xymnovel Chapter 3 Han Stares
Chapter 3 Han Stares
Han Tong invited them, and although the father and son were extremely unwilling to go, they had no choice but to go. When they arrived at Han's residence, they found that Han Tong was already waiting for them in the hall.
Han Tong was a large man with a thick waist, a tall and strong build, a square head and a big face. His two big eyes were bright and shiny like copper bells. He was wearing a black robe, but he always gave people the feeling of a big bear in clothes.
Upon seeing the two enter, he immediately stood up with a hearty laugh, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "This must be Master Wang, and Little Master Wang, right? Hahaha, I've heard so much about you! Hahaha, come, sit down, sit down."
The father and son exchanged a silent glance, both feeling a sudden unease.
After all, given Han Tong's status, he could simply give orders to the father and son. Since he was being so polite, it was clearly an attempt to win them over and recruit them.
This is the worst possible outcome; even though the father and son knew he had this intention, they didn't know how to refuse.
After all, it is still the Fifth Dynasty, the darkest and most chaotic period in history where people eat each other. Han Tong, the Grand Commandant, is currently the most powerful person in Kaifeng City, and tens of thousands of troops inside and outside Kaifeng are under his command.
Moreover, this person had a bad temper. His nickname in the army was "Han the Stare-Out," which meant that he would glare and lose his temper at the drop of a hat.
If someone like that treats you with such courtesy, how can you two ordinary commoners refuse? If he glares at you and cooks you up, that's part of the culinary tradition of the Five Dynasties period.
Immediately, Wang Jun bowed deeply and said, "I am Wang Jun, and I bring my son Wang Lu to pay my respects to the Grand Commandant."
"Hahahaha, get up, get up! I'm a roughneck, I don't care about such things. Get up, all of you, get up, hahahaha."
As he spoke, Han Tong took out a watch and placed it on the table, saying, "This thing, it's said, originated from the two of you?"
"This... was indeed once mine."
"Where did you come from?" Han Tong stared straight at them, his big eyes gleaming as if he could see right through them.
"It was given to me by my master when I was cultivating Taoism on the mountain."
"Oh? I heard that you were a disciple of Chen Tuan, the Patriarch of Mount Hua?"
"Yes, I have been cultivating Xuan (mystery/cultivation) with my master since I was a child on Mount Hua."
This explanation was something the father and son had discussed long ago. They had come up with the story when they sold the watch. Firstly, there was no other way to explain the watch's origin, and secondly, they planned to use the name of Chen Tuan, the patriarch, to create some kind of mystical illusion at Kaifeng.
It's also good for making connections with the powerful and influential.
Besides, isn't the same story behind the "Mighty Pill"? Aren't they afraid that Chen Tuan will actually come down from Mount Hua and expose them? Who knows what Chen Tuan really looks like?
Upon hearing this, Han Tong didn't immediately question it. Instead, he nodded, holding his watch and remarking with admiration:
"We've had the best craftsmen in the Ordnance Bureau examine it. Not to mention the watch that runs on this disc, even this chain worn on the wrist is an exquisite work of art."
In his words, even if he were given ten years of experience at the Imperial Workshop, and all the resources of the Great Zhou Dynasty were combined, they might not be able to create such an exquisite chain.
The material of this chain is unidentifiable; even the Khitans of the north probably couldn't produce such fine steel. It truly seems like something from heaven, unlike anything found on earth. "Since you are a high-ranking disciple of the immortals, why have you entered this mortal world?"
"Amitabha, it was only because I couldn't control myself for a moment that I had this child, which severed my connection with the immortals. That's why I was expelled from the immortal palace by my elders and had to wander in the mortal world. In order to raise this child, I had to experience all the hardships of life."
"Oh, I see. Then why isn't the Taoist priest wearing a Taoist robe?"
"Those who have been expelled from the sect have lost all their Taoist magic and are no different from ordinary people. How could they dare to wear Taoist robes?"
"Hmm~"
Han Tong looked at the father and son with a half-smile.
"That makes sense, your explanation is very reasonable."
As he spoke, he took out a small porcelain bottle, opened it, and poured out a few small pills, saying, "Where did this Vajra Mighty Pill come from? Didn't you say that all your magic has been used up? Or is it that you, Taoist priest, look down on me, Old Han, and don't want to do anything for me?"
"Does the Taoist priest also think that I, Han Dengyan, am a brainless scoundrel with little time left, and therefore unwilling to be close to me?"
"Ah, ah no no no, no, absolutely not, I would never dare! Grand Commandant, alchemy is merely a minor art, relying on external resources. Although I have lost all my magical powers, I can still barely produce some things by using external resources."
"This, this doesn't conflict at all. My son and I are just two ordinary commoners. How could we dare to deceive the Grand Commandant?"
Han Tong glared at Wang Lu again: "Is everything your father said true?"
Wang Lu nodded repeatedly: "Really, really! With the Grand Commandant in front of us, how could my father and I dare to speak nonsense?"
Upon hearing this, Han Tong laughed heartily and said, "Daoist Master, my family comes from a humble background as soldiers. I haven't received much education, and I can barely recognize a handful of characters."
But in such chaotic times, I've managed to rise to this position of Grand Commandant; these eyes of mine aren't just for glaring.
As he spoke, Han Tong lowered his body, getting closer to the two of them:
"When I showed the slightest intention to recruit you, you two looked worried. When I tested you a little, you showed no desire to curry favor. Am I right?"
The father and son's expressions changed simultaneously.
"Then it seems that's the case. The two of you have already set up a stall on the ground, joking around and acting crazy to sell medicine. You even sold this precious treasure from outer space for a mere twenty strings of cash."
To say that you two are aloof and arrogant, disdainful of worldly affairs, is undoubtedly impossible. Even if the Daoist truly possesses the power to overturn rivers and seas, it seems he cannot escape the three words: hunger, cold, and poverty.
"My family is the Grand Commandant of the current dynasty, in charge of the deployment and mobilization of the Kaifeng Imperial Guards, and has the power to make decisions on the spot. Before the late emperor died, he appointed me as the Chancellor of the Secretariat and the Chancellery. The military and national affairs of the Great Zhou are all in my hands."
With just a word from me, you two will no longer suffer from hunger and cold, and high-ranking positions and generous salaries will be within your grasp in no time. Yet, judging from your expressions, you fear me like a ghost.
Therefore, you two, like some others, believe that our family is unworthy of its position and that disaster will surely follow sooner or later, and you are afraid of being implicated by me.
The father and son were shocked; their faces turned deathly pale, and cold sweat instantly broke out on their backs. They hurriedly said, "Grand Commandant, you are truly wise! My son and I had absolutely no such intention! We would never dare to harbor such a presumptuous thought!"
Han Tong carefully observed their expressions, then slowly nodded: "It seems that's indeed the case. Daoist Master, have you perhaps already foreseen that destiny is not in our family? Daoist Master, can you truly predict destiny?"
Father and son: "…………"
"I see. Then may I ask, Master, who holds the Mandate of Heaven for our Great Zhou Dynasty? Is it Li Chongjin or Zhao Kuangyin, or perhaps the King of Wei reaping the benefits like Yang Jian did?"
The father and son simply knelt down and kowtowed to beg for forgiveness. Their first reaction was to take the opportunity to quickly lower their heads and not dare to let him look at them anymore.
Is this Han Tong a mind reader?!
How can a person be so shrewd?
Wasn't he a loser in the struggle?!
Historical records describe him as a reckless brute!
Han Tong watched as the father and son knelt down, begging for forgiveness. They repeatedly said things like "I dare not," "No," and "It's a misunderstanding," but they didn't ramble or say anything inappropriate. They remained silent for a long time.
Then, slowly, with a very clear scraping sound, the sword was drawn and hung above Wang Jun's head.
"The Taoist priest is a reclusive master, or at least he used to be. I suppose he is not afraid to force me with his life."
With that, he moved the sword to Wang Lu's neck: "If I were to threaten you with your son's life, would you be willing to help me, Daoist?"
Wang Jun and Wang Lu looked up, both stunned, their minds blank.
But then Han Tong suddenly sheathed his sword, burst into laughter, and personally helped the two men up one by one, saying:
"I was just joking with you, hahaha, just kidding. Although my family comes from the military, we are not murderers. How could anyone refuse my recruitment and then threaten my life?"
"How could we possibly do such a thing? It was just a little joke, nothing more. Daoist Master, please don't be angry."
Wang Jun quickly shook his head: "Don't be angry, don't be angry."
"Where is Master Wang?"
"Don't be angry, don't be angry."
"Young Master Wang, you are so composed, you don't seem like a child at all."
Wang Lu was stunned again, his whole body stiffened involuntarily, and his head buzzed.
Damn, I forgot to pretend to be young.
"Hahahahaha," Han Tong laughed heartily again, "Just kidding, just kidding. My family is so funny, don't take it personally. I sent someone to invite you early this morning, you probably haven't had breakfast yet, right? I haven't either. Come, have breakfast with me."
As he spoke, Han Tong put one arm around Wang Jun's neck and took Wang Lu's hand with the other, laughing loudly as they headed towards the dining room.
"The Vajra Mighty Pill has miraculous effects. If it could be used in the army, it would surely have extraordinary results. I intend to recruit you and your son to my residence as guest advisors, specializing in alchemy. What do you think, Daoist Master?"
"Ah? Ah... That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask."