently, and the effects of the wine vanished at once!

A week is about to pass, and as usual I ought to offer my thanks.

This week was not easy. We made it onto two ranking lists, and though our placement was a bit low, I was still overjoyed. Thanks to all the brothers for your support!

Next week looks promising, and there will be a strong recommendation push.

Let us give it our all and surge upward. If we made the list without a push, then with one we should be all the more deserving. I will work even harder.

Please, everyone... ^_^