The Retainers of Yan
The reactions from those gathered in Yan upon my introduction were varied. The elder first bowed with clear goodwill. After completing his measured greeting, curiosity shone in his eyes. It was plain he had come here solely to see me, Ji Dan.
The middle-aged man’s salute carried an air of leisure. His gaze, too, was tinged with curiosity as he studied me, yet it felt less like an attempt to discern my true identity and more like wondering what I had done to win Jing Ke over. The way he kept glancing at Jing Ke as well confirmed it was not mere impression but fact.
The youth, by contrast, gave only a perfunctory nod of the head and responded with indifference. Showing little interest in me, he instead directed his attention toward Yeo Hong-seong standing behind me. It was not the look of infatuation, but a cold, sharp appraisal.
While I observed the diverse reactions, Jing Ke suddenly stepped forward and stood beside the elder.
“This is Master Tian Guang. As I mentioned in my earlier letter, he is the one who took care of me during my brief stay in Yan. He is now a partner in our Yan trading company.”
“I have heard much about you. You once accepted Jing Ke as a retainer for a time, I believe.”
“Haha, Jing Qing is an extraordinary individual. Having her with me was a pleasure for me as well.”
Tian Guang addressed her as Jing Qing out of respect. He was known as the recluse of Zhuo, a scholar of considerable renown within Yan and a powerful local clan leader. Zhuo was a place I knew well; it was the hometown of Liu Bei, the protagonist of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Tian Guang, who had established his base there, possessed extensive connections, among them Grand Tutor Guo Wu, whom I had met in Zhao. Though he was a recluse who remained in the countryside, Jing Ke had brought him to the company and installed him as an advisor to the trading house.
‘After that, the company’s influence in Yan grew rapidly.’
Jing Ke was no slouch in business acumen, but expanding against entrenched rivals who already held the advantage was no easy task. Tian Guang had accomplished it.
‘A remarkable talent.’
At least in commercial ability, he was on par with Zhang Yi, whom I had received through Lord Xinling’s recommendation.
“Though we have only just met, I can see that Master Tian Guang is no ordinary man. I would like to set aside a day soon to speak with you at length.”
“The feeling is mutual. I shall await that day with pleasure.”
After concluding my exchange with Tian Guang, Jing Ke introduced the next person.
“This is Gao Jianli. He is a zither player, and he handles anything you entrust to him with competence.”
“Ah, I have also heard much about the famed musician.”
“Hmm. Since it comes from Jing Ke, I was a little worried, but seeing the young master’s face, it seems it was not ill meant.”
“Honestly, anyone listening would think I go around slandering people.”
“What? Was it not?”
“…Are you suggesting we have another round of sword practice after so long?”
I watched in silence as the conversation between the two slipped away entirely. They had fallen into their own world with no room for interruption, a display of unrestrained boldness.
“Come now, you two. The young master must be feeling awkward. Let us stop here and introduce our last companion.”
“Hey, Gao. You should count yourself lucky.”
“You too.”
Jing Ke and Gao Jianli seemed to have a noticeable age gap, yet their manner toward each other was exactly like that of lifelong friends bickering. It spoke of deep familiarity.
Jing Ke draped an arm over the shoulder of the youth who had yet to speak a single word or even give his name, pulling him into a side-by-side stance.
“This fellow here is Wuming. He has no name. Naturally, none of us know it either. He does not reveal it because he has none to give, so I hope you will not take it as discourtesy.”
“Everyone has their own story. I understand.”
“For reference, he used to work as a butcher. Among ourselves we call him the Dog Butcher, since he really did slaughter dogs, and in another sense……”
“Young master.”
The youth, who had remained silent until now, spoke for the first time and cut Jing Ke off. Even as he addressed me, his eyes held only Yeo Hong-seong.
“Is she the young master’s bodyguard?”
“Not exactly a bodyguard, no.”
“Then would it be all right if we fought……”
“You damned Dog Butcher!”
Smack! Gao Jianli’s palm struck the back of Wuming’s head with a resounding crack. The blow carried enough force to make his head dip, yet Wuming showed no great anger and simply lifted his head again. While rubbing his stinging nape, Gao Jianli pressed down on Wuming’s head with the same hand and bowed together with him.
“Please forgive his rudeness, young master, and Lady Yeo. This Dog Butcher knows nothing but how to swing a sword.”
The situation had unfolded so rapidly that I felt no particular reaction. Still, I glanced at Yeo Hong-seong to see if she felt differently, but she merely shrugged with a similarly nonplussed expression.
“Please rise, Master Gao. You as well, Wuming. A martial artist’s desire to test another’s strength is only natural, is it not? In fact, this is rather convenient. Allow me to introduce her properly. This is Yeo Hong-seong, my companion.”
As I stepped half a pace aside, Yeo Hong-seong offered a greeting in the Central Plains style she had grown accustomed to.
“I am Yeo Hong-seong. And you, Wuming, was it? I have also thought of crossing blades with you once, so let us find time later.”
“…Thank you.”
Wuming, who possessed a build similar to Yeo Hong-seong’s, expressed his thanks in a flat tone before offering a perfunctory nod in my direction as well. Gao Jianli, flustered by the potentially arrogant gesture, thumped his own chest in exasperation. When I reassured him that it was fine, he spoke with evident emotion.
“Even with my limited discernment, I have heard that the young master of Yan possesses great magnanimity. The rumors are indeed true.”
“I am the one who should be grateful to the two of you for assisting Jing Ke and our trading company.”
While Gao Jianli and I exchanged polite flattery, Jing Ke suddenly burst into laughter and cut in.
“Pahaha! See? I told you to trust me, Gao. Our young master of Yan has such a broad mind—how could he not accommodate the likes of you? In any case, these two, the musician and the Dog Butcher, never listen to a word this scholar says.”
“What? Musician? Hah, this failed examinee is putting on airs again. You must want to be struck by my zither after so long.”
“Before you can hit me with that zither, you will be sliced in half by my sword.”
“Smacking your head is more than enough with half a sword, you crybaby.”
Crybaby? It was hard to imagine Jing Ke weeping. Picturing her sobbing in my mind, I looked at her. Sensing my gaze, her face flushed crimson and she shrieked.
“Why is that story coming up now! And I was not the only one who cried! You two cried with me!”
“At least we did not bawl as ugly as you did.”
“Well said, Wuming.”
The three unrestrained companions abruptly began pointing fingers at one another, alternating between betrayal and alliance. The remaining three of us—myself, Yeo Hong-seong, and Tian Guang—stood by and watched the three-way brawl unfold.
“Hmm, young master.”
“Yes?”
“Are all Central Plains people like this? The ones I met in Qi seemed different… Ah, perhaps it is a characteristic of Yan people. Since you grew up in Zhao, it may be different for you.”
I moved quickly to prevent Yeo Hong-seong from forming an incorrect impression of Yan in real time. The Central Plains were still divided into many states, each with its own distinct customs. Though these differences had gradually softened through increasing exchanges, most people shared a common understanding. Yeo Hong-seong, however, came from the remote former territory of Yue and lacked even that basic knowledge.
After correcting her misunderstanding, I turned to mediate the three companions’ quarrel. Despite their unrestrained nature, they retained enough situational awareness that the commotion quickly subsided.
“Let us move to another room. It is hardly appropriate to continue our conversation here.”
“Ah, young master. If you intend to discuss serious matters, I shall excuse myself. I am not yet a proper retainer, and such complicated affairs give me a headache.”
I had planned to hear from Jing Ke and Tian Guang about the current state of affairs within Yan. With Jing Ke, who had previously served as my bodyguard, already present, there was no reason to keep Yeo Hong-seong here. I granted her request.
“Then, Master Gao, would you be so kind as to show her the way?”
“Of course. And please speak to me informally. Such formality is excessive for a humble musician.”
“Ah, I am going too.”
At the mention of Yeo Hong-seong leaving, Wuming followed behind Gao Jianli. Judging by the way the two were already exchanging glares, they intended to have a match before even reaching the lodgings.
‘From what I have seen, Yeo Hong-seong will win.’
On the journey here I had witnessed with my own eyes just how monstrous her strength was. I now knew it was possible for a person to strike down a charging tiger with a single blow. Wuming appeared quite strong as well, but compared to the Yeo Hong-seong I had seen…
‘With Gao Jianli there, there should be no major problems.’
After sending the three on their way, I headed deeper into the residence with Jing Ke and Tian Guang. Upon reaching the room used as Jing Ke’s office, she naturally offered me the seat of honor and took a lower position herself.
“So, how is Yan faring these days?”