Chapter 5: Misunderstanding the World's Pleasures

  He nodded in satisfaction as he saw that Wei Xin was eager to learn, and after dismissing the singing girl who had been serving wine, he beckoned Yan Xiuyin to come closer and said in a low voice: "The greatest advantage of firearms is the cannon, and the advantage of the cannon lies in the power of gunpowder. The military arsenal and the three warehouses have stored high-quality gunpowder specifically for the imperial guards in Beijing, which was purchased from Xia Guo's top-grade products. Normally, a fire lance requires three or two liang of medicine, but this fine medicine only needs seven qian, and what is even more difficult to obtain is that the powder is pure and uniform, and if properly stored, it will not be easily dampened. As long as you test the amount of medicine filled each time, it will be exactly the same every time. If the cannon uses this medicine, it will be easy to operate, the cannonball will fly far, the force will be powerful and mighty, and it will be extremely unlikely to explode."

  Wanyan Zongbi was overjoyed when he heard this, the Jurchen people were not afraid of a field battle with the Khitan people, but they could not overcome the strong defenses of Huanglong Prefecture. This time, on his mission to the Southern Court, his father's greatest hope was to buy from the Song Dynasty cannons and gunpowder that would be advantageous in attacking cities. It was as if heaven was granting their wish, sending this white official who was skilled in firearms right before their eyes. Wanyan Xiyin praised him, saying: "Your words are worth more than a hundred thousand brave soldiers, our entire tribe of tens of thousands of old and young people all feel deeply grateful to you." At the same time, he personally poured wine for Bai Muxin.

  Bai Maoxin looked at the two of them with a drunken gaze, his eyes narrowing as he took in their flattering appearance. He felt a surge of pleasure and said in a low voice, "If there's enough gold, I can discuss it with the three officials and exchange this batch of high-quality gunpowder, along with some top-grade cannons, for the two of you. It's not impossible."

  Three men conferred for a moment, and then Bai Muxin left with satisfaction. Wanyan Zongbi asked Wanyan Xiyin to call in the rough man Wanyan Zonghan who was waiting outside to come in and finish off the remaining food and drink together. As he ate, Wanyan Zonghan teased the singing girls, laughing and scolding: "If we capture Liaoyang Prefecture in the future, I'll snatch ten or a hundred of these women back, and when I'm happy, I'll have a good time with them; when I'm not happy, I'll beat them up, and then take them to the grasslands to trade for horses."

  Wanyan Zongbi and Wanyan Xiyin ignored his ravings, discussing how to make up the amount of money promised to Bai Maoxin. After calculating for half a day, they found that all the gold they had brought was still short by 2,000 guan. The two decided to take valuable items such as pearls and precious knives from their persons to pawn outside in exchange for cash, hoping to make up the amount. Wanyan Zongbi said in a low voice, "Heaven is helping our clan; if the Jurchen Wanyan tribe prospers in the future, we must establish our national title as 'Great Jin', taking the meaning of being invincible."

  The moon was high in the sky, and the largest wine house in Bianliang, Xichun Building, was still brightly lit, shining like daylight. The sound of music and instruments filled the air. In the spacious third floor hall, Crown Prince Zhao Ke was smiling and chatting with Chen Dong, a Confucian scholar. Besides Xue Zheng Qin Hui and Luo Rujin, an official from the Ministry of Justice, there was also Zhao Yan, the prince's study companion.

  At this time, a team of eighteen veiled dancers entered the room, led by the lead dancer. The dancers swayed their waists to the music, and the small silver bells on their wrists rang out in rhythm, revealing their slender figures hidden behind the thin veil. The prince Zhao Ke stared straight at the most beautiful lead dancer in the middle, his gaze seeming to burn with desire as if he wanted to lift her veil. Qin Hui bowed his head and drank by himself, while Luo Rujin and Zhao Yan exchanged a smile. Chen Dong, however, furrowed his brow.

  The dance ended, the dancers all crouched on the ground, only the lead dancer in the middle was half-kneeling and presenting a cup of fine wine to the prince's face. A pair of eyes boldly stared at Zhao Ke. Zhao Ke was extremely pleased to drink the fine wine in one gulp, and laughed loudly: "Lift up your head, let me take a look at your appearance."

  "Yes, Your Highness." The dancing girl was quite obedient and gentle, following orders to slightly lift her head, lightly remove her veil, revealing her face. Even Zhao Ke, who was used to seeing beautiful women, couldn't help but take a deep breath. Her face was like a lotus flower, her lips like cherry blossoms, her skin as smooth as white jade without any blemishes, with a hint of shyness in her charming eyes. Even Qin Xue, who had always been particular about his demeanor, secretly sighed in admiration, thinking that this beautiful woman's encounter with the prince was indeed her good fortune.

  Under Zhao Ke's stunned gaze, Chen Dong, who was sitting beside him, lightly cleared his throat and whispered: "In the north, there is a beauty, one smile can conquer the city, another smile can conquer the country." Everyone turned to look at him, but he asked Zhao Yan beside him: "I'm not well-versed in literature, I've forgotten the next two lines of Li Yannian's poem." Zhao Yan was somewhat embarrassed and didn't speak. The next two lines were: "Rather than knowing about conquering cities and countries, it's hard to find another beauty like her." Luo Ruyin thought to herself: "Chen Shaoyang usually claims to be a romantic, but today he's pretending to be a righteous gentleman, advising the prince not to indulge in carnal desires. This act is making people uncomfortable."

  Zhao Ke felt a bit out of place, coughed and thought to himself: "Chen Shaoyang is indeed a straightforward person. At this moment when he's being used, I shouldn't let him feel cold-hearted." He waved his hand for the dancing girls to all retreat.

  "Shǎo Yáng not only excelled in knowledge, but also did a great deed in the countryside." Luó Rǔ Jī cleverly changed the subject and said, "In the early years of Xuān Hé, when the treacherous party's influence was at its peak, he united with 500 local gentry from Rùn Zhōu Dān Yáng and over a million common people to jointly petition for the abolition of the Fang Tian Jun Tax Law, Mi Yu Fa, and Shi Yi Fa, shocking the entire country. In the second year of Xuān Hé, the imperial court abolished the Fang Tian Jun Tax Law, and Shǎo Yáng was also a meritorious minister." The crowd burst into laughter, knowing that the abolition of the Fang Tian Jun Tax Law was a proud achievement of the old party's attack on the new law. Zhao Kē deliberately sought to win over Chen Dōng, and everyone applauded in praise.

  Zi Tazi Zhao Ke, Luo Rujin and Zhao Yan were all old residents of Bianliang, and they didn't understand the local situation very well. Chen Dong explained: "The imperial court's land tax law divides the land into five grades for taxation, with the intention of making the burden even, but the lower officials use this as an opportunity to embezzle, and the clerks extort money from the countryside, making the poor bear a heavier burden. The local bullies take advantage of this to classify their land as the lowest grade in order to avoid taxes. In reality, the implementation has led to complaints from the people all over the southeastern provinces. I am simply doing what is right and pleading for the people."

  The southeastern provinces are the main source of taxes for the imperial court, and under the repeated exploitation, they have long been unbearable, with people's minds in disarray, and a hidden trend of widespread unrest. The local gentry formed societies to resist the government, and heretical teachings took advantage of the situation to rise up, widely recruiting followers everywhere, and a great change is imminent.

  Chen Dong was about to speak up, but Zhao Ke said: "Someone as young and talented as Shao Yang will surely become a pillar of the imperial court in the future." He turned his wine cup with his right hand and leaned over to Qin Hui, saying, "Nowadays, the treacherous party is manipulating the evaluation of officials' appointments. If Shao Yang wants to serve early, he must participate in the imperial examination and trouble you, sir, to send a message to the Ministry of Rites to select talents for the country." Qin Hui smiled slightly and agreed, as two of his friends from the same year were working in the Ministry of Rites. Although their ranks were not high, they could be used. Chen Dong knew that Zhao Ke wanted the officials at the Ministry of Rites to let him enter the palace examination, but he frowned and couldn't refuse the crown prince's kindness on the spot, so he just thanked him with a bow.

  Zhao Ke saw Chen Dong's unease and smiled slightly, saying: "I deeply believe in Shaoyang's talent, but in today's world, just having talent is not enough." He turned to ask Qin Hui, "Does Zhao Ji really want to participate in the imperial examination?" Qin Hui nodded, and Zhao Ke sneered, "He's indeed reckless, relying on his father's influence to act so wildly. The soup has already been mixed for this year's exam." He said expectantly to Chen Dong, "Although the Ministry of Rites is not a problem, Shaoyang still needs to prepare well and make those arrogant ones who are not worthy of their position stumble in the palace examination."

  As he came out of the Xihua Building, Luo Rujin noticed that Zhao Ke turned his head and took a glance, thinking to himself: "The prince is still infatuated with that beauty, why not buy that dancer and send her to the East Palace? The crown prince will also remember my kindness." He immediately found an excuse to return, negotiated the price with the madam of the brothel, and first did not allow the dancer to come out again, in order to prevent the crown prince from misunderstanding. However, he did not take her back home, but instead continued to keep her in the brothel, waiting for an opportunity to send her into the East Palace.

  The next day, Luo Rujin wanted to buy some more jewelry for the dancer to wear, in order to win over the prince's heart. He personally went to Bianzhentang, the largest pawnshop in Bianliang, where one could often find rare treasures that couldn't be found at ordinary jewelers, and at a lower price. As soon as he stepped inside, he heard three barbarians arguing with the shopkeeper. Luo Rujin didn't want to be in the same room as these barbarians, but when his eyes fell on the pawnshop's counter, he couldn't look away.

  All that was seen was a thumb-sized pearl wrapped in colorful silk thread, the pearl itself was pure white and crystal clear, flawless, with excellent color. Next to the pearl, an ancient knife with a Han-style ring-shaped handle was placed.

  At this time, Wanyan Xiyin was loudly arguing with the shop assistant: "This Dongzhu and treasure knife are both rare treasures, even if they were to be sold for 1,000 guan it would still be very cheap. How can you still haggle over the price?" A sly-looking shop assistant said: "A broken old iron knife is only worth a few guan, yet you want to sell it for 1,000 guan? You barbarian has lost your mind!"

  Lu Ruojing's eyes fell on the pearl, and he was quite moved. He was about to speak when he heard Zhao Yan's voice behind him say, "Wang Chao Feng, have you recently acquired any good antiques?" Without waiting for Wang Chao Feng to respond, Zhao Yan made a sound of surprise and stepped into the shop, wearing a white Confucian robe and a blue leisure hat. He was holding a folding fan, which he tapped against his leg as he walked, and the jade pendant on the end of the fan swayed back and forth. With an air of elegance, he bowed slightly to Lu Ruojing, then picked up the scabbard on the counter and began to caress it without asking permission. Lu Ruojing thought this was strange, as Zhao Yan usually only liked collecting antiques and had no interest in swords or other heavy objects.

  The Wang dynasty respectfully greeted the big customer and said with a smile: "Zhao Gongzi's arrival is very timely, recently received a Xu Xi's 'Peony Picture'." Zhao Yan seemed to have not heard, directly raised his head and asked Wan Yan Xiyin: "How much does this knife cost?" Wan Yan Xiyin saw that there was a connoisseur, his heart moved, and he said in a low voice: "This is an ancestral treasure knife, if the young master likes it, take it for 2,000 guan." But Wan Yan Zongbiao said: "This knife will not be sold at any price."

  Zhao Yan heard this and became anxious, saying: "How can we not sell?" Luo Ruijin shook his head secretly in his heart. This prime minister's son was born into a wealthy family and didn't understand the ways of the world. He was also the crown prince's study companion, wasting a good position. He coughed, walked forward slowly, picked up the knife, looked at it, and sighed: "Although it's an antique, unfortunately, it's too old and worn out. It doesn't have gold or jade inlays, so it's obviously not something used by royalty. Five hundred taels is already a high price; do you want to be greedy?" Zhao Yan didn't like hearing this and was about to retort when Luo Ruijin grabbed his right hand. Luo Ruijin stared into his eyes and said in a low voice: "Your family has vast wealth, but we can't let these scoundrels take advantage of us." Zhao Yan saw that he had some idea in mind, so he fell silent.

  Lu Ruojing saw that the three barbarians had rough faces, their hair tied up in a messy bun on top of their heads, and the brocade robes under their leather jackets were cheap goods. It was clear that they were new to the Central Plains and did not understand the market price of jewelry and antiques in Bianjing. He shook his head and said to Wanyan Xiyin and the other two Jurchen women, "This pearl, I'll give you a price of 1,500 guan, the knife is worth 500 guan, for a total of 2,000 guan, can't go any higher." Just as Wanyan Zongbiao was about to refuse, Wanyan Xiyin said in Jurchen, "We've run through over ten pawnshops, this place has the highest price. It's a big deal!" Wanyan Zongbiao's eyes flashed with a complex expression, this precious knife was given to him by his father when he was 14 years old, after he shot and killed a large bear for the first time. He clenched his fist, looking at Wanyan Xiyin like an enemy, and closed his mouth.

  Wanyan Xiyin let out a sigh of relief, turned his head and smiled at Luo Rujin: "This knife is indeed a treasure, capable of cutting through gold and jade." He saw the disdain in Luo Rujin's eyes, and it seemed that Zhao Gongzi was also being suppressed by him. So he said, "Great official, you have good taste. Alright, 3,000 taels in total, take both the knife and the pearls."

  Lu Rujin was about to haggle over the price, but Zhao Yan couldn't help himself and hastily said: "Good, just as you said." He was afraid that these three barbarians would regret it, so he immediately took out the contract and handed it over to Wanyan Xiyin. After the Jurchen people left, Zhao Yan handed the Eastern Pearl to Lu Rujin. Without waiting for him to speak, he turned around and picked up the precious sword, carefully stroking the inscription on the scabbard with his hand while smiling: "Today I can be said to have picked up a treasure."

  "Isn't it that Lord Zhao knows the origin of this precious sword?" Zhao Yan smiled and handed the sword to Wang Chaofeng, looking rather pleased with himself. "Can you recognize the inscription on it?" Wang Chaofeng took the sword with both hands, examined it carefully for a moment, and said with a hint of embarrassment, "I don't know." Zhao Yan chuckled and pointed at the two lines of ancient-looking inscriptions on the scabbard, reciting them slowly and deliberately: "Ancient sharp weapons, Wu Chu Zhan Lu, Great Xia Long Que, famous crown of the divine capital. Can be used to cherish distant lands, can be used to subdue the barbarians; like a gust of wind sweeping away grass, awe-inspiring in all nine regions. The world is at peace."

  "This is the Longyuan Dadao worn by Helian Bobo, the Khan of Xia State at the end of the Jin Dynasty." Zhao Yan said, exerting force to pull out the Longyuan from its black scabbard. He didn't expect the sword to be quite heavy, and as his right hand sank, he saw a faint blood glow flowing along the blade, accompanied by a slight tremble, emitting a low hum, as if this divine sword was unwilling to submit to a weak hand and was crying out in protest.

  "It seems like an ordinary ancient sword," Luo Rujin thought to himself, "but it has brought a fortune to this Zhao Yan. The Xia Kingdom values martial arts, and the origin of this Long Que knife bears the character 'Xia'. If I were to resell this sword in Chang'an, high-ranking officials and nobles would surely compete to buy it at a high price, and it might even sell for over 10,000 taels."

  Back in the mansion, Zhao Yan was about to hang the Dragon Bird Ring Head Knife in his study when his mother, Guo Shi, walked in with Qin Xue Zheng's wife, Wang Shi, and told him about being rejected by the Li family for a marriage proposal.

  "The Chancellor's family condescended to form an alliance with another family, and Li Xuezheng was also too unappreciative. " Wang said indignantly, unable to fulfill the Chancellor's son's wish, she also felt embarrassed.

  "Has Miss Li really been betrothed to someone else? I wonder which family's young master it is?" Zhao Yan said, somewhat disheartened.

  "I've asked around, and it turns out that Zhao Xingde, who is studying at the Imperial Academy, is the son of Zhao Tingxin, a former Dragon Throne Pavilion attendant who was demoted and exiled to his death. Apparently, this marriage had been arranged by the elders of both families long ago. The Li family's child is also an unlucky one, thanks to her stubborn and old-fashioned father, who refused to marry off his daughter to a current prime minister's son, but instead wants to marry her into that declining household." Madam Wang comforted.

  Madam Zhao saw her son's appearance as if he had lost his soul, and her heart ached. She furrowed her brow and asked Wang Shi: "Now that Zhao Shilang has passed away, and the two families have not gone through the formalities of engagement, is there no room for turning things around?"

  Wang's face showed a difficult expression, and he replied: "I also advised him in the same way, and even Mrs. Li was somewhat moved. However, Li Xuezheng had made up his mind to marry his daughter to Zhao Xingde. With the imperial examination approaching, in order to let Zhao Xingde prepare with peace of mind, he actually allowed him to stay at the Li residence to study, and after this year's examination, they would proceed with the wedding." After speaking, he hummed a somewhat discontented tune.