Chapter 108: Calamity from the Heavens (Part One)

The passenger ship had been underway for two days, docking last night at the Tai’erzhuang pier. By evening today, it was about to arrive at the Jining dock.

A few sharp knocks came at the door.

Zhang Lie shook his head with a hint of helplessness, smiling at Yang Yaozong.

Yang Yaozong mirrored the gesture, smiling helplessly in return before rising to open the door.

At the doorway stood A Yi, her bright smile greeting Yang Yaozong. “I heard from the crew that we’re about to reach Jining dock. How about we go explore Jining Prefecture today? Besides, it’s not far from the hometown of Confucius and Mencius. Don’t you two want to bask in the aura of those revered sages you’ve always admired?”

Yang Yaozong chuckled softly. “You certainly know quite a bit. I don’t mind either way; I was planning to take Hei Yao for a stroll anyway. If Brother Zhang wants to wander around Jining Prefecture, I’ll accompany you both.”

A Yi looked at Zhang Lie with hopeful eyes.

Zhang Lie smiled. “Alright then! Let’s wander through Jining Prefecture today. After several days of dry rations, I’m craving a proper meal. Today’s on me—we’ll treat our five internal organs to a feast.”

Yang Yaozong glanced at A Yi and then Zhang Lie. “It should be your treat, and she pays,” he said, nodding toward A Yi. “After all, it was her idea to drag us to Jining Prefecture. We’re not going to eat, play, and lose money.”

A Yi, knowing Yang Yaozong was joking, stuck out her tongue and snorted. “Who cares if you’re my ‘third companion’? If I’m paying, I’m paying. Hmph! But what’s this about ‘five internal organs’? Are we going to visit a temple?”

Yang Yaozong and Zhang Lie exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter. Zhang Lie suppressed his smile and explained, “‘Five internal organs’ is a colloquial phrase from the Great Zhou. It refers to the heart, liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys—that is, the human body as a whole. So, ‘offering sacrifices to the five internal organs’ is a humorous way of saying ‘eating a meal.’ It’s nothing to do with temples.”

Yang Yaozong laughed at A Yi’s misunderstanding of the phrase “five internal organs,” and then at her mention of “third companion.” He thought to himself that the girl had quite the knack for summing things up—she even called eating, playing, and paying “third companion.” With a mischievous grin, he teased her, “My services as a third companion come at quite a price.”

A Yi, unfazed, patted her chest proudly. “Hmph! How expensive can you be? I can easily afford delicacies from mountains and seas.”

Zhang Lie corrected her kindly, “It’s ‘miss,’ not ‘madam.’”

A Yi snorted but urged, “Whatever you call me, as long as you understand. Let’s go—the ship has docked.”

Thus, Yang Yaozong, Zhang Lie, A Yi, and Se Wu, accompanied by Hei Yao, disembarked. At the pier, they hired a carriage heading toward Jining Prefecture.

Yang Yaozong chose not to ride the carriage but instead mounted Hei Yao, chatting with the driver. From the man, he learned that the grandest tavern in Jining Prefecture was the Guangfu Tavern, renowned for its authentic local dishes, albeit pricier than other inns.

A Yi had openly admitted to being Turkic several days prior. Both Yang Yaozong and Zhang Lie understood well that in wars between nations, common folk bore no blame—especially since A Yi was just a Turkic girl. They did not mind her origins, though they carefully avoided discussing matters of the ongoing conflict between their countries.

Yang Yaozong had only joked about A Yi treating them, but when she readily agreed, he planned to have a little fun at her expense. He thought, since the Turks had recklessly ignited war, and no advantage could be gained on the battlefield, perhaps today he could at least gain some benefit here. A small mischievous thought stirred in his heart.

The group stopped before the Guangfu Tavern. Yang Yaozong led Hei Yao to the back, where the horse could be secured properly, then rejoined Zhang Lie and the others inside.

As they eagerly began savoring fine dishes and wine, they remained unaware that eyes were watching them intently.

Across the street stood another tavern—not as grand or luxurious as Guangfu. On its second floor, in a private room, Liao Qiniang sat dining with her maid and two men—Old Three and Old Four. Through the windows of both taverns, they could see Yang Yaozong’s party enjoying their meal.

“Boss, look at those two scholarly gentlemen, all prim and proper, groveling to those two foreign girls. Ugh! They’re obviously no good. That big black horse they have is such a waste. Why don’t I snatch that horse for you, Boss? That black steed would suit you perfectly,” Old Three said, eyeing Hei Yao covetously, still scheming to use the horse to win Liao Qiniang’s favor.

“Boss, Third Brother is right. On the ship, you told us not to act rashly, but now that we’re ashore and those people look like travelers just passing through Jining Prefecture, they’ll likely move on soon. That scholar on the black horse must be fairly wealthy. If he weren’t from Jiangnan, too far from us, I’d kidnap him for ransom. For now, the horse alone will do,” Old Four added in agreement.

Liao Qiniang had noticed Hei Yao from the moment she boarded the ship. A discerning horse lover, she recognized Hei Yao as a remarkably intelligent animal. Such a horse, once it bonded with its master, rarely changed loyalty. Even if the owner died, a horse like this might follow them to the grave.

Last night, as the ship docked at Tai’erzhuang, she saw Hei Yao playfully with the handsome scholar and noticed the scholar’s impatient expression as Hei Yao tried to avoid the alluring Turkic girl. She was convinced the handsome scholar was using the horse to curry favor with the exotic Turkic girl. She pitied Hei Yao for not having found a worthy master and despised the scholar’s character. Even his dazzling smile struck her as irritating and detestable.

Determined to rescue Hei Yao, Liao Qiniang refused to let such a perceptive horse become a mere plaything, especially to please a Turkic girl. Casting a glance at the happy Yang Yaozong, she turned to Old Three and Old Four. “That horse is extraordinarily intelligent. Even if you seize it and give it to me, I won’t be able to tame it. In the end, that magnificent steed will only be harmed. We must capture its master as well, so he can persuade the horse to obey me. But since those few are together, it won’t be easy to act. Let’s do this…” Liao Qiniang began detailing her plan carefully.