Chapter Thirty-Four: The Beast Taming Troupe and the Wine

The stench immediately wafted over, prompting a dock worker to curse aloud. Song Mu pinched his nose and looked up, only to see that everyone aboard the ship had stuffed their nostrils with cotton, their eyes bloodshot as they busied themselves. Clearly, these were the ones suffering most from the foul odor.

Now Song Mu understood why Li Mo'er had insisted on seeking him out. He guessed there was no girl who would willingly approach a ship carrying such a smell.

The dock workers grumbled a few more times before hastily retreating, and the tax officer strode over. A rough-clad man disembarked, obsequiously presenting something to the officer; the two exchanged goods and words in a corner, and the tax officer left satisfied.

The man beckoned to the ship, and several others laid planks to the dock, beginning to unload the cargo. They carried out sealed wooden barrels, their faces flushed and teeth gritted, the contents evidently quite heavy.

Seizing the opportunity, Song Mu stepped forward. "Friend, I am a scholar from Shiyang County, currently writing about the dock's curiosities. Tell me, why does your ship reek so terribly?"

He asked, brows furrowed, and the man who had just rolled a barrel glanced at Song Mu, quickly cupping his hands upon seeing he was a scholar. "Forgive us, sir. We've come from the north, and unfortunately, we've brought some filthy things aboard. That's why it smells this way."

"And what exactly are those things?" Song Mu pressed. The man gestured to the side.

At the stern, more planks were lowered, and cages were unloaded—each containing tigers, leopards, wolves, and jackals. The beasts, agitated by their unfamiliar surroundings, roared and snarled, startling Song Mu.

It was a circus troupe from ancient times!

No wonder the stench was so overwhelming—the waste and musky odors from these wild beasts made the ship unbearable.

Song Mu smacked his lips in surprise, watching as the man brought out yet another barrel. He hurried to ask, "Brother, where did these beasts come from? What are they for?"

The man seemed a bit annoyed at being interrupted, but when Song Mu discreetly pressed a coin into his hand, his mood brightened and he explained, "You might not know, sir, but they were invited by a certain master from the Qi family here in town. This beast-taming troupe stayed in Qingzhou for some time, and the Qi master took a liking to them, so brought them here. In a few days, they'll go overland to Jizhou Prefecture."

Hearing this, Song Mu was intrigued. The Qi master must refer to Qi Dazuo’s scholar brother. He had gone to Chang’an last spring for the imperial exam but failed, and had since been visiting renowned scholars in the north. Song Mu wondered why he would do such a thing.

At that moment, the Qi family steward appeared on the dock, directing servants in moving the wild beasts toward the city. The entire dock emptied out as ships either moved to other berths or waited on the river.

Song Mu was stunned for a moment, then turned to the man again. "Those belong to the Qi family, but what about these barrels? Are they Qi family property as well?"

The man waved dismissively, unable to say to whom the barrels belonged—he was just a laborer, after all. He knew only about the circus troupe thanks to the gossip aboard.

He returned to his work, and Song Mu did not press further. Pretending to be a travel writer, he continued to chat with the workers. The captain, seeing Song Mu’s scholarly attire, had at first wanted to drive him off, but upon hearing he was a student at the county academy, his attitude changed.

In the culture of the Wen dynasty, scholars were held in high esteem, and common folk treated them with extra respect.

Nonetheless, whenever Song Mu tried to board the ship, the captain naturally blocked his way, and repeated negotiations proved fruitless. He could only stand on the dock.

The beasts were soon taken to a camp outside the city. They were too dangerous to be brought in—no official would allow such possible monsters to enter so brazenly.

Song Mu scanned the area, but saw no sign of Li Mo’er. Instead, he spotted Qi Dazuo in a pink robe, watching the beasts with great interest, pointing and talking excitedly.

Clearly, he was fascinated by his brother’s acquisitions from afar.

Song Mu looked around once more, but Li Mo’er was nowhere to be found. Her task unfinished, Song Mu steeled himself and turned his attention to the sealed barrels.

Activating his mental powers, Song Mu peered into the barrels. Inside was a vibrant red-purple liquid, reminiscent of wine, but clearer and brighter—likely a fine vintage from the Western regions.

As he pondered this, a voice called out beside him, "Song, my young friend, it has been some time. What brings you here?"

Song Mu quickly withdrew his gaze and turned to see a gaunt face—that of Pan Wenhao’s father, Pan Shun.

Song Mu bowed respectfully. "Song Mu greets the county constable."

Pan Shun, dressed in plain clothes, waved off the formalities. "No need for that. You haven’t answered my question."

Song Mu straightened and replied, "I have been weary from study these days, so I thought to take a walk, but dared not wander far. I am writing an essay on canal transport and came here to consult the boatmen."

Pan Shun nodded approvingly, pleased with Song Mu’s diligence. "Excellent. To know and act—such scholarly attitude bodes well for your future, my young friend."

"Thank you for your kind words," Song Mu replied calmly. A middle-aged man with a round, affluent face approached, sizing up Song Mu. Pan Shun introduced him, "This is Registrar Zhou Zhiyun, Lord Zhou. You may not have met him before."

"Greetings, Lord Zhou," Song Mu said, bowing again. Lord Zhou smiled and nodded, fixing his gaze on Song Mu. "I hear you composed two excellent poems recently—one on literary aspiration, the other for the festival of Clear Brightness. Very good. You must continue to study diligently, so as to achieve great things and honor your ancestors."

"I will remember your teachings," Song Mu said respectfully.

Lord Zhou smiled and nodded. At that moment, a servant approached and reported, "Sir, all sixty-seven barrels of Western region wine have been accounted for, none damaged or spoiled. However, the ship carries a strong odor. Perhaps they should be stored in a cool place for several days."

The captain stood nearby, grinning ingratiatingly. Registrar Zhou nodded, instructing the barrels be moved into town, and Song Mu quickly excused himself.

So the wine belonged to Lord Zhou—best not to meddle further.

As Song Mu was about to take his leave, Registrar Zhou called after him, "Don’t rush off, Song. You’ll soon be sitting the academy exam, and my mother’s seventieth birthday is coming up. I hope you’ll attend—consider it a farewell gathering for you all."

With the lord’s invitation, Song Mu dared not refuse, nodding quickly. "I will certainly come."

Pan Shun also addressed Song Mu, "My young friend, let’s talk more then. Wenhao and you have had some differences, but I believe if we speak plainly, there’s no conflict that cannot be resolved."

Song Mu nodded, bowed, and swiftly departed.

…