Thirty-one

Zhang San laughed heartlessly, "Li Si, oh Li Si, you don't even think about it—you, of all people, claim to have a personality? You could steal a girl's bodice while visiting a brothel; where on earth would you get a personality from?"

Li Si’s face turned the color of liver. "You—you’re talking nonsense!"

"Are you two finished yet?"

Duan Mingyu, who had discarded his great halberd at some point, stood before them, looking polished and composed. "Today, in order to wash away the shame of that written pledge, I have decided to compose a poem on the spot to reclaim the dignity of us scholars."

"Zhang San, Li Si!"

"Present!"

"Fetch me brush and ink!"

Duan Mingyu picked up the brush and signed his name first. He remembered how miserable he had felt during his own imperial examinations when he’d forgotten to write his name, so he made it a habit to write it first. Once done, he proceeded to dash off several lines on the wall.

He put down the brush. Done!

"Hey! What kind of thief is this, daring to graffiti the walls of my estate!" A lovely maid suddenly emerged from the Wan residence and scolded them. She was truly beautiful, far surpassing the girls Zhang San and Li Si usually flirted with.

"Zhang San!"

"Yes, sir."

"Is it time to clock out?"

"Reporting to you, sir, it is."

"Then what are you standing there for? Run!" Duan Mingyu took off, vanishing in a flash.

Zhang San and Li Si looked at each other, then turned and headed home, filled with indignation.

Wan Yanyan walked out of the residence and saw her personal maid, Xiao Lan, shouting at the gate. She stepped forward and asked, "Xiao Lan, what are you doing?"

Maid Xiao Lan said indignantly, "Miss, some hoodlums were just scribbling on our wall."

"Where are they?"

"Miss, look, he ran away! He was the one holding the brush just a moment ago... Wait? Why is he holding a great halberd again?"

Wan Yanyan: "..."

"Alright, Xiao Lan, you may go now," Wan Yanyan ordered.

"Yes, Miss," the maid replied, retreating timidly.

Once Xiao Lan was out of sight, Wan Yanyan crept toward the wall like a thief. She read the lines Duan Mingyu had left, word by word: "The flowers fade, the red petals fall, the green apricots are small. When the swallows fly, the green waters wind around the homes. The willow fluff on the branches blows away—at the ends of the earth, where can one not find fragrant grass? Inside the wall, a swing; outside the wall, a road. A passerby outside the wall, a beauty laughing within. The laughter gradually fades, the sound grows quiet; the sentimental is troubled by the heartless."

Upon reading this, Wan Yanyan’s heart began to flutter. Does he like me? Bah, you silly girl, have you no shame!

Duan Mingyu ran back to the shop, gasping for breath. It was already dusk; there were few customers left, and the carpenters in the workshop had already finished their shifts.

Carrying his halberd, Duan Mingyu headed to the backyard. Heavens, there were fifty or sixty people sitting on the ground—all tattered and gaunt. These were surely the displaced refugees Xu Zuye had gathered. According to Duan Mingyu’s instructions, Xu Zuye was currently "brainwashing" them.

Xu Zuye shouted, "If it weren't for our young master's kindness in taking you in, you would have starved to death on the streets within days. From now on, your lives belong to the young master. If he points east, you cannot go west; if he tells you to chase a dog, you must not catch a chicken. Is that clear?"

A few weak voices replied from the crowd, "It... it is clear."

"Speak up! Are you dead? Did you not eat?"

"Master Xu, I haven't eaten in two days."

"Fine, you win. Wait—Young Master, why are you here?" Xu Zuye asked, noticing Duan Mingyu standing behind him.

Duan Mingyu coughed. "Old Xu, that is not how you 'brainwash' people. Everyone, quiet down. There will definitely be food; don't worry, we'll eat shortly. Before we eat, I have a few words to say to establish our future guidelines and primary tasks. First, let me introduce myself: I am Duan Mingyu, the new top scholar. You can call me by my name or call me Fourth Brother. This 'Greater China General Store' is my property and the source of your livelihood. I am not keeping you here to eat for free. Once you are here, you must realize your own life's value. There may even be life-threatening situations, so if you are only here to drift and eat, I apologize—remember to close the door on your way out."

"Hahaha!" Laughter finally erupted from the crowd. A beggar as thin as a matchstick said, "Fourth Brother, don't you worry. As long as we are fed, we will give ten times the effort, not just eight. You saved our lives, so our lives are yours. Whoever is against you is against us, and we will crush them!"

"Yeah, crush them!" As soon as the matchstick man finished, the crowd responded in kind. It seemed this fellow was quite popular.

Xu Zuye chuckled, "Young Master, he is the leader they voted for."

Democratic voting? Duan Mingyu smiled. This scoundrel Xu Zuye was becoming quite adept; he even figured out how to use things like democratic voting to pull the wool over people's eyes.

"Very good. What is your name?"

"Reporting to Fourth Brother, this one is called Wang Aiqing."

Wang Aiqing! Duan Mingyu was so shocked his jaw nearly hit the ground, and he quickly pushed it back into place. No wonder this guy was so popular—his name was excellent. Every time someone greeted him, they were inadvertently experiencing the thrill of addressing an emperor.

"Good, Wang Aiqing. Since you are the captain elected by everyone, pass this on: starting today, besides eating, drinking, and sleeping, your only task is to drill hard and strive to improve the team's combat capabilities."

"Yes, I will definitely drill them hard!"

Duan Mingyu: "..."

Upstairs, Yang Zhaoniang muttered to herself, "Hmph, Brother Mingyu is so mean. That was clearly my idea first."

After Xu Zuye finished arranging the food and housing, the sky had already turned dim.

Duan Mingyu sighed with relief. "Brother Xu, it is fortunate I have you. These matters are one after another; if I had to handle them myself, I fear it would only become more chaotic. Come, I offer this cup as a small token of my appreciation!"

Xu Zuye drank the cup in one gulp. "Young Master, saying that is looking down on me. Although I, Xu Zuye, was born in the wilderness, I understand the meaning of repaying kindness. Master Wan once saved my life, a debt of rebirth, but I was unable to find the culprit behind his misfortune. Now that you are willing to lend a hand, I am moved by your righteousness. I will surely repay you with my life."

"Good. Brother Xu is a man of honor. For the sake of these words—'settling scores and acting with justice'—we must drink a big bowl!" Duan Mingyu tilted his head and drained his cup.