Tanhan Mountain, the place where Huan Lang lingered and galloped freely from mid-spring to late summer, did Huan Lang ever scoop up this snowmelt to drink? Li Weiying's eyes were already brimming with tears.
An official from Gaochang said, "I've heard that the spring water from Huishan in Wuxi is the best for brewing tea." Li Weiying composed herself and said, "Your Excellency has a wise opinion. However, generally speaking, the water from Lingshui south of the Yangtze River is considered the best." Another official chimed in, "The Yangtze River is thousands of miles from Gaochang. By the time we need water from there, Your Excellency will have a house full of children and grandchildren." Li Weiying also smiled and said, "Brewing tea and drinking wine is all about enjoying yourself. There's no need to be so particular. If you're too particular and create your own limitations, you'll become a slave to appearances and lose your free and easy spirit. Whether it's snow water or river water, whatever makes your heart happy and your nature in motion is wonderful." Everyone applauded her witty words.
At this moment, the water was boiling, with tiny bubbles like fish eyes. Li Weiying picked up a ball of green tea with her slender hand and placed it in the pot. She gently stirred it again with bamboo tongs, then added a little salt, ginger, and cinnamon. "Those who brew tea can also add scallions, dates, orange peel, dogwood, and mint to remove the bitterness," she said. "But I think too many additives would overwhelm the true nature of the tea. Isn't it better to have a slightly bitter taste with a sweet aftertaste?" The tea leaves had already unfurled in the pot, and the tea soup was a lovely emerald green. Li Weiying instructed a servant to scoop out the tea soup and pour it into each person's cup, saying, "Please drink."
Gaochang, located far in the Western Regions, did not produce tea and had been isolated for many years. Even those who occasionally obtained tea from the Central Plains did not know the proper way to drink it, often simply boiling it vigorously in water. The Turks, being nomadic tribes beyond the Great Wall, had little knowledge of this practice. The fragrant aroma of fresh tea wafted through the air, and everyone eagerly drank it down in one gulp. Qu Zhixiu exclaimed, "Beautiful lady. Fine tea!" Li Weiying smiled contentedly and continued brewing tea.
After drinking heartily for a while, everyone became even hungrier. Qu Zhixiu, on the other hand, had already filled his stomach with mutton, salted black bean flatbread, and was feeling greasy and thirsty, so he drank the tea cup by cup, while urging, "I've been suffering from headaches and hand pains for days, but this tea has made me feel refreshed. Good tea is hard to come by, and having such a beautiful woman by your side is even harder. You've all come from afar, so please drink a few more cups, shall we?" The others looked hesitant, but under Qu Zhixiu's earnest persuasion, they had no choice but to continue.
Qu Zhixiu said, "I am very happy that you all came to see me today." He said to Li Weiying, "Thank you for your hard work, my lady. I must brew all these tea cakes and drink them today." Quli Chuo couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Prince, drinking like this is too suffocating. Let's stop." Qu Zhixiu laughed and said, "I was confused because of my illness and forgot. We drink wine and have fun, so how can we not have fun drinking tea? I have heard that Turkic men like to play dice and women like to play football. Someone, quickly bring the dice." The servants brought the dice, and Qu Zhixiu said, "In that case, let's play for a while. Usually, when we drink wine, the loser drinks. But tea is precious, so let's change it so that the one who wins the dice drinks the tea."
Chupu, also known as Chupu, originated during the Qin and Han dynasties. It consists of five flat, round wooden balls, each with a black top depicting a white calf and a white bottom depicting a black pheasant. The player who rolls all five balls with the black side facing up is called "Lu," and this player wins the highest prize. The order is: four black and one white pheasant; three black and two white owls; two black and three white calves; one black and four white blocks; and all white is "Bai," hence the name "Five Woods" or "Hulu" (it's strange that my Chenqiao Wubi input method doesn't have the term "Emperor of Heaven" but does have "Hulu Hezhi"). This game was also very popular in the Turkic Khaganate.
It was no easy feat to roll a five-black ball, also known as "Lu". When Qu Zhixiu said that only the one who got Lu had to drink, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. In addition, the Turks loved this game, and they also got the urge to try their hand. However, the people present were used to playing Chupu and were usually good at it. They only wanted to get Lu, but now they couldn't get Lu. Trying to do the opposite, they just couldn't get the game going. After taking turns rolling, everyone rolled Lu several times and had to drink tea with bitter faces. Qu Zhixiu, on the other hand, was more and more pleased with himself.
A tall, thin official from Gaochang, in his forties, suddenly announced loudly, "Your Highness, we are not accustomed to such refined pursuits and are hungry. We would be honored to decline this fine tea service." This man was Zhang Jie, the younger brother of the late Zhang Xiong, a high-ranking official (equivalent to the deputy prime minister of Gaochang, second only to the magistrate) and general of the Left Guard. The Zhang family originally came from Dunhuang and migrated westward, becoming a prominent clan in Gaochang. They held high-ranking positions and had intermarried with the royal family for generations. Zhang Xiong and Zhang Jie's aunt was the mother of King Qu Wentai of Gaochang. When the eighth king of Gaochang, Qu Boya, faced a coup from within the royal family, he fled in haste with his son, Qu Wentai. Later, with the support of Zhang Xiong and other military figures, he returned to the country and restored the throne. The Zhang family fought valiantly, and within a month, seven members of their clan died in battle. As a result, the Zhang family was highly respected and held an unparalleled position in Gaochang. They were not only granted the titles of general and high-ranking official, but also hereditarily governed important economic centers such as Wulin (present-day Putaogou). Zhang Jie was the magistrate of Weilin.
Qu Zhixiu's face darkened upon hearing his uncle Zhang Jie's words that embarrassed him. Li Weiying said, "Drinking for so long on an empty stomach is indeed a bit hard on the stomach. Lord Zhang must be worried about the prince's health. You come from Weilin, and Weilin grapes are renowned throughout the country. Since the prince cannot tolerate meat, would you like to offer the prince and the other officials some dried grapes as a tea snack?" Zhang Jie regretted his words, but seeing that Li Weiying had given him a way out, he quickly distributed the dried grapes in his bag to everyone. Everyone was already starving, and upon seeing the sweet dried grapes, they immediately devoured them.
Qu Zhixiu was annoyed, but he couldn't show it: "Very well, I am also a little tired. I am grateful that you have come from afar to see me. I respectfully accept the Khan's and my brother's kindness. Please." He then instructed his servants to carry him back to his room.
Back in the room, Qu Zhixiu pinched Li Weiying's shoulder again with his left hand, saying, "You ruined my plans!" Li Weiying endured the pain and said, "They came to see you out of kindness, why are you playing tricks on me like this?" Qu Zhixiu said, "Kindness? I'd be praying to Buddha if they didn't harm me. Yijin and Qulichuo came to see if I was really sick, and if not, they'd definitely report me to the Khan. The people my elder brother sent want to see if I'm dead. They're all hypocrites, all full of evil intentions." Li Weiying retorted, "Aren't you afraid that your mischievous teasing will only anger them and make things worse for you? Besides, Linling only came to report the harvest, it's none of my business." Qu Zhixiu said, "The Zhang family holds high positions and power, and they rely on their military achievements. They don't even respect my father much in their words. I'm teaching them a lesson on behalf of my father. What business is it of yours?" He said harshly, "Get out, I don't want to see you." He then ordered his servants to forcibly drag Li Weiying out.
***
The sun was setting, and Li Weiying sat silently in the Putao Garden, watching the north wind howl and create a bleak scene.
"Oh, why is my wife sitting here?" Li Weiying looked up and saw Zhang Jie, the magistrate of Weilin, with several gardeners. "Oh, this place is peaceful and quiet, perfect for calming the mind," she replied. Without Qu Zhixiu's noisy chatter, it was truly a peaceful place.
Zhang Jie, grateful for her helpful words that morning, said, "Thank you for your frankness, madam." Li Weiying smiled and said, "Sir, you needn't take it to heart. What brings you here, sir?" Zhang Jie replied, "I've finished explaining the miscellaneous affairs in the county to the young prince, and I also wanted to check on the grapes in this garden. Winter has arrived, and the weather is getting colder every day, so the covering work needs to be done properly." He instructed the gardeners to wrap the grape tree trunks with thick ropes made of sesame.
Li Weiying watched them work quietly. As darkness fell, a gardener said, "Sir, there's one more..." Li Weiying realized that the grape tree she was leaning against hadn't been covered yet, so she got up and moved aside. Zhang Jie said, "Excuse me, madam. Please hurry." The gardener replied, "It's like this, sir, we haven't twisted enough sesame rope. I'm afraid we won't have time to cover this one today." Zhang Jie frowned and said, "What kind of work is this?" The gardener said, "Yes, yes, I'll have someone rush some out right away." Zhang Jie said, "Never mind, let's just leave this one. It won't survive anyway."
Li Weiying asked, "Why do you say it's over, sir?" Zhang Jie smiled and said, "My lady, you don't know, this tree comes from the Central Plains." Li Weiying asked in surprise, "It was brought back from the Central Plains all the way? If so, it should be extremely precious. How can you let it live or die?" Zhang Jie said, "In the eighth year of Yanhe (the reign title of King Wenxian Qu Boya, equivalent to the fifth year of Emperor Yang of Sui's Daye era), the late King Wenxian and his heir went to the Sui court to pay homage. Later, King Wenxian passed away, and the heir succeeded to the throne, becoming the current emperor. In the seventh year of Yanshou (the reign title of Qu Wentai, equivalent to the fourth year of Emperor Taizong of Tang's Zhenguan era), he went to Chang'an again to pay homage. When he passed through Guazhou, he recalled the scene of father and son traveling together and the filial piety between father and son. He was filled with emotion and thought of the previous kings who had served as the military governor and prefect of Guazhou. So he planted a grape tree in Guazhou to remember the late kings." Li Weiying's heart trembled when she heard the words "Guazhou".
Zhang Jie continued, "The seventh year of Yanshou was the last time the current emperor personally went to the Central Plains. Afterwards, when the envoys to Tang passed through Guazhou, they picked some fruit and brought it back to the capital and Jiaohe to cultivate again. Fortunately, this is how the seeds survived, because the original tree was almost dead. I just don't know if it got used to the climate of the Central Plains but was not adapted to the soil of Gaochang. Fewer and fewer grape trees were cultivated and survived. In the end, only this one was left, but it has not borne fruit for three years. Judging from the appearance of this tree, it also looks like it will not survive."
Zhang Jie straightened his clothes. "My lady, it's getting late. I'll take my leave now. Please take care." Li Weiying bowed and saw him off. "Take care, my lord." The servants of Zheliu Pavilion invited her to the pavilion for a meal and rest, but Li Weiying shook her head. "No need." She then sat down again against the grape tree.
At first, I didn't know why I happened to lean against this tree. If it was truly fate, then perhaps Huan Lang was silently calling me. This is the tree beside Huan Lang, alas, back then it was just a plump, ripe grape. Well, I wonder if Huan Lang ever saw the mother tree when he passed by? Huan Lang, when you're tired, do you also lean against this tree to rest? The night wind is so cold, Huan Lang, you always dress so lightly, are you cold too?
The servant, unable to bear the sight, said to Li Weiying, "My lady, it will be even colder at midnight. If you continue like this, you'll surely harm your health. Please go back to your chambers and warm up." Li Weiying hesitated for a moment, then hurried back to her chambers. She quickly retrieved the black fox fur coat she had worn on the boat trip to Willow Valley, returned to the grape orchard, and, under the pale moonlight, draped the coat over the withered grape tree. The fur coat was too heavy; it kept falling off. Li Weiying put on the coat and hugged the trunk tightly, thinking, "Just like this, I'm holding you. If you're cold, I'll be cold with you. Please don't die, don't die."
******
Upon hearing the servant's report, Qu Zhixiu's face turned cold: "Immediately order someone to cut down the tree." The servant hesitated for a moment, but still obeyed and left.
Li Weiying was clinging to the grape tree until her limbs were stiff and her consciousness was fading. She was finally woken up by a servant who said, "Madam, please go back." Li Weiying opened her mouth slightly and said, "No..." The head servant said, "Madam, please forgive me." He gestured to a strong woman to drag her away. She was too weak to move and was carried upstairs.
As her body warmed up, she struggled to get out of bed. Just as she reached the window, she saw the servants taking an axe. She immediately understood and screamed, "No!" But then she felt dizzy and fainted.
Waking up groggily, Li Weiying met Qu Zhixiu's eyes. She looked away, her expression indifferent. Qu Zhixiu was also somewhat deflated: "You don't need to be so angry. The tree wasn't cut down; it's still alive. Besides, I've already had someone bring hemp rope to cover it. Get up and take a look." Li Weiying said calmly, "I won't believe you anymore." Qu Zhixiu frowned slightly. "If you don't believe me, fine, but why don't you take a look for yourself?"
Not long after the servant who had been ordered to cut down the tree last night left, Qu Zhixiu suddenly felt a pang of panic. He was known for his ruthlessness; servants in his household had even been beaten to death, let alone felling a small, withered tree. But this time, he was uneasy. After a moment's thought, he sent another servant to the grape orchard to stop the felling. The second servant arrived a little later; the trunk had already been struck several times, but fortunately, it wasn't completely broken. He then ordered people to quickly twist hemp rope to secure it. Although it was a belated attempt to mend the situation, judging from Li Weiying's expression, he knew this action had deeply hurt her. Qu Zhixiu was habitually proud and arrogant; for him to even come to see Li Weiying was already against his nature. He couldn't bring himself to apologize humbly. Without another word, he turned and left.
After he left, Li Weiying lay down again, but finally couldn't resist getting up. She reached for the window but closed her eyes again. After a while, she held her breath and opened them—in the dim light of dawn, the grape tree that had haunted her heart was tightly wrapped in sesame rope around its trunk, as if to attract her attention, and red ribbons hung from its branches. She stumbled down the steps and hugged the weak tree that had narrowly escaped being cut in half, tears streaming down her face, silently soaking into the dry bark.
She gently stroked the rough flax rope, but suddenly gasped in surprise. What were those dark brown streaks on the rope? There was also a faint, salty smell. Blood? Her heart skipped a beat… It was… oh, it must have been left by the flax maker rushing to finish the rope. A pang of guilt flashed through her mind, and she hugged the grape tree even tighter.
******
On the first day, the wind howls; on the second day, the chill is biting. We have no clothes or coarse garments; how will we survive the year? On the third day, we take up our hoes; on the fourth day, we lift our feet and, together with my wife and children, bring food to the southern fields.
The poems I read in my childhood, I now compose myself. Bathed in the warm spring breeze, I look up at the grape trees sprouting new buds.
The rose apple vines are placed on the trellis.
Water its roots at dusk, and in the morning the water will soak the seeds. The cool well water that was just poured in the night before is instantly sucked up to the top of the tree by the hollow vines.
The branches are growing. Every morning, I would run to measure how much longer the grape branches had grown.
Take that axe and scythe, to fell the distant branches. Oh, this is a line from the Book of Poetry, but Yuanzi says it should be called "plucking whiskers." Hmm, such tender whiskers, I can't resist placing them between my teeth and gently sucking them; there seems to be a faint aftertaste.
So this is what rose apple blossoms look like—yellow and green, quietly hidden among the verdant leaves.
The grapes that have grown are too small, they look like the knots on the clothes of the Kucha people. Fortunately, Lord Zhang said they will grow more.
I lean lazily against the tree, watching the hot wind weave through the dense foliage, the sunlight occasionally dazzling my eyes. With a gentle pinch of my fingertips, the grape skin breaks open and juice flows out, sweet and juicy.
But why does my heart feel so bitter? It's been a year, Huan Lang, where have you been?
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PS: The first day of the Book of Songs, Guofeng, Bin Feng: The first day corresponds to the first month of the Zhou calendar and the eleventh month of the Xia calendar; the second day corresponds to the second month of the Zhou calendar and the twelfth month of the Xia calendar; the third day corresponds to the third month of the Zhou calendar and the first month of the Xia calendar; the fourth day corresponds to the fourth month of the Zhou calendar and the second month of the Xia calendar.
As a vassal state of the Central Plains, Gaochang's rulers traditionally received honorary titles such as General of the Cavalry with Imperial Credentials, Grand Master of the Palace, Duke of Xiping, Duke of Jincheng, Governor-General of Guazhou, and Prefect of Guazhou. Additionally, the Turks would bestow upon them titles such as Xilifa and Bamiwei.
Qu Boya, the 8th and 10th king of Gaochang, was posthumously honored as Xianwen.
Chapter Twenty-One
21. [Tang Dynasty]
A shadow shifted, blocking the last rays of the setting sun. Li Weiying looked up with displeasure—it was Qu Zhixiu. Ever since he nearly chopped down the grape tree, Li Weiying had spent all her time with it, and Qu Zhixiu, stubborn as ever, hadn't visited her for eight months. This time, however, he was no longer the arrogant and cunning man he once was. He sat down quietly with a peaceful expression, and Li Weiying remained silent as well.
Qu Zhixiu said, "Won't you offer me one?" Li Weiying frowned slightly, but still handed him the fruit plate. He silently took it, chewed it without a sound, and said, "Many things are unexpected, aren't they?" Ignoring Li Weiying's reaction, he continued, "Father wanted to maintain a secluded corner of the country, yet he attacked Yanqi. Now Yanqi has appealed to the Tang court, and the Tang emperor has sent Li Daoyu, the Director of the Ministry of Works, to Gaochang to question him. Father was arrogant. But after Li Daoyu left, Father became somewhat uneasy and still plans to send an envoy to Chang'an to meet the emperor."
Li Weiying was initially startled upon hearing that Li Daoyu was the envoy, but upon hearing this, she couldn't help but smile: "Is it you?" Qu Zhixiu smiled bitterly: "I wanted to live a peaceful life as the Duke of Jiaohe, but I offended my elder brother and the envoy sent by the Khan, incurring my father's displeasure, so naturally he sent me." Li Weiying said calmly: "Finding an envoy isn't difficult. No matter how much he dislikes you, there's no reason for him to send his own son on a perilous journey. I'm afraid you're the one who wants to go." Qu Zhixiu stared blankly into the distance for a long time before saying: "Few officials in the court are clear-headed, so going would be pointless. Perhaps I'm still of some use." He turned to look at her: "Besides... I want to escort you... and take you back to Guazhou."
Li Weiying was stunned, and after a long while said, "No." Qu Zhixiu said, "Are you still waiting for that person? I've had people search in Xiaogucheng, and I've asked Chuyue and Chumi. I even secretly checked Dahai Village, but there's no one like that immortal. What good will it do you to save the grape tree? He's dead, gone, gone." Li Weiying said angrily, "How can you curse him like that? He promised to come back to see me, and he'll come even if it means going through fire and water." Qu Zhixiu snorted, "Then you can wait patiently. If you wait until the grapes ripen a second time, another year will have passed, and the grapes will have turned into stinking water, but he still won't come." Li Weiying stood up straight, "Thank you for reminding me. I'll go make wine right now, and I'll make sure he drinks the wine I brewed myself."
******