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    Edict of Peace 118

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    Chapter 118: I am Li Guanyi of Jiangzhou!

    Gongsun Meng saw Li Zhaowen smiling subtly, and leaned in to look as well. She saw a group of young martial artists, and a group of sons from prominent scholar-official families, facing off against each other. Confused, Li Zhaowen said with a faint smile, “It seems I’ll have to stay a little longer today. I met this gentleman at the Daoist temple east of the city. I’ve been busy meeting people in various places for several days since then, and haven’t seen him again.”

    “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

    “I didn’t expect this gentleman, who isn’t wearing a jade pendant, to come from such a good background.”

    “Miss Meng’s charm truly knows no bounds.”

    Gongsun Meng was surprised. She blinked, catching sight of the most distinctive individual among the young martial artists. He wore a ceremonial robe (绯袍) with a crimson round collar, and a white jade belt. He exuded an air of both nobility and bravery. At this moment, the martial artists and the sons of scholar-official families were at each other’s throats.

    Yan Daiqing, with a few concise words, infuriated Zhou Liuyin to the point of gnashing his teeth, but Zhou Liuyin was speechless. Yan Daiqing looked at Li Guanyi and said sarcastically, “Military Strategist Li, why aren’t you saying anything?”

    Li Guanyi slowly sipped the fine wine.

    At his age in this era, drinking was perfectly acceptable. The wine was a rich yellow wine, with a mellow flavor and low alcohol content. Li Guanyi was just realizing that sitting here drinking would cost fifty taels of silver, and he couldn’t help but think the owner of this brothel was truly a shrewd businessman.

    Fifty taels!

    He was no longer poor, but his mindset was still that of the past eleven years. He still felt the pinch.

    He’d better drink plenty of wine and enjoy the show.

    Yan Daiqing provoked him. After a moment’s thought, Li Guanyi looked at Zhou Liuyin and said, “This is…?”

    Before Zhou Liuyin could speak, Yan Daiqing calmly replied, “My father’s subordinate, a minister.” Li Guanyi didn’t fully understand the ranks of officials, but he knew that this position, five hundred years ago, was called Huangmen Minister, a name derived from the imperial palace gates’ bright yellow color.

    A high-ranking official (清流), free to enter and exit the imperial palace, a close confidant of the Emperor, enjoying high status.

    Li Guanyi asked, “What rank is he?”

    Zhou Liuyin replied, “Fourth rank.”

    Li Guanyi nodded. Yan Daiqing exclaimed, “Why are you asking this?! Do you mean to say we rely on our fathers’ reputations?”

    Li Guanyi took a sip of wine and calmly said, “No, it’s just that your father still only wears a ceremonial robe (绯袍) and a rhinoceros horn belt.” Yan Daiqing was momentarily speechless, looking at the young martial artist who swept his sleeve across his clothes to show off the ceremonial robe (绯袍) and white jade belt he wore.

    This was a subtle retort. The other side used the prestige of their official families to intimidate, and Li Guanyi responded in kind.

    I also wear a ceremonial robe (绯袍).

    Just like your father.

    The sons of scholar-official families understood this veiled response. Zhou Liuyin burst into laughter. “Hahaha, yes, your father wears a ceremonial robe (绯袍), and my brothers also wear ceremonial robes (绯袍). You keep mentioning your father, a high-ranking official (清流), but your father and my brothers haven’t appeared together. Should I call you ‘father’?”

    The young martial artists erupted in laughter.

    Yan Daiqing’s face turned ashen. “You!”

    “It’s just good luck.”

    Li Guanyi calmly said, “This official’s robe (绯袍) and jade belt were personally bestowed by His Majesty. Are you saying His Majesty lacks discernment?”

    Yan Daiqing hesitated, then scolded, “You!! You’re quick-witted, but do you think that Meng, the most beautiful courtesan, can be hired simply because you have money?”

    Li Guanyi calmly said, “I wear a ceremonial robe (绯袍).”

    Yan Daiqing felt a surge of anger, his fan turning white in his hand.

    “I am praised by His Majesty for my talent, I studied under a great Confucian scholar, I read at three and wrote poetry at seven, my talent allows me entry into the Zhongzhou Academy!”

    Li Guanyi calmly said, “This official wears a ceremonial robe (绯袍).”

    Zhou Liuyin was about to laugh himself sick, while Yan Daiqing, enraged, was provoked beyond measure, causing him to say, “This is the Changfeng Tower, a place where talent is appreciated; not the color of an official’s robe. Even the future emperor would have to rely on his skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting here!!!”

    The atmosphere shifted, and Yan Daiqing, only after he spoke, felt regret and fear.

    After all, the crown prince wasn’t present.

    Besides some wealthy families and these young martial artists dressed in fine clothes and riding fine horses, there was no future emperor.

    After his words, no one could continue the conversation. Li Zhaowen frowned, no longer interested in the spectacle. She planned to have the courtesan lead the sons of scholar-official families away so she could see her pharmacist brother.

    The courtesan walked over, smiling, and said to Zhou Liuyin and the others, “Gentlemen, thank you for your interest, but though I am a performer, I understand the concept of ‘first come, first served.’ These gentlemen arrived first, so I must first accompany them before I can join you. I shall then apologize by drinking three cups.”

    “Please forgive my transgression.”

    Zhou Liuyin, having gained an advantage and also frustrated Yan Daiqing, readily agreed. But Yan Daiqing stubbornly persisted. He had spoken out of turn in his haste, and the more furious he became, the more he wanted to do something to make up for it and prove that he was right. Young people, after all, lack composure. He said, “No, please play the qin here!”

    Holding his folding fan, he said, “Humph, I am not like those domineering martial artists.”

    “Aside from relying on their family backgrounds, they only know how to wield swords and spears, devoid of the elegance of Chen Kingdom.”

    “Let me compete with you in poetry and drinking!”

    Zhou Liuyin roared, “Why don’t you duel with swords like us!”

    But ultimately lacking in composure, Yan Daiqing looked at him askance and said, “Scared?”

    The martial artists began to yell and argue. Ye Buyi, sitting straight beside Li Guanyi, apologetically said, “They are always like this. They won’t yield to anyone; they can lose, but they can’t retreat. Sometimes, a step back or two will cause them to lose their martial spirit.”

    Li Guanyi replied, “They are our brothers; what’s there to say?”

    Ye Buyi’s expression softened, and he nodded. The other sons of scholar-official families, merchants, and even people from the Western Regions and Ying Country, rarely saw the upper-class children of Chen Kingdom clash like this, and they were excited, as if it were common for people to enjoy watching a spectacle and eavesdropping on secrets.

    They not only stayed but also ordered more wine, happily watching these young people’s quarrel, stroking their own growing bellies, and telling their friends stories of their youth.

    Oh, time flies.

    The drinking game, started with short phrases, became longer and longer, requiring a corresponding poem with each cup of wine.

    Those who failed would be eliminated.

    It started simply, and Zhou Liuyin could keep up.

    “Spring flowers.”

    “Autumn moon.”

    Soon, however, most of these young men, who spent most of their time diligently practicing martial arts, couldn’t keep up. Their knowledge of poetry and the quick thinking needed for this drinking game was inferior to their families’ lazy and unmotivated members.

    Round after round passed in the quick succession of raising and lowering cups. It wasn’t about a momentary burst of talent, but about remembering as many short phrases as possible.

    The candlelight burned brightly, the surrounding laughter lively, facing off against rivals from their grandfathers’ generation. The young men’s anger was fueled by alcohol, and they were unwilling to give in. If they yielded, they might even wake up during the night in their old age, regretting their decision.

    On the second floor of the pleasure boat, several of Wang Tong’s disciples were present. They caught sight of Li Guanyi, their nominal junior brother, and grinned. Du Keming said, “I heard he’s made quite a name for himself in the Jinwu Guards recently. I asked our teacher why he didn’t go see him, but our teacher said it wasn’t the right time.”

    “I didn’t expect to see him here.”

    Fang Ziqiao slowly sipped his wine and said, “It seems Yan Shi Lang’s son intends to suppress him. Keming, be prepared.”

    Du Keming said, “Yes, he is our junior brother, though he hasn’t officially joined our sect.”

    “But he can’t be bullied by outsiders.”

    “After all, we are of the Gongyang lineage; we have to get our revenge.”

    Their eyes fell upon Li Guanyi, who, while lacking in cultivation during their time in Guan Yicheng, had spotted them. Li Guanyi looked up at the three people on the second floor, recognizing Du Keming, Fang Ziqiao, and Wei Xuancheng.

    Du Keming, dressed in black, raised his wine cup, his lips moving.

    “Don’t worry, we’ll go down there if necessary!”

    Only Wei Xuancheng said, “He won’t necessarily lose.”

    Du Keming said, “You trust him that much?”

    Wei Xuancheng said, “Want to bet?”

    Du Keming chuckled. “No, your judgment is sharp; I don’t want to bet against you. Besides, if a senior brother bets against his junior brother’s victory, our master will be angry.”

    “There’s no such thing as not helping your own family; even if this junior brother had once turned over a table and fought with someone, I would still go there and kick him a couple of times.”

    Li Guanyi hadn’t expected to see these people again. He had a good impression of them, and his spirits lifted. Initially, he responded with two-character phrases, but after several rounds, only Li Guanyi and Ye Buyi remained, while the sons of scholar-official families were still in the game.

    Then the rules changed: they had to combine the previous two-character phrases.

    Yan Daiqing calmly said, “Spring flowers, autumn moon.”

    Li Guanyi responded, “Iron and steel, horses and soldiers!”

    Yan Daiqing said, “Spring flowers, autumn moon, beautiful women of unparalleled elegance.”

    Li Guanyi drained his cup. The young man, in his crimson battle robe, sat up straight, surrounded by bright red candles, placing his cup on the table, he said:

    “Iron and steel, horses and soldiers, like a tiger swallowing thousands of miles!”

    The room fell silent at this valiant declaration. The young martial artists cheered, and even the other guests, discerning the meaning in his words, expressed their approval. Yan Daiqing, clutching his fan, looked displeased and continued the game.

    Several more rounds passed. He pointed to the moon outside the window; after “spring flowers, autumn moon,” he used the moon as a theme, reciting a short poem about the moonlit night. Li Zhaowen had come out and leaned against a distant pillar, observing the young man continuously drinking, his mouth full of clever phrases, one after another the sons of scholar-official families fell defeated.

    Finally, Li Guanyi threw down his cup, used his sword to tap the table, and sang out in a sonorous voice:

    “Awakening a day of moonlight, shining upon my heart filled with ice and snow, vast rivers flow!”

    “The whale drinks but doesn’t swallow the sea, the sword’s energy already cuts across the autumn!”

    “Wild light floats, the heavens are vast and far, things are mysterious and quiet. The world’s regrets, I wonder how many people are sad tonight!”

    Slightly drunk, his youthful spirit filled with the poem.

    The crowd was accustomed to poems about the regrets of beautiful women under the spring flowers and autumn moon, but they had never encountered such a majestic and vigorous poetic spirit. The crowd fell silent, except for the sound of gentle applause. Li Guanyi glanced to his side and saw an elderly merchant, with graying temples, wearing a large cloak, smiling slightly:

    “The world’s regrets, I wonder how many are sad tonight. What excellent phrases!”

    Slightly intoxicated, Li Guanyi bowed in return with elegant ease. Seeing Wang Tong’s disciples, and the confrontation between the scholar-officials and martial artists, he understood he was involved and could not escape, so he decided to go all out. He said, “You’ve been leading the drinking game, it’s our turn now!”

    The commotion here had attracted most of the guests in the brothel.

    The multi-storied brothel had delicate carvings on its railings, and the candles cast a warm, bright yellow light, illuminating the building, like the glow of gold, resembling the dwelling of celestial beings.

    In the center hung a huge lantern suspended by sixteen iron chains. On either side stood beautiful women in elaborate clothes, holding folding fans. They watched as the young man stood up and seated himself in the center, wearing his crimson robe and jade belt. He drew his sword and placed it across his knees.

    He tapped the sword with his fingers and sang:

    “Youthful chivalry, associating with heroes of the Five Capitals.”

    “Livers and gall are open, hair stands on end. In a moment’s conversation, life and death are decided. A promise is as heavy as a thousand gold. Pushing forward with courage, proud and unrestrained. Driving light carriages, linked reins in flight, fighting east of the city. Drinking deeply at the wine stall, spring colours float on a cold jar, sucking the sea and hanging the rainbow. Leisurely calling hawks and hounds, white feathers plucking a carving bow, the cunning fox’s lair is quickly empty. Joyfully hurrying.”

    The young man’s voice was clear and resonant. He laughed, a hint of alcohol on his breath, his high ponytail swaying.

    Though only the sound of his sword came from the striking of the metal, the sounds were unexpectedly pleasing.

    Sitting cross-legged, drinking and singing with his sword, he had become the center of attention. The eyes of the surrounding beauties fell upon the young man, their eyes filled with a hint of intoxication, like the wine itself.

    Surrounded by young and valiant youths, they understood the poem, which celebrated their friendship. Yan Daiqing’s face turned pale; this time, it was a genuine fear, the instinctive political sense of a son of a noble scholar-official family—

    He saw, in the dim candlelight, these young men raise their swords together. They huddled together, and then loudly recited a poem of youthful spirit. They used their fingers to play their weapons, the sounds of metal were clear and resonant, their youthful spirit was fierce, dispelling the sounds of the Jiangnan beauties’ qin.

    They said, youthful chivalry, associating with heroes of the Five Capitals.

    They said, livers and gall are open, hair stands on end. In a moment’s conversation, life and death are decided. A promise is as heavy as a thousand gold!

    Then they raised their cups and laughed, like a clenched fist.

    In this luxurious brothel, they were like a blazing fire.

    Yan Daiqing’s face turned ashen. He felt it: a new group of martial artists and nobles was forming before him, and Xue family’s young man was the undisputed center. He could fight, he was loyal, and he could save face.

    Things laughable to mature politicians were enough to become a core element during youth.

    At that moment, Yan Daiqing made the only intelligent choice.

    He picked up a wine jar and threw it, attempting to break the mood.

    The jar shattered on the ground, acting like a fuse. Zhou Liuyin laughed, reached out, overturned the table, and grabbed two large stools, ready to fight. “Want to fight, huh? Hahahaha, Yan Daiqing, you asked for this!!!”

    He said, “You started it, uncouth scholar!”

    Yan Daiqing was furious.

    Thus, the young generation of scholar-officials and martial artists in this brothel soon started fighting, and the fight escalated. The courtesan, Gongsun Meng, tried to stop them, but she couldn’t. At that moment, they heard a clattering sound.

    Both sides looked up and saw the huge lantern suspended by sixteen iron chains swaying dangerously, about to fall. A figure landed on the lantern, and with a crash, the lantern fell. Everyone screamed and scattered, stopping the fight.

    Li Guanyi saw the figure on the lantern, his eyebrows raised, a vertical line between his brows.

    It was the young man he had met that day.

    He seemed to have descended from the heavens.

    Landing from the lantern, his clothes billowing.

    The fallen lantern stopped the brawl, and the young man with the bright, sharp eyes seized Li Guanyi, laughing freely. “Let’s go!”

    “If we keep fighting, we’ll be punished!”

    Li Guanyi understood and laughed, “Brothers, scatter!” Zhou Liuyin knocked Yan Daiqing down with the stools, laughing, “Good, it was fun today, let’s run!” The young men who had been fighting scattered immediately, and the sons of scholar-officials, some of whom had practiced the six arts of Confucianism, were furious after being beaten.

    They chased after them, those ten guys scattered and ran away. Li Zhaowen had never done this before, she found it exhilarating. She punched a scholar-official’s son, giving him a black eye, then dragged Li Guanyi to flee.

    She heard someone calling Li Guanyi’s name, assuming he was also in the tavern. She felt a pang of regret for not having seen him!

    The stars were bright in the sky, the joy and recklessness of the young men filled the streets of Jiangnan. They knocked down several people, running through the alleys. Finally, they were chased to the city lake, where pleasure boats shone brightly in the Jiangnan night.

    The young man pulled Li Guanyi and jumped, leaping from one pleasure boat to another, finally landing on a small covered boat. Li Zhaowen untied the rope, letting the boat drift away before sighing in relief and laughing loudly.

    “Ah, that was exhilarating and refreshing!”

    The second son of a State Duke’s mansion had never experienced anything like that.

    Li Guanyi still held a jug of wine, from the brothel. Li Zhaowen said, “Do you like this wine that much?” She was about to offer him a cartload, but the young man replied, “I paid for it, and it was very expensive.”

    Li Zhaowen was dumbfounded, laughing so hard she clutched her stomach. She looked at the young man, her eyes filled with admiration and delight, laughing until her stomach hurt. She reached for a lotus seedpod, saying, “We agreed to exchange names at our second meeting. I am Li Zhaowen, but how should I address you, sir?”

    The young man leaned against the bow of the boat, picked a lotus seedpod, and replied:

    “Jiangzhou, Li Guanyi.”

    The smile on Li Zhaowen’s face faltered.

    “Huh?”

    (End of Chapter)

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