Chapter 44: Cai Jing Enters the Game

Softly chanted with a gentle and lingering melody, the lyrics and tune sounded like an old friend gazing at the moon and longing for a dearest companion.

Upon hearing this, the talented scholars present began to beat time with their fans in appreciation, their hearts burning with intense jealousy.

Oh! My heart aches so much. Why wasn't the piece written by Scholar Su for me? Why am I already twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, yet still unable to receive a single lyric from the divine Su?

Though physically in the camp of Cao Cao, the maidens' hearts remained with Han; they all cast stealthy, longing glances toward Li Chang'an.

How could a mere man steal the opportunities meant for us maidens? If Scholar Su were willing to write a lyric for me, I would gladly serve as a concubine for three whole years without complaint.

While everyone was marveling at Scholar Su's literary genius and Li Chang'an's exceptional fortune, Su Shi slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at Li Chang'an.

"People experience sorrow and joy, absence and reunion; the moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane. Such imperfections have been difficult to avoid since ancient times..."

"Splendid!!!" As the song came to an end, Li Chang'an completely ignored Su Shi's questioning gaze, stood up, and loudly cheered in applause.

Since the boss had already risen to his feet, everyone else quickly followed suit, standing up to clap and cheer out of sheer politeness.

"Lady Liu is truly the premier vocalist of Bianjing, perfectly and vividly interpreting Scholar Su's profound affection for his dearest friend. Only Lady Liu could portray this bond of Bo Ya and Zhong Ziqi among men with such exquisite and flawless precision. Marvelous, simply marvelous! To express my gratitude, I would like to present two bolts of Sichuan brocade; I earnestly hope you will not decline."

Li Chang'an babbled on by himself, causing Su Shi to roll his eyes in utter exasperation.

When on earth did I write this?

Just last year, I was observing a period of mourning and serving as an imperial attendant, so I was hardly in the mood to gaze at the moon and reminisce about antiquity—let alone miss a troublemaker like you!

Yet things had already reached this point, and the lyrics and melody undeniably bore his own style while sounding rather good, leaving him with no choice but to pinch his nose and acknowledge it.

Even so, once was enough; there would not be a second time. If they kept playing tricks like this, who knew when someone might frame him for treasonous poetry?

Lady Liu ignited the atmosphere right from the opening act, and immediately followed up with "Red Fleece Knight Errant," pushing the ambiance to a roaring climax.

At a gathering of scholars, one could hardly spend the entire time rolling dice and guessing sizes.

Playing drinking games, solving lantern riddles, telling humorous anecdotes, and composing one or two short verses on the spot were all part of the proper etiquette.

By the time the wine was half consumed, everyone except Qian Weimin, Li Chang'an, and Su Shi had begun casting aside all restraint.

With tunics pulled open and sachet purses unclasped, they plunged wholeheartedly into shouting finger-guessing drinking games.

Although Liu Sanqiang was also enjoying the festivities, a heavy weight remained upon his mind, making it difficult for him to fully immerse himself in the revelry.

"What's this... Sanqiang? Are the maidens not to your liking, or is the food and wine not to your taste? Drink this cup with me, and today I shall summon the most charming beauties right to your side!"

Seeing that Li Chang'an's eyes were already somewhat misty and not wishing to ruin the mood, Liu Sanqiang quickly raised his cup and finished it in a single gulp as a toast.

"No rush, no rush; perhaps I drank a bit too much wine, and it's rising to my head rather slowly!"

Li Chang'an beckoned Qian Weimin over, whispered a few instructions in his ear, and sent him off with Guangxiao.

"Come, Brother Qiang, let me give you an idea that is guaranteed to give our court gazette a phenomenal opening... Why don't you start with a review of the top ten famous courtesans of the grand pleasure houses, follow it up with an exclusive interview with Lady Liu, and publish Scholar Su's brand-new lyric from tonight? Are you still afraid it won't cause a massive sensation?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Sanqiang wondered if this was truly a good idea—no matter how he looked at it, Boss Li seemed primarily interested in promoting himself.

Very well. To align himself with the right faction, to latch onto Su Shi's slender coattails, and through him grasp Ouyang Xiu's thick thighs, he would gladly act as a willing and cheerful puppet.

"First you do this..., then you do that..., and finally..... This way, who could possibly dispute your dominance over the romantic literary scene of Bianjing?"

Very well, very well. After all, you are both descendants of the imperial clan.

You treat Qian Weimin like a treasured object, elevating him to the status of an academic master; as for me, a down-and-out scion, I am apparently only fit to be a frivolous playboy in the pleasure quarters.

Before long, Guangxiao and Weimin supported a heavily intoxicated young man into the room, found a seat, and settled him down.

A maiden brought warm water for the youth to wipe his face, followed by a bowl of iced honey-water to sober him up.

At last, the young man slowly regained his senses.

Where is this?

He remembered that earlier, he had been drinking with a group of young scholars preparing for the imperial examinations. While they all came from prestigious literary lineages and studied under famous masters, he was merely an insignificant nobody who could not command any real stage.

Feeling depressed, he had downed a couple of extra cups. Exactly where had he been thrown?

Why was everyone so merry? The people in the room looked somewhat familiar—weren't these his colleagues from the Economic Research Bureau? When on earth had he arrived here?

Suddenly, the musical style on the stage shifted abruptly.

A fierce sense of rhythm, a joyful dance tune, and the synchronized stomping of feet echoed through the hall.

He opened his misty eyes and looked in the direction of the sound, only to be greeted by a sea of dazzling white that made his throat tighten and his chest burn with heat.

More than a dozen maidens danced across the stage like blooming flowers, their short silk skirts fluttering up and down, earning thunderous cheers with every single movement.

Their arms were bare, and between those arms lay expanses of snowy white that rose and fell in tumultuous waves with every leap.

His gaze followed the dancing maidens, as if he had suddenly stepped into an immortal realm.

Good heavens, he really was just someone from a remote, rustic place; to think he had no idea Bianjing harbored such sublime wonders.

"My lord, do you like it?"

Faced with the serving maiden's inquiry, he nodded subconsciously.

"If you like it, why not stay? Life is short, and a night like this is hard to come by."

Stay—of course he would stay. He had never enjoyed anything so magnificent in his entire life; since he had finally opened his eyes to such a spectacle, he certainly could not miss it.

After a few more musical numbers, two maidens supported him toward the back courtyard.

With a puzzled expression, Liu Sanqiang drew close to Li Chang'an to ask for an explanation. To win over talented scholars, shouldn't one do so during the poetry gathering? Watching erotic dances—was this fellow really not just a profligate playboy?

"Qiang, my friend, though you have spent much time amid romance and pleasure, you have yet to grasp its true essence. When dealing with a woman, if she is naive to the world, you must take her to see all the prosperity of humanity; if her heart is already jaded and weary, you take her for a ride on a carousel. When dealing with a man, if he is just awakening to romance, you strip away his clothes; if he has seen countless people, you bring him to the hearth and stove."

"As for scholars, they are just like women. When dealing with a fledgling like Cai Jing, you have to administer a strong remedy!"

Liu Sanqiang half-understood, feeling as though some realization was about to break through its shell, yet falling just short of that final ounce of effort.

Very well, when it comes to recruiting subordinates, it was best to listen to President Li.

After all, since the man was capable of winning over rising titans like Su Zizhan, Qian Weimin, and Sima Kang, he might as well learn by example.

The festivities continued well into the midnight hours, and with the exception of Su Shi, all the other members stayed overnight at the Sea-Viewing Tower.

Cai Yuanzhang felt that his entire life had finally become worthwhile. The bitter toil of his first twenty-two years had only earned him the sneers, mockery, isolation, and exclusion of talented scholars and refined beauties.

Only this single night, amid warm red gauze curtains and the gentle tenderness of spring waters, embodied the true pursuits a real man should strive for.

When morning came, every single one of the tens of thousands of pores on his body felt unblocked, leaving him feeling light as a feather and drifting as if he were an immortal.

The sun was already high in the sky when a servant came to assist him in getting up and washing. He hurriedly inquired where this place was.

"The Sea-Viewing Tower?"

He was nearly frightened out of his wits. How on earth had he ended up in the capital's most notoriously extravagant pleasure house?

This was terrible, simply terrible! He only had the fifty strings of cash he had brought from home; if he had to pay the overnight lodging fees later, how on earth was he going to survive the second half of the year?

Just as he was worrying, the maid pushed open the bedroom door. Beneath the cool shade of the courtyard, a figure clad in Sichuan brocade seemed to be waiting for him.

His heart skipped a beat, a sudden chill ran down his spine, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

Oh no! Could it be that he had been set up and walked right into a trap?