Chapter 118: You Cannot Even Master Being a Scoundrel

Inside the brothel, Zhao Sanfu and Yang Xuan were already slightly tipsy.

Yang Xuan asked, "How have things been in Chang'an lately?"

Zhao Sanfu shook his head. "Not great. It’s still the same old siege against the Left Chancellor. The Four Great Families are becoming increasingly arrogant, and 'that one' in the palace is becoming increasingly lazy."

"The Imperial Concubine?"

"Exactly."

The two exchanged a glance and burst into laughter. It seemed the Emperor truly had a deep affection for his former daughter-in-law.

"Old lecher," Zhuque muttered.

Zhao Sanfu raised his glass, watched as Yang Xuan downed his drink with a bitter expression, and then continued, "Recently, many in the court have been singing Zhang Chumao’s praises, claiming he is a brilliant military strategist and a capable leader."

Yang Xuan’s heart skipped a beat. "Why?"

Zhao Sanfu took a sip of wine. "Some say the Northern Liao are restless, and that Huang Chunhui is too old and frail."

Yang Xuan’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "They... they want to replace Vice-Chancellor Huang with Zhang Chumao?"

Zhao Sanfu nodded. "That’s it. And since Zhang Chumao just reported a 'great victory,' his momentum is even stronger now."

Yang Xuan sneered, "A victory, my foot!"

Zhao Sanfu smiled slyly. "Exactly. Zhang Chumao has spent his whole career coasting in the Southern Frontier; I never believed for a second that he could suddenly send the Northern Liao scurrying like rats the moment he reached the Northern Frontier. It’s utter nonsense. The cur!"

Both men deeply despised such shameless opportunists, so they drank fiercely, as if they were consuming Zhang Chumao himself, only to flush him out later in a puddle of urine.

Yang Xuan lowered his voice. "He must have rushed back for this very reason. We have to stop it."

"It won't be easy to stop," Zhao Sanfu said, his expression grave. "The Four Great Families are acting in unison. Whoever tries to block them becomes their mortal enemy."

"What about 'that one'?" Yang Xuan gestured toward the palace.

Zhao Sanfu sneered. "He’s busy setting up a Pear Garden in the palace, listening to music all day long. The court's turmoil may seem chaotic, but I suspect he is pulling the strings. Otherwise, with a single slap of his hand, how could the Left Chancellor possibly hold on?"

"Playing power games... damn him!" Yang Xuan was astonished. "That’s a twisted path."

"Yet he plays it with relish, watching the Four Great Families and the Left Chancellor's faction tear at each other. If the fighting stops, he provokes them; if it gets too intense, he applies pressure. If one side is about to collapse, he gives them a little nudge..."

Since becoming an official at the Mirror Terrace, Zhao Sanfu had learned many more secrets.

"This is a masterclass in power politics!" Zhuque exclaimed. "This Emperor has reached the pinnacle of his craft. Simply incredible!"

Zhao Sanfu had become increasingly sharp, not just in his vision, but in his insights as well.

"Enough of this," Zhao Sanfu said, raising an eyebrow. "Where are the women? Where are the beauties?"

Footsteps approached, the door opened, and the madam entered with a fawning smile.

"Oh! Has Chief Zhao had enough to drink? Do you need me to join you for another cup?"

Zhao Sanfu tilted his head slightly and pointed at Yang Xuan. "Just keep my brother company."

Yang Xuan was soon engulfed by a group of women. Zhao Sanfu watched with a smile, thinking that his little brother was far too shy around women—how would he find a wife later? Or worse, what would he do if he was dominated by his wife? The best way was to let him learn what women were all about. After all, weren't women just meant to be used?

Yang Xuan finally broke free from the women’s clutches, his face covered in lipstick. He bowed. "I’m heading back."

"I spent all that money, and you’re leaving without even using them?" Zhao Sanfu grumbled, then turned and shouted, "Everyone back to the rooms, get ready!"

"Chief Zhao has quite the stamina!" The madam had taken the chance to touch the young man a few times herself and felt she’d gotten a bargain.

Zhao Sanfu coughed dryly. "And that... medicine? The Mirror Terrace suspects it might be poisonous. Bring some over; I’ll take it back for an inspection."

The madam understood perfectly. "Ah, that... she’ll be happy, and you will be too."

That night, Zhao Sanfu, an official of the Mirror Terrace, had to lean against the wall as he left the Pingkang Ward. When an acquaintance ran into him, Zhao claimed he had thrown out his back while catching a thief. The acquaintance, eager to curry favor with the rising star, offered to help him find a physician, but Zhao refused and fled on horseback.

While the "kidney-deficient" Zhao went off to live it up, Yang Xuan lay in bed, unable to sleep for some inexplicable reason.

"My Lord!" Wang Laoer called from outside.

"What is it?" Yang Xuan sat up.

"That woman is here."

"Which one?" Yang Xuan suddenly felt his blood surge, as if he had been wounded.

"The one who walks with such heavy steps."

Damn that kid! Yang Xuan got dressed and stepped out of bed.

Han Ying had arrived. "Greetings, my Lord."

She brought the account books. Yang Xuan looked them over; the results were quite pleasing.

"The money is all prepared. You may have it whenever you wish, my Lord." Han Ying looked at Yang Xuan, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of anticipation and fear.

This woman’s eyes were becoming far too keen.

"Let’s open a new shop."

Han Ying was overjoyed. She curtsied and said, "I was thinking the exact same thing, but with you away, my Lord, I didn't dare make the decision..."

She was certainly proactive. Yang Xuan asked, "Have you picked a location?"

Han Ying was his servant; her life and death were in his hands.

"Baoning Ward," she replied without hesitation. "It’s near Mingde Gate, where the traffic is constant. It’s far enough from the Yuanzhou Noodle Shop in Guangfu Ward that they won’t compete, and the business is sure to thrive."

Yang Xuan remained silent. Han Ying grew nervous, fearing her initiative would be seen as ambition.

"With such a capable manager, are you just going to let her sit there and gather dust? Promote her and give her a raise! Maybe even a spa trip to soothe her lonely heart," Zhuque remarked, its voice echoing in Yang Xuan's mind.

Yang Xuan said slowly, "A good idea. I’m pleased to see you’ve been thinking about the business."

Han Ying didn't understand his tone and said tentatively, "You are too kind, my Lord."

"Do as you suggested."

Han Ying was ecstatic, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears. She curtsied. "Rest assured, my Lord. I will make you the wealthiest merchant in the Great Tang."

"I am an official!" Yang Xuan laughed. As Han Ying looked on in panic, he added, "Take ten thousand coins from the funds. And, Laoer!"

Wang Laoer entered, took one look at Han Ying, and thought she looked quite plump.

"Arrange for two of the brothers to accompany Han Ying home."

Han Ying’s eyes turned red instantly. "My Lord..."

Yang Xuan said, "Returning home has always been your wish. Whether it’s out of resentment or something else, you need closure. Go tomorrow."

Han Ying knelt and sobbed silently. "You could have kept me on a leash, my Lord, making me slave away for you."

Yang Xuan smiled. "People should treat each other with heart. Since you’ve given your all for me, I should naturally do the same for you. As for keeping you on a leash, why would I need to do that? Go."

After Han Ying left, Zhuque asked, "Was she quite curvaceous?"

"Yes."

"And you weren't tempted?"

Yang Xuan replied sternly, "Don't try to corrupt me with those twisted notions. I’m not falling for that."

Zhuque chuckled. "I have pictures of many 'teachers' from the future. They are invincible. Don't you want to see?"

"Shameless!" Yang Xuan pulled out his scroll and activated the screen with a straight face. "Where are they?"

...

The next day, Yang Xuan woke up early. Yiniang was away, and more than a dozen burly men were staring at each other, waiting for breakfast.

"Let’s go out to eat."

Yang Xuan led them to the Yuanzhou Noodle Shop for a meal before heading to the Ministry of War to pull some strings.

"Yang Xuan?" It had been a long time; Song Zhen looked a bit thin.

"Yes!" Yang Xuan said with a pained expression, "Minister, you look much thinner."

"Do I?" Song Zhen touched his cheek, recalling the strange looks his wife had been giving him lately—could it be she was worried about him?

Yang Xuan set down a small bundle. Song Zhen frowned. "What is this?"

Yang Xuan spoke solemnly. "Just some local specialties from Chenzhou."

"What is it?" Song Zhen was increasingly displeased. "You’ve learned these underhanded tactics at such a young age! It’s unseemly! Take it back!"

Yang Xuan gave a bitter smile. "There’s a type of medicinal herb in the grasslands there. The sheep that eat it become exceptionally robust, and the herdsmen started eating it too..."

Song Zhen kept his face cold.

Yang Xuan whispered, "They are all for male vitality."

"Ah, medicinal herbs!" Song Zhen coughed. "Leave it here. I’ll have some cured meat from my house prepared for you later."

There was a line of people waiting to see him, so Yang Xuan quickly stated his business.

"The Taiping Army?" Song Zhen frowned. "How many men?"

"One thousand," Yang Xuan said. "The three tribes across the border have hundreds of thousands of iron cavalry! These thousand men are but a drop in the ocean."

"If those three tribes could mobilize hundreds of thousands, there would be no need for discussion; the Great Tang and the Northern Liao would join forces to wipe them out without hesitation," Song Zhen said impatiently. "This matter must be discussed in the Imperial Court. You may go."

Yang Xuan then headed to the Directorate of Education.

"Is that... Yang Xuan?" The gatekeeper looked as excited as if he’d seen a legendary beauty.

"Are the Libationer and the Assistant in?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"And... is Teaching Assistant Zhou in?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" the gatekeeper replied enthusiastically. "I’ll take you there."

"No need."

Yang Xuan entered the Directorate. He first went to look for An Ziyu and Ning Yayun. Melodious zither music drifted from the office.

"Stop playing! Our students have all dropped out!"

The music continued.

"I’m going to burn your wretched zither!"

"Hey, hey, hey! A gentleman uses his words, not his hands!"

"I am a woman!"

"Fine, fine, just don’t light the fire!"

Outside, Yang Xuan’s cheek twitched as he knocked gently on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me." Yang Xuan said cautiously, "Yang Xuan."

The door opened, and An Ziyu was overjoyed to see him. "You scoundrel, when did you return?"

"Yesterday." As Yang Xuan entered, he smelled smoke and realized that the Assistant An was indeed as fierce as ever, actually wanting to torch Ning Yayun’s prized zither.

"Greetings, Libationer."

Ning Yayun stroked his beard and smiled. "Come, tell me about the Northern Frontier."

Half an hour later, Ning Yayun played his zither. "The sound of battle... it’s truly heart-stirring."

Yang Xuan laughed. "It was just luck."

Beside him, someone was sobbing—it was An Ziyu, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. "So young, and already forced to kill... those poor souls..."

Yang Xuan: "..."

Ning Yayun gave him a look, and Yang Xuan remembered that An Ziyu was a master of the "tragic" school, but due to some minor issues during her cultivation, she had become pathologically empathetic.

"By the way, what brings you back this time?"

Ning Yayun’s question perked Yang Xuan up; he realized the Libationer wasn't as detached from worldly affairs as people said.

"The situation in Taiping is dangerous. Vice-Chancellor Huang granted me the status of the Taiping Army, with a quota of one thousand soldiers, but it still needs to pass through the court."

Ning Yayun smiled. "You don't need to worry about the rest."

"Libationer..." Yang Xuan was moved.

An Ziyu wiped away her tears. "The Directorate of Education will never abandon any of its students. Go in peace."

Why did that sound so ominous?

Yang Xuan rose to leave. Just then, a man walked in.

"How was it?" Ning Yayun asked calmly.

"Someone is following Yang Xuan. Their breath is steady; they are a skilled fighter."

An Ziyu spun a ruler between her fingers and stood up. "I’ll follow him later to see which deity is tailing him!"

Whoosh! A gust of wind seemed to sweep through the room.

Yang Xuan quietly arrived outside Zhou Ning’s office. He peeked inside. Zhou Ning was kneeling on a mat, with medical texts and a dozen medicinal herbs laid out on the table. From the side, her skin looked like snow, and a few strands of hair brushed against her ear, adding a playful touch.

*Thump!*

Yang Xuan accidentally bumped into the doorframe. Zhou Ning looked up.

"Yang Xuan?"

"Assistant."

"When did you return?" Zhou Ning stood up, then sat back down.

A professor walked past Yang Xuan and glanced inside. "Ah, Zhou Ning! My wife hasn't been sleeping well lately; could you take a look at her later?"

Zhou Ning nodded slightly. "Of course."

"Yang Xuan?" The professor was delighted to see him and chatted for a long time, not noticing that both Yang Xuan and Zhou Ning were becoming impatient.

Once the professor left, Zhou Ning stood up, her eyes filled with joy.

"Why are you back?"

"I missed you."

Zhou Ning turned her head away, but her ears turned suspiciously red.

Oh, this girl! She was still so thin-skinned. Yang Xuan laughed. "I returned to report for duty."

"You should have said you fought for this opportunity just to see her. Ugh! You can’t even master the art of being a scoundrel; how are you going to rebel?" Zhuque grumbled, feeling completely exhausted by Yang Xuan’s lack of progress.

The two sat down. "How is it over there?"

The strangeness of the long absence quickly began to fade.

Diagonally across from the Directorate, Xu Ernán stood outside a shop, smiling as he asked, "Do you sell jerky? Give me half a jin."

He stood to the side of the shop, intently chewing on the jerky, waiting for Yang Xuan to come out.