Chapter 149: Zhang Zhongjian

Damn it! After cursing the women of the Yuwen family down to six generations, Yun Hao finally remembered one of their male relatives.

It would have been fine if you all just played poetry games, while I hid in a corner chatting with a pretty young maiden. How harmonious was that? Could this bastard not have just let me go like a fart? Since you all asked for it, if I don't make you shit green today, consider yourself a stranger to leeks.

Yang Xuangan also turned his gaze toward Yun Hao along with everyone else. At this moment, Yun Hao was holding a maidservant's hand, placing it near his lips as if testing its flavor. Saliva hung from the corner of his mouth with the quintessential look of a lecher, a true rising star in the realm of lust.

"To know how to flirt with women at such a young age, this kid has a bright future." Yang Xuangan's first impression of Yun Hao was surprisingly favorable, filled with a strong sense of kindred spirit.

"......!" Yang Xiong was speechless. Everyone knew this paternal cousin's hobbies, especially his distinct penchant for young girls. He cast a helpless glance at Yang素 (Yang Su), knowing that this little pervert had been brought in by Yang Su himself. Yang Xiong had no desire to court disaster.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Let me introduce him to everyone. This is a young medical officer from the Duke of Tang's estate. His name is Yun Hao, and even the youngest among those seated here must call him elder brother. Having invited him to my estate today, he will henceforth study in my Yang household. I hope all you young talents will grow close to him!" Yang Su smiled as he introduced him to the crowd.

Everyone present was dumbfounded. The Duke of Chu was actually brazenly poaching the Duke of Tang's man! This was equivalent to grinding the Duke of Tang's dignity beneath his feet. Those sycophants who always sailed with the wind immediately understood: the Duke of Tang was currying favor with the Duke of Chu. Sure enough, among the nobles of the Great Sui, the Duke of Chu was the undisputed boss.

A person personally introduced by the Duke of Chu, and one whom he evidently doted on greatly—everyone looked at Yun Hao in a new light. The gentleman nearby was already cupping his hands and calling him "worthy younger brother."

Black lines covered Yun Hao's forehead. Your beard is already white! If my grandfather were still alive, he'd probably be around this age. Have some shame, will you...!

History proved that these Great Sui aristocrats were always proactively seeking progress. Flattery and bootlicking were innate skills; whether they had any face to begin with was debatable, so maintaining dignity was out of the question. The smile on the white-bearded fellow's face had not yet faded when, on the other side, a fellow with white eyebrows also began to cup his hands, still addressing him as "Worthy younger brother...!"

"Uh...! Duke of Chu, my learning is limited. I'm afraid I cannot compose any pleasant poetry!" Yun Hao helplessly released the maid's tender little hand, his brain spinning at high speed hoping to find a poem suitable for a birthday celebration! And dammit, it had to be something from after the Sui Dynasty!

"Never mind! You are young, so it's only natural if you cannot compose one." Yang Su did not truly expect Yun Hao to write a poem; he merely used this opportunity to introduce him and let everyone know that the Yang family remained the undisputed leader among the Eight Pillar Kingdoms.

"Your Grace the Duke of Chu is mistaken! When Cao Chong wrote poetry back then, he didn't seem very old either." Yuwen Huiji stood up, cupped his hands, and addressed Yang Su.

Yang Su's gaze instantly narrowed, flashing like lightning toward Yuwen Huiji. He had truly misjudged this brat; he was deliberately trying to make Yun Hao look foolish and put him on the spot. At the same time, this was a declaration to everyone present that the Yuwen family still held a place among the Eight Pillar Kingdoms. As expected of old Yuwen Shu, none of the sons he sired were simple characters.

Silence immediately fell over the hall. Everyone knew this was a demonstration of strength by the Yuwen family against the Yang family. Since both were supreme heavyweights of the imperial court, it was best to observe the winds first.

"Although this junior cannot compose poetry, I have thought of a couple of congratulatory phrases to serve as my humble token of birthday wishes to the Duke of Chu!" Amidst the stillness of the hall, Yun Hao's childish, piping voice suddenly rang out.

"Oh, little Yun, speak up. If it is well-made, I shall reward you!" The expression on Yang Su's tongue did not change—an eight-year-old child, despite his reputation as a prodigy, was still too young. Yang Su merely hoped Yun Hao's words were not crude village slang.

"This junior wishes the Duke of Chu that your blessings may be as vast as the Eastern Sea and flow endlessly, and your longevity as enduring as the unwithering pines of the Southern Mountain." Yun Hao stood up and bowed deeply to the ground! With no other choice after racking his brains, he could only recall this most popular congratulatory phrase from later generations.

"Hahaha! Good, good, good!" Hearing Yun Hao's blessing, Yang Su immediately burst into hearty laughter, repeating the word "good" three times. Yun Hao did not know that the reason these two phrases became so widespread was precisely because they carried auspicious meanings; though consisting of merely two lines, they were the ultimate birthday greetings.

Moreover, these two phrases originated from the Ming Dynasty, and Yang Su had never heard them before.

"Reward!" Seeing his father in high spirits, Yang Xuangan immediately ordered someone to fetch a reward.

"This jade pendant shall be rewarded to little Yun. These two sentences are the best birthday wishes I have heard today. They are even better than those poems! Xiong'er!" After laughing, Yang Su handed the jade pendant in his hand to Yang Xiong, ordering him to deliver it in person.

"Understood!" Yang Xiong did not dare delay, though secretly he was grinding his teeth. The jade pendant that was almost his had just flown away!

Yun Hao accepted the jade pendant and immediately beamed with joy. At first glance, this pendant was clearly a treasure; it felt warm and smooth as mutton-fat jade in his hand. In later generations, if someone's net worth was less than several hundred million, they wouldn't even dare ask its price.

Yuwen Huiji's eyes turned sharp. He hadn't expected this kid Yun Hao to actually have some ability. No matter how one looked at it, these two sentences were the finest birthday greetings. It seemed he had still underestimated this brat. When he returned, he must report this matter thoroughly to his father.

"Hehe! This humble one has also composed a poem to present to the Duke of Chu. I dare not hope for any jade pendant, but simply pray that it pleases the Duke!" While Yun Hao was rejoicing, a voice suddenly rang out from the direction of the Goguryeo and Turkic envoys. Everyone's gaze involuntarily shifted over.

The identities of these two groups of envoys were special; they were emissaries from the northern barbarian states. However, Goguryeo was much more culturally advanced than the Turks. Nobody knew what kind of poem this bearded, rugged man could possibly produce.

"Oh, it's rare for Goguryeo to have someone capable of writing poetry. Let's hear it. If it's well-made, the Yang family has extra heavy rewards!" Given the special status of these people, Yang Su did not speak, but Yang Xuangan took over the conversation, inwardly pondering how to mock the Goguryeo people later if they produced utter nonsense.

"In that case, this humble one shall speak. If it is poorly made, please forgive me!" The bearded giant cupped his hands and shouted in a booming voice: "This old man is not a human!"

"Buzz...!" The hall instantly exploded into chaos. Those with quick hands had already drawn their daggers. To curse the Duke of Chu to his face as "not human"—forgetting the attendants of the Goguryeo envoys, even the King of Goguryeo would have been chopped into mincemeat today.

"Hold on!" Yang Su waved his hand, and everyone stopped. Yang Su's two eyes stared at the bearded man like a tiger, yet the bearded man showed no fear. With a pair of triangular eyes, he stared right back at Yang Su.

"An immortal of the Southern Pole has descended into the mortal dust!" Under their locked gazes, the bearded man uttered the second line.

"Buzz...!" The hall buzzed again, as if tens of thousands of flies had suddenly swarmed in. This second line completely reversed the meaning of the first. Everyone couldn't help but look at the bearded man with newfound respect.

"Every single one of his descendants is a thief!" As the third line was spoken, two of the younger generation of the Yang family had already drawn daggers and charged forward. Dammit, he just cursed us all as thieves; if we don't hack you to death today, I'll write my surname upside down!

"Stealing the flat peaches to offer to their dearest kin!" As the fourth line left his lips, those two fast-legged fellows carrying daggers turned right around and walked back.

"Fine poetry! Forgive this old man's ignorance; I never knew Goguryeo had such a master. May I ask the gentleman's name?" Yang Su's gaze was like that of a hungry tiger. This fellow had been playing with the descendants of the Yang family, yet at the crucial moment, he had managed to turn the tables smoothly. Such ingenuity, such means! He must find out who this person was; perhaps in the future, he would become the Great Sui's greatest enemy.

"My name is not worth mentioning in Goguryeo. Now that I have arrived in the territory of the Great Sui, I have adopted a Han name to blend in with local customs. The Duke of Chu may call me Zhang Zhongjian." The bearded giant cupped his hands, his demeanor neither servile nor overbearing.

"Zhang Zhongjian!" Yang Su chewed on the name. He had never heard of it. It seemed this fellow had intentionally withheld his Goguryeo name. But it didn't matter; such a person could certainly not be a nobody in Goguryeo. As long as he sent people to investigate, he could still find out the truth.

"A well-made poem! Someone, reward him with a hundred strings of coins." True to a ducal estate, their generosity was magnificent. With a wave of his hand, it was a hundred strings of coins.

"Many thanks to the Duke of Chu!" Zhang Zhongjian cupped his hands in acknowledgment and, upon returning to his seat, cast a glance toward Yun Hao.

Yun Hao stroked his chin. His brain must have taken in water; back when he first saw that ugly face and the signature beard, he should have known. This fellow was none other than the legendary Zhang Zhongjian, the Bearded Hero! Excellent, Li Jing had appeared, and Hongfu had appeared. Now Zhang Zhongjian had also appeared, gathering the Three Heroes of the Dusty Realm. It seemed his plan could be put into action as soon as possible.

Taking advantage of everyone's attention being focused on Zhang Zhongjian, Yun Hao quickly stood up. Using the excuse of nature calling, he slipped away immediately. Dammit, if they asked him to compose another poem later, where would he find one?

Of course, Yun Hao did not forget to pull along the little maidservant who had been serving him. The white-bearded elder brother nearby saw this and couldn't help but smile wryly. A little pervert of this age... truly a hero since ancient times. His admiring gaze followed Yun Hao as he quietly disappeared through the corner door.

Because Li Jing had returned quite late and the Yang family was busy preparing the banquet, Hongfu and Yun Hao were temporarily settled in a single courtyard. Proper accommodations for Yun Hao and Hongfu would be arranged only on the morrow.

Yun Hao brought the little maidservant back to the courtyard and saw that the singing girls had not yet rested. He told the maidservant to wait in her room while he quietly walked up to the door of the singers' room.

"Are we really being brought into the Duke of Chu's estate? Does that mean from now on we are singing girls of the Duke's household?" One of the young singing girls seemed rather excited. She had heard in the pleasure quarters that a Duke was an incredible high official; even the county magistrate had to kneel upon seeing one.

"Yeah! I inquired about it today; the Duke of Chu is a supreme chancellor of the current dynasty. This time, we are truly going to enjoy a life of blessing. I just wonder how much our monthly stipend will be, but in the Duke of Chu's household, it certainly won't be meager!" Another young singing girl was equally excited.

"Don't celebrate too early. Entering a noble household is as deep as the sea; what happens in the future remains to be seen. As singing girls, our fate is never in our own hands." Hongfu stood up and let out a helpless sigh.

"Still, it's better than the pleasure houses. I just wonder if the master of this house will like us. I heard that men in wealthy families are all...!" An older singing girl, senior to Hongfu, said mysteriously.

"All what, Sister Qing, tell us! Tell us!" The girl called Sister Qing was teasing them, but the group of younger singing girls refused to let it go. They swarmed over to shake Sister Qing's arm, coaxing and pleading playfully.

"It's late! I'm going to sleep first!" Hongfu had no interest in listening to this; she stepped out of the room, intending to return to her own quarters.

"Who is it?"

"It's me! Yun Hao!"

Yun Hao was terrified. Within a mere 0.01 seconds, a sharp dagger was already pressed against his throat, and had he been a fraction slower, his throat might have been slit. Good heavens, the legends that Hongfu knew martial arts were actually true!

"So it's little master, Hongfu lost her manners." Seeing that it was Yun Hao, Hongfu immediately withdrew the dagger. She knew this child was not someone she could afford to provoke.

"Sister Hongfu, this is no place to talk. Follow me!" With that, he grabbed Hongfu's sleeve and dragged her into his own room.

Upon entering, Hongfu saw a little maidservant in Yun Hao's room whose figure was roughly similar to her own. The girl was currently looking at her with a flushed face, and before Hongfu could make sense of it, Yun Hao whispered into her ear: "If you wish to be with Young Master Li Jing, help me knock her out first."

Hongfu was stunned, glancing at the little maidservant's appearance. Inwardly, she couldn't help but feel suspicious—this young boy was actually so despicable! At such a tender age, he actually wanted to do this to the little lass...! Bah...!

Seeing that Hongfu didn't move, Yun Hao gave her a hard tug. When he tried to speak again, Hongfu turned her head away to avoid him.

There was no other choice; he had to do it himself. Yun Hao walked up to the little maidservant and said, "Let's play a game!" With that, he pulled a bundle of red rope out from his tunic.

The little maidservant's face turned beet red, and she didn't dare to struggle. She allowed Yun Hao to tie her up, even letting him stuff a lump of cloth into her mouth.

"Help me carry her to your room, cover her with the quilt, and disguise her to look like you. Sometimes fate can be grasped in one's own hands. I know you long for Young Master Li Jing, and I can see that Young Master Li Jing also has feelings for you. Why don't you go find him tonight, and the two of you can escape this ducal estate under the cover of night? Young Master Li is a dragon among men and will surely accomplish great things in the future. The opportunity lasts for only this one night; whether you seize it or not is up to you. All little brother can do for you is this much."

"You mean... you want me to elope with Young Master Li Jing?" Hongfu widened her eyes, looking at Yun Hao in sheer disbelief.

"Or would you rather stay here and become a plaything for the Yang family?"

"But Young Master Li Jing, he...!"

"I dare guarantee you that he holds affection for you! As I said, there is only this one chance. In your entire life, there is only this once. Whether you seize it or not is entirely up to you. Here is a map of the courtyard where Li Jing is staying!" Yun Hao solemnly handed Hongfu a map drawn by Yang Fu; knowing Hongfu's personality, he wasn't afraid she would refuse.

"Why are you helping me?" Hongfu looked at the young Yun Hao and asked.

"I said I want to see lovers finally get married, would you believe me?" Yun Hao blinked his dark, round eyes and said with utter innocence.

"What a wonderful phrase—lovers finally united in marriage. Brother Hao, I, Hongfu, owe you a debt of gratitude as vast as the heavens!" With that, she bowed deeply to Yun Hao, wasted no more words, hoisted the little maidservant over her shoulder, and left. The little maidservant Yun Hao had chosen was nearly identical to Hongfu in height and figure. Supposedly, this would be enough to fool people for an entire night without issue. The little maidservant tried to struggle, but Hongfu delivered a chop to the back of her neck with the edge of her hand, knocking her out cold.

"Lovers finally united in marriage—hell, I'd rather hope all lovers in the world were actually long-lost siblings. Hmph! Now it's time for me to attend to my own business." Yun Hao muttered to himself as he watched Hongfu's retreating figure.