Chapter 1859: Lord Dang Is Not Stupid

The Dang family estate was naturally a fine place nestled against mountains and rivers, with beautiful scenery and a comfortable environment. Lord Dang's retirement life was quite agreeable—drinking fine wine, sipping mountain springs, enjoying delicacies, and occasionally indulging in youthful whims, even going hunting with falcons and hounds. More than half of Yangzhai's territory was mountainous hills, with the remaining range of Funiu Mountain right at the side, making it very convenient.

The Dang family estate covered a vast area, a full hundred mu or more. Back then, Dang Jin had spent a fortune to invite Zhang Yu, a renowned architectural master from the capital, to help with the design.

This Zhang Yu was not easy to invite. He was a close friend of the late Duke of Luan, Murong Yanchao, and the most skilled in architecture among the many talented men Murong Yanchao had nurtured. In those days, Zhang Yu had been the chief designer for the construction of the new city of Kaifeng. Later, he became a guest of Liu Yun, then Duke of Qi, and the broadly interested Liu Yun even treated him with the courtesy of a teacher, learning architectural aesthetics from him.

When Dang Jin made his request, Zhang Yu initially refused—they simply were not the same kind of people. Although some jokingly called him "the carpenter," Zhang Yu was himself a learned and widely read literatus, especially fond of deep study. Dang Jin, by contrast, was a rough soldier, an uncouth fellow, and what's more, he often took pride in being illiterate and gloried in his aversion to learning.

Dang Jin naturally could not force Zhang Yu, for the man's backing was simply too formidable—not someone Lord Dang could coerce. However, Dang Jin's skin was thick enough. He went to visit day after day; the more he was refused, the more persistent he became, until Zhang Yu was thoroughly vexed. In the end, Zhang Yu went so far as to beg Duke of Qi Liu Yun to intercede on his behalf, and only then did he reluctantly agree.

He did make one request—not for gold, silver, or treasures, but simply that Dang Jin learn to recognize all the characters in the *Thousand Character Classic*. To this, Dang Jin agreed readily enough. Only, more than a decade had passed, and he still had not fulfilled that agreement.

With Zhang Yu's design, over a thousand laborers, enormous expenditure, and more than a year of work, the Dang family estate was finally completed. Dang Jin also had a peculiar hobby: although he often spoke words contemptuous of literati, he nevertheless liked to ape refined tastes, and he had caused no small number of jokes because of it.

After the estate was completed, he sought out some learned scholars to help him name it, but none of the names satisfied Dang Jin. So Dang Jin simply decided to do it himself. At first, because Yangzhai belonged to ancient Yuzhou, he wanted to call it "Yu Garden."

No sooner had he proposed this idea than he was immediately dissuaded. The reason was simple: although the estate was magnificent, it could not bear such a name. Though Dang Jin was displeased, he accepted it. Then, because the Ying River passed through the area, he wanted to call it "Ying Garden," but he was dissuaded again, for the same reason.

So Lord Dang grew annoyed and decided to call it "Lan Garden," and this time he would not permit any objection. Yangzhai's water systems were well developed—besides the main channel of the Ying River, there were dozens of large and small waterways, and the Lan River was one of the larger branches, a full three hundred li long. Dang Jin often swam in the Lan River, and so the estate's name was taken from this waterway.

Within Lan Garden stood dozens of large and small buildings, more than two hundred rooms, with tall earthen walls and green waters encircling it—it was more fitting to call it a small fortress. Among them, the most famous were a dozen or so great granaries, storing vast quantities of grain, money, and cloth.

Exactly how much wealth was stored there, no one knew, but rumors were many. As for grain alone, some said two hundred thousand dan, others three hundred thousand dan, and of course there were exaggerated claims of a million dan.

In the howling winter wind, the renowned Lan Garden received a batch of guests—a batch that did not look particularly friendly. Pan You, the Administration Commissioner of the Capital Circuit, led his subordinate officials and clerks in a grand, ostentatious visit.

Pan You's entourage on this trip was by no means small—more than two hundred officials, clerks, and attendants, with banners standing in rows, and the neighing of sturdy horses sounding low and oppressive in the cold wind.

Pan You rode alone at the front, halting before the gates of Lan Garden. Gazing at this magnificent estate, his expression was somewhat grave. Compared with the presence he himself exuded, the men and horses he had brought seemed to carry little deterrence. Moreover, Pan You seriously suspected that Dang Jin's construction of such a lavish noble estate bordered on exceeding the regulations.

While he was deep in thought, the gates of Lan Garden swung wide open, and a troop of men filed out, forming ranks before him, facing off against the circuit government's party. Though not numerous, each man sat a tall, fine horse with a wild, untamable air, faintly radiating a confrontational intent.

Accompanied by several nephews and younger relatives, Lord Dang strolled out slowly, appearing calm and unhurried. Dang Jin's health had indeed been failing—after all, he was a man approaching sixty, and his constitution had declined considerably in recent years. Earlier, when Zhao Kuangyin had died of illness, he had wept bitterly, which had also wounded his body and spirit.

Yet before Pan You, he showed not the slightest sign of decline. Under the protection of his men, he cast a sidelong, contemptuous glance at the scene outside the estate, and his gaze finally settled on Pan You, who sat arrogantly on his horse. He gave two cold laughs: "Governor Pan pays a visit—I've failed to welcome you from afar! Making such a great show of force, so menacing—what business brings you here?"

Pan You did not dismount either. He likewise sized up Dang Jin, gave a slight salute with clasped hands, and said flatly: "I heard Lord Dang was ill, so I have come specially to pay a visit of concern!"

Hearing this, Dang Jin chuckled: "My old body is indeed unwell, but Governor Pan, with all this display of force—surely you don't mean to frighten my illness away?

Unfortunately, I have a peculiar trait: when I hear the sound of hoofbeats and see banners fluttering, my spirits are invigorated! I fought my way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood—this little show of force can't scare anyone. These rats and snakes under your Capital Circuit command are beneath my notice. But my old soldiers here would be glad to spar with you lot!"

As Dang Jin finished speaking, the Dang family retainers moved at the sound, gripping their weapons tightly, looking eager for action. These retainers, apart from a few young men, were mostly sturdy veterans in their forties and fifties, many with graying beards—clearly old brothers who had followed Dang Jin through life-and-death struggles. Yet at this moment, they showed no fear whatsoever; their eyes carried a measure of arrogance and disdain, clearly the sort of proud, fierce soldiers. Those on horseback even assumed charging postures.

Seeing this reaction, the clerks and attendants of the Capital Circuit grew tense, each looking as if facing a great enemy. As for the subordinate officials who had come with Pan You, their faces changed dramatically, quite alarmed, all showing worried expressions—surely this wouldn't come to blows.

The only one who remained expressionless was Pan You himself. He sat silently on his horse, locking eyes with Dang Jin, not a trace of fear in his gaze—indeed, there was even a hint of anticipation.

The sturdy horses snorted hot breath, their hooves constantly pawing the ground, as if only waiting to vent that restless agitation pervading the cold wind. However, after observing Pan You for a long while, Dang Jin suddenly burst into loud laughter and teased: "Is Governor Pan's heart secretly hoping that I'll give the order and come to blows with the circuit government?"

This display from Dang Jin made Pan You's brows knit tightly. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Dang Jin chuckle: "This old man hasn't gone senile!"

Pointing at the Dang family retainers around him, he said in a relaxed tone: "These old brothers of mine are only for guarding the home and warding off petty thieves—I wouldn't dare oppose the government. I have spent my whole life loyal to the state, through life and death. This business of defying the court—I would never do such a thing!"

"Isn't it just about land? Never mind measuring it out clearly and paying taxes according to the regulations—if Your Majesty wanted it, even giving it all to the state, what would there be to regret?" Dang Jin looked at Pan You with contempt in his eyes and sneered: "But the dignified Governor Pan is quite obedient—when told to come, you come."

When Dang Jin finished these words, Pan You's composure could no longer hold. His ugly face shifted between overcast and clear, filled with shame and fury. He finally understood—the posturing Dang Jin had put on earlier was merely to embarrass him, Pan You.