Chapter 034: Local Tyrant

Xie Dalang’s lair was set at Qujiang Pool. Qujiang Pool lay in the southeastern corner of Chang’an, a celebrated scenic spot, yet sparsely populated, with hardly any households nearby. To the east of the pool sprawled the imperial Furong Gardens, ablaze with lanterns, while the west bank remained desolate and empty—there, Xie Dalang and a dozen or so unruly youths made their home.

The lodgings were humble, but wine was plentiful. Xie Dalang fetched a bottle of Jian’nan Shaochun, tucked two packets of beef under his arm, and, accompanied by Li Zaixing, strolled along the bank of Qujiang Pool for a while before settling in a lakeside pavilion. The young men, who had received Xie Dalang’s call and come armed and ready for a brawl, now watched the scene, exchanging glances in confusion at this unexpected turn. After a moment’s hesitation, they dispersed on their own.

Raising his cup, Xie Dalang pointed at the shimmering surface of the pool and laughed, “It may seem deserted now, but give it a few days and it’ll be bustling, especially during the Shangsi Festival. Even we brothers have to clear out to make room for the spring revelers.”

“Will Dalang be collecting protection fees then as well?”

At that, Xie Dalang spat out his wine in a spray. He turned, scrutinizing Li Zaixing in the faint light from afar. “Brother Li, are you jesting with me? Those who camp here during the festival are all nobility or wealthy merchants—even the likes of Wei Third Young Master wouldn’t dare make a scene. You expect me to go around collecting protection fees?”

“Seems your ambitions aren’t grand enough,” Li Zaixing replied with a smile, clinking his cup against Xie Dalang’s and draining it in one gulp.

Xie Dalang eyed him and, all of a sudden, grinned. “Aren’t you afraid I’ve poisoned the wine?”

“Even if you had, I’d take you all down before the poison did its work. I wouldn’t be the one at a loss.”

Xie Dalang was speechless for a moment, then raised his thumb in admiration. “You’re ruthless. I can’t compare.”

Li Zaixing forced a wry smile. Ruthless? Reckless was more like it—because he didn’t know if there would be a tomorrow. He had no idea who he truly was. Perhaps the moment he showed his face in Chang’an, someone would mark him, and any day could end with him murdered in some dark alley. For all he knew, this could all be a dream; he might wake up one day to find himself lying on the cold permafrost of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the twenty-first century, and this journey to the Tang dynasty nothing but a fleeting illusion. For him, every moment might be his last, so why wouldn’t he gamble everything? Never mind Wei Third Young Master—even if the Emperor himself stood before him, he’d dare to challenge him.

“A hundred years of life—who escapes death?” Li Zaixing raised his cup. “If I must live, let it be with abandon; otherwise, what’s the point of being a wanderer?”

“True words, but how many can see things as clearly as you, Brother Li?” Xie Guanglong heaved a sigh, drained his cup, and said, “A man ought to stride the world boldly, earning the Emperor’s favor. He should make his mark, win titles for his wife and children, and leave a name for posterity—that’s true satisfaction. To die without such glory, I could never accept it.”

“If you long for glory and titles, why not serve at the frontier instead of living as a wanderer here?”

“You think it’s so easy to go to the frontier?” Xie Dalang sneered. “The border is thousands of miles away; even the nearest, Fanyang, is four or five thousand li distant. Without official papers, you can’t stay at government inns, and just the cost of food and drink along the way is enough to give you headaches. What’s more, as a commoner, without horse or armor, how could I ever hope to earn merit? I might die of hunger by the roadside before I even reach the border.”

“You control the city’s ruffians and wanderers, yet you can’t scrape together enough money for that?”

Xie Dalang was silent for a while before breaking into a self-deprecating laugh. “I’ve taken in plenty of money, but I have brothers to support. They have no proper trade, and refuse to live poorly—they demand wine, meat, music, and dance every day. The expenses mount up, and little is left to save.”

“And I suppose a good portion goes as tribute to others,” Li Zaixing remarked. “If you don’t pay enough, the neighborhood constables won’t be so polite.”

“Naturally.” Xie Dalang sighed, his face clouded. “Seventy percent of what I collect ends up in their pockets. Even so, I must tread carefully—one misstep and my life’s at risk.” He glanced at Li Zaixing, forcing a smile. “Besides the officials’ extortion, there’s jealousy from my peers. Brother Li, you only arrived in the capital yesterday and today you’re already encroaching on my turf. Isn’t that rather hasty?”

Li Zaixing laughed and explained the situation with taking over the security of Bodhi Monastery. “Honestly, I have no interest in your business. Duty calls, and this was my only option. Today’s already the third of the month; in four or five days, there’s no way I can train those monks into experts. Shoot the horse before the rider, catch the leader to subdue the gang—it’s only by finding you, their chief, that I can get things done.”

Xie Dalang nodded repeatedly. “You’re fighting for territory, but applying military strategy. Could you be the son of a general?”

Li Zaixing smiled wryly. “To be honest, Dalang, I grew up in a monastery. I don’t even know who my parents are.”

“Is that so?” Xie Dalang set down his cup, scratching his head. “So we’re kindred spirits. I too know nothing of my parents—drifting from place to place, picking up some martial skills. A few years ago, I came to the capital hoping to pass the military exams and serve the country, but now the exams require not just skill, but household and guarantee certificates. I didn’t even qualify to register, so I’ve been scraping by in the city with my fists.”

“And the capital’s wanderers—did you subdue them all yourself?”

“Nothing so simple.” Xie Dalang gave a bitter smile. “Someone like me can only mix with fellows like Zhang Wan, who have no family background. As for the aristocratic types like Wei Third Young Master, I wouldn’t dare provoke them. This morning I heard someone killed Wei’s men outside the city and robbed him. I admired the boldness—never imagined it was you, Brother Li.”

“A trifling matter, not worth mentioning.” Li Zaixing stood, dusting off his hands. “Since you have your difficulties, I won’t press you. Whatever money Bodhi Monastery owes, I’ll deliver every coin to you. But this isn’t free: if anyone stirs up trouble at the monastery, I’ll be looking for you, and we may have to settle things face to face.”

Xie Dalang shook his head. “A man’s word is his bond—once given, it cannot be taken back. Since I said the business in Pingkang Ward is yours, I won’t take another coin from it. Tomorrow I’ll make things clear to Zhang Wan and the others: if they want to follow you, feed them; if not, I’ll help them find another path. However…”

Xie Dalang hesitated, a little ashamed. “I can only restrain my own men. If others cause trouble, I can’t control them.”

“There are others?”

“Heh, Chang’an’s a vast city—if not ten thousand, then at least several thousand wanderers. The East Market is full of rich pickings, and Pingkang Ward is the most famous pleasure district in all Chang’an. These two places are not only targets for the wanderers, but also fat meat in the eyes of the powerful. Since they can’t act openly, they cultivate their own forces to grab a share. Me, a rootless outsider—how could I block them all?”

Li Zaixing scratched his head, feeling a surge of disappointment. He’d thought that finding Xie Dalang would solve all his problems, but clearly he’d been too naïve. Still, Xie Dalang had a point—how could so much profit go to one man alone? Who knew how many eyes were watching this place.

“Who else might cause trouble at Bodhi Monastery?”

“There are over a hundred temples in Chang’an—Bodhi Monastery is inconspicuous and wouldn’t usually attract attention. But the monastery is close to Chancellor Li, which inevitably breeds resentment. Some can’t touch the Chancellor, so they turn their anger to the monastery. The strongest among them is the Luoyang Gang, backed by the Yang family. Their leader is a man surnamed Pei, supposedly a branch of the Pei clan from Hedong—said to be strong as an ox and skilled in martial arts. Brother Li, you’d best be careful.”

“The Luoyang Gang? The Pei clan of Hedong?”

“Yes, the Yangs and Peis are closely connected. Yang Zhao’s wife is from the Pei clan of Hedong, and the Lady of Guo also married into that clan.”

“I see.” Li Zaixing stood, about to leave, when Xie Dalang added, “Brother Li, the Peis of Hedong are not united. The Pei clan under former Chancellor Pei Guangting in Pingkang Ward does not get along with them.”

Li Zaixing paused, glanced back at Xie Dalang, and quirked his mouth. “Since you know all this, Dalang, why don’t you take action yourself? Are you hoping to use me as your blade?”

Flushed, Xie Dalang gave a couple of embarrassed chuckles, his intentions thoroughly exposed.

Li Zaixing returned, circling Xie Dalang twice with a mischievous smile. Xie Dalang, feeling uneasy, rubbed his nose and involuntarily took a step back, anxious about what more Li Zaixing might have seen through.

“Xie Dalang, when I knocked down Zhang Wan, he said he’d go outside the ward to find you. Yet in less than half an hour, you arrived. From Pingkang Ward to here is nearly ten li—twenty round trip—and it’s night, with patrols to avoid. You showed up awfully fast. If you ask me, you were already in Pingkang Ward, weren’t you?”

Xie Dalang’s face turned awkward, but he had no reply.

“When I saw you, you were standing on the wall east of Li Linfu’s residence. Li Linfu is known as a treacherous chancellor—few would speak of him with such respect. Yet you keep calling him Chancellor Li and keep trying to push me into conflict with the Peis supported by the Yangs. It’s hard not to wonder—Xie Dalang, did Li Linfu send you here on orders?”

Even in the darkness, Xie Dalang’s face burned. He hurried to explain, “Brother Li, you misunderstand. I only saw you were new to Chang’an and unfamiliar with its ways, so I wanted to warn you. I’m just a commoner—how could I have anything to do with Li Linfu? If I really had such a powerful patron, would I be in this state?”

“A commoner, yet you dominate the ruffians of Chang’an? I think you’re no simple man.” Li Zaixing snorted. “I don’t care about your background. I find you forthright and would be your friend—but if you take me for a fool, don’t blame me if I turn on you.”

Xie Dalang was taken aback, then forced a laugh. “You’re too harsh, Brother Li. How could I dare put on airs in front of you?”

“As long as you understand.” Li Zaixing strode off, his voice drifting back, “If you’re a friend, help me track down that Pei fellow’s whereabouts—I’d like to have a word with him.”

Delighted, Xie Dalang called after him, “Don’t worry, Brother Li. I’ll inform you as soon as I have news.”

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