Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan Volume 1 Chapter 5 part1

Book 1 Chapter 5 - Thunder in a clear blue sky

When Kou Zhong woke up the next morning, the sky had not yet brightened. Recalling that the previous day using silver tongue and flowery words they were able to swindle food and a place to stay, even the County Lord was regarding them as honored guest, he was feeling extremely proud of himself.

As he opened his eyes, he found out that Xu Ziling, who was sleeping next to him, had already had his eyes open; half sitting and half reclining, supporting his head with both hands on the pillow, staring at the top of the mosquito net above them, looking like he was lost in thought.

Worried that he had nobody to share his glory, Kou Zhong sat up in excitement and said, "Xiao Ling, did you see it? In Yangzhou we were beggars and ruffians, but as soon as we left Yangzhou city walls, we became big shot young masters. In all our life, this is the first time we ever slept on such a comfortable bed, hugging delicious quilt and having sweet dreams. Taking off and putting on clothes we have young beauties waiting upon us. Ah! Having that sister Xiao Juan's small hands rubbing my body, I already feel like becoming the Prime Minister.”

Unconcerned, Xu Ziling said, "If you can't think of a way to escape, we will be sent back to Yangzhou. That would be awesome indeed.”

Kou Zhong laughed quietly and said, "Set your twelve thousand hearts at ease. After we have our stomach full, we'll come back here to pick up some good souvenirs, and then find any excuse, for example, we want to go sightseeing around town or something like that. Once we are out of town, won't it be easy to escape?”

Xu Ziling knew Kou Zhong was full of craft and cunning, so he was not really worried. He only sighed without saying anything.

"You did not sleep well last night?” Kou Zhong wondered, "Why are you up so early?”

Xu Ziling was not in good mood, "We went to bed right after dinner last night, didn't we have enough sleep already?”

"What is it then?” Kou Zhong pressed on, "Hey! You are not thinking about that evil woman, are you?”

Evidently he had revealed the load in Xu Ziling's mind, since he stayed silent. Kou Zhong scooted over and held his shoulders as he said, "One world two brother. Xiao Ling, are you in love with her?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Xu Ziling said, "Just go to your mother. Based on her age, she is at least half my mother. Besides, just like she said, we don't have qualifications to have any discussion with her. I was just wondering, you, this muddle-headed fellow, have always loved to look at pretty women. This woman is more beautiful than any women we have ever seen so far. Why did you always try to push her away? On the surface she appears fierce, but her treatment to us is really not bad. Otherwise she would not have sent us to the city gate.”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, "I am merely thinking about our future outlook. Precisely because this woman's beauty is difficult to deal with, plus we have had intimate contact with her, that's why we must especially guard against her. Men of character attach most importance to their exploits, especially since we have not achieve it yet, we must abstain from infatuation of beauty, to such an extent as to dampen our magnificent aspiration … Hey! Why are you laughing …? Ha …”

While they were talking and joking, the sky had brightened. They heard a muffled noise of the maids and servants sweeping and moving about outside.

Kou Zhong rubbed his still unbearably sore legs. "Let me swindle horses from County Deputy Chen later, I'll say that we want stroll around on horseback. That way when we slip away later we can do it a bit faster, plus we could have substitute for the curse on our, Prime Minister and Great General's legs.”

With a bitter laugh Xu Ziling asked, "Do you know how to ride a horse?”

"What's so hard about it?” Kou Zhong proudly replied, "Just climb onto the saddle, turn the horse's head to the right direction, and strike his mother's butt twice, won't that be enough?”

Xu Ziling was about to reply when, ‘bang, bang, bang!' there was a knock on the door. Kou Zhong thought it was that good looking sister Xiao Juan; he coughed once, and said, "Come in!”

As soon as the gate opened, like a tornado the short and fat County Deputy Chen burst in. Reaching the two boys' bed, he saluted in a flurry and said, "It's good that two Da Shaoye [big young masters] are awake. Last night subordinate officer received news that your respected uncle Yuwen Daren [see Chapter 4] has dispatched people everywhere to find out the two Da Shaoye's whereabouts. That very night I sent fast courier to get in contact with Yuwen Daren. He might arrive any moment. When two Da Shaoye see your respected uncle, please do not forget to say a few good words on subordinate officer's behalf.”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling felt as if they had just been thrown down from the world of the immortals to the eighteenth layer of hell. Immediately their hands and feet turned icy-cold, their souls had just left their bodies.

County Deputy Chen thought that they were dumbstruck from extreme joy; he bowed respectfully with clasped hands and said, "I have instructed the servants to serve the two Gongzi [young master] taking a bath and changing clothes. Subordinate officer will wait in the main hall for two Gongzi to have breakfast together. Please excuse subordinate officer for now.”

He had just left the room, four young servants, including Xiao Juan, came in. They served them with great care, much more ceremonious and attentive compared to the previous night.

Most annoying was Zhou Ping and Chen Wang also came; eagerly attentive, they waited on the side, telling them that the breakfast was ready. Therefore, they did not have any opportunity to slip out.

During breakfast with County Deputy Chen, the situation was even more desperately serious; more than a dozen yamen [government office in old China] officers stood on both sides to serve them. The two boys ate with anxiety [orig. heart alarmed, guts tremble] and were unbearably uncomfortable.

It was not until Xu Ziling kicked his leg under the table that Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, "I wonder if there are any historical sites and scenic spots around this town. While my Uncle is not here yet, we want to take this opportunity to enjoy sightseeing and having fun, so that we won't come here in vain.”

County Deputy Chen wrinkled his face [orig. five sense organs: nose, eyes, lips, tongue, ears], showing an extremely unsightly countenance. Smiling apologetically he said, "For the past few years robbers spring up everywhere, it is not appropriate for the two Da Shaoye to go out of town; else something bad happened, then how would our county take the responsibility?”

Kou Zhong wished he could pinch him dead, but of course his face showed that he gladly accepted the suggestion. "Xian Daren [lit. county officer] is indeed very thoughtful,” he said, "Hey! Xian Daren's kindness to us, we, two brothers, will definitely report to Uncle as things really are, so that he could evaluate the merit and bestow reward accordingly. It's just that what we, two brothers, fear the most is staying idle inside. How about this: is there any fine courtyard or first class brothel where we can seek pleasure? Ay, ever since leaving Dadu [old name of Beijing, lit. great capital], we have not … Hey! Xian Daren should know what we are talking about. Originally we thought that as soon as we reach Yangzhou, we could have a bit of fun. Now that we have slept well, we are full of energy and in high spirit; no matter what, we must go … Ha … this kind of trivial matter, naturally we must not bother Xian Daren.”

From behind, Zhou Ping said, "But I am afraid the ladies in the courtyard are not even out of bed yet.”

County Deputy Chen barked, "Then you tell them to get out of bed!” But when he turned to face Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, his face was all smile, as he knowingly said, "This is a trivial matter, subordinate officer will arrange everything.”

Turning to Zhou Ping again he barked, "Why haven't you left to make necessary arrangement?”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged glances; both speculated that if they could not seize the opportunity while they were at the pleasure house to escape, most probably they could just kiss their prospect and their precious little lives goodbye.

The two boys sat inside the carriage, accompanied personally by County Deputy Chen, on their way to the county's most upscale pleasure house.

Beipo County could be considered the biggest county around Yangzhou. In term of liveliness, it was not too far inferior to Yangzhou. Because the county fell under Jiangdu's jurisdiction, plus it had direct export channel, the handicraft industry was particularly flourishing.

Too bad that the two boys' heart was loaded with concern over their little lives, so that although County Deputy Chen talked until his spittle flew everywhere, promoting his own county's benevolent government and giving running commentary on everything they saw along the road, none of these even registered in their minds. They simply agreed thoughtlessly.

Especially when they saw the dozen or so officers urging their horses to protect in front and behind them, they felt that they were not much different to the prisoners being escorted to the execution ground.

Actually, Kou Zhong, who has always been quick-witted, has already had a plan. He thought that if they could hide inside the room with the pleasure house lady, then they would have a chance to evade these people's eyes. But whether they would be successful in escaping, it was still unknown; hence the reason they were still secretly worried.

The biggest threat would be Yuwen Huaji, who could arrive anytime, and reveal their true color, and then not only they would be humiliated, they could lose their lives as well. This kind of helpless feeling really did not need to be mentioned.

Every time County Deputy Chen looked out the window, the two boys immediately signaled each other, using their usual method to discuss escape plan.

The carriage made a grand entrance into the courtyard. The two fake young masters followed County Deputy Chen stepping down from the carriage, and were greeted by a few bleary eyed and averaged-looking prostitutes, under the leadership of the brothel proprietress. As the two boys looked at each other with wry smile on their faces, suddenly the sound of hoof beats was hear from afar, but coming toward them, fast.

The Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling pair, which was hard to differentiate which one was the older and which one was the younger, knew that their situation was going from bad to worse. While they were thinking of how to stake everything they had and flee for their lives, a strong gust of wind arrived, pressing down from above.

County Deputy Chen and his bailiffs still did not know what was going on, one after another they were thrown out in all directions. In the confusion they seemed to see a white shadow descending from the sky. But by the time they were able to crawl up, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had already disappeared without a trace, leaving only swirling dust that was still hanging in the air.

The woman-in-white grabbed the two boys by their wide belts as they flew over houses and climbed over the ridges of the roof. In a flash they had left Beipo County but kept speeding over the mountain and fields, as effortless as blowing dust.

The two boys felt as if they had just come back from death's door, they almost could not refrain from cheering, but were afraid they might provoke the woman-in-white; hence they had to keep silent.

Shortly afterwards they arrived at the riverbank. They saw mooring on the piers were numerous boats, and on both sides of the river several fishermen were busy mending their nets.

Without even thinking the woman-in-white got into one of the boats and tossed the two boys on the deck. With her sword she cut the mooring rope, and then she grabbed the oar and vigorously started to row, splashing water everywhere. The boat glided on the water like an arrow, leaving the angry shouts of pursuing fishermen far behind.

Chapter end