Section 09: The Tragedy of Wu Cheng'en

Cheng Chumo quickly explained: "Father, this is the special military ration made by Brother Yun. Our army is on the march, and in a hurry, we don't have time to eat properly, so we just nibble on some flatbread. This flatbread is cold and hard, and many soldiers suffer from bloating and severe stomach pain after eating it, which weakens our forces even before battle, truly unwise. Therefore, Brother Yun specially made this type of flatbread, which allows us to eat a few bites and drink some water to stave off hunger. It is the best military ration, especially since this flatbread can last for a month without spoiling even in the heat of July."

As the days go by, the salt bags are stacked higher each day, and the storytelling sessions after dinner are becoming longer and longer, while Yun Ye's proficiency in the Guanzhong dialect is also increasing.

My son is quite fortunate, having picked up a fourteen-year-old child and accomplished a significant task. There are no roots or foundations; the master with the skills has passed away, leaving only this single sprout. Once the imperial edict arrives from the capital, this child’s official position will be secured, and he will be tied to my old chariot. My son also has a keen eye; if this child has caught his attention, he must not be lacking in merit. A person who would casually hand over a priceless secret formula without a second thought cannot be of poor character. If my son does not quickly secure a position in the Left Military Guard for a soldier he has barely known for a day, then my head must have been kicked by a donkey.

Father, Brother Yun is my brother. This large pancake was made by him only after I mentioned that you have a stomach ailment. He also said: "In the military camp, aside from being skilled in battle, all the big and small figures are just fools. Knowing that the military rations are problematic, yet not making any changes, they deserve to suffer for such a long time."

What? January doesn't spoil? Really?

The singing gradually subsided, and the late spring night still carried a hint of chill. Every song must come to an end, leaving only silence behind. The moonlight turned pale, casting ghostly shadows on each face. If the atmosphere is not adjusted soon, the camp may risk descending into a realm of spirits.

Cheng Chumo noticed his father staring at him in silence, and quickly took out an oil paper bag from his pocket, stepping forward to present it to his father

Under the cold moonlight, the men on the riverbank were filled with anger, as such a great hero was heavily pressed beneath the Five Finger Mountain by the cold laws of the world, with no way to heaven and no door to the earth. Watching the cowherd boy at the foot of the mountain transform from a young lad into an old man in the blink of an eye, he could only gaze at the soaring eagle in the sky, yearning for freedom. Cheng Chumo clenched his fists and struck the sandy ground fiercely, unable to dispel the suppressed resentment in his heart. "Why?" Cheng Chumo glared at Yun Ye with fierce intensity, as if he were the culprit who had trapped the Monkey King beneath the mountain. Cheng Chumo clenched his fists and struck the sandy ground fiercely, unable to dispel the suppressed resentment in his heart. "Why?" Cheng Chumo glared at Yun Ye with fierce intensity, as if he were the culprit who had trapped the Monkey King beneath the mountain

In Yun Ye's mind, stories he knew flashed quickly by. Got it, it will be Tang Xuanzang. This fellow probably hasn't even gone to India yet; the grand journey to the West is still a long way off. Having read "Journey to the West" since childhood, I cannot allow Wu Cheng'en to take all the credit. I will create my own version; who would dare accuse me of plagiarism? Wu Cheng'en? His grandfather's grandfather hasn't even been born yet. It will be him.

Cheng Chumo saw his father eating a pancake and respectfully poured a cup of tea to present to Old Cheng. After Old Cheng finished the pancake and took a couple of sips of tea, he finally spoke: "Father, how is this pancake?"

Old Cheng looked up at his son, always feeling that something was amiss. Hmm? His son, who usually looked disheveled and greasy, had unexpectedly become clean and tidy, and his features were more pleasing than usual. There were no lice crawling out of his hair, and he exuded a vibrant spirit from within. After all, he was his own flesh and blood, full of vitality.

According to legend, after Pangu created the heavens and the earth, the Three Sovereigns governed the world, and the Five Emperors established order. The entire world was divided into: Dongsheng Shenzhou, Xiniu Hezhou, Nanzhan Buzhou, and Beiju Luzhou. It is said that in Dongsheng Shenzhou, there is a country called Aolai, located near the sea. In the sea, there is an island, and on that island, there is a mountain called Huaguo Mountain. This mountain is extraordinary; it is the ancestral vein of the Ten Continents and the source of the Four Seas...

Yun Ye cleared his throat: "Brothers, come sit over here. Since no one wants to sleep and everyone finds it boring, I have a story to tell you all. Would you like to hear it?"

Old Cheng casually remarked: "Not bad, the cook in the camp should be fed to the dogs. Did this big pancake come from that young Yun? It’s not that I’m criticizing you, but if you have the skill to cook, you should be gathering a couple more pounds of salt instead. The time set by the court is approaching, and if we gather one pound less now, our Left Wuwei will lose out on one pound of salt benefits. What’s the point of doing this fancy work? I am your father; do you really expect me to pay tribute to you?"

Cheng Chumo delivers salt to the camp every ten days, with each delivery amounting to 10,000 jin. This is already the sixth trip, and after four more trips, he will have completed the task assigned by his father. The thought that the court only allowed the collection of 100,000 jin and that the salt fields must be handed over to the local authorities by the end of July makes his heart ache. Upon entering the command tent, he sees his father sitting alone behind the desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. Uncertain of his thoughts, he quickly bows and greets, "Captain Cheng Chumo pays his respects to the General. This period, 10,000 jin of salt has been delivered in full. I am now preparing to return to the salt fields. May I ask if the General has any instructions?"

As the voice of this fellow fell, the surrounding soldiers quickly surrounded him, their eyes gleaming as they stared at Yun Ye, making him feel a chill run down his spine. Helplessly, in the midst of the low and soothing voice, the unfortunate monkey continued to wait in resignation for the monk who was about to arrive in Chang'an City.

Everyone joined in the fun, as the adults told stories. Whether they were good or bad was not important; it was first about flattery. It was already novel for officials to tell stories to the soldiers. These fellows had become quite adept at being soldiers.

Old Cheng patted his big belly with satisfaction. Over the past three months, poor Old Cheng has been gnawing on vinegar cloth every day, to the point that my teeth have fallen out. Just thinking about it makes a sour taste rise from my stomach. It's not that the *illustrated* book lacks the salt that I need, but rather that the entire army is soaking in vinegar cloth. Am I the only one who eats salt? What about the morale of the troops?

Power requires restraint; unrestrained power is a double-edged sword, injuring others and oneself. The fate of the Monkey King was sealed the moment he acquired power. Brother Cheng, it is merely a story; why take it so seriously? Tonight, the moon is bright and the stars are few; let us, as brothers, engage in a long conversation. I have been away from the world for a long time and know nothing of the human emotions, etiquette, and laws. In this world of splendor, I fear I have no place to stand. I hope Brother Cheng can teach me.

In the military camp, there are no familial ties of fathers and sons, only the great general and the captain.

Cheng Yaojin remained silent, bowing his head in deep thought. After a moment, he made a decision: "Send my order, commanding Yun Ye to hasten to the main camp to see me"

Xu Maogong, or rather now known as Li Ji, is precisely the kind of person filled with malice yet skilled in many areas. After years of brotherhood, shouldn't one have been able to see through his capabilities early on? The little fellow picked up by his son is certainly not simple. Starting from the position of a seventh-rank military secretary, once secured, as long as there are genuine skills, with the Left Wuwei being so vast, isn't there enough room for maneuvering?

Yun Ye's carefree and cheerful demeanor filled Cheng Chumo with pent-up anger that had nowhere to go. He waved his hand vigorously, but in an instant, he smiled again, feeling embarrassed about his loss of composure. Lying beside Yun Ye, he poked Yun Ye's arm and said, "Why not tell another segment? Such a wonderful story makes one eager for more; how can one sleep without finishing it? Ask the brothers if they want to hear more and about the books too"

Cheng Yaojin opened the paper bag with suspicion, only to find a large pancake inside, golden and oily from roasting. It emitted a fragrant aroma of wheat. Upon seeing this, Old Cheng felt a wave of comfort in his heart, knowing that he was being honored by his son. He picked up the pancake and took a big bite; the taste was excellent, both flaky and fragrant, unlike the pancakes he usually ate.

It is only unfortunate for that young lad of mine; helping him once leads to a beating. But who cares, as the two boys will surely get along better over time, and this will no longer be an issue. He is covered in all sorts of peculiar items, and nothing he brings out is ordinary. This young man's background is likely not trivial either. For an average boy from a common family, it is already commendable to stand firm in the presence of a large army, let alone argue his case. Yes, once this lad gathers enough salt, specifically one hundred thousand jin, I will have him come over for a look. I, Old Cheng, cannot stand those who only know the sayings of Confucius; someone like this, who is literate and can tackle significant matters, is truly a treasure among treasures. For an average boy from a common family, it is already commendable to stand firm in the presence of a large army, let alone argue his case. Yes, once this lad gathers enough salt, specifically one hundred thousand jin, I will have him come over for a look. I, Old Cheng, cannot stand those who only know the sayings of Confucius; someone like this, who is literate and can tackle significant matters, is truly a treasure among treasures.

Indeed, the child specifically tested it; when placed in a cloth bag for one month, it did not spoil and had no unusual odor

Did Yun Xiaozu present this method to the court? Were there no requests at all

General Cheng Yaojin of the Left Wu Guard has been smiling so broadly these days that he can hardly close his mouth, and his owl-like laughter has been echoing over the camp. Especially after sending off the young Prince of Chang Le, Li Yongliang, Long Sun Wuji's laughter has become even more exuberant. Trading five hundred jin of salt for fifty fine horses from the Western Regions is quite a deal, particularly to snatch food from the mouth of a Pixiu; such opportunities are rare, indeed.