Gold Tiger King - Ch. 2

The Cub and the Young Lord

Rated E Everyone

This is where the tale always starts. Somewhere between 604 and 605, Long Yen-shu became a servant under the Duke of Wugong, Li Yuan. After surviving his early childhood as a part of the Water Dragon pirates, Yen-shu was suddenly thrust into a comparatively luxurious lifestyle. Being an orphan had its perks. He didn’t have to share space in the rear-facing rooms of Li Yuan’s two courtyard house, and the work involved pleasant things like cleaning or fetching water.

However, as Yen-shu grew older and stronger, he became visibly restless. Word found its way from the maidservants to Duchess Dou who then told her husband.

“You should send the orphan to work in the fields,” she would say.

“That boy has a special heart,” Yuan would always respond. “If he is away, I won’t get to see him grow.”

One day, after an entire year of seeing Yen-shu help everyone else with their tasks because he’d finish his work so quickly, the duchess approached her husband once more.

“My love,” Dou said. “The orphan is becoming too restless. Soon he will start to spill all of the water on the way here just to make two trips. Soon he will throw stones on the roof just so he can have something to fix.”

“What would you have me do?” Yuan asked. “I have been fascinated by this child for too long. I want him to grow before my very eyes.”

“Then make a new job for him. Something that will make use of his energy.”

The duke thought long and hard about this. Meanwhile, Yen-shu did exactly as Dou predicted. When bringing water from the Wei River, the boy would make almost the entire trip before dumping on the ground in secret. Then, he would walk all the way back just so he could experience some kind of difficulty. He got so fast, that he could make three or four trips in the time it originally took him to make one. He never went as far as to damage the Li household, though.

In the year 608, Long Yen-shu was summoned by Li Yuan himself. The cub would have been around eleven at the time.

Yen-shu entered the main building where Yuan sat on a beautiful, yellow cushion. The young servant bowed before his master; a koutou in respect for the Duke of Wugong.

“Stand before me, child,” Li Yuan commanded gently.

Yen-shu looked up and did as his master instructed.

“You are only a boy yet you have the strength and stamina of a young man,” the duke said with a smirk. “I sense your duties are too menial for you.”

“Forgive me for making it seem that way, Gong Ye,” Yen-shu replied nervously.

“Do not misunderstand me,” Yuan said. “I am impressed. You work hard and well. If you were my son, I’d be very proud.”

Yen-shu smirked before flashing a cheesy grin.

“I have a new job for you,” said the boy’s master as he waved him to come closer. “Here. Sit with me.”

Yen-shu did so.

“I’ve made this job specifically for you, so you must do your best at it,” Yuan said with a smile.

Yen-shu tried to look tough and nodded viscously. This made his master chuckle.

“My second son, Li Shimin, will be advancing his studies and eventually be trained in battle,” Yuan explained. “I figured he will do better if he has a dedicated rival his own age living in the same home.”

Yen-shu’s eyes gradually widened as his master spoke.

“You will study and train alongside Shimin for the duration of your contract,” the duke declared. “Together, you can both grow into fine young men. I know you’re a bit older than him, but you must still respect him as your superior.”

The orphan slave bowed once more.

“I will not waste this opportunity, Gong Ye,” Yen-shu said shakily. He rose, revealing he was crying. “Even though I am not your son, I will make you proud!”

“Aiyoh,” Yuan exclaimed, using the sleeve of his robes to wipe Yen-shu’s tears. “A man’s tears are golden, Long Yen-shu. Do not waste them on such little things.”

#

For the next two years, Yen-shu’s daily life went as it always had. However, he didn’t have time to challenge himself anymore. As soon as Li Shimin would return from the state school for children of nobility, Yen-shu had to be at the young lord’s side. Together, they studied reading, writing, arithmetic, music, and learned various rituals. Shimin more or less ignored Yen-shu in the early days of their relationship. The cub was no more the young lord’s rival than any of his state school classmates. This was mainly because Shimin was so talented. Competition was unnecessary for him to excel.

“It doesn’t seem like Long Yen-shu is inspiring you very much, my son,” Li Yuan mentioned to his son one night. “I fear I may have given him a pointless job.”

“I don’t think so, father,” Li Shimin responded. “Yen-shu needs to learn just like me, right?”

“The boy is still a servant. If anything, he’d slow you down.”

“But I’d be lonely without him.”

“What about your friends at school?”

“I have no friends at school.”

“Don’t lie to me, son. I’ve heard great things about what your classmates think of you. And your teacher speak very highly--”

“Just because they think nice things doesn’t make them my friends.”

Li Yuan scowled at his son. Shimin bowed in apology and was dismissed by his father.

The next day, Li Shimin and Yen-shu started archery training. After receiving instruction, Shimin shot his first arrow. It hit just around the target’s clavicle. The young lord’s talent seemed to extend to martial training as well academic. However, when Yen-shu drew his bow, he was as calm yet powerful as the wind. Shimin could feel it. His rival fired the arrow and hit just off of the bullseye on the target’s head. The instructor cleared his throat and withheld any deserving praise. But Shimin was visibly impressed.

Expecting to be ignored, Yen-shu was startled when Shimin reacted with such astonishment.

“That was perfect!” Shimin shouted with a grin.

A smile crept upon Yen-shu’s lips as he was finally acknowledged by the young lord.

“Well,” the archery instructor scoffed. “It was not actually perfect. Let’s try again, my lord.”

“Alright, Yen-shu,” Shimin said as he drew his bow. “Now I have something to beat you at.”

Yen-shu beamed as he nodded. Maybe this would be his first real friend. But for now, Long Yen-shu was finally Li Shimin’s rival. The cub drew his bow. Together, he and the young lord fired their arrows.

TO BE CONTINUED