Chapter 4 (Part 1) Green Willow and Bright Flowers

  "How did I end up in a feud with Chai Shao? This guy is one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion, and he's always been closely tied to Li Shimin, not to mention being related to the Li family by blood. If I've made an enemy of him, how can I still go to seek refuge with the Li family?"

  "By the way, Chai Shao's wife Li Xiuning is even more formidable. She's well-versed in both literature and martial arts, and she's a military genius to boot! The name of the pass was changed because of her defense of it! I've already offended her husband and divorced her younger sister, what good impression could she possibly have of me? If I were to go back to the Li family now, do I still think I'd have any chance of standing out? Even if I'm loyal and capable towards the Li family, can that compare to this woman's influence over her father with just one sentence?"

  Lying on the small and narrow bed, Chen Yingliang sighed for a while, but it was too late to regret now. The words of dismissing Chai Shaomei had already been spoken, and they couldn't be taken back. Going to the Chai family's house to apologize was something that Chen Yingliang absolutely couldn't do. In the situation where he could no longer rely on Li Yuan, Chen Yingliang suddenly thought, "Why do I have to cling to Li Yuan's leg? He can get the world because Wang Shichong, Li Mi and Dou Jiande these powerful people exhausted the Sui Dynasty's strength, and then they killed each other and exhausted their own strength. That's why he, hiding in Taiyuan, was able to pick up the big bargain!"

  "Why didn't I think of switching to a stronger leg? Whether it was Wang Shichong, Li Mi or Dou Jiande, they all had the ability and opportunity to win the world. Even Emperor Yang of Sui might not have been able to keep his throne if I had helped them, and they might not have lost to Li Yuan! If I had the chance and luck, I could even lead my own army and compete with Li Yuan for the throne!"

  "Li Yuan, I and Chai's family matter, you'd better not intervene. If you dare to intervene, I'll make you regret having Chai Shao as a son-in-law!"

  Having figured this out, Chen Yingliang, who had been extremely disheartened, suddenly became spirited again. Just then, Old Man Chen came in and called Chen Yingliang to the main room for dinner. Chen Yingliang immediately jumped up from bed and strode quickly out of the door with light footsteps.

  The meal was still very simple, with only a small dish of pickled vegetables and a bowl of mutton soup for Chen Yingliang to nourish his body. Although Chen Lao San firmly declined, Chen Yingliang insisted on dividing the mutton soup in half with him. Moved by this, Chen Yingliang finally understood many things. Just then, Chen Lao San suddenly remembered something important and stopped eating, saying: "Young master, today I was so worried about you that I forgot an important matter - our family's engagement token with the Chai family has not been returned yet."

  "What's a betrothal gift? What kind of betrothal gift?" Chen Yingliang hadn't paid attention to this memory.

  "That was the year our family's Old Master and Chai Old Master arranged for you and Third Sister Chai to be engaged." Chen Lao San explained: "I heard from Madame that what Old Master gave to the Chai family was a gold hairpin inlaid with jadeite, which Old Master had made by skilled craftsmen back then. The jadeite alone cost our family several dozen taels of silver. What Chai Old Master gave you was a jade pendant taken off his own body, said to be one of Chai Old Master's treasured possessions and an heirloom."

  "Where is the jade pendant? How much is it worth?" Chen Yingliang hastily asked.

  "Master, why are you asking me?" Chen Lao San replied with a bitter smile: "When Madam passed away, she personally handed that jade pendant to you and told you to take good care of it. At the age of 18, you were supposed to bring the jade pendant to the Chai family to propose marriage. Afterwards, the jade pendant was always hidden by you, how would I know where you put it?"

  "Is that so?" Chen Yingliang carefully searched the memories of his predecessor's body and found a very precious and exquisite jade pendant, but for the time being, he couldn't remember where it was hidden. He said: "There is indeed this jade pendant, and I'm sure it hasn't been lost. I just can't think of where I hid it for the moment. But it doesn't matter, anyway, it's in this house. I'll take my time to think about it, and at the same time, wait for news from the Chai family. If they want to get back their ancestral heirloom, we can exchange it with our golden hairpin. If they don't want it anymore, then we won't need to exchange either. Even if we lose some money, it's not a big deal. I'm too lazy to argue with the Chai family."

  Chen Lao San also knew that Chen Ying Liang's memory was a bit confused after hanging himself, so he just urged him to find the jade pendant as soon as possible, lest the Chai family come again and be at a loss. The poor and desperate Chen Ying Liang nodded in agreement, but in his heart, he began to think about how to sell the jade pendant for a good price, to get the first start-up capital for himself.

  "The gate wasn't even locked, and this wicked neighbor just barged in. Don't mind him, Brother Yingliang." The sound of Qiao Song's laughter came from outside the door, followed by Qiao Song himself striding in, his right arm cradling a wine jar and his left hand holding a small wine bottle.

  Chen Yingliang and Chen Laosan hastily gave up their seats and invited Qiao Song to join them for dinner. Qiao Song didn't decline, directly sitting down across from Chen Yingliang, first placing the wine jug on the table, then taking out a lotus leaf package from his bosom and putting it on the table, smiling: "I've already eaten, let's have a few cups with Brother Yingliang. I brought my own dishes, braised meat and thin wine. Just prepare a pair of chopsticks and a bowl for me."

  Saying that, Qiao Songzi handed the small wine bottle to Chen Yingliang and smiled: "Qinling's good doctor Sun Simiao's fall wine, when Bai Tianchai kicked you in the chest with one foot, it wasn't light. Apply it to the bruise to prevent leaving a hidden disease."

  Chai Shaona's kick was indeed not light, leaving a large purple bruise on Chen Yingliang's chest, which still hurts to this day. However, Chen Yingliang didn't mention it because he didn't want Old Man Chen to worry. Moreover, Chen Yingliang didn't expect his good neighbor Qiao Song to notice such details. With heartfelt gratitude, Chen Yingliang quickly got up and bowed his hands in thanks, "Brother Qiao, I won't say much more. If there's an opportunity, I will surely repay your kindness today."

  "It's nothing, after all we're destined to be neighbors." Qiao Songzi magnanimously waved his hand and invited Chen Yingliang to sit down. "A little neighborly courtesy doesn't require any repayment."

  As they spoke, Old Chen had already brought over the bowls and chopsticks. Qiao Song Gongzi didn't stand on ceremony and personally poured himself a drink, then poured another bowl for Chen Yingliang. He raised his cup and said: "Brother Yingliang, this cup of wine is my humble offering to you, in respect of your unyielding iron will, your bravery that cannot be swayed by wealth or luxury, and also in respect of your exceptional talent, your eloquence that flows like a river. It's the great fortune of my life to have met a young hero and young scholar such as yourself."

  "Brother, you're overpraising me, I'm ashamed to accept it." Chen Yingliang hastily raised his wine cup and said a heartfelt sentence on the wine table, "Brother, this cup of wine should be mine to toast you. You helped my family in times of trouble, sent charcoal in the snow, didn't fear the powerful, and still dared to argue with reason when facing the nobles. Great kindness doesn't need thanks, I have no way to repay it. Today, using the wine you brought, I'll toast you a cup."

  "It's just a small effort, no need to thank me." Qiao Song Gongzi also humbled himself with a sentence, then clinked his wine bowl with Chen Yingliang and laughed: "Let's not say the usual phrases, let's drink!"

  Chen Yingliang nodded vigorously, and together with Qiao Songzi, they drained the thin wine in their bowls, then put down their bowls and looked at each other, bursting into loud laughter. They both felt that they had hit it off immediately, as if they were old friends.

  After drinking three big bowls of wine, the sky had gradually darkened. Chen Lao San felt around to light a lamp, but the Chen family was so poor that they relied on others for food, where could they find oil to light a lamp? Qiao Song Gongzi heard Chen Lao San's trembling explanation and burst out laughing, saying: "Third Uncle, today the moonlight is very bright, what need is there to light lamps? Just open the door and you can go about your business. I have a few words to say to Ying Liang Brother alone."

  Chen Lao San wiped away tears and replied, opening the door to go downstairs to attend to household chores. It was only then that Qiao Song Gong Zi curiously asked: "Younger brother, there's something that makes me curious - why did you suddenly think of asking me about Tang Gong Li Yuan's situation today? Does your family have some connection with Tang Gong? Are you thinking of inviting Tang Gong to intervene and teach Chi Shao a lesson for his arrogant behavior in forcing the cancellation of the marriage?"

  "Of course not." Although he had already given up on the idea of going to join Li Yuan, Chen Yingliang couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh, and then spoke truthfully: "Not hiding it from you, brother, I was thinking of joining the army, seeking a way to advance myself, looking for an opportunity to stand out, just didn't expect... alas..."

  "Join the army?" Qiao Song was quite surprised by Chen Yingliang's answer and asked in confusion, "How could you think of joining the army? I've also heard about your family background, although it has declined somewhat, but it's still considered a prestigious family. How could you suddenly think of becoming a soldier and eating imperial rations?"

  "Joining the army is bitter and also dangerous, but there are also the most opportunities." Chen Yingliang replied calmly: "In chaotic times heroes emerge, now today bandits rise in all directions, already showing signs of great chaos, it's exactly the time for heroes to take action. That's why I thought of joining the army to make a name and find a place to settle down, also to revive our declining family business."

  "Has the world already revealed the signs of great chaos?" Qiao Song Gongzi looked at Chen Yingliang, took another sip of wine, and then said: "Brother, you say that the world has already revealed the signs of great chaos. Is this statement not an exaggeration? Indeed, within a short span of two months, there have been several disturbances in the Qi and Lu regions. Rebels such as Meng Haigong, Meng Rang, Guo Fangyu, and Hao Xiaode have gathered their forces to create chaos. Additionally, at the beginning of the year, the slave rebel Bai Yusha rose up in Lingwu, while the Clear River bandit Gao Shida and the Dongguan bandits from Vagang still remain undefeated. These can be considered as minor troubles that can be easily eliminated with a mere wave of the hand. Why do you say that the world has already revealed the signs of great chaos?"

  "Elder brother, the root of the great chaos in the world does not lie with these rebels, but with the Emperor himself."

  The ignorant Chen Yingliang's words shocked Qiao Songzi so much that he almost jumped up, but in the dark room without a lamp, it was impossible to see Qiao Songzi's tense and fearful expression. So Chen Yingliang continued: "Today's emperor is indeed a great ruler, who excavated the Grand Canal connecting the south and north, strengthened the connection between the south and north, resisted the invasion of the Turks, protected our Huaxia people, and repeatedly attacked Goguryeo, sparing no cost to destroy the barbarian state of Goguryeo, eliminating the hidden danger in the northeast. These great achievements will be recorded in history forever and benefit future generations."

  However, the emperor was too impatient. He only thought about leaving a good reputation for generations to come, but forgot about the burden on the people. Chen Yingliang said: "Originally, it would take 50 years to complete this project, but the emperor insisted on completing it within 5 years. These magnificent achievements require collecting taxes and grain from the people to be completed. The taxes that should have been collected over 50 years were all collected from the people within 5 years. How can the people bear it?"

  "So, I think that if the Emperor continues to be so impatient and eager for quick results, these seemingly insignificant rebels will never be completely eliminated, but instead will be like pressing down on a gourd only to have it float back up again. The more they are suppressed, the more numerous they will become, and the more chaotic the world will become. In the end, what was originally just a minor skin condition will turn into a serious internal disease, and may even become the grave digger of our great Sui dynasty..."

  What Chen Yingliang said, of course, is the evaluation of Emperor Yang of Sui by later generations, which is not surprising at all in later generations. However, in the ninth year of Daye, in the capital city of Daxing City, there was only one person who dared to say this, and that was Chen Yingliang, a young man who had just arrived from modern society for two days. As a result, Chen Yingliang dared to speak out, but Qiao Song Gongzi didn't dare to listen anymore, and he quickly made gestures to Chen Yingliang, saying in a low voice: "Brother, that's enough, that's enough, don't say any more. Such words cannot be spoken casually, brother, when you go outside, you must not speak so bluntly, otherwise, beware of danger to your life."

  De Zong Gongzi's reminder, Chen Yingliang suddenly remembered the ancient speech control and realized that his words were a bit adventurous. He also hurriedly shut up and awkwardly smiled: "Brother, don't mind, these words are just dare to say in front of you, outside, I absolutely dare not talk nonsense."

  "Brother, you dare to say it, but I don't even dare to listen." Qiao Songzi smiled wryly and reminded him, "Brother, since these words have come out of your mouth and into my ears today, no one else will know about them. But once we're outside, brother, please be careful not to speak so bluntly again, lest trouble comes from your own mouth."

  Chen Yingliang also knew that Qiao Song was doing it for his own good, so he readily agreed. Only then did Qiao Song slightly put down his guard and carefully reconsider Chen Yingliang's previous remarks. However, Qiao Song soon discovered that Chen Yingliang's words were indeed very reasonable. The several major events done by the current emperor actually had a good starting point, but they were too eager for quick success and too impatient to achieve results, which led to the current situation of widespread uprisings.

  Qiao Song was amazed at Chen Yingliang's insight and couldn't help but continue to probe, saying: "Young brother, there's a topic we can discuss further. You just said that the Emperor's conquest of Goguryeo is a great achievement, eliminating the hidden danger in the northeast of China. However, Goguryeo has already surrendered to our Great Sui Dynasty. During the reign of the previous emperor, the King of Goguryeo even referred to himself as 'Your humble servant' and offered tribute to our Great Sui Dynasty. Why do you still insist on calling them a hidden danger in the northeast?"

  Qiao Song didn't raise his voice, but as soon as he mentioned the Goryeo stick, Chen Yingliang's belly was filled with fire. During the late Qing dynasty, a southerner had lost his wallet and reported it to the authorities, but he couldn't provide enough clues to solve the case, and even forgot where and when he lost his wallet, making it difficult for Chen Yingliang's subordinates to crack the case. As a result, the southerner was unhappy and cited an example of a late Qing dynasty detective who had found a carriage for Japanese pirates, demanding that Chen Yingliang's subordinates solve the case immediately. At the same time, he went to Chen Yingliang's superior and made a big fuss, causing Chen Yingliang, who was trying to make a breakthrough in his career as deputy director, to lose all his previous efforts. From then on, Chen Yingliang hated the stick even more than he hated the Japanese pirates.

  In a rage, Chen Yingliang turned his back on the famous ancient saying circulating online and loudly said: "Those Koreans are inferior barbarians, not worthy of benevolence and righteousness, cannot be held to normal etiquette, since ancient times they have been treated as fish and turtles, even if killing tens of thousands of people a day, it's not shameful!"