Chapter Forty: Tie Xinyuan's Forgiveness

Chapter Forty: Tiexinyuan’s Forgiveness

Yang Huaiyu was nearly drowning in his own saliva.

Disheveled, with a scruffy beard and the stench of wine clinging to his body, Yang Huaiyu burst into Seventh Brother’s Soup Noodle Shop. Many in the crowd looked at him with a mix of disappointment and exasperation, as though he was a piece of iron that refused to be forged.

Yang Wenguang had many wives and many children; there was no need to support a drunken good-for-nothing as the future head of the family. There were options—this was a common occurrence in great clans.

After Tiexinyuan helped his mother bring over a bowl of soup noodles, Yang Huaiyu immediately began wolfing it down, not lifting his head for a moment until the bowl was empty.

When he finished eating, he reached for his sleeve out of habit and froze.

Wang Rouhua hurried forward and said, “Go home and bathe, change your clothes—your stench could kill a man. Come back after you’ve sobered up. You can’t taste the goodness of my noodles reeking of liquor like that.”

Yang Huaiyu’s face flushed with embarrassment. He cupped his hands to Wang Rouhua and prepared to leave.

“Why didn’t you kill Xi Feng Simeng on the spot that day?”

“I couldn’t do it!” Yang Huaiyu replied stiffly.

“What about the bow and arrows on your back? I heard you can draw a bow loaded with four stone, fire a dozen shots in quick succession without breaking a sweat. I’d imagine your archery isn’t lacking.”

“Even if I killed him, the credit would still go to your family’s fox. Everyone loves to see your family fox win merit.”

“That’s not right. If you had acted without hesitation and killed Xi Feng Simeng the moment you saw him, no one could have stolen your credit.

It’s because you overthought it that you lost. It’s no wonder the people of Dongjing say you’re not even as good as a fox. And it’s even less surprising that your wife is gone.”

Yang Huaiyu lifted his head, fixing Tiexinyuan with a hard stare. “Let’s talk somewhere else!”

“Are you planning to kill me?”

“If I wanted you dead, I’d have done it already.”

Tiexinyuan smiled at his mother, then followed Yang Huaiyu to the edge of the Sweetwater Well.

“I plan to leave Dongjing…” Yang Huaiyu said in a low voice.

Tiexinyuan snorted a laugh, saying nothing.

“Are you mocking me?”

“Let me guess—you’re planning to leave Dongjing alone, head for the tumultuous frontier in the northwest, enlist in the army, and win renown on the battlefield. Then you’ll return home covered in glory.

But that’s not all. The most important part is that you want your parents and grandmother, who look down on you, to see how capable their son really is. And you want your fiancée, who insists on breaking off the engagement, to regret it deeply. Isn’t that right?”

Yang Huaiyu’s eyes lit up, and he replied eagerly, “And what’s wrong with that? A real man should stride freely across the world.”

Tiexinyuan gave a bitter smile. “Forget it. If you do that, all you’ll do is leave your parents without a son, your grandmother without a grandson. As for Miss Su, she’ll likely forget your name entirely.

From Xi Feng Simeng, you should realize how tough the Western Barbarians are. Once you reach the northwest frontier, without your father’s protection, you’ll just be a convict soldier sent to die in the front lines.

When it comes time to storm the city, you’ll be the first up the walls, your life spent against rolling logs and falling stones. After those have taken their toll, how many of you convict soldiers will be left?

Even if you survive, and others see your skill, the most grueling and dangerous tasks will always fall to you. Even if, by luck, you survive, tell me—can a convict soldier earn military merit? Isn’t any merit you win claimed by the officers and nobles above you?

What makes you think you’ll return home in glory?”

“Di Qing… Marshal Di…”

“Oh, please. In all of Great Song, only he rose from convict soldier to become a marshal. If even he hadn’t, what hope would the common soldiers have for glory?

He had the right circumstances, the right people, the right moment. That’s why he shines now.

You have none of these. I don’t believe you’ll survive the battlefield. Better to stay in Dongjing.”

Yang Huaiyu seemed struck by a heavy blow, collapsing onto the well’s edge and rubbing his tangled hair. “Why does even a child speak to me like this?”

“Who else has said this to you?” Tiexinyuan asked curiously.

“Uncle Bao!”

“Oh, that explains it. If even that shrewd old man tells you so, why do you still want to rush to the frontier? You can’t stand people saying your wife is gone?”

“That’s not it. I actually feel I don’t deserve Su Mei. Now that she wants to break off the engagement, I’m relieved.”

“Hm?”

Tiexinyuan looked Yang Huaiyu over with renewed interest.

He didn’t seem beyond saving—at least his heart was still decent.

“In fact,” Tiexinyuan said, “if you want Su Mei as your wife, it’s not impossible. It just depends on what price you’re willing to pay.”

“I’m willing to pay anything…” Yang Huaiyu blurted out, then looked embarrassed, realizing he was speaking to a child.

Tiexinyuan chuckled, watching Yang Huaiyu turn red. “Actually, your martial skills are good, and the Su family wall isn’t that high. You know their place well. If you pick a dark, windy night…”

“Shut up!” Yang Huaiyu lunged, covering Tiexinyuan’s mouth. From his panicked look, Tiexinyuan suspected he really had such intentions.

Breaking free from Yang Huaiyu’s grip, Tiexinyuan scolded, “Who said anything about doing something so dirty? I just meant you should go see Miss Su in the middle of the night. So long as you’re seen together by some gossip, she’ll have no choice but to marry you.”

Yang Huaiyu shook his head in pain. “The Su family’s servants are loyal to the core. Besides, if I did that, Su Mei would hate me forever.”

Hearing this, Tiexinyuan felt sure: this man was still a scoundrel. If he truly cared about Su Mei, he wouldn’t mention the loyalty of the Su family’s servants—meaning he thought he had no opportunity. If there was a chance, who knows what he’d do.

“Loyalty? People are only loyal because betrayal’s price is too high. If you can make a Su family servant disregard betrayal’s cost, you’re eighty percent done! I bet you could bribe one for less than ten strings of coins!”

“How do you know such things?” Yang Huaiyu stared at Tiexinyuan as if he were a ghost.

Tiexinyuan pulled out a book from his pocket and waved it. “I just use the time you spend drinking, playing, being dejected, or wallowing in sorrow to read books. If you spent more time with books, you’d find answers to everything. Of course, you have to pick the right ones.”

“How do you read? How do you find answers?” Yang Huaiyu asked, fascinated.

“It’s simple. Usually, I think of the answer first, then look it up. If I find the same answer, I know the book’s good. If not, I keep searching. Sooner or later, I’ll find a book that matches. If I can’t find one, then scholars simply haven’t written it yet.”

Hearing such shameless words, Yang Huaiyu could only smile wryly. “I’ve met many so-called prodigies of the Song, each specializing in poetry, ethics, or clever ideas. But someone like you, specializing in trickery—this is a first.

Your idea was indeed clever. I was almost tempted, but in the end, I can’t do it.

My ancestors died in battle at Jinsha Beach, refusing to live shamelessly like Li Ling. I won’t either. If Su Mei already looks down on me, and I do such a thing, how could I face myself?

If it’s over, it’s over. Maybe marrying a farm girl would be a freer life. Anyway, thank you for your advice. I’ll bring the money for your family’s meal tomorrow—I won’t owe a cent.”

Tiexinyuan laughed, patting the well’s edge. “Good man. I forgive you. But, aren’t you curious about my second idea?”

Yang Huaiyu grinned, “If it’s another underhanded scheme, don’t bother. I’ve lost enough face; I’d like to keep a little pride.”

Tiexinyuan took a deep breath. “Do you know what the court’s first order of business will be after the Lantern Festival and the reopening of the printing office this year?”

Yang Huaiyu shook his head. “No idea.”

Tiexinyuan looked at him in disappointment. “Have you never thought of competing for the military champion’s title?”

Yang Huaiyu snorted. “I’m from a family of generals; there’s no need to fight for that hardship. Besides, even if I’m a convict soldier now, my noble rank will be restored after this year. My starting point is higher than any military champion.”

Tiexinyuan smiled. “What I despise most is the arrogance of you scions of military families, thinking your lineage makes you superior to the officials chosen through open exams.

If your kind truly defended the frontiers, why would His Majesty bother with the civil and military examinations? Why would he seek talent among the poor?

After the battle at Haoshuichuan, I suspect His Majesty was utterly disappointed in your kind. The Xi Feng Simeng affair makes it clear: His Majesty knew the fox couldn’t kill Xi Feng Simeng, yet he gave the honor to the fox and wouldn’t let you get any benefit.

I guarantee that if you cling to your useless title, that’s all you’ll ever amount to.

But if you give up your rank and enter the capital’s military exam—even if you don’t win the championship—His Majesty will take notice.

Fool! Think about it. You have family background and martial skill. Giving up your worthless rank actually frees you.

However little the military champion’s title is worth, it’s given only to real heroes who fight their way through thousands. In the current climate, it’s only natural for His Majesty to favor them. Would you rather serve in the capital’s Imperial Guard, or be a mere Deputy Prefect in some provincial garrison?”

PS: Shamelessly begging for recommendation votes and favorites! Being caught up and surpassed is painful—please help! A bow from Jiyu.