Chapter 52: Made a Fortune

  When Princess Changle, Li Xueyan and Li Weiling returned to the central part of the West Wing, Du He was playing a game of touhu with Li Yexu, Li Yehui and their cohorts.

  This wine vessel was a ritual in ancient times. Originating from the Spring and Autumn Period, Warring States Period, it flourished among the scholar-official class after Qin and Han dynasties. Every time there was a banquet, there must be a "refined song and wine vessel" program to help the excitement.

  It was also quite popular in the Tang Dynasty.

  The Book of Rites and the Dai's Book of Rites both have a chapter called "Touhu" that specifically records this ritual. When the Touhu ceremony is held, the host and guest take turns shooting arrows without arrowheads into a pot, with each person shooting four arrows. The one who gets more arrows in wins, and the losing side has to drink wine as a penalty.

  In ancient times, playing liubo was a rather elegant courtesy.

  But in front of these young masters, it was a game of jest and wager.

  The first person to propose it was Li Jingye, the grandson of Duke Li Ji of England, a very powerful figure.

  Du He knew him, in order to prevent the Tang Dynasty from falling into Wu Zetian's hands, this guy gathered tens of thousands of soldiers in Yangzhou to resist. Although he was defeated and killed by his subordinates, his bravery is commendable.

  After all, it is a character who dares to challenge Wu Zetian.

  This guy, apart from being bold, has another advantage - he's good at shooting. His archery skills are renowned throughout Chang'an. The ancient six arts include the art of shooting, so his technique is quite impressive.

  That's why he was loudly shouting and wanting to play a game of ring toss.

  The proposal was made by Cheng Yaojin's third son, Cheng Chubing.

  This kid is just like his old man, speaking loudly and using foul language. With a fierce expression, he shouted: "I'm the best at playing liubo! But it's no fun without a bet. If you have the energy to spare, why not go to a brothel instead?" A typical brainless fool, thinking of visiting prostitutes on the occasion of Empress Longsun's birthday celebration, only someone like Cheng Yaojin could reach this level.

  This proposal also received general approval.

  Du He didn't want to participate, but had Cheng ChuBei caught and shouted: "Anyone can not participate here, except you, Du's kid. Last time at the ball game, you scored thirteen goals in one breath, causing us to get beaten by our old men when we got home. If I don't avenge this, it would be unforgivable for that punch from my old man." He kept calling his father "old man", as if he wasn't referring to his own dad.

  "Alright!" Du He sighed and could only accept it.

  "Five arrows per person, shoot one arrow into a silver plate and return one arrow until all five arrows are shot. Any opinions?" Li Jingye was a kind-hearted person who kept the stakes low.

  Cheng Chengyi stopped and shouted: "One silver cake is not enough for old Cheng to fill his teeth, at least ten!"

  The people present also agreed with this amount of money and nodded in agreement one after another.

  Li Ye shook his head and said: "Today I accidentally broke my hand while riding a horse, I won't play anymore!"

  Li Yexu also frowned and said: "Yesterday's ball game was too tiring, I'm not playing anymore!"

  These two sneaked away like ghosts, and took off first.

  When it was Du He's turn, everyone who participated in the competition felt a chill.

  Du He shot arrows while chatting with Li Ye and Li Ye, all of which hit the target.

  So far, he has shot over 300 arrows in a row, and there are still five arrows left in his hand.

  The people around looked at each other in shock, especially those who participated in the gambling game, and they all wanted to die.

  "Whatever, my hands are sore, I'm done!" He flung the five arrows in his hand towards a nearby quiver, all of them inserting into the container.

  "How many have been sold?" Du He asked.

  "Three hundred and twenty-six in total!" He replied foolishly, then suddenly shouted: "Du Jiaxiaozi, you framed me!"

  Du He looked at the man with a somewhat white and contemptuous gaze, saying: "Old brother, I said I wouldn't come. It's not because I don't know how, but it's too fierce, I'm afraid you'll lose too badly, it's you who forced me to come!"

  Du He had been learning the hidden weapon techniques from "Liu Xiang Bao Jian" since he was a child. In his later years, he would idle away, picking up stones and hitting mosquitoes with them, but this kind of thing didn't have any challenge to it.

  Cheng Chubai suddenly remembered that there was such a thing, and in an instant, the temperature around him dropped. One by one, the contestants fixed their murderous gazes on Cheng Chubai's body.

  Even if he had more guts, he couldn't help but shudder at the thought.

  Li Ye Xuan chuckled to the side: "Qing Lian can maintain such terrifying accuracy with a ball bat, let alone with his hands! Playing with him is no different from seeking death!"

  Du He waved his hand and said with a smile: "Three hundred and twenty-six branches are also three thousand two hundred and sixty taels of silver cakes. The change is waived, one person has three thousand two hundred taels, those who have money give money, those who don't write an IOU. Of course, in front of everyone, if you want to be dishonest, I have no opinion."

  For people like them, they would rather lose their lives than lose face, so one by one, they gritted their teeth and wrote out IOUs.

  Du He counted them out, neither more nor less, exactly twenty sheets, which was sixty-four thousand taels.

  Even if Na Du Ru Hui, the prime minister, were to calculate his salary, he would have to work hard for forty years to earn half of what Dou He earns from a single incense stick.

  Looking at the twenty pieces of paper worth 64,000 taels, Du He couldn't help but sigh, in this great Tang Dynasty, money is really easy to make!

  At this time, a good day is approaching, and Du He and others have also dispersed.

  Du He found Zhang's family.

  The etiquette of this Tang Dynasty is still very complicated. They are arranged in rows according to their status, one by one holding gifts, entering the grand hall to personally wish Longsun Empress a happy birthday.

  Of course, only these people with status and position can have such an honor. Other officials without a certain level of rank, ladies without imperial edicts, at most can receive gifts, eat a meal, and may not even be able to see the face of Empress Dowager Longyu.

  The Madame Zhang was a prime minister's wife, her status is only below several princes and princesses as well as the concubine Hong E and the wife of Fang Xuanling.

  Du He also formally met the model of the ancient jealous woman, the creator of the phrase "drinking vinegar", Mrs. Fang, and thought: "Indeed a fierce person!"

  They were summoned without delay.

  Du He carried a gift box and followed behind Zhang Shi into the grand hall.

  Shouxing Zhangsun Empress had changed into a standard palace attire and was seated at the top, with Hong Fu Nu and Fang Furen sitting on either side.

  The lady of the Zhang family was also a talented and well-bred young woman, born into a noble family, who had a good grasp of etiquette and inadvertently spoke a lot of congratulatory words.

  The Empress Changsun smiled and said, "Perhaps it's out of habit, but all of you know that I don't like luxurious things. Therefore, the gifts are mostly calligraphy and paintings, as well as some rare and unusual items. Du Family's Second Son, your calligraphy is renowned throughout the Tang Dynasty. If the gift isn't a personally written treasure by you, I won't be pleased."

  Empress Zhangsun smiled and spoke softly, her eyes gazing at Du He.

  Zhang felt a bit embarrassed, but Empress Longsun's words were somewhat difficult for him.

  No matter how good Du He's words are and how famous he is, it's still not right to just scribble a few words as a gift!

  Du He stepped forward and said, "As the saying goes, courtesy is not afraid of excess, nor is it concerned with nobility or humility, what matters most is the intention. Since Her Majesty the Empress has taken a liking to me, Du He, and appreciates my calligraphy, I am willing to write a piece on the spot for Your Majesty, wishing you blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity rivaling Mount Nan."

  The Empress Dowager Longsun nodded in approval, and Du He's calm and composed response had an air of dignity that ordinary people did not possess, and indeed matched the elegance of Chang Le, who smiled and said: "Come, let us prepare the writing instruments!"