Chapter Twenty-Eight: Brothers Settle Accounts Clearly

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Brothers Settle Accounts Clearly

“Of course, of course!” Zhang Qian stepped aside, agreeing with the utmost enthusiasm. It wasn’t because he found Guo Nu particularly agreeable, but rather because he could no longer tolerate the overwhelming odor that clung to him. Having just exerted himself physically, Zhang Qian couldn’t even hold his breath.

According to the chubby Ren Cong, everything from Zhang Qian’s transfer process to his practical assessments had been orchestrated by this “smelly fellow” Guo. If he were to turn away every time Guo Nu approached, it would be excessively rude. So, even if it was just to inhale a little less stench, Zhang Qian dared not delay his reply.

“Thank you, Immortal Master, for bestowing the medicine!” Guo Nu could never have guessed that Zhang Qian’s swift consent was motivated solely by a desire to avoid the stench. Guo Nu stepped forward, bowing deeply, “This kindness, I shall never forget. As for the price...”

A wave of odor, three times stronger than before, assaulted him. Zhang Qian could bear it no longer; he turned and fled, “Name your price, Young Lord Guo, I’ll fetch your medicine right away. Ren, please entertain Young Lord Guo—I’ll be back soon!”

“Ah, ah!” Though familiar with Guo Nu, Ren Cong was hardly immune to his smell. He half-held his breath, stepped forward, and with a strained smile suggested, “Second brother, you must be thirsty from the road. Why not take tea in the flower hall? The osmanthus has just bloomed, golden blossoms everywhere, fragrant as honey...”

“No, I hate the smell of osmanthus!” Guo Nu waved dismissively, bluntly refusing. “Ever since childhood, my mother filled my room with osmanthus sachets. And gardenia—just smelling it gives me a headache! I’ll wait here, lest the Immortal Master think me insincere. Xiao Wu, the Immortal Master said I could name the price. Give me some advice: what would be appropriate?”

“How should I know?” Ren Cong, helpless, was forced to stand at a respectful distance, enduring the discomfort as he tried to offer advice. “This medicine is unique in the world. It may not be life-saving, but the glass bottle alone...”

“Good brother, you truly have a way with words! Once this deal is done, you’ll get your commission.” Zhang Qian overheard their conversation, turned back, and secretly gave Ren Cong a thumbs-up. Seeing his friend’s agonized expression, caught between wanting to flee and not daring to, Zhang Qian was flooded with sympathy.

Yet, sympathy aside, there was no way he’d swap places and relieve Ren Cong. Adhering to the “cultivator’s principle” of not sacrificing oneself for the sake of others, Zhang Qian quickly turned away and strode briskly from the scene. Only after entering the guest room did he finally let go, leaning against the doorframe and gasping for breath.

“What’s that smell?” Ren Wu and Ren Liu, who’d just returned from hauling brass coins and were exhausted, sat by the table drinking water. They turned suspiciously and whispered, “Young Lord, did you step in something?”

“Be careful where you walk, Young Lord! Damn it, who let their dog out without cleaning up? We’ll have the steward discipline them!”

“Nothing, nothing!” Embarrassed, Zhang Qian waved his hands in denial. “I just sparred with Young Lord Guo. Enough about that—Ziju, hand me my bag!”

“So it was Young Lord Guo!” Ren Wu and Ren Liu suddenly understood, their eyes filling with sympathy. “Why would you spar with him, Young Lord Zhang? Didn’t our young master warn you? Young Lord Guo’s favorite trick is to work up a sweat before a bout. Once the match stalls, his opponent can’t stand his smell, and he wins by default!”

“Damn!” Upon hearing this, Zhang Qian immediately regretted it, wishing he could bang his head against the wall. So the stench was intentionally intensified, just to disgust him! What kind of oddball was this? Of all people, why did Ren Cong seek his help?

“But although Young Lord Guo enjoys annoying others, he’s quite righteous in his dealings.” Sympathizing with Zhang Qian’s ordeal and grateful for saving their young master, Ren Wu smiled and added, “His father, Magistrate Guo, runs Chang’an’s largest courier service—respected both officially and among the people. His uncle is the actual magistrate of Weizhou, highly favored by the Emperor.”

This was a clear hint, essentially telling Zhang Qian that Guo Nu was someone worth befriending. Even if he wasn’t immediately useful, associating with him could only bring benefit.

By now, Zhang Qian was no longer as ignorant of Tang affairs as when he first arrived. Hearing that Guo Nu’s father held a fourth-rank magistrate’s post yet still ran a courier business respected on both sides of the law, he knew better than to offend him. And knowing that Guo’s uncle managed Weizhou, he realized that agreeing to give him the wind oil was not a loss. (Note: Magistrates could be titular or actual officeholders, some with no duties or salary, just a title. Details will be explained later.)

Ziju brought out the wind oil, which Zhang Qian accepted and, after bowing in thanks to Ren Wu and Ren Liu, turned resolutely towards the door, bracing himself as if for battle.

“Let’s do this! Whether for household registration or for making friends in Tang, I’ll endure!” Seizing a moment when no one was watching, Zhang Qian encouraged himself and discreetly dabbed two drops of wind oil beneath each nostril. “It’s only a few minutes of unpleasantness, not an insult beneath one’s dignity! If King Goujian of Yue could eat dung for his cause, then I...”

In the courtyard, negotiations between Ren Cong and Guo Nu had concluded. Seeing Zhang Qian return so quickly, both rushed to greet him. “Good timing, Zhang! We’ve just finished discussing...”

“We’ll settle the price later!” Having resolved to hold onto Guo Nu, Zhang Qian decided to be generous to the end. He stopped at a distance and tossed the wind oil and its bottle to Guo Nu. “Second brother, take it—it’s not a rare item!”

“Thank you, Immortal Master!” Guo Nu gratefully caught the bottle, examined it, and, without instruction, deftly unscrewed the plastic cap.

Clearly, he was aware of his own odor, eager to test the “miracle medicine.” However, before he could pour the first drop, Zhang Qian’s warning came, carried by the fragrance of wind oil, “Wait, second brother! There are specific instructions for use. Otherwise, it’s wasted!”

“Ah?!” Guo Nu shivered and quickly closed the bottle again. Eyes wide, he gazed at Zhang Qian, pleading for guidance.

Before using this, one must bathe and change clothes. Then, rub the liquid evenly in your palms and apply it to your armpits, the hollows of your shoulders, and the veins on both wrists. Just one drop in each spot suffices. This bottle should last you half a month! When it’s gone, if you’re satisfied with the effect, come find me again!” Understanding Guo Nu’s impatience—and wanting relief for his own nose—Zhang Qian answered quickly and clearly.

This was really the method for applying perfume in later ages, but the purpose was the same: to mask body odor or enhance personal scent. The principle was identical—using alcohol to suppress sweat gland activity in the armpits, and leveraging the warmth of the shoulder hollows and wrist veins to evaporate the fragrance.

“Thank you, Immortal Master! I’ll bathe now and return to express my gratitude.” Guo Nu’s eyes lit up as he bowed to Zhang Qian and hurried off. “Ren Wu, may I borrow your bath?”

“Ren Quan, escort Second Brother Guo to the guest room in the left wing. Have someone bring him a tub and fill it with hot water,” Ren Cong ordered enthusiastically, excited about the medicine’s effects.

But as soon as he finished, both he and Guo Nu turned their eager gaze to Zhang Qian—one blushing with excitement, the other trembling nervously.

“Zhang, you said—did you really say—Second Brother Guo can come to you for more when this runs out?!”

“Immortal Master, you... you can make it? You have the formula?!”

Unable to contain himself, Ren Cong squeezed Guo Nu aside and added loudly, “Zhang, never give the formula to anyone else. This isn’t a lifesaving medicine, but its prospects are bright and there’s no risk. Better to work with friends...”

“Immortal Master, let’s partner up! My Guo family will supply funds, manpower, land, and materials. You provide the formula. The division of profits is yours to decide.”

“Guo, Zhang was invited by me!” Ren Cong protested, face red with urgency.

“Know your place! Though the Immortal Master came to your home first, you never asked about the lifesaving medicine!” Guo Nu retorted loudly, shielding Zhang Qian behind him like an angry mother hen protecting her eggs.