CH 69: Heroic Pugilists

Along Hundred Prince Street, there were not one hundred princely manors, but merely thirty-odd residences. Over the years, more than a hundred princes had indeed lived here. At the Emperor’s pleasure, the place could be extraordinarily lively, with various princes enjoying extravagance and luxury, leaving behind many tales in the Capital. However, if the Emperor was suspicious, the princes would have to obediently return to their own lands, only allowed to enter the Capital yearly in accordance with the rules.[1]

Ever since the Martial Emperor executed the Crown Prince in his later years, the Hundred Prince Street had never been lively again.

Now it was winter, with princes staying in their own lands, making the Hundred Prince Street even more desolate. As dusk approached, the neighboring residential areas were starting to light their lanterns, but only a few lanterns were lit at the dozens of gates in the Hundred Prince Street.

At the recently renamed Manor of the Weary Marquis, the entrance was quite bustling. From time to time, people walked by in groups, casting glances inside the gates.

One of Yang Feng’s “friends” approached, saying, “It’s nothing. They’re all friends from the city. We’ll send them away with just a few words.”

Yang Feng clasped his hands and said, “Much obliged.”

Han Ruzi followed Yang Feng, but that person didn’t even spare him a glance.

“You have quite a few friends…” Han Ruzi said quietly.

“Some friends are easy to make. Just lower your stature, be polite, and then present them with silver, and you’ll have friends, even if you don’t know each other,” Yang Feng replied.

Han Ruzi asked in surprise, “Are they hired?”

“Hired? You might not be able to hire them even with the same amount of silver,” Yang Feng walked back and forth in the front courtyard, greeting his “friends” with a bow, polite but never self-effacing.

There was another set of rules in the pugilist world, which Han Ruzi understood even less. He followed Yang Feng and said, “Marquis Junyang said he wanted to restore the reputation of the heroes who died in vain during the time of the Martial Emperor. Are these friends of yours… considered heroes?”

“These friends are heroes of the Capital’s alleyways. As for Marquis Junyang?” Yang Feng snorted disdainfully, stopping in his tracks, “He is of those who desires fame and compliments.”

“But he really did say that. And… he even tried hard. Now he’s on the run, his whereabouts unknown.”

Yang Feng said, “The Hua clan is indeed known throughout the world for their chivalry and extensive connections. But they failed to distinguish between good and evil, thus planting the seeds of disaster. During Prince Qi’s rebellion, Prince Qi attracted many local heroes, more than half of whom had dealings with the Hua clan. The officials who were ordered to investigate in Guan-dong collected enough confessions to fill ten carts. The Empress Dowager delayed taking action, hoping for more conclusive evidence, so that the entire Hua clan could be uprooted at once. But she didn’t expect…”

“Marquis Junyang acted preemptively,” Han Ruzi suddenly understood. “He had already prepared for his escape. Participating in the palace coup was to enhance his reputation so that he could receive protection from heroes wherever he fled. No wonder the court has not caught him. The words he spoke back then… ah, they weren’t meant for me. There were others outside the door who would spread the word on Marquis Junyang’s behalf in the pugilist world.”

“Yes, in the pugilist world, reputation is power, and even swords and blades bow before it.”

“You have quite the reputation in the pugilist world, right?” Han Ruzi asked curiously.

Yang Feng replied stiffly, “In the pugilist world, Yang Feng is a nameless nobody.” After saying this, he went to check the door.

Han Ruzi stayed in place, feeling more and more that Yang Feng’s past was not simple.

Not only were there people pacing back and forth outside the manor, there were also some who stood or squatted by the entrance, greeting each other. Some even suddenly burst into anger, cursing others by name. Those who were scolded usually turned and ran away; no one dared to talk back, and no one dared to stay and fight back.

Feeling that the time was about right, Yang Feng approached the thirteen “friends” and clasped his fist, saying, “Thank you all for your efforts. It’s time to light the lanterns.”

Everyone in the manor, including Han Ruzi, did not understand what “lighting the lanterns” meant. However, the heroic pugilists tacitly understood. Two of them unfastened their swords from their waists, solemnly handed them over to their companions, and then each picked up a prepared lantern, went out through the side door, and closed it casually.

“Lighting the lanterns” was really just lighting lanterns. Han Ruzi and the eunuchs and palace maids could not help but feel both surprised and disappointed. However, their thoughts quickly changed.

The side door was not closed tightly, and the voices from outside came through clearly.

“I am Bai Taiyong from Xiaochun Square, and this person here, I’m sure everyone recognizes him, is Brother Kuang Caiyi from Sanliu Alley. The two of us are here to greet all our friends on behalf of the Weary Marquis. Today, the Weary Marquis has moved into his new residence, and we did not expect so many friends to come and celebrate. We are unprepared, so the two of us were specifically asked to entertain you. There’s not much to say. The Drunken Immortal Inn in Xiaochun Square has prepared food and drinks for everyone. Go there now, and just mention our names. You may drink to your hearts’ content on the upper floor, and we’ll join you shortly…”

Zhang Youcai stood behind the Weary Marquis and whispered, “This person is really good at talking. Brother Kuang Caiyi from Sanliu Alley, even his name, meaning tailor, is interesting. Food and drinks? What about us…”

Yang Feng turned his head and gave him a stern look. Zhang Youcai didn’t continue, but he was not quite convinced, and whispered even more softly, “This is really too much. No matter what, we are of the imperial clan, yet we have to treat a bunch of ruffians to dinner while we go hungry ourselves.”

Han Ruzi, on the other hand, did not think as such. Instead, he listened very carefully, analyzing every word that came from outside.

After Bai Taiyong, Kuang Caiyi also said a few words. He seemed to be a real tailor, as his first sentence was, “Hey, you there, you took three robes from my shop. When are you going to pay? Today, we need to have a good talk about this…”

Laughter erupted outside the door, and a few people began to incite enmity. Before Bai Taiyong and Kuang Caiyi could speak, they were driven away by the others’ scolding.

Before long, Bai and Kuang returned through the side door, leaving the lanterns outside. They took back their swords from their friends, bowed to Yang Feng to say goodbye, and still did not glance at the Weary Marquis.

Subsequently, several more groups of ruffians arrived, and Yang Feng’s “friends” took turns watching the entrance. Whoever had rapport went out to persuade the ruffians to leave. It was not always about inviting them to dinner; some with a bad temper went out with their swords and cursed loudly, which surprisingly worked as well.

After 9pm, no more ruffians came. Only three heroes were left. Yang Feng went over, spoke quietly with them, and then personally escorted them out of the door with utmost courtesy.

It was only at this moment that Han Ruzi fully understood. Yang Feng did not randomly select thirteen heroes from the alleys; these people were all influential figures in the Capital who could suppress troublemakers in their respective areas. They were responsible for driving away different ruffians.

After sending away all the heroes, Yang Feng said to the eunuchs and palace maids, “Everyone, go and rest. Remember, no matter what sounds you hear, do not leave the house at night.”

Driving away the ruffians seemed too easy, so the others were not very scared. Zhang Youcai even dared to joke, “What if I have to pee? We haven’t eaten, but we’ve drunk quite a lot of cold water.”

Everyone laughed quietly, but Yang Feng sternly said, “Hold it in. If you can’t, I’ll give you another cut.”

Startled, Zhang Youcai covered his crotch and said, “I’ll hold it in then. Master, go back to your room and rest.”

Yang Feng said, “All of you, leave while the Weary Marquis stays; I have something to say to him.”

Most people lived in the front courtyard. Yang Feng personally locked the side door and checked the main door’s bolts once more. He led the Weary Marquis to the second courtyard, saying to Zhang Youcai, “Why are you staying? I didn’t ask you to follow.”

“Master is a noble person; someone should serve him, right? I don’t think Steward Yang is very good at doing this kind of thing.”

Han Ruzi said, “No need, I can take care of myself. You can go and rest.”

Since the master had spoken, Zhang Youcai finally left. Yang Feng watched the young eunuch’s retreating figure, “He has just left the palace, yet he has become so boisterous. He needs to be disciplined in the future.”

“It’s because the palace is too oppressive,” Han Ruzi laughed. “Even I have a desire to to run about.”

“Don’t worry, there will be opportunities in the future.” Yang Feng entered the second courtyard, stood under a tree in the middle, and looked around as if searching for something.

Han Ruzi asked, “Will there be more people coming?”

“Yes. The ones who came earlier were minor troubles. The ones coming next will be major troubles.”

“How much did it cost to invite those heroes?” Han Ruzi was concerned about the details.

“Between fifty and one hundred taels of silver for each person.”

“So little?” Han Ruzi was surprised.

“The silver is just a gesture. What they want is fame. In less than three days, the story of the ‘Thirteen Heroes of the Capital Protecting the Deposed Emperor’ will spread throughout the Capital and beyond.”

“Heh… Will people really say that?” Han Ruzi found it a bit funny.

“Of course, I’ve already arranged it.” Yang Feng walked towards the east wing, seemingly suspicious of the roof there.

Han Ruzi stopped laughing and stood still, thinking for a while before catching up with Yang Feng. “When the big trouble comes, will it just be the two of us dealing with it?”

“No, I’ve found two helpers… Why haven’t they arrived yet?”

Han Ruzi felt puzzled again. Why was Yang Feng waiting for help by looking at the roof instead of at the main entrance? He turned around and looked about as well. He did not see anything on the roof but noticed two people under the tree.

That was exactly where Han Ruzi and Yang Feng had just been standing. Now, two other men were standing there, one old and one young. It was not very clear in the dim light, but they both appeared to be quite thin.

Han Ruzi was so surprised that he could not speak. He tugged at Yang Feng’s sleeve.

Yang Feng turned around and looked at the two without surprise, just a little dissatisfied, “Is that really necessary? A simple greeting would not affect your reputation.”

The young man stepped forward, not much older than Han Ruzi, “I had bet with my grandfather that you know martial arts, but he said that you do not. It seems I’ve lost.”

“I don’t know martial arts, I know how to ‘use’ martial arts.” Yang Feng strode to the two people, turned around, and introduced to Han Ruzi, “This is the famous Sword Immortal’ Du Motian from the pugilist world, and this is his grandson.”

“Hey, why didn’t you say my name? My name is Du Chuanyun, and people in the pugilist world call me…”

“Don’t make up nicknames for yourself. Wait until you’re older.” Yang Feng was blunt with the two, but it did not seem to bother them.

The previous thirteen heroes did not even glance at the deposed emperor, but the Dus were different. Du Chuanyun looked at Han Ruzi without blinking, while Du Motian stepped forward and clasped his fists, “I, a humble commoner, do not know the proper etiquette and have come uninvited in the night. I hope you can forgive me.”

These two did not seem like the heroes from the alleys but more like wandering heroes from the pugilist world. Han Ruzi did not know how to greet them and clumsily clasped his fists, “Distinguished guests have arrived, but I have not prepared any wine or ceremony. I’m the one who should ask for your forgiveness.”

Du Motian smiled, and Du Chuanyun said, “Grandpa, the Emperor doesn’t seem to be anything special. I think I could be one too.”

“Nonsense! Your father didn’t even leave you any inheritance, so how would he leave you a throne?” Du Motian scolded and turned to Yang Feng, “I’ve asked my friends in the pugilist world, and it seems like there’s no activity tonight. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, no one wants to provoke the Imperial Court.”

“I’m just worried about people like Gui Yuehua.”

Gui Yuehua was a martial artist and also the martial arts instructor in Marquis Junyang’s residence, so he would inevitably be involved in imperial politics.

“Don’t worry, with the two of us here, we’ll definitely protect the Emperor.”

Han Ruzi was about to say that he was not an emperor when suddenly there was a commotion outside, followed by banging on the door. A harsh voice shouted, “Open the door! Quickly open the door for the Imperial Guards!”

Yang Feng’s expression changed slightly. All his preparations were meant to deal with figures from the pugilists world. In his estimation, none of the factions within the Imperial Court would dare to openly kill the deposed emperor.

[1] It was common in ancient China for imperial princes to be granted a specific title and territory, but the prince would not actively govern or exercise direct control over the territory he was granted. The prince would be expected to leave the Capital and stay in his assigned territory, as it was believed that princes in the Capital were an inherently destabilizing force since they could conspire with officials or participate in palace politics or coups. There were also strict rules as to when he could return to the Capital.