Figures of the prosperous Tang naturally had their own flair. The thirteen or fourteen-year-old youth, facing dukes and important ministers, surprisingly had not the slightest timidity. He stood up openly and made a circle of bows, announced his name and origins, then looked at the ceiling at a forty-five-degree angle with slanted eyes, truly achieving the posture of looking at the blue sky with white eyes.

Seeing him, Yun Ye thought of himself twenty years ago. He was very worried that he had also been this insufferable. If so, it made one worried—how could such a rash fool mix about in Chang’an city?

Seated at the head was Fang Xuanling, in the next seat sat Du Ruhui, below them sat Niu Jinda and Yuchi Gong, across from them sat himself and Xue Wanche, and Su Weidao sat at the lowest position. At such a banquet table, perhaps only if the Emperor came could one put on such a behavior asking to be beaten.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui had both already retired. Little did people know that retired people were difficult to serve. Be too enthusiastic toward them and they’d say you pitied them. Ignore them and they’d say your eyes had grown to your buttocks. This was simply making things difficult for people.

Cheng Yaojin’s complexion was already somewhat awkward. Yun Ye rose from his seat and left it, slapping that foolish youngster on the back of his head and saying: “Where are your eyes looking? Those who know understand you come from Fanyang in Youzhou. Those who don’t know would think you’re a wild savage from Lingnan. You compose one poem that’s rough all around and expect to proudly face princes and marquises in common clothes? Young man, you’re still far from it.”

Lu Zhaolin was stunned silly by Yun Ye’s slap. He never would have thought that the dignified Minister of War would actually hit someone. After all, he was young in years. When he raised his head, tears were already streaming down.

Somehow he was led by the hand by Yun Ye to Fang Xuanling’s table and properly called out “Grandfather Fang!”

“That’s right. Of those who came to the estate to drink wine today, which one isn’t your elder? When you see white beards, call them grandfather. When you see graying beards, call them uncle. When you see black beards, call them younger uncle. You won’t be wrong.”

Fang Xuanling’s furrowed brows slowly relaxed. He pushed away the wine cup in his hand and said: “Since you excel in poetry and prose, why not compose a poem on the spot to open this old man’s eyes.”

This was spoken in anger. The older these old fellows lived, the smaller their minds became. At such an advanced age, yet making things difficult for a small child.

Lu Zhaolin was particularly stubborn. Stiffening his neck, he proclaimed loudly: “The singing tower opens its dawn door, the willows are just drooping. Orioles call knowing the year has passed, branches change recognizing spring’s return. Dew on leaves congeals sorrowful brows, wind-blown flowers disorder dancing robes. Breaking off twigs I send them, military news is sparse.”

The poem was good—after all, it was a work of one of the Four Literary Talents of early Tang. Fang Xuanling was just about to nod in praise when he heard Lu Zhaolin continue: “I’ve long heard that Marquis Yun is the singer of ‘Lanling wine with turmeric fragrance.’ I wonder if Marquis Yun has any fine works recently?”

As soon as these words emerged, all the guests in the hall burst into laughter. Xue Wanche laughed loudly: “It’s hard to be a good person, hard to be a good person! You helped this youngster, yet now you’re being questioned by him. How do you feel right now?”

Yun Ye smiled bitterly. He had estimated this young calf would question him, but hadn’t expected he would challenge him after composing a poem. With such a temperament, wanting to reside in Chang’an would probably be very difficult.

Du Ruhui closed his eyes and savored Lu Zhaolin’s poem for a while. He picked up a bronze goblet and drank the cup’s contents in one gulp. Glancing sideways at Xue Wanche, he said: “This is poetic singing and harmonizing among scholars. How did it become vulgar when it reached your mouth? Close your mouth. With fine poetry to listen to, how can it still not block your mouth? Could it be you think this old man, idle at home, can no longer manage you?”

Xue Wanche hastily clasped his hands in apology. The old fellow couldn’t be provoked now. They all said he didn’t concern himself with worldly affairs, yet why did he run endlessly to the Imperial Palace when he had nothing to do? Now people all said the outer minister was done, and now he’d changed to being an inner minister.

Yun Ye laughed once and sat back in his seat. What ability was it for him, now in a high position with great authority, to compete with a youth? Lu Zhaolin’s life was full of hardships. In the end, poor and sick, he drowned himself in the Fen River. His tragic life might not be unrelated to this kind of temperament.

Cheng Yaojin’s complexion became very awkward. Today’s Colored Lantern Banquet was with good intentions to help his family relative gain fame. Who knew he would encounter such a dolt?

“Gentlemen, drink heartily!”

During the prosperous Tang era, many mad scholars emerged. A powerful nation, wealthy life, and fierce folk customs would naturally cultivate youths who looked down on everything. Lu Zhaolin was probably one of them.

Just as he was being left in the middle with shame and nowhere to hide his face, Yun Ye patted his own seat, indicating that Lu Zhaolin could come sit. Others might not know what level this child’s talent would reach, but Yun Ye was very clear. For nothing else than that famous line “I only envy mandarin ducks, not immortals,” he should give him a way down from this predicament.

Lu Zhaolin, obediently sitting beside Yun Ye, was almost about to cry. Looking at this child who was several years younger even than Yun Huan, for some reason Yun Ye found it difficult to feel ill will toward him.

He said softly: “Coming to such occasions, eat more food, speak less. When elders are present, be more thorough with etiquette. The people here are all heroes of our Great Tang and must not be disrespected. Beautiful poetry and prose can certainly cultivate temperament, but don’t regard them as the only standard for judging superior or inferior learning.”

Seeing Lu Zhaolin obediently accepting instruction, only then did Yun Ye suddenly remember that this child was only fourteen years old. When a youth’s intelligence far exceeds his peers, naturally he can be a bit proud. The current Lu Zhaolin was not that Lu Zhaolin who had suffered endless tribulations—compassionate and noble.

Thinking of the prosperous Tang’s night singing, thinking of that splendid era overflowing with radiance, Yun Ye’s heart was filled with yearning. High-crowned literati plucking swords and singing songs, heroic and chivalrous warriors filling mountains and rivers, inside there were those who sang generous and sorrowful songs, outside there were iron horses galloping across arid plateaus. Unable to restrain himself, he took chopsticks and struck a teacup, singing: “That which left me behind, yesterday’s day cannot be retained. That which troubles my heart, today’s day has much vexation…”

Singing the song three times in succession, Yun Ye’s singing voice was not pleasant to hear. In some places it was even slightly off-key. But this in no way prevented him from performing Li Bai’s magnificent work. Years of tumultuous experience had already given him the poet’s indignant emotions and heroic temperament. Although in the end the ivory chopsticks broke and the thin porcelain cup shattered into several pieces with nothing left to strike, this song was deeply imprinted in everyone’s hearts. For a time, the Colored Lantern Night Banquet had no sound whatsoever!

Suddenly Du Ruhui shouted loudly: “Excellent ‘yesterday’s day cannot be retained,’ excellent ‘today’s day has much vexation!’ This old man has gained much enlightenment. This is truly the world’s wonderful music. Marquis Yun hasn’t composed poetry for many years. Singing tonight, his poetry foundation has advanced another step. This old man admires you prostrate on the ground!”

“Lu Zhaolin, youngster, listen well! This is the sublime sound of the human world, not something your flowery words can compare with.”

“Indeed so. Each time I hear Marquis Yun’s poetry, my heart undergoes another layer of change. Tonight’s Colored Lantern Night Banquet has only now reached a wonderful realm. Gentlemen, raise your cups—we must drink!”

Fang Xuanling walked beneath the largest colored lantern, took it down, and placed it before Yun Ye’s table, raising his cup in invitation.

After one round of wine, Lu Zhaolin’s complexion was alternating between pale and flushed. After hesitating for a long while, only then did he raise his cup and say to Yun Ye: “Lu Zhaolin is instructed. I will participate in this year’s Yushan Academy great examination, hoping to receive instruction under the gentleman’s tutelage.”

“Lu Zhaolin, when you arrive at the academy, you’ll know how profound and deep the path of learning is. Without investing all your thoughts, it’s impossible to gain anything. Master Yuanzhang, Master Yushan, Master Lishi, Master Jinzhu are even more so generation-spanning masters of learning. The talented and outstanding scholars there are like fish crossing a river. You’ll find your opponents and good friends there.”

“Our Great Tang’s national momentum is like the morning sun rising. The four seas submit in admiration. Open your heart and embrace the four seas. In this prosperous age, there will definitely be an opportunity for you to display your heroic talents.”

Cheng Yaojin walked out from his seat with a great shout. Immediately servants carried up a horse lance. When Yun Ye saw this, he turned and left. This was the forty-pound horse lance the old man had newly made. Last time when it was being wielded, because this lance was too heavy, within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, it flew out of his hands three times. This time, seeing the old man had drunk himself high, who knew what would happen?

When the two masters Fang and Du saw Yun Ye leaving, they knew something was wrong. After cursing Old Cheng twice, they also hurriedly walked out of the hall. Before they had even left, they heard the sound of weapons breaking wind from over there.

Xue Wanche, Niu Jinda, and Yuchi Gong loudly shouted their approval. As for them, Yun Ye had no need to remind them. People long experienced in battle formations would not voluntarily leave at this time—otherwise that would be too shameful. As for Su Weidao and Lu Zhaolin, they didn’t dare leave and could only watch this life-threatening performance with trepidation.

The Cheng Family courtyard was very large, with colored lanterns hanging everywhere. Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Yun Ye strolled beneath the river of lights while discussing household trifles.

“This child Gao Yang has already been spoiled by this old man. Though these years her craving for wealth is no longer intense, Yiai has eaten his fill of bitterness. Last night this old man slept until midnight and could still hear Gao Yang’s voice on the opposite building admonishing Yiai. Just because he came home a bit late—why must it be so?”

“Old Man Fang, you mustn’t bully people too excessively. All three of our families married princesses. Though Gao Yang’s temperament is somewhat domineering, on the path of filial piety there is absolutely no deficiency. Your whole family’s food, drink, and expenses—which item isn’t managed by Gao Yang?”

“The best among the princesses has already arrived at your house. What more dissatisfaction do you have? Being somewhat tyrannical in the bedchamber is an inevitable matter. As for my household…”

“You two stop right there. This junior doesn’t want to hear old father-in-laws eavesdropping on secrets between sons and daughters-in-law. This is concealing for the elder generation. You two don’t need to speak in roundabout ways. Just say directly—what do you want to do with Anlan?”

Having spent so much time together, he already had sufficient understanding of these two old fellows.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui smiled at each other and said: “We heard your son has prepared a massive fleet to go seek the legendary Kingdom of the Sun God. Please let our two families attach ourselves to your coattails.”

Yun Ye smiled and said: “This is a money-losing venture. Since you two wish to meddle in it, then meddle. In fact, there are two fleets, not one. How about you two each participate in one?”

Fang Xuanling asked doubtfully: “Why are there two?”

“One fleet actually belongs to the academy. They want to see the end of heaven and conduct a research project. This fleet will sail south along the South Sea, wanting to see if they can return to their original location. The other heads north with the same mission. If the two fleets can meet, naturally it can also prove that great hypothesis. As for going to the Kingdom of the Sun God, it’s only to obtain saplings and seeds of rubber trees. The academy’s research, including Qing Que’s research, has been obstructed by sealing materials. I know that in the Kingdom of the Sun God there is a type of tree called a rubber tree, similar to lacquer trees, whose saplings can solve this problem. That’s why there’s this distant voyage.”