Chapter 57: I Am Daoist Zhang Sanfeng

Zhang Yi was not in the best of spirits.

He had come with high hopes, eager to see the famed brothels of ancient times, not with any particular intention—indeed, even if he had wanted to do something, he lacked the means. He simply wished to listen to the melodies sung by the ladies of old, to fulfill a traveler’s achievement after crossing through time.

But unexpectedly, he was denied service. Money could not sway them; worse still, the madam even called the authorities on him.

The reason was clear: his Daoist robes made him stand out too much. The Hongwu Emperor’s edict dictated that all monks and Daoists were to be strictly managed. For a young Daoist like Zhang Yi to boldly enter the Imperial Music Bureau’s brothel to hear a tune was, in others’ eyes, the height of audacity.

Fortunately, his attendant seemed to possess some influence; after a few words with the official who arrived, the matter was dropped.

After such an episode, Zhang Yi lost interest in listening to music and ended his first visit to a brothel since arriving in this era rather hastily.

Just as he stepped out, he witnessed a pair of siblings being bullied.

He called out, drawing the attention of the bystanders, who were amused by the scene.

The man who had shoved the Xu siblings was a stout fellow, who sneered:

“I’ve traveled far and wide for twenty years, visited brothels all across the land, but never have I seen a Daoist so brazenly touring a brothel!”

“Even the monks from Tibet in the previous dynasty weren’t this arrogant…”

As his words fell, the crowd echoed their agreement.

“Didn’t the current Emperor forbid monks and Daoists from mingling among the people? I never see a single religious figure on the streets, and now there’s one in a brothel!”

“I wonder which sect this young Daoist belongs to…”

Zhang Yi’s identity was far more intriguing than that of the Xu siblings, and soon all eyes were fixed on him.

He frowned, thinking his visit to the brothel was too conspicuous. Ever since he exposed himself, the Ming dynasty had tightened its control over monks and Daoists. In his current guise, he was indeed in the wrong.

But since the stout man was so full of ridicule, Zhang Yi naturally responded in kind.

The man was momentarily stunned by Zhang Yi’s retort, unsure of its meaning, but when he realized, and saw the surrounding crowd burst into laughter, his anger flared.

He grew violent and moved to grab Zhang Yi.

Quick as lightning, Zhang Yi pulled the Xu girl and Xu Yongong to their feet and darted back into the brothel.

“Stop right there!”

“I’ll beat you to death!”

“Come on then! I don’t believe you’d dare cause trouble in an official establishment!”

Zhang Yi was no fool; he wouldn’t have provoked the stout man without a means of escape. Once inside the brothel, the man’s face turned red with rage but he dared not act further.

In the early Ming, the Hongwu Emperor had reorganized the brothel system, placing them under the Music Bureau for the management of rites and music, and established sixteen official brothels—two in the southern and northern districts and fourteen others.

With official backing, the stout man dared not stir up trouble inside.

He cursed furiously at the door:

“You little Daoist, if you’ve got guts, come out! If not, I’ll wait here all day and beat you when you do—”

Standing behind Zhang Yi, the inspector sighed and stepped forward to settle the matter.

“Sir, the Daoist here is a friend of my master. Could we resolve this peacefully and avoid conflict?”

“You mangy servant, who do you think you are?” the stout man spat, slapping at the attendant.

A fierce gleam flashed in the servant’s eyes. Serving under Zhu Yuanzhang, he was not accustomed to being slighted. Before the slap landed, he struck, and the stout man howled in pain, writhing on the ground.

“Master, what happened?” cried the man’s own followers, ready to fight.

But the inspector’s cold glare and drawn dagger cowed them; none dared make a move.

“You brat, I’ll let you off today, but don’t show your face in Yingtian again! If you have any guts, leave your name—”

The stout man, blustering but afraid, turned to Zhang Yi instead of confronting the attendant.

Zhang Yi replied with righteous composure:

“I never change my name, never change my surname. Zhang Sanfeng.”

“Fine, Zhang Sanfeng, I, Wang Pan, will remember you!”

Thus, the farce ended with Wang Pan backing down. The crowd, seeing Zhang Yi’s formidable attendant, quickly dispersed.

Only then did Zhang Yi turn his gaze from the commotion to find the young girl and her brother.

Xu Miaoyun looked thoroughly vexed, scolding Xu Yongong:

“It’s all your fault, all your fault! This is a brothel, and you followed someone in—now my reputation is ruined!”

Only now did the Xu girl realize that the famed ‘sixteen establishments’ were indeed the legendary brothels, and she, the precious daughter of the Xu family, had entered one—an embarrassment that would stain her family’s name.

Xu Yongong, terrified of his sister’s reprimand, hung his head without a word.

Zhang Yi found the scene amusing and said with a smile:

“You’re still too young to be worrying about reputation…”

Before he finished, he noticed the Xu girl watching him guardedly, as if he too were up to no good.

Yet, recalling that Zhang Yi had come to her aid, she reluctantly bowed in thanks.

“Thank you, Daoist Zhang Sanfeng, for helping my brother and me.”

“No need to thank me. Where is your family? Why are you two so young and here alone?”

“My mother is at a shop ahead making clothes. I chased my brother here…”

Xu Miaoyun gave a brief account, and Zhang Yi understood.

He asked, curious:

“What family are you from, and what are your names?”

Xu Yongong started to answer but was pinched secretly by Xu Miaoyun, who replied,

“My name is Yu Miaoyu.”

“So it’s Miss Yu. Let us take you back.”

“No, no need!” Xu Miaoyun, fearing Zhang Yi might discover her true identity and bring shame to the Xu family, hastily refused.

“But that won’t do. You two are so young; I fear you’ll come to harm!”

“Master, perhaps you could wait here while I escort the siblings myself?” suggested the attendant.

Zhang Yi agreed, nodding.

“Miss Yu, next time I’ll treat you to roast goose!”

He was oblivious to Xu Miaoyun’s wary attitude, greeting her warmly.

Xu Miaoyun, with her brother, bowed again and followed the attendant out.

“Miss Xu, Master Xu, please follow me…”

Once outside, the attendant revealed their identities, and the Xu girl blushed deeply.

“You know us?”

“My master has dealings with your father. I remember you both. Rest assured, I won’t mention today’s events.”

With their trust secured, he led the siblings to find Lady Xie.

“Don’t breathe a word about today—this is humiliating for our family…” Xu Miaoyun admonished her brother all the way, only relaxing once he promised.

She glanced back, seeing Zhang Sanfeng watching their departure from afar.

Zhang Yi waved cheerfully when she turned.

“He may be a bit unruly, but… he’s a decent person, I suppose,” she thought, reservedly waving back before running off, disappearing at the end of the street.

“I’ve seen so many beauties, but not one compares to that young girl. If only I could have a wife as lovely as her…”

“Well, perhaps I’ll just keep dreaming.”

With nothing better to do, Zhang Yi leaned on the window and began to daydream.