Chapter Fifty: Gifts in the Wake of Intoxication

Outside, the morning birdsong drifted in, mingling with the sound of footsteps. Wei Renshi suddenly sat up, muttering, “This is bad, I’m late for morning reading!” He hurriedly reached for his clothes at the head of the bed. As he twisted around, he caught sight of the long robe he wore and froze, finally coming to his senses.

He was no longer the language teacher who needed to lead the morning class, but Wei Renshi of the Tang people. Rubbing his head, he gauged his condition—though it felt a bit heavy, there was no real pain. On reflection, he recalled how, just yesterday, he had drunk himself into a stupor, forgetting for a moment that this body was only twelve years old. Clearly, he would have to refrain from drinking in the future.

Rising, he stepped outside. Grains were being spread out under the sun for drying. Old Man Sun spotted Wei Renshi at once, hurried over, bowed, and said, “Young master, you drank yourself under the table yesterday. Your body is still young; you mustn’t drink so much in the future.”

Wei Renshi nodded, replying, “Indeed, I won’t overindulge again.”

“After you and Young Master Li fell drunk, those three kept drinking for a while longer. Each took away two gourds of wine, saying you promised them.” Old Man Sun continued.

“I promised them?” Wei Renshi asked, “When did I say that?”

Old Man Sun sighed and nodded, “You did. You even said two jars were too few, and that each should get two hundred.”

Wei Renshi grinned wryly. “It seems I truly must avoid drinking too much in the future.”

Old Man Sun went on, “They left near dusk and left you a message. The eldest left a letter for Young Master Li, too. Let me fetch it.”

He quickly returned from the next room, holding two sheets of paper, a dark token like a protective charm, and a jade pendant. He handed them to Wei Renshi. “These two letters are from the eldest scholar. The token is from the big man for you. He said if you ever sell wine in Luoyang, it might come in handy. The jade pendant is from the middle-aged scholar. He said if you ever go to Chang’an, take this pendant to any ‘Grass and Trees’ inn and give it to the innkeeper—you’ll find him there. He wishes to fulfill the duties of a host to thank you for the wine.”

Wei Renshi took the items. The black token seemed wooden, yet shone with a metallic gleam. On both sides were engravings of tigers: one a tiger’s head, the other a tiger leaping at its prey. The jade pendant was exquisite—clearly not an ordinary trinket.

He put away the token and the jade, then examined the two letters. One was a poem:

Wine is the ancient mirror,
Grinding open the petty heart.
Drunkenness reveals strange behaviors,
And voices never heard before.
Wine’s merits are thus many,
Its sorrows equally deep.
Let the guilty be pardoned by wine,
Such can serve as a warning.

This was Meng Jiao’s true handwriting! Wei Renshi quickly tucked it away with care. Who knew what had inspired the old man to write such a poem and wail so bitterly? How would he feel when sober?

As for the other letter, Wei Renshi knew it was for Li He and didn’t open it.

“Where’s Li He?” Wei Renshi asked.

Old Man Sun pointed to another room. “In there.”

Wei Renshi went to the door and pushed it open. Li He sat on the bed, looking dazed. Seeing Wei Renshi enter, he asked, “I remember us drinking yesterday, but what happened after?”

Wei Renshi shook his head. “I only recall you insisting on writing poetry. After that, it’s all a blur.” He handed over the paper. “This is a letter from Meng Jiao, Meng Dongye, for you.”

Li He took it eagerly. After reading, surprise spread across his face.

“What is it?” asked Wei Renshi.

Li He looked at the letter and replied, “He says if I ever go to Chang’an or travel for my studies, I may take this letter to find Zheng Juyie, the Sima of Chenzhou. He promised to help me upon seeing the letter.”

“Zheng Juyie?” Wei Renshi started. “Sima of Chenzhou... And on good terms with Meng Jiao...” Suddenly, a name surfaced in his mind. “Zheng Yuqing! Changji, Zheng Juyie must be Zheng Yuqing! The one who once served as prime minister! If my guess is right, in a few years he’ll be recalled to serve as prime minister again! You’ve found yourself a powerful connection!”

“The prime minister?!” Li He’s eyes widened. “Yesterday the old gentleman told me to take this letter to the prime minister?!”

“He’s no longer prime minister,” Wei Renshi explained. “He once was, but now he’s been demoted to Sima of Chenzhou. He’s from the Zheng family of Xingyang. If you travel for your studies, he can offer you many resources for learning and examination. But I advise you to wait a few years before seeking him out. If I’m not mistaken, he’ll return to high office. Changji, keep this letter safe—do not lose or damage it!”

“I will!” Li He nodded earnestly.

Meanwhile, far away, in a carriage bound for Luoyang, a burly man slowly opened his eyes. He stared at the two wine jars beside him for a long time, then slapped his forehead with a wry smile. “Drunkenness leads to carelessness—I actually gave away my token without a thought.”

A voice nearby responded, “Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll go retrieve it at once.”

“Wait,” the man in the carriage replied with a smile. “That young master is so precocious—surely destined for greatness. Befriending him isn’t a bad thing. Let it be.”

In another carriage heading for Luoyang, the elder Meng Jiao smiled at the man across from him. “Qingfeng is always so quiet, but yesterday he spoke more than I’ve heard in months. Usually so reserved, yet he gave away his own jade pendant. Turns out his aloofness is just an act. Come, sing me a verse.”

“They are both remarkable youths,” the middle-aged man said in a flat tone, lapsing then into silence.

Meng Jiao continued to himself, “Indeed, two remarkable youths. That Li boy will someday be a master. As for the Wei lad... even I can’t see through him. But this much is clear—he will not be an ordinary man. You were right to leave that jade pendant behind.”