Chapter Fifty-Seven: Minister Zhou

"Senior Brother is back," said one of the younger apprentices, stepping forward to greet him.

Yu Hualiang looked at the man and sighed inwardly. Who is this person, and how does he carry himself with even more presence than I do... The Yu Family Painting Society truly pales in comparison to the Qionglin Guild.

Zhou Yibai had arrived in haste this time, exchanging only a few words with his fellow apprentices before announcing that he needed several painters to accompany him on a commission.

He glanced at the group and selected a few at random, prepared to leave promptly. Yet, among the crowd, Yu Hualiang's calm demeanor made him all the more conspicuous.

"You! Yes, you!" Zhou Yibai pointed at him.

Yu Hualiang was still dazed when the apprentice beside him congratulated him cheerfully, "Congratulations! The senior brother has chosen you. Hurry and join him in the carriage."

"Ah? Where are we going?"

Zhou Yibai, seeing his hesitation, clicked his tongue impatiently. "Yes, you. Get in the carriage, we’re leaving now!"

The apprentice urged him on, "Brother, get in quickly. This is an urgent job today, so the pay must be generous."

"Where are we going?" Yu Hualiang asked.

Zhou Yibai frowned. "Ah, junior brother, get in first. I'll explain along the way."

With no other options, Yu Hualiang squeezed into the carriage, only for Zhou Yibai to stop him. "That one's full. Ride with me."

Still puzzled, Yu Hualiang climbed into Zhou Yibai's carriage. As Zhou Yibai looked back at Ye Hao, who was following them, Yu Hualiang interjected with a smile, "He's with me."

Since Zhou Yibai was clearly in a hurry, he allowed Ye Hao in as well.

After the carriage had traveled some distance, Zhou Yibai turned to Yu Hualiang and asked, "Junior brother, what is your name?"

Yu Hualiang hesitated. Given his notoriety and Qionglin Guild’s grudge against him, if he revealed his true identity, Zhou Yibai might throw him out of the carriage.

"Uh... My name is Yu... Ri Tian," he said after a moment's thought.

Zhou Yibai blinked. "Uh... Ri... Brother Yu."

Was the name difficult to say? Yu Hualiang replied simply, "Brother Zhou."

"When did you join the Qionglin Guild? Your face is unfamiliar," Zhou Yibai inquired.

"Yesterday," Yu Hualiang replied.

"Really? Only yesterday?" Zhou Yibai seemed surprised.

Yu Hualiang wasn’t sure why he was being questioned but replied truthfully. He had, indeed, just joined the previous day.

"Why do you ask, Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Yibai looked him up and down. "Impressive! Only yesterday, and you’re already ranked as a third-grade painter."

"Third-grade? What do you mean?" Yu Hualiang was bewildered. Wasn’t he a first-grade painter? And how did Zhou Yibai know his rank?

Zhou Yibai nodded towards the plum blossoms embroidered on his robe. "Seven blossoms for first grade, five for third, two for fifth."

Upon his hint, Yu Hualiang glanced at his robes and saw, indeed, five red plum blossoms stitched there.

So, the Qionglin Guild’s attire had such significance?

Enlightened, Yu Hualiang nodded. Zhou Yibai continued, "What do you specialize in, Brother Yu?"

"I dabble in everything," Yu Hualiang answered honestly. "But mostly portraits."

"Excellent! That’s exactly what we need. We’re going to paint portraits."

"Where exactly are we going?" Yu Hualiang asked, curiosity piqued.

Zhou Yibai replied frankly, "There’s another war coming. I have a friend in the camp. He and his soldiers rarely leave the barracks and often grow homesick. They’d like some portraits to send home... Once on the battlefield, who knows if they’ll ever return."

Hearing this, Yu Hualiang felt a pang of sorrow. So that’s what this was about. He sighed, "Alas... Another war."

Zhou Yibai cautioned him, "Brother Yu, best not to speak such things openly. We are subjects of the court and must be careful. There are always those ready to twist our words."

Yu Hualiang hadn’t realized the gravity of such remarks and immediately took the lesson to heart. "You’re right, Brother Zhou. Thank you for the advice."

Zhou Yibai smiled and then turned to Ye Hao. "And you, brother, what’s your name?"

Ye Hao’s face remained impassive as ever. "I wouldn’t dare call myself brother to Lord Zhou."

Zhou Yibai laughed. "No need to be so formal. I am but a humble painter."

"Lord?" Yu Hualiang was startled. So Zhou Yibai held such a rank?

Zhou Yibai smiled wryly. "Just a steward over the court painters, nothing more. Though I hold the title, I’m much the same as you."

Yu Hualiang, familiar with the hierarchy of court officials, knew the ministers were of six departments: History, Revenue, Justice, War, Works, and Rites, with vice-ministers under them.

Currently, Lian Sheng was a Painting Vice-Minister; Zhou’s title meant he was a minister—Lian Sheng’s superior.

Yu Hualiang seized the opportunity. "Lord Zhou, do you know Meng Lian Sheng?"

"You know Lian Sheng?" Zhou Yibai responded.

Yu Hualiang nodded.

"He’s from the Yu Family Painting Society. Always arguing his case, difficult to deal with. How do you know him?"

Yu Hualiang swallowed nervously. Was that how Zhou Yibai saw Lian Sheng? But truth be told, Lian Sheng could be exasperating.

If Lian Sheng ever offended his superior, what would he do? Yu Hualiang felt anxious on his behalf.

"But sometimes he’s quite considerate. He’s helped me a lot," Zhou Yibai added with a chuckle.

"As long as he hasn’t caused you trouble..." Yu Hualiang replied.

"It’s usually me troubling him. Hmm? What’s your relationship with him?"

Yu Hualiang pressed, "Do you know Yu Hualiang?"

Zhou Yibai thought for a moment before laughing. "The lovesick fool who jumped into the river for his beauty? Who doesn’t know that story in the capital?"

Yu Hualiang sighed. Couldn’t he avoid mentioning that part?

Zhou Yibai went on, "I hear he’s joined our Qionglin Guild recently, strutting around with no end of pride."

Yu Hualiang felt a chill down his spine. Perhaps it was best not to reveal his identity.

"But you haven’t told me how you know Lian Sheng," Zhou Yibai pressed.

Yu Hualiang laughed awkwardly. "I’ve only heard about him, met him a few times. He seems a decent fellow."

"He really is. Good, I’m glad you two are acquainted. He’s here today as well."

Yu Hualiang froze. "He is?"

If Lian Sheng saw him in Qionglin Guild’s colors, disgracing the Yu family, he’d surely have his head.

Zhou Yibai noticed his expression. "What’s wrong, Brother Yu? Don’t want to see him?"

"No, no..." Yu Hualiang hurried to explain.

Before he could say more, the carriage arrived.

Stepping out, Yu Hualiang saw a vast military encampment, tents like yurts, and towering watchtowers on either side.

Though he’d seen such scenes on television, seeing it for real set his heart racing. The dream of every man: to shoulder a rifle and blade, to fight heroically and become a legend. The drills echoed through the valley, stirring the spirit.

Following Zhou Yibai, Yu Hualiang wove through the tents to a barracks.

It was the soldiers’ quarters, and the air was far from pleasant. Some painters were already wrinkling their noses.

The soldiers inside brightened at their arrival.

The man in charge seemed to know Zhou Yibai and greeted him with a laugh, "You’re here? Hurry, Brother Zhou, or we’ll miss the drills."

Zhou Yibai nodded, "Don’t worry, Brother Li."

The painters were then paired with soldiers. Yu Hualiang was assigned a tall man with a scar across his face—a formidable sight.

The man seemed to be at least six foot three, towering over Yu Hualiang like a wall of brass.

Yu Hualiang looked up, "Please, take a seat."

The man sat and continued to fix his gaze on him, making Yu Hualiang uneasy. Beside him, Ye Hao also stared with a stern expression.

Not wanting the two to start a fight, Yu Hualiang chatted as he sketched.

"What’s your name, brother?"

The soldier was not unfriendly. "Wang Hui."

"So, Brother Wang, how long have you served?"

Wang Hui’s eyes fell. "Five years."

Yu Hualiang paused his brush. "And your family?"

"Home is in Jincheng. I have an elderly mother, a wife, and two children."

As he spoke, joy and longing flickered across his face, and Yu Hualiang noted both.

He’d truly endured much. "Have you been home since enlisting?" Yu Hualiang asked.

"Never..."

Yu Hualiang glanced at his sketch. "If you have something you’d like to say to your family, I can write it down and send it with the portrait."

Wang Hui’s face lit up. "Thank you, Master Painter."

"No need for thanks, Brother Wang. You soldiers have it tough..."

At this, Wang Hui’s expression clouded. Yu Hualiang was about to offer comfort when the sound of a scuffle broke out behind him.

He turned to see Ye Hao pressing the soldier who’d spoken with Zhou Yibai to the ground.

Yu Hualiang rushed to intervene. The soldier, pointing at him, shouted, "Well! A mere painter dares disrupt the morale of the army! Arrest him!"

Zhou Yibai hurried over to mediate. "Brother Li, what’s going on?"

"He’s disturbing the ranks! Such a crime is punishable by death!"

Yu Hualiang was aggrieved—he’d only chatted with Wang Hui about family, how was that a crime?

Wang Hui knelt, pleading, "Brother Li, this painter meant no harm. Please, forgive him."

The other soldiers, though silent, looked at Yu Hualiang with gratitude.

Yu Hualiang felt he had done nothing special, yet being trusted and appreciated was a good feeling.

"You’re all planning a mutiny, is that it?" the soldier named Li bellowed.

No one dared speak. Zhou Yibai stepped in to smooth things over. "Calm down, Brother Li. The newcomer didn’t know better, just spoke a few careless words. Don’t take it to heart."

Brother Li glared at Yu Hualiang. "Hmph! Don’t let me see you again!"

Yu Hualiang frowned, and Ye Hao wanted to step forward, but Yu Hualiang restrained him and replied politely, "Understood."

Satisfied by his compliance, Li stormed off, and Zhou Yibai hurried after him.

Wang Hui turned to Yu Hualiang. "Please don’t take it to heart, Master Painter. In the barracks, talk of home is discouraged. On the eve of battle, nothing is more feared than shaken morale. I hope you understand..."

Yu Hualiang smiled. "It was my fault. Let’s continue with the portrait."

A while later, footsteps sounded behind them.

"Vice Minister of Painting..." The title sent a chill down Yu Hualiang’s spine.

"You. Turn around," Lian Sheng ordered.