The Legend of the 8 War Gods

  Yang Su was first and foremost a god of war. It can be said that if Yang Jian had lacked Yang Su, the founding of the Sui Dynasty would not have been so easily successful. Yang Su's growth path was accompanied by military merit and the growth of the Sui Empire together. According to legend, the later "Yang Family Generals", its prototype is actually Yang Su's family. Obviously, if this is true, we should really praise the literary talent of "Zhang Guan Li Dai". —— The Yang family in "Yang Family Generals" exists to fight against foreign tribes, but Yang Su's ethnic composition is "Xianbei".

  Yang Su was also a capable and cunning official. According to the Book of Sui, he conspired with Empress Dugu to eliminate other princes and have Yang Guang made crown prince. He participated in the secret plot to hasten Emperor Wen's death and block Emperor Wen's plan to reinstate his original crown prince as a replacement for Yang Guang, which was by then too late. Despite Yang Su's previous corruption and abuse of power, he was entrusted with the important task of building a new capital at Luoyang. However, Yang Su's own end seemed not perfect either, probably due to the accumulated troubles from his son Yang Xuangan's rebellion.

  But if history is just like "A New Account of the Tales of the World" in note form, then Yang Su is absolutely a man with distinct personality and elegance. "Hanging books on ox horns" tells about Li Mi's diligence in studying, but also shows Yang Su's ability to identify people. "Reuniting the broken mirror" explains Yang Su's military achievements, his love for beauty, as well as his magnanimity.

  There is another story of "the beauty of adulthood" that tells the story of Li Derun's son, Li Baiyao. As a young man, he was infatuated with one of Yang Su's concubines and secretly met her at night in Yang's mansion. However, they were caught by Yang Su, who was furious and wanted to sentence Li Baiyao to death. When Li Baiyao was brought before him, Yang Su saw that he was a handsome young man under the age of twenty with a refined appearance, and his heart was moved with pity. He said, "I've heard you're good at writing, compose a poem to express yourself, and if it meets my expectations, I'll spare your life." Li Baiyao thought quickly and composed a poem on the spot. Yang Su was delighted after reading it and immediately gave his concubine to Li Baiyao as his wife, along with a large sum of money. Later, Yang Su even requested that Emperor Wen of Sui appoint Li Baiyao as a secretary in the Ministry of Rites. Li Baiyao gained both wealth and beauty, and also became an official through this incident, making it a famous story at the time. The Yang Su in this story was indeed more open-minded than Jia Chong in "The Story of Han Shou Stealing Fragrance". However, it seems that "Han Shou Stealing Fragrance" is a misused allusion from "The Western Wing", as the one who stole fragrance was actually Jia Wu, who was in love with Han Shou. This literary device was later borrowed by Cao Xueqin, who wrote in his dialogue, "When did Meng Guang receive the case from Liang Hong?" when in fact it was Meng Guang who presented the case and Liang Hong who received it.

  Perhaps Yang Su was indeed too old, and perhaps the Li family's son digging at the corner of the Yang family wall had become a kind of fate? Because the story of "helping an adult to beauty" happened on Yang Lao's body for the third time, this time related to Li Jing who was supported by him saying "you will eventually sit here". We have heard countless times about this story of "Hong Fu Ye Ben", and we have praised the eyesight and breadth of mind of the two people countless times. After all, Li Jing can tolerate Hong Fu, but a thousand years later, Liu Xianglian couldn't tolerate You Sanjie, of course, that's just a hypothesis by author Cao Xueqin. ——Hong Fu was a music official, "skin and features, words and tone" were almost heavenly, she also had insight like Yang Su, recognizing heroes. She took the opportunity to elope with Li Jing when he visited Yang Su again, and Yang Su not only did not pursue this matter but also recommended Li Jing as the county magistrate of Chang'an...

  "What's wrong with you? Hurry up and get on, we're approaching the Imperial City, we can speed up now." Qing Wei shouted at Su You. Su You was lost in thought, his hands and feet weak, he couldn't climb onto the carriage as it moved, but his feet didn't slow down either.

  "Never mind, never mind, let's just get through the day like a monk striking the bell. " He muttered to himself with a smile, the coachman pulled the reins, the carriage sank, and Su You was already on the carriage.

  "What's the use of striking the bell? What's the use of those little monks?" The driver heard Su's muttering and couldn't help but smile, as if he saw a fool.

  Why do people laugh? —— It's because of a sense of superiority, which can't be said to be mockery, but the sense of superiority makes people feel happy and smarter than others. For example, when watching comedies, seeing those people doing foolish things and saying foolish words, acting absurdly, the audience will have a sense of superiority and laugh heartily to enjoy themselves.

  "Ah?" Su You realized his mistake once again, and only then did he deeply understand Lin Daiyu's cautiousness in entering the Jia mansion, not daring to say a word more or take a step further.

  At that time, the monk was still a high-ranking title among monks, just like eunuchs were high-ranking titles among palace staff; but I don't know if they ate meat, would give blessings to fallen women, or drive BMWs with noblewomen to go fishing by the lake.

  As he was lost in thought, the carriage came to a stop. Yang Er naturally had to enter the Eastern Palace, but first he had to arrange for Su You's accommodations. Su You was going to a mansion in An Ye Li, which was located roughly equidistant from both Dong Xi Market and the main south gate of the Imperial City, right on Zhujue Avenue.

  Yang Er also gave Su You three to five servants, including Qing Wei, and a young servant named "Jiu Er". He also made an appointment for Su You to go to the back door of the Crown Prince's mansion two days later to listen to orders. These two days were naturally meant to familiarize himself with Chang'an City. Fortunately, Jiu Er was a clever child, and whatever plans Su You had or whatever items he wanted to buy, as long as he handed them over to him, it would be done.

  Su You habitually said a few words of "thank you", and Shang De immediately caught up with the car in front, protecting his master as he moved forward.

  Su You returned to this nominal home, the first thought was to plant sunflower seeds, but unfortunately it's already summer now. Maybe there are three or four seasons of rice, but who knows if sunflowers can still face the sun? Obviously, planting sunflowers doesn't make sense. Does Yang Er make sense? What makes him look up to himself? Is it because he solved a few math problems and determined that he is good at calculations? Or is it because of that unfinished sketch?

  A barber cannot cut his own hair, but a chef can cook for himself. Su You is not lazy, so after going home, he naturally went to the kitchen to cook. As a result, together with the two people who were originally watching the house, a total of seven or eight people had a delicious dinner.

  Due to the difference in status, Su You could only occupy a small couch alone, sitting cross-legged in an ungraceful manner; before indulging himself, Su You naturally sent Xiao Jiu and Qing Wei away first. —— Freedom, forever belongs to one person only.

  There were many more clothes in the closet, which Xiao Jiu had bought after dinner; after re-bathing and changing, Su You seemed to have changed into a different person.

  "With an air of elegance, extraordinary bravery, clear eyes, and a hint of divine light, the heavenly court is full, and the earthly palace is square...". Xiaojiao nodded silently, muttering to herself. Suyou even thought that this child was born into a humble family, but now seemed to have been stimulated to return to his old ways. Next, it seemed like he should say: "I see that you have an exceptional appearance and a strong aura, would you be willing to follow me on a quest for immortality?"

  "So shall we go out and take a stroll?" Su You asked, though he was the host, still spoke in a consulting tone.

  "The sun has already set." Little Jiu was somewhat embarrassed.

  "Yes, with the heat of summer all gone, it's even more refreshing now."

  "But curfew is about to start."

  Curfew? Su You almost forgot about this, thinking of the TV dramas he used to watch, whether it was Sui Tang or Qin Han, all sorts of powerful people were active at night, and all sorts of girls would come out alone at night to find a mate. Did their families know about this? Weren't they afraid of being caught by government officials as fugitive slaves or prostitutes in brothels?

  After listening to Xiaojiu's warning and detailed introduction, Su You somewhat understood the curfew system of this era. After sunset, the curfew began, and all the gates of various districts had to be closed before dark. Those who dared to stroll on the streets after dark generally had special permits, or were newly arrived travelers.

  Anyone who has lived in the city for a period of time will not go out at night. Those patrolling soldiers are specifically guarding against fire, theft and dimensional travelers. If they catch you, the consequences are severe; if you encounter someone who is more serious, you can't help but be thrown into prison, and you'll have to wait until the amnesty to come out again.

  "So, when the sun sets, you can't buy anything? Is it that this big city of Chang'an doesn't have a nightlife?" Su You still wouldn't give up on this. The life of rising with the sun and resting with the sunset made him, a modern person who starts sleeping at dawn and wakes up only after the sun is high in the sky, feel somewhat incredulous.

  "It's not that absolute, after dark they just closed the inner gate, can't stroll around on the streets; each neighborhood has daily necessities stores, a lifetime won't starve without leaving the neighborhood. As for nightlife, nighttime is only prohibited from strolling on the streets, but doesn't prohibit wine houses and brothels' all-night revelry. Xiao Jiu was quite knowledgeable about Su You, this country bumpkin, apparently the urban-rural life gap has existed since ancient times."

  "Isn't this... isn't this the slow-paced life that Ge has always wanted?" Su You couldn't help but sigh after hearing it.

  Su You asked again what famous historical sites there were in Chang'an, but Xiao Jiu was stunned for half a day and didn't know where to start.

  Obviously, the ancients did not have enough business vision to build walls outside the ancient sites and charge tourists entrance fees in the name of management fees, so Su You could not know which scenic spot belonged to several A-levels from the ticket.

  "What? There's also Chongxiao Temple?" Listening to Xiaojiu reciting the names of various temples like "Baocaiming", Suyou was taken aback and then exclaimed in a low voice.

  "That's not right, I think I made a mistake just now. It should be 'Chongshan Temple'." Xiao Jiu looked embarrassed.

  "It's settled then, let's go take a look tomorrow."