20. An Unwelcome Request for Refuge
The reason Senior Brother Xu Daoming and his fellow disciples returned to Changzhou was quite simple. They had heard in Huzhou that Zhang Xun, the privileged son of a local official in Changzhou, had captured a fierce tiger and a dragon, and was said to be the reincarnation of the God Erlang. For most people, this would be just an amusing story, but Xu Daoming was a Taoist priest. Though not entirely convinced, he thought it worth investigating—perhaps it was a sign of some fate.
So news of Zhang Xun had reached Huzhou? It had spread with a certain mystique, claiming he could split mountains and divert waters, and possessed a courage unmatched by thousands. These words came from Xie La, who had never encountered anyone stronger than himself and was curious to see this Zhang Xun. Unlike his senior brother, who harbored aspirations of transcendence and immortality, Xie La had no such thoughts. He simply wished to enjoy life, believing that a lifetime was but a journey, with success, failure, wealth, and poverty being illusions; only what was seen and consumed truly mattered.
Having just finished a fight, Xie La felt hungry and asked Wen Tianxiang for some food. He paid no mind to the bluish silk he had acquired earlier, immediately handing it over to Wen Tianxiang’s family in exchange for a hearty meal.
A hearty meal? That was easy enough.
The household quickly washed the rice and began cooking, thinking that for a poor man in these times, eating two to three jin (roughly one to one and a half kilograms) of dry rice at one sitting was normal. Since this little Taoist was supposedly so mighty, he would likely eat even more, perhaps five or six jin. The pot on the boat was small, so they steamed two pots together, putting in five jin of rice to make twelve jin of cooked rice, and also steamed a river fish weighing five or six jin.
Soon, Xie La was seen dipping the fish in salty broth and devouring all twelve jin of rice clean. When Wen Tianxiang asked if he was full, Xie La replied he was only about half to three-quarters full.
Wow...
No wonder Xu Daoming did not refuse the bluish silk gift from the old man in Chuzhou; if he had declined, his junior brother might not have had a decent meal.
After eating half full, Xie La found his strength returning and rowed swiftly, making the small boat leap forward like a fish.
Alas, such a fierce and sincere warrior was, in fact, a Taoist priest. Wen Tianxiang silently lamented that if Xie La had joined the army and charged into the front lines of Jing and Hu, even the enemy cavalry would fall one by one beneath his oar.
But what was the use of such thoughts for a man who had resigned from his official post to return home and live in leisure? If only Lu Xiufu were in Changzhou, perhaps he could recommend Xie La.
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They chatted and laughed all the way to Changzhou, passing through the city where a massive crocodile hung at the city gate. Sun-dried from before, it had now been rained upon, releasing a faint fishy stench. Some suggested taking it down and burning it, but the victims’ families insisted it remain hanging for a full year.
So it stayed, becoming a kind of local spectacle.
Seeing the crocodile, nearly two to three zhang (about 20 to 30 feet) long, Wen Tianxiang marveled at how Zhang Cheng, such a scholarly gentleman, could have such a formidable younger brother. No wonder it is said that the nine sons of the dragon are all different—the same parents could produce children so distinct. Xie La gestured at the crocodile’s size, telling his senior brother that he might not even be able to defeat it himself.
Xie La was young, only about seventeen or eighteen, and naturally had no memory of Zhang Xun’s wild youth some five or six years ago. Xu Daoming, in his forties, remembered well what Zhang Xun used to be like.
He had truly changed his nature, becoming a protector of the people.
The boat passed the inspection office, where Wen Tianxiang’s official credentials were checked. Though he had resigned, his official status remained intact; he was still the top scholar, a celebrated figure. With these documents, the inspectors would not levy taxes on him and would facilitate some conveniences without disturbing his female companions.
While waiting in line, Chujiu disembarked, saying he would run ahead to Zhang’s family to deliver the news and prepare Zhang Xun. This was proper etiquette, as Wen Tianxiang thought. Chujiu ordered two archers to accompany him as guides and then dashed home.
At Zhang Xun’s residence, he was practicing archery when a servant reported Chujiu’s return. He washed his face and hands, ready to read his elder brother’s letter. Unexpectedly, Chujiu brought not only the letter but also news that Wen Tianxiang himself would arrive within half an hour.
Which Wen Zhige? Of course, Wen Tianxiang, Wen Zhige himself.
"Ah, the literary top scholar even better than my elder brother," Zhang Xun thought.
He could hardly say anything prophetic, so he simply said it was Wen Zhige. Since he was his elder brother’s close friend, Zhang Xun prepared to receive him properly, inquiring about Wen Tianxiang’s entourage to tidy the rooms accordingly, ordering wine and food, and informing his mother.
Sure enough, after more than half an hour, Wen Tianxiang’s boat docked at the family’s pier. Zhang Xun stood on the shore with an umbrella, mainly to shield the women of the Wen family, though it wasn’t raining. Whether Wen Tianxiang cared or not, it was prepared just in case.
As for a sedan chair, had Wen Tianxiang given prior notice, Zhang Xun could have arranged one, but sedan carriers were scarce in Jiangdong. Boatmen were abundant, but sedan carriers were few. Most people traveled by boat or horseback; few used sedan chairs. Given the maze of waterways, traveling by sedan chair until nightfall might not even reach the city center.
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After observing proper ceremony to welcome Wen Tianxiang inside, he kept studying Zhang Xun. This young man hardly looked like someone who could capture a three-zhang-long crocodile. But looking again at Xie La, tall and thin yet astonishingly strong, it was clear that appearances could be deceiving.
Among the goods brought on the boat was a hundred bolts of ramie cloth that Zhang Cheng had sent back, to be handed over to Zhang’s mother. Upon entering the main hall, Zhang’s mother came out to receive them and offer blessings.
The guests and hosts sat in order. The letter mentioned that Zhao Rujian might soon arrive to serve as the magistrate of Changzhou and that Wen Tianxiang was visiting, hoping to be well entertained. It also asked Zhang Xun to help track down Lu Xiufu to ensure Wen Tianxiang’s safe return to Jiangxi.
Ah, but that was already too late.
By now, Lu Xiufu and Zhang Shijie had likely departed for Anqing, or possibly already passed Anqing and reached Jiujiang. Zhang Xun could only explain the current situation; with his elder brother’s orders and the matter involving Wen Tianxiang, there was little he could do.
Having been robbed once before and with his family present, Wen Tianxiang did not dare say he would travel alone. Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Xun quickly went over the options and suggested that Changzhou must still be dispatching military supplies to the front lines of Yingzhou and Ezhou.
The local inspection office and militia were under the Zhang family’s influence; after a short respite of three to five days, when official boats departed, Zhang Xun could openly send three to five hundred archers to accompany Wen Tianxiang’s boat, which would be tethered to the supply boat, ensuring protection all the way to Jiujiang.
If that was not feasible, Zhang Xi and Chujiu could escort the supply boat themselves; they were family and trustworthy, ensuring safety.
Watching Zhang Xun speak clearly and methodically, handling affairs competently and interacting graciously, Wen Tianxiang felt pleased. At home, one relies on parents; away from home, one relies on friends. Today, he had certainly chosen the right friend.
“Well then, I shall accept without hesitation,” Wen Tianxiang said, rising and cupping his hands to Zhang Xun.