Chapter 30: The Lone Wanderer

Li Kui took Fang Chongyong to Xuanping Fang, and before they entered the gate they saw a line of people already stretching outside.

A fortune‑teller's business was booming like this; one has to admit that people of Tang‑era Chang'an are quite superstitious.

Watching this, Fang Chongyong clicked his tongue in amazement and, a little puzzled, asked Li Kui, "Wang Sheng, how much does a single fortune reading cost?"

"Five hundred wen, no cheating old or young, price is fixed."

Li Kui said confidently.

People are simple‑minded and rich, easy to fool. Never mind, everything in Chang'an is pricey anyway, so losing this round doesn't matter.

Thinking this, Fang Chongyong fell silent, gave A Duan a command, and told him to have a string of cash ready.

Fang Chongyong originally thought the line would last until nightfall, but the queue moved surprisingly fast, and before long it was their turn. Wang Sheng had an air of Daoist elegance, and a young disciple stood beside him, tasked with collecting money.

The entire courtyard was piled with all sorts of items—boxes for money and various bolts of cloth—clearly indicating brisk business.

Fang Chongyong began to understand why Hong Lian Chun sold so wildly in Chang'an.

Even a single fortune reading costs five hundred wen; Chang'an's "tertiary sector" prices are indeed not cheap, and the original price of Hong Lian Chun was set far too low!

He wondered whether there would be a chance later to ask Li Longji for some compensation for the mental loss.

"You are asking for a future?"

The Daoist priest named Wang Sheng looked at Li Kui and asked.

"Indeed, Daoist priest, you are truly a diviner; you know what I seek even before I draw a lot."

Li Kui said, a little excited.

"Seeing your attire, Daoist priest, of course I know you came for the Chang'an imperial examinations; no need to divine that."

Fang Chongyong said irritably, "Li Kui is literally a fool with money, a perfect dupe."

"Hey, never mind, never mind; later when we do the fortune, collect his money, I won't take a single cent of yours."

Wang Sheng stroked his long beard and said with a smiling grin.

Soon, the slip was drawn; Fang Chongyong didn't read the characters, but saw Wang Sheng, nonchalantly to Li Kui, say: "After you pass the exam this time, you will be granted a tiny minor office, then be dispatched out of Chang'an."

"If you are unwilling, just don't take the exam. Misfortune leans on fortune, and fortune hides misfortune, you know."

Wang Sheng spoke very casually, while Fang Chongyong counted how many characters he had said.

"Fifty, is that right? One character costs more than ten wen, so it's daring of him to say that."

Fang Chongyong silently mourned for Li Kui for a few seconds, and indeed noticed that Li Kui's complexion had shifted from clear to overcast, about to rain.

Li Kui had been well‑read since childhood, believing his learning filled five carts and his literary talent shone brightly.

In short, he thought that after passing the exam and receiving an office, only the position could fail his talent; his talent would never fail the position!

If he could pass the exam this time, even a tiny minor office in Chang'an would be fine; after all it's a capital post, close to the water tower gets the first moon, and promotion will come sooner or later.

But if he were sent out as a small official, it would be better to rely on family patronage rather than the examination route! The Li clan's Guzangfang branch of Longxi has continuously held offices for generations, truly a lineage of officials.

Gaining a post through family patronage is not a problem at all; it just feels a bit unworthy of his "overflowing talent."

Li Kui, looking displeased, tossed a money pouch onto the table, turned to leave, but was stopped by Fang Chongyong.

"Daoist priest, I intend to go to Zheng County, Huazhou, to find my wife; what do you think?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Wang Sheng, unchanged, and asked.

He didn't expect the youngster before him could speak so in detail; it still sounded rather "absurd." Wang Sheng was startled, nodded and let Fang Chongyong draw a lot. Fang Chongyong casually took a stick, handed it to the other to examine, but didn't even glance at what was written on it.

Soon, Wang Sheng waved his hand and said, "You may go, you may not go; it's all a matter of a single thought, both are fine."

"Hm?"

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong and Li Kui both felt rather baffled. What kind of interpretation is this?

"Daoist priest, could you be more detailed?"

"You are just a novice; does a marriage matter require me, a humble Daoist, to explain in such detail?"

Wang Sheng retorted, a little speechless.

"Enough."

Fang Chongyong sighed, placed the money pouch from A Duan onto the table, and reached for Li Kui's as well.

He had three thousand guan of liquid capital; he could afford to host guests.

"Can fortune‑telling be done at the expense of others' money?"

"Just losing money to dispel disaster."

"I just said, I will calculate for you free of charge. A person without trust cannot stand."

Wang Sheng firmly pressed his large hand onto Li Kui's money pouch, then with an unexpected expression signaled Fang Chongyong to quickly take his own money away.

"Let's go, thank you Daoist priest for the clarification."

Li Kui, a bit discouraged, bowed respectfully to Wang Sheng, grabbed Fang Chongyong and left. A Duan, without a word, carried the string of cash, and the party swiftly exited Xuanping Fang.

After they emerged, Li Kui remained sulky and unsettled. He had originally invited Fang Chongyong for fun, yet now he was the first to be displeased; none of the kids had steady resolve, and at this moment Li Kui felt a twinge of shame.

"This place is close to my home; why not come to my house for a drink of water and wine? Two scholars also reside there, hurrying for the exams; sharing a meal and some merriment would be nice."

Fang Chongyong comforted Li Kui, saying.

When the two arrived at the Fang family residence, they found that Xu Yuan and Zhang Xun had gone out to visit "honored guests" and were not there at all.

Fang Dafu served a plate of steamed chicken, a dish of chive‑fried eggs, a plate of pickled pork ears, and a side of salty vegetables resembling sour radish.

There was also the common Chang'an city drink, a few dou of cloudy rice wine for a hundred wen.

This is the down‑to‑earth ordinary fare.

The level of guest determines the wine and dishes; Fang Chongyong suddenly realized that Fang Dafu seemed quite adept at this. He wouldn't embarrass Li Kui, nor overwhelm the guests to the point of being dazzled.

Without any instruction, he had already prepared the food and drink; Fang Laique's father is truly capable.

With thoughts in mind, Fang Chongyong said to Li Kui, "Brother, we felt like old friends at first sight; a modest thin wine is insufficient as respect, come, let me drink first in tribute."

Fang Chongyong drained the cloudy rice wine from the white porcelain cup before him in one gulp; it tasted similar to the rice wine of his past life, but sweeter, more like a beverage.

This liquor is very easy to make; just take out the liquid after fermenting rice wine, no need to filter.

But due to slight differences in the yeast and craftsmanship, good cloudy rice wine is neither sour nor intoxicating; it is the liquor often served when entertaining guests. Even among the same type, one can still tell which is better or worse.

The two ate and drank, and soon the rice wine's aftereffect hit them, whereupon Li Kui began to complain about the court.

"Nowadays, those who merely occupy positions without merit at court are countless. If I ever become Chancellor, I will surely remove all these mediocre people and let the capable rise."

"Then I will have lived up to the sage's patronage above and the people's support below; this life will be enough."

Li Kui began to speak of his ambitions, while Fang Chongyong merely listened quietly at his side, nodding now and then without offering comment.

Apart from agreeing with Li Kui's suggestion that the imperial examinations should be open-book but with harder questions, Fang Chongyong spent the rest of the time preoccupied, listening and drinking glumly.

"Younger brother! A man need not worry about lacking a wife. You are the son of Jiedushi Fang; why fret over marriage? Even though I am a relative of General Wang's wife's family, I will still say a few words to you."

"Hey, man, don't think too lowly of yourself. Will the son of Jiedushi Fang really be unable to marry a young lady?"

Li Kui's alcohol tolerance is poor; after drinking half a liter he started talking nonsense. Inside and out, he was puzzled by Fang Chongyong's eagerness to form a marriage alliance with the Wang Zhongsi family.

"A person without credibility cannot stand; if you promise something to someone, you must go ahead and do it. Whether you can do it well is another matter, but you cannot pretend it never happened."

Fang Chongyong set down his cup and spoke in a low voice.

"Alas, hardships are not to be spoken of. Having you as a son-in-law, General Wang, is truly a blessing."

Li Kui sighed and said.

"Lord Li, what do you think of the world today?"

Fang Chongyong asked slowly.

"Although there are flaws, the four words 'peaceful and prosperous age' still deserve to be used."

Li Kui spoke very solemnly, for such talk must not be uttered carelessly. While Fang Chongyong might not care, Li Kui, as one who will take the imperial examinations, cannot afford to have reckless words spread, lest the consequences be unpredictable.

"Many things are hidden beneath the surface. Ordinary people can see the beauty of the appearance, but not the cruelty within."

For example, the arduous labor in the fields appears, on the surface, to be something natural and right for farmers; in fact, those things are unnecessary for them.

In other words, this kind of thing is not, like eating and drinking, something innate that they ought to do; they are driven by external forces and have no choice but to do it.

To survive, they must labor; and the product of their labor merely sustains survival, year after year, day after day.

When a farmer labors in the field, he is not affirming himself but denying his own existence;

the farmer does not feel happiness but feels misfortune, even numbness;

while laboring in the field, the farmer cannot freely exert his talents, and his body is tormented and his spirit crushed.

Not only can he not free himself, but it must also be passed down from generation to generation.

Whether they are landless tenants or landowning gentlemen, they can only feel ease and happiness outside of field labor—for instance, by taking a sip of wine, eating a meal, or enjoying marital bliss.

In short, farmers labor merely to make a living. The harvest from the fields brings them their rations and daily necessities, yet they are bound to the land to continue farming as if it were natural and right.

Thus, they can no longer be considered a group of people, but rather things controlled by the fields, akin to draft oxen and horses.

Yet when they watch helplessly as others take away the produce of those fields, their inner emotion is numbness, or perhaps… hatred?

Upon hearing these words, Li Kui was shocked!

These words seem easy to understand, so why can't he fully grasp them even when they're together?

"Younger brother, what were you trying to say…"

Li Kui asked softly, feeling that his own aura had weakened considerably.

"When a merchant sells alcohol, upon seeing the liquor, what does it appear to be in his eyes?"

Fang Chongyong asked with bleary, drunken eyes.

"A merchant pursues profit; I suppose all he sees is money."

Li Kui sighed.

"Quite right; if I were a merchant, upon seeing those fine liquors I would not care how delicious or drinkable they are. I would only feel that the liquors before me are mountains of gold and silver!"

"I care nothing for anything else."

"Even if those liquors tasted like horse urine, as long as it didn't hinder my sales, I wouldn't care about that."

"Don't you feel that I am being held captive by the thought of making money? I strive to earn money, yet in the end it is money that controls me."

The gentlemen who were allotted land, however, found themselves controlled by rent, labor service, and miscellaneous taxes, confined to the fields and deprived of the chance to change their lives, day after day not knowing what they were doing.

Brave and skilled generals who opened the borders and earned merit for the state, yet for the sake of that merit they must continue to kill and burn in the border garrisons, stirring up strife.

Those who established merit, instead, find themselves controlled by their own merit, compelled to continue earning merit in the border garrisons, marching onward on a road strewn with carnage.

"Lord Li, tell me, can we find an answer to these matters within today's peaceful and prosperous age?"

"How can a person avoid being controlled by the things he himself has created?"

Fang Chongyong had drunk so much he was slumped over the table, and these words were almost muttered out.

"I…"

Li Kui looked at the already drunken-to-death Fang Chongyong, with many words stuck in his heart, not knowing how to utter them.

He thought that, should he become an official, he might also encounter the sorts of things Fang Chongyong had spoken of.

To climb upward, one must do things one dislikes, becoming a corrupt official.

The things one wants to do cannot be done because of various restrictions.

Scurrying like flies and dogs to climb up, after climbing up they continue to scurry like flies and dogs until the day they can no longer get by, ending in a miserable finish.

In Fang Chongyong's earlier words lay a great wisdom that ordinary people cannot comprehend.

It is hard to imagine that a child could utter such words.

"I am not as good as you…"

Li Kui rose, sighed, looked at the fallen Fang Chongyong, bowed deeply from the waist, performed a salute, then turned and left the separate courtyard.

……

"Stop pretending, stop pretending, you can't hold it in any longer!"

Outside Chunming Gate, in front of an ox cart, Fang Dafu was still continuously loading travel necessities onto the cart, prompting Fang Chongyong to rush forward to stop him.

Like bamboo umbrellas, oilskin hats and oilskin coats, medicine bags (containing many emergency pills and snake-repelling medicine), bags (similar to suitcases), and many roasted very dry flatbread as dry rations.

Nothing is missing!

This time setting out to Hua Prefecture Zheng County, not only does A Duan serve as guard, but the accomplished in both civil and military arts Zhang Wei also volunteered to serve as carriage driver to drive the cart for Fang Chongyong.

According to him, this is 'to repay the great kindness of Lord Repaying Kindness to one in ten thousand'.

"Young master, would you like this servant to beat the drum to clear the way?"

Fang Dafu asked with a chuckle.

Beating the drum to see off is a custom handed down from the Wei-Jin period; this time Fang Chongyong's journey to the Wang family, although not a marriage proposal, is more or less the same idea.

We must not let people look down on us.

"No need, no need, we should keep a low profile, low profile."

Fang Chongyong said embarrassedly, waving his hand, indicating that Fang Dafu could go back.

The ox cart began to jolt forward; Fang Chongyong sat inside, his body swaying back and forth. This official road is almost one of the best roads in the Tang state, but having already experienced a carriage ride on the way back to Chang'an, Fang Chongyong has no expectation for overland travel at all.

Jolting is unavoidable; it just depends on how severe it is, sigh.

He couldn't help but sigh.

"I always feel like I've forgotten something important—what exactly is it?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly wondered if he had forgotten something, but for a moment he couldn't recall it.

Having smoothly found home, now going to resolve Wang Zhongsi's transfer order issue; what else remains unresolved?

Old Zheng should be able to extricate himself easily; right, and who else was there?

Fang Chongyong recalled that among those who followed them into the city, there seemed to be an insignificant little person who had been persecuted by his scumbag father; what was his name again?

"That person should be all right, right? The Golden Wu Guard shouldn't make things difficult for him, right?"

Fang Chongyong felt a bit guilty as he thought.