Chapter 75: Meeting the Four Great Talents of Chang’an

Du Chengfeng took time to once more inspect the cloning soldier base hidden in the valley behind the mountain. Thanks to the relentless construction by the system, the base now housed nearly seven or eight thousand cloned soldiers. Without his direct command, these soldiers remained concealed in the rear mountains. Fortunately, the villagers of Du Family Village seldom ventured there, and with the added vigilance of the two hundred cloned soldiers previously brought out for patrols, the base’s existence remained well-hidden.

After attending to these matters, Du Chengfeng bade farewell to the villagers and made his way alone back to Chang’an. Today was the day he had promised to host a banquet for the Four Talents of Chang’an. Previously, he had considered grooming these four to help him manage the cement and steel factories. However, with his recent idea to establish a school, their talents could now be put to even greater use.

During their last conversation, Du Chengfeng discovered that the four were not pedantic scholars; besides their mastery of poetry and prose, each boasted unique strengths. Upon his return to his residence, Du Chengfeng noticed that the couplets at the gate had been replaced with a new inscription: “The Du Residence of the County Founder.” This signified his official ascent from commoner to noble.

He paused for a moment, then pushed the door open and entered the house. The maids and servants working in the front courtyard, seeing Du Chengfeng return, beamed with joy and greeted him in unison, “Welcome home, My Lord!”

Du Chengfeng smiled and waved his hand. “There’s no need to call me ‘My Lord.’ Call me ‘Young Master’ as before. By the way, where is Chunlan?”

“Young Master, Chunlan is in the reception hall,” one of the maids replied eagerly.

The reception hall? Could the Four Talents of Chang’an have already arrived? Du Chengfeng wondered.

Sure enough, when he reached the hall, he found the four men waiting anxiously. Chunlan stood nervously by, glancing toward the entrance from time to time.

“You gentlemen are early!” Du Chengfeng’s voice sounded before he even stepped into the hall.

Chunlan, quick-eyed, saw his smiling approach and breathed a sigh of relief. She hurried to his side and said sweetly, “Young Master, you’re finally back. These four gentlemen have been waiting for you for an hour.”

“My apologies for keeping you waiting,” Du Chengfeng said, cupping his fists with an apologetic smile.

The Four Talents stood to return the greeting. “Good to see you, Brother Chengfeng.”

“No need for such formality,” Du Chengfeng replied. “Please, make yourselves at home. Consider this your own house.”

The four finally relaxed and took their seats. Earlier, they had noticed the new inscription on the doorpost, which had startled them greatly, and they remained somewhat uneasy. They still remembered their first meeting with Du Chengfeng, when he had been but a spirited youth. Yet in just a few short days, he had become a County Founder of the Great Tang—at sixteen! It was almost unbelievable.

They had once thought highly of themselves, but after meeting Du Chengfeng, they realized how narrow their own horizons had been. Thankfully, despite his new title, Du Chengfeng remained approachable and amiable, which put them at ease.

Seated, Du Chengfeng noticed Chunlan still standing loyally by his side. “Chunlan, there’s no need for you here now. Go inform the cook to prepare a banquet—I’m hosting these gentlemen at home today.”

Relieved, Chunlan went off to the kitchen.

With the maid gone, Luo Mingchuan, seated at the head, relaxed and tentatively asked, “Brother Chengfeng, may I ask why you’ve invited us today?”

Du Chengfeng smiled knowingly and replied, “I dare not presume to instruct you, but do you recall what I mentioned seven days ago at the Wangjiang Pavilion?”

The four paused to recall. Shi Yan was the first to remember, nodding emphatically. “Your words remain in my heart.”

“Good. Now, there is an opportunity for the four of you to display your talents—perhaps even a chance to be remembered for generations. Would you be willing?” Du Chengfeng said, deliberately mysterious, folding his arms and gazing at them intently.

The four exchanged glances, their first reaction shock. An opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, and perhaps to achieve lasting fame—this was every scholar’s dream. The thought that such a chance could fall to four impoverished scholars left them deeply moved and unable to calm their hearts.

The room fell silent. Seeing their dazed expressions, Du Chengfeng asked in puzzlement, “Gentlemen, is it that you are... unwilling?”

“No, no, Brother Chengfeng, we are most willing!” Luo Mingchuan was the first to recover, nodding vigorously.

“Yes, we are all willing. We were just so stunned that we couldn’t react at first,” Shi Yan quickly added.

The other two nodded in agreement.

Though the citizens of Chang’an dubbed them the Four Talents, only they knew the hardships they endured. In the early Tang Dynasty, passing the imperial examinations did not guarantee official appointments; one had to undergo further selection by the Ministry of Personnel, where familiarity with legal documents and official writing was vital. Noble families, with their established traditions and officials in the family, had a clear advantage. Ordinary scholars like them, lacking such background, were at a disadvantage.

After several unsuccessful attempts at the examinations and with no noble lineage, the four were left frustrated—talented yet with nowhere to serve, their hopes dimmed with each passing year. Sharing the same fate, they became close friends, frequenting the restaurants and taverns of Chang’an. Over time, their literary achievements gained public recognition, earning them their title.

At the recent Chang’an Poetry Gathering, they had hoped to win first place and secure a direct route into officialdom. Yet, Du Chengfeng had emerged as the dark horse and claimed the top spot, only to renounce all rewards—a decision that left the four sighing in private. Fortunately, upon further acquaintance, they realized Du Chengfeng was no ordinary youth, perhaps even enigmatic, and began to see him as their opportunity.

Now, with this chance before them—perhaps the only one—they could not possibly let it slip away.