Chapter Thirteen: Ode to the Goose (Part One)

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Upon returning to the camp, Zheng Shian and Zhang Zhongjian had not yet come back. Zheng Yanqing gathered several dozen people and emptied a carriage. Though he was young, the Zheng family obeyed his words out of respect for Zheng Shian. On Zhang Zhongjian’s side, things were even simpler—after Sun Simiao gave instructions, the Zhang family’s retinue followed without question. Sometimes, reputation alone brings stature; Sun Simiao’s name was not to be underestimated.

Yanqing changed his clothes and hurried to Sun Simiao’s carriage. He was quite intrigued by the guiding techniques Sun Simiao had spoken of. Sun Simiao, unpretentious as ever, invited Yanqing to sit and then drew out a scroll of bamboo slips and a piece of silk from his luggage. He spread the silk on the carriage floor.

“Ten years ago, while studying the Dao on Mount Taibai (present-day Mei County, Shaanxi), I stumbled upon a cave dwelling and discovered the health-preserving diagrams left behind by Master Tao Hongjing of the Southern Dynasties, along with twenty-eight volumes of the Divine Farmer’s Herbal Classic.

I have loved medicine since childhood and spent my family fortune pursuing it. When I obtained these treasures, I was overjoyed and practiced diligently for ten years. The silk bears the guiding diagrams I copied—one hundred and eight movements in all. Master Tao left a note: these one hundred and eight movements were created by ancient masters, modeled on the vitality of heaven and earth. Now, I pass them on to you.”

It sounded almost magical.

Zheng Yanqing lowered his gaze and nodded silently. He had heard a little about ancient health-preserving guiding arts. In later times, people had unearthed thousand-year-old guiding techniques from the Han Dynasty at the Mawangdui tombs. A publisher had even released an illustrated book about them, which Yanqing had bought. But due to his work, he never had time to study it closely, let alone practice as the book instructed.

Now, hearing the Medicine King speak, Yanqing realized the guiding arts were no exaggeration. He no longer aspired to immortality, but according to Sun Simiao, these guiding techniques could strengthen the bones and nurture true vitality; they could conceal one’s energy, making the practitioner appear ordinary when not exerting force. If mastered, the arms could possess the strength of a thousand catties, the body light as a swallow, ears keen, and eyes sharp. In short, it was an extraordinary method.

Sun Simiao loved medicine and valued the Divine Farmer’s Herbal Classic most. Though he said he did not know the arts of combat, in recent years, he had traveled across renowned mountains and rivers, and naturally had his own means of self-defense.

“In truth, my self-defense art is merely a fusion of the Five Animal Frolics and guiding techniques, with the Five Animal Frolics as the foundation. If you wish to learn, I can teach you—it is no trouble.”

“I wish to learn!” Yanqing nodded eagerly, then shifted the topic, “Master Sun, are you not planning to enter Sichuan?”

“There is no rush for me to enter Sichuan. This self-defense art is not difficult—I shall linger in Luoyang for a few days before heading to Sichuan.”

Zheng Yanqing frowned, somewhat puzzled.

“Master Sun, what brings you to Sichuan?”

“I go to Sichuan…” Sun Simiao smiled gently. “The world is too rife with distractions, unsuitable for cultivating the Dao. I intend to seek the Dao on Mount Emei.”

To seek the Dao?

Zheng Yanqing looked at Sun Simiao in confusion, not quite believing him. He glimpsed a hint of hesitation in Sun Simiao’s eyes. Everyone has their own burdens; Yanqing thought it best not to press further.

At that moment, a commotion sounded outside the carriage—Du Ruhui had returned with his treasured stone stele!

Sun Simiao asked Yanqing to gather the bamboo slips and silk, and the two stepped out of the carriage together.

Du Ruhui wore a silly grin, unwilling to leave his carriage. Eventually, Sun Simiao forcibly pulled him away to change clothes.

Yanqing watched from the side, amused.

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Though the extra stone was a bit troublesome, Du Ruhui seemed to have forgotten about inscribing it, which was a good thing.

Just as Yanqing was about to return to his own vehicle, Zheng Weishan arrived.

“Yanqing, Steward Zheng asks that you enter the city shortly and find him at Shouyang Restaurant.”

“Huh?” Yanqing was surprised. “Didn’t grandfather say we’d rest only half a day? Why must we go to Shouyang Restaurant now?”

“Heh, that wealthy gentleman insisted on hosting at Shouyang Restaurant. Steward Zheng could not refuse, so he agreed. The old steward also said, if it’s convenient, please invite Master Sun to join the banquet… Oh, it’s best if you ask him yourself.”

Zheng Weishan knew that someone of his own status might not be able to persuade Sun Simiao. Not even Zheng Shian himself could necessarily invite Sun Simiao, for despite having no official rank, Sun Simiao’s reputation and status were formidable. A man who could refuse the emperor was not someone easily summoned. Yanqing, however, with his unique script, might succeed.

Zheng Yanqing nodded, noting that it was about time. He hurried to find Sun Simiao and explained the situation. Sun Simiao readily agreed.

“I’ll go as well!” Du Ruhui, now clad in a pristine white robe, wanted to join in the festivities.

Sun Simiao laughed, “Aren’t you afraid your treasure will be stolen?”

“Ha! The Three Lin Bi Yong Stele may be a treasure to me, but to others it may mean little. Besides, if it’s lost in the camp, I’ll simply ask Zhang Sanlang for it back—what, should I fear it will run away?”

Sun Simiao shook his head repeatedly; it seemed Du Ruhui was determined to rely on Zhang Zhongjian.

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Yanshi County was not large.

But lying on the outskirts of Luoyang, and with the court’s recent attention to Luoyang—even considering moving the capital—Yanshi had grown increasingly bustling. After the founding of the Kaihuang era, disasters struck Guanzhong repeatedly. Emperor Wen of Sui, after the tenth year of Kaihuang, thrice led officials to feast in Luoyang, elevating Luoyang’s importance. Yanshi, the gateway from the east to Luoyang, saw endless travelers and became ever more lively.

Shouyang Restaurant was the finest in Yanshi.

Unlike the Guanshuige in Xingyang, Shouyang welcomed everyone. As long as you had money, you could enjoy fine food and music there. If bored, you could even hire beautiful women for company. Such things were commonplace. The more people tried to hide them, the more they flourished.

By the time Zheng Yanqing and his companions arrived, the restaurant’s exterior was alive with traffic.

A servant quickly approached, and after clarifying their status, led them inside.

A restaurant was, in essence, a grand mansion.

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The front courtyard featured a pavilion, flanked by buildings for ordinary guests. Passing through the central hall, they reached the rear courtyard—a veritable garden, with artificial hills, flowing water, winding corridors. Lanterns adorned both sides, and overhead hung a massive torch illuminating the entire courtyard.

The torch’s design closely resembled modern torches. It was said that the artificial hills were hollow, containing oil reservoirs. The torch burned oil from these tanks, and as long as oil was supplied, the flame would not die. Every hour, servants would replenish the oil, ensuring the supply remained steady.

Zheng Yanqing marveled at the ingenuity of Shouyang Restaurant’s proprietor.

The rear courtyard was divided into a dozen or so private pavilions for distinguished guests. Zheng Shian and others had already arrived, waiting outside. Yanqing knew they were not waiting for him, but for Sun Simiao’s sake.

Beside Zheng Shian stood an elder and a youth.

The so-called elder was actually about forty, robust and dignified.

“Master Sun, this is the friend of my eldest son—Li Hu merchant Xu Gai.”

Zheng Shian stepped forward, saluted, and introduced the merchant. Sun Simiao merely nodded and smiled, saying nothing.

Such was his reserve!

Though Sun Simiao was warm to Yanqing, that was merely affinity. To ordinary folk—even Zheng Shian—he seldom showed favor, let alone to a merchant. Emperor Wen of Sui encouraged commerce, but merchants’ status remained low. Sun Simiao attended tonight’s banquet for Yanqing’s sake; otherwise, he would never have come, much less shared a table with merchants or stewards—it would be beneath him.

“I have long heard of Master Sun’s renown; it is truly an honor to meet you today.”

Xu Gai greeted warmly, showing no displeasure.

Behind Xu Gai stood a boy of about ten, dressed in white, delicate and refined, with a very gentle demeanor.

“This is my son, Shiji… Shiji, come greet Master Sun.”

“Master Sun, Xu Shiji pays respects!”

Zheng Yanqing, standing behind Sun Simiao alongside Du Ruhui, had not paid much attention to the boy at first. But upon hearing the introduction, he froze, drew a sharp breath, and his gaze sharpened.

This boy—was he really Xu Shiji?

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Only two chapters today!

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