Chapter Sixty: The Infuriating Mandatory Quest

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“Hm? Nothing happened?”

“Not only nothing happened, it actually tastes rather exquisite.” Hearing the reactions of those around him who had drunk the “Exiled Immortal Brew,” a group of lean elders and nearby officials whispered among themselves.

“In that case, let us drink as well! Junrong, this wine is truly delightful—my respects to you!”

“My thanks, Minister Situ. Please!”

Seeing both Minister Situ Wang Yun and Shi Sunrui drain their cups, and catching sight of the intoxicated expressions of those who drank earlier, the rest hesitated no longer and eagerly tasted the fine liquor in their bowls.

One by one, as the wine touched their tongues, their eyes sparkled with delight. Even the usually cautious and deferential “Grand Tutor Xie” forgot his customary formalities, as if fearing others might snatch the wine from him, and downed his bowl to the last drop.

“Hahaha! Wenyu, look at their expressions—each of them is more enthralled than I was at first,” Dong Zhuo turned and said to the scholar standing at his side.

The scholar bowed his head with a smile. “Naturally so. The Grand Tutor’s grandeur is unmatched—who in the realm could compare?” Yet, even within his smile, there lingered a habitual chill.

“Gentlemen!”

With a crash, Dong Zhuo’s shout startled some ministers so much that those still drinking dropped their bowls to the floor.

“Who is it? Who dares show such arrogance before me, Dong Zhuo?”

“Grand Tutor, it is the Captain of the Guards, Zhang Wen!”

“Zhang Wen! I received a secret letter earlier, saying you were conspiring with that whelp from the Yuan family to harm me. I did not believe it at first, but seeing your panic now, it must be true!”

Dong Zhuo slammed the table. “My son, Fengxian, take this traitor, this wolf in sheep’s clothing, and behead him.”

Zhang Wen, seized by hands as powerful as a tiger’s claws, was dragged away like a chick. Even at the brink of death, he cursed and railed, but none at the banquet dared utter a word.

Before long, a bloodied head was presented on a platter before Dong Zhuo. The assembled officials were stricken with terror, yet Dong Zhuo remained at ease, chatting and laughing.

“Tell me,” Dong Zhuo thundered, “I grant him high rank and rich rewards, yet he plots against me! Is it only when you end up like this that you will show me loyalty?” He drained his cup, his brows fierce with anger.

“Grand Tutor, please quell your anger!” Wang Yun promptly knelt and bowed deeply. “Zhang Wen was always arrogant and overbearing—we have all suffered because of him. I too suspected his disloyalty, but never guessed you would perceive it first! Now that we have such fine wine before us, let us enjoy ourselves and set aside these unpleasant matters, just for now...”

“You’re right,” Dong Zhuo nodded slightly. He had always valued Minister Situ Wang Yun highly. “That Exiled Immortal Brew from before was just a simple appetizer, a wine suited for the common rabble.”

“An appetizer wine? To so shamelessly belittle such a masterpiece—Dong the Traitor truly deserves death.”

“If that’s the appetizer, then what of the wines we usually drink—are they mere...”

“Fit for the rabble, he says. Is he mocking us as beneath commoners?”

The crowd whispered among themselves.

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“These two jars of wine!” Dong Zhuo pointed at the large and small wine jars before him. “The medium-sized one is called ‘Gods and Buddhas Toppled.’ It only went on sale a few days ago and is now worth more than gold—only the great clans can hope to acquire it. I am willing to share it with you all!”

This medium jar was crafted even more exquisitely, adorned with figures in flowing robes, raising cups in merriment. Three large characters—“Gods and Buddhas Toppled”—were inscribed on it.

The wine bowls on the table had been replaced with bronze goblets. As “Gods and Buddhas Toppled” was poured, its fragrance grew even more intense—the wine itself clear and pure. Another round of pouring and drinking commenced.

For a while, no one spoke, each deeply intoxicated by the wine’s allure. At last, the hall resounded with endless praise.

The terror and dismay brought by Zhang Wen’s execution could not quell the wine’s flavor spreading through body and mind. None could have imagined such a peerless vintage existed in the world—they could scarcely resist the urge to throw out all their own hoarded wines.

Dong Zhuo, strangely enough, now seemed like a triumphant collector, basking in the admiration of the ministers for the rare treasures he possessed.

“And this final jar!” Dong Zhuo lifted the smallest wine jar, scarcely bigger than his palm, and signaled the guards to change the wine cups once again—this time to tiny jade thimbles.

“It is called ‘Drunken Jade Emperor!’”

Even the jar was a work of art, carved with a rhinoceros horn motif, bearing a lifelike golden five-clawed dragon. The inscription “Drunken Jade Emperor” elevated its status to an unprecedented height—even Dong Zhuo, used to rare treasures as the Prime Minister of the realm, could not bear to part with it.

“This wine is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold—each jar a supreme rarity, brewed from countless precious ingredients. Only ten exist in all the world!

This is the true wine of emperors, crafted in Hebei by the Jade Gentleman. Only princes and nobles are worthy of tasting it! Even I have never tried it before. Today, let us share in this delight together!”

As the lid was opened, the whole hall was intoxicated.

Dong Zhuo regretted it deeply.

...

A hero is not judged by his origins, and a wine merchant does not ask about the source.

At first, Zhang Yu had refused when presented with two of the ten jars of the highest-grade “Drunken Jade Emperor.”

But if one truly wished to become renowned, what could compare to the praise of the sovereign himself? Even if the Han dynasty was in decline, even if Dong Zhuo ruled with chaos and the lords rose in rebellion, the world was still the Han’s.

To have the Emperor taste his wine, one could not avoid going through Grand Tutor Dong Zhuo.

Thus, the ten jars were divided: two sent west to Chang’an, two to Yuan Shao, two to his uncle Liu Bei, one to Gongsun Zan, and three kept in reserve for future need.

He gave strict instructions to the couriers—publicity must be thorough: “Only ten jars in the world,” “strict conditions required,” and so on, to create a sensation for the world’s finest wine.

Although Zhang Yu could produce unlimited amounts of all three grades of wine, he had to be the first to believe their rarity, lest he flood the market and ruin their reputation.

“Ding! Congratulations, Host! Thanks to Grand Tutor Dong Zhuo’s successful promotion of ‘Exiled Immortal Brew,’ ‘Gods and Buddhas Toppled,’ and ‘Drunken Jade Emperor’ at the banquet, all the lords and ministers present have become enamored of these three wines. The name Jade Gentleman has entered the imperial court. You have gained 1,000 reputation points, 1,000 experience points. Current reputation: 1,000 (8,200). Current experience: 1,600.”

So perhaps he should thank the showy Dong Zhuo for not keeping the treasures to himself?

In any case, so long as there was benefit, it was fine. One day, when he was truly famous throughout the land, with reputation points too numerous to spend, he’d exchange for a heap of “Speak of the Devil” tokens and take his dearest on a trip around the world. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

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Life goes on, and so do daydreams. Zhang Yu walked with a spring in his step toward the gym, but was called into his father’s study by a servant.

“Yunu’er, I received a letter yesterday.”

Seeing the troubled look on Zhang Shiping’s face, Zhang Yu asked, “Is something the matter?”

“Dong Zhuo sent someone with a letter and several gold and jade treasures, inviting you to go to Chang’an. I’m only telling you. Whether you go or not is your decision—I would rather you didn’t...”

Zhang Yu was taken aback, then smiled. “Father, don’t worry. Even if you urged me to go, I wouldn’t bother.”

Now he truly understood the downside of fame—having a name but no real power, forced to compromise.

First Chunyu Qiong came, then Zhang Yan, and now Dong Zhuo. The first two he couldn’t avoid, but Dong Zhuo, powerful as he was, was far away. What could he do to him? What’s more, if he went to that stormy, treacherous city of Chang’an, he might be chewed up and spat out in moments.

Zhang Shiping gave a bitter smile. “If it were only Dong Zhuo’s invitation, I would insist you refuse. But... he used the Emperor’s name, issuing an edict to Hebei, requesting that the famed Jade Gentleman who presented such peerless wine come to Chang’an to receive his reward. If you refuse, there will be much criticism.”

So this was wielding the Emperor’s authority to command the lords! With righteousness on their side, any opposition would appear disloyal.

Zhang Yu considered. “Do I really have to go?”

“It’s only a few rumors—nothing serious. If you truly do not wish to go, even an imperial summons can be declined. Just feign illness.”

Hearing his father’s words, Zhang Yu was touched and was about to say “Let’s do that,” when suddenly the system chimed—

“Ding! Congratulations, Host! The poem ‘Parting Thoughts’ you wrote for Zhen Luo has become renowned among scholars—‘the vast sea’ and ‘the Wushan mountains’ now symbolize deep romantic devotion. You have gained 500 reputation points and 500 experience points. Current reputation: 1,500 (8,700). Current experience: 2,100.”

“Ding! Congratulations, Host! The Emperor’s edict has reached Hebei, summoning you to Chang’an. The Han court has heard your name! You have gained 1,500 reputation points. Current reputation: 3,000 (10,300).”

“Ding! Congratulations, Host! Your current reputation is 10,300, earning you the title ‘Famous in All Directions’ (A person of considerable renown; your fame is spreading throughout the land, and your name is now worthy of being recorded in history). To advance to the next level, ‘National Luminary,’ you need 9,700 more points.”

“Ding! Because your reputation has reached ‘Famous in All Directions,’ a mandatory quest is triggered—

[Longing for Chang’an]: The ancient capital of Chang’an, where myriad streams converge. For every modern soul, Chang’an holds extraordinary meaning. From the Western Zhou to the tumult of Qin, from the mighty Han to the flourishing Tang, here lies the most beautiful dreams and moments of Chinese history. How could a newly renowned host not yearn for it?

Quest Objective: Arrive in Chang’an.

Quest Reward: A printed copy of ‘Zhuangzi: Wandering Beyond.’

Failure Penalty: Permanently lose 5,000 reputation points.”

“Father, imperial orders cannot be defied. I suppose I must make the journey after all...”