Chapter 133: A Visit to the Duke of Zheng

Luo Gan and his companions had originally hoped that their arduous journey—risking life and limb—would earn them a substantial reward from the Duke of Song. However, the greater the expectations, the deeper the disappointment.

Although the Duke of Song was a high-ranking official, he would surely struggle to escape unscathed if accused of colluding with the enemy. Losing his position would be the least of his worries; if his life were forfeit, Luo Gan would truly have lost a comrade-in-arms.

Luo Gan pondered: he had delivered the letter himself, and thus far, everything had followed the fixed timeline of Tang Dynasty history. If the letter he carried remained undiscovered, or if Luo Gan were to die suddenly, would that trigger a butterfly effect, altering the course of historical events?

His system interface flickered, displaying two lines representing the timeline and the event sequence. They were currently overlapping with over 90% accuracy. Yet, Luo Gan knew little of the Duke of Song’s biography. If a non-player character were to vanish in this game world, would it disrupt the subsequent clues?

Xiao Zhi snapped Luo Gan out of his deep contemplation. The three of them were sitting in a tavern in the Pingkang Ward, feeling ambitious.

"Why are you still spacing out?" Xiao Zhi asked. "What are we going to do next? Are the city guards going to come and arrest us soon?"

This remark immediately drew the attention of those around them. Sensing the danger, Yan Shan quickly changed the subject. "What are you talking about, Brother Xiao Zhi? Your crickets are so fine, why would the guards want to arrest you? You’re joking, aren’t you?"

Having barely managed to brush it off, they let out a sigh of relief.

"They say trouble comes from the mouth," Luo Gan muttered. "With that tongue of yours, you’ll cause us a problem sooner or later."

"Oh, stop picking on me," Xiao Zhi replied. "What are we going to do about the situation ahead?"

Liu Buwen sat to the side, silent, seemingly searching for a solution as well.

"We are all still together for now," Luo Gan said. "Instead of worrying about baseless accusations, we should think about practical matters. Where are we going to stay? We’ve run out of travel funds."

Liu Buwen suggested, "The brothel that Lady Juntao arranged for me has few guests right now; they are struggling to attract business. Perhaps we could take shelter there for a while."

"In plain sight in the middle of a busy district?" Xiao Zhi countered. "Isn't that just walking right into a trap?"

"Perhaps being in plain sight is actually better," Luo Gan reasoned. "It shows we have nothing to hide. We haven't done anything wrong; we were just messengers. I just wish Juntao were still in Chang'an, as she knows this place better."

Hearing this, Liu Buwen realized that he had become something of a local expert in Chang'an himself. It was time to show what he could do.

"No worries," Liu Buwen said. "I’m familiar with Chang'an now. There are some great meat shops in the East Market, and excellent tailors and bookstores in the West Market. I can lead the way."

Yan Shan and Xiao Zhi praised him, saying his trip to Chang'an had not been in vain.

"It’s fine and all," Luo Gan noted, "but while you might know the geography, you don't know the social intricacies. Problems here aren't easy to resolve."

The four fell into silence again. Their only connections in Chang'an had been Juntao or the Duke of Song. With Juntao gone and her return uncertain, they couldn't count on her for urgent matters.

Relying on his vast store of knowledge and historical anecdotes, the scholar Liu Buwen searched his memory for a breakthrough—a flicker of hope to cut through the darkness of their current predicament.

"I know someone," Liu Buwen finally said. "I’m not sure if he can help, but..."

The "four-man group" set off, each carrying a jar of Hebei vinegar celery, and arrived at the residence of the Duke of Zheng.

"Impressive," Yan Shan remarked. "You actually know such a high-ranking figure."

"I'm just afraid he won't even see us and will have us kicked out," Xiao Zhi worried. "That would be humiliating."

"If we get kicked out, we just start over," Luo Gan said. "Even a tiny ripple of progress is a gain."

"I’ve met the Duke of Zheng twice and spoken with him twice," Liu Buwen explained. "We are acquaintances, at least. Even though we are commoners, it is said that the Duke of Zheng is a good official who cares for the people."

"I haven't asked yet," Luo Gan said. "What is the Duke of Zheng's name?"

"I hear his surname is Wei, and his given name is Zheng," Liu Buwen replied.

Luo Gan made up his mind. "That's him, no doubt about it. Wei Zheng is like a polished mirror—outspoken, courageous, and decisive. He was a strategist under Li Jiancheng and is now the Emperor's trusted advisor."

"As expected of Brother Luo," Liu Buwen said. "You know the Duke of Zheng in such detail."

Luo Gan felt a secret thrill at this. He finally knew a famous figure—after all, who in the world hadn't heard of the legendary Wei Zheng?

Inside the residence, they found it was not as austere as expected. The decorations were refined; maids were diligently weaving, and men were working the soil in the back courtyard.

"What is it?" the Duke of Zheng asked. "What brings you to my door?"

"The Duke should recognize my friends," Liu Buwen said. "They appeared at the dance competition and caused quite a sensation."

"I didn't go that day," the Duke replied. "Such performances are meaningless and a waste of the people's resources."

This immediately blocked the lines Luo Gan and the others had prepared. Since the Duke hadn't seen them perform, there was no chance to build rapport.

"Well, naturally," Liu Buwen stammered. "We came this time..."

"Oh!" the Duke interrupted, eyes brightening. "Are you here to bring vinegar celery? Wonderful!"

He eagerly took the celery and, after tasting it, looked thoroughly satisfied. "It's the shop next to the bookstore! The authentic taste of Hebei."

Seeing his satisfaction, the group felt a glimmer of hope. Wei Zheng began to eat immediately; the strong taste of the vinegar celery suited his palate perfectly. He had a servant bring some leftover rice, and he ate with relish.

Luo Gan seized the moment: "I never expected a man of such high standing as the Duke of Zheng to be eating leftover rice. Your heart truly encompasses the whole world."

Flattery was a good way to build a connection. Wei Zheng put down his chopsticks and turned serious.

"With the current drought in the Guannei region, many people are suffering. If an official does not keep the people in his heart at all times, he cannot govern well or do his job. One should feel as if sitting on pins and needles, sharing in the suffering of the people."

An official’s speech was indeed different; such words of compassion came easily to him. Wei Zheng continued to enjoy his vinegar celery.

"Vinegar celery is truly a delicacy of the human world," Wei Zheng said. "If one day I retire to the mountains and cease to be an official, opening a vinegar celery shop wouldn't be a bad idea."

Luo Gan could no longer wait to interrupt his enjoyment. "Actually, to be honest, Duke, we came today to ask for your counsel."

"What happened regarding the Duke of Song?"

Suddenly, Wei Zheng’s expression changed drastically. He stared at the four visitors, and the vinegar celery in his hand instantly tasted like wax, devoid of all flavor.