Entrepreneurship in the Late Tang Dynasty

Chapter 82 Heavenly Fortune
Yan Liulang's body was taken away by the soldiers from eastern Sichuan. These men did not stay in Qiongzhou, but instead fled south to their own army.

Qiongzhou, in the end, remains a place of sorrow for them.

Zhao Da's killing of Yan Liulang with three punches caused a huge uproar in the army. Whether they cared or not, everyone was stunned, and no one dared to ignore this "Hu Baoyi" anymore.

Meanwhile, Yang Qingfu, who had been calm and collected, believing he had everything under control, was so shocked upon hearing the news that he snapped his beard in shock. He called his son, Yang Shifan, over and the first thing he asked was:
What kind of person is Zhao Huai'an?

At this moment, Yang Shifan was neither as carefree as before, nor did he harbor any prejudice against Zhao Da. After thinking for a while, he replied seriously:
"He is as cunning as a fox and as brave as a tiger. He is ruthless when facing enemies, but sincere when he is with his comrades. Being his friend is like being bathed in a spring breeze, while being his enemy is like being pierced to the bone."

After a long silence, Yang Qingfu finally said:
“Zhao Da is a man of great stature, not someone to be underestimated. If you and I, father and son, want to establish ourselves in the army, we need someone like him.”

For once, Master Yang did not refute, but instead clasped his hands in a fist and said:

"Son, save it."

After saying that, he left.

Yang Qingfu was left with a flicker in his eyes, having made a decision in his heart.

……

The same news reached Zeng Yuanyu of the Boye Army, but his reaction was completely different from Yang Qingfu's; he burst into laughter.

"Zhao Da and the Yan family of Chuandong are now locked in a life-or-death struggle. Well, that's for the best. Young man, it's better not to have things go too smoothly."

After he finished laughing, he ordered his guards to prepare a feast, and then sent someone with an invitation to invite Zhao Da over for a drink.

Who in the army doesn't know that Zhao Huai'an loves to organize drinking parties?
Zeng Yuanyu was also a heavy drinker. He hadn't called Zhao Dalai before because he thought that Zhao was just a pawn in the power struggle between Song Jian and the Yan family, and that he might die a violent death at any time.

Now things are different. Regardless of whether Zhao Huai'an can escape the Yan family's retaliation in the end, this cup of wine is something Zhao Da deserves to drink.

So, the soldiers of Boye Army took the invitation and headed straight for Zhao's camp.

……

When the guards arrived, Zhao Da and his gang of Baoyidu officers were still drinking.

This time, Sun Chuanwei drank the most among the crowd, sometimes crying and sometimes laughing. He even danced for Zhao Da in public, offering his unwavering loyalty to Zhao Da.

But this time, the most eye-catching person in the crowd was our Zhao Liu.

This tough guy who withstood Yan Liulang's whipping sat cross-legged on the blanket, boasting about his bravery to the other officers.

With his cheeks flushed, he hiccuped and patted his chest with a hearty laugh:
"What is Yan Liulang? I knew he was weak the moment I saw him. He's all bark and no bite. Those few lashes of his whip didn't even make me flinch. Is that all?"

The team members were all old brothers, so they naturally knew how Zhao Liu acted. They all flattered him, making Zhao Liu even more drunk.

Finally, he tried his best to stay sober, gave Zhao Da a thumbs up, and then collapsed onto the table with a thud, passed out from drinking.

Zhao Da laughed heartily at Lao Liu's antics, then raised his glass again to toast the two guests present:
"Gentlemen, did you enjoy the wine tonight?"

These two were Liu Xin and Liu Zhijun. One was loyal and came to inform Lao Liu, while the other was handsome and dignified, which pleased Zhao Dahuan. Therefore, they were both invited to drink.

Although one was an ordinary knight of the Yanzhou Navy and the other was an unknown member of the Reform Army, their statuses were quite different from Zhao Da's, but Zhao Huai'an did not mind at all. After a few rounds of drinks, they were already calling each other brothers.

If it were anyone else acting like this, Liu Xin and Liu Zhijun wouldn't have paid them any attention, and after finishing their drinks, they would have gone back to their respective camps.

But now, the one who's calling them brothers is "Hu Baoyi"!

Warriors cherish each other the most, while scholars despise each other the most. Why is that?
Just because fists may vary in size, but words are hard to judge in terms of superiority, criticism is less effective than weapon criticism. When martial artists clash, one punch is all it takes to determine who is stronger.

Just like when Zhao Da and Yan Liulang fought, the one who stood up naturally won, and the one who fell down, no matter what, lost.

Upon witnessing Zhao Da's fists and feet, both Liu and Liu understood one fact:
In terms of fists, Zhao Da is the biggest one right in front of us.

Therefore, both Liu respected him, and their brotherly relationship with Zhao Da warmed their hearts.

Being with Zhao Dalang was like a gentle breeze; after just a short time together, we felt like old friends.

On the other hand, Zhao Da genuinely wanted to make these two friends, without much ulterior motive.

To be honest, given Zhao Da's current strength, there are people he would fawn over, but definitely not the two in front of him.

He wasn't trying to take the two Lius as his underlings, since they were both doing well in the Yanzhou Navy and the Ganhuai Army, and wouldn't come to him.

Zhao Da's friendship with the two men stemmed from his simple admiration for them.

Having seen so many martial artists like Yan Liulang, Zhao Da grew to appreciate the pure martial spirit embodied in Liu Xin and Liu Zhijun even more.

It's that kind of boldness and loyalty, like making a promise after three cups of wine and considering the Five Sacred Mountains as light as a feather.

In this filthy world, such quality is more precious than gold.

Zhao Da toasted the two men again, and both Lius drank heartily, which made Zhao Da even happier. Indeed, our ancestors from northern Jiangsu were all heavy drinkers.

Then they laughed even louder.

Just then, Zhao Jinzhong, who was interrogating the prisoners outside, rushed over, his face filled with barely concealed excitement. He whispered something in Zhao Huai'an's ear. Instantly, Zhao Huai'an's face went from bewilderment to excitement to a flushed red. He slammed his wine cup down on the table and shouted to everyone:
"The wine is finished, let's call it a night."

After saying this, he personally escorted Liu Xin and Liu Zhijun out of the tent. Before they left, he gave each of them a package filled with gold and silver.

Zhao Da said nothing, yet he said everything.

In the past, when Cao Cao acquired someone, he would hold a small banquet every three days and a large banquet every five days, showing respect upon mounting his horse and welcoming him upon dismounting. How much of the Prime Minister's merit has Zhao Da gained from his treatment of people today?
Liu Xin and Liu Zhijun naturally declined, as it was far too much. But how could they persuade Zhao Da? In the end, they could only bow in gratitude, turning back every three steps and lingering every five, before finally leaving reluctantly.

Meanwhile, after seeing off the two Lius, Zhao Da couldn't help but jump up and excitedly said to Zhao Jinzhong, who was following behind:

Are you sure? Is it really the Crown Prince of Nanzhao?

Zhao Jinzhong was equally excited, but he still restrained his arrogance and respectfully said:

“My lord, I thought that person looked familiar before. Later, after we put pressure on him in turn, we also brought in Captain Duan to identify him. That person was indeed Prince Longshun of Nanzhao, and he admitted it in public.”

Now, Zhao Da had no more doubts and rushed over with his excited team.

Haha, my luck has arrived! There's no stopping it!
……

Over the next two days, the soldiers stationed near Qiongzhou, both within and outside the capital, suddenly heard this news.

The lucky Zhao Da actually captured the crown prince of Nanzhao among a group of prisoners, and he was already being escorted by Magistrate Yang to the Prime Minister Gao's place.

This news caused a huge stir.

No one cared why the Crown Prince of Nanzhao was in Qiongzhou City; all they cared about was that Zhao Da was really going to make a fortune this time.

However, some people said with a touch of sarcasm, "Zhao Da has made great contributions, but he won't live to enjoy them. He beat Yan Liulang to death, so how could the Yan family let him go? They'll just find some excuse to kill him, and the credit will go to someone else."

However, some people say that Zhao Da also has powerful connections. Both the envoy Song and the general Yang of Western Sichuan have high hopes for Zhao Da. In particular, the envoy Song has a long-standing grudge against the Eastern Sichuan army and will be even more determined to protect Zhao Da.

Some people suddenly realized, some sneered, but everyone's eyes were red.

This Zhao Da, it's all thanks to good luck!
……

"Useless trash! Weren't those prisoners captured by you? You let such a fortune slip through your fingers?"

At this moment, in a camp of the reformed army, cavalry general Shi Pu smashed the gold cup in his hand and angrily cursed Liu Zhijun and others in front of him. It was they who had sold that batch of prisoners.

Shi Pu became famous five years ago during the suppression of Pang Xun's rebellion. At that time, he made a name for himself in the army with his horse spear.

In terms of bravery, he was the bravest in the army; in terms of loyalty, he was also unparalleled. Therefore, even though he was not a general in the reform army, he was still a leader in the army.

However, his subordinates, such as Liu Zhijun, knew Shi Pu's character well. To say that he was ruthless, cruel, and ungrateful would not be an exaggeration.

Therefore, when Shi Pu started cursing, no one present dared to utter a sound.

While they were cursing, Shi Pu suddenly glanced at Liu Zhijun and said:
"I heard you were drinking with that Zhao Da? Is that after you sold yourself to him as a prisoner?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhijun broke out in a cold sweat, immediately knelt on the ground, and begged for forgiveness:

"Officer, I never imagined that the Crown Prince of Nanzhao would be there. Please believe me, Officer."

Shi Pu exhaled heavily, cursed in a Xuzhou dialect, and then tugged at his short beard.

At this moment, he wished he could immediately fight Zhao Da to the death. This bastard had actually stolen food from his bowl. That was a great fortune that belonged to Shi Pu, how could he let this soldier take it away?

If the Nanzhao crown prince hadn't already been sent to Gao Shixiang, Shi Puzhen would have actually tried to snatch him with a knife.

Now that the die is cast, there's nothing he can do about it.

But he won't let this go unpunished; sooner or later he'll make Zhao Da pay.

Just then, a horse's neighing suddenly came from outside the tent, followed by a flurry of voices.

Shi Pu was already annoyed. Upon hearing the sound, he grabbed a crossbow from beside the bed and rushed out of the tent.

As soon as he came out, he saw that his chestnut horse, perhaps in heat, had rushed out of the fence, and the grooms and soldiers around him hurriedly chased after it, causing chaos in the camp.

Without hesitation, Shi Pu shot his horse in the neck with a crossbow bolt, then shouted to the outside:
"Those horse slaves have all been killed. They couldn't even protect the warhorses. What use are they to me?"

So, the dying neighs of the warhorse, mixed with the pleas of the rider for mercy, were met with ruthless slaughter by the soldiers who were carrying out the orders. Both men and horses were chopped up.

Seeing the pool of blood, Liu Zhijun and the others who had followed felt a chill run down their spines.

If the yamen chieftain treats Ai Mayou this way, how much more so would they?
At this moment, the image of Zhao Da's heartfelt words floated into Liu Zhijun's mind.

Zhao Dalang is truly a righteous man.

I finally made up my mind.

(End of this chapter)