Chapter Fourteen: The Flaws of Xu Shiji (Part Two)

Regarding Yan-style calligraphy, the magistrate of Yanshi was not exaggerating in his praise. Yan Zhenqing’s calligraphy indeed pioneered an entirely new style. But as for Zheng Yanqing… he merely borrowed the wisdom of the ancients; calling him a master thief of the ages would not be an overstatement.

Yanshi was in an uproar! In just a short time, the name “Young Master Goose” was renowned throughout the north and south. Yet, no one knew his true identity.

Zheng Yanqing and his companions arrived outside Luoyang as evening fell. Zhang Zhongjian and Du Ruhui took their leave from Yanqing with tears in their eyes. Sun Simiao, needing to instruct Zheng Yanqing in the art of breathing exercises, remained in Luoyang for the time being.

Zheng Renji was still in Chang’an; since Miss Cui was due to give birth before the New Year, he had to delay his journey. He merely sent someone to the old family residence in Luoyang, instructing Zheng Shian to put the household in order. After all, the residence in Luoyang had been idle for quite some time and was in need of thorough tidying. At the same time, Zheng Renji told Zheng Shian to manage the family estates well. The “Dragon Raising Its Head” festival was approaching, spring plowing was imminent, and it was the season when all things awaited renewal.

The Zheng family’s holdings in Luoyang were substantial. Along the banks of the Luo River, nearly an entire street belonged to them. Beyond the city, they owned a thousand acres of fertile land, making affairs exceedingly complicated.

Upon his arrival in Luoyang, Zheng Shian was immediately swamped with work. He also bore the responsibility of smoothing relationships on behalf of Zheng Renji, so he paid calls to the city’s great families, not daring to spare a moment’s rest. Of course, given Zheng Shian’s status, he could not meet the true luminaries; his task was to network, which mainly involved dealing with the stewards of each household. Bearing gifts and offering well-wishes, he let the prominent families of Luoyang know that the Zhengs had come by imperial decree to develop here and would appreciate their support in future dealings.

This was enough. The great figures themselves would never bother with trivialities; it was always the household stewards who truly handled matters. If Zheng Renji had to deal with these affairs personally, it would indeed be troublesome.

Zheng Shian, well-versed in the ways of common folk and a skilled manager, found his words carried weight and convenience. Yet, in his busyness, he had little time for Zheng Yanqing and Xu Shiji.

After that night at the Shouyang Tavern, Xu Shiji’s pride vanished without a trace. He had thought himself outstanding, only to find someone even more exceptional. Although Yanqing was younger, Xu Shiji admired him greatly. If at first he felt jealous of Yanqing for winning Sun Simiao’s favor, that feeling had now evaporated.

“Yanqing, tell me again the story of the Battle of Changban.”

On a bright, sunny day, Xu Shiji and Zheng Yanqing sat beside the pond in the rear garden. Xu Shiji looked at Zheng Yanqing with eager anticipation.

Winning Xu Shiji’s respect was one thing; making him listen was quite another. After all, Xu Shiji came from a commoner background, in some ways better off than Yanqing. His family was wealthy, their households had long been friends, and he was several years older than Zheng Yanqing. To have Xu Shiji heed him was no small feat. Zheng Yanqing pondered the matter for a long time before devising a plan. One day, after their martial training, he pulled Xu Shiji aside and began to recount “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

The original “Records of the Three Kingdoms” was unbearably dry for Xu Shiji, a true burden. But as a story, it was a different matter altogether. The clangor of arms and galloping steeds in “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” could ignite the blood of any youth. Not to mention the parade of mighty generals and ingenious strategists—a fatal attraction for someone destined to be a great general of the early Tang. From the moment of the Peach Garden Oath, Xu Shiji became Yanqing’s loyal fan.

By day, Yanqing studied breathing exercises and the Five Animal Frolics with Sun Simiao; by night, he regaled Xu Shiji with stories. Of course, he could not recite the entire novel from memory, but the episodes he did remember were enough to captivate Xu Shiji completely.

Sun Simiao remained in Luoyang for ten days, teaching Yanqing the breathing and self-defense arts. Then he departed, explaining that he was bound for Mount Emei in search of the Way. He had arranged to meet a friend and, having lingered ten days in Luoyang, was already behind schedule. He had to leave at once to avoid breaking his word. No matter how earnestly Zheng Yanqing begged him to stay, Sun Simiao would not relent.

With Sun Simiao gone, Yanqing found himself with free time. Naturally, Xu Shiji did not waste the opportunity, pestering him for more of the Three Kingdoms stories.

The righteous Lord Guan, the peerless Zhao Zilong, the brilliant Zhuge Liang, and the cunning Cao Mengde—a single tune of “West River Moon” would echo through the ages.

For Xu Shiji, this was irresistible.

Yanqing grinned, “Brother Xu, I’ve told the Battle of Changban several times already. How about a different story today?”

Xu Shiji looked disappointed, but soon his eyes sparkled. “If not Changban, then what?”

“Today, let’s talk about the story of Fleeing to Maicheng.”

“Fleeing to Maicheng?”

Yanqing nodded, his eyes narrowing with delight and mischief. “It’s a story about Lord Guan.”

“A story about Lord Guan?” Xu Shiji immediately perked up. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, his favorites were Lord Guan and Zhao Zilong. Hearing that Yanqing would tell a tale of Lord Guan, he could not possibly refuse. He sat up straight, anticipation written all over his face.

“So the story goes…” Yanqing assumed the air of a master storyteller and began recounting the tale of Fleeing to Maicheng.

He chose this story because he had noticed a certain pride and arrogance deep within Xu Shiji. Although the histories described Xu Shiji as possessing the bearing of a statesman, knowing when to advance and retreat, and understanding the greater good, as of now, he had not yet attained the stature of a military god of the early Tang.

Perhaps in the future, certain events would change him. But Zheng Yanqing hoped Xu Shiji would shed his pride and arrogance sooner, for it would only benefit his development.

“So Lord Guan died just like that?” Xu Shiji was dumbfounded, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction at the story’s end.

“In truth, Lord Guan’s fate was sealed from the beginning… Brother Xu, do you remember the story of taking Xichuan I told you before? Do you recall how Zhuge Liang asked Lord Guan: if both Cao Cao and Sun Quan attacked Jingzhou simultaneously, what would you do?”

“Let me think… He said: I would divide my forces to resist them.”

“Exactly. From the start, Lord Guan looked down on Sun Quan, not even considering him an ally. But in reality? What right did he have to scorn Sun Zhongmou? People say Sun Quan inherited his father’s and brother’s legacy, but the fact that he could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Shu and Wei speaks volumes about his ability. Even Cao Cao said, ‘If I had a son, he should be like Sun Zhongmou.’ Could Lord Guan compare to Cao Cao?”

After hearing this, Xu Shiji fell into deep thought. After a long while, he rose and gave Zheng Yanqing a deep bow.

“Yanqing, thank you for today’s story. I, Xu Shiji, will remember this well. One must never underestimate the heroes of the realm. If I ever achieve anything, it will all be thanks to your counsel today.”

Zheng Yanqing beamed. Whether or not Xu Shiji would remember, he knew that this story would influence him. Perhaps he would take fewer wrong turns; perhaps his future achievements would be even greater.

For Yanqing, if that were the case, then all his words would not have been in vain.

“All right, let’s leave it here for today. In a while, Grandfather is taking me to inspect the estate. Would you like to come along?”