Chapter 132: The Great Tang Odd Jobs Agency

Liu Buwen beamed at the sight of Luo Gan and his travel-worn companions, though his expression was colored more by shock than joy.

"Hearing you speak," Liu Buwen said, "I feel as though I should have been on that road north with you, Brother Luo, pressing forward without hesitation!"

Luo Gan felt a wave of relief; he had made it back safely, and all was well. "You’ve done quite well yourself! You really seized the opportunity this time."

In truth, Luo Gan did not believe Liu Buwen’s success in the examinations was merely a matter of luck. The scholar’s raw ability far exceeded that of an ordinary student, and his experience in the examination halls was vast. He should have been unstoppable, and the fact that he had yet to achieve a favorable result was simply due to his inner demons, for which he had yet to find a proper outlet.

Having picked up a few pretentious habits from an old monk in Chang'an, Liu Buwen offered the three men cups of tea. The liquid was filled with floating debris and tea dregs, leaving Luo Gan feeling quite awkward. Yan Shan and Xiaozhi, meanwhile, were merely curious about what they were being served.

"This is tea," Liu Buwen said proudly. "It’s hard to find in most places. I saw the monks at a temple outside Chang'an drinking this while meditating, and it looked quite interesting, so I brought some back."

Yan Shan took a sip and found he quite liked the taste. "Is there Sichuan pepper in here? And maybe some orange peel?"

"I didn't forget the mint leaves," Liu Buwen added. "They use it to refresh their minds."

Luo Gan and Xiaozhi drank together. Xiaozhi was indifferent, but Luo Gan’s face twisted in bitterness. "The taste is alright," Xiaozhi remarked, "though I’m not really used to it."

"That is only natural," Liu Buwen explained. "During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, this was a specialty of the South, enjoyed only by royalty and nobles. Unlike our current dynasty, where everything seems to involve dairy."

"I think I’ve seen this back home," Xiaozhi mused. "Isn't this stuff sold at the apothecary? Who would want to drink medicine every day?"

Luo Gan chimed in, "Actually, tea has great potential. I believe it will become popular in the future, though I personally can't quite accept the taste."

"No matter, no matter," Liu Buwen replied. "We could add scallions, ginger, or dates; mixing them all together would surely improve the flavor."

As men of the Tang Dynasty, they could not appreciate the nuances of tea as people would in later ages. While the Japanese tea ceremony would eventually evolve from traditions brought over from the Tang, it was clear that in the Zhenguan era, such a system had yet to form. Tea was merely a luxury for the upper class.

Seeing a small oven nearby with a faint scent of roasting tea emanating from it, Luo Gan became intrigued. "Buwen, is this roasted tea?"

"Yes, I’m teaching myself to prepare it. There’s a saying: 'a multitude of skills is no burden.' If I never pass the official examinations, being a tea master wouldn't be a bad life."

"Interesting," Luo Gan said. "Just from watching a few times, you’ve learned to steam, process, and roast the leaves."

"It’s just interest," Liu Buwen said. "When you’re interested in something, you learn it quickly."

"I just want to be a carpenter, and you want to be a tea master," Xiaozhi noted. "Our ideas are truly impractical."

There was no malice in his words; it was merely self-deprecation. Xiaozhi’s unconventional interests had started in childhood, but since they were opposed by Han Chong and Zhu Zizhang, he had never been able to develop them or find a proper mentor, leaving him to tinker on his own. Now that he finally had the chance to pursue his interests, he simply lacked the funds.

"That sounds wonderful," Liu Buwen said. "Why don't we do just that? You do the woodcarving, and I'll brew the tea?"

"Great!" Yan Shan added. "And I can learn to brew wine. Wouldn't it be nice to open a shop together?"

By the time Luo Gan snapped back to reality, the three of them were already discussing their future like the sworn brothers of the Peach Garden. He found the scene amusing and couldn't help but smile.

Once they were settled, Luo Gan hurried to deliver the letter from Empress Xiao to the Duke of Song. Carrying such a sensitive item was risky, so he had hidden it at the bottom of a food container, covered by a layer of snacks, ensuring that even if a patrolling guard checked, it wouldn't look suspicious.

He didn't want to bring the others, telling Yan Shan and Xiaozhi to rest, but he asked Liu Buwen to accompany him. The scholar looked reluctant but followed nonetheless.

"The Duke of Song helped you," Luo Gan said. "Before long, you'll both be officials serving the same court. You should build a rapport. Why are you so unwilling to go?"

Liu Buwen didn't want to answer directly. His previous impulsive visit had been embarrassing enough; he had no desire to humiliate himself again. "It’s nothing," he said. "I just feel that without having passed the examinations, visiting the Duke so frequently is bothersome."

Luo Gan didn't mind, pulling Liu Buwen along. "The Duke is our strategic partner. As long as the earth doesn't shake, he’ll be fine."

Just as he finished speaking, several guards on horseback galloped past them, causing the ground to tremble violently.

"Brother Luo, it’s shaking! It’s an earthquake!"

"I was just using a metaphor! It’s nothing."

When they reached the Duke of Song’s estate, servants were moving furniture out in a flurry of activity. Confused, Luo Gan stopped one of them. "What’s happening? Is the Duke moving?"

The servant spat at him. "Watch your mouth! The Duke has suffered a great disaster, and you come here talking about moving? Damn you!"

Luo Gan and Liu Buwen were baffled. Liu Buwen, looking more presentable, tried again. "Excuse me, what is going on? Where is the Duke of Song?"

The servant replied, "Don't ask. The Duke sent a letter to Empress Xiao, it was leaked to the Emperor, and now he has been stripped of his office. No one knows where he’s gone."

Luo Gan stared at the food container in his hand, horrified. Everything had been kept quiet; their movements hadn't been tracked, and no one knew of their mission. How had it been exposed?

"Our master argued with Chen Shuda in the court, and both were stripped of their titles. Now this! Not even the gods could save him from a charge of treason! If he weren't a high-ranking minister with such great merits, he would have been beheaded at the Meridian Gate by now!"

The servant sighed and turned away. Luo Gan and Liu Buwen retreated to discuss their next move.

"It seems Brother Luo’s prediction was correct," Liu Buwen said grimly. "It wasn't just the ground that shook; the entire city of Chang'an is starting to collapse."

"Forget the earthquake," Luo Gan said. "We’ve lost our best ally in Chang'an. We’re on our own now, and we’re in grave danger."

"Even if you were just delivering a letter, surely it’s fine if you didn't know the contents?"

"Impossible," Luo Gan replied. "We are people of the Tang. Going to the Turks to find Empress Xiao is suspicious enough. If I were the Emperor, I’d spare the Duke’s life and use the messengers as scapegoats to set an example."

The two men stood in stunned silence, their faces ashen.