Chapter 53: Time Is a Butcher's Knife

Inside the storeroom of the Lingjin Workshop, Wei Qing looked at Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong with a face full of fury, so angry that he could not speak for a long time.

His handsome face was twisted, as if he wanted to open his mouth wide and eat someone. His tightly clenched fists looked as though he wanted to beat Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong black and blue to vent his anger.

Yet in the end, Wei Qing sighed in defeat: "Last year in Kuizhou, I looked after Vice Minister Zheng and young master Fang in many ways, and never spoke ill of you two before His Majesty.

Why must the two of you repay kindness with enmity and put me in such an awkward position?"

"General Wei is too modest. I hear that upon returning to the capital, you received the position of Acting General of the Jinwu Guard — so that trip wasn't exactly for nothing, was it?"

Zheng Shuqing said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, giving Fang Chongyong a meaningful glance.

Since things had already been said to this point, what was the point of being polite! Just lay the cards on the table and spell things out plainly.

If this matter was handled well, everyone would benefit; if not, then it wouldn't be just one or two people who'd be in trouble!

"It's like this, General Wei — what do you think of the brocades in this storeroom?"

Fang Chongyong pointed to the Tang brocade on the shelves beside him and asked, hoping to get a reliable answer from an "industry insider."

Hearing this, Wei Qing also snapped out of his fury.

In truth, he knew that the source of this matter lay with Li Longji! It was not that Zheng Shuqing and the others were deliberately picking a fight.

"By my judgment, these should be first-rate brocades of our Great Tang, presentable anywhere.

If His Majesty sees their splendor, he will certainly be pleased."

Wei Qing picked up a piece of fabric, repeatedly stroking and examining it, nodding slightly as he spoke with absolute certainty.

He was someone who had seen the world at Li Longji's side, so of course his eye was uncommonly discerning, and his words carried a certain credibility.

However, Wei Qing didn't speak in absolutes either — if the "splendor" of the fabric was never shown to Li Longji, then it would all be for nothing.

Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing exchanged a glance and silently nodded without speaking.

Wei Qing's opinion mattered greatly because, as a member of the Pear Orchard troupe, Wei Qing and his kind, to a certain extent, shared an aesthetic sensibility similar to Li Longji's.

Birds of a feather flock together — anyone whose aesthetic taste differed too greatly from Li Longji's obviously could not last in the Pear Orchard.

If Wei Qing thought it was acceptable, then the Tang brocade was unlikely to be a problem.

So the question now became: how to display the beauty of these brocades before Li Longji.

"What exactly are you two trying to do?"

Wei Qing asked curiously, the anger in his heart having already dissipated. As a special official serving Li Longji, Wei Qing was clearly not the kind of person to cling to pointless grievances.

In the past, it wasn't as if no one had sought out Wei Qing — even situations like today's had occurred before.

After all, Wei Qing was a management figure within the Pear Orchard, and people coming to him for help on ordinary days were not few.

As long as those seeking him did not enter the Pear Orchard within Daming Palace, then procedurally there was no problem whatsoever.

For instance, being invited to the Ten Princes' Residence to give singing performances, or participating in birthday celebrations for some imperial prince or grandson — Wei Qing being called out for such things was perfectly ordinary.

But today's situation was indeed different, because that Yang Yuhuan, dancing a close-body sensual dance with Li Longji, could even compose her own music!

She was completely different in type from any woman Li Longji had favored before.

Before Yang Yuhuan appeared, a favored consort was a favored consort, and a courtesan was a courtesan. One pleased with beauty, the other moved with art.

The two were parallel lines that would never intersect. Each earned their own keep — it wasn't what you'd call vicious competition.

Because each type could only satisfy one of Li Longji's interests or needs.

But Yang Yuhuan was different — she could fully satisfy Li Longji's psychological and physical needs, with almost no weakness!

Yang Yuhuan was versed in music, skilled in both song and dance, allowing Li Longji, after releasing his bodily desires, to further regulate his mood through music and attain spiritual satisfaction.

Simply put, Yang Yuhuan had Li Longji completely under her control. She had tricks in bed and out of bed, with no cooldown between switching skills, and every move struck Li Longji's weakest point.

It had gotten to the point where this Emperor of the High Tang, of late, could not be apart from Yang Yuhuan for even a single step. He favored her to the degree of completely disregarding the eyes of others!

This situation not only caused many consorts in Li Longji's inner palace to feel dissatisfied, but even many courtesans in the Pear Orchard privately harbored considerable complaints against her.

The tree that stands tall in the forest will surely be toppled by the wind. While Yang Yuhuan enjoyed favor, the risks behind her could not be underestimated.

For instance, Wei Qing himself; for instance, Lady Gongsun, who taught sword dance. They all felt that Yang Yuhuan had already "crossed the line."

If you wanted to please with beauty, no problem; if you wanted to move people with talent, no problem — everyone was out to make a living, so how could you sell both your art and your body?

Wasn't that smashing other people's rice bowls!

"It's like this: are there women in the Pear Orchard who are skilled at dancing? Use this Tang brocade to make dance costumes for them.

Three days from now, His Majesty will hold a grand banquet at the Pear Orchard in the Imperial Park, and there will surely be song and dance to add to the festivities.

The dancing girls can thereby gain fame, and Vice Minister Zheng can also use this Tang brocade to fulfill his assignment.

Would that not be the best of both worlds?"

So it was for this!

Wei Qing was taken aback, somewhat understanding why Zheng Shuqing and the others were in such a hurry.

He sighed rather emotionally: "Young master, you may not yet understand the rules of the palace.

The clothes used for dancing are all public property of the palace, not privately owned by the courtesans. They may only be used when needed.

As for whatever Tang brocade you mentioned in the storeroom — since it is produced by the Lingjin Workshop, to become public property of the Pear Orchard, naturally it requires His Majesty's approval.

Of course, if it were treated as a so-called gift given to those dancing courtesans, that would also be justifiable. But these Tang brocades for making clothes — what would you use to cover the shortfall?

The accounts of the Directorate of the Palace Building cannot be altered at will either."

Wei Qing said this very earnestly.

If the Tang brocade were used as "public property," then naturally Zheng Shuqing would not need to pay out of pocket, nor would he need to bear the risk. By the same logic, for this batch of Tang brocade to leave the storeroom, it would require Li Longji's approval procedures. By the time the whole process was completed, the flowers would have wilted!

Looking at what Fang Chongyong was trying to accomplish, Wei Qing could tell that the other party definitely did not want Li Longji to know about these things in advance.

Of course, there was another method: using personal funds to fill the shortfall, then diverting the goods. This sort of thing happened often as well, and could be considered one of the "unwritten rules" of the Directorate of the Palace Building.

The artisan workshops under the Directorate of the Palace Building, regardless of what they produced, were in fact ruthlessly exploiting and squeezing their laborers.

These people all worked in the various workshops under the Directorate of the Palace Building in the form of "corvée labor," not a so-called "employment relationship." Of course, it wasn't entirely unpaid toil either — many peasants who had lost their land came in hoping to learn "a marketable skill."

Since the labor was "free," the Directorate of the Palace Building also took on quite a bit of private work, even signing agreements resembling commercial contracts with civilian workshops, pulling all kinds of tricks.

In short, these laborers cannot be stopped.

If Zheng Shuqing is willing to pay himself and make up the money for the costumes for the courtesans, this matter can still be easily handled within the relevant rules.

In other words, to pull this off, Zheng Shuqing must front the money and bear the risk; only if the performance is a great success will Li Longji settle the bill.

If the result is poor, Zheng Shuqing will have to fill the shortfall himself, otherwise the charge of embezzling public funds cannot be avoided.

"We need to make a few garments; just take whatever you like. That's how the matter is arranged."

Zheng Shuqing gritted his teeth and said.

A true man cannot just eat from five cauldrons; he must also cook with five cauldrons. If we don't go all out now, when else will we strike?

"You're insane! These Tang brocades are priceless; you don't think a strip of brocade is worth just a bolt of cloth, do you?"

Fang Chongyong hurriedly grabbed his sleeve and shouted, and the two stepped aside to discuss.

"Bet the big one: if we win, we pave the way for the Minister of Revenue; if we lose, we go bankrupt!"

Zheng Shuqing's eyes turned blood‑red; his old habit of going all‑in at the crucial moment resurfaced.

"Alas, you're …"

Fang Chongyong had no reply; perhaps from Zheng Shuqing's perspective, ministers like them who do not follow the scholar‑official path must seek to showcase themselves to ensure a smooth career.

Meanwhile, those 'normal' examination‑based bureaucrats are constantly adapting to the Tang court, using petty scheming to alter the rules of the imperial game.

By the later Kaiyuan period, the so‑called 'Qingliu'—scholars—had essentially monopolized the regular promotion channels for court officials. It was a suffocating stranglehold of power. Anyone outside the Qingliu who rose would face massive criticism.

For example, Niu Xianke.

The promotion of civil officials had already become an 'unspeakable' tacit rule. What kind of person, after entering service, should be appointed to which rank after how long; which posts are nominal, which are lucrative, which are only attainable after demotion or exile; the dizzying shuffle of appointments—these 'Qingliu' had long arranged everything in crystal‑clear order.

Nowadays, low‑ranking clerks rising from the bottom are increasingly marginalized, forced to scrape a lifetime at the bottom.

Since they can't rise, they start to swing their arms for money, leading to further decay of officialdom.

In Fang Chongyong's view, whether it's Li Linfu, who excels at eliminating rivals, or the tepid examination‑official group behind Zhang Jiuling, neither can truly be called progressive or reactionary; they are simply doing everything they can to dismantle the Tang establishment.

The difference lies only in method: some tear down doors and walls, others undermine foundations. Some dismantle with fiery haste, others with a slow, simmering heat.

"General Wei, if— I mean, if Yang Yuhuan continues to develop in music and dance in the future, Gongsun Daniu would surely be displeased."

She might then become unemployed because of it. A sage watching Yang Yuhuan's dance would probably find it hard to appreciate anyone else.

So, does Gongsun Daniu have any interest in having herself and her disciples don splendid Tang brocade, once again let sword qi stir the four corners, and win the sage's favor?

Fang Chongyong cut straight to the point, not avoiding what the many opera‑school youths are now worrying about.

"I'll take you to see Gongsun Daniu, just you alone."

Wei Qing said in a deep voice to Fang Chongyong, glancing at Zheng Shuqing.

Fang Chongyong agreed; he also felt that now it was indeed necessary to curb Yang Yuhuan's momentum.

Of course, if that can't be done, it's still fine to have Gongsun Daniu and the others make a brief appearance before Li Longji.

"That's great!"

Fang Chongyong clasped Wei Qing's hands tightly, exclaiming excitedly.

He had heard Gongsun Daniu was also a beauty, with a slender waist, long legs, adept at sword dancing. Wearing a brocade robe made of this Tang brocade would surely unleash twelvefold power!

Fang Chongyong felt fully confident! This would definitely win!

……

In the Tang dynasty, the term 'Daniu' generally did not refer to the modern 'big lady' who frequents square‑dance gatherings, but rather to the eldest daughter of a household.

Moreover, it was usually used when the eldest daughter was still very young. After marriage she was no longer called that; only when her epitaph was carved after death would she again be referred to as 'Daniu'.

Thus a woman addressed as 'Surname + Daniu' should not be old at all; she ought to be a teenage girl.

When the setting sun turned the horizon orange, Fang Chongyong finally, in the northern Forbidden Garden of Chang'an—formerly the opera garden outside the city—saw Gongsun Daniu guiding her female disciples in sword dancing.

Then, his belief shattered on the ground!

This is a 'Daniu', a 'Daniu' that even later terminology must address with respect.

A slightly hunched back, a waist thickened by childbirth, and crow's‑feet that had etched themselves onto her forehead from toil.

In Fang Chongyong's imagination, Gongsun Daniu wielded a pendant sword, swinging it like surging clouds, possessing a heroic yet elegant bearing, clad in splendid jade‑like robes, slender, graceful, and light as a swallow.

It was all just a dream.

Time is a butcher's knife; it shows no mercy to anyone.

Now Gongsun Daniu's forehead is riddled with wrinkles, looking especially aged; her figure has deteriorated to the level of the square‑dance aunties Fang Chongyong often saw in his past life, and even her once‑sleek hair has turned considerably gray.

Only her eyes remain sharp, and her aura exudes unspoken authority.

Time has left deep marks on her, taking away youth yet leaving behind things that others—and even she—cannot see.

Experience, wisdom, temperament, or something else.

"Young master, you seem quite disappointed upon seeing me."

Gongsun Daniu smiled lightly, instantly reading the emotion that was almost written on Fang Chongyong's face.

From Wei Qing's words, she already understood his purpose.

"Those Tang brocade garments can be tried on. I'm already old and can't swing a sword anymore. Even if I wear those splendid silk brocades, it's just a public embarrassment."

Gongsun Daniu sighed, saying that now she preferred plain coarse linen.

Since she's old now, there's no need to bring out the lavish outfits once worn for sword dancing, as a ridiculous display of past achievements and glory.

"Li Shierniang, take a few of them to measure their sizes for the garments.

Three days later, at the sage's banquet, don't embarrass me."

Gongsun Daniu calmly told her few disciples, then turned and left, too lazy to argue with Fang Chongyong.

It's clear that Yang Yuhuan, who can sing, dance, and master music, indeed poses a great impact on Gongsun Daniu! Perhaps due to Li Longji's face and authority, Gongsun Daniu could not speak ill of her in front of Li Longji.

Yet what they think behind the scenes is hard to say.

"Is it really no problem?"

Fang Chongyong asked Wei Qing, somewhat doubtful.

「I don't know either; only a sage can give the answer。」

Wei Qing spread his hands and replied helplessly.