Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 459 A Famous General Who Stabilized the Chaos
Bang, bang!

Early in the morning, dull thuds and crashes could be heard continuously from the east wing courtyard, accompanied by shouts and rapid breathing.

Under the rising sun, two burly and robust youths were wrestling fiercely, their arms, shoulders, and backs drenched in sweat, as if they were soaked in oil. Despite being panting heavily, neither of them would give up, each exerting all their strength to knock the other down.

The two boys wrestling were Ding Qing and Lai Tian, ​​who had come to Zhao Yizhen's house the previous night. They were about the same age and both possessed considerable martial arts skills. They began sparring in the courtyard early in the morning. Both were fiercely competitive, and their fight had continued until now without a clear winner.

Suddenly, Lai Tian lowered her waist, and Ding Qing, caught off guard, was caught by her grip around his waist and hips. When Ding Qing tried to change his position and break free, Lai Tian bent her knees and thrust forward, using only her shoulder to carry Ding Qing more than ten feet away. Before Ding Qing could regain his footing, Lai Tian leaped in front of him like a shadow, grabbed his arm, and flung Ding Qing away again, landing him directly in the flower fence, shaking the blooming flowers to the ground.

"Good skill!"

Zhang Dai had been watching the battle from the porch for a long time. Upon seeing this, he clapped and cheered while ordering someone to help Ding Qing up. After confirming that Ding Qing was alright, he smiled and said, "There are always mountains beyond mountains. Do you believe it today? You still need to practice more!"

Upon hearing this, Ding Qing couldn't help but blush with embarrassment. Lai Zhen, having won, quickly stepped forward, first bowing to Zhang Dai, then looking at Ding Qing and saying, "Brother Ding, your skills are indeed sufficient, but your foundation is not yet solid enough. But if your foundation were solid, you wouldn't need many tricks to defeat your enemies!"

If it were someone else who said this, Ding Qing would be somewhat unconvinced, but since it was Lai Zhen, who was of similar age and had just surpassed him, who said it, he nodded and said, "The wrestling in the capital is very beautiful and full of skill. I have also picked up some bad habits. I am completely convinced that I lost to Lai Lang!"

Yan Wu, who was watching the two wrestling, saw that Ding Qing had lost. He trotted forward, grabbed Lai Tian's leg, and looked up, saying, "A true man should learn the best skills. Could you take me as your apprentice, brave warrior?"

Lai Tian had just arrived at the Zhang family and wasn't very familiar with their composition. Seeing this mischievous boy step forward to make such a request, she couldn't help but wave her hand with some embarrassment, saying, "I'm hardly the best, young master, please don't..."

Zhang Dai stepped forward, grabbed the young man by the back of his shirt and ripped it open, then said to the two men with a smile, "You two have been wrestling all morning, go back to your rooms and wash up before coming back for dinner. I still have many things to ask you, Lai Lang!"

"I dare not accept such praise. Please feel free to ask me anything, my lord. I will answer whatever I know!"

Lai Zhen, having heeded Zhao Yizhen's instructions, knew the identity and deeds of the young man before her. She secretly admired Zhang Dai and dared not be negligent. Upon hearing this, she hurriedly bowed and clasped her hands in response.

Not long after Zhang Dai sat down in the side hall, Lai Zhen and Ding Qing, having changed their clothes and looking refreshed, walked up to the hall and were quietly exchanging their wrestling experiences.

Zhang Dai himself lacked the perseverance to endure hardship and practice martial arts, so he rigorously trained Ding Qing. The boy was well-fed and well-trained, and he sought out many famous teachers, including fierce generals like An Xiaochen and Jiang Xingwei, who provided him with serious instruction. As a result, Ding Qing's martial arts skills improved rapidly.

Although he still lost to Lai Tian, ​​it doesn't mean Ding Qing was bad; it just means Lai Tian was too strong.

Although he is not very old at present, he is a famous general in history who quelled the An Lushan Rebellion. Although he is not as famous as Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi, he has also made many military achievements.

He was a brave and fierce fighter, and was even called "Lai Chewing Iron" by the rebels. Unfortunately, unlike Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi, he did not have the support of the Shuofang Army, a group of brave and skilled warriors. After the An Lushan Rebellion, he became the first meritorious official to be eliminated. He entered the court as prime minister because of his military achievements, but was soon framed and executed by eunuchs such as Cheng Yuanzhen.

Looking at Lai Zhen's spirited yet still somewhat childish face, Zhang Dai's mind was filled with thoughts of people and events before and after the An Lushan Rebellion. He gestured for the two to take their seats and then couldn't help but smile and ask Lai Zhen, "Young Master Lai, now that you've accompanied Lord Zhao to the capital, would you like to stay in Chang'an and seek some opportunities for advancement?"

Upon hearing this, Lai Zhen shook his head without hesitation. He quickly swallowed the food in his mouth before saying, "Although the situation in the four garrisons is still relatively stable, there are still occasional disturbances from various barbarian tribes. My father is still on the frontier and often has to don his armor and go into battle to drive away these barbarians. I am worried about leaving my father on the frontier and still wish to carry the flag and protect him. Moreover, soldiers on the frontier are fighting the enemy and making meritorious contributions; this is the proper way to advance, and there is no need to beg for other paths!"

Zhang Dai wasn't embarrassed by the direct rejection; instead, he felt even more inclined to recruit the man. Lai Tian was extremely filial, and although he was somewhat straightforward and naive, that was exactly the kind of mentality a young person should have.

The worldly wisdom and shrewdness are often just a pretense of profundity to cover up inner cowardice. Even if this world is full of opportunistic and immoral scoundrels, and hypocrites occupying high positions, it does not mean that they are right!

"Sharpening the axe won't delay the woodcutting; finding the right method will make things twice as easy. Your father was a veteran general guarding the border, his might resounding throughout the Western Regions; one man stationed there was worth a thousand soldiers. But the achievements of our fathers should not become a barrier to our young master. The world is vast, and there is much to be done. I deeply admire you, but you must also strive to develop yourself and achieve even greater things!"

Zhang Dai smiled and said that since Lai Tian was still somewhat unconvinced, he didn't say anything more. They would have to spend some more time together, and he would eventually find a way to persuade her to stay in Chang'an and work for him.

Just then, a servant rushed in and reported, "Sixth Brother, the Duke of Bohai from the Imperial Palace has come to visit. The Master has instructed me to invite Sixth Brother to the hall to keep him company." Zhang Dai was slightly surprised to hear this, not expecting Gao Lishi to arrive so quickly. He gestured to the two people in the hall to continue their meal, assuring them that there would be plenty of food, while he hurriedly went to the guest hall.

Upon reaching the main hall, Zhang Dai looked up and saw four men and two women standing before him, all dressed as palace maids. The four eunuchs were all six feet tall, robust and strong, looking as muscular as Yin Huan. The two palace maids wore short skirts and dresses, their faces delicate and beautiful, their figures curvaceous and charming.

When he entered the hall, Zhang Yue raised his hand and said with a smile, "Can the male and female servants outside see this? Why don't you quickly thank the Duke of Bohai for his generous gift!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai was taken aback, not expecting that the men and women were a gift to him. Before he could speak, Gao Lishi waved his hand and said with a smile, "Lord Yan, there's no need to be so polite. Last night, my son came to my house to discuss matters, and his suggestions greatly inspired me. He has come to thank me today, and this is all he deserves."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Dai and said, "Two palace maids will attend to your daily needs, and four servants will be allowed to come and go as you please, protecting your safety. These four are still registered in the palace and can accompany you freely in and out of the inner palace!"

"Thank you so much, Bohai Public Security Bureau, for your kind concern and kindness!"

Zhang Dai had originally intended to refuse the gift, but upon hearing these words, he immediately swallowed his words of refusal and accepted it with a smile.

Putting aside the two maids for now, these four strong eunuchs were exactly what he needed. If Wang Maozhong blocked the door and provoked him again like yesterday, having these four by his side would ensure his safety.

Although he had a large retinue, none of his family members, including the brothers Jin Huan and Yin Huan, had the proper permits to enter or leave the palace. Gao Lishi's arrangement was clearly intended to protect him from the harassment and harm caused by the Northern Gate followers within the palace walls.

"No need to thank me, you deserve it!"

Gao Lishi was still a little guilty, but he laughed and said to Zhang Dai, "I'm giving these four men to you so you can rest assured. They will be well taken care of when entering and leaving the palace, and anyone who dares to cause trouble will not be easily forgiven!"

After saying this, Gao Lishi looked back at Zhang Shuo, took out an imperial edict from his side, handed it over, and said with a smile, "Last night, Zongzhi told me at home that his uncle was still a commoner at home, which greatly worried Yan Gong. Therefore, I came to request a position for him. This morning, I personally went to the provincial capital to request an imperial edict for him. Tomorrow, take this to the relevant authorities to register him, and he can take office immediately!"

Zhang said he had heard Zhang Dai mention the matter last night, but he didn't expect Gao Lishi to be so efficient. Judging from this, Zhang Dai probably has more face in Gao Lishi's eyes than he does!

"This is truly... alas, I am deeply grateful to the Duke of Bohai! Men, quickly bring that wretched boy here so he can come into the hall and express his gratitude to the Duke of Bohai for his patronage!"

Zhang Shuo took the appointment document and glanced at it briefly. He immediately said with a look of delight, then pretended to be angry, pointing at Zhang Dai and frowning, "You child are really spoiled and arrogant. How dare you trouble the Duke of Bohai with this family matter!"

Zhang Dai, playing along with his grandfather, chuckled awkwardly as he rose, bowed his head, and then bowed deeply to Gao Lishi, saying, "This humble one has been presumptuous in his request, but I never expected the Duke of Bohai to be so kind. I am deeply grateful for such kindness!"

Not long after, Zhang Yang was also summoned into the hall. When he received the imperial edict appointing him, he was still somewhat disoriented: "I... I'm an official? A sixth-rank official? Thank you, thank you for your appreciation, Duke of Bohai!"

Zhang Yue served as the Left Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel, a second-rank official position. His honorary title was Special Envoy of the Second Rank. Zhang Yan, through hereditary privilege, rose from the seventh rank of honorary title, namely the honorary title of Court Gentleman of the Palace.

However, a nominal rank is just that—a nominal rank. What official position one can actually hold depends on the actual appointment. Moreover, even if an official position is appointed, it is usually a position in the Eastern Palace, such as the Crown Prince's Attendant.

But now, having just been released from his official post, he has been appointed as the Chief Clerk of the Left Imperial Guard, a sixth-rank official, responsible for managing the entry and exit of personnel, property, and equipment at the palace gates—a very desirable position.

Even when Zhang Shuo's power was at its peak, it would have taken considerable effort to arrange for his son to hold this position. Yet, because of Zhang Dai's request, Gao Lishi arranged it for him so casually.

"Not only should we thank Duke Bohai, but also Zongzhi! Your nephew has gone to such lengths to plan for your future, so you must work diligently in the future and not let down the elders and children of the family and the elders outside the family who have shown you kindness!"

With his youngest son's future also arranged, Zhang was naturally overjoyed and pointed at his son, giving him a command.

(End of this chapter)