Chapter 88: Learning from Ma Yuan’s Journey

Since the founding of the guild, the recruitment notices had garnered no attention; even the cleaning lady worried about being swindled, let alone any able-bodied men. No one was willing to join some inexplicable guild and perform as a sideshow.

Luo Gan pondered over the gold bars he had arduously won in the kickball tournament—now, only a few remained. Though he lived in modern times, his entrepreneurial approach was out of touch, and he hadn’t yet figured out which direction the guild should take. It was all over before it had really begun; he felt helpless.

Then, with a clang, the Bamboo Grove Grand Guild suffered its first entrepreneurial failure—a shattered dream of glory and riches.

No matter. He pulled himself together, counted who was left: Yan Shan, Liu Buwen, and Jun Tao. The four would make a trip to Chang’an, resting two days and picking an auspicious date to depart.

Traveling light, Jun Tao would ride in the carriage while the other three planned to go on horseback. Luo Gan realized that not knowing how to ride in ancient times was a significant obstacle. One couldn’t expect to walk such a distance on foot without ruining one’s legs.

To address this, he invited Han Chong to be his riding instructor. The station clerk was always dealing with horses; surely, there was something to learn.

“Luo, you mean to say you can’t even ride a horse?”

Han Chong was grooming a horse, one hand gripping the reins, the other brushing vigorously.

“Is it strange?” Luo Gan stared at the splashed horse, its black eyes lively and spirited.

“Of course it’s strange. Any man traveling afar rides a horse.”

Luo Gan was exasperated. He thought for a moment. “Why not just ride in the carriage?”

Han Chong chuckled quietly, glancing at Luo Gan with a teasing look.

“What’s the matter? Why won’t a proper man do it? Prefer the contraptions women use?”

“How is a carriage for women? Aren’t all those gentlemen scholars riding in them?”

Han Chong hefted a bucket of water, dousing the horse, which shook and splashed Luo Gan. Han Chong burst out laughing.

“You’ve got guts! Daring to compare officials to women.”

Luo Gan withdrew his words with an awkward smile.

“I never said that. We peasants don’t need to ride. Just push a cart—no more than a few miles.”

In Tang times, peasants and bandits weren’t exactly respected. Bandits, unwilling to live honestly, were a bit prouder than peasants, often indulging in the ‘justice’ of robbing the rich to aid the poor. Han Chong had a touch of it, but it was more obvious with Bamboo Zhang.

Han Chong turned to Luo Gan. “Come on, give it a try.”

He slapped the horse’s rump, which neighed loudly.

It was another sunny day. Jun Tao, having washed up and prepared herself, began applying rouge. Most of the girls at Green Pavilion belonged privately to Kuang Xiangde; even in lean times, they couldn’t be dismissed easily. The manager, however, was kind enough to let them wander the county town. Now, only Jun Tao and Ah Ning remained in the vast pavilion.

Ah Ning, who hadn’t cared much for makeup lately, was now rising early, often going out and returning late. Jun Tao noticed she’d changed after just two days.

Ah Ning grabbed some rouge, patting it on her cheeks, searching the vanity but unable to find it.

“Jun Tao, have you seen my blush?”

Jun Tao searched around, couldn’t find it, and handed her own to Ah Ning, who hurried to apply it.

“What breeze is blowing these days? Even our Ning Ning is starting to wear makeup.” Jun Tao’s peach-blossom eyes narrowed, crescent-like, lips curled in a smile—any man seeing her would be entranced.

Ah Ning didn’t pay much mind, her eyes flicking upward and side to side.

“No wind—it’s just good mood.”

Jun Tao immediately saw through Ah Ning’s thoughts, clear as a mountain spring—one glance and she understood completely.

“It’s spring wind, isn’t it?” Jun Tao patted Ah Ning’s shoulder. “I think that one… looks decent.”

Her words struck Ah Ning’s soft spot. Before she’d finished applying blush, her cheeks were as red as a performer’s, flushed with embarrassment.

“There’s… nothing special, just ordinary,” Ah Ning protested.

Jun Tao smiled, “I haven’t even said who it is! Gotcha, didn’t I?”

Ah Ning realized she’d been caught, and shyly slapped Jun Tao. Their reflections in the mirror were lovely, both smiling sweetly.

In Tiger’s Lair Pavilion, smoke filled the kitchen. Xiao Zhi helped Bamboo Zhang with chores. Bamboo Zhang was clever; after being detained by the magistrate, he returned claiming to be the magistrate’s guest. His cooking skills had impressed the official, who enlisted him in the kitchen for a few days. Rumor spread, and soon Bamboo Zhang was said to be the magistrate’s chef, making the other cooks sweat in envy.

Fortunately, Bamboo Zhang had some talent. He’d often learned from the master chefs, and now could make a few dishes; the rest he didn’t know. He called it ‘chef’s specialties,’ and patrons enjoyed them, coming to the restaurant to support him.

With Bamboo Zhang’s rise, Xiao Zhi grew uneasy. When the three brothers arrived in Anping, Han Chong as station clerk wasn’t yet an official, but it was respectable. He and Bamboo Zhang were about equal; now, only he lagged behind.

Xiao Zhi returned to his room to tidy up the wood carvings. Anxiety and unease churned within him. The carvings had consumed all his savings, replaced by Han Chong and Bamboo Zhang’s lack of understanding. When would he have his moment?

He recalled Luo Gan’s advice to go out. Since childhood, he’d never left his brothers’ side, never seen the outside world. But with Luo Gan, life felt strange and wonderful—though troubles never ceased, the experience was interesting, a stark contrast to the monotony of Tiger’s Lair Pavilion.

“Why not go with Brother Luo?” Xiao Zhi had harbored this thought for a long time, and at last, it surfaced.

Luo Gan and Yan Shan mounted their horses. Yan Shan, though small in stature, had great aptitude; after a few tries, he was adept, riding smoothly. Luo Gan, on the other hand, suffered, while Han Chong coached seriously.

“Put your foot in the stirrup! Press tighter!” “The whip, the whip—hit the horse’s rump, not your own!” “Going so slow, the horse will die before you reach Chang’an!” “Why so fast? Going to fight the barbarians?”

The barrage of instructions was reminiscent of a veteran driving instructor, specialized in deflating egos. Luo Gan endured the devilish training; his riding was poor, but his imitation of horse calls was spot on. Whenever he shouted, the nearby horses stopped as well, nearly causing Yan Shan to tumble.

When the auspicious day arrived, Luo Gan and Yan Shan set out together. Liu Buwen had arrived early, and Xiao Zhi was there too. No words were needed; Luo Gan understood, and greeted him with a warm embrace.

Only Jun Tao's carriage was missing. The group was ready to depart.