Chapter Forty-Eight: Once Having Seen the Vast Ocean, No Other Waters Will Suffice

The next day dawned clear and bright. Zhang Yu prepared to set off for home. This journey had not only allowed him to meet his young fiancée—the future Goddess of Luo—but also to save the Zhen family from a crisis that nearly brought them to ruin. In retrospect, he felt his travels had been far from wasted.

Yet, where there had been seven who traveled out, only five would return. The bodies of Zhang Er and Zhang Si had been placed in two wooden coffins, resting quietly in the corner of the courtyard. The four men left—Zhang Biao and the others—could not conceal their grief. Han Long, still a youth, let two silent streams of tears fall down his cheeks.

“Wipe those tears away,” Zhang Yu said, producing a silk handkerchief. “This is a time of chaos; even survival is no easy thing. Today it was them—tomorrow it could well be us. The living must live well, for that is the best way to honor those who have fallen. Take heart.”

“Young master, when will all this turmoil come to an end?” Han Long did not take the handkerchief but wiped his tears away with his sleeve.

“There’s no way of knowing.”

Even after the land is divided into three, how many years of peace will truly follow?

“I’m not afraid to die,” Han Long suddenly declared, his voice firm. “But if I die, I want it to mean something—to help more people. I don’t want to die in vain at the hands of such men!”

“I believe in you. You most certainly will.” After all, you are the great Han Long, famed for venturing into the desert to claim the head of a notorious bandit chief.

The five survivors mounted their horses. Zhang Er and Zhang Si’s coffins were loaded onto a wooden cart, drawn by the very steeds the two had ridden on their journey.

At the main gate, the matron of the Zhen household stood waiting to see them off, accompanied by her two sons and five daughters. The matron, Lady Wang, was thoroughly pleased with her young son-in-law. Not only was he strikingly handsome and gentle-hearted, his literary fame resonated throughout Hebei, and he had risked his life to save the family in their hour of need—a flawless jade, cherished as her own.

Zhen Yan and Zhen Yao both admitted to themselves that, throughout Wuji and even all of Zhongshan, they knew of no finer lad than Zhang Yu. Especially Zhen Yao, who prided himself on his noble bearing but found himself utterly outshone by this jade-like brother-in-law, whom he admired with genuine awe.

As for the five sisters, it was no exaggeration to say they’d all been captivated by Zhang Yu even before meeting him. But since he was now their little sister’s betrothed, their admiration was quietly tucked away, leaving only envy for the youngest. Yet in Zhen Jiang, the eldest, there lingered a faint, inscrutable emotion in her gaze.

They escorted Zhang Yu and his party to the street, which was already bustling with carts and horses. Many townsfolk had come of their own accord, eager for one last look at the legendary “Jade Gentleman.” Among the crowd, Zhen Luo spotted Liu Yi’er and the girls who had once mocked her. Their faces flickered with a range of emotions as they looked from Zhang Yu to her—a drama in itself.

“Aunt, Brother Yan, Brother Yao, and all my sisters,” Zhang Yu said, unsure how to address his future sisters-in-law since he and Zhen Luo were not yet wed, “let us part here. I shall visit often; I hope you will not find my visits a nuisance!”

Not even a breeze of spring could compare to the smile in the eyes of the Jade Gentleman.

“Brother Yu, travel safely!” Zhen Luo’s eyes shimmered with tears, but her sensible nature kept her from begging him to stay. She forced a smile and waved her farewell.

“Good Luo’er, wait for my return.”

With a nimble leap, Zhang Yu mounted his white horse. His deft movement drew cheers from those present.

Five men on seven horses, accompanied by a cart, moved off at a measured pace. Zhang Yu looked back from horseback, his parting glance enough to make the hearts of all the young women present quiver.

“Once one has seen the vast sea, no other waters suffice; Apart from Mount Wu, no other clouds will do. Amidst the flowers, I am too weary to look back; Half for the people, half for you.”

As Zhang Yu finished his verse, all those present began to murmur it after him, as if in a trance. Without question, another masterpiece by the Jade Gentleman had been born.

“Once one has seen the vast sea, no other waters suffice; Apart from Mount Wu, no other clouds will do… Am I, then, the vast sea and Mount Wu in Brother Yu’s heart? Surrounded by flowers, yet he does not pause to admire them… Is it truly for the people of the world… and for me?”

A flush rose to Zhen Luo’s cheeks. For a girl who loved poetry and books, no gift could be finer.

“This little one won’t escape me now,” Zhang Yu thought with satisfaction. Ever since returning to this world with such a handsome face, he found even winning hearts came easily. “Pity she’s so young… and pity we’re separated by distance. Time, oh time, hurry along.”

He spurred his horse and rode for home.

…

Jizhou, Ye City.

The Governor’s Residence.

“Gongyu, what is this item?”

“Reporting to my lord, this is called a chair, crafted by the Jade Gentleman of Zhongshan. Skilled artisans have used his design to make recliners, round-backed chairs, rocking chairs, and more…”

“The Jade Gentleman of Zhongshan.” Yuan Shao smiled, settling himself into the “Grand Tutor’s Chair” in the hall, savoring its comfort.

“Quite interesting. But why doesn’t he devote himself to poetry, instead of dabbling in the works of craftsmen?”

“I do not know, my lord,” Ju Shou replied respectfully.

“There’s no need to stand on ceremony, Gongyu. I know you well—there’s no need for such formality before me.”

The lord and his adviser exchanged smiles. Yuan Shao continued, “I heard of the Jade Gentleman’s reputation back in Nanpi. Now that Jizhou is ours, when things are truly settled, perhaps I should pay him a visit.”

“My lord! With your status, how could you—”

“Ah, Gongyu, you are mistaken. To claim the realm, rank alone will not suffice. Otherwise, would that old traitor Dong dare such reckless acts as deposing and enthroning emperors?”

“My lord, upon entering Jizhou, you have kept no suspicion toward us old retainers, and now you would deign to visit a youth of modest station for his literary talent—such magnanimity commands my deepest respect,” said Ju Shou.

Yuan Shao laughed heartily. “If such words came from Gongze, I’d never believe them. But from you, Gongyu, even I, Yuan Shao, must feel gratified!”

“I am unworthy of such praise, my lord. My talents and reputation are far inferior to my elder brother’s, alas…”

“Who is your brother, Gongyu, and why do you lament?”

Ju Shou sighed softly and bowed. “My dear friend’s surname is Tian, given name Feng, courtesy name Yuanhao—”

“Is this the renowned talent Tian Yuanhao of Julu?” Yuan Shao asked in surprise.

“The same. Yuanhao and I once served under Lord Han, but his forthright nature and bold remonstrance often led to conflict during deliberations, earning the displeasure of both his peers and Lord Han, and thus he was not well regarded.”

“I have long heard of Yuanhao’s great talent. Where is he now?”

“I only recently learned that Yuanhao was recruited by another, and has left Ye City with his family.”

“Who has stolen my great talent?” Yuan Shao’s brows drew together, his presence turning formidable.

“The Prefect of Pingyuan—Liu Bei, styled Xuande.”

…

“Excellent! Truly excellent! Every word in this poem echoes the feelings in my own heart. For this poem alone, the Jade Gentleman is worthy to be called my soulmate! For this poem, let us all drink a great toast!”

All the civil and military officials present raised their cups and drank with Cao Cao on the dais. The more observant among them were quietly astonished; while the poem was fine, their lord’s praise seemed almost excessive.

“My lord,” said Xun Yu from below, “not only this poem, but the Jade Gentleman of Zhongshan has other masterpieces as well. Even I, upon reading them, cannot help but exclaim in admiration.”

With that, Xun Yu recited “Farewell to My Sworn Brother” and “Farewell on the Ancient Plain”—works he had heard of in Hebei.

Cao Cao listened in silence, betraying nothing even as Xun Yu finished, leaving his ministers unable to guess his thoughts nor dare to speak rashly.

“Fine poems!” came a voice, drawing all eyes. It was Xi Zhong, styled Zhizai, a recent recruit from Yingchuan.

“Oh? Zhizai, tell me: what makes these two poems so fine?” Cao Cao asked with a playful smile.

“What makes these two poems so fine—surely my lord, with your literary acumen, knows already? Yet the poems are not their true purpose—”

“How dare you!” Cao Hong, seeing Cao Cao’s stern expression, shot to his feet. “Xi Zhong, do you take it upon yourself to jest with my lord?”

Cao Cao did not respond to Cao Hong’s outburst, but instead looked at Xi Zhong with a seemingly approving gaze, his eyes deep as an abyss, waiting in silence.

Xi Zhong showed no fear, only smiling slightly. “These two poems have allowed my lord to recognize two men of talent—how could they not be fine?”

“Nonsense! Where in the poems—” Cao Hong began, but was cut off.

“And who are these two?” asked Cao Cao.

“The first, of course, is the renowned sworn brother known to all the land.”

“And the second? The three brothers of Liu Bei—”

“The Jade Gentleman of Zhongshan.”

“Hahaha! Zhizai, you know me well!”

Cao Cao’s frosty countenance melted instantly into warmth. Rising, he stepped down from the dais and raised his cup first to Xun Yu.

“This cup, I drink to you, Wenruo. The first is for your leaving Yuan Shao to join me—should our grand endeavor succeed, I will never betray your trust.” He drained his cup, then had an attendant refill it.

“The second cup is for bringing me these three poems, making me aware of the Jade Gentleman of Zhongshan, and thus gaining a kindred spirit.”

“The third cup is for recommending a talent like Zhizai to my service. With you two as my chief advisers and my host of valiant warriors, I shall surely restore my might!”