Chapter 123: It’s All a Ruse

“Years ago, the sage said at a banquet that the Duke was like ‘Apo noodles.’ After returning home, the Duke was deeply troubled. His lady wife comforted him, explaining that ‘Apo’ refers to the female head of the household, the clan matriarch—much like how people in Hunan still call their wives ‘clan guests’ today. The word ‘clan’ is written the same as ‘Tang,’ meaning that the Duke of Tang is destined to be the master of the house. This is a blessing for the entire family!” Chai Shao said this while staring intently at Yun Hao’s face.

“Really? So that means the Duke will rule the world. We’re brothers; if your family rules the world, you have to get me a position where I just collect a salary without having to work. Better yet, one where I can bully others but can’t be bullied myself,” Yun Hao said excitedly, his eyes shining.

“Hey! Why are you looking at me like that? Are you going to get that position or not?” Yun Hao lightly tapped Chai Shao’s head, somewhat displeased.

“Oh, as long as you wholeheartedly support the Duke, the Li family won’t shortchange you,” Chai Shao said, patting Yun Hao’s shoulder with a meaningful tone. He was pleased with Yun Hao’s response. Li Er was right. After all, this was still an eight-year-old child, not some supernatural being.

What Chai Shao didn’t know was that Yun Hao’s back was nearly soaked with sweat. He finally understood why he had been sent all the way to Beiping. The excuse of treating Luo Yi’s wife was a ruse; the real reason was to test him. It seemed the Li family intended to entrust him with great responsibility. But before doing so, they would conduct a trial, even if Yun Hao was just a child. Had he answered improperly or displayed an obsession with power, he might have mysteriously died en route to or back from Beiping.

Within this group, it would have been far too easy for Chai Shao to get rid of him. Even Xin’er, who was by his side, had been sent by the Duke of Tang’s household. Yun Hao now realized he was unknowingly ensnared by the Tang Duke’s power, wrapped in countless silken threads like a cocoon, impossible to tear free from.

But it was better this way. People always feel secure with what they believe they can control and naturally wouldn’t destroy it lightly. Whether the Li family rebelled or rose to become emperors, as long as history followed its course, the Yun family would remain invincible. Though some mantis wielding great cleavers often tried to block the path, Yun Hao firmly believed these fools would be mercilessly crushed by the wheels of history.

Both of them bore heavy thoughts but forced themselves to appear cheerful. At times like these, wine was the perfect remedy—a single drunkenness to dispel a thousand worries. The difference was that Yun Hao’s drink was heavily sweetened with honey water, tasting more of sweetness than alcohol, while Chai Shao drank genuine Yun family distilled liquor.

Erguotou was potent; after only one pot, Chai Shao was already senselessly drunk. Dare to play tricks with me, one must be prepared for retaliation.

“Get up, let’s drink some more,” Yun Hao proclaimed boldly, though his body was slowly softening, soon swallowed by the darkness.

The small flag of Shan Xiongxin was hoisted again, proudly fluttering atop the first carriage. The grand Duke of Tang’s gift procession was flying the banner of Shan Xiongxin. Yun Hao found it somewhat amusing, yet no one in the convoy objected. That bastard Chai Shao hopped about, scolding Yun Hao for hiding good things.

With this flag as their emblem, the convoy passed through the vast lands of Jinzhong and arrived safely at Beiping Prefecture.

Even before reaching the city, the convoy caused a stir! Everyone had seen the Tang Duke’s carriages and ox carts before, but the Yun family’s were rare and novel. Crowds gathered, eager to catch a glimpse, swelling into a large crowd of onlookers.

Yun Hao glared at the jabbering crowd outside, nearly turning his nose up in anger. When would these nosy folk learn to stop staring and pointing? And using their fingers, no less! Don’t they realize how vulgar that looks? And that one—he actually whistled at Xin’er. Yun Hao wanted to slap him senseless. His maid was also part of the Yun family. If you’re thinking of making a move, think again—in your next life!

Of course, his own carriage design was as avant-garde as possible. Yun Hao didn’t think his creativity was over the top. Though he considered it bold, some others thought otherwise. The city gate official of Beiping was a prime example.

“Lord Chai, I mean no offense, but that carriage is almost as wide as the gate itself. It can barely fit through. But look at Beiping’s streets—do you really think your carriage can get through? If it gets stuck halfway, what will you do? Tear up the whole street or back out the way you came?” The gate official gestured inside the city, helplessly explaining.

Chai Shao looked and sighed in resignation. Beiping was further north than Jinyang and naturally closer to the Turkic tribes. The pressure from border threats was far greater than in Jinyang. Beiping’s ruler, Luo Yi, was a master of spear and staff, famed as unbeatable. His elite “Yan Yun Eighteen Riders” were fierce warriors. Only Luo Yi could hold the line, keeping the Turks at bay all these years.

But it was still a harsh frontier region, with a much smaller population than Jinyang. The street before them was the widest in Beiping, barely wide enough for Yun Hao’s enormous ox cart. If any illegal buildings blocked the way, the trouble would be immense. The gate official was right—would they tear down houses or retreat? The northerners were tough; if you dared destroy their homes, you might end up robbed on the street.

“Brother Hao, you heard him. Stop being so stubborn and get out. Park the ox cart outside in the barracks and let the soldiers take good care of it,” Chai Shao said helplessly, calling to Yun Hao who stubbornly refused to leave the warm cart.

With no choice, Yun Hao crawled out, glanced at the narrow streets inside the gate, and indeed, passage was impossible. Just as he was about to speak, a gust of cold wind blew into his mouth.

After gasping for a moment, he exhaled a thick plume of white breath, jumped down from the carriage, and immediately turned pale—the cold numbed his feet in an instant. Landing on the ground, it was an exquisite mix of agony and ecstasy.

The day was indeed bitterly cold. Beiping was likely the Beijing of later eras. But this weather was probably even colder than Heilongjiang in times to come.

Clad in a sable fur cloak and hat, with ear muffs and a gold velvet mask covering his face, he was armed to the teeth. Still, the wind made his eyes stream tears. Good heavens! How did the people of Beiping endure such cold? Stoves must sell like hotcakes here.

The fluffy figure stepping down from the carriage immediately caught the gate official’s attention, who hurriedly cautioned his men not to mistake him for some large otter and shoot.

“Which noble guest from the Duke of Tang’s household is this? I humbly welcome you!” As Yun Hao struggled against the stinging tears, a familiar voice rang out. Wiping his eyes, he looked closely—indeed, it was him. How had he come to be here?