Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 84 Disciples of the Yan Clan
These energetic young men were still making a ruckus at Shanting Courtyard, so Zhang Dai decided not to keep them company any longer. He gave instructions to the officials of the Prince of Qi's residence and went home first. The two houses were next to each other, and he could come back tomorrow morning without causing any trouble.

Zhang Dai was initially a little nervous about attending such an important ceremony for the first time, but after a day of experiencing it, especially seeing He Zhizhang, the Vice Minister of Rites, with his prominent front teeth, coming and going at the Prince of Qi's residence, he was completely dispelled of his fascination with the world. He became even more convinced that the world was just a big makeshift operation.

"Ah Lang is back! Is Ah Lang hungry?"

When she got home, Ah Ying was leaning against the railing, feeding the fish out of boredom. When she heard footsteps, she turned around and saw Ah Lang coming home. She immediately smiled and ran up to help Ah Lang take off his outer robe.

"We've already eaten at Prince Qi's residence, there's no need to light the stove again."

Seeing a few fish swimming in the pond in the central courtyard, creating ripples on the water, Zhang Dai took a handful of millet from A-Ying's hand and, imitating the young lady's earlier actions, leaned against the railing to feed them. He glanced at A-Ying, who was standing respectfully beside him, and said with a smile, "Are you and your aunt getting used to living here?"

"I would never have dared to dream of this before, and besides, wouldn't it be a waste of good fortune if I didn't get used to it?"

Ah Ying widened her eyes dramatically, her bright eyes even reflecting a glimmer of starlight.

Zhang Dai was captivated by her beauty. He turned around, hooked his arm around the girl's slender waist, and pulled her into his embrace. He then leaned forward and rubbed his nose against the girl's delicate cheek.

Ah Ying shrugged slightly, her pretty face flushed with embarrassment, and she lowered her head, clutching Ah Lang's outer robe tightly to her chest with both hands, murmuring softly, "Ah Lang, it itches..."

The girl in his arms had skin as smooth as jade, as if carved from fine jade, and was so beautiful that it was intoxicating. Zhang Dai did not make any further moves. He turned around and let the young woman nestle in his arms, leaning against the railing to feed the fish. He pressed his face against the girl's temple, watching the fish scramble to peck at the millet grains in the water, creating splashes.

"My lord, the room has been cleaned and you may retire to your quarters."

Wei Lin's wife, Liu Niangzi, stood on the other side of the railing and said softly. This wife had short hair that had been trimmed, which gave her a rather neat and efficient look. She was also very diligent in keeping busy inside and outside the house.

Knowing he had to get up early to work the next day, Zhang Dai stopped his sweet talk with the maid, wiped the millet grains from his hands, clapped his hands, and headed to his bedroom.

Ah Ying followed behind with small steps. When Madam Liu stepped forward to take the robe to steam and wash, the girl twisted her body to avoid her, saying, "Madam Liu, you should go and rest. I will wash the master's clothes."

Hearing her childish thoughts, Zhang Dai turned around and smiled, "You've only worn them for a day, and they're not dirty. Just dust them off and hang them up."

“My lord has plenty of diligent maids, how can I wear dirty clothes from the previous day! Everyone in the family has things to do, but I’m just bored. I’m hoping that my lord will come home and I can get some chores.”

Aying escorted Zhang Dai to his bedroom, then washed and dried his clothes with clean water at the outer door, applied warm water to moisten them, and ironed them after fumigating them. By the time the clothes were clean as new and smelled wonderful, it was already late at night.

"So the lord of this great clan is so particular about his expenses! I had no idea about these things without seeing Madam Aying's skillful methods!"

Lady Liu and Wang, An Xiaochen's concubine, watched from outside the railing as Aying spent so much time working on a single garment, and they both marveled at it. They had never seen such a way of serving in a wealthy household.

Ah Ying blushed at the praise and waved her hand, saying, "The clothes can be worn as soon as they are washed and dried, but I am happy to put my heart into it for you, Ah Lang. How can you, Ah Lang, expose the clumsy work of your servants when you come and go from the royal residence!"

They had shared joys and sorrows for many years, without any extravagant displays or elaborate rituals. In the young girl's heart, serving her beloved husband to the best of her ability was the most important thing, and she did so tirelessly and willingly.

Zhang Dai slept until dawn. Although no officials from the Prince of Qi's residence came to urge him, he got up early on his own, washed up, ate breakfast, and then summoned Zhang Yi, asking him to take some men to Zhou Liang's house to help with some matters.

He was serving as a mourner here and couldn't spare the time to help, as he would soon be leaving Luoyang to escort the coffin of Prince Qi to Qiaoling in Guanzhong for burial. Given their deep bond, Zhou Lang and his mother naturally wouldn't blame him for missing Zhou Liang's funeral, and instead asked Zhang Yi and others to help ensure the aftermath was handled perfectly.

"My lord, I finally managed to contact Wang Yuanbao the other day! He was overjoyed to learn that you wish to see him and asked me to inquire when it would be convenient for you to meet him?"

Although he sent his wife over, Wei Lin remained in the South Market. The brokers in the market knew that he had become involved with a wealthy family, so they dared not make things difficult for him anymore. He also became more and more diligent, and would immediately report any news that Zhang Dai was interested in.

"Have him come over this afternoon!"

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Dai said that today, the mourners do not need to go to the Prince of Qi's residence. They can stay in the Shanting Courtyard and focus on learning to sing funeral songs and rehearsing the formation. They can go home to see Wang Yuanbao when he arrives.

Wei Lin quickly agreed and then hurriedly returned to the South Market. Although the markets in the two capitals only opened for trading after the market drum, there were still residents and merchants in the market who needed to enter and exit, so boats could enter by water and people could exit by the side. People and goods could also enter and exit during the time the market was closed.

After finishing breakfast, Zhang Dai arrived at the Shanting Courtyard, where the pallbearers were already practicing in formation on the polo field. He then headed towards his team.

The members were somewhat surprised that their captain was missing. When they learned that Zhang Dai's villa was just next door and that he had gone home to stay the night before, envious looks appeared on their faces. Seeing their envious gazes, Zhang Dai felt immense satisfaction. He even recalled the words of a real estate agent from later generations: "How does a successful person's sense of superiority manifest itself? By having what others don't! Prime locations are always scarce and once missed, they're gone forever. Compared to this precious opportunity, money is insignificant!"
Huixunfang was not a large area to begin with. It was situated along a river and beside a pond, with a superior environment. The land was so precious that a coup was needed to redistribute it.

Although the grooms were all sons of officials, their families rarely owned property here, let alone allocated a villa to the young man for his own use.

Although the Zhang family is not an ancient and prestigious clan, thanks to Zhang Shuo's hard work and dedication, they still possess top-tier resources. Of course, Zhang Dai's own efforts also enable him to enjoy the valuable resources the Zhang family has; after all, having them doesn't mean everyone can use them.

"With such a lucrative business, how could Zhang Liu not act as a respectful host and entertain his good friend?"

The other men carrying the coffin were filled with envy, and they all clamored for Zhang Dai to treat them to a meal. The young men quickly became acquainted, and by this time they had already forgotten about questioning Zhang Dai in the provincial capital, and began to put their arms around each other's shoulders and call each other friends.

Zhang Dai had no objection to this. The villa was originally allocated to him under the guise of socializing and meeting friends. After he hosted a few guests, no one would blame him for wanting to establish a separate household registration.

However, since it was during the funeral of the Prince of Qi, these mourners were there to help with the funeral. However, they were all full of wine and meat and drunk, which was not appropriate. So they repeatedly promised to hold a banquet for guests at another residence after the funeral.

Leaving that aside, the mourners then resumed reciting their elegiac poems, each with a sorrowful expression. This morning, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices sent another batch of elegiac poems, and it was said that musicians like Li Guinian were still in the palace arranging and harmonizing the music. In short, all of this was making their time as mourners more fulfilling.

As the head of the troupe, Zhang Dai also had the task of assigning different dirges and vocal parts to the mourners according to their individual voices and styles.

Fortunately, he had a basic understanding of music theory and had some experience with the craft, so he wasn't unfamiliar with it. And since there was no tone-deaf warrior like Li Xia in the team, the arrangements went smoothly.

While he was coordinating the teams, the other teams were still not organized. When the officials from the Imperial Music Bureau came to inspect, they couldn't help but praise him repeatedly: "Zhang Lang is exceptionally talented and well-versed in music theory. He can be the first to perform music next year after he is released from his official post!"

This statement does have a hint of flattery, since even if later generations have studied and researched ancient music theory, it is still not as comprehensive and specific as that of contemporary people, not to mention that Zhang Dai himself was not a professional.

But if it were about being an official, Zhang Dai wouldn't be afraid. If I'm not good at business, I can manage. If I can't beat the drum, I can still beat you guys.

Zhang Dai arranged things so well and smoothly because he had a good helper in his team named Yan Yunnan.

The grooms are usually young men in their teens or twenties, but Yan Yunnan was well into his thirties and had already grown a beard. He looked even more striking than the handsome Zhang Dai, so Zhang Dai naturally paid more attention to him.

After exchanging a few words, Zhang Dai learned that Yan Yunnan was Yan Zhenqing's elder brother, and he naturally felt a deep respect for him.

He couldn't help but ask if Yan Zhenqing was in Luoyang, but was told that his father had died early, his brothers lived separately, and Yan Zhenqing and several of his younger brothers lived with their mother at their maternal grandfather's house, while Yan Yunnan and others followed their uncle Yan Yuansun, who was Yan Gaoqing's father, to his official post.

Yan Yunnan was a steady, mature, and sincere person, and Zhang Dai was also quite impressed with him. They quickly became familiar and friendly with each other, and there was no awkwardness in their interactions due to the age difference.

As the eldest among the mourners, Yan Yunnan's steady personality added to his convincing qualities.

With Yan Yunnan's assistance, Zhang Dai had much less to worry about and could occasionally slack off.

He noticed that the servants of the Prince Qi's mansion in the mountain pavilion were also busy going in and out, and many of the furnishings, collections and storage items in the courtyard were being inventoried, sorted and loaded onto carts to be transported away.

The Prince of Qi was the younger brother of the Sage. Although the Sage was politically wary and suppressed him, he was not stingy with his favors and treatment, so his family was naturally extremely wealthy.

Zhang Dai noticed that the carriages carrying valuables were coming and going without stopping from the time he entered the palace early in the morning until noon. Moreover, it seemed that there were still many treasures to be sorted and transported, which showed how wealthy the Prince of Qi was.

He recalled the scene of meeting the Princess of Yunyang last night, who was at her desk taking stock of her family's wealth, and many thoughts inevitably arose in his mind.

The Princess of Yunyang County once said that she would not return to the Eastern Capital for several years due to the funeral of her father and the mourning period, so she would transport the wealth of the Eastern Capital back to Chang'an for resettlement.

However, given the vast wealth of the Prince of Qi's family, it would be difficult to transport it all away. Moreover, with the funeral procession currently underway, it would be inappropriate to have hundreds of carts or even more valuables ostentatiously following the procession westward. It would be best to find another way to resolve this issue.

Thinking of this, Zhang Dai felt even more eager. Taking advantage of the lunch break, he said to Yan Yunnan, "Please have Brother Yan lead them to continue practicing the lyrics this afternoon. I have some things to attend to and may have to come later."

Yan Yunnan nodded upon hearing this. As for the officials of the Prince Qi's mansion, they were easy to talk to. As long as they could complete the task with quality and quantity, they would not overly restrict these spoiled brats. Moreover, it was obvious to all that Zhang Dai's team was the best trained.

(End of this chapter)