Chapter 8, Notorious Celebrities with Unsightly Appearances

Mao Sui understood that he could not gain any advantage through words, and he was too lazy to argue with others. With a bitter smile, he turned to leave, only to be blocked in his path. He recognized that the person obstructing him was the one seated at the head of the hall. He paused for a moment and asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

The one who smashed the wine jug was a tall, burly man with a face full of flesh, possibly due to anger, as the flesh on his face quivered. Opposite him was a young man, not yet twenty, with a handsome appearance, dressed in fine clothes, and carrying a sharp sword at his waist. Zhao Kuo suspected that the two must have enmity; otherwise, they would not cause a scene in this setting, which was clearly a way of disrespecting Zhao Sheng.

Zhao Kuo's movements were swift; drawing his military knife from his boot to sever Zhao Ba's sharp sword was accomplished in the blink of an eye. Simultaneously, he seized Zhao Ba's hair with his left hand, forcefully slamming Zhao Ba's head onto the table, treating Zhao Ba to a free meal.

Zhao Kuo cast a meaningful glance at Tian Fen and said to the servant beside him, "Why haven't you come over to wipe my clothes? What a pity for this outfit."

Zhao Kuo knew that Zhao Sheng was smiling while hiding a dagger, and with the prior incident involving Li Mu, the conflict with Zhao Sheng could not be resolved. Since it was destined to stand on opposing sides, there was no need for politeness. However, he had to change his clothes first; otherwise, he would appear like a beggar, which would severely damage his image.

Huan Yuan was filled with grievances. He had merely mentioned this matter to his subordinates and did not specifically arrange it himself. However, at this moment, he did not dare to defend himself. Any defense would only lead Zhao Sheng to believe that he had not taken Zhao Sheng's instructions seriously. "Your Majesty... it is my oversight."

Friend? Mao Sui sighed inwardly. Indeed, the sky is high enough for birds to fly freely, but it also depends on the type of bird. Can a small sparrow soar in the sky that belongs to a swan?

With a face full of flesh, Tian Fen chuckled, "Zhao Ba, so what if I am from Qi? Do you, a Zhao person, really want to ride on my neck? I just fear you lack the courage. If you have the guts, come over. I, your lord, prefer the dry path, and your delicate skin is exactly my type. I will definitely cherish you well."

Zhao Kuo, in surprise, cast a deep glance at the lewd man, Mao Sui, the very same Mao who recommended himself. Is he the Mao Sui from the idiom "to stand out"? The likelihood of this is very high. I recall that before recommending himself, Mao Sui was in a very destitute state, also feeling frustrated at the Zhao Sheng residence, wasting his great potential.

Zhao Kuo feigned displeasure and said: "Why is the gentleman so conventional? I originally thought the gentleman was a free-spirited person, which is why I wished to befriend him. Now, however, I am greatly disappointed to find that the gentleman is merely a sycophant, submissive and obsequious..."

The table could not withstand the force of Zhao Ba's head, and it was instantly smashed to pieces, with food flying everywhere, splattering all over Zhao Kuo, making him regret using too much strength. While the fish in the pond were spared, he ended up covered in grease.

Mao Sui, how arrogant you are, to actually compare yourself with the Prime Minister. You should reflect on your own abilities instead of worrying about whether you will go hungry tonight! Upon hearing such arrogant words from Mao Sui, some could not help but speak out in ridicule

Mao Sui felt extremely pleased; this meal was the most sumptuous he had enjoyed in recent years. After letting out a belch, he said: "Mao Sui has been rude; I have yet to inquire about your name, esteemed young master. I hope you will not take offense."

Mao Sui was deep in thought when hurried footsteps sounded from outside. The door was suddenly pushed open, and Zhao Kuo saw his servant rush in, breathless and with a panicked expression. A sense of alarm surged within him. Could it be that Li Mu was in trouble?

Zhao Kuo, observing Mao Sui's manner of eating, felt his appetite stirred. Moreover, the delicacies from this tavern had a unique flavor, prompting him to disregard his image and "compete for food" with Mao Sui. In no time, the table laden with wine and dishes was cleared as the two devoured everything like a whirlwind.

Zhao Sheng, upon hearing these words, was so enraged that he nearly lost his breath. This was clearly implying that his subordinates were incompetent, even inferior to a piece of clothing, and it indirectly belittled him as well. It was truly an insult without using any foul language! Although Zhao Sheng was furious inside, he had to maintain a pleasant demeanor on the outside, saying: "As long as my dear nephew is not angry, that's good. Come here! Take Young Master Kua to change into a new outfit. Later, I still want to have a good drink with my dear nephew!"

Zhao Kuo was well-acquainted with Handan City. Upon leaving the residence of Lord Pingyuan, he came across a distinctive tavern. After entering, he requested a table of cooked dishes and fine wine from the proprietor.

Those watching the performance are not afraid of the rotten child. As soon as Tian Fen spoke these words, the entire hall erupted in laughter. Zhao Ba's face suddenly became somewhat embarrassed, and he drew his sharp sword, pointing it at Tian Fen, saying: "You lowly man from Qi, do you dare to challenge Zhao Ba to a duel?"

Zhao Kuo smiled slightly and said, "This young master would like to invite you for a drink; I wonder if you would be willing to grace me with your presence." Zhao Kuo was well aware that he had already deeply offended Zhao Sheng, and he could not afford to keep a strategist like Mao Sui at the residence of Lord Pingyuan, thus he conceived the idea of winning over Mao Sui for his own use

Zhao Kuo was not so narcissistic as to think that after exuding an aura of dominance, Mao Sui would wholeheartedly become his subordinate. One cannot rush to eat hot tofu; everything must be done step by step. He stood up and patted Mao Sui on the shoulder, saying: "Zhao Kuo is very eager to be friends with you, as friends."

"Tian Fen, this is the State of Zhao. You, a man from Qi, had better not be arrogant. If you do not know what is good for you, be careful of your head." Zhao Ba wore a smile, yet his words were far from polite

Zhao Kuo felt as if his heart were a clear mirror, secretly laughing at Zhao Sheng's performance, and said: "Your Majesty, you are being too modest. As the saying goes, 'In a large forest, there are all kinds of birds.' Even Lord Mengchang has his share of petty thieves and rogues around him! This is nothing; it is just a pity about Zhao Kuo's attire."

Mao Sui was unaware of Zhao Kuo's identity, but the fact that the latter could serve as the chief at the residence of Lord Pingyuan indicated a status of considerable esteem. Such a person was beyond his reach for friendship, so how could he possibly refuse Zhao Kuo's invitation? He smiled and said, "Then we must be quick, for my stomach is already growling."

Mao Sui was not polite; he poured himself a large bowl of wine, drank it with great satisfaction, and then grabbed a pig's trotter to gnaw on.

One should not judge a person by their appearance. Zhao Kuo found this statement to be reasonable. If it were not for preconceived notions, he truly would not dare to associate the person before him, who had a rather unsightly appearance, with the renowned Mao Sui, whose name has been passed down through the ages. Upon seeing Mao Sui readily agree, he said: "This place is noisy and disturbs the mind; let us find a quiet spot to enjoy a drink properly"

Tian Fen shouted loudly and jumped in front of Zhao Ba, saying: "Rest assured, I like you so much that I will definitely face you one-on-one. How could I bear to play with anyone else...!"

Zhao Ba did not expect Zhao Kuo to still be able to laugh at this moment, speaking out loud. Could it be that he was scared silly? He could not help but feel contempt for these young aristocrats who had no courage at all, they deserved to die.

One should stand tall in the world, yet the gentleman at Zhao Sheng's residence cannot even have a meal of cold rice. Should he continue to live such a life? Zhao Kuo pointed out the window and said, "The sky is high, allowing birds to fly freely; why must the gentleman confine himself to a cage?"

"What are you still doing here? Step back." Zhao Sheng dismissed Tian Fen and turned to Zhao Kuo with a smile, saying, "The attendants have been lax in their discipline, causing my esteemed nephew to be startled. I apologize on their behalf and hope that my esteemed nephew will not take it to heart."

"Are you just here to watch the excitement? The hall in front is not a place we can go to. If we want to eat in the front hall, we will have to endure for another two or three years!" A well-fed person said to the man from the third watch, "You might as well stay here honestly! Otherwise, you might find that there is nothing for you to eat at every meal."

Mao Sui was once again taken aback; Zhao Kuo's remark "The sky is high and the birds can fly freely" struck at the very core of his carefree nature. He truly disliked the feeling of being constrained, yet a person in dire straits must rely on others to achieve something. He had no right to choose!

After Zhao Kuo changed his clothes, he took the opportunity to stroll around the residence of Lord Pingyuan. The more he looked, the more he liked the environment here. If one could live in such an elegant setting, their mood would surely be vastly different, and even their lifespan would likely increase. Zhao Sheng truly knows how to enjoy life.

When Tian Fen caught sight of Zhao Kuo, he felt that the strategy he had discussed with Zhao Ba had been seen through. Moreover, Zhao Kuo's skills astonished him even more. If he had attempted to ambush Zhao Kuo just now, his outcome would likely have been no better than that of Zhao Ba. As he was pondering this, Zhao Sheng approached.

"Good to come." Tian Fen turned to evade the sword, while simultaneously reaching out to grab Zhao Ba's shoulder. If his large hand were to grasp it firmly, Zhao Ba's entire arm would be rendered useless.

The man in his thirties chuckled self-deprecatingly and said, "Although what you said is quite reasonable, one should strive for progress in life; otherwise, what is the meaning of living? Take Lin Xiangru for example, he was merely a retainer of the eunuch Ling Lixian at first. If he had not worked hard and aspired to improve himself, he might still be struggling to make a living in the Ling family today. Therefore, it is essential to have a bit of ambition in life..."

Zhao Kuo turned around a courtyard and heard a commotion. Upon approaching, he discovered a place resembling a large dining hall, where over a hundred people were eating, creating quite a lively atmosphere. The guests also had a hierarchy; Zhao Kuo understood that not all of Lord Pingyuan's guests had the opportunity to dine in the hall. Otherwise, the three thousand guests would have overcrowded the hall. Most of those dining in this large hall were either those who had not yet gained Zhao Sheng's favor or recent arrivals seeking refuge.

Without waiting for Tian Fen to finish speaking, Zhao Ba thrust his sword towards Tian Fen's throat with great speed, clearly intending to kill him with a single stroke.

Just as Zhao Kuo speculated that Zhao Sheng was orchestrating a performance aimed at the Pei Gong during Xiang Zhuang's sword dance, Zhao Ba thrust his sword into thin air. Perhaps due to excessive force, his entire body flew forward and collided ahead, with the sword tip heading straight for Zhao Kuo's throat. Because Zhao Ba was very close to Zhao Kuo, it elicited a gasp from the crowd, and some, unable to bear the thought of Zhao Kuo meeting an untimely death, hurriedly covered their eyes.

Zhao Ba's appearance was somewhat tragic; his relatively handsome face was smeared with food grease, and a swollen bump the size of an egg protruded from his forehead. However, he no longer cared about these things. Zhao Kuo's brutal press had rendered him unconscious, and it was likely that he would not awaken anytime soon.

With a loud bang, the earthenware jug filled with wine was violently thrown to the ground, shattering into pieces. The splattered fragments and wine fell onto the dishes in front of Zhao Kuo, forcing him to abandon the delicious meal before him. He furrowed his brow and scrutinized the person who had lost their temper.

Just as Zhao Kuo was about to leave, he witnessed an amusing scene: a man, around thirty years old and with a rather disheveled appearance, hurriedly rushed in, heading straight for the rice bowl. His demeanor resembled that of a starving ghost, but the bowl had long been empty, not a single grain of rice left. The person in charge of serving the rice offered an apologetic expression before taking the bowl away.

Upon hearing Zhao Kuo's words, Mao Sui's expression changed dramatically, and he immediately burst into laughter, saying: "I have been in Handan for quite some time, and only these few words from you, my lord, are truly pleasing to hear." Mao Sui's words were by no means insincere; having endured disdain and witnessed the fickleness of society in Handan, Zhao Kuo's remarks felt like a refreshing bowl of cool water on a hot summer day, bringing immense comfort to his heart

Mao Sui was indeed taken aback by Zhao Kuo's words. Although he was down on his luck in Handan and considered somewhat dispensable at the residence of Lord Pingyuan, he was aware of the influential figures in the State of Zhao. He had already guessed that the young man before him must be of noble birth, but he did not expect him to be the son of the prominent Zhao She. He hurriedly stood up, feigning a sense of panic, and said: "So it is the second son of Lord Mafu... I apologize for my rashness, young master..."

"Is this the idea you came up with? Which of my subordinates would dare to be so audacious without my approval?" Zhao Shenghan, with a stern expression, said to his trusted aide Huan Yuan beside him, "If I were that kid, the first thing I would think of is that this was arranged by me, a bunch of useless fools." Zhao Sheng was also very angry at Zhao Ba, who was lying unconscious on the ground. He usually thought Zhao Ba had decent skills, but he never expected that when it came to a real fight, he would be so ordinary, which was extremely disappointing to him.

The situation seems somewhat amiss. Zhao Kuo noticed that Tian Fen and Zhao Ba were getting closer to him as they tussled, and he could already feel the chill brought by the two. Could it be that their fight was a ruse, and their true intention was to come after him? One cannot blame Zhao Kuo for such speculation, as Li Mu had already established enmity with Zhao Sheng. Zhao Sheng did not dare to openly kill him, but the possibility of creating accidents through some underhanded tactics was extremely high.

Zhao Sheng snorted and said, "Someone go and carry Zhao Ba out, that disgraceful thing."

Zhao Kuo could not help but laugh out loud; it truly followed the path he had guessed. Zhao Sheng's arrangement was indeed too childish, lacking any level of sophistication, which really raises doubts about whether the intelligence of one of the Four Young Masters of the Warring States has encountered some issues.

Zhao Kuo laughed and said, "What manners are there to speak of? This is true character! My father is Zhao She, and I am his unworthy son, Zhao Kuo..." At this time, Zhao Kuo was only in his teens and had not yet gained any notoriety, so he first mentioned Zhao She’s name to prevent Mao Sui from underestimating him.

Zhao Kuo observed the fight between Zhao Ba and Tian Fen while assessing the skills of both individuals. This was his first encounter with figures that could be deemed as heroes. He thought to himself that they indeed possessed the qualities of a hero. Although they could not be compared to the fictional martial arts masters capable of slaying a dinosaur with a single strike, it was true that a mere dozen or so people could not approach them easily.