Chapter Seventy-Seven: Tempestuous Waves

At this moment, guests were gradually arriving at Red Sleeves Pavilion. A group of corpulent young heirs and wealthy scions gathered in their own small circles, whispering furtively. Yet countless circles had their attention fixed on Luo Song. Li Xiaoguang was a regular at Red Sleeves Pavilion, and his infamy was well known.

Everyone looked at Luo Song with sympathetic eyes, hoping Li Xiaoguang might finally meet his match and suffer a silent loss, but also deeply worried for Luo Song’s fate. Luo Song was a formidable fighter, but what did that matter? In Chang’an, the city belonged to the Li family. If Li Xiaoguang raised his voice, a swarm of military officers and soldiers from the Sixteen Guards would rush in to back him.

“Do you—do you—do you know who I am?” Li Xiaoguang forced himself to stay calm as he bellowed, “If you know what’s good for you, bow and apologize to this marquis. Otherwise—”

“Otherwise what?” Luo Song knelt before Li Xiaoguang, gently patting his face. “Do you know who I am?”

Hearing this, Li Xiaoguang was startled. Though he was a founding marquis, there were many people in Chang’an he dared not provoke—such as the seven noble clans and five prominent families of Shandong. If Luo Song was the direct descendant of any of these, Li Xiaoguang would have to swallow his losses. Not even his imperial cousin would risk offending them; even the emperor would have to show them respect.

Li Yuan would never offend a noble house for Li Xiaoguang’s sake. It wasn’t that Li Yuan feared them, but that while the nobles might not help him unify the empire, they could easily hinder his ambitions.

“Who are you?” Li Xiaoguang cursed silently, thinking that today’s luck was truly rotten—could Luo Song be the scion of some powerful clan?

Luo Song puffed up and said, “If I tell you, you’ll be terrified.”

Sweat broke out on Li Xiaoguang’s brow. He thrived on arrogance, but he never offended those he couldn’t afford to cross. If he did, not only would he be abandoned, but even Li Xiaoji would distance himself.

“Who exactly are you?”

“I am the nephew of Gao Wanqing, magistrate of Wannian County. Do you know Gao Wanqing? He’s the county bailiff—whichever military officer sees him must bow and scrape!”

A burst of laughter erupted in Red Sleeves Pavilion. They’d thought a formidable outsider had arrived, only to discover he was a dim-witted fool. The Marquis of Changguang and the military officers might both be called ‘marquis,’ but the comparison was laughable. The military officers were akin to local police, while the county bailiff was like a chief of public security. The police officers weren’t under the bailiff’s command, but no low-ranking officer would dare offend the chief.

Li Xiaoguang’s face turned green with rage. To him, Gao Wanqing was nothing; if Li Xiaoguang wanted his wife, Gao wouldn’t dare utter a complaint—he’d obediently send her to Li’s bed. But today, he’d been beaten by Gao Wanqing’s dim-witted nephew, and now he’d lose all face.

As Luo Song’s hand hovered before his face, Li Xiaoguang suppressed his anger and ground out, “Get out! Don’t ever let me see you again!”

“Heh, still daring to talk tough!” Luo Song raised his hand and gave Li Xiaoguang a savage beating.

Slaps rang out, accompanied by Li Xiaoguang’s pitiful cries. The patrons were pale with fright—only a fool would do such a thing. Gao Wanqing’s nephew was truly unlucky.

Luo Song continued until Li Xiaoguang was unconscious, then, satisfied, paid his bill and left.

…

Meanwhile, the banquet at the Chen residence continued, with over a hundred tables set out. Though there were no rare delicacies, large bowls of meat and wine were served, the expenditure considerable.

“Heavens, in just over an hour, we’ve spent more than three hundred strings of cash!” Chen Huairen was nearly in tears; after a month of hard work running his clinic, he’d made barely ten strings.

Chen Ying laughed dismissively, “Why the fuss? With the sudden cold, so many are hungry and poorly dressed. If we can help, we should. Money can always be earned again—it’s no use sitting in the treasury.”

Chen Ying wasn’t merely currying favor but understood that reputation was vital in this era. Once branded as a heartless rich man, his future career and endeavors would suffer.

Moreover, seeing the cold weather, Chen Ying had thought of a way to profit. In truth, with his knowledge spanning over a thousand years beyond this era, he could easily amass a fortune.

“Young Lord Chen, so young and yet so genuine in heart!” said a voice.

Chen Ying looked toward the door and saw a tall, thin man in his thirties, clad in a faded blue robe. Though he seemed downcast, he stood straight as a drawn sword.

Chen Ying greeted him, “May I ask your name, sir?”

The man returned the salute, “I am Wei Zheng of Julu, courtesy name Xuancheng.”

“What?” Chen Ying nearly fell over—it was the famed Wei Zheng.

“Oh, it’s Master Wei! Please, come in!” Chen Ying’s enthusiasm puzzled Wei Zheng.

Unaware of Wei Zheng’s wary gaze, Chen Ying stepped forward and took his arm, leading him to the inner hall. Wei Zheng tried to pull away, but Chen Ying, though thin, had a surprising grip—his arm felt caught in a vice. He had to follow Chen Ying inside.

The inner hall was spacious, with no lavish decoration—white drapes and heavy tables, neither gilded nor carved, giving a simple elegance.

Wei Zheng and his attendant sat down. Chen Ying boldly turned to the attendant in white and said, “May I ask which hero of Wagang you are?”

Both Wei Zheng and the attendant were startled. The attendant rose abruptly, glaring at Chen Ying.

Chen Ying continued, “Let me guess. The Wagang Five Tigers—Qin Qiong and Shan Xiongxin are too old. Cheng Yaojin is too robust. You aren’t Wang Bodang, the Divine Archer in White, so you must be Luo Shixin.”

The attendant stared in disbelief, “You know me?”

“Of course!” Chen Ying was an old friend of Luo Shixin and recited his exploits fluently. “Luo Shixin, at thirteen, fought alongside Zhang Xutuo in the campaign against Wang Bo at Weishui, earning fame as a hero. In the thirteenth year of the Great Enterprise, he fought Lu Mingyue, taking several arrows without retreat, and alongside Qin Qiong, routed Lu Mingyue—though unlucky that Lu escaped. Otherwise, it would have been a complete victory!”

At first, Wei Zheng had underestimated Chen Ying, thinking his rank was due to Princess Pingyang’s influence. But with such knowledge, Chen Ying was no mere wastrel.

Wei Zheng didn’t realize it was not Chen Ying’s insight, but a result of reading the novel “Romance of Sui and Tang” countless times.

Luo Shixin, a hero in his youth, felt a sudden kinship with Chen Ying after being praised, and they drained three bowls of wine together.

Fortunately, Chen Ying was a seasoned drinker in the modern era, never shying from a challenge.

Wei Zheng watched Luo Shixin growing exuberant, face flushed, even wanting to swear brotherhood with Chen Ying. Wei Zheng coughed to remind him, “Shixin, we have business to attend to.”

“Don’t worry, Xuancheng. Tonight, we won’t leave sober!” Chen Ying, a bit tipsy himself, said, “Xuancheng, your visit will surely be a success!”

Wei Zheng paused, surprised, “You know why I’ve come to Chang’an?”

“Of course!” Chen Ying slurred, “Isn’t it because Lord Wei, Li Mi, lost the battle at Mangshan and wishes to submit to the Tang?”

Wei Zheng’s expression turned grave.

The Wagang Army had fought Wang Shichong at Mangshan. After defeating Yuwen Huaji, Li Mi grew complacent, failing to grasp reality. Most veteran soldiers perished fighting Yuwen, leaving the fresh recruits with little strength. Wang Shichong personally led his kin across the Luo River, attacking fiercely—the Wagang Army was routed. Li Mi, devastated, saw Pei Renji, Zu Junyan, Cheng Yaojin, and others captured. Bing Yuan, Shan Xiongxin, and others, disgruntled, surrendered to Wang Shichong, followed by Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin.

The Wagang Army suffered heavy losses. Disheartened, Li Mi gave up his ambitions and prepared to surrender to the Tang for wealth and comfort.

To secure better terms, Li Mi ordered Wang Bodang to guard Hanyang, Li Shiji and Zhang Liang (also known as Xu Maogong) to seize Liyang and block news. He sent Wei Zheng into Guanzhong to negotiate the surrender.

Wei Zheng had thought Li Mi’s defeat was hidden from Guanzhong and Chang’an remained unaware, but now, even Chen Ying, a mid-level officer, knew of Li Mi’s loss and intention to submit. Was all their effort for naught?

Even the steadfast Wei Zheng felt shaken and lost.

Yet Chen Ying did not realize that his casual remark had stirred a storm in Wei Zheng’s heart.