Chapter 442: The Ming Dynasty’s “If You Are the One”
The city gate was as congested as ever, a constant stream of people coming and going. Yet the moment the thunder of galloping hooves approached—the group of officials’ sons charging in on horseback—the crowd scattered like startled birds and beasts. Even the guards stationed at the gate hurriedly stepped aside, making way.
In a feudal society, status and power were the best pass. This was an unshakable truth.
Zhu Ping’an rode along with the group of aristocratic youths as they passed through the city gate. The guards nodded and bowed, watching respectfully as the horses disappeared into the distance. Since arriving in the capital to sit for the metropolitan examination, this was the first time Zhu Ping’an had left the imperial city.
How long it had been since he had smelled the earth.
How long it had been since he had seen green hills and open fields.
Seated on horseback, Zhu Ping’an gazed at the lush, rolling countryside in the distance. A light breeze carried with it the fragrance of soil. Letting the reins slacken, he allowed the horse to choose its own pace, his mood lifting naturally, bright and carefree.
After leaving the capital, they galloped along the official road for a while before turning onto a smaller path. The narrow road led them into a forest that had been remarkably well preserved. Many of the trees were over a century old, their towering trunks rising straight toward the heavens. High above, branches spread wide, blotting out clouds and wind alike, slicing the sunlight into fragments that fell in mottled patterns across the ground.
Beyond the forest lay a stretch of low hills. Past those low slopes rose continuous ranges of steep mountains and dense woodland, rolling endlessly into the distance.
“Brother-in-law, this place here is called Golden Rooster Ridge,” Fatty Zhou said, slowing his horse and turning his head toward Zhu Ping’an. “If you go over to that rock there and stomp on it a few times, you’ll hear a clanging sound, just like a rooster crowing. That’s how this place got its name.”
“Mm.” Zhu Ping’an nodded and slowed his horse as well.
He was very satisfied with the fine steed beneath him. Compared to that ridiculous black horse from before—the so-called ‘Shamate Black Horse’—this one was a true horse: fast, intelligent, responsive, and obedient. In every respect, it surpassed that other one by a hundredfold.
While Fatty Zhou and Zhu Ping’an chatted leisurely, the group of officials’ sons ahead gradually reined in their horses and gathered in an open clearing. One of them was animatedly proposing something, drawing cheers and enthusiastic agreement from the others.
Seeing this, Fatty Zhou’s curiosity was instantly piqued. He squeezed his horse’s sides and hurried over, looking so eager it was as if arriving late would mean missing out on a priceless opportunity.
Zhu Ping’an, by contrast, rode toward the group at an unhurried pace.
The reason he wasn’t in a rush was simple: he had already understood what the young noble in the center was saying just by reading his lips. There was no real interest in joining the excitement.
From the exaggerated lip movements, it was clear that the flamboyant young noble was proposing a horse race. They would ride around the hill and take a rarely used side path to the spring outing’s gathering ground. Rankings would determine the order in which they entered the hunting grounds—the first to arrive could enter and hunt first, while the rest would follow in sequence.
By the time Zhu Ping’an rode up, the proposal had already been unanimously approved. Fatty Zhou was visibly itching with anticipation, thighs rubbing eagerly against his horse’s sides, his face flushed with excitement.
It was easy enough to understand. Horse racing appealed perfectly to youthful competitiveness, and the rankings were tied directly to hunting order. For these aristocratic youths, hunting results were a matter of family honor passed down through generations—something they had always valued deeply. A bountiful hunt would earn admiration from their peers and praise from their elders, even influencing future military postings or official appointments.
There was another factor that could not be ignored.
The spring outing and hunt were not attended by men alone. There would be countless young women as well—daughters of dukes and marquises, beauties from scholarly households, and even refined ladies and modest young women who came hoping to be seen. This spring excursion was practically the ancient version of a grand matchmaking event.
Given that, it was no wonder the hormones of these young nobles were running wild.
Once the race was settled, everyone dismounted to rest. Their attendants were sent ahead to clear obstacles along the race route and act as judges, ensuring fairness and preventing any cheating.
After dismounting, Fatty Zhou leaned over his horse’s head, whispering animatedly for a long time. Even without trying too hard, Zhu Ping’an could read most of it from his lips.
It was nothing more than: You’ve got to perform this time. I spent over two hundred taels of silver buying you from the northwest—you’re a thousand-li steed. If you embarrass me again, I’ll go back and stew you in red sauce. But if you help me place well, I’ll reward you with ten, eight fine mares for you to enjoy…
Threats and temptations.
The carrot and the stick—Fatty Zhou certainly knew how to use them.
The only problem was… could the horse even understand what he was saying?
During the rest, everyone fed their horses fodder and water. Fatty Zhou even started massaging his horse with great seriousness. Zhu Ping’an, on the other hand, was far more casual. He led his horse beneath a tree and let it graze freely on grass and tender leaves.
After about half an hour, both riders and horses had adjusted to peak condition, strength fully restored. One by one, they led their horses to the starting point.
The chosen starting area was a gentle hillside that stretched several hundred meters. At the end of the slope was a narrow path, and at the end of that path lay the gathering site for the various families attending the spring outing.
Though there were many participants, the hillside was wide enough for everyone to line up side by side, making the starting line fairly even. As for the narrow path ahead—only wide enough for two or three horses—what happened there would depend entirely on individual skill.
“Hahaha! Fatty Zhou, you dead pig, you still dare to race?” A noble youth who knew him well pointed at Fatty Zhou’s mountain of flesh and laughed loudly. “Why bother? You might as well accept your fate and enter the grounds last.”
After that remark, many of the others joined in laughing at Fatty Zhou. His bulky body had always been a disadvantage, and though he had raced many times, aside from a few rare exceptions, he almost always came in last. On a few occasions, his poor horse had even been so exhausted that it foamed at the mouth and rolled its eyes.
“Go to hell, you damn monkey brat!” Fatty Zhou shot back immediately. He then patted the neck of the horse beneath him and boasted loudly, “You know what kind of horse this is? Even those famous sweat-blood horses from the northwest can’t hold a candle to it!”
“Oh, spare us,” the other youth laughed. “Last time you said your horse was descended from Dilu, didn’t you? And you still finished last. What, can’t accept losing? Fine—how about we add a wager? Whoever loses treats the winner to a whole month with a female songstress.”
“Deal! Who’s afraid of who?” Fatty Zhou lifted his chin and accepted without hesitation, his face brimming with confidence in the expensive steed he had purchased.
Compared to the crowd’s burning eagerness, Zhu Ping’an was much calmer. He guided his horse along within the group, wearing the unmistakable air of someone just tagging along for fun—a stark contrast to Fatty Zhou, who was red-faced and straining with excitement.