Book 63: Chapter 4: Fu Ju Luncheon

Xu Ziling, Ba Fenghan, Hou Xibai, and Liu Hongji, four men rode their horses side by side, watching the caravan, about half a li long – that started from the Yin Mansion, under escort of the city guards, heading toward the west gate via the designated route. Along the way, there were also city guards standing guard.

The exiles before their eyes represented a serious setback for the demonic school. In the long years to come, it would be difficult for the demonic school’s momentum to make a comeback [orig. returning to office after living as a hermit on Mount Dong] and return to the previous situation where they had power to fight over the world. Even if there was Lin Shihong dealing with the situation in the south, it could barely be considered an arrow at the end of its flight, not enough to be worried. Unless the new Great Tang Kingdom’s army was tragically defeated by the allied armies from beyond the Great Wall, practically only Xiao Xian and Lin Shihong, the two reactionary forces, would have the capital to stir the wind and make the waves [idiom: incite trouble].

As the last carriage drove away from the Yin Mansion, the hanging-low curtain was suddenly raised, revealing Wanwan’s flowery jade countenance, her cherry lips spat out, “Ziling!”

Xu Ziling urged his horse to ride in parallel with the carriage, Ba Fenghan, Hou Xibai, Liu Hongji, and a team of city guards urged their horses to follow the convoy, while another team of military horses galloped into the Yin Mansion to conduct a search and take-over operation.

Xu Ziling leaned over and spoke indifferently, “Wan Dajie have any instruction?”

Wanwan’s pair of beautiful eyes was clouded with dreary and fuzzy expression, she spoke softly, “Ziling still hates and resent nujia?”

Xu Ziling spoke in displeasure, “Could it be that you think I should be grateful to you?”

Sighing softly, Wanwan said, “I’m sorry, will that be enough? Now everything has become the past. Wan’er sincerely hopes that you guys will win a victory on raising the flag and defeat Xieli’s army.”

Xu Ziling smiled and said, “To be honest, I’ve never been angry with you. You and I have become enemies only because of our different positions. Everything that happened in the past, I don’t want to worry about, only hoping that from now on you would withdraw from the fray and live in seclusion, while also advise Lin Shihong and Xiao Xian to give up their pointless struggle.”

Wanwan spoke softly, “There are many things that I don’t care about. If you can beat back Xieli, naturally everything will be like bamboo splits when it meets the knife’s edge. I believe that Li Shimin is a good emperor. Yang WenGan and Chi Shengchun are not in the convoy, I absolutely don’t care if you guys are looking for the Xiang Family to settle the accounts. In fact, the Xiang Family is already everything broken and in disorder [idiom: in ruins], and because you emptied their barely remaining wealth, now even Chang’an, their last stronghold, has to be surrendered, it would be difficult to accomplish anything.”

Xu Ziling said, “If they are still in Chang’an, our people will eventually find them, the hunt and arrest operation will begin after the conclusion of the Battle of Xuanwu Gate! With Shimin Xiong giving the order personally. Zhuge Dewei and Wang Bodang are two of the targets.”

Wanwan said, “New emperor, new officials [idiom: new chief brings in new aides], transition to new dynasty [or regime] is just like this.”

Shaking his head, Xu Ziling said, “That description does not completely fit Shimin Xiong. Shimin Xiong‘s consistent style is not to investigate the past, he considers talent and use it, he prefers reconciliation than eradication of dissidents. However, because these people are involved in other things, they are becoming the target of pursuit.”

The West Gate was in sight.

Wanwan sighed and said, “After we part here, I’m afraid we will never see each other again.”

Xu Ziling spoke indifferently, “We, brothers have a ten-year agreement. When the time comes, we will return to Chang’an, to see whether Shimin Xiong is a good emperor who can govern the country and love the people as we expected. If you have time, you can come and join us.”

Wanwan spoke blissfully, “Turns out that in your heart Ziling really does not loathe me.”

Xu Ziling laughed and said, “Loathing is just a burden and a pain. Wan Dajie, please take good care of yourself.”

Wanwan’s horse-drawn carriage slowly drove out of the West Gate, the long-snake- like caravan raised the dust filling the whole sky, under the noonday spring sun, it gave people a dream-like and unreal feeling.

‘Bang! Bang! Bang!’

The sound of firecrackers resounded in every corner of Chang’an. Under the two simultaneous happy events in the family: the news of Li Shimin’s ascension to the throne and Kou Zhong vowing loyalty and devotion to the Great Tang, the people in the entire city were wild with joy and fell over each other in their eagerness to announce it, each and every family lighted the colorful lantern to welcome the arrival of the completely new era.

Hou Xibai looked down at the festive scene on the street from the third floor of Fu Ju Lou, he sighed and said, “When you see the scene before your eyes, you will feel that all the efforts and blood and sweat that you have shed in the past are worth it.”

The third floor was crowded to bursting point with diners, it was clamorous, and naturally the topic of conversation did not deviate far from Kou Zhong and Li Shimin. If they hadn’t been instructed, perhaps the crowed would have gathered around their table. Now, merely people deferentially greeting them was enough to wear Ba Fenghan, Xu Ziling and Hou Xibai down in incessantly, continuously responding to them. It was only this moment that they had a chance to take some breather.

Fu Ju Lou’s big boss personally led the waiters to serve the three men, replenishing the wine and serving the food, while feeling that the honor belonged to him, which made the three of them quite unable to endure. Compared with the previous treatment, it was a heaven and earth’s difference.

Ba Fenghan comfortably leaned against the back of the chair, he said, “I wonder how’s the situation on Song ErGe’s side?”

Xu Ziling replied, “Kou Zhong made an arrangement for a group of men and horses to go by fast boat, we should have a report of success by dusk at the latest.”

Hou Xibai said, “Why haven’t we seen Lei Dage coming?”

Xu Ziling said, “Kou Zhong already sent men to invite his good-self, he could arrive any moment.”

Ba Fenghan said, “If the imperial palace holds a state banquet tonight, please forgive me for not being there. I always feel out of place with that kind of event.”

Hou Xibai laughed and said, “Are you afraid of seeing Fu Junyu? Don’t worry, Fu Dashi already left the city and returned north to Gaoli this morning, Huangshang and Kou Zhong personally saw him off.”

Ba Fenghan smiled wryly but said nothing.

Knitting his brows, Xu Ziling asked, “Has Badai’er really left Chang’an?”

Hou Xibai laughed and said, “I’m sure she hasn’t, otherwise, why would our Lao Ba disappear for the entire sichen before we went to the Yin Mansion? My Niang’s! You can do a lot of things in one sichen! Including getting married and having kids.”

Ba Fenghan blurted out laughing and said, “Get lost! Xiao Bai, since when did you learn to exaggerate like Kou Zhong, with mouthful of vulgar talks and obscene language?”

Xu Ziling chimed in, “Stop looking after left and right and judge him, did Xiao Hou guess right?”

Ba Fenghan calmly replied, “His guess is only half right. I went to see Junyu first to say goodbye to her. Then I went to see Badai’er, to let her know that I am still alive, because there was practically no chance to fight with Bi Xuan, and I also promised her one thing, to untie the tight knot between us.”

Xu Ziling and Hou Xibai were very curious, they hurriedly asked for details.

Ba Fenghan looked out of the window, heaved a deep sigh, and said, “I promised her that as long as Bi Xuan doesn’t come to look for me, I won’t provoke him.”

“What?” Hou Xibai blurted out.

Xu Ziling was greatly delighted, he said, “Congratulations Ba Fenghan for finally getting back on the right path, for no longer being obsessed with fighting for victory.”

Ba Fenghan smiled and said, “Just the opposite. It was because of Kou Zhong that my horizons were broadened, my goal is raised to strike and defeat the entire allied armies from beyond the Great Wall.”

Hou Xibai did not understand, he asked, “Wouldn’t that be another tight knot between you and Badai’er? How could she allow you to bring disastrous casualties to her clansmen?”

Ba Fenghan explained, “My target is Xieli’s Golden Wolf Army, which is different from the Tujue-headed tribe to which Badai’er belongs. Her tribe has been continuously oppressed by Xieli for many years, otherwise the Tujue would not need to start a war against Xieli again. And she didn’t want me to challenge Bi Xuan because she was afraid I might lose my life. From the moment I promised her, she became as happy as a little bird, knowing that I put her on the most important position in my heart. Do you understand?”

Hou Xibai chipped away at the task and not abandoning it [idiom: persevering], he asked, “What did you talk about with Fu Junyu?”

Smiling wryly, Ba Fenghan replied, “This is the last time I will answer your question about women. She and I wanted to return to the situation when we first met. There is no chance for this relationship to begin, but I will cherish the time I spent with her in the past.”

This moment, Lei Jiuzhi, who had returned to his original appearance, swaggered over, followed by Tao Guangzu, the Huanghe Bang’s big boss. The former had spring breeze across his whole face, the latter was even grinning from ear to ear because he was unable to conceal his happiness.

The three men stood up happily to welcome them, attracting the guests filling the hall’s attention, thinking that Kou Zhong’s good-self was coming. One after another they craned their neck to see.

Lei Jiuzhi and Tao Guangzu cupped their fists to all directions to salute first, immediately cheers and applause erupted, heightening the joyful atmosphere.

High and mighty, Tao Guangzu sat down, and watched as Xu Ziling poured wine for him. Laughing heartily, he said, “I don’t know how long have I, Tao Guangzu, not experienced this kind of being well-regarded. That day when I surrendered to Qin Wang, I thought that at least half of my brothers would have to sacrifice their lives, but now unexpectedly not one loses half a strand of his hair. I thought that Sansi, who disappeared because he was afraid of war, but was actually being kidnapped by the crafty scoundrels – also returned safely, all thanks to Lei Laoxiong looking after him.”

Sansi was referring to Wu Sansi, the ‘Living Zhuge’ [from Zhuge Liang, Romance of Three Kingdoms], the deputy gang leader of the Huanghe Bang.

Lei Jiuzhi let out a weird laughter, he said, “When did I, Lei Jiuzhi, ever point to a dark road for you to take? Wait until you completely snatch Da Dao She’s business, and then you will know how it feels to be really well-regarded.”

Tao Guangzu raised his cup and said, “Let’s drink to congratulate Qin Wang ascending to the throne and unify the world.”

Lei Jiuzhi continued, “Let’s congratulate Shaoshuai even more that he will be able to retire in glory.”

Amidst the roar of laughter, the fine wine was drained in one gulp.

Lei Jiuzhi raised his cup and said, “This cup is to congratulate Huanghe Bang for reviving their reputation and removing all critical obstacles from top to bottom.”

Tao Guangzu spoke with serious expression, “Everyone knows what kind of person Huangshang is. I will do business properly in the future, to visit Lei LaoGe’s Zhen Guan Bank, ha … cheers!”

They drained another cup.

Hou Xibai asked in astonishment, “Isn’t the bank used as a cover?”

Tao Guangzu laughed and said, “Lao Lei is having a craving. Besides, many people in Chang’an took real gold and white silver to invest money in it, how could you say not doing it and simply not doing it? Are you not afraid people would tear down the shop?”

Xu Ziling laughed and said, “Lei Dage can look for partners for Xiao Jun, I am sure Song ErGe will not going to hang around with you.”

Lei Jiuzhi spoke fiercely, “Xiao Jun’s smell of mother’s milk has not yet dried [idiom: immature and inexperienced], he is swooning in the billows of Tongtong’s embrace, oblivious of the affairs of life, how could he match my, Laozi’s great ambition and magnificent aspiration of doing business all over the world? His granny’s! He makes a fuss all day long about going back to help Da Xiaojie doing business, not understanding that a man must establish his own great undertaking.”

Xu Ziling, Ba Fenghan and Hou Xibai roared in laughter.

Tao Guangzu winked at Lei Jiuzhi and said, “Fortunately, you, Lao Lei, have Qingqing Furen’s strong support, perhaps Xiao Jie will also be pressed into service and join the business due to Xi’er Guniang, no need for you, an old guy, to go through hardships alone, cold and dismal, and in desolation to start the undertaking.”

Lei Jiuzhi’s pair of eyes glowered at him, he said, “Am I very old?”

This time, Xu Ziling and the other two laughed until they burst into tears.

Suddenly the whole hall exploded in a commotion, one after another everybody stood up. Turned out Kou Zhong, in company with Ke Dazhi, climbed up the stairs together.

The Fu Ju Lou’s big boss was well prepared; he led the entire the staffs to line up to welcome him.

Calls of ‘Shaoshuai’ shook the entire hall.

With a smile on his face, Kou Zhong constantly cupped his fist toward all directions to return the greeting, while going straight to the table, and together with Ke Dazhi they sat down in the chair that the waiters pulled open for them.

The boss cheerfully said, “This meal, please allow Fu Ju Lou to pay tribute. Shaoshuai and gentlemen must not decline. That is our honor.”

Kou Zhong readily agreed, the restaurant suddenly stood still, everyone pricked up their ears to listen to what they had to say.

Kou Zhong rose up to his full height and said with a laugh, “Gentlemen, fellow countrymen elders, high official and noble persons, please continue to eat, drink and play finger-guessing game, to provide cover to our secret discussion of military affairs, and to prevent the enemy spies from taking the opportunity to return from a rewarding journey.”

After a burst of laughter, the restaurant atmosphere finally returned to normal.

Kou Zhong sat down.

Lei Jiuzhi said, “I was late because I was looking for Lao Tao to join in the fun. You are late without any reason, I have to punish you with a cup.”

Smiling wryly, Kou Zhong said, “My reasons are a thousand times, a hundredfold more than yours. You should have known that I was unable to move a single step on the street. It was all thanks to five hundred saber and axe-wielders at the front, five hundred saber and axe-wielders at the back, one thousand imperial guards on the left, and one thousand imperial guards on the right – that I succeeded in coming here to meet with you.”

Everyone roared in laughter. Unable to restrain a smile, Ba Fenghan shook his head and said with a sneer, “Everybody says this kid is exaggerating.”

Hou Xibai bellowed, “We’ll punish him a cup just for exaggerating.”

The crowd roared and toasted each other, they were filled with the joyous, reassuring feelings of major event has been settled.

Ke Dazhi sighed and said, “I really never thought I could still get drunk with you guys.”

Xu Ziling said, “What is Ke Xiong’s plan?”

Smiling wryly, Ke Dazhi said, “What good plan is there to talk about? Xiaodi has a request, I hope Shaoshuai could pass it on for me.”

Patting his chest, Kou Zhong said, “As long as it is proposed by Ke Dazhi, I will definitely do it properly for you, no matter what. Do you want me to speak to Li Shimin?”

Ke Dazhi said, “Of course I know what kind of person you, Kou Zhong, are, otherwise how could I dare to open my mouth? The three hundred warriors under my command are all from my own clan. Five years ago, we received the Great Khan’s order to come to the Central Earth to help Li Yuan to attack Chang’an, after going through repeated military campaigns, from five hundred, the number of men was reduced to more than three hundred. Most of them are married and have children locally, if they are deported, it would be a tragedy for the human world. They have long been used to the way of life in Chang’an, only a few are willing to leave with me, I hope Shaoshuai could ask Li Shimin to show special favor so that those who wish to stay can stay. As long as they are not fighting against the Tujue, they will serve the Great Tang wholeheartedly.”

Everybody understood, no wonder Ke Dazhi found it difficult to speak. At this unusual time, when the allied armies from beyond the Great Wall, which mainly consisted of Tujue people, were heading south, from a military point of view, Li Shimin would definitely drive all the Tujue out of Chang’an to prevent military information from being leaked.

Ba Fenghan spoke heavily, “Have you ever thought that this is equivalent to betraying Xieli?”

Laughing coldly, Ke Dazhi said, “From the beginning, Zhao Deyan has been excluding me. In the Battle of Longquan, Zhao Deyan and Tonyukuk even made such a big deal about my relationship with you, and maliciously slandered me, Ke Dazhi. This time, Zhao Deyan deliberately asked us to stay and help Li Jiancheng. Regardless of success or failure, we will be in a very unfavorable situation. I, Ke Dazhi have always been clear about gratitude and grudges, how others treating me, I will definitely pay it back the same way.”

Everybody grasped his intentions. Jiancheng was defeated and dispersed, naturally Ke Dazhi and the warriors from his own clan would be difficult to escape death. Even if Jiancheng was victorious, the coalition forces coming to the south, Jiancheng would first behead Ke Dazhi and his men to vent his resentment. It could be said that this move of Zhao Deyan’s was clearly to harm Ke Dazhi.

In this kind of situation, not only Ke Dazhi had no room to advance or to retreat, but he had no choice even more.

Hou Xibai asked anxiously, “Ke Dazhi is not afraid Xieli might make reprisals against your clan?”

Ke Dazhi said, “I could send someone to notify the tribal chief, telling them to migrate north to avoid disaster. As long as there is still conflict between Xieli and the Tujue, my clan will not be in danger.”

Kou Zhong said, “Dazhi, don’t worry, Li Shimin’s aspect, there shouldn’t be any problems. Your clan can live in peace and work happily in Chang’an, or be assimilated into the Great Tang army. This is precisely Li Shimin’s Hua-Yi [China and Barbarians (non-Han)] One Family policy. Moving north is not as good as moving south, as long as you become the vassal of the New Great Tang, you will receive the Great Tang’s protection.”

Xu Ziling asked, “What is Dazhi’s own plan?”

Ke Dazhi appeared to relax after all the difficult problems were resolved; he leaned back into the chair and spoke glibly, “Du Dage has repeatedly persuaded me to come to Shan Hai Pass to help him developing his business, to carry on his undertaking. I also want a change of the environment. After everything is in order, I will set off immediately.”

Kou Zhong happily raised his cup and said, “Let’s drink for Dazhi’s bright future.”

Everyone raised their cup and drank their fill. Vegetable and meat dishes were delivered continuously, so that it would be difficult to stick a needle onto the tabletop.

Lei Jiuzhi put down the wine cup, pulled Tao Guangzu up and said, “We have a business to attend to. Tonight, why don’t we all go to Qingqing’s place and drink to our delight, we won’t go home before we are drunk.”

Kou Zhong remembered his appointment with Shang Xiufang, he said, “Only after fighting the battle and beating Xieli, drinking will really be a delight.”

Lei Jiuzhi laughed aloud, together with Tao Guangzu, they left, happy and excited.

Kou Zhong asked Xu Ziling, “Have you reported to our Shi Meiren that we are safe and sound?”

Hou Xibai replied on his behalf, “Ziling does not even have time to go to the latrine, how could he have the time to go to Dong Da Si?”

Kou Zhong spoke happily, “Ziling, go to Xing Qing Gong and obediently wait for me. After Ke Dazhi and I finish settling down his affairs, I will come immediately to meet with you, we will go to see Qingxuan together.”

This moment, a city guard urgently came to the table, stood at attention and saluted, and reported, “Reporting to Shaoshuai, the Song Family’s Er Xiaojie [second miss] entered the city through the south gate, presently she should be arriving at the Xing Qing Gong.”

Kou Zhong’s entire body sprang up, he blurted out, “Yuzhi is here!”

Xu Ziling laughed and said, “Dazhi’s affairs, let me handle it for you. Why haven’t you hurried up to meet her? Remember what I said.”

Kou Zhong looked at Ke Dazhi.

Ke Dazhi spoke cheerfully, “I have more affection toward Ziling than toward you.”

Kou Zhong apologized and took his leave. As soon as he took the first step, the more than a hundred people in the hall immediately stood up and applauded to send him off.

Hou Xibai raised his cup and said, “He has to go, we have to live up to Laoban’s good intention.”

A burst of warmth welled up from Xu Ziling’s heart. This was precisely the taste of peaceful reunification.