Chapter 41: Yue Fei Pays His Respects to Zong Ze

  As everyone followed Jiang Zhen's boss to the door, Jiang Zhen ordered his men to move the luggage of the brothers upstairs and led the horses to the back stable. He personally took Yue Fei and others to a luxurious room, busily pouring tea and water.

  "Brother Jiang, how many days have you been in the capital? Do you know where Zong Ze's yamen is?" Yue Fei asked after sitting down.

  "Who doesn't know the yamen of Zongliu Shou, who isn't aware? From here, going north along the main road for four or five li will get you there. The sign at the entrance is quite eye-catching and easy to recognize." said Jiang Zhenzi.

  "I don't know if he is still in the government office at this time. I have a letter that I want to hand over to him personally." Yue Fei said.

  "Zong Lao Ye is an extraordinary figure, he was appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Imperial Guard, left to guard the capital, on horseback commanding the army, and on foot governing the people. He spends at least twelve hours a day in the government office, I reckon he's already returned by now. Master Yue, it's getting late, why not go tomorrow instead?" Jiang Zhenzi said.

  "Thank you." Yue Fei said with a polite bow.

  After days of traveling, they ate dinner and went to bed early that night, a silent night.

  The next morning, Yue Fei took Liu's letter and went downstairs.

  All brothers also woke up early and saw Yue Fei preparing to go out. They asked, "Big brother is going where? Take us brothers along too!"

  "Brothers, you don't know that when we met Liu Duanyu in Xiangzhou, he entrusted me to personally deliver a letter to Zong Ze, who is a prominent figure in the imperial court and extremely busy with official duties. It's not easy for anyone to see him casually. Let my foolish brother go first and deliver the letter, test the waters. If Zong Ze agrees to meet us after reading the letter, it won't be too late for us to go then. I think that in the future, if we brothers want to make a name for ourselves, we must rely on Zong Ze." said Yue Fei.

  "Big brother, since you are doing this for the sake of our brothers, why can't we accompany you together? If Zong Liushou is a greedy and cruel official, it would be useless to ask him for help. But if he is a good and honest official, he will surely be even more delighted to see all of us going to pay our respects to him," said Niu Gao.

  Yue Fei listened and hastily said, "Absolutely not allowed. The guards at the gate are not ordinary people, it's not a vegetable market. If you speak carelessly for a moment and cause trouble, won't that implicate me?"

  "Big brother, don't worry, we won't go in. We'll just wait for you outside the yamen. I promise you, we absolutely won't cause any trouble. If someone intentionally makes things difficult, I won't fight back or retort," said Niu Gao.

  "Big brother, let's go! We'll keep an eye on each other and won't cause you any trouble. Once we arrive in the capital, we don't know which direction the gate of the Imperial City is facing, so today we'll first go take a look around, and if there's anything that happens later, it will be easier to find our way." Wang Gui said.

  "You two are so restless. Since you want to go, let's all go together! Remember: don't make any trouble. Be mindful of what you say and do." Yue Fei cautioned.

  "Don't worry, big brother, we will definitely follow your arrangement." The four of them said.

  The brothers locked the door and went downstairs, where Jiang Zhen was waiting for them.

  "Uncle Yue, are you going to the Liushou Gate? It's still early! Let's have breakfast first and then go," said Jiang Zhen.

  "We don't know the way, let's go early to avoid missing the time. Please take care of the gate at home, we'll be back soon." Yue Fei said.

  "That's good, I'll have some thin wine prepared in the shop to entertain you gentlemen, and I hope you will be satisfied when you leave." Jiang Zhenzi said.

  "Thank you, boss, for your kindness, I'm leaving now." Yue Dage said and led the brothers out of the inn.

  They walked all the way, and the brothers saw the colorful billboards on both sides of the street, feeling novel everywhere.

  It's still early, and there aren't many people on the streets. The shops have opened their doors to welcome a new day.

  The brothers walked slowly and arrived at the Lu Shou Gate after half a time.

  The official residences in the capital are indeed majestic and magnificent, with an extraordinary style.

  The two stone lions in front of the gate symbolize the official rank and power of the yamen, and the guards at the gate are also vigorous.

  Yue Fei instructed his brothers to sit in the teahouse across from the government office and have some early tea, while he himself tidied up his attire and walked towards the government office with a dignified air.

  Yue Fei arrived at the entrance and, with a polite bow to the guard, asked: "Excuse me, sir, is the old master in?"

  "Who are you? What brings you to see the Grand Master?" The military officer saw that Yue Fei was dignified and majestic, his words elegant and refined. He thought this man was not a trivial person, so he asked questions in a refined manner as well.

  "In the lower Xiangzhou, there is a man from Tangyin named Yue Fei, also known as Pengju. He has been sent by Liu Du of Xiangzhou to deliver a letter, and he requests that it be handed over personally to Zong Liugong."

  "Oh, I see. Brother, you wait for a moment, Zong Liushou will enter the palace to pay respects to the Emperor at the fifth watch, it should be time for him to come to the yamen to hold court and handle the case." The military officer said with a harmonious tone.

  "Thank you, General. I have a few more brothers waiting at the teahouse, if you're willing to join us, let's go have a cup of tea together?" Yue Fei said.

  "No need, during the shift time, you are not allowed to leave your post casually. This is a rule set by the master of the house. Those who violate it will be punished with 20 or 80 lashes and expelled from the yamen." said Jun Ye.

  Yue Fei understood the rules of the imperial court and the government office, so he didn't force it anymore.

  Bid farewell to Jun Ye, Yue Fei returned to the teahouse and told his brothers about this matter. His brothers could only drink tea, chat and wait after hearing it.

  After a while, people on both sides of the road stood still, and in the middle, a large sedan chair with eight bearers came slowly, surrounded by many military officers. "Master Zong is returning to the yamen, truly majestic." said a tea customer.

  "Of course, he is the emperor's right-hand man, the backbone of the imperial court, and the safety of the capital depends on him alone." Another tea customer said.

  Yue Fei was too preoccupied to listen to the tea guest's idle chatter, so he stood aside with his brothers and watched until Master Zong arrived at the yamen and got out of his sedan chair.

  "Big brother, shall we go in?" Zhang Xian asked.

  "Wait a minute," said Yue Fei.

  Before long, three loud drumbeats sounded, and the yamen runners and military officers on both sides shouted in unison, making a majestic and heroic scene.

  Zongliu Shou sat on the public hall, handling cases, and he presented all the documents for review. Suddenly, he saw a document written by Liu Douyuan of Xiangzhou, which mentioned Yue Fei and other small heroes, especially praising Yue Fei.

  "General Flag, if General Yue Fei of Tangyin County arrives, you can let him in directly without reporting to me," said Zong Liushou.

  "Old sir, Yue Fei arrived early this morning and should be waiting outside the government office right now. I think this Yue Fei has a majestic appearance and speaks with elegance, he can't be an ordinary person." said the military officer who had dealt with Yue Fei before.

  "Hurry up and let him in." Zong Liushou said impatiently.

  The flag officer responded with a sound and walked out, after a moment, Yue Fei arrived at the main hall.

  "Tang Yin Wu Sheng Yue Fei visits the Lord of the Guard." YUE FEI made a kneeling bow, showing respect.

  "Yue Fei, no need for more courtesy, rise and speak." Zong Liugu said with a gesture.

  Yue Fei stood up and glanced at Zong Ze, but saw that Zong Ze was tall and majestic, with a stern face and piercing eyes, his voice like a bell.

  "Sir, when Yue Fei bid farewell to Liu Du at Xiangzhou, Liu Du entrusted me with a letter for you. Please take a look."

  Yue Fei said politely and handed the letter up.

  Zongliu Shou was carefully sizing up the young man in front of him, who was highly esteemed by Liu Du Yuan. He thought to himself: "Is this Yue Fei a rich young master who has given Liu Du Yuan many benefits in order to obtain an official position? Why does Liu Du Yuan praise him so much? Let me try to probe him."

  Yue Fei presented the letter, and Zong Liugong slowly came back to his senses, took the letter, opened it carefully, and looked at it. It was still full of praise and admiration for Yue Fei, as well as entrusting him to help and support him in the capital city.

  "Yue Fei, you have a big nerve! You actually bribed the officials of the imperial court. Tell me, how much silver did you spend to buy off Liu Duanyu? Quickly confess the truth. If there is even half a word of falsehood, severe punishment awaits." Suddenly, Zong Liugong slammed his hand on the table and shouted loudly.

  The bailiffs stood on both sides and shouted loudly.

  All brothers waiting outside, suddenly heard the shouting voice inside, and were startled in their hearts.

  "This is terrible, Big Brother must have gotten into trouble inside. I'll rush in and rescue him." Niu Gao said anxiously.

  "Niú Gāo, have you forgotten what your elder brother entrusted to you? This is the imperial guard, under the emperor's feet. How can you be so reckless? Don't act rashly for now, let's observe the situation first." Tang Huai said.

  The four brothers had no choice but to stand outside and wait for news temporarily.