Chapter 17: A Word Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold (Second Update)

  Li Bai was exceptionally talented, with a vast knowledge and a reputation that spread far and wide. His poetry was renowned throughout the land, and he was a man of high moral character, almost flawless. Yet, despite his many admirable qualities, he had one major shortcoming: he was lacking in interpersonal skills and how he conducted himself in life. This was Li Bai's greatest weakness.

  Li Bai's heart was set on serving the country, but he had no way to serve the country. His inability to get along with others and his lack of tact were major factors. With Li Bai's fame and talent, there were many people who wanted to befriend him, but his straightforward personality often led him to offend others, resulting in more enemies than friends.

  "If he can make up for Li Bai's shortcomings in handling affairs and become more tactful, with Li Bai's talent, wouldn't it shine brightly like a beacon?" Li Changguo was full of expectation and excitement.

  Li Bai's life was most admirable, but his greatest regret was that he could not serve the country. If given the opportunity to do so, with his refined and mature skills, he would have certainly shone with great brilliance.

  Don't just talk about it, even thinking about it is enough to get someone excited already.

  "Hmm, I need to find an opportunity to thoroughly wake up Li Bai." Li Changguo secretly made up his mind.

  "Li Hanlin, can you give me a treasure of ink?" Just as Li Changguo was thinking about it, he saw someone in the crowd who couldn't wait to come forward and pay respects to Li Bai, asking for his handwritten work.

  Li Bai's handwriting is so precious that it doesn't need to be said, and even Li Changguo can't help but feel a burning desire in his heart, wishing he could possess Li Bai's handwriting immediately.

  "Ready with pen and ink!"

  Li Bai was a straightforward person, whenever he was asked for something, he would definitely respond, without hesitation, and readily agreed.

  "Good!"

  A burst of applause erupted, and the diners couldn't care about eating and drinking anymore. They put down their cups and bowls, swarmed up, and surrounded Li Bai in a circle that was impenetrable. Each one stretched his neck, opened his eyes wide, and extended his hands as far as possible, as if he wanted to snatch Li Bai's brush into his own hand immediately.

  "In modern society, even idols signing for fans don't have such a grand scene!"

  Li Changguo watched with his own eyes and was deeply moved.

  "Get the writing materials ready! Get the writing materials ready! Mr. Li wants his writing materials, hurry up! Mr. Li's calligraphy is worth a thousand pieces of gold, do you want it or not? If you do, then hurry up!"

  A crowd of servants didn't need to be yelled at, they knew what to do, putting down all their work and preparing brushes and ink for Li Bai. Li Bai's treasures in ink were priceless, who wouldn't want them?

  A group of servants bustled about like they were flying, and soon the ink and brushes were ready. Li Bai took up his brush, and with a flourish, began to write. The words flowed onto the paper like clouds and mist, elegant and free-spirited, drawing forth a chorus of applause.

  "Done!" In an instant, Li Bai had finished writing.

  "I'm drunk and want to sleep, you can go!" Li Changguo took a look at what Li Bai had written and smiled knowingly.

  In the past, Li Bai got drunk on this painted barge, and when Li Guinian came to look for him, he replied with these words. Now that I've come across them, they suit my mood and the scene.

  "Mine! Mine!"

  "Give it to me! Give it to me!"

  "I beg Mr. Li Hanlin for a treasure of ink, this first piece should be mine!"

  Many guests are competing with each other, no one gives in to anyone else, just like fighting.

  Slow!

  Li Changguo's eyebrows shot up, and he suddenly stood up, letting out a loud shout that was like thunder, causing the diners to stop involuntarily, looking at him in confusion.

  "Xiaoyong Xiaowei, what's going on..." Li Bai was also puzzled, looking at Li Changguo in surprise.

  Li Changguo took the treasure from Li Bai's hand and said, "This is Li Hanlin's treasure, which is hard to come by even with a lot of money. It's extremely precious. Shouldn't you give some compensation to Li Hanlin?"

  During the time spent with Li Bai, Li Changguo understood Li Bai's circumstances, and was embarrassed to be penniless. If he hadn't met Li Changguo, Li Bai might not have even had money for food. This was a good opportunity for Li Changguo to earn money for wine and meals for Li Bai, and he wouldn't miss it.

  Li Changguo came to Chang'an, and Gao Xianzhi prepared many precious gifts for him. Li Changguo gave a small portion of them to Li Bai, which was enough for Li Bai to drink wine for ten years.

  But it's good because there is a saying: A wife from a neighboring house is good, money earned by oneself is good!

  It's better for Li Bai to take this opportunity to make a good profit than for Li Changguo to generously give him a sum of money for wine and food.

  "Impossible!" The guest had not even spoken, but Li Bai already disagreed.

  Li Changguo didn't give him a chance to speak, lowering his voice and whispering in Li Bai's ear: "Li Hanlin, you're penniless, your traveling expenses have been depleted for some time. Do you want to go hungry? I have plenty of money, giving it to you won't hurt me, but I'll let you choose between earning your own drinking money or accepting my gift."

  This question doesn't need choosing, everyone knows how to choose, Li Bai hesitates without speaking.

  "I'll pay three silver coins!"

  "Are you sending away a beggar? Li Hanlin's treasure is worth thousands of gold, and you offer three coins. Are you ashamed to say it out loud?"

  "I'll give you one or two silver coins!"

  "One or two silver coins and you have the nerve to say it? I'll give five!"

  "I'm out 6 taels!"

  "I went..."

  Just as Li Bai was hesitating, a crowd of diners responded to Li Changguo's proposal, taking out money for the tip, each calling out a higher price than the last.

  This first treasure was finally sold for eight taels of silver. The price of eight taels of silver is not low, but this gourmet has a look of picking up a treasure, and he is overjoyed and excited.

  Li Bai's treasure is worth a fortune, but he got it for eight taels of silver, which was indeed a bargain, too good to be true.

  "..." Looking at the silver ingots covered in white flowers, Li Bai found it somewhat hard to believe.

  With Li Bai's generous personality, others asked for his calligraphy, he would not refuse, and there was no case where he accepted payment for it. Perhaps he had never even thought about it, this was the first time in his life that he sold his calligraphy.

  "Li Hanlin, and me! And me!"

  They spent money to buy Li Bai's treasure, and the guests were not only enthusiastic but even more passionate, shouting loudly.

  "Hurry up!" Li Changguo nudged Li Bai with his elbow, and only then did Li Bai come to himself and continue writing.

  Whenever he finished a painting, Li Changgu would auction it off on the spot, and the highest bidder would get it.

  Li Bai's treasure is too popular, and its price has skyrocketed. Those who have obtained it are overjoyed, while those who haven't are filled with anticipation.

  Every time he wrote one, Li Changguo sold one, and the silver in front of Li Bai seemed to be breeding, more and more, in a short while, it was a big pile.

  "It turns out that selling words can also be a way to make a living!"

  Li Bai was generous and belonged to the type of person who couldn't save money. When he met with friends, he could spend a lot of money. It was because of this that when Emperor Xuanzong gave him gold and released him, Li didn't receive less reward, but he spent it all quickly, resulting in his current poverty.

  Gazing at the white flowers of the silver grass, Li Bai seemed to have gained some insight, and secretly sighed with emotion.

  It wasn't until he had been busy for nearly half a day that Li Bai finally satisfied his guests' requests and put down his brush.

  Li Changguo and Gao Miaoli helped count the silver, which was nearly two hundred taels.

  It's just a painted boat, and Li Bai's treasure can sell for so much silver. If he sets up a stall to sell his calligraphy in Qujiang, it will surely cause a sensation in Chang'an, and selling gold and silver mountains won't be a problem. It's no problem for Li Bai to sleep on a bed of gold and silver.