Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 120: Mistakes Made by Wine and Women
Most of the military officers in Longwu were meritorious officials of the Tang and Yuan dynasties. Their comfort zone was mainly concentrated in the Northern Office. After leaving the Northern Office, their connections and power would be greatly reduced.

Given Zhang Rongchong's background, the fact that he still wanted to take the imperial examinations in hopes of securing a better future clearly indicates that his elders wanted to take advantage of their current wealth and status to pursue diversified development for the family.

He had originally intended to lighten the mood by bringing up the topic of the prefectural examination, but he hadn't expected to bring up the feud between the two prime ministers' grandsons. Naturally, he didn't dare to say much and stood there, unsure of how to respond.

“The study of calligraphy is truly inspiring. Scholar Zhang is as timid as a chicken and dares not speak. He has truly disgraced the reputation of the men of the North Gate!”

Wang Shouzhen disliked Zhang Rongchong, who had different interests, but he had brought him along to make a good impression when he met Zhang Dai today. Seeing Zhang Rongchong's behavior, he was immediately displeased and grabbed an object from the table to smash it at Zhang Rongchong while shouting insults.

Although Zhang Dai didn't lose face as much as Gao Chengxin had before, he was still somewhat annoyed when he heard this. He realized that this guy was not only eccentric but also had a lot of pure foul mouth.

Well, this kind of person, who suddenly becomes wealthy and powerful, fears that he won't be able to use his power indefinitely, so he likes to offend others to show off his prestige. It's not that he doesn't know how to deal with people, nor is he lacking in emotional intelligence; he just enjoys the thrill of offending others and seeing them helpless.

Zhang Rongchong blushed with embarrassment and was even more speechless. The laughter of Wang Shouzhen and his companions from the Northern Army echoed throughout the pavilion.

"Gentlemen, you are all of high status and busy with many affairs. It is a rare occasion for you to gather together today. Why don't we settle these matters first, and then enjoy our games and celebrations?"

Wang Yuanbao stood by, feeling somewhat apprehensive, as he was well aware of Wang Shouzhen's eccentric temperament.

This young master is no pushover either. He witnessed firsthand how Wei Jian offended him and was subsequently exiled. No matter how powerful Wang Maozhong is, he probably can't compare to the Wei family of Jingzhao.

"You don't need to arrange anything!"

Wang Shouzhen arrived late and wasn't in a hurry to talk business. He pointed to Gao Chengxin, the host, and said with a smile, "I heard that Gong Wuniang, who was under the tutelage of Gongsun Da Niang, has been taken into Gao Jian's household. It's a real pity that we can no longer admire her beautiful sword dance in the brothels!"

"My wife, Gong, is now in charge of household affairs, and has not touched a sword in a long time. She has become rusty in a day and then in a few days, and has been neglecting her skills until now, becoming just an ordinary person. Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness, but it is a pity that I can no longer perform."

Gao Chengxin frowned, controlling his emotions and voice, and looked at Wang Shouzhen as he answered.

Wang Shouzhen persisted, laughing and saying, "Even if you have no dancing skills to offer, Gong Wuniang's voice and beauty are unparalleled. Usually, the hall is full of guests, and every seat is taken. But now, the eunuch is busy with palace affairs and probably won't have time to keep you company for long. Aren't you lonely, Madam?"

"Wang Shouzhen, how dare you!"

Even with his excellent self-control, Gao Chengxin couldn't help but be enraged by Wang Shouzhen's repeated provocations. He slammed his hand on the table, rolled up his sleeves, and shouted angrily, "Come here! I know you Northern Gate slaves love to boast about your bravery. Today I will wrestle with you in the hall. If you win, I will bow my head and remain silent; if I win, you must kowtow and beg for forgiveness!"

Seeing this, Zhang Dai was also greatly surprised. He had thought that the conflict between the Northern Office and the eunuchs was still hidden under the suppression of imperial power, but he did not expect that it had already reached the point of cursing each other to their faces and fighting each other at the drop of a hat.

No wonder that when Gao Lishi heard that he was going to do business with Wang Yuanbao, he immediately asked him to help him snatch the flying money. Their relationship had already deteriorated to this point, so seeing the other party get rich was indeed more painful than losing money himself.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shouzhen chuckled and stood up, tearing off his outer robe to reveal only a brocade half-sleeved garment underneath, before leaping into the arena.

Just as Zhang Dai was looking forward to a fierce and evenly matched battle, he saw Gao Chengxin leap forward with agility, his long arms outstretched, and with the speed of a monkey, he threw Wang Shouzhen away with a clean and decisive slam.

"Gao Shiliu's skills are quite impressive. I was misled by wine and women, and I have lost today!"

After being thrown to the ground, Wang Shouzhen struggled to get up for a long time. With the help of her companions, she finally managed to sit up against a pillar and simply gave up.

Zhang Dai was dumbfounded when he heard this. He thought Wang Shouzhen was going to play dumb and prepare a big move, but he admitted defeat instead. He was speechless for a moment. If you knew you were no match for him, why did you do that stupid thing just now? Didn't it hurt when you fell?

"Kneel down and apologize!"

Before Gao Chengxin could even get his clothes in disarray, he had already sent Wang Shouzhen sprawling face-first into the dirt. Even if Wang Shouzhen wasn't particularly skilled, she was still a man of over a hundred pounds, and she was no match for him in a single blow. This showed that the eunuch was truly something else, incredibly fierce, no wonder he was admired by Gao Lishi.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shouzhen sneered, stretched out his legs and sat cross-legged on the spot, spreading his arms and saying, "Where did Gong Wuniang hide the bewitching potion to knock you out? I'll kneel down, can you take that?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Chengxin flew into a rage again and raised his fist to charge forward. However, Wang Shouzhen's followers drew their swords one by one, preventing him from getting any closer, which suddenly made the atmosphere in the pavilion tense and deadly.

An Xiaochen grabbed Zhang Dai, who was sitting at the table watching the play, and pulled him up, retreating towards the stairwell. One of Wang Shouzhen's attendants was guarding there, but An Xiaochen kicked him over and sent Zhang Dai into the stairwell, while he himself stayed behind to cover their retreat. "Zhang Lang, don't panic, things aren't going well!"

Wang Shouzhen, supporting his aching back, stood up, clearly having suffered a severe fall. Now, with a smug look of complete control, he pointed at Gao Chengxin and said, "Take your men and get out of here. I won't hold this against you today. Otherwise, if General Gao sends his servants to kill me, this matter will not be over!"

"You want to monopolize this business?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Chengxin immediately understood why Wang Shouzhen had been provoking him ever since he joined the business; it turned out that Wang had never intended to run the business together.

"Don't talk nonsense! This matter was planned by Zhang Lang, presented to Consort Hui, and my cousin Wang Er used money and effort to accomplish it. What good will it do for you eunuchs to force your way in?"

Wang Shouzhen then resorted to his shameless act, glaring at Gao Chengxin and shouting, "I am a fine man with all my limbs intact. I have already forgiven you and let you go after you beat me here. That is enough to explain to the Bohai Kingdom. If you continue to cause trouble, you will only bring trouble upon yourself!"

"You scoundrel, this was agreed upon long ago, and you're going back on your word..."

Gao Chengxin glared and cursed again, while Wang Shouzhen sneered, "Who made a pact with you?"

"I!"

Zhang Dai, who was already standing at the top of the stairs, shouted, "Damn it, I've been annoyed with you, you pretentious bastard, for a while now. Do you think I can't breathe?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Shouzhen's expression changed, and he frowned and said in a deep voice, "Didn't you understand, Zhang Lang? I only said that the eunuchs are of no use and should be dismissed, but Consort Hui will definitely give us a satisfactory explanation!"

With swords flashing and shadows looming upstairs, Zhang Dai dared not peek out. Under An Xiaochen's protection, he continued, "It must be that the Crown Prince's servants had some unresolved matters, which is why this happened. They offered their advice to help him because of the recent national mourning for Emperor Huiwen and the many household affairs he was dealing with."

"Furthermore, I am deeply grateful to Consort Hui and the Duke of Bohai for their support and protection of the younger generation, and therefore I present this as a token of my gratitude. To facilitate our actions, I have brought Wang Er into this matter. Now, the Crown Prince's servant wishes to go against my original intentions and fail to distinguish right from wrong; is this acceptable?"

I did this to repay a debt of gratitude, and I made these dumplings for this little bit of vinegar. And you want to spill my vinegar and still expect me to keep eating dumplings with you?
"Does Zhang Lang truly not wish to get along with me peacefully?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shouzhen's face immediately darkened again.

Zhang Dai, no longer giving him face, replied directly: "I met the Crown Prince's servant by chance, strangers in this world. We have no prior connection or ties, and are not related by blood. If we can work together amicably, we can get along well. If we don't see eye to eye, our interests are incompatible!"

He didn't necessarily want to stand with Gao Lishi and other eunuchs, but the key issue was that they made such an ugly scene from the beginning. How could there be any basis for mutual trust and cooperation in the future?
Moreover, the emperor already knows this matter clearly. If he were to be forced by Wang Maozhong's tyranny to abandon Gao Lishi's side, it would directly damage his own public image.

He finally managed to establish an image of gratitude and loyalty, and he even planned to dig a big pit for the emperor in the future. How could he agree to ruin his image?
"Zhang Lang's generosity and righteousness are truly admirable! Today's matter is a dispute between us eunuchs and the servants at the North Gate, and we should not implicate Zhang Lang. These servants are audacious and reckless; Zhang Lang, please leave quickly and do not linger. We will come to your door to express our gratitude another day!"

Inside the pavilion, Gao Chengxin, who was surrounded by Wang Shouzhen's entourage with knives, showed gratitude upon hearing Zhang Dai's words and then spoke loudly.

Even if he didn't say anything, Zhang Dai was going to leave anyway. Making his stance clear was his duty. But rushing in to help and risk his life together would be crazy!
He has made it very clear that this matter is about repaying a debt of gratitude, not about aligning himself with the eunuchs or standing against the Northern Court. Wang Shouzhen is confused, but Wang Maozhong, such a high-ranking official, should be clear-headed. If he continues to make trouble, it will only cause Consort Hui behind him to also align herself with the eunuchs.

"Since the matter has not been accomplished, there is no point in staying any longer. I must now enter the palace to report to Consort Hui. Both of you are the Emperor's henchmen and confidants. If you truly fight to the death here, I will be unable to stop you. Farewell!"

After saying this, he hurried downstairs.

The emperor actually distributed the palace affairs and guards quite evenly. Although the Northern Guard was in charge of the security of the inner palace, the personnel entering and leaving the palace were controlled by the eunuchs.

The chief eunuchs, such as Gao Lishi and Li Jingren, served as the Left and Right Imperial Guards Generals, and this was their responsibility. Therefore, even if Zhang Dai offended the Northern Army, he could still enter and leave the palace without restriction.

Wang Shouzhen was still annoyed that Zhang Dai had disrespected him and was thinking about how to threaten or intimidate him. However, he did not expect that although Zhang Dai spoke firmly and had a tough attitude, he ran just as decisively, swiftly, and gracefully.

While he was still in a daze, Zhang Dai had already run out of the pavilion and headed towards the gate of the mansion with his entourage.

This inevitably made him panic, fearing that if things didn't go well, Zhang Dai would cause trouble before the Emperor again. He hurriedly shouted, "Zhang Lang, wait! Zhang Lang, wait! Things can be calmed down, we can discuss it! Quickly, quickly, put away your swords and persuade Zhang Lang to back down!"

(End of this chapter)