Chapter 27: The Troubles of Yu Shinan and Ouyang Xun

Although he had already guessed, Du Chengfeng still wanted to confirm it. As far as he knew, Luo Binwang was from Longmen, Shanxi—so why had he come to Chang'an?

At Du Chengfeng’s words, Luo Mingchuan and Wang Fuchou looked as if they had seen a ghost.

Before this, they could have sworn they had never crossed paths with Du Chengfeng. How then did he know so much about their family affairs? Had he secretly investigated them? But that seemed unlikely. Luo Mingchuan glanced at Wang Fuchou, who shook his head vigorously to show he knew nothing. With no other recourse, they both looked at Du Chengfeng in puzzlement. Luo Mingchuan asked, “Brother Chengfeng, how do you know so much about the youngest in my family?”

Feigning profundity, Du Chengfeng replied, “This is a secret of Heaven, and such secrets must not be revealed. All you need to remember is that your youngest sons are exceptionally gifted. Raise them well, and they will surely achieve great things.”

His words caused waves of astonishment in the hearts of those present, especially Luo Mingchuan and Wang Fuchou. Both began to regard Du Chengfeng as the scion of a master.

They did not realize this was precisely the effect Du Chengfeng sought. He deliberately cloaked himself in mystery, for it was only through awe and respect that he could later mold them to his will.

In truth, he did not care much about the so-called Four Talents of the Early Tang. After all, they were still children, and with his own arrival in this era, who could say how history would unfold? He merely wished to create an aura of enigma, to set himself apart and thereby attract these four to his side.

Sure enough, they soon fell under his spell.

No matter how much they pressed him afterwards, Du Chengfeng would not utter another word on the matter. Having chosen to be mysterious, he remained so to the end.

At last, Du Chengfeng asked the four if, given the chance to display their talents, they would follow him. Still awed by his earlier display, they all nodded eagerly in agreement.

Satisfied that his goal was achieved, Du Chengfeng smiled to himself, pleased with how thoroughly he had beguiled them.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Du Chengfeng invited the four to visit his residence when they had the time, giving them the location of the Du estate. They agreed at once.

Du Chengfeng’s plan was to establish a cement factory and a steelworks as soon as possible, but he needed manpower for that. At present, there was not a single person at his disposal. Now, with these four young talents, he could train them for factory management.

Seeing them off, Du Chengfeng returned to his new home content. The only thing that displeased him was that the fare at Wangjiang Tower was too plain—he would have to discuss more lucrative ventures with Manager Lu another day.

Meanwhile, Yu Shinan, Ouyang Xun, and Chu Suiliang, after the poetry gathering, searched anxiously for Du Chengfeng. To their astonishment, he had even abandoned the prize and the chance for official appointment, vanishing without a trace. They didn’t even know where he lived.

No one could blame them for their restlessness. Who could understand the torment and sense of inferiority that gripped these three calligraphy enthusiasts after witnessing Du Chengfeng’s unparalleled artistry? They had all seen the inscription at Wangjiang Tower, but no matter how they pressed Manager Lu, he would not reveal Du Chengfeng’s address. Angered and helpless, they could only resign themselves to never meeting him.

Now, finally, they had seen the man in person—only for him to disappear again. Was not the purpose of study to serve the country? Why would someone disregard such a simple path to officialdom?

Yet this young man was an anomaly—uninterested in office, astonishingly talented despite his youth, both admirable and infuriating.

“What a fine opportunity, wasted!” Yu Shinan sighed.

“You’ve no right to complain! If you hadn’t played coy and told us to wait, I would have stopped him during the third round of the poetry gathering. Now we can’t even find a trace of him!” Chu Suiliang’s beard bristled with anger as he scolded Yu Shinan and Ouyang Xun, all propriety forgotten.

Yu Shinan and Ouyang Xun turned red with embarrassment and could not reply. At last, Ouyang Xun said with a heavy heart, “Perhaps we old men should stop wandering about and report to His Majesty instead. Such talent must not go unused by the court.”

“There’s nothing else for it,” Yu Shinan agreed with a sigh. “Let’s go to the Emperor together.”

At that moment, Li Shimin was reviewing memorials in the Ganlu Hall. When the eunuch announced the arrival of the three scholars together, he was startled—what matter could bring all three to seek him out at once? Sensing the gravity of the situation, he set aside his memorials and summoned them in.

Noticing their dejected expressions, Li Shimin asked, “Why are my esteemed ministers so troubled?”

Ouyang Xun and Chu Suiliang remained downcast, so Yu Shinan replied disconsolately, “Your Majesty, you know that Lord Wang held a poetry gathering at Qujiang Pool today to select promising talents for the court. We did indeed discover a prodigy, who took first place, but…”

“That’s excellent news! Why, then, are you so troubled? But what?” Li Shimin pressed.

“But this young man, Du Chengfeng, slipped away after winning first place. He didn’t even claim his prize,” Yu Shinan said, clearly vexed.

“The young man’s name is Du Chengfeng? And this is what troubles you?” At this, Li Shimin broke into a knowing smile, amused by the endless surprises Du Chengfeng brought him.

“Yes, Du Chengfeng. Please, Your Majesty, do not mock your old ministers,” Yu Shinan replied, blushing.

Li Shimin burst out laughing, leaving the three scholars uneasy, uncertain why he was so amused.

“Bring me the poems that young man wrote.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Yu Shinan hurriedly handed over the three compositions Du Chengfeng had written at the gathering.

The more Li Shimin read, the more astonished and delighted he became. When he reached Du Chengfeng’s “The River All Red,” his hands trembled with excitement. “What a poem! What calligraphy! Truly extraordinary!” By the end, his blood was racing, as if he had returned to the passionate, heroic days of his conquests.

He had not expected Du Chengfeng to bring him so many surprises. The young man clearly harbored great ambition—why, then, would he pass up such a golden opportunity? Li Shimin found himself unable to fathom this enigmatic youth.

As Li Shimin reveled in his delight, the three scholars stood by, frustrated.

“My esteemed ministers, there’s no need for concern. I know where Du Chengfeng is,” Li Shimin teased, seeing their worried faces.

“Is Your Majesty serious?” Chu Suiliang exclaimed, overjoyed.

“A sovereign does not speak lightly. Would I deceive you? The young man is from Du Village, just outside Chang’an, and is now an orphan,” Li Shimin said, recalling the high-yield rice Du Chengfeng had presented him. He could not help but marvel, “This Du Chengfeng is truly a blessing from Heaven for the Tang! He brought me a great fortune not long ago.”

“A great fortune?” The three were mystified—was there more to this than met the eye?

“May we ask what this great fortune is…?” Yu Shinan inquired, curiosity piqued.

“There’s no need to ask further. It’s top secret. In three months, you’ll know,” Li Shimin replied gravely, as the matter involved the high-yield rice.

“Then we take our leave,” the three said, departing from the Ganlu Hall. Now that they had learned Du Chengfeng’s whereabouts from the Emperor himself, there was no need to linger. In a few days, they would find an opportunity to visit him directly.