Chapter 20: Encountering Lady Yang on the Road

After arranging for Lu Hu to collect the funds from Juehui, Li Zaixing prepared to head to the martial training grounds to begin organizing the monks’ drills. But Du Fu grabbed him by the arm. “My good brother, didn’t you say you wanted to visit the pleasure houses?”

Li Zaixing was utterly confused. He glanced at the sky. “Surely not this early in the day?”

“Of course not,” Du Fu replied with a wry smile. “The pleasure houses are for the afternoon. But aren’t you going to prepare first?”

Li Zaixing was at a loss. Not only had he never set foot in such places in this life, but even in his previous one, he’d never had the experience. He could only seek Du Fu’s guidance with humble curiosity. Du Fu didn’t find it odd—Li Zaixing had grown up in the mountains and was visiting Chang’an for the first time; it was only natural that he didn’t know the customs of the pleasure quarters.

Du Fu explained that one couldn’t simply stroll into a brothel in Pingkang Ward; they weren’t open to just any passerby. Not only did you need someone familiar to lead you in, but the establishment itself had to find you agreeable. If you were shabbily dressed and looked like you had no money, you might not even make it past the door. To enjoy the pleasures of the brothels, you had to present yourself as a man of means, not some ruffian hoping to freeload.

So what marked a man as wealthy? First, he had to dress well. Second, he needed a fine horse—arriving on a donkey or on foot would be a laughingstock. Third, he should have attendants, whether male or female, all presentable and well-dressed. These three essentials were non-negotiable. At present, Li Zaixing had only two: a fine horse and a dignified servant; his clothes, however, were in no state to impress anyone and would surely draw disdain.

When Du Fu finished, Li Zaixing understood. Du Fu wasn’t just advising him—he was speaking of himself as well. After all, Du Fu was currently riding a donkey, and a scrawny one at that.

“Where can I buy clothes and a horse?” Li Zaixing asked after a moment’s thought. “And I should get a maid as well—I can’t have Ah Hu washing my clothes every day.”

“Exactly,” Du Fu laughed. “Come with me, I know the West Market well.”

Li Zaixing nodded, then asked, “Why the West Market? Isn’t the East Market just next door?”

Du Fu flushed. “Goods in the East Market are expensive—at least twenty or thirty percent more for the same thing.”

Seeing Li Zaixing’s confusion, Du Fu explained further. There was a saying in Chang’an: ‘East for nobility, West for wealth.’ The northeast was home to the city’s elite—the palace, princes’ mansions, and senior officials—so prices there were much higher. The west, with its many foreigners, had its share of wealthy merchants, but overall, prices were more reasonable; truly rich merchants were rare indeed compared to the endless ranks of nobles and officials.

Li Zaixing had a revelation. When he’d entered the city, he’d learned that the southern quarter was for the poor, but now he saw that even the north was divided, with the east and west far from equal. The richest people in the Tang Empire lived in the east—no wonder Pingkang Ward’s brothels were the most famous in the realm.

Having grasped this, Li Zaixing wasted no time. He and Du Fu set out, accompanied by Lu Hu and Ah Duan, heading straight for the West Market.

…

Leaving the south gate of Pingkang Ward and just stepping onto Qixia Avenue, Lu Hu pulled the reins of the warhorse to keep it from moving. Li Zaixing was puzzled, but then he saw a long procession approaching from the north, with dozens of horsemen clearing the way. Behind the riders walked a group of pale-faced, beardless men—likely eunuchs—followed by scores of splendidly dressed palace maids, some carrying baskets of flowers, others holding censers, all surrounding a luxurious carriage.

“That’s Consort Yang’s carriage,” Du Fu exclaimed in surprise. “Why is she returning home alone?”

“Consort Yang?” Li Zaixing was startled as well. To think he’d encounter one of the Four Great Beauties so soon! But then he recalled yesterday’s harrowing moment on Zhuque Avenue and shuddered. ‘Beauty comes in all forms,’ he thought—what if this famed beauty was in fact a rotund matron? Alas, the beauties of the Tang Dynasty were perhaps not for him to appreciate after all.

“Yes, her private residence is just ahead, in Qinnen Ward,” Du Fu pointed southward. “Her elder brother Yang Zhao lives in Xuanyang Ward, and her three sisters are in Xuanyang and Anyi Wards.”

“You seem to know the Yang family’s residences well, Brother Du.”

“Ah…” Du Fu looked embarrassed, smacking his lips. “Out of necessity, I once sought their patronage with my poetry.”

“And how did that go?”

Li Zaixing regretted the question as soon as he asked. If Du Fu’s poetry had found favor, would he still be living at the Bodhi Temple?

Sure enough, Du Fu looked awkward and said nothing. Li Zaixing quickly changed the subject. “Is it always such a spectacle when the Consort returns home to visit her family?”

Du Fu didn’t answer at once. Instead, he frowned and said quietly, “This is unusual. Normally, she travels with the Emperor, and even when visiting family, would use the central imperial road. Why take the side road today?”

Li Zaixing looked more closely and realized that Consort Yang’s carriage was indeed traveling on a route slightly west of the central avenue. Did that mean something? He glanced at Du Fu, who said nothing more, merely watching as the procession passed. Sure enough, the carriages stopped at Qinnen Ward, and the Consort and her maids entered, while the mounted escort gathered their banners and headed back the way they’d come.

“Wait here a moment,” Du Fu said, urging his scrawny donkey towards the group. He called out a few questions, then returned, sweating and breathless, but visibly excited.

“It seems the Consort has angered His Majesty and has been sent home to reflect on her behavior.”

Li Zaixing was puzzled. “Why are you so pleased that the Consort has angered the Emperor and been sent home to reflect?”

Du Fu beamed. “Oh, I was thinking—with the Consort at home, His Majesty will have time to attend to state affairs. If I present my poetry now, perhaps it will catch his eye!”

Li Zaixing nearly choked. So it wasn’t just the Poet Immortal who was obsessed with office—the Poet Sage was just as eager for officialdom! To seize the moment when the imperial couple—no, not exactly a young couple, though Consort Yang herself wasn’t old—were having a quarrel to present his verse and seek a post… truly, this man was a master of opportunism.

Once the procession had passed, Li Zaixing and Du Fu continued west along the straight avenue. Du Fu was clearly preoccupied with thoughts of presenting his poetry, barely speaking along the way, leaving Li Zaixing speechless.

At the West Market, Du Fu proved his familiarity, leading Li Zaixing first to the horse dealership, where they selected a mount—not a top-grade horse, but one costing around eight thousand coins, a solid choice for Du Fu to ride. They then sold off Du Fu’s skinny donkey for a pittance and purchased two sturdy donkeys for Lu Hu and Ah Duan. Next, they visited the cloth merchants, where Li Zaixing bought two outfits for himself, a set for Du Fu, and some fabric for making clothes for Lady Yang and Du Zongwen. They also bought a carriage; although Tang women often rode horseback, Lady Yang, being from a noble family, preferred a carriage.

All told, they spent thirty-one strings and seven hundred coins. Du Fu looked at the new horse and clothes, clearly embarrassed. Lu Hu, however, said nothing—he was just a servant and had no right to comment, and besides, since the money came from Juehui, there was no reason not to spend it; why worry about saving money for him and risk annoying Li Zaixing?

With everything settled, they loaded their purchases and made their way to the slave market. As they entered, a burly, bearded Sogdian with sharp features approached, his small eyes quickly identifying Li Zaixing as the one in charge. “Sir, you seem new here. Are you buying or selling today?”

“Buying.”

“Are you looking for a sturdy slave or a beautiful maid?”

Li Zaixing was baffled by the distinction and scratched his head. “I’m just looking for a maid to do laundry, cooking, and chores—nothing fancy.”

“There’s a difference, sir,” the Sogdian said, his smile brightening as he sized up Li Zaixing. “You look dashing, a man of strength and valor. If you want a maid who can accompany you on hunts, you need a sturdy Turkic or Khitan girl—quick and skilled at riding, as handy as any man, sure not to disappoint. If you want a singer and dancer, someone charming to warm your bed, then a Silla maid is best—soft, gentle, and skilled, sure to serve you well. If you prefer exotic beauty, a Persian girl is your choice. And if your tastes are more unusual, we have fine Kunlun maidens with darker complexions…”

Li Zaixing was utterly bewildered. All he wanted was a maid to wash clothes and cook—why make it so complicated? And to think the Tang capital offered such a range of foreign slaves—truly the hallmark of a cosmopolitan city. Feeling overwhelmed, he cut the Sogdian off. “Enough. I just want a maid for chores. And why are all your options foreigners? Don’t you have any locals? Don’t tell me you have no Tang people.”

A flash of annoyance flickered in the Sogdian’s eyes, but his smile grew even broader. He edged closer and slipped a handful of coins into Li Zaixing’s hand. “Sir, it’s a hard business, just a little token for your trouble—a drink on me to ease your fatigue.”

Li Zaixing stared at him in confusion, then at the coins. “What’s this, alms for a beggar?”

The Sogdian’s face twisted with anxiety, nearly in tears. He motioned to one of his assistants and smiled apologetically. “Sir, please wait. I’ll arrange some wine and food for you—would you do us the honor?”

Li Zaixing was even more confused. Were Tang merchants really so courteous, refusing money and even offering gifts?

Du Fu came over, coughed, and said, “You misunderstand. We’re not here to take advantage. We genuinely want to buy a maid for chores—no need for beauty, just diligence and endurance. Bring us a few suitable candidates—no need for wine or food.”

“Truly?” The Sogdian was overjoyed, eyeing Du Fu up and down. Seeing his simple yet scholarly appearance, he finally believed them and hurried off to make arrangements.

Du Fu whispered to Li Zaixing, “You frightened him. Trading foreign slaves is common, but no one dares traffic in Tang people. If they’re caught with a runaway, they’ll be in serious trouble.”

Li Zaixing was still confused. “If they don’t have any, why so nervous?”

“Brother, you look imposing,” Du Fu struggled not to laugh. “And we’re dressed plainly. He probably mistook us for wandering knights out to extort him.”

“Wandering knights?” Li Zaixing suddenly understood and was left both amused and exasperated. “Extortionists? Do I really look so fierce?”

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