Chapter 597: The Feast That Leaves a Name in History

Facing Wang Yansheng's request, Zhao Kuangyin nodded, then shook his head. This left Wang Yansheng utterly bewildered, and emboldened by the wine, he said directly: "Chief Inspector, speak plainly, no riddles!"

Taking this as mere forthrightness, Zhao Kuangyin paid it no mind and said: "The General's concerns are also those of the discerning in the court. But the Son of Heaven's considerations, foreign policy, the Bureau of Military Affairs' deployments, and military adjustments are never limited to one corner or one place—they must be viewed from the overall situation."

"Last winter, did the court not issue an edict that the Han army around the Dingnan Army—especially here in Yanzhou—must not send a single soldier or rider across the border and provoke conflict! The General should earnestly appreciate the court's intent and consider the greater good!"

"So in the end, we simply cannot send more troops?" Wang Yansheng's eyes bulged as he stared at Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin gave a wry smile and replied: "With General Wang's fearsome reputation, the peace of Yanzhou is assured. Haven't you done well since taking up your post?"

"The Chief Inspector need not flatter me!" Wang Yansheng shook his head, took a gulp of wine, and said: "I am stationed in the northwest; I cannot concern myself with the greater situation of the southwest!"

"For the General to say such a thing proves that in your heart, you truly understand!" Zhao Kuangyin raised his cup in a toast and said with a light smile.

Wang Yansheng's gaze toward Zhao Kuangyin held some surprise, a feeling of having his thoughts seen through. He stroked his beard and said seriously: "The court does not wish chaos in the northwest; it wants to pursue a policy of appeasement toward the Dingnan Army and the Tangut. But how the Tangut behave is not within our control."

"Since we retook the salt lake last year, the Dingnan Army's people have been harassing us openly and covertly around the area. If the court ties my hands, and the Tangut attack, then don't expect me to hold them off with just the troops of the Dingbian Army..."

Hearing Wang Yansheng say this, Zhao Kuangyin also put on a grave expression and said: "If the Tangut truly ignore the court's goodwill and dare to rebel in open defiance, then the court will certainly not sit idly by. Appeasement does not mean weakness. The Son of Heaven is a man of great talent who considers the overall situation of the realm; it is merely a matter of what comes first and what comes later..."

Upon hearing Zhao Kuangyin's words, Wang Yansheng's eyes unconsciously began to dart about. Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin seemed to sense something and hastily added a patch, offering counsel in advance: "But the court's current policy, the General must obey!"

Feeling that Zhao Kuangyin had again seen through some of his thoughts, Wang Yansheng chuckled and waved his hand: "Of course! Though I, Wang, am bold, I would not dare defy His Majesty and the court!"

As he spoke, Wang Yansheng continued: "When drinking and feasting, how can there be no song and dance to liven the mood? Though I have never cared for music and dance, the Hu dancing girls here are quite fine. Later I'll find two for the Chief Inspector to attend to your lodging."

"This is a token of my regard—do not refuse!" Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's expression and knowing what he was about to say, Wang Yansheng said directly.

At this moment, an officer entered and whispered a few words into Wang Yansheng's ear. A smile crept onto his lips, and meeting Zhao Kuangyin's gaze, Wang Yansheng said: "Perfect timing—there's another matter to enliven the wine! Bring him in!"

Soon, a Tangut prisoner was dragged in. Upon seeing Wang Yansheng, he immediately kowtowed repeatedly, stammering pleas for mercy in broken speech. Seeing this, the Yanzhou officials attending the feast instantly understood what was happening and set down their cups, bowls, and chopsticks.

Pointing at the prisoner, Wang Yansheng explained: "This man, drunk in the city, got into a brawl, damaged a tavern's property, and left two people gravely wounded, on the verge of death!"

While narrating, he picked up the short knife used for cutting meat and walked casually up to the prisoner. Wang Yansheng bared his teeth in a smile and said: "Today, with Chief Inspector Zhao present, I'll give you a quick end—no slow tearing!"

With that, he grabbed the man's left ear. A flash of cold light, the hand rose and the blade fell—accompanied by a miserable shriek, the Tangut prisoner became a one-eared man. But under Wang Yansheng's furious glare, he forcibly suppressed his pained moans, head lowered, tears streaming, teeth clenched, not daring to move.

Only then did Wang Yansheng reveal a satisfied smile, holding the bloody ear in his hand and displaying it to Zhao Kuangyin and all those present. Then he placed it on the flat of the knife, held it over the fire to roast it briefly, and—under the horrified gazes of the crowd—tossed it into his mouth, chewing and swallowing it raw.

"Wine!" came his garbled voice.

This scene was not new to the Yanzhou officials present, but every time, they could not help but shudder. Some things sound simple when told, but actually doing them requires tremendous courage. Wang Yansheng was clearly a ruthless man.

Once he had fully swallowed, he gave an order, and soldiers immediately dragged the prisoner away for treatment and punishment. Watching from the side, Zhao Kuangyi could not bear it any longer. He wanted to hold it in but simply could not. Forgetting even to beg pardon, he rushed out of the hall and vomited everything in his stomach in one go.

Watching Zhao Kuangyi's retreating figure, Wang Yansheng looked at Zhao Kuangyin: "This young man is the Chief Inspector's younger brother? He still lacks experience!"

Having observed Wang Yansheng's entire performance, Zhao Kuangyin's expression remained calm, though he could not help but remark: "The General's might—I, Zhao, have certainly witnessed it firsthand!"

Wang Yansheng laughed heartily, blood still visible between his teeth. Raising a bowl of wine, he continued to Zhao Kuangyin: "The Chief Inspector keeps praising my fearsome reputation—where does that reputation come from? From these bloody ears, one after another! I, Wang, have no great schemes and no great patience. To intimidate those barbarian tribes, only such bloody and brutal methods will do! Chief Inspector Zhao, what do you think?"

Meeting Wang Yansheng's gaze, Zhao Kuangyin clasped his hands and said: "For the General to hold this post is no easy feat! Were there any other way, who would willingly eat a raw ear!"

"These words please me greatly!" Wang Yansheng's expression was most pleased, and his gaze toward Zhao Kuangyin grew much warmer. He felt this man understood him, and laughed: "Human ears truly don't taste good! The first time last year, I too felt nauseated before I could swallow it down..."

Solemnly toasting Wang Yansheng with a bowl of wine, Zhao Kuangyin said: "Today, I, Zhao, thank the General for his generous hospitality! I must also trouble the General to show me this prefecture's passes and border defenses, its customs and people, and also the situation of the Dingnan Army!"

"No rush! Tomorrow, I will personally serve as the Chief Inspector's guide!" Wang Yansheng said with great boldness: "Chief Inspector Zhao suits my temperament well. Today, we drink until we're drunk or we don't go home!"

Seeing Wang Yansheng's expression that said "if you don't agree, you're not giving me face," Zhao Kuangyin had no choice but to say: "Since the General has the enthusiasm, I will naturally keep you company. But the officials here may have official duties—let them return to their posts!"

Wang Yansheng waved his hand, and the Yanzhou officials withdrew. Only Zhao Kuangyin and Wang Yansheng remained in the hall, drinking without cease. When it came to capacity for wine, Zhao Kuangyin was second to none—after the two of them drank ten catties together, it was still Zhao Kuangyin who laughed last.

Leaving the utterly drunk Wang Yansheng behind with orders for someone to look after him, Zhao Kuangyin staggered back to his lodging at the young lord's residence. Zhao Kuangyi, having vomited filth outside the hall and feeling ashamed, had not returned inside and had been waiting outside all along. He personally supported his elder brother.

"Second Brother, I embarrassed you today!" Zhao Kuangyi's spirits were low, and his tone carried a hint of inexplicable emotion: "I never imagined that Wang Yansheng could be so cruel and vicious—it's simply horrifying!"

"You're still young and inexperienced. What's eating one ear? On the battlefield, there are things far more cruel and bloody than that!" Zhao Kuangyin glanced at his younger brother and said: "You must remember, many things cannot be learned just from reading books! Wang Yansheng is erratic and fierce by nature, but he is also straightforward—and the court right now needs exactly such generals to guard the frontiers! That you witnessed today's events with your own eyes is your good fortune—perhaps it will even earn you a place in the annals of history!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi's expression changed instantly. If this were truly recorded and passed down through history, wouldn't his disgraceful performance also be broadcast to posterity?

His mood immediately soured. His eyes shifted, and a thought began to circle in his mind: if ever he had the chance, he would certainly seek to cover this up and put an end to such "rumors"...

Zhao Kuangyin had also drunk quite a bit. Shaking off his brother's support, he stood before the garden, undid his belt, and relieved himself, a look of release on his face as he sighed: "Refreshing! Truly refreshing!"

"To be honest, in all this inspection tour, Wang Yansheng is the one who suits my temperament best. Though I haven't fully examined the Dingbian Army, I can believe that Yanzhou's defenses are sufficient to set the court's mind at ease!" Zhao Kuangyin, riding the wine's momentum, spoke freely: "No need to linger long with the Dingbian Army—one more trip to Lingzhou and this border inspection will be just about done! I just wonder what the situation is over in Shuofang..."

Returning to his room, he fell into bed and slept. Between waking and dreaming, he sensed someone removing his clothes and started up in alarm—only to see two enticingly figured, scantily clad Hu dancing girls gazing at him with seductive smiles...

Even drunk, Wang Yansheng had not forgotten his "promise."