Chapter 100: Who Among This Assembly Is Truly Bright Today?

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Du Fu was greatly embarrassed at the time; the other party actually mistook him for Ye Chang! Currently, his reputation was not prominent. Ye Chang’s courtesy toward him had already made him somewhat uneasy, and now being mistaken for Ye Chang was tantamount to him occupying the honor rightfully due to Ye Chang.

He hurriedly stood up to make way. “I am not Ye Shiyi, madam. You have mistaken me.”

The barbarian girl immediately blushed. Although Du Fu was young at this time, his visage appeared older, which led her to regard him as a venerable elder. Moreover, he sat in the main seat, which further contributed to the misunderstanding.

She rose, her bright eyes shifting to the smiling Ye Chang nearby. It was neither Jiao Sui nor Du Fu; could this young gentleman be the one? But he looked rather young—just about seventeen or eighteen, seemingly even younger than herself!

Thus, the barbarian girl hesitated slightly before asking Jiao Sui, “Sir Jiao, may I ask where Lord Ye is?”

Jiao Sui immediately frowned in distress, while Ye Chang laughed heartily. “So, you lost again, didn’t you?”

“Yes, yes, I lost, I lost! I’ll do as you say three more times!”

The barbarian girl was somewhat puzzled, unaware that Ye Chang and Jiao Sui had just made a bet on whether she would mistake someone. Since Ye Chang lost, he had to supply the sweet dew wine, while Jiao Sui had to run errands for Ye Chang three times; Du Fu was merely a witness.

“This one laughing so heartily is Lord Ye Shiyi. Ashima, didn’t you say you wanted to pay respects to him? Why not greet him now?” Jiao Sui said.

The barbarian girl, Ashima, looked up at Ye Chang, no longer doubting. She immediately bowed again. “I, Ashima, pay respects to Lord Ye.”

“No need for formalities; you already paid respects earlier. Brother Zimei’s courtesy and mine are one and the same,” Ye Chang smiled.

The girl’s name intrigued him, tickling his throat and awakening a longing for a certain plant originating from the other side of the sea.

Ashima was poised and confident. Women of the Six Zhaos of Yunnan traditionally held status within their tribes and often received guests personally. After some polite conversation, the awkwardness of the mistaken identity was forgotten. Ashima then said, “We have traveled a long way and prepared a humble gift especially for Lord Ye.”

Although she spoke fluent Tang dialect, she neglected some subtleties, not using the modest phrase “humble gift.” She waved her hand, signaling two barbarians to retreat. They dismounted from their horses and brought forward a camel saddle.

They lifted the covering, revealing rolls of white cloth.

Ye Chang glanced at it briefly without comment, but Du Fu let out a surprised “Ah!” “Is that really white layered cloth?”

“What white layered cloth? It’s just cotton cloth… Hmm, as of now, no one in the Central Plains has cultivated cotton?”

“What is cotton?” Du Fu asked in astonishment.

Ye Chang immediately sat up straight, his previously casual gaze becoming sharp and alert.

Cotton had been introduced to Huaxia long ago, but its cultivation in the Central Plains was a late development. Only by the late Tang era did large-scale planting begin, and it flourished during the Ming dynasty. At this time, cotton was grown in small quantities in the Western Regions and among some southern barbarian tribes. Cotton from the Western Regions was difficult to spin, but cotton from the southern barbarians was suitable for weaving. The resulting cloth was called “white layered cloth.” Because it was rare, it was even more expensive than silk.

Seeing Ye Chang’s interest in her gift, Ashima was delighted. If she could move Ye Chang with material goods, her chances this time had greatly increased.

“Madam Yu, this is truly white layered cloth?” Ye Chang reached out to touch it, confirming the fabric was woven from cotton, then asked Ashima.

“Exactly as the Tang people call it, white layered cloth. In our tribe, it is called Jibei.”

“Is this cloth produced by your tribe?” Ye Chang asked again.

Ashima hesitated briefly.

She could tell Ye Chang was genuinely knowledgeable about white layered cloth. Inviting him over could make this cloth serve a great purpose. But on the other hand, treasuring what little she had, her tribe—the Yuexi Zhao—was now weak and isolated, their old lands taken by Nanzhao. They were reluctant to arouse greed for their unique product.

“It is a tall plant, somewhat like hemp stalks. The fruit resembles a peach, and after autumn it bursts open to reveal white cotton inside,” Ye Chang said, gesturing as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Ashima knew Ye Chang truly understood the subject, not merely pretending.

“Yes, it is our tribe’s own white layered cloth.”

Hearing that her tribe produced cotton immediately stirred Ye Chang’s interest.

Currently, clothing mainly depended on silk and hemp. Silk was limited in production, and hemp was coarse and difficult to spin. If cotton weaving could be promoted, it would become a huge industry!

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However, cotton cultivation required vast land, and Ye Chang had none at present.

Closing his eyes in thought for a moment, Ye Chang then looked at Ashima again. “Madam…”

“You may call me Xiao Wei or simply Wei Niang,” the barbarian woman said generously.

“Wei Niang…” Ye Chang felt his throat dry again. “What brings you here?”

Ashima’s heart skipped a beat. She bowed again. “I seek the aid of the Tang Emperor to save my tribe, but there is no way to gain access. Thus, I have come to Lord Ye, hoping you might introduce me to Princess Yuzhen.”

It turned out Ashima’s tribe, Yuexi Zhao, was one of the Six Zhaos of Tang Yunnan, located furthest east near Tang territory and traditionally close to Tang. Yet due to incursions by native tribes, the Six Zhaos wavered between Tang and barbarians. Facing the threat of the barbarians, Tang intentionally supported a faction in the Six Zhaos to resist them.

Tang chose Nanzhao under Piroge; the other five Zhaos became sacrifices. Yuexi Zhao’s chieftain, Bo Chong, was killed by Bai Man Zhang Xunqiu. Though the Jiedu commander Zhang Qiujian punished Zhang Xunqiu, he did not appoint a new chieftain for Yuexi Zhao, instead relocating the people and turning the territory over to Nanzhao.

Bo Chong had no children, but his nephew Yu Zeng could have succeeded him. Dissatisfied, he moved the tribe to Lushui, building Shuangshe City by the Dragon River to continue resisting Nanzhao. But against a Nanzhao that had swallowed several Zhaos, Yuexi Zhao’s remaining forces were too weak, forcing them to seek external help.

“Nanzhao outwardly claims to maintain order but secretly colludes with barbarians, blocking our tributes to the Tang Emperor and oppressing our people. We are desperate. Without Tang support, we cannot survive. I led this tribute mission north but was obstructed. The journey was perilous. I beg for mercy…”

At this point, Ashima bowed again, her voice choking to the point she could not continue.

“So you want me to speak well of you before Princess Yuzhen?” Ye Chang asked.

“I dare not ask much, only that Lord Ye extend this one favor.”

Ye Chang hesitated, Jiao Sui looked sympathetic, and Du Fu frowned. After a moment, Ye Chang said, “You have traveled far and must be weary. Please rest first; let me consider this…”

“But Nanzhao oppresses us daily. Our people cannot wait.” Ashima prostrated herself and pleaded, “Only ask for Lord Ye’s compassion!”

“Heh, I am but a commoner, not a powerful Tang official. Even if willing, I am powerless.” Ye Chang disliked such begging and avoided the request. “Madam, if you truly want to solve this problem, please rest for now.”

At this, Ashima had no choice but to leave with Xiang’er.

“Ye Shiyi, do not agree to this,” Du Fu said solemnly after they left. “State affairs are beyond us. Jiao Sui, bringing these barbarians to see Ye Shiyi is really courting trouble!”

Jiao Sui smirked. “Why say that? A true man bears the world’s concerns. If not a Ban Chao or Zhang Qian, then at least a Xian Gao!”

“I often hear you called ‘Unrestrained Jiao the Bold,’ and indeed. But haven’t you considered, Ye Shiyi was given gold and sent home—honor in appearance, but in reality, the Emperor abandoned him. If he lies low, waiting for chance, there may be a day to return. Now, by colluding with barbarians and communicating with the royal clan, he invites calamity—grave calamity!” Du Fu’s words shocked Jiao Sui.

Though bold and eager, Jiao Sui never meant harm to Ye Chang. Du Fu’s analysis went beyond his own thoughts, making him realize the great risks if Ye Chang truly involved himself in the Six Zhaos’ affairs.

Du Fu’s sincere concern deeply moved Ye Chang.

“Brother Zimei speaks truly. However, I grow restless with idleness and indeed intend to visit Chang’an once.” Ye Chang smiled lightly. “I won’t enter the city but will wait at Princess Yuzhen’s villa in Wangchuan, Jingzhao. Surely San Lang won’t suspect much?”

“If you don’t enter Chang’an, no problem. I heard that because Wei Jian, the governor of Shan Commandery and commissioner of water and land transport, dug a canal, he will present tribute to the Emperor at Wangchun Tower east of Chang’an. It will be a grand event attracting people from all directions,” Du Fu said with a smile. “I came this time to invite you to watch the ceremony.”

“The canal is complete?” Ye Chang’s heart stirred. “Then we can travel by boat straight to Chang’an?”

“Exactly.”

“In that case, let’s enjoy the spectacle,” Ye Chang said.

“Enjoying the spectacle is one thing, but about that barbarian girl’s request, in my humble opinion, Ye Shiyi should avoid getting involved,” Du Fu counseled, returning to the topic of Ashima.

Though brief in speech, this was only Ye Chang’s second meeting with Du Fu, yet he felt Du Fu was a friend suitable to him.

Therefore, he did not conceal his thoughts. “I have little interest in the survival of Yuexi Zhao, but I am very interested in the white layered cloth.”

“Oh? Why so?”

“The livelihood of the people boils down to four words: clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Silk and hemp garments cannot clothe all the people. Even in this prosperous age, when I entered Chang’an last year, I saw starving people in tattered clothes. If I can contribute something to the daily lives of the Tang people, how could I refuse?”

Ye Chang’s righteous words made Du Fu rise respectfully and salute him. “Indeed! But your own safety must not be neglected, Lord Ye.”

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“As long as it benefits the country, life and death are of no concern. How can I avoid danger or seek safety because of fortune or misfortune?”

This line of poetry silenced Du Fu. He stroked his beard, chanting it repeatedly, then bowed deeply to Ye Chang. “When I first heard your ‘Poem on Fengling Ferry,’ I felt you were one of us. Now hearing this line, I am utterly convinced and wish to express my sincere respect.”

“Don’t be fooled by his words; he’s no saint,” Jiao Sui said sarcastically. “He talks big about righteousness, but actually, it’s all about money!”

Du Fu was startled. He knew Jiao Sui often talked after drinking, but usually with reason. Compared to Jiao Sui’s understanding of Ye Chang, his own was inferior. Hearing such criticism of Ye Chang, how could Ye Chang not be annoyed?

Yet Ye Chang showed no anger, only laughter.

“You caught me. What I said was indeed boasting. In truth, this white layered cloth is profitable!”

“How so?”

“If widely planted and woven into cloth and clothing for the whole land, imagine how much could be sold! Surely not less than silk!”

“If that’s true, the profits would be considerable!”

Seeing Jiao Sui and Ye Chang discuss the potential profits of white layered cloth, Du Fu became somewhat confused. He did not know whether the solemn Ye Chang or this lively, money-minded Ye Chang was the true one.

Writing is the voice of the heart, poetry the melody of the soul. The one who writes such patriotic verses must be the real Ye Chang.

“Unfortunately, no matter how well you calculate, it will be difficult to promote cotton widely.”

The two talked for a while longer before Jiao Sui sneered, spoiling the mood.

“I want to meet Princess Yuzhen. I’ll take the lead on this matter. I don’t expect much benefit, but if Princess Yuzhen supports it, how could it fail?”

“You’re not trying to monopolize the profits?”

“Ridiculous! I, Ye Shiyi, love profit and never hide it. But since when have I ever monopolized it?” Ye Chang immediately protested. “If cotton—white layered cloth—can be promoted like mulberry and hemp, the people can pay taxes with it, the state can fill its treasury, merchants can profit, and soldiers can keep warm—everyone benefits!”

“Fine, fine. You’re always making grand principles even when chasing profit. If you don’t want to monopolize, why not share the methods of your paper and printing mills?”

Jiao Sui bluntly challenged him.

“The paper and printing mills are not in my name; they belong to my sister-in-law, Fang Shi,” Ye Chang quickly responded.

After several incidents, Ye Chang, to be safe, had handed the paper and printing mills over directly to Fang Shi.

“Pfft! You!” Jiao Sui mocked him before finally voicing what he had long held back: “What about the sweet dew wine? Will you share that too?”

“Of course, but Jiao Sui, you’re not married yet.”

“What?”

“If you marry, I’ll give you a winery dedicated to producing sweet dew wine.”

“Really?”

“Have I ever gone back on my word?”

“You were just scheming to cheat that barbarian girl out of white layered cloth but don’t want to help her tribe survive!”

The two bickered again, leaving Du Fu speechless. Since arriving at Wolong Valley, he had heard them quarrel constantly, mostly with Jiao Sui trying to find ways to get free sweet dew wine.

Yet Du Fu envied them somewhat. Their quarrels, though fierce, never harmed their friendship.

Sometimes, Du Fu felt a distance between Ye Chang and himself. Ye Chang’s gaze seemed both compassionate and solemn toward him, unlike the relaxed tone he used with Jiao Sui.

But all this joking aside, the trip to Chang’an was important. Ye Chang was young and restless; Du Fu, being older, felt it his duty to advise him.

With this in mind, Du Fu cleared his throat. “Lord Ye, since you have made up your mind, when will you depart? Should we make arrangements here in Wolong Valley?”

[End of excerpt]