“A true man does not lose face by kneeling for women, children, or brothers. Besides, I am a national marquis who shares glory with the nation—I can accept your kowtow. I, Yun Ye, have donated superior grain varieties and saved countless lives. Even here in your Hebei Circuit, I can be called a living Buddha to tens of thousands of families. So the respect I receive is not because of my status as a marquis, but because what I’ve done is worthy of respect. Human Bear, you experienced life-and-death separations back then, and you’ve lived a wandering life for so many years. I know you’ve had enough. Banditry is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain, isn’t it?”
“The militia soldiers have all returned home. They’re all good men who’ve been through battles—every one of them a tough character. As long as they band together, there’s no room left for people like you to survive.”
“Your eating manner just now wasn’t bold—it was because you were hungry. The way you looked at Little Eagle showed sorrow and envy, so I knew your recent days haven’t been easy. You took off your hood because you wanted me to see clearly who you are. You know that Little Eagle’s brother-in-law is me, Yun Ye, so you wanted me to lower my guard.”
“You stuck your Mo sword in the ground to tell me you’re still in your prime, still strong enough to wield a blade and kill enemies. That’s your only bargaining chip, your only asset. You wanted to see if I would take you in and solve your current crisis. I know all this.”
“Ha! If I offered you very generous terms, would you immediately leave, taking your old and young ones to disappear into the deep mountains to fend for yourselves? You also know those terms wouldn’t be trustworthy, right?”
“Human Bear, don’t try to match wits with court officials. You’re a crude man, right down to your bones. But I’m very curious—who taught you this approach? I don’t believe you could have thought of this yourself. This is the game of officialdom—you couldn’t possibly understand it.” Yun Ye stood up holding his wine bowl, looking at Human Bear kneeling on the ground drenched in sweat, and asked again word by word: “Who is that person? In my view, he’s far more threatening than you.”
Human Bear suddenly knocked his head against the ground, blood flowing out. Dan Ying looked pleadingly at Yun Ye, hoping he wouldn’t press this poor bandit any further.
Closing his eyes to think for a moment, Yun Ye continued: “Human Bear, get up. I accept your conditions. When the naval forces return, I’ll have them capture some Korean bandits and bring them back. We’ll cut off their heads and say I’ve already wiped out your Human Bear’s stronghold. You’ll just be former dynasty migrants I brought back from the islands. The court has policies for such cases and will make proper arrangements for you.”
“Big Brother, aren’t you going to ask who taught Uncle Bear this approach?” Dan Ying happily asked Yun Ye. This fellow was becoming more and more like a normal young man. Yun Ye smiled bitterly and said: “With you here, I can never be ruthless. Forget it—if he’s an awl, he’ll eventually poke through the bag.”
Yun Ye put down his wine bowl and walked to the door. Turning back to Human Bear still kneeling on the ground, he said: “Go bring everyone from your stronghold back. I’ll speak to the Provincial Governor about this matter. Yuan Dake owes me a favor and won’t make things difficult for you regarding land. If you have doubts, ask Little Eagle—he knows my credibility.”
Liu Jinbao stood anxiously outside the house peering in. Seeing the marquis emerge, he was overjoyed and quickly led Wang Cai over. The person who had entered the house earlier really didn’t look like any kind of good person.
Just as one foot touched the stirrup, Yun Ye withdrew it and walked toward an old man sunbathing in a small alley. He reclined on a worn soft couch. Though the brocade on it had worn through, one could still tell from the wood and craftsmanship how luxurious this couch had once been. Only the gold and silver ornaments were now missing, and the goldfish eyes were gone too—presumably precious stones had once been inlaid there.
The old man wore a hemp robe washed pale white. His ten fingers were slender with long nails. His right hand held a scroll. Yun Ye tilted his head for a glance—it was a copy of the *Zuo Zhuan*. The old man seemed to have fallen asleep, his left hand covering his face to block the sunlight, with slight snoring sounds emerging.
Yun Ye inwardly laughed so hard he nearly stumbled. Why did ancient people all enjoy this act? Should he use the story of standing in the snow at Cheng’s gate, or the allusion of three visits to the thatched cottage? This person might be someone of great talent. If Li Er encountered him, he should at least perform the three visits to the cottage. But Yun Ye had just been deceived by Li Er—why should he help him find formidable subordinates? And three visits at that?
“Clever words, ingratiating appearance, and excessive politeness—Zuo Qiuming was ashamed of these, and Confucius was ashamed of them too. Concealing resentment while befriending someone—Zuo Qiuming was ashamed of this, and Confucius was ashamed of it too. Sir, you sleep under the blazing sun while Yun Ye stands to the side—Zuo Qiuming would be ashamed of this, and Yun Ye is ashamed of it too.”
“Yun Ye, Yun Buqi—is this your manner of respecting the elderly and honoring the worthy? By what virtue or ability do you dare compare yourself to Lord Zuo and the Master? Right now you’re a fish trapped in shallow water, gazing at the ocean beyond reach, with the scorching sun beating down from above. A fish trading moisture still acts arrogant and unreasonable—I don’t know why Master Yan thinks so highly of you.”
“Master Yan stole corn from my family and I captured him alive. He felt his face was lost, and seeing that I was going to drag him before the magistrate, he gave me a wooden token. He said if I meet an old fellow who likes to split hairs and thinks highly of himself, I should take out the token and order him to work. If he doesn’t comply, I should tell him that henceforth he shouldn’t claim to be of the Confucian lineage.”
“Nonsense! Where would the Yan family have such a wooden token? Your Yun family has one though. Dragging Master Yan before a magistrate would scare the official to death. But what did he steal from your family?”
“Corn! The new grain.” Yun Ye quickly added.
“That’s quite possible. Master Yan has grown increasingly childlike in recent years. His Dao heart has been forged—he’s only waiting for the day to shed his mortal coil. Then he’ll attain great freedom, great perfection, and great liberation.”
“Old fellow, are you Confucian or Daoist? How come you also speak Buddhist words? Didn’t the Master say that the gentleman does not speak of strange phenomena, physical force, disorder, or spirits? Do you believe in the Primordial Heavenly Worthy or Shakyamuni Buddha?”
“Impertinent youngster! The truths of the world all lead to the same destination—where is there any distinction between your school and mine? When studied to the ultimate depth, the principles are all the same. Spouting nonsense—how can one be a teacher to others?”
“I teach mathematics, a discipline that most requires rational thinking. One must kill Buddhas upon meeting Buddhas, kill demons upon meeting demons. Only with eyes fixed on facts can one avoid believing in those illusory principles. Only by mastering divine calculation can one measure the inconstant. Old fellow, when I’ve researched this discipline to its depths, you needn’t tell me—I’ll know who you are and what you can do. However, my cultivation isn’t deep enough now, so I ask the venerable sir for his great name. This junior is prepared to be thunderstruck.”
“Ha ha ha! What a cunning youngster, and quite an interesting person too. If you want to know this old man’s name, it’s easy. As long as you solve the problem for those pitiful bandits, this old man will tell you.”
“I knew that dumb bear’s words were taught by you. Can’t you people just speak plainly? Must you make everything so mysterious? Write a report and submit it to my desk, and it will naturally be handled. Look how you’ve frightened that foolish bear—he knocked his head bloody but still stubbornly refused to confess who taught him to speak that way. Isn’t that exhausting?”
“Youngster, who do you think you are? If not for the fact that you’re returning the remains of those soldiers this time, do you think this old man would voluntarily deliver himself to your door to be found? The Emperor searched for this old man for over ten years without finding him. A mere marquis like you isn’t worthy.”
Hearing this, Yun Ye smiled so broadly his eyes disappeared, his mouth wide open for quite a while before he finally bowed to the old gentleman, remaining bent at the waist and unwilling to rise. This old fellow was so arrogant that he must have excellent methods to solve the current predicament. Right now, Yun Ye had absolutely no solution to the Koreans’ turtle tactics and didn’t know where to bite. A powerful assistant had fallen from the sky—could this be what ancient books often called “those who follow the Dao receive much support”?
“Youngster, why this change from arrogance to humility?” The old man sat up cross-legged on the brocade couch, asking Yun Ye mockingly.
“No choice—it’s the same principle as that foolish bear earlier. He knocked his head resoundingly for the sake of a hundred-some women, children, and cripples. But this youngster is concerned about over ten thousand strong and healthy men. If I can bring them all safely back to Chang’an, never mind bowing—even kowtowing, Yun Ye wouldn’t hesitate in the slightest.”
The old man unexpectedly got down from the brocade couch, put on his shoes, and actually returned Yun Ye’s bow, clapping his hands and saying: “Master Yan truly has a discerning eye for people. This old man is impressed. I originally thought you were a spoiled wastrel who came into success young, with no understanding of the value of human life. I didn’t expect you wouldn’t put those military achievements first, but would be primarily concerned with those soldiers’ lives. How rare! For this heartfelt intention of yours, this old man will lend you his strength.”
“Sir possesses great talent. These Korean jumping clowns will surely be reduced to ashes under your thunderous strike. The bones of those former dynasty soldiers will also return safely to their homeland. There are many monks in Chang’an—we can have them perform a water and land dharma assembly then, so these soldiers can also enjoy some incense offerings and blood sacrifices.”
Yun Ye carefully flattered him. Great masters were generally difficult to serve. Regardless, first put the high hat on and slap on the flattery, then see the results—that was the best strategy.
Who knew the flattery didn’t work? The old fellow actually shed tears under the blazing sun, repeatedly saying “alas” seven or eight times, then spoke some crazy nonsense about heartbreaking sorrow. Finally, with tears streaming, he stretched out both arms and shouted loudly: “Return, O souls!”
Needless to say, this was a person with a story, who must have experienced extremely painful experiences. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have become like this. Very likely, this old fellow had participated in the last Korean campaign. Just didn’t know who he was.
“Marquis Yun, the Liaodong region was the Grand Preceptor’s state in the Zhou dynasty, merely the Xuantu Commandery of the Han family. Before the Wei and Jin dynasties, it was nearly within our territory—it cannot be permitted to refuse vassalage. If we treat Goguryeo as an equal, all the barbarians will certainly look down on Han. Moreover, the relationship between China and the barbarians is like the great sun to the stars—there’s no principle of lowering one’s dignity to become equal with vassal states. Tell me, should Goguryeo be conquered or not?” When the old man said this, his beard and hair bristled, his face terrifyingly fierce.
“Of course it should be conquered! Under heaven, there is no land that is not the king’s; to the shores of the earth, there are none who are not the king’s subjects. Yun Ye’s entry into Goguryeo this time is precisely to prepare the way for the Eastern Expedition. Venerable sir, don’t waste your mental energy—save some strength so we can watch together how Goguryeo is destroyed, shall we?”