Chapter 61: Listening to Opera in the Pleasure Quarter—But You’re Only Seven Years Old

Zhang Yi was still betting on whether Emperor Zhu would vigorously promote the method of variolation, but only Zhang Zhengchang truly understood how formidable that emperor was. Their so-called risky actions, the crime of deceiving the sovereign, were actually all within the palace’s grasp. Deceiving the emperor? That letter from Zhang Yi was clearly sent over by that very person in the palace; if they were guilty of deceiving the emperor, he knew every detail.

Following Zhang Yi’s plan was, in fact, tantamount to handing the emperor a handle on all of Dragon Tiger Mountain’s tricks and supernatural claims—he could turn on them at any moment. Yet if they didn’t comply, that person would hardly let Dragon Tiger Mountain off either.

Why the monarch would go to such lengths, entrusting the matter of variolation to Dragon Tiger Mountain to launch, Zhang Zhengchang himself found utterly perplexing. Still, he vaguely understood that at the very least, this trip to the capital would not bring disaster.

Faced with the emperor’s invitation, Zhang Zhengchang dared not be remiss. He led Zhang Yi and Zhang Yuchu out of the temple, only to find Gao Jianxian already waiting.

“Steward Gao!” Zhang Yi, who knew Gao Jianxian, greeted him first. The man who was the bane of officials and head of intelligence was, at this moment, as gentle as a spring breeze. “Little Master Zhang, it’s been some time!”

He then bowed respectfully to Zhang Zhengchang. “Revered Master Zhang, my lord is overwhelmed with affairs and cannot come in person, but when he learned of your arrival in the capital, he asked me to invite you to his residence for a small gathering.” Could Zhang Zhengchang possibly refuse? He nodded in agreement. Seeing his goal accomplished, Gao Jianxian smiled at Zhang Yi and said, “The carriage is ready—I’ll be waiting outside.”

The three of them boarded Gao Jianxian’s carriage and set out for the “Huang Residence.” When they arrived, Zhang Yi looked up and noticed a marked improvement in the atmosphere compared to last time.

Inside, servants and maids busied themselves; in the main hall, Huang He and his son were deep in conversation. Upon seeing the Zhang family trio approach, they rose unhurriedly.

Old Zhang grew alarmed, thinking the emperor meant to salute him—how could he dare accept? He quickly took the initiative: “Brother Huang, there’s no need for such formality among us!”

Old Zhu had never intended to truly give such a greeting, and readily let the matter drop. “Brother Zhang, after our last meeting, I thought it would be at least a year or two before we met again—who would have thought we’d reunite so soon?”

Zhang Zhengchang forced a wan smile, nerves on edge. “Brother Huang, you know full well why I’ve come to the capital—please, let’s not toy with me.”

Others might dismiss the “merchant” before them, but Zhang Zhengchang absolutely could not.

The emperor, hearing this, merely smiled and said nothing more.

Zhu Biao was attending the emperor quietly, saying nothing, when he noticed Zhang Yi glaring at him in anger, which left him rather embarrassed.

“So, Huang Mu, I took you for a brother, and you left me behind halfway—what kind of elder brother does that?” Zhang Yi began, airing his grievance. The memory still irked him, and Zhu Biao, knowing he was at fault, quickly offered a subdued apology.

Old Zhu found it amusing and teased, “Zhang Yi, what happened that day was indeed my eldest’s fault. I’ll apologize on his behalf, uncle to nephew!”

Zhang Yi had never truly blamed Zhu Biao, so he let the matter drop. But then the emperor added, “I hear you took the hundred taels your brother gave you and went to the pleasure quarters to hear music—are you missing a wife? If so, I could arrange a marriage for you.”

At that, Old Zhang’s first reaction was joy—imagine, the emperor offering to matchmake for this rascal! But halfway through his smile, Zhang Zhengchang realized something was off.

The pleasure quarters?

Zhang Zhengchang and Zhang Yuchu whirled around, staring at Zhang Yi in disbelief. Had they heard correctly? This rascal had gone to the brothel to listen to songs?

Zhang Zhengchang was so furious he could scarcely breathe, pointing at Zhang Yi but unable to form words. Even though Zhang Zhengchang now saw his second son in a new light, the boy’s devil-may-care nature was becoming an increasing burden.

A direct disciple of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and you go to the brothels? That’s making a mockery of centuries of the mountain’s reputation! And even if you must go, must you use the crown prince’s money?

A long-dormant fury welled up in Zhang Zhengchang. All this talk of fatherly affection—damn it!

“Little brother… you’re only seven. What on earth were you doing in a place like that?” Zhang Yuchu was dumbstruck, looking at Zhang Yi with both shock and, perhaps, a hint of admiration.

Incredible—Zhang Yi was still Zhang Yi!

“You wretch, aren’t you going to apologize to your Uncle Huang?”

“Enough, enough, Old Zhang. I’m not really upset. He’s just a mischievous child—it’s nothing.” Whether Zhang Zhengchang’s anger was real or feigned, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly intervened. Still, everyone found the situation both infuriating and amusing.

“The story of Daoist Zhang Sanfeng visiting the brothels and saving a damsel in distress has become a favorite tale among the people of Ying Tian lately, though no one knows where this young Daoist is training. If they knew it was you, the incense at Pure Heart Temple would be much more abundant!”

Zhang Yi managed a sheepish smile and quickly waved his hands. “Enough, enough, I have to keep some dignity!”

“Little brother, what does a brothel look like?” Zhang Yuchu couldn’t help but ask quietly once attention shifted away from Zhang Yi. Zhu Biao, too, strained to listen—he had never been to one himself.

Zhang Yi was now the most experienced of the three! Everyone knew those places were dens of vice, but what man wasn’t curious…?

“Don’t go, it’s no fun. And the courtesan isn’t even pretty!” The two brothers whispered furtively, which was most improper. Old Zhang coughed desperately, trying to cut off their conversation.

Before long, the servants had laid out the feast. They filled everyone’s cups with wine, but gave Zhang Yi and Zhang Yuchu hot water. The emperor raised his cup, but the first toast was not to Zhang Zhengchang—it was to Zhang Yi.

“Zhang Yi, uncle toasts you!”

“That day, when your brother had a dispute with me, it was your guidance that helped us father and son reconcile.”

“You are too kind, uncle!” Zhang Yi clinked his cup of hot water with Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhang Zhengchang, curious about their exchange and sensing some deeper meaning, asked, “May I ask what my rascal of a son said?”

Zhu Yuanzhang was not secretive, and laid it all out. “I heard some news from the north: General Xu Da personally ‘escorted’ Duke Kong Kejian, the descendant of Confucius, to the capital. This Duke Kong remains loyal to the former dynasty, and I fear he’s in for a stern lesson from the emperor this time. My eldest, finding the emperor’s conduct intolerable, quarreled with me. It was thanks to Zhang Yi’s advice that he came around…”

Zhang Zhengchang began coughing violently, instantly regretting his curiosity. Matters between the emperor and the crown prince were no business of a commoner like him.

Seeing his expression, Old Zhu only smiled and said nothing. This fellow was dull—Zhang Yi was far more interesting.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to Zhang Yi: “Mu’er repeated your words to me, but there’s one thing I don’t understand. Please, Zhang Yi, enlighten me.”

“Please ask, uncle,” Zhang Yi replied.

“You said the present emperor’s civil and military achievements are embodied in the phrase ‘Drive out the Tartars, restore China.’ I’ve heard you explain the military part before—what, then, do you mean by civil achievements?”

The emperor’s question brought a hush over the entire gathering.