The Idle Man of Zhenguan Intercepts Wu Zetian at the Start

The burly men carrying shoulder poles across the street saw that these strong servants had been beaten so badly that they were powerless to fight back. They were all injured and had abandoned their knives. After exchanging glances for a moment, they stood up and left without saying a word.

But how could those rich young men outside the shop bear to miss this good show? They stopped clamoring for a refund and dared not smash the shop. The young ladies inside the shop were not there to be displayed; they simply stepped back further and formed a circle to watch the excitement.

Upon seeing Chai Shao and Yang Gongren, Changsun Chong grasped at their arms like a lifeline. Chun Chan's sudden burst of bullets had terrified him so much he'd wet himself—she really dared to attack him! He quickly grabbed Chai Shao and Yang Gongren's arms:

"Uncle Chai, Uncle Yang, you both saw it. These wicked maids not only poisoned my servants, but they even dared to attack me. If it weren't for your timely arrival, Uncle Chai, I'm afraid I would have been killed by these wicked maids by now."

Although the aroma of wine was strong in the hall, it couldn't mask the odor emanating from Changsun Chong. Chai Shao frowned slightly, thinking that Changsun Wuji was truly clever all his life, only knowing how to favor the legitimate son over the illegitimate one. The two children also had completely different personalities. On the Lantern Festival, Changsun Dan rode his horse and almost got killed by the Jinwu Guards and Qianniu Guards. Although he was in a sorry state, he showed no fear. Even when Si Zi was in danger and a steel knife was held to his neck, he was indifferent. Compared to Changsun Chong, it was obvious who was the real fool.

Yang Gongren had only heard Chai Shao mention that this wine was a rare find and had the effect of curing old ailments, but he had never had the chance to taste it. Now, after being overwhelmed by the aroma of the wine, he could no longer contain himself. Looking at the two robust servants lying on the ground, their faces dark and sallow, clearly showing signs of poisoning, how could he not see through the trickery involved?

Changsun Chong's purpose was to use the lives of these two strong servants to sow discord between Changsun Dan and his maids. Of course, it also left a shadow in the minds of these noblemen who bought the wine that the wine was poisoned. It was a double kill, and not too stupid. However, he did not expect that Changsun Dan's maids were all disciples carefully trained by Hong Fu Nu.

The two burly servants on the ground each opened a jar of wine. Although most of it had been spilled, there was still a lot left. Chun Chan was reluctant to share a jar with them, but Yang Gongren, being a military general, was used to drinking with his soldiers. He laughed heartily, picked up the two jars, and drank several large mouthfuls from each, praising them repeatedly.

"Excellent wine! Excellent wine indeed! Old Chai was right. This wine is a rare find, even His Majesty's collection pales in comparison!"

The noblemen outside the shop, seeing that even the dignified Duke praised the Poet Immortal Wine, saying that His Majesty's wine collection was far inferior, and that he had been unharmed after drinking it, all realized what was happening. They then pushed forward with renewed vigor, waiting for the two Dukes to leave so they could grab a few more jars.

Changsun Chong was furious that Yang Gongren had seen through his trick without saying a word, but he dared not show it in front of them. He could only turn around and angrily rebuke his few strong servants:

"Have these two recently made enemies or caused trouble? They almost made me misunderstand my sixth brother!"

The remaining four strong servants clutched their shoulders. Fortunately, Qian Ning and the others had acted with great restraint, injuring only tendons and not bones. Although they still couldn't use their arms, they were not seriously injured. They knew their master was about to smear them, but dared not refuse. They could only lower their heads and recount all the right and wrong:

"A few days ago, during the Lantern Festival, we went to brothels and casinos, and also participated in underground boxing matches in the West Market. We even had a conflict with some foreigners. Maybe...maybe..."

Judging by the scapegoating skills of these few burly servants, outsiders really couldn't tell the truth from the falsehood. Chai Shao smiled:

"I've heard of a poisonous datura flower in the Western Regions. Those poisoned show no symptoms, but the poison takes effect immediately upon contact with alcohol. If Your Highness wishes to save these two lives, perhaps you could take them to the West Market to find an antidote!"

Knowing he couldn't gain any advantage today and already wanting to leave, Changsun Chong seized the opportunity, his face regaining its upright, gentlemanly expression as he bowed to Chai Shao and Yang Gongren:

"Thank you both for saving my life and enlightening me. I will tell my father and the princess so that we can all remember your kindness today." After saying this, he gave the servants a wink and hurriedly carried the two servants off.

Behind the shop was a VIP tea room. Seeing Changsun Chong leave, Zhang Tao'er felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Grateful for the two dukes' protection, she quickly went to invite them to the tea room for tea. Chun Chan also smiled and invited them in, their words clearly audible both inside and outside the shop:

"For our Poet Immortal Wine, anyone who collects four lines of poetry can exchange them for a jar of Drunken Poet Immortal Wine for free. This wine is almost the same quality as the Immortal's Intoxication that His Majesty drinks. The county magistrate once entrusted us with the task of preparing ten jars of Drunken Poet Immortal Wine as a gift since the two dukes will be coming today."

Seeing Chai Shao and the others shake their heads, Chun Chan whispered something else:

"The county magistrate said that the Drunken Poet Immortal only gives away wine, he doesn't sell it. The Tang Dynasty's current prosperity is all thanks to the lives and injuries of the ministers who followed His Majesty. The wine he gives away can alleviate pain; it's his blessing to all the generals on behalf of the people. Even... Changsun Wuji would give it away!"

Chai Shao and Yang Gongren were both taken aback, then their eyes filled with excitement. Blessing the people of the world—it was worth it! Worth it more than the Emperor's reward, more worth it than holding a high position!

"I accept this favor!"

"Hahaha, this kid is interesting. I'll accept this wine!"

Chai Shao and his companion stopped refusing and followed Zhang Tao'er to the tea room. Outside, the noblemen swarmed in again, keeping Qian Ning and the others busy. More than a thousand jars of wine were almost empty, and those who had grabbed the most started to compose poems on the spot.

Changsun Dan never expected that someone would exchange two or three jars of wine containing the first line of a poem for a jar containing the third or fourth line of a poem. Occasionally, someone would contribute a poem and then weep bitterly to the heavens:

Potter

The earth in front of the door is all used up, and not a single tile remains on the roof.

"Never lifting a finger, yet living in a grand mansion."

"What a fine poem! In just a few words, it captures the vicissitudes of life. The wine is fragrant, but the poem is even better! Such insightful lines could only be uttered by someone of great wisdom and virtue!"

Although the wine was sold out, the people did not leave. Fortunately, the county had a sufficient supply of Drunken Poet Immortal wine. This group of people were exchanging wine on the spot, which was blatant cheating, but no one stepped forward to stop them. The county was not only selling wine, but also a warning to the world!

Spring View

The country is broken, but the mountains and rivers remain; spring has come to the city, but the grass and trees grow deep.

Flowers shed tears at the passing of time, birds startle with grief at parting.

These talented scholars, upon composing a poem, would become almost frenzied. However, they did not use the poem to exchange for wine. Instead, they would tear off the wine label, treasure it, and keep it in their bosom. Although the wine was fragrant and strong, the poem could be passed down through the ages!

All ten poems were presented, and some even offered a large sum of money to copy them. Qian Ning and the others couldn't shut their mouths, staring dumbfounded at these madmen. Wine jars with their labels torn off were discarded everywhere, and almost everyone held a piece of hemp paper they had just bought from the Wenbao shop, on which all ten poems were copied. The wine labels were nowhere to be seen!

They are not numb; they are simply swept up by the tide. These poems by the county are like paintings that paint their hearts with ink!

Yang Gongren was already deeply immersed in the poems they recited, and walked out of the tea room with a solemn expression:

"I'll pay two gold coins; I'll make a copy for anyone who borrows it!"