Chapter 368: Put Him in a Temple and He Could Pass for a Statue

The Qi capital had already sunk into a festive mood. Lanterns and decorations filled streets and alleys everywhere. The Tofu House was no exception. Even late at night, everyone was still busy preparing tofu for the next day's celebrations. Starting tomorrow, it would be given away free for three days. The amount needed would naturally be enormous. Commoners who normally could not afford it would probably swarm in all at once.

"Actually, there'll be plenty of places giving away food tomorrow. From what I've heard, the palace is already making flatbread in huge quantities to hand out at the relief stations. Prince Yu's residence will also put up stalls tomorrow and distribute free food. Plenty of powerful households are following suit. Anyone willing to set aside his pride and come forward should be able to eat and drink for free in the capital these next few days."

Shopkeeper Gao spoke as he poured wine for Yuan Gang. He had not gone home today either. He planned to stay here for the next few days. They were certain to be extremely busy. As the two discussed how much free tofu to prepare, they watched the people bustling about in the rear courtyard.

Yuan Gang said, "Make a little more."

Shopkeeper Gao sighed. "Proprietor, I understand your good intentions, but I'm afraid good intentions could end up causing trouble. Think about it. Most people who come for free food will be poor. Some won't be able to finish it and will save the rest. Others will want to take as much as possible so they can keep it and eat it slowly later. The government will be busy tomorrow too. They aren't going to assign officials to supervise our tofu. We won't be able to tell who has already received some and who hasn't. There are so many people in the capital. How could we recognize them all?"

He continued, "Our tofu isn't like flatbread or other dry food. It doesn't keep long and spoils easily. We can't simply hand out as much as people want. We have to control the portions. Otherwise, if a great many people end up sick from eating spoiled tofu, on a joyous occasion like this the matter could become enormous. Not only would no one appreciate our kindness, the Tofu House's reputation would be ruined."

Then Shopkeeper Gao lowered his voice slightly. "And, Proprietor, forgive me for saying something unpleasant, but the situation has changed. In the past, the Supreme General maintained neutrality. Everyone wanted to win him over, and at the very least no one wanted to offend him. Out of respect for the General's Residence, nobody dared touch us. That may not be true from now on. Some people are probably desperate to find a handle they can use. Even a small matter can be turned into a major one. If something happens then, should those above enforce the law, or take the lead in bending it? I'm afraid even Third Young Master will have to restrain himself more in the capital from now on. The General's Residence has already warned us to be careful."

Yuan Gang considered this and nodded slightly. "You make sense. Do it your way. What about reserving a restaurant tomorrow to reward everyone? Is that arranged?"

Shopkeeper Gao smiled. "Done, done. Everything's arranged. Proprietor, you don't need to worry. Just go to the General's Residence and drink the wedding wine. I'll keep an eye on things here."

Yuan Gang said calmly, "I won't be attending the wedding banquet at the General's Residence. Staying here with everyone is the same."

Shopkeeper Gao exclaimed, "That wedding feast isn't something just anyone is qualified to attend! Being able to go represents status and standing. How many wealthy households in the capital would love to attend but can only watch from the sidelines? The guests there will all be rich or noble. Not everyone gets a chance to show his face in a gathering like that. The General's sons are all close to you and call you brother. Once everyone sees that, you'll have standing in the capital from then on. Steward Zha personally told me to make sure you attend. Proprietor, you can't refuse that kind of consideration and goodwill."

Yuan Gang said, "Precisely because everyone there will be rich or noble, it isn't a place I should go. Staying here to help Third Young Master entertain the people below is just as good."

The whole reason he had arranged to reserve a restaurant was that he did not want to attend the wedding feast. He was worried someone on Hao Qingqing's side might recognize him.

Shopkeeper Gao asked only one question. "Given your friendship with Third Young Master, is it appropriate not to attend his wedding? It doesn't make sense by affection or by propriety."

Yuan Gang fell silent.

After a while, he asked, "Then why did they specifically name Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian and tell me to bring them to the wedding banquet? What exactly is that about?"

Shopkeeper Gao smiled bitterly. "Proprietor, how many times have you asked me? I truly don't know. I find it strange too, but Steward Zha said it himself..."

At Among the White Clouds, midnight arrived. The main doors, which were normally open almost day and night as people came and went, shut with a heavy thud.

The Grand Princess was getting married. Beginning that day, every establishment in the capital associated with vice and pleasure was ordered to close for three days.

From upstairs, Su Zhao and Qin Mian watched the colored lanterns in the hall go dark one after another. They watched the women let the smiles fall from their faces and leave one by one, until only a few people remained to clean. The two women then turned and disappeared into the depths of the corridor.

When they reached the rear courtyard, Su Zhao looked up at the stars and suddenly asked, "If we sent people to Qingshan Commandery to track the Goldenwings, do you think we could locate Niu Youdao?"

Qin Mian smiled bitterly. "Qingshan Commandery is involved in both government and military affairs. Who knows how many Goldenwings fly in and out every day? Who could tell which one is communicating with Niu Youdao? And if we wanted to track them all, how many giant flying birds would we have to deploy? With a commotion that large, we'd have no hope of avoiding detection. What would be the point? Besides, Niu Youdao may already have returned to Qingshan Commandery."

Su Zhao had merely spoken out of frustration. Letting Niu Youdao slip away from right under her eyes still left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Proprietress, since these next few days will be quiet anyway, should we have someone invite An Taiping over to keep you company?" Qin Mian suddenly teased.

A faint blush rose in Su Zhao's cheeks. She shot Qin Mian a glare...

The next day, the Residence of Supreme General Huyan was bustling beyond description. The Grand Princess was entering the Huyan family. How could the occasion not be grand? The scale of the ceremony scarcely needed mentioning.

Yuan Gang brought the two disabled old men with him but kept out of sight. Only after the lanterns had been lit and the banquet had begun did the three find a corner and sit down.

Yuan Gang did not want to mix with the rich and powerful. At his request, the Huyan family seemed to understand and had arranged a place for him in a relatively remote courtyard.

Yuan Dahu, who was missing a leg, and Gu Younian, who was missing an arm, were happy with the arrangement as well. They truly felt this was not a place where men like them belonged. Hiding in a corner suited them just fine. Only after the courtyard gradually filled did the three realize that everyone seated there was wearing armor. This courtyard was for officers of the Valiant Cavalry. The three men who were not wearing armor stood out all the more.

"Who are that big red-faced fellow and those two old men missing arms and legs?"

"The red-faced one didn't used to be red. He's the proprietor of the Tofu House. The two disabled men sweep the street and guard the entrance outside the shop."

"What? Even the Tofu House's gatekeepers and street sweepers were invited?"

"Why worry about it? If they were allowed in so openly, there must be a reason."

As the eating and drinking continued, the soldiers gradually loosened up. The courtyard grew noisy with toasts, shouts, and cups passing back and forth. Yuan Gang, Yuan Dahu, and Gu Younian quietly ate in their corner.

"The Supreme General is here!"

The call rang out several times. Everyone immediately set down his wine. Some hurriedly pulled on helmets. Armor clattered throughout the courtyard as almost every man rose to his feet. Accompanied by several attendants, Huyan Wuhen entered. His gaze swept across the assembled men, imposing even without anger.

"Congratulations, Supreme General! Our felicitations, Supreme General!"

Everyone faced him, cupped their hands, and called out their congratulations in wave after wave.

Huyan Wuhen raised one hand.

The entire courtyard fell silent at once. He pressed his palm downward, and with another clatter of armor, all the officers sat together, backs straight, motionless in their seats. The force of that instant obedience made Yuan Gang's gaze sharpen slightly.

Zha Hu jerked his chin toward Yuan Gang's table, then leaned close and murmured something into Huyan Wuhen's ear. Huyan Wuhen looked over and walked toward them.

He came to Yuan Gang's table and stopped in front of Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian, making both old men visibly nervous.

Huyan Wuhen extended one hand to the side. An attendant immediately placed a filled bowl of wine into it.

"You two are older than I am, and you entered the army before I did. I am deeply honored that you came to drink at this wedding. Allow me to offer you the first bowl."

Huyan Wuhen raised the bowl with both hands in salute.

What was going on?

Every officer in the courtyard turned toward them, one after another staring in astonishment and uncertainty. Even Yuan Gang was surprised. He had no idea what this was about.

Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian scrambled to their feet, hurriedly saying they did not dare accept such an honor.

"I'll drink first."

Huyan Wuhen tipped back his head and drained the bowl in one swallow, then showed them the empty bottom.

The two old men hurriedly picked up their own bowls, stammered out congratulations to the Supreme General, and quickly drank. Yuan Dahu drank too fast and choked, breaking into a fit of coughing.

Huyan Wuhen's gaze shifted to Yuan Gang's face. "Why is your face red?"

"From training," Yuan Gang answered truthfully.

"Put you in a temple and you could pass for a statue," Huyan Wuhen mocked.

He immediately ignored Yuan Gang, turned away, asked for another bowl of wine, and raised it while looking around the courtyard. Everyone rose and lifted his wine.

"You are all brothers who have gone through life and death with me. I won't beat around the bush. My third son cannot keep muddling through his days like before. Before long, I'll throw him into the Valiant Cavalry and have him knocked into shape. Some of you understand why. Some of you do not. In any case, remember this: anyone who goes easy on him is harming him. And today everyone is here to drink wedding wine, not observe military discipline. Drink to your hearts' content. Please!"

His final word rang hard and clear. Huyan Wuhen again emptied his bowl first.

Everyone drank with him.

After setting down his bowl, Huyan Wuhen strode away. As he passed through the assembled officers with the bearing of a tiger and dragon, he kept his gaze straight ahead and declared in a resonant cadence, "Once a man stands in the court, he cannot always act as he wishes. There are still guests outside who must be entertained for appearance's sake, and I cannot afford to offend them. I can't divide myself in two, so my own brothers will have to forgive the neglect. There's plenty of food and wine. I won't stay with you. When you've had enough, don't get drunk and make trouble. Behave yourselves and get the hell home!"

He swept one sleeve.

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison, watching him leave.

After that, Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian became the focus of the entire courtyard. Everyone began quietly asking who they were. What kind of men could make the Supreme General come over and toast them personally? No one dared look down on them now.

One of the officers at their table finally could not restrain his curiosity. "So the two of you served in the army as well. Which force were you originally with?"

Yuan Dahu and Gu Younian did not want to bring it up. But one man after another kept asking, and they could hardly lie. At last, they reluctantly forced out three words.

"Black Wind Cavalry."

Yuan Gang immediately noticed the change in every officer's eyes. All of them became solemn with respect.

After that, things became impossible.

A crowd of men came over to toast them. The drinking reduced both old men to tears. In the end, they became completely drunk and did not even know how they got home.

Several days later, after Yuan Gang learned exactly what the Black Wind Cavalry had been, he took the two old men outside the city to help train the people from the Tofu House...

[End of Chapter 368]