Yun Ye knew that in the simple beliefs of the people of the Great Tang, lust was the first among all evils. People could control this impulse through various means—after all, we are human beings, not mosquito larvae who spend all their life’s time mating, nor can anyone be like lions who mate hundreds of times a day. We should have higher pursuits.
But the scum before his eyes were beyond hope. In their lives, eating, drinking, and entertainment occupied the vast majority of their time. Although a few were clearheaded, they too were sliding limitlessly into this abyss.
The reason wastrels were called wastrels had to do with the number of wives as a measuring standard. Yun Ye had three, and within this group he was already an object of mockery. The Great Tang Code stipulated that a marquis could have six wives, and these six wives all received stipends—supported by the state, requiring no concern from Yun Ye. Yun Ye had never intended to take full advantage of this state benefit.
Zhangsun Chong married Changle and, in the process, took Changle’s six maidservants into his household as well. As for his previous concubines, there was no need to count them. This fellow couldn’t even figure out who the mothers of his three children were. In any case, the children were all under Changle’s name and could only call Changle “great mother.” As for their own mothers, they shared a common name with their father’s other concubines: yiniang.
Cheng Chumo’s treatment was no better than Zhangsun Chong’s. Marrying Qinghe meant also marrying Qinghe’s maidservants together. In everyone’s eyes, this was an act of accumulating virtue—not doing so would be the princess’s shame.
Among this crowd, four were preparing to marry princesses, and two were about to marry soon. This wastrel group was already the highest-ranking wastrel group in the Great Tang, enjoying a notorious reputation in Chang’an’s dark world.
Yaoniang greeted them with a smile blooming like a flower. Before she could open her mouth, she heard Chai Lingwu say, “Didn’t I tell you before? When you see gentlemen coming, immediately cover your face with a fan. This lord came to watch beautiful women dance, not to see your old face. Every time I see you, my enthusiasm is cut in half.”
Yaoniang, her face covered by a round fan, asked with a coquettish laugh, “What auspicious day is today that all the young noble lords of Chang’an City have come to this humble establishment? Say no more—I’ll clear the place immediately. Except for you gentlemen, everyone else will be driven out. What do you think?”
“Whether you drive people out or not, we can’t manage those matters. We brothers just came to find some entertainment. We heard that the princess Takayama Yoko from the Wa Kingdom is at Yanlai Tower, so we came to visit her.”
“Marquis, that Wa princess is merely staying at Yanlai Tower. This lowly servant cannot possibly summon her.”
“Madam, you’d better think of something quickly. Twenty-four people came today, and they’re all here. Not a single one is someone you can brush off with vague words. Now, while we lords are still in a good mood, hurry up and find that Wa woman. Coming to watch her dance is giving her tremendous face.”
Yaoniang tremblingly went to the small building behind to discuss with Takayama Yoko. Zhangsun Chong very skillfully went up to the top floor and pushed open a door. This was Yanlai Tower’s largest room. The floor was covered with thick carpets, and the heavy scent of sandalwood was almost suffocating. He opened two windows to let in some air. Zhangsun Chong said to the wastrels in the room, “Brothers, we didn’t come here for nothing this time. We’re here to witness the legendary ‘Heavenly Demon Dance.’ I’ve heard this dance can ensnare one’s soul, make people feel as if they’re floating like immortals, and lose their wits. I’ve heard there’s danger in watching this dance. I don’t know if any brothers want to withdraw. Don’t worry—if you’re concerned about your life, stand up. We brothers absolutely won’t laugh at you.”
“I heard that Lord Wei watched this dance a few days ago and lost control of his vital essence, leading to his death. He passed away just yesterday. So, brothers who don’t want to watch this dance, please speak plainly. You can just find other entertainment at Yanlai Tower.”
Yun Ye had to explain this matter clearly and explicitly—fortune and misfortune were each person’s own responsibility. If he didn’t say this, he would inevitably be criticized afterward. Joking with these people was harmless fun, but tricking them into a trap would be foolish.
Gao Shilian’s grandson took out the pig snout from his waist and asked Yun Ye, “Brother Yun, you gave each of us brothers one of these things. Are you worried there might be problems with the incense they burn?”
“Brother Gao is exactly right. The medicinal herbs we’re drinking tonight were specially prepared by Master Sun as kidney-strengthening medicine, most effective for regulating the body. However, everyone probably has no lustful thoughts now, right? Fifteen days from now, this little brother guarantees that all the gentlemen present will be vigorous men full of dragon energy and tiger strength. For now, you brothers can be eunuchs for fifteen days.”
“I was wondering—in the past, when this little brother entered Yanlai Tower, my whole body would heat up. Today when I came in, I was surprisingly calm as an ancient well. I almost thought I was impotent. So that’s how it is! Brother Yun is considering everything for us brothers. We’ll sit peacefully and see what’s so miraculous about this ‘Heavenly Demon Dance’ that it could kill Lord Wei.”
After hearing Yun Ye’s words, the wastrels each found a table to sit at. In such circumstances, they were essentially being held hostage. Who could say they were afraid and wanted to withdraw at a time like this? Would they still be able to mix in Chang’an society?
The room became much quieter. Cheng Chumo looked at the wastrels and said in a low voice, “Whether you’re afraid or not, we have to watch. Even if we have to steel ourselves, we must watch. If we don’t watch now, in a couple of days it will be the old masters’ turn to watch. If we, who are young and strong, don’t first figure out what this damned dance really is, who would dare let the old masters watch it with peace of mind?”
The room became even quieter. Chai Lingwu picked up a teacup and threw it heavily downstairs, completely ignoring the screams from below. He said angrily, “Why don’t we just burn down this damned building and kill that Wa woman? Wouldn’t that solve everything?”
A wastrel sitting nearby said quietly, “Lingwu, this is a matter of national affairs, not our usual horseplay. The Great Tang is a sovereign nation—we cannot back down. My father also told me about this. The Court of State Ceremonies is going crazy now. The official who lost face last time has already been dismissed. It doesn’t matter if we lose face, but if the old masters lose face, that’s a major incident. Even if we brothers have to tie ourselves up with ropes, we must watch with our eyes wide open.”
“If they start burning incense, we’ll put on the pig snouts. Although they’re a bit ugly, safety comes first—that’s what matters most. Hide them for now, don’t let them see.”
The discussion was finished, and everyone’s opinions were unified. In fact, those present had no room for choice. Among all evils, lust was first, yet among all virtues, filial piety was paramount. The two extremes had, at this moment, an astonishing harmony.
The silver bell rang. Maidservants emerged from a hidden door and, without saying a word, filled everyone’s wine cups, then backed out. The wastrels present sat like clay bodhisattvas, all glaring viciously at the maidservant lighting incense in the bronze sparrow burner, wishing they could swallow her whole. The trembling maidservant took a long time to light the sandalwood chips. Yun Ye sniffed carefully, trying to distinguish any difference, but found nothing unusual. He stopped everyone from putting on the pig snouts.
The welcoming music began. Takayama Yoko, draped in a brocade robe, entered from outside the door with infinite charm. Her intelligence work was excellent—with one glance she distinguished who among those present had the highest status. She bowed gracefully to Li Tai: “Princess Takayama Yoko of the Wa Kingdom pays her respects to His Highness Prince Wei.”
Li Tai narrowed his eyes and said, “The Wa Kingdom has always been obedient. This prince has only one thing unclear: by what virtue and ability does your Wa Kingdom call itself the Land of the Rising Sun while calling our Great Tang the Land of the Setting Sun? Are you mocking the Great Tang’s declining days?”
“Your Highness is learned and accomplished. You must be familiar with this passage: ‘Below is Tang Valley, above is Fusang, where the ten suns bathe, north of the Black Teeth, residing in the water, there is a great tree, nine suns dwell in the lower branches, one sun dwells in the upper branch.’ We live in the land of Fusang and call ourselves the Land of the Rising Sun. What is wrong with that?”
“Enough, Takayama Yoko, stop gilding your own face. Don’t use the Classic of Mountains and Seas to tell stories. The Book of Liang’s Fusang Chronicles states it very clearly: the Tattooed Country is over seven thousand li northeast of the Wa Kingdom. The Great Han Country is five thousand li east of the Tattooed Country. Fusang Country is twenty thousand li east of the Great Han, located to the east of China. Its land has many Fusang trees, hence it takes this name. Don’t casually borrow our books to prove the correctness of your words. I happen to know where Fusang Country is—don’t speak such nonsense.”
When Takayama Yoko bowed, her brocade robe naturally slipped to her shoulders. Beneath the robe, this woman was wearing nothing else. Yun Ye could only see her honey-colored skin and delicate collarbones. Presumably Li Tai, sitting directly opposite, could see much more.
“Worldly rumors say that Marquis Yun is a disciple of immortals, having also experienced the eighty thousand li of wind and clouds of the heavens. The great and small mysteries of the world have never obscured your eyes. Often with one word, you penetrate deeply. I imagine the White Jade Capital is already in your grasp?”
“Only a dog’s bite penetrates three fen deep. If you can’t say good things, don’t say anything. The White Jade Capital? Is that something you Wa people can reach for? I’m very curious—where did that woman who taught you the Heavenly Demon Dance go? I really want to know.”
“Marquis Yun, Yoko also yearns for the White Jade Capital. I wonder, when you journey there, could you take Yoko along for part of the way?”
“No. Tang people can go, anyone can go, but foreigners cannot. It’s not that I look down on you—you simply cannot enter. That place belongs to our ancestors. What would it mean to take you there?”
“How about Yoko dances a piece for all you young heroes? However, let’s make this clear beforehand—not everyone has the fortune to enjoy the Heavenly Demon Dance. Marquis Yun guides people to the immortal realm, so let Yoko lead everyone into the Hell of Uninterrupted Suffering.” After finishing these words, Takayama Yoko actually displayed a heroic spirit. She clapped her hands, and a group of women wearing Buddhist crowns and draped in gauze entered in a line. The golden bangles on their arms glittered brilliantly in the candlelight. Jeweled necklaces hung at their waists. Their pale bare feet made no sound treading on the soft carpet. Some held bells and hand drums in their arms, some had reed leaves in their mouths, and dagger-like hairpins were stuck in their hair. They crouched around Takayama Yoko like little cats.
Takayama Yoko produced a golden cup from somewhere, held it in her mouth, and bent to salute the wastrels. With just a slight shake of her waist, that brocade robe fell like a shed shell and piled at her feet. Her chest was covered only by a wisp of gauze, her proud bosom exposed under everyone’s gaze. Her face carried seduction, the corner of her mouth held a trace of mockery, yet her back was straight like a warrior about to go into battle.