Chapter 34

The bustling prosperity of Bianliang City did not subside with the arrival of night. The shops, lined up like fish scales, were adorned with bright red lanterns. The residences of high officials and wealthy guests were even more brilliantly lit, their lights shining throughout the night. The wisps of blue smoke from the burning candles drifted and lingered, enveloping the imperial capital, painting a rare picture of human烟火.

At this moment, a man with a green face stood alone on the bustling street, having been there all day. Early in the morning, he had left the inn, taken out the family heirloom saber, and come to the market to sell it.

Suddenly, a bone-chilling cold wind blew, causing the signs of the shops to sway and the fallen leaves to dance in the wind. This scene made the passersby tighten their winter clothes and quicken their pace home.

Sighing, Yang Zhi said, "I might as well try my luck outside the Fan Tower!"

Yang Zhi sighed helplessly. In fact, he knew that the people who entered and exited the Fan Tower were all high officials and wealthy guests, many of whom were willing to spend a fortune. Perhaps he could find a buyer there. However, this decision was very embarrassing for him. After all, he used to be a regular guest there. Now, as a seven-foot-tall man, standing outside the capital's top social venue to sell his saber, if he encountered some old acquaintances who might say, "Yang Zhi, how did you end up like this?" How could he answer? What face would he have left?

Alas, he was now penniless. All the property he had sold was used to pay tribute, and the only remaining animal had been pledged to the inn for room rent. Now, he had nothing left. What capital did he have to care about his face?

Thinking of this, he angrily cursed, "That despicable Gao Qiu, how hateful he is! The Military Council, after receiving the money, at least followed some rules and did not make things difficult for me. But Gao Qiu, who controlled the Hall of the Palace Guards, made me spend money everywhere and bribe everyone. When I finally saw Grand Marshal Gao, he mocked me and smashed the expensive gift I had given him, making me feel a chill from the soles of my feet, leaving me with a heart full of bitterness."

A kind word can warm the heart in the coldest winter, but a harsh word can chill the heart in the hottest summer.

Yang Zhi now fully understood the meaning of this saying. But the price was too high, so high that it made him feel weak and sentimental. Thinking of Lin Chong, who, when in trouble, had Wang Lun risk his life to bring his family to the capital, and himself, who, in such a dire situation, had no one to look at him, and the nine other officers who, while showing concern, were actually waiting to see his downfall.

In such a case, it would have been better to stay on Liangshan. Back then, all the heroes respected him, especially Wang Lun... Thinking of Wang Lun, Yang Zhi felt a strange bitterness, regretting his past decisions.

Dragging his stiff body, chilled by the cold wind, Yang Zhi came to the brightly lit Fan Tower. Looking at the lights, he felt a myriad of emotions. The prosperity and the glory of his family weighed heavily on him, making it hard to breathe.

"Yang Zhi, oh, it really is you!"

Yang Zhi turned his head at the call and saw a nobleman with five or six attendants coming out of the Fan Tower. Recognizing the man by the light, Yang Zhi wished he could bury his head in the ground.

"Yang Zhi, Yang Zhi! Why are you hiding?" the nobleman scolded when he saw Yang Zhi lower his head and cover his face.

With no choice, Yang Zhi steeled himself, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "This humble person greets Grand Marshal Wang!"

"Years have passed, Old Yang, how did you end up like this? Isn't that your family heirloom saber? Back then, I offered a large sum to buy your saber and Xu Guan's armor, but you refused to sell, and he refused to meet. Now, you're selling the saber?" The nobleman took off the grass tag from Yang Zhi's saber and played with it.

Yang Zhi sighed but said nothing. Seeing this, Grand Marshal Wang's tone softened, and he stopped mocking, saying, "I heard you lost the Flower Stone Convoy and disappeared. Why are you selling the saber now?"

Yang Zhi, seeing that he was being asked, explained how he had sold his property and failed to seek help from Gao Qiu. Grand Marshal Wang laughed and said, "You are a tiger's son from a noble family. Our Grand Marshal Gao is intimidated by people with good family backgrounds!"

Hearing this, Yang Zhi suddenly understood. No wonder he couldn't even give gifts. It wasn't because the gifts were too light, but because Gao Qiu, from a lowly background, was jealous of his family and deliberately made things difficult for him. Thinking of this, Yang Zhi smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Seeing this, Grand Marshal Wang smiled and took the saber from Yang Zhi, asking, "Yang Zhi, I once offered a large sum for your saber. What price do you want now?"

Yang Zhi thought for a moment and hurriedly said, "I dare not accept money from Grand Marshal. If Grand Marshal likes it, I will give it to you!"

Grand Marshal Wang laughed and said, "Good! Good!" After playing with the saber for a while, he looked up and smiled, "You haven't finished speaking, have you?"

"I only ask for your help to restore my position. I will be forever grateful!" Yang Zhi bowed without hesitation, knowing that this man had the power to help him.

This Grand Marshal Wang, named Wang Shen, was known as Little Grand Marshal Wang. He was of noble birth and had married into the imperial family as a prince's son-in-law. In the past, he had held real positions in the provinces, but because of his close relationship with the then Prince Duan, now Emperor Huizong, he was kept in the capital after the emperor's ascension. Although he did not hold a real position now, his status was unique, and he had connections with powerful officials in the court. Gao Qiu, before he rose to power, was one of his attendants and had gained access to the then prince through him.

Hearing Yang Zhi's request, Grand Marshal Wang thought for a moment and said, "Helping you in the past would not have been difficult, but you went to Gao Qiu first. If I go to him now, it might damage his face. Although he came from my household, he is now a different person!"

Hearing this, Yang Zhi felt a chill. Grand Marshal Wang laughed and said, "I won't take your saber for free! You are a descendant of the invincible Yang, and it's a disgrace for a hero's descendant to be in such a state. Here! The governor of Daming Prefecture in Beijing is the son-in-law of Chancellor Cai. He and I have a good relationship. A few days ago, he sent me a New Year's gift. I will write you a letter and recommend you to him. I can't guarantee a high position, but at least a minor military officer's position is assured. What do you think?"

Yang Zhi was overjoyed and said, "Li Zhongshu knows me and appreciates my martial skills!"

Grand Marshal Wang laughed and said, "That's even better! Seeing you on the street, I assume you have no money. I will give you 100 guan as travel expenses and write the letter for you. Come to my house, and I will write it."

Grand Marshal Wang then took Yang Zhi back to his house, had the servants prepare the writing materials, and wrote the letter. He dried the paper, sealed it, and handed it to Yang Zhi. He also instructed the steward to give Yang Zhi 100 guan. Yang Zhi was overjoyed, thanked Little Grand Marshal Wang, and left with the steward.

The steward led Yang Zhi to the gate and gave him a 50-liang silver ingot. Seeing the wrong amount, Yang Zhi asked the steward cautiously, but the steward sneered, "Take it if you want it. A beggar shouldn't be picky!"

Yang Zhi, feeling a surge of anger, but for the sake of his future, forced himself to take the silver and leave. The steward watched him go and sneered.

Back in the house, the steward saw Grand Marshal Wang playing with the saber, looking pleased. He reported, "Master, I have sent Yang Zhi away!"

Grand Marshal Wang nodded, not really caring, and said, "A treasure that used to cost a fortune, now only 100 guan. Truly, it came without effort!" He played with the saber, then sighed and sat down. The steward asked, "Why are you sighing, Master?"

Grand Marshal Wang said, "I once liked a set of armor and a saber. Now I have the saber, but I want the armor even more!"

The steward asked, "Why not buy it?"

Grand Marshal Wang shook his head, "Do you think I don't want to? I offered 30,000 guan, but Xu Ning refused. After all, he isn't in a desperate situation."

The steward thought for a moment and suggested, "Why not find a way to make Xu Ning desperate?"

Grand Marshal Wang stood up, then shook his head, "No, no, Xu Ning is too familiar. I can't bring myself to do it!"

The steward smiled and said, "Why do it yourself? Just write a letter to Gao Er, and he will do it. Without you, he wouldn't be where he is today. Even Lin Chong fell to his hands, so why not Xu Ning?"

Grand Marshal Wang thought it was a good idea and laughed, "Gao Er, you mean Grand Marshal Gao! Your mouth! Ha ha..."

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