Chapter 428 - The Horse is Like the Owner (1/2)
”If you know you can't do it, then it isn't brave, it's stupid! This is called changing my actions to suit the changing times!” The fat young man could be said to be one of Zhu Junyang's few bad friends. This fellow’s thoughts were simple and he worshipped the strong.
He had very complex emotions towards Zhu Junyang, who had beaten him until his own mother almost didn't recognize him. Feelings of anger and dissatisfaction had swirled within him, and he was always trying to find a way to take his dignity back. However, he never took advantage of Zhu Junyang, a wolf cub two years younger than him, when the latter interacted with him. Zhu Junyang also never detected any malicious intent from him. So although they fought whenever they met, their relationship became deeper with each fight and they had somehow become best friends.
This person wasn't of low birth. His grandfather, Lu Dawei, was one of the founding fathers of the country and was a strong general. After the emperor emeritus abdicated, the old general also retired. The emperor urged him to stay many times, and even repeatedly went to his estate to invite him, but he refused to come back from retirement.
None of his sons succeeded him. His eldest son received an empty title that had a salary but no political power. His second son took the path of the imperial examinations. At present, he was only a small official of the fifth rank. Thus, he may not be able to take upon bigger tasks in the future. His youngest son abandoned his official position and started a business, which was currently booming. At that time, the high ranking Old Master Lu often lamented that his martial arts and military arts were unable to be imparted onto the next generation.
Unexpectedly, Lu Hao, the only legitimate son of his eldest son, suddenly had a change in personality when he was ten and pestered him to teach him martial arts, Although ten was a bit too late to start learning, the little guy was talented. After learning for a year, he managed to catch up with those who had been practicing for three to five years.
However, this kid didn't do him proud. His grandson learned his martial arts well, but he lacked practical experience. Old Master Lu didn't know who he had offended to get beaten to the point that he was black and blue with his eyes all swollen. Old Master Lu was angry but, at the same time, he refused to accept what had happened. He secretly searched for the perpetrator.
In the end, he discovered that the culprit was a kid who was two or three years younger than his grandson. The way that kid fought was ruthless, as if he didn’t care about living or dying. That type of callousness made Old Master Lu feel a bit scared but he also appreciated the kid’s guts. At that time, with Lu Hao's martial art skills, his grandson may have been that kid's opponent if he gave it his all. Yet, his grandson lacked the drive to give it his all. When he threw a punch, it was naturally weaker by about three fractions. Thus, every time he was beaten badly.
At that time, Old Master Lu's love of talent came up and he wanted to accept the kid as his last disciple. In this way, his mantle would be passed down and, in the future, his fat grandson would have a helper. However, as soon as he started asking around, he ended up inquiring all the way to the emperor and emperor emeritus. This wolf cub was the grandson of the emperor emeritus, which was quite unexpected! With a regretful heart, he had to give up on his previous idea. With his worldly wisdom, no matter how talented Zhu Junyang was at the time, he couldn't accept the Imperial Grandson as a disciple!
However, from time to time, his little grandson would go fight the other and he pretended not to notice. Since then, his grandson's martial arts skills had greatly increased. Although he came back black and blue every time from the fights, the kid always practiced more vigorously in the future.
When Lu Hao was around seventeen or eighteen, the Old Master threw him into the old army to gain experience. At that time, Zhu Junyang had just been granted the title of royal prince and got the task of heading to the West. Thus, this pair of ‘bad friends’ only met up on the streets many years later.
”Some other day, I'll invite you to Zhenxiu Restaurant to drink wine. I'm still on the job. I'll take my leave from this point.” Zhu Junyang looked at the sky. If he didn’t say anything soon, he was afraid he would have to spend the night over at the Imperial Plantation.
Although the layout of the Imperial Plantation wasn't bad, he had to consider that Xiaocao was a female. It wasn’t good if word got out that a girl had stayed the night outside. There were already many people saying bad things about her since his lass became an official. They couldn't let something else happen that would allow the others to gossip about her during their meals and teatime!
Lu Hao took a look at Yu Xiaocao and his face showed a 'this brother knows’ expression. He smiled knowingly and said, ”Ok, this brother won't delay your 'business' anymore. In the future, I will be in the capital. Let's get together another day.”
The two said their farewells and Lu Hao nodded politely to Yu Xiaocao. He patted his horse's stomach and they passed by each other. Yu Xiaocao was very pleased with the way the two got along. No wonder there was a saying, 'Qin Hui [1] still has three good friends.’ It was said that Royal Prince Yang had a solitary personality and was hard to get along with. In his darkest times, wasn’t he considered quite lucky to have a friend beside him?
After they passed the city gate, there weren't many people on the official roads. The people travelling were all people from the suburbs on the outskirts of the capital, carrying burdens to sell. When there were fewer people, the little red horse suddenly gave Fierce Wind a look full of provocation. The little red horse spread her four legs and ran like a gust of wind.
Yu Xiaocao had a connection to her steed. When Little Red was 'making eyes' at Fierce Wind, she knew what this horse wanted to do. She gently clamped down on the horse's belly and leaned forward slightly so that they were one. Before Royal Prince Yang could react, the one entity had already ran into the distance. The dust that rose from their run made him and Head Steward Liu cough.
Zhu Junyang felt slightly exasperated and amused. He patted Fierce Wind’s neck and said with a smile, ”Fierce Wind, you are a good for nothing. The other has already thrown a challenge at your face. Hurry and pull out your fighting spirit for this challenge. If you lose to a woman, then you will lose your reputation as a Ferghana horse! There are times to spoil a woman but there are also times to show her your strength and dignity!”
When he finished speaking, with a shake of the reins in his hand, Fierce Wind chased the red figure that was growing smaller and smaller in the distance. As a Ferghana horse, the title of ‘a thousand-mile horse’ wasn't just for show. With the addition of Zhu Junyang's consummate riding skills, the advantage Little Red obtained with her head start slowly disappeared, and the distance between them got gradually smaller.