It was as though the clouds had parted and everyone present had seen the sun. They now understood the whole story behind paying homage to the Qing Lord more clearly. Discussion rippled through the crowd, and the truth grew clearer with every exchange.
In the end, everyone found that the young Licentiate's words-"Who are our friends, and who are our enemies? This is the foremost question"-made particular sense, as though they summed up everything Zhang Zongshi had said.
"Huh? That Licentiate Fang has left."
"Where did he go?"
"He seemed to be heading toward the river."
Zhang Zongshi gazed toward the doorway, doubt clouding his eyes, and murmured to himself, "Who are our friends, and who are our enemies? This is the foremost question. That man probably has quite a background."
His friend beside him laughed. "Zongshi, what's gotten into you? He's just a blue-robed Licentiate. What background could he have? Still, I believe he'll rise above the crowd someday."
Zhang Zongshi frowned. "When he said that just now, he seemed to make an odd movement, as though he reached under the table to grab something. Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention then. Only now do I realize something was off."
"Who knows about that sort of thing? Perhaps he needed to relieve himself? Haha, forget it. Let's keep drinking."
A moment later, Zhang Zongshi rose. "My mind won't settle. I keep feeling there's something extraordinary about him. Come, let's go look by the river. If I see him again, I'll certainly offer my calling card, make him a friend, and talk with him through the night by candlelight!" With that, he left money on the table, turned, and departed.
His two friends exchanged a glance and hurried after him.
Baling City was a renowned ancient city. Alongside its newer buildings,