Chapter Thirty-Two: An Accidental Stroke of Luck

Page 1 of 3

“So eager already, without regard for either civil accomplishments or martial prowess? Do you want to cross swords with your second uncle in every respect?”

That was the question Zhao Kuangyin put to Zhao Dezhao after the latter proposed recommending junior and mid-ranking officers to take part in the Qixi Festival sumo tournament.

Unable to mention the disgraceful affair in his maternal uncle’s household, Zhao Dezhao could only follow the mistake through and answer with a stiff upper lip, “To be honest, Imperial Father, I would indeed like to give it a try—to see whether I or Second Uncle is better at uncovering talent for the court and for Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of this son’s humble request, to grant me permission.”

“Ambition is a good thing, but you must also know when enough is enough. Never allow a moment of wounded pride to lead to brothers turning against one another.” Zhao Kuangyin reprimanded his son at length, but finally said, “Very well. In view of your diligence and hard work of late, I grant you permission. On the Qixi Festival the day after tomorrow, you may bring the military officer you have recommended into the palace to take part in that day’s sumo tournament.”

“Thank you, Imperial Father.”

Having at last repaid his maternal uncle’s favor, Zhao Dezhao hurriedly expressed his thanks. Zhao Kuangyin merely smiled and added, “I shall also see how good your judgment is. If the man you recommend cannot win even a single sumo bout, then should anything similar arise in the future, do not come asking your father for help again.”

With matters having reached this point, Zhao Dezhao could only agree through gritted teeth. He then took his leave of the palace and returned home to tell his uncle what had happened. When He Huaipu heard that his nephew had truly secured him a chance to avenge himself in public, he was overjoyed. Turning to the hired fighter Yu Jinsheng, he cried, “Nephew, everything depends on you the day after tomorrow! Do not disappoint this old man, and do not bring shame upon His Highness!”

“Rest assured, Uncle. I shall certainly avenge Brother Lingtu!” Yu Jinsheng replied with complete confidence. Then he added, “It is getting late. I shall take my leave and return to make preparations. The day after tomorrow, I will accompany His Highness to the sumo tournament!”

“General Yu, there is no need to hurry. Stay for dinner before you go,” Zhao Dezhao kindly urged.

Yu Jinsheng, eager to make his preparations for battle, insisted on declining. In the end, Zhao Dezhao did not press him. They agreed on the time they would meet before the palace the day after tomorrow, and Zhao Dezhao waved him away.

Let us turn now to Yu Jinsheng. After leaving Zhao Dezhao’s lair and heading back toward the Iron Cavalry Army’s encampment, he wore an excited expression, while his heart was in a state of indescribable exhilaration.

The reason was simple enough. Yu Jinsheng’s rank in the army was equivalent to that of a mere battalion commander in later generations. Before this, he had had no idea how much more effort he would need to expend, or how long he would have to wait, before Zhao Kuangyin might notice and favor him. Now such a splendid opportunity had suddenly fallen from the heavens, and Yu Jinsheng was so excited that his heart seemed ready to leap from his chest.

Along the way, he could almost see himself displaying his prowess in the imperial palace, throwing the Inner Wrestlers who earned their living through sumo at Zhao Kuangyin’s side flat on their backs and leaving them gnashing their teeth. He would defeat one powerful opponent after another and claim first place in the tournament. Zhao Kuangyin would summon him personally, reward him with wine and food before the assembled crowd, then promote him beyond precedent, raise his rank, and grant honors to his wife and children…

“Brother Jinsheng! Brother Jinsheng!”

A sudden shout pulled Yu Jinsheng back from his wonderful daydreams. Hearing that booming voice, loud as a bronze gong, Yu Jinsheng faintly furrowed his brow. An ominous premonition immediately rose in his heart.

It could not be. How had he run into that harbinger of plague again?

“Brother Jinsheng, wait for me!”

Yu Jinsheng had clearly been born under an unlucky star. Though he was unwilling in a hundred different ways, a broad-shouldered man with words tattooed across his face soon galloped up beside him. With great enthusiasm, the man said, “Brother Jinsheng, what a coincidence! Who would have thought I would meet you here?”

“I had some business in the inner city,” Yu Jinsheng replied, forcing a smile. He then asked with equal insincerity, “Why are you here, Brother? Should you not be training the soldiers in camp?”

“Do not ask.” The tattooed man did not even blush as he said, “I talked back to my superiors again, so I have been suspended from duty. I was bored and came wandering about.”

After saying this, the tattooed man continued, “Brother, it has been ages since we last met. Come, let us have a few bowls of wine. There happens to be a little tavern ahead. My treat. Come in and sit for a while.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Brother, but there is no need,” Yu Jinsheng hastily declined, forcing a smile. “When I have some free time another day, I shall invite you to Pan Tower, and we can drink until we fall senseless.”

“What could you possibly have to do? There is no war at present.” The tattooed man refused to let the matter go. He reached out and grabbed Yu Jinsheng, saying roughly, “I have invited you several times, and each time you found an excuse to refuse. Today we have finally run into each other outside the camp. Your elder brother will not let you leave until I have thoroughly drunk you under the table.”

Knowing the man’s obstinate, bear-like temper, Yu Jinsheng had no choice but to explain quickly, “Brother, on an ordinary day I would have no objection, but today I truly have an urgent matter to attend to. I cannot accompany you for wine. Another day, another day—I shall certainly set out a feast and apologize properly.”

“No. Unless you tell me what important matter you have, you are not going anywhere today.” The tattooed man had become as stubborn as an ox. He clung to Yu Jinsheng and refused to let go.

Had anyone else pestered him so relentlessly, Yu Jinsheng would likely have lost his temper on the spot. But during the campaign to conquer Shu, this tattooed man had once risked his life and taken an arrow meant for Yu Jinsheng with his own body. Since Yu Jinsheng’s conscience had not yet been entirely eaten by dogs, he had no choice but to tell the truth.

“Brother, to be honest, I have been fortunate enough to receive a personal recommendation from His Highness. The day after tomorrow, I am to enter the palace and participate in the Qixi Festival sumo tournament…”

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

After being forced to reveal the matter, Yu Jinsheng said helplessly, “Brother, now you understand why I cannot drink with you today, do you not? I am entering the palace the day after tomorrow. How could I dare drink freely? If I do not hurry back to stretch my limbs and practice, there will be no time left.”

The tattooed man’s face filled with unconcealed envy. “Brother, why have I never had luck or an opportunity like yours? To compete in sumo before the Emperor, and to be personally recommended by His Highness?”

With your foul temper and your habit of contradicting your superiors, it would be strange if you ever received such an opportunity, Yu Jinsheng thought disdainfully. Aloud, he merely gave a bitter smile and said, “Brother, may I leave now?”

The tattooed man was reasonably understanding. Seeing that Yu Jinsheng truly had an important matter, he released him at once. But after a moment’s thought, he asked, “Brother, what time are you entering the palace the day after tomorrow? I shall come to see you off and wish you victory from the very first bout. May you succeed at a stroke and take the championship.”

To rid himself of the man’s entanglement as quickly as possible, Yu Jinsheng had no choice but to yield and tell him the time he would enter the palace. Only then did the tattooed man stop obstructing him and let him leave.

Yet as he watched Yu Jinsheng’s retreating back, envy still filled his eyes. He muttered to himself, “That is fate for you. With skill like his, he can actually receive a personal recommendation from His Highness and compete in sumo before the Emperor. Why have I never had such luck?”

…

At the same time, news that Zhao Dezhao had recommended Yu Jinsheng for the Qixi Festival sumo tournament was secretly reported to Zhao Guangyi. Zhao Guangyi was furious upon hearing it and could not help saying angrily, “That little wretch seems determined to oppose me. During the metropolitan examination, he put forward An Shouliang to challenge my protégé Chai Chengwu. Now Wang Hanzhong has only just prepared to enter the palace for the sumo tournament, and he has produced another common brute named Yu Jinsheng to challenge him!”

“Your Highness, have no fear!” Wang Hanzhong said with utter confidence. “Regardless of what sort of sumo champion His Highness sends against me, I am certain I can defeat him. I will never bring shame upon you!”

“Your Highness, this is indeed nothing to worry about,” Chen Congxin reassured him. “Our informants within the Imperial Guard have reported on Yu Jinsheng’s circumstances. It is true that he has some skill, but his reputation far exceeds his actual ability, and he is hardly fit for any great responsibility. The main reason he became a commander was the hereditary protection passed down through his father and grandfather.”

Reassurance did not calm Zhao Guangyi. Having already suffered several losses at the hands of that shameless nephew, he did not dare be careless this time. Scowling, he calculated, “What I fear is that Yu Jinsheng truly does possess such ability. My nephew’s eye for talent is exceptionally sharp. Among the countless officials in the capital, he not only uncovered Liang Zhouhan, but also discovered such great talents as An Deyu and his son An Shouliang. If we underestimate him, we may suffer another loss.”

After considering the matter, Chen Congxin found that the concern was indeed justified. For the sake of caution, he suggested, “Your Highness, if you are uneasy, I have an idea. Yu Jinsheng is the acting commander of the Iron Cavalry Army and eats and sleeps at its camp. We happen to have a useful agent planted there. Shall I have someone deliver some croton powder to him and order him to mix it into Yu Jinsheng’s food? No matter how capable Yu Jinsheng is, he will not be able to fight if he cannot stop running to the latrine.”

No wonder Zhao Guangyi was known as the poison king of his age. Having suffered too much humiliation of late and determined not to be outdone by his shameless nephew again, he hesitated only briefly before nodding decisively. In a sinister tone, he said, “Go and arrange it. Be careful. Do not leave the slightest trace.”

…

Let us now turn to the development of sumo during the Song dynasty. If one asked which sport was most popular during the Northern and Southern Song periods, the answer would not be the famous cuju, nor polo, but sumo—the sport later learned by the Japanese. It was popular among the people and even more widely embraced in the army. Those who won sumo contests could generally expect promotion and increased pay. Even the famed Army of the Yue Family used sumo to train the physical strength of its soldiers and select junior officers.

Nor was that all. Within the imperial palace, the Song court established a special troupe devoted exclusively to sumo contests. Its members were elite wrestlers rigorously selected from the various armies and were known as the Inner Wrestlers. Whenever there were national celebrations, receptions for distinguished foreign envoys, or various festivals, this troupe would hold public sumo matches. The Emperor himself served as judge and determined the victor, while the champion who ultimately took first place received a lavish reward.

“Where howling winds and pouring rains seem to gather,
Where furious dragons and fierce tigers contest their strength.”

These lines were used to describe both the ferocity of palace sumo and the magnitude of its influence.

Although Zhao Dezhao had little interest in this ancient sport, he had personally recommended the competitor, so he naturally had to take the matter seriously. He also expected his uncle and Yu Jinsheng to arrive ahead of him. Thus, Zhao Dezhao set out early, leading Wang Zhifa—who had suffered only minor injuries previously—to Xuande Gate, where he planned to meet He Huaipu and the others.

To Zhao Dezhao’s surprise, when he reached Xuande Gate, several officials qualified to enter the palace for the Qixi celebrations had already arrived. Yet He Huaipu, who was determined to avenge his son, was nowhere to be seen, and Yu Jinsheng, whom they had arranged to meet there, had not appeared either.

Zhao Dezhao could not help wondering, “That cannot be right. With my uncle’s fiery temper, he should certainly have arrived before me.”

There was nothing to be gained from puzzling over it, so Zhao Dezhao remained outside the imperial city gate and waited. After some time had passed, not only had He Huaipu and Yu Jinsheng still failed to appear, but Zhao Guangyi’s procession arrived before him.

In the presence of the palace guards and numerous officials, Zhao Dezhao could only hurry forward and respectfully greet Zhao Guangyi as the latter stepped down from his carriage.

“Your nephew pays his respects to Uncle.”

With so many outsiders present, Zhao Guangyi could do nothing but respond with a broad smile. “Dezhao, you arrived first? Why have you not gone inside?”

“I am waiting for my uncle. We agreed to enter the palace together,” Zhao Dezhao answered truthfully.

Although He Huaipu was merely a battalion commander, he also happened to be the former brother-in-law of Zhao Kuangyin. Thus, he still had a place at festivals held within the imperial palace.

“I see.” Zhao Guangyi smiled and continued, “I hear that you have recommended a military officer for this sumo tournament. As it happens, my favored general, Wang Hanzhong, will also be competing. Nephew, you must tell your man to show mercy. Do not let my subordinate lose too miserably and make a fool of himself before your uncle.”

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

“You are too modest, Uncle. Commissioner Wang’s martial skill is unmatched beneath the heavens. It is he who should be asked to show mercy.” Zhao Dezhao rarely spoke with such complete honesty, and he had no confidence whatsoever that Yu Jinsheng could defeat Wang Hanzhong. He only hoped the man would not disgrace him too badly.

Perhaps it was a reward for Zhao Dezhao’s rare moment of honesty. At that very moment, He Huaipu finally appeared on the road, dressed in official robes and riding a horse. Yu Jinsheng was still nowhere in sight, while an ordinary civilian carriage followed strangely behind He Huaipu.

Not daring to delay, Zhao Dezhao quickly apologized to Zhao Guangyi, then hurried forward to greet He Huaipu.

“Your nephew pays his respects, Uncle.”

To Zhao Dezhao’s surprise once again, his beloved maternal uncle wore an extremely gloomy expression. After dismounting, He Huaipu did not exchange any pleasantries with Zhao Dezhao. Instead, he turned around and shouted at the carriage, “We are here! Come out at once!”

The sight that followed left Zhao Dezhao completely dumbfounded.

When the carriage curtain was lifted, Yu Jinsheng—who had once stood before him full of confidence and vigor—appeared pale and exhausted. Using both hands and feet, he struggled painfully down from the carriage. In a weak voice, he said, “This subordinate, Yu Jinsheng, pays his respects to His Highness.”

“What happened to you? How did you end up like this?” Zhao Dezhao asked in shock.

“Your Highness, I believe I must have eaten something bad,” Yu Jinsheng replied feebly. “I ran to the latrine more than ten times last night, and another three or four times after getting up this morning.”

“How can you compete in sumo in that condition?” Zhao Dezhao wailed upon hearing this.

“I shall do my utmost. I will certainly not bring shame upon Your Highness.” Yu Jinsheng still managed to sound reasonably resolute. Even after suffering such severe diarrhea, he remained determined to compete.

Unfortunately, the moment he finished speaking, he clutched his stomach and crouched down again, moaning in agony as cold sweat covered his forehead.

Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao was completely at a loss. He could only bark irritably, “What do you mean, do your utmost? Go see a physician and save your life first! In your condition, the only way you could win a sumo match would be if a ghost came to your aid!”

Yu Jinsheng groaned in pain, bitterly lamenting the opportunity he had lost to make a name for himself before Zhao Kuangyin. He Huaipu, his face ashen, said, “Your Highness, I shall compete today. I will personally avenge my son!”

“Uncle, I do not mean to dampen your spirits,” Zhao Dezhao said with a bitter smile, “but with your abilities, let alone defeating Wang Hanzhong, whose name is known throughout the capital, you might not even be able to defeat the Inner Wrestlers.”

“Then what are we to do?” He Huaipu shouted anxiously.

“If there is no other way, abandon the matter,” Zhao Dezhao said helplessly. “Explain everything clearly to Imperial Father. He will understand our predicament.”

“Your Highness, this subordinate begs leave to speak. I am willing to take Brother Jinsheng’s place. I ask Your Highness to permit me to compete.”

A booming voice suddenly reached Zhao Dezhao’s ears. When he turned around in confusion, he saw a tattooed-faced giant step out from the crowd and salute him with clasped fists.

“Who are you?” Zhao Dezhao asked casually.

“Your Highness, he is my friend,” Yu Jinsheng said from where he crouched on the ground, his face twisted in pain. “His name is Huyan Zan. He is a deputy commander in the Valiant Warriors Army.”

“Your Highness, please give this subordinate a chance!” Huyan Zan urgently pleaded once more.

To Huyan Zan’s great surprise, Zhao Dezhao immediately stepped forward and personally helped him to his feet. With a kindly expression, Zhao Dezhao said, “General Huyan, then I shall have to trouble you. Come into the palace with me.”

“He agreed? Just like that?” Huyan Zan was so delighted that he could hardly believe his ears.

Not long afterward, news that Zhao Dezhao had been forced to select an obscure nobody at random from among the gawking spectators was reported to Zhao Guangyi.

Zhao Guangyi immediately burst into laughter. Smiling smugly, he said, “What should we call this? The dying struggle of a man at the end of his road? Or a cornered dog leaping over the wall?”