Chapter Forty-One: The Words of the Sage

Chapter Forty-One: As the Sage Once Said

The atmosphere suddenly became a touch enigmatic.

And just a shade awkward.

Lu Zangyong’s face turned purple, his lips ashen, his body quivering uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Zhang Qian’s expression was the very picture of sincerity!

“My young friend, though Zi Qian is slightly younger than myself, his literary talent far surpasses mine!” It was He Zhizhang who, ever magnanimous and quick-witted, sensed that Zhang Qian might not know Lu Zangyong’s famous name. He hastened to smooth things over with a laugh, “Last year, his line, ‘The flying creeper half veils the silver inscription’s shadow, waterfalls encircle jade-like terraces!’ spread through Chang’an overnight. The whole city’s scholars scrambled to copy and recite it. You only missed that grand occasion because you came down from the mountains too late!”

“Oh, so that poem is yours, esteemed senior! Forgive my ignorance! It is truly a great honor to seek your guidance in person today!” Zhang Qian swiftly realized his earlier conduct had been somewhat improper. He immediately assumed a look of genuine surprise and bowed deeply once more.

He had only been in Great Tang for a few days; it was already remarkable how well he had grasped Tang etiquette. Yet these stiff courtesies, in Lu Zangyong’s eyes, were nothing less than a slap in the face. The latter could no longer contain himself—he flung his sleeves with a sharp flick and strode away in high dudgeon.

“My young friend, how could you treat an elder so!” Imperial Physician Sun Anzu cried in alarm, reproaching Zhang Qian before hurrying after Lu Zangyong. “Master Lu, Master Lu, slow down! Watch your step…”

His words only made matters worse, inflaming Lu Zangyong’s indignation and causing him to hurry away even faster. His servants, who were leading his horse, could not keep up no matter how they tried. Then, quite unfortunately, he stepped squarely into a pile of dog dung and with a “thud,” fell flat on his back, arms and legs akimbo.

“Master! Master!” The servants, terrified out of their wits, scrambled to help him up.

Sun Anzu hurried over, holding his breath as he quickly examined Lu Zangyong for injuries. He Zhizhang and Zhang Ruoxu, who had planned to scold Zhang Qian on Lu’s behalf, fell instantly silent at the sight of Lu’s undignified fall. Better to keep quiet than risk provoking him into using his official power against a young man out of sheer embarrassment.

All this transpired within the blink of an eye, leaving Zhang Qian too stunned to react. He couldn’t fathom why, after he had so politely apologized for his ignorance, Lu Zangyong was still so furious.

Moved by sympathy, Zhang Qian took a few quick steps forward, produced a porcelain vial from his inner pocket, and offered it to Sun Anzu. “Elder Sun, please use this to apply to Elder Lu’s injuries. It will reduce bruising, promote circulation, and remove unpleasant odors.”

The vial, of course, contained Tiger Balm. Whether it truly reduced bruises was a secondary concern; what mattered most to Zhang Qian was that it could temporarily mask the stench of dog dung, sparing everyone’s noses.

Sure enough, as soon as Sun Anzu pulled out the stopper, a refreshing fragrance wafted through the air. He scooped out a small dab with his pinky and gently applied it to Lu’s scraped palms, wrists, and elbows. The foul odor was immediately subdued, allowing everyone to breathe freely again.

Lu Zangyong, though benefiting from Zhang Qian’s kindness, refused to acknowledge it. He turned his head away and snorted loudly. Sun Anzu, not wishing to offend Lu nor to wrong Zhang Qian, re-corked the vial and bowed to Zhang Qian. “Many thanks, Thirteenth Young Master! This salve smells much like medicated oil, but in ointment form—much more convenient. May I ask…”

“I concocted it myself a few days ago, following my elders’ technique. It’s indeed similar to medicated oil, with comparable properties,” Zhang Qian replied without concealment, having anticipated the question. “If you like, please keep it. It’s not difficult to make, just requires some materials and patience.”

“In that case, I’ll accept with gratitude!” Sun Anzu’s delight was unmistakable; his earlier annoyance at Zhang Qian vanished without a trace.

“Allow me to explain, it’s for external use only, not to be taken internally. Mainly, it repels insects and relieves itching, while reducing bruises is secondary. If you find it useful, ask Ren Cong for more. I have nothing pressing lately, so I can easily make more,” Zhang Qian added, seizing the chance to advertise his creation.

“There’s more? No, no, one bottle is plenty!” Sun Anzu’s eyes crinkled with joy as he waved his hands.

A true devotee of medicine, Sun Anzu promptly forgot everything else in his excitement over a new remedy. Meanwhile, Lu Zangyong, feeling humiliated from his fall, grew even more resentful seeing Sun Anzu so easily won over by an unknown ointment. He brusquely pushed aside his servant, strode to his horse, mounted in a huff, and galloped off without a backward glance.

“Master Lu!” He Zhizhang called out twice, but when there was no reply, he could only sigh and give up.

“Young man, you are too thoughtless! Master Lu’s poetry may be lofty and difficult, but you should have shown humility and sought instruction!” Zhang Ruoxu, worried that Lu Zangyong might seek revenge, seized the moment to admonish Zhang Qian before Lu’s servants departed. “When you return, buy a few volumes of Master Lu’s works and study them well, so you don’t embarrass yourself next time!”

“Yes, your guidance is most apt, elder. I shall obey!” Perceiving the protective tone beneath Zhang Ruoxu’s words, Zhang Qian bowed, barely suppressing a smile.

“It’s not Zhang Qian’s fault,” He Zhizhang interjected kindly, glancing at Lu Zangyong’s retreating figure. “He’s new to Chang’an and unfamiliar with our customs. As the saying goes, ‘an unintentional mistake is no fault.’ With Master Lu’s magnanimity, he surely won’t hold a grudge against a junior.”

Watching Lu Zangyong depart, He Zhizhang turned and lowered his voice to admonish Zhang Qian, “Young friend, Chang’an is not your secluded mountain. Always think thrice before you speak. Master Lu is broad-minded, but if you cross a vindictive man, you’ll bring yourself no end of trouble.”

“I truly meant no offense!” Zhang Qian protested, hands pressed together in earnest. “I’ve only just come down from the mountains, barely memorized a few poems. I really didn’t mean to slight Master Lu!”

This was the honest truth. Though Zhang Qian was a scholar, he couldn’t possibly recite every poem from the Tang by heart. Aside from the greats—Li Bai, Du Fu, He Zhizhang, Bai Juyi, and Zhang Ruoxu—he could barely recall three lines from Jia Dao, let alone someone relatively obscure like Lu Zangyong.

It was like the provincial top scorers on the college entrance exam—everyone might know their names, but who remembers the runner-ups, or those ranked in the hundreds? Aside from their family and friends, no one pays much attention.

Moreover, by twenty-first-century standards, Zhang Qian’s admission of ignorance was already extremely polite, even if the other party was famous. Who would have thought Lu Zangyong would hold himself in such high esteem, insisting on being ranked alongside He Zhizhang and Zhang Ruoxu?

“In future, if you don’t know someone’s name, just say you’ve long admired them. No need to feign surprise or explain yourself,” Zhang Ruoxu advised, turning his gaze from Lu Zangyong’s vanishing figure.

“I understand, elder. When I meet a self-important nobody, a simple ‘I’ve long admired you’ is safest! Your advice is well received!” Zhang Qian replied, smiling and bowing. “But as the Sage said, ‘Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unresentful when unrecognized?’ Master Lu is surely a Confucian gentleman…”

“Ahem, ahem, ahem…” Zhang Ruoxu coughed repeatedly, turning aside to avoid further debate. Yet his eyes betrayed a hint of doubt.

Is this youth truly not a disciple of the School of Diplomacy?

The more I observe him, the more he seems a direct heir to Su Qin and Zhang Yi!