Chapter 028: I Am Here to Cause Trouble

At Wei Yingwu’s urging, and under the gaze of those around—some sympathetic, some amused—Li Zaixing cleared his throat and said, “I come from Jiangnan, and on my journey I heard tales of Mount Lu. I happened to compose four lines. Today, in the company of such gifted literary stars, I’d like to recite them and ask for your guidance.”

Wei Yingwu struggled to suppress a laugh. “We are all ears.”

Li Zaixing gave a shy smile and recited Su Shi’s poem, “Inscribed on the Wall of Xilin Temple.”

“From the side it’s a range, from the end a peak,
Far, near, high, low, no two alike.
We do not see the true face of Mount Lu,
Because we ourselves are within this mountain.”

Having finished, he bowed repeatedly with a face full of embarrassment. “Pardon my folly, everyone. Please stay; I must be off.” With that, he grabbed Du Fu and started to leave.

Wei Yingwu had planned to mock him after his recitation, but after hearing the lines twice, he found nothing amiss; in fact, they seemed rather impressive. Seeing Li Zaixing about to leave, he hurried to stop him, just as today’s guest of honor—the newly appointed jinshi, Shen Zhongchang—approached. With a solemn expression, Shen Zhongchang bowed to Li Zaixing. “Please stay, Li.”

Li Zaixing looked at him. “What advice do you have, Shen?”

Shen Zhongchang smiled. “I wouldn’t presume to advise. But this poem… did you truly compose it yourself?”

“Shameful to admit, I just made it up. Don’t laugh at me.”

Shen Zhongchang frowned, hesitating. Though the poem used no allusions and the language was plain—befitting someone uneducated—it nonetheless possessed a depth of meaning, especially the last two lines, which grew more profound the more one pondered them. “We do not see the true face of Mount Lu, because we ourselves are within this mountain”—the sense was much like ‘those involved cannot see clearly’, but set against Mount Lu, the tone was entirely elevated.

He suspected the poem was not Li Zaixing’s, but had no proof. As far as he knew, no one had written such verses before. He couldn’t simply accuse Li Zaixing of plagiarism based on suspicion alone.

Seeing Shen Zhongchang’s hesitation, Wei Yingwu grew even less certain. If even Shen Zhongchang praised the poem, how could he say otherwise? Before he could react, Li Zaixing was already apologizing and heading out. Remembering Li was supposedly going to meet Yang Miaor, Wei Yingwu was at a loss, standing there dazed. Shen Zhongchang nudged him and whispered, “Wei, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. Brother Shen, this poem… is it good?”

“It’s excellent.” At the mention of poetry, Shen Zhongchang grew animated. Clapping his hands, he called out, “Gentlemen, just now Li recited a poem. I would like to add two more. If any of you are interested, why not join in the fun?”

Everyone responded with enthusiasm. Having heard Li Zaixing’s poem, they found it quite good. If even a rough fellow who couldn’t write poetry could produce such lines, then they, the literati, were certain they could do better, and so set out to prove their talent.

Some began composing silently, others recited aloud, and the room was soon filled with lively excitement.

Li Zaixing cared nothing for this. He had already reached the door, joined by Lu Hu and A Duan, ready to leave, when a breathless maid hurried over and bowed. “Sir Li, is it not a bit early to visit Miss Miaor’s chambers now?”

Li Zaixing laughed heartily. “You misunderstand, miss. I’m not going to see Miss Miaor. I’m leaving.”

“Where to, sir?”

“Oh, to Zheng Juju’s house.” He waved a hand carelessly. “I was only joking with Miss Miaor. I never intended to visit her chambers.”

He strode off, leaving the maid standing there, her expression an amusing mix of confusion and amusement. She chuckled at herself, then went to inform Yang Lai’er, who was with Shen Zhongchang. Upon hearing this, Yang Lai’er raised her brows in mild annoyance, but said nothing.

Once outside, Du Fu seemed to relax, bowing his head in embarrassment. “You were right, brother. Today, I failed in the trust you placed in me. I’m truly ashamed.”

Li Zaixing looked at him, smiling. “Brother Du, were you overwhelmed by the presence of the new jinshi?”

Du Fu gave a bitter laugh. “There’s no help for it. Jinshi are outstanding talents, one in a hundred. How could a penniless, middle-aged failure like me compete with such youthful prodigies, basking in the spring breeze of success?”

“You’re too hard on yourself, brother Du,” Li Zaixing consoled him. “Their brilliance is only fleeting. In terms of poetic talent, they’re not fit to carry your shoes.”

“Alas, I failed to help you today, and now you must comfort me. Truly…” Du Fu clicked his tongue and could not continue.

“It’s not your fault, brother Du. It was my spur-of-the-moment decision that disrupted our plan.” Li Zaixing smiled. “Just like in battle, I am the general and you the valiant warrior. If the fight goes poorly, you bear some responsibility, but the general’s is greater. One must use each man for his strength. This was not your arena, and I chose the wrong field, putting you at a disadvantage. How can I blame you?”

Du Fu looked at him in surprise, then after a moment, shook his head and laughed.

Led by Du Fu, they soon arrived at Zheng Juju’s house, not far away. Zheng’s household was not as grand as the Yangs’, though there were many carriages at the door, the air of extravagance was notably less. Seeing Li Zaixing and Du Fu well dressed and mounted on fine horses, the doorman dared not slight them and hurried to usher them in.

Inside, the madam of the house approached, glancing at Du Fu’s face. With a delicate fan before her nose, she smiled. “Master Du, where have you come from? Such a strong scent of wine.”

Du Fu laughed. “To be honest, madam, I’ve just come from the Yangs’.”

Her eyes brightened. “Oh? Did the food not satisfy you there, that you come to my house for a second feast?”

Du Fu shook his head in feigned intoxication. “Ha ha, I brought my worthy brother here to broaden his horizons. The Yangs are fine, but your house has its own flavor.”

Delighted by this, the madam led them to a room, ordering food and wine. Soon, two young ladies arrived, seating themselves beside Li Zaixing and Du Fu. Musicians positioned themselves in the corridor, tuning their instruments and waiting in silence.

“What would you like to hear, sir?” the girl beside Li Zaixing asked with a charming smile.

“I’m not fond of those soft, mewling tunes,” he replied. “Brother Du, why not pick something bold and stirring?”

Du Fu nodded, smiling. “Does anyone among you know the ‘Song of the Knight-Errant’ by the Hermit of Qinglian?”

“We do,” replied the girl beside him. She rose, went to the curtain, and signaled the musicians. They took up the melody, and she began to sing:

“The Zhao guest wears a Hu sash, Wu sword gleaming frost and snow.
Silver saddle on white horse, swift as a shooting star.
Ten steps, one man slain, a thousand miles without pause.
When done, he brushes his sleeves, hiding his name and fame…”

Though the singing lacked the full heroic vigor Li Zaixing had imagined, it carried a certain grandeur. Satisfied, he nodded, raised his cup to Du Fu, and they drank together.

When the song ended, the girl bowed gracefully, her eyes bright as water, and asked with a playful smile, “Sirs, was my singing to your liking?”

“It was passable,” Li Zaixing said with a faint smile. “But you lack the bearing of a true knight-errant—quite disappointing.”

The girl’s expression faltered before she forced a smile. “Then, sir, do you wish me to act the part as well?”

“Of course,” Li Zaixing replied as though it were only natural.

She exchanged a glance with the other girl, then left the room. Shortly, she returned dressed in a form-fitting warrior’s outfit, accentuating her graceful figure. In her hand, she held a sword, inverted, and moved with theatrical flair.

“Is this more to your liking?”

Li Zaixing glanced at her, then stepped forward to take the sword from her hand. Flicking it with his finger, he frowned. “How can one sing of a knight’s valor with a blunt sword? Bring a real blade.”

“A real blade? You might get hurt.” A voice sounded from outside, and the curtain was flung aside. In strode a burly man, bare-chested despite the chill of early February. He stood before Li Zaixing, over six feet tall, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, his body like a moving mountain. He displayed his robust chest, unafraid of the cold, showing off a tattoo of a white tiger, jaws agape as if ready to devour.

Even more striking were the tattoos on his arms. On the left: “Alive, I fear not the magistrate of Jingzhao.” On the right: “Dead, I fear not the King of Hell.”

With the white tiger and those twelve characters, the room’s temperature seemed to drop. No need for the girl to sing of knight-errantry; this man embodied it.

The strong man glared at Li Zaixing, his demeanor threatening violence at the slightest provocation.

Li Zaixing smiled, returning the sword to the girl, then grinned. “The strongman of Pingkang Lane—Zhang Wan?”

Zhang Wan’s eyes narrowed. “You know me?”

“I don’t, but I came here today to find you.” Li Zaixing turned to pour a cup of wine, offering it to Zhang Wan, then took one himself. “I want to make your acquaintance, and discuss a matter.”

Zhang Wan took the cup but did not drink. “Speak.”

Li Zaixing’s smile broadened. “From today, you’ll follow my orders.”

Zhang Wan raised an eyebrow, then chuckled instead of growing angry. “And if I refuse?”

Li Zaixing’s smile faded, his expression turning cold. He clenched his fist and waved it before Zhang Wan. “Then I’ll beat you until you agree.”

Zhang Wan glanced at Li Zaixing and then at Du Fu, shrugged, and burst out laughing. As he laughed, his chest muscles rippled, the sound booming like a cracked bell, coarse and full. The girls, prepared for this, covered their ears; Du Fu frowned, looking pained.

Zhang Wan’s laughter silenced the whole courtyard—no music, no singing, no conversation—only his laughter echoing. Some guests, sensing trouble, threw coins on the table, not bothering with change, and hurried away in panic.