Chapter Ninety-Nine: Old Yang

“This creature’s native home is…” At this moment, Zhang Qian’s thoughts were entirely fixed on the giraffe; he had no time to consider anything else. Hearing someone ask, he instinctively responded without much thought.

Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly realized that defining the giraffe’s origin might involve the factional struggles within the imperial court. Hastily, he turned around and waved vigorously at the elder. “This creature’s homeland definitely isn’t in the Central Plains, otherwise there would certainly be records in the official histories. I’m afraid I must disappoint you, sir—I have never seen it before, nor do I know where it came from!”

Changing one’s story on the spot was exhausting, almost causing him to lose track of his words. Fortunately, Zhang had great lung capacity and quick wits, managing to avoid contradicting himself.

The elder, evidently not expecting Zhang’s smooth change of tune, widened his goldfish-like eyes in surprise, his snowy white beard trembling wildly on his chest.

“Assistant Director Li Qi of the Imperial Carriage Bureau, greetings to Minister Yang!” Before Zhang could explain further, Li Qi swiftly turned his head and preemptively saluted the elder, as if fearing that any delay might earn him a public reprimand or future retribution. “I was unaware that the Minister was present earlier; please forgive my poor reception.”

“Minister, I hope you are well. We salute you!” The surrounding guards and stable hands also put down their tasks and greeted the newcomer with increasingly respectful demeanors.

Zhang was momentarily stunned, now noticing that the white-bearded elder with kind eyes was dressed in robes of deep blue and crimson, tinged with pale yellow, adorned with several intricate patterns.

‘Dizzying—he’s actually a second-rank official, equivalent to a vice-premier! Good thing I changed my story quickly!’ A shiver ran through Zhang’s heart as he hastily clasped his hands and bowed again. “Registrar Zhang Qian of the Military Armory’s Gunpowder Department, greetings to Minister Yang. I was unaware of your arrival earlier and apologize for my abruptness!”

(Ministers of the Tang dynasty wore specific robes: second rank featured a pheasant-feathered coronet with eight hanging beads, blue robes with red skirts embroidered with seven symbols, and silver-mounted swords. The red worn was a shade blending red and yellow.)

“Minister, I am Zhou Jianliang of the Shuofang army, at your service!” Zhou was slow to respond but spoke loudly.

The elder seemed somewhat overwhelmed by so many greetings and, after a brief pause, smiled and chose to respond first to the highest-ranking fifth-rank assistant director Li Qi. He cast a meaningful glance at him and turned sideways, returning the salute with cupped hands. “You are Li Qi? I have long heard of your name. There is no need for such formality. I saw you leading men to dismantle the gatehouse earlier — quite decisive!”

“In urgent matters, one must act with discretion. Minister, please assist us later in explaining to His Majesty!” Li Qi, a skillful flatterer, quickly took the lead again, bowing deeply to Minister Yang.

Minister Yang, known as a well-liked and kind man, was very courteous even to a minor official like Li Qi. He stepped aside slightly and returned the salute with a smile. “Of course! His Majesty witnessed the situation earlier. There is no need for you to be so cautious.”

Then his gaze swept over Zhang Qian and Zhou Jianliang, nodding slightly to both. “And you two—one loyal and brave, risking life to protect the Emperor; the other both wise and courageous, daringly using fruit to lure the strange beast away from the Purple Forbidden Palace. His Majesty, Xiao Pingzhang, and the other civil and military officials have all taken note. Once things settle at the Purple Forbidden Palace, His Majesty will surely summon you both and publicly commend you!”

He had been Minister Yang, who had served multiple times as Chancellor and Minister of Personnel; his words carried great weight. Zhou Jianliang was overjoyed and bowed deeply again. “Thank you for your support, Minister. When I return to Shuofang, I will fight to the death to repay His Majesty and your kindness!”

“Thank you, Minister!” Though Zhou was a burly man, he knew how to flatter his superiors well. Zhang Qian copied his example and bowed gratefully to the white-bearded Minister Yang.

This time, Minister Yang did not step aside but stroked his beard and accepted their thanks with a satisfied smile. “You two need not be so polite. It is my duty to serve the nation by recognizing talent. Commander Zhou, you… Zhang Registrar, be careful!”

Just as he was about to say more encouraging words to inspire their loyalty to the Tang dynasty, the giraffe, having been ignored for some time, stretched out its neck and licked Zhang Qian’s official hat with its tongue. Startled, Zhang staggered backward, and the words of encouragement instantly turned into a warning.

“Minister, don’t be afraid! It doesn’t bite!” Although he knew the giraffe was gentle when not provoked, Zhang remained cautious. Before his hat could be soiled, he quickly stepped back several paces, then picked up a tray of fruit and fed the giraffe, apologizing with a smile to Minister Yang. “Sorry, Minister. I didn’t mean to be rude; this beast is overly clingy, and I feared that ignoring it might provoke another outburst.”

“No matter! Feed it first!” Minister Yang, almost embarrassed by the giraffe’s behavior but not angry, waved his hand cheerfully. “We must settle it before paying respects to His Majesty. Thanks to you, otherwise, if this creature went berserk, kicking everyone, who knows how many would be trampled to death. The guards couldn’t possibly let it spill blood in the palace!”

“It’s those eunuchs and palace attendants who treat it like a sacred beast! They forbid the guards from using bows and arrows; otherwise, this creature’s hooves would have long been riddled with arrows like a porcupine!” Zhang Qian silently vented inwardly but spoke politely, “Minister’s praise is undeserved. I just happened to stumble upon a solution. The beast isn’t naturally fierce; it was only frightened earlier, which caused its rampage.”

“The key point is, only you and Zhou Jianliang dared to approach it at that moment. And only you managed to stop it by accident. The others either shrank back in fear or were helpless!” Minister Yang smiled appreciatively at Zhang’s modesty.

This compliment probably rated even higher than the previous “unparalleled loyalty” and “wise and brave” praises. Zhou Jianliang gratefully bowed again.

Zhang, though also bowing, grew wary. ‘If he’s praising me to the skies, he must have some scheme. I must be cautious. The old sages of the Tang were all cunning. I can’t be fooled again and fail to learn my lesson!’

Experience had taught him wisdom. Having suffered losses at the hands of predecessors like Ren Qiong, He Zhizhang, and Zhang Ruoxu, Zhang no longer underestimated the intelligence of the ancients. So when an elder who was even more formidable than Bi Gou lavished him with praise, he instinctively suspected ill intent.

Sure enough, before Zhang could straighten up, Minister Yang approached his side, calmly plucked a piece of fruit, and held it out to the giraffe. Smiling, he pressed further. “Registrar Zhang, how did you come to think of using fruit to coax it? This creature has a neck like a giant snake and horns on its head. By rights, it should be akin to a dragon, preferring meat or fish.”

‘Those with horns on their heads are herbivores! Those without them tend to be carnivores!’ Zhang immediately knew the truth but refused to reveal any flaw in his story. Smiling awkwardly, he explained, “At the time, I only had fruit and candied snacks on hand, nothing else. If there had been dried meat, ham, or buns, I would have thrown those too. It would have simply chosen what it liked best.”

“Oh, that makes sense!” Minister Yang feigned sudden enlightenment. “So it was a fortunate coincidence. Registrar Zhang truly is a lucky man—having just what this strange beast prefers. How did you determine that it was really very gentle? Earlier, it was rampaging wildly and hurt several people!”

“Just a few days ago, my horse at home was also spooked and ran amok, kicking anyone it saw!” Zhang was prepared and grew more fluent with each lie. “Besides, the situation was urgent. Even if it had a fierce nature, what else could it do? It couldn’t just stand by and watch Commander Zhou be trampled to death, nor allow it to threaten His Majesty!”

“Hmm, reasonable, very reasonable!” Minister Yang nodded repeatedly, his smile growing ever broader. “I have a suggestion: since Registrar Zhang was brave enough to subdue this strange beast in a crisis, and since the beast now seems quite fond of you, why not let me recommend you as Deputy Supervisor of the Pasture Department, specifically to care for this beast? It’s a strange creature, you are an extraordinary man… you two are naturally matched…”

“No!” Before he finished, Zhang decisively declined. “I’m not skilled in caring for this beast. Besides, Chang’an is too cold for it to survive. It was frightened partly because it was hungry and, I suspect, mainly because of the severe cold…”

Halfway through, Zhang again suspected a trap hidden in the question. This crafty old fox had no intention of letting him become a subordinate official in the Pasture Department. Moreover, auspicious beasts should not be placed under the Pasture Department’s care. He grew angry and alarmed, his eyes wide as he gasped.

“Minister, Registrar Zhang excels at producing gunpowder. I have heard of this in the Imperial Carriage Bureau. To make him Deputy Supervisor of the Pasture Department would be a great waste of talent!” The loyal Assistant Director Li Qi, seeing Zhang’s strong reaction, assumed he did not wish to waste his life as a mere groom and immediately intervened in his defense.

“Indeed! I have also heard of the power and utility of gunpowder in the Shuofang army! Such great talent as Registrar Zhang should not be sent to raise strange beasts—it is truly beneath him!” Zhou Jianliang, though confused, joined the chorus.

Minister Yang, however, ignored their words, instead silently scrutinizing Zhang with his bright, round eyes. His smile deepened, growing ever more enigmatic.