Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 362 Avoiding Indulgence in Pleasure
At the construction site in Pingkangfang, the workers were still working hard. The rammed earth and pile foundations for the main hall of the mansion had been completed, and the main hall could be officially built once the brick and stone materials arrived. The workers were not idle either, and had begun to dig the foundations for other houses.

"Why waste money hiring laborers when you want to build a new house? The hundred or so men who accompanied us to the capital this time are not only skilled in boating and driving, but also in farming, sericulture, and construction in the countryside. Bring them into the city to work together, and we will surely be able to build a great house for you before you leave the capital!"

Upon learning that the mansion under construction was Zhang Dai's villa in the capital, Nan Jiyun immediately spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai pointed to the workers in the field and said with a smile, "These workers are not just rammed earth craftsmen from the capital. They are also veterans of the Long March who guarded the border in Longyou. They have returned home to rest and recuperate and have some spare time that they have come here to earn some wages to supplement their family income."

"They are actually brave soldiers guarding the border!"

Upon hearing this, Nan Jiyun's expression immediately turned serious, and he sighed, saying, "I too once aspired to join the army, hoping to kill the enemy on the frontier and make a name for myself. However, as more and more people have come to rely on me for food along the river, it's hard to abandon them..."

"There's no need to be discouraged. Once the fleet is on track in a few years and you no longer need to keep an eye on it day and night, Nanba, I'll introduce you to any service you'd like."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai laughed and said, "In a few years, I may also go to the border to gain experience and kill the barbarians. A true man who does not drink the blood of the enemy will have wasted his life!"

He wasn't just saying this offhand; he genuinely had such a plan in mind. His grandfather was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and the family had a large collection of military books. In recent years, he had been studying them extensively. To avoid being misled by theoretical discussions and harming himself and others, he planned to go to the border regions and gain experience in the military.

"Since the Lord has such aspirations, why should I seek elsewhere? I will simply wait for the Lord to be born, and then I will personally lead and follow him, serving under his banner!"

Upon hearing this, Nan Jiyun's face lit up with joy, his eyes gleaming, and he was filled with anticipation for his future military career.

Zhang Dai didn't want to go to the construction site to take a closer look, but when he turned his gaze, he saw a familiar figure there. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately waved his hand and instructed Ding Qing, "You lead everyone to the brothel first. I will be there shortly."

After the group headed north first, Zhang Dai hurried towards the construction site, waving back to the workers' laughter and greetings as he went. He soon arrived at the small lake in front of the foundation of the main hall of the house.

Several male and female servants stood by the small lake, and the one they were guarding was none other than the Princess of Yunyang County.

The county princess was not wearing a Taoist robe today, but dressed in brocade men's clothing. When she saw Zhang Dai walking in, she waved to him and said, "I passed by here again today and saw that your villa has started construction. I came in to take a look. The construction is progressing quite well. I think we can move in this house this year."

"It was also thanks to the capable Supervisor Chen recommended by the county magistrate that things progressed so smoothly. He not only meticulously planned my residence but also enthusiastically introduced these skilled and diligent craftsmen."

Zhang Dai approached, bowed to the Princess of Yunyang with his hands clasped, and said with a smile, "I plan to visit the Prince's residence again another day to thank the Princess in person."

Upon hearing this, the county magistrate chuckled and said, "It was I who couldn't contain myself and took the initiative to ask for thanks! Chen Dong was a former colleague of mine. He is diligent and capable in his work. I didn't know how he was doing when I visited him earlier this year, and I only found out that he was not doing well. So I introduced him to you, my brother. If he really helps, please don't be stingy with the reward!"

"Of course! With the county magistrate's request, how could I dare to be stingy! Moreover, the central hall designed by Supervisor Chen perfectly suits my needs, and I will certainly reward him handsomely after its completion!"

Zhang Dai nodded and pointed to the foundation of the central hall.

Upon hearing their conversation, Chen Dong, who was standing nearby, immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, and thank you for your appreciation, Zhang Xielu! I have no outstanding talents, only this little skill in rammed earth construction. Now that I have been retained, I will certainly do my best to complete this task! However, I am unworthy of Zhang Xielu's praise. This painting of the Moon Hall is not my work, but rather Your Highness's own work..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai looked at the county princess with surprise. They had known each other for quite some time, but he hadn't expected her to have such a talent.

Princess Yunyang avoided Zhang Dai's gaze and looked away, her delicate cheeks flushing slightly. After maintaining this posture for a while, she glanced to the side and saw that Zhang Dai was still watching her, so she couldn't help but frown slightly.

“Not everyone in the world is as favored by the emperor and burdened with many affairs as you, my brother. I do have a lot of free time and enjoy doing some odd jobs. Recently, I have been thinking about tidying up a small garden, and I just happened to come across this matter, so I will use it as practice. Since you are pleased, there is no need for further words.”

The county princess was unusually reserved and serious, her pretty face tense as she spoke earnestly. After a moment, her gaze shifted, looking in the direction Ding Qing and the others had gone, before turning back to Zhang Dai and saying, "Brother, you've come to the ward not just to inspect the construction site, have you?"

This time, Zhang Dai was a little embarrassed. He had previously boasted that he was not interested in such pleasures, but unexpectedly, he was caught red-handed on the way to a brothel.

He chuckled dryly and said, "The group of people from the Eastern Capital came to the capital to report on their affairs. After the matter was settled, they all said they wanted to appreciate the splendor of the Western Capital. The splendor of a place depends on the people. Although I am not good at handling affairs, I am considerate of their hard work and travel, so I made some arrangements."

"Who in this world doesn't appreciate the pleasures of life? I know my father and brothers well, so your words are dishonest and an attempt to whitewash your innocence. Of course, I have no right to criticize you, but we are old friends, so I'm offering you some good advice. If it doesn't suit your taste, I'll simply let it pass without a trace, and we won't have to be cold to each other next time we meet."

The Princess of Yunyang remained serious, her beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Dai as she continued, "Lust, if kept in moderation, cannot be called lewdness. Once things are out of control, there is no distinction between good and bad; it is merely self-indulgence, which will eventually obscure one's wisdom."

My dear brother, your talent is exceptional, and your demeanor refined; you are greatly favored by both heaven and man. Whether you wish to do good or evil, many will be willing to help you. Therefore, you must be especially discerning and self-disciplined. Avoid indulging in idleness and excessive pleasure. Occasionally engaging in play may be beneficial to your mind and body, and there is no need to be ashamed to discuss it with others. However, if this leads to a loss of sincerity with your friends, that is even more unnecessary.

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Dai became even more flustered and shy, like a husband who had secretly prepaid for a massage and was now facing his understanding and persuasive wife. "What you say, Your Highness, is truly wise. I too am not immune to the desires of food and sex. But Your Highness is so extraordinary that whenever I am with you, I cannot help but feel ashamed of myself and try to embellish myself to gain your favor, which only makes me lose my sincerity. Now, thanks to Your Highness's advice, I have gained a clear understanding. I will certainly remember your kindness and remain true to myself."

He bowed sincerely to the Princess of Yunyang and said to herself, counting on her fingers the frequency and number of times she had visited the three bars, that it was indeed not licentious.

"Is my favor important to you, Brother?"

Upon hearing this, the county magistrate suddenly looked at Zhang Dai and asked with a smile.

Standing close by, Zhang Dai saw this breathtakingly beautiful smiling face and nodded subconsciously, saying softly, "To cherish it like a treasure, to be overjoyed to have it, and to be devastated to lose it!"

The county princess hadn't expected Zhang Dai to answer so frankly, especially his passionate gaze, which seemed so real that it burned her eyes away, and her breathing became somewhat disordered.

Her gaze wandered aimlessly for a moment before finally settling on the foundation of the main hall. Pointing at it, she said with a smile, "Since you know that the painting of this hall is my work, you must show it to me first when it is completed tomorrow. Otherwise, you are not allowed to hold a banquet for guests beforehand!"

"sure!"

Zhang Dai nodded quickly, and the sudden earnestness in saying such flirtatious words made his heart pound.

Seeing that the servants standing by his side and Chen Dong had tactfully stepped back, he immediately planned to take another step forward and discuss with the county princess whether to build a few pavilions in the lake in front of the hall.

But before he could say anything, a loud voice suddenly rang out from outside: "Zhang Liu, why are you so late? I've been waiting for you at home all morning!"

Although a fence had been erected around the mansion, it was low and did not block the view from outside. Zhang Dai turned his head and saw Pei Zhen standing in front of his house, jumping and waving at him while shouting loudly.

"Brother, you may go now; I must go home as well."

Princess Yunyang was no longer as shy as before. She turned back to Zhang Dai, said something, waved to him, and then beckoned her attendants to leave together.

Zhang Dai followed her all the way, watching the county princess leave, mount her horse, and head away along the east alley. The county princess's beautiful and bright face kept appearing in his mind.

But soon the light and shadow shifted, and Pei Zhen's large face appeared, his mouth open, panting and blowing wet air onto Zhang Dai's face, which startled Zhang Dai so much that he hurriedly took several steps back.

"What are you looking at? I've called you several times and you haven't answered!"

Pei Zhen ran over from his house and saw Zhang Dai staring blankly eastward. He leaned closer and asked loudly, "I'm asking you, is what you said yesterday true? Can you really take me... uh, not to do anything illegal or to bully others with your authority?"

"Fake!"

Zhang Dai was naturally annoyed that this kid was interrupting his pursuit of the girl, and when he heard Pei Zhen's question, he immediately replied irritably.

Pei Zhen was stunned when he heard this. After a moment of hesitation, he suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Dai's arm, saying repeatedly, "How can it be fake? How can it be... You spoke so convincingly yesterday, I believed you, and you even told me about it, and I agreed! You lied to me? You lied to me... I just scraped together 20,000 strings of cash to give to you, and you lied to me!"

"Twenty thousand strings of cash! You really have twenty thousand strings of cash?"

Zhang Dai, who had initially seemed like a heartbreaker, suddenly perked up after smelling the scent of blood. He forgot all about the girls and stared at Pei Zhen, hurriedly asking, "Is it 20,000 strings of cash? Can you take it out immediately?"

"Of course! But you lied to me..."

Pei Zhen said with a resentful and indignant expression, "I told you that you were quick-witted and prudent in your actions, and I instructed you to observe and learn more, but you've been lying all the time!"

"I was just joking! How could you, Pei Lang, not know who I am? My word is my bond, and my righteousness is unparalleled!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and said to Pei Zhen, but soon frowned and said, "Your family is a famous family in Hedong, with generations of prominent officials. How come you only have so little money?"

(End of this chapter)