Chapter 8: King Wu of Li Yu

  A few days later, the boxing manual was completed. Qin Mubai took it and presented it to his father.

  Qin Shu Bao flipped through the boxing manual for two pages, his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes gleaming fiercely as he stared at Qin Mu Bai: "Did you write this?!"

  "Yes."

  Qin Shubao took a deep breath, closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, then waved his hand: "You may withdraw."

  "The child takes leave."

  Watching his son walk out of the room and close the door, Qin Shubao's hesitant expression grew thicker, muttering to himself: It's really unbelievable, in just three short years without seeing each other, I've become somewhat unrecognizable to my own son. When did he master such a unique and elegant calligraphy that is reminiscent of the great masters? Was it also taught by Zhang Sanfeng?... How strange!

  Returning to the courtyard of his residence, Qin Mubai didn't stop for a moment and found one of the servants in the mansion to go outside and invite several skilled blacksmiths and carpenters.

  The young master had an order, and the people below did not dare to disobey. Before long, the blacksmith and carpenter were summoned. Qin Mubai handed a blueprint to the craftsmen, asking them to build a steamer for brewing wine.

  Haven't eaten pork, eventually saw pigs running on the road. Qin Mubai is not a master of brewing or winemaking, but he has studied chemistry and knows some friends who make distilled liquor in the 21st century, making him a knowledgeable person. Designing this simplest and most primitive still for distilling spirits is no big deal.

  The craftsmen didn't understand what the young master of the Qin family was doing with this steamer, but collecting money and getting things done was always their creed. In just a couple of days, the steamer was finished.

  After multiple experiments, Qin Mubai successfully steamed out over 10 kilograms of liquor with a concentration of 50-60 degrees from over 100 kilograms of white wine. Then, he invited his mother to invite famous doctors in Chang'an to come up with a prescription for treating rheumatism, which included tiger bone, a rare and precious medicinal material that is difficult to obtain even in the 21st century.

  The medicine is then soaked in hot wine and cooked, and the work is done.

  Medicinal wine, the crown of a hundred medicines. Qin Uncle Treasure was only fifty years old and in his prime, but because he had suffered many injuries in his youth, his qi and blood were not flowing smoothly, and his meridians were blocked, which, combined with wind and cold, had left him with this illness. This medicinal wine is truly a targeted treatment.

  Although I dare not say that the medicine will cure the disease, Qin Mu Bai is confident that it will be of great help to his illness.

  A few days later.

  During this time, Qin Shubao became even more reclusive, stopped greeting Qin Mubai in the morning and evening, and rarely saw Liu Shi, hiding in his room like a hermit and seldom going out.

  Qin Mu Bai guessed that he was probably studying Tai Chi.

  The medicinal liquor had been steeped for about the right amount of time, so Qin Mu Bai poured out a small cup and personally took it to Qin Shu Bao.

  Arriving at her father's door, Qin Mubai knocked on it.

  "I'm not saying no one is allowed to see me, what's all the commotion?" Qin Shubao's voice came from inside.

  "Father, I have something important to discuss with you," Qin Mu Bai said.

  "Is that Sanlang? Then come on in!" Apparently, Qin Shubao had already looked at this third son with different eyes.

  Pushing the door open, Qin Mu Bai saw Qin Shu Bao sitting on the couch, and there was nothing different from before. With both hands holding a tray to offer medicine wine, he said: "Father, this is the medicinal wine that I have brewed, specially brought to offer to you."

  "Medicinal wine?" Qin Shubao nodded casually, "Put it down."

  "Why doesn't Father try some? This medicinal wine is not like ordinary medicinal wine... it was brewed using a secret method passed down from one of my master's fellow practitioners who has achieved great things." Qin Mu Bai said with a straight face.

  "Really?" Qin Shu Bao raised an eyebrow in surprise, picked up the wine cup and sniffed it, then said, "Indeed exceptionally fragrant, let me taste it."

  Having said that, he took a sip.

  His face suddenly turned red, his eyes widened in shock and bewilderment, and he repeatedly smacked his lips, taking deep breaths and clearing his throat several times: "This wine... why is it so potent? Cough!..."

  "Father, drink slowly!" Qin Mu Bai hastily advised, suppressing a smile as he thought to himself: The wine people drank in the Tang Dynasty was at most ten or twenty degrees. Even if Father is such a heavy-drinking and hot-blooded man, he definitely won't be able to handle this fifty-degree strong liquor all at once!

  "It's really... the Daoist immortal wine, immortal wine!" Qin Shubao coughed several times and put down his cup, taking a long breath before saying, "As a father who has been drinking for over thirty years, I have never encountered such strong liquor. It's indeed not simple!"

  Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Father drinks a small cup of medicinal wine every day and focuses on practicing Tai Chi, I'm sure he'll recover from his illness soon."

  "Hmm... I've been studying this fist technique carefully for the past few days." Qin Shubao stroked his long, flowing beard thoughtfully and said, "This set of internal martial arts called 'Taiji' emphasizes the importance of intent and refinement. It has some similarities with Taoist practices for cultivating one's nature and longevity. Moreover, it can be combined with horseback archery techniques, making it a treasure for warriors. I must study it carefully to see if I can create a new school of spear techniques."

  "Dad will definitely be fine." Qin Mu Bai nodded happily with a smile.

  Actually, Qin's illness is half physical and half mental. With his proud and aloof personality, as a hero who had conquered the world in his early years, he must feel extremely disappointed and frustrated now that he has been forced to retire due to illness, and it's hard for him to have a good mood. If he were to study Tai Chi every day, trying to create a new set of spear techniques, having something interesting to do and finding a sense of accomplishment would cure half of his mental illness, which would also be extremely beneficial for his physical condition.

  Qin Mubai thought to himself, with the medicinal wine and Taiji added on top of curing his heart disease, Father's body should gradually recover.

  For the first time, the father and son had a relatively pleasant conversation. Qin Shubao's attitude towards Qin Mubai had obviously undergone a 180-degree turn, becoming much more affectionate and trusting.

  Just as the two were enthusiastically discussing boxing and archery, someone outside the door inopportunely said: "Reporting to Master, there is a guest visiting."

  "Who is it?" Qin Shu Bao couldn't help but furrow his brow, thinking that the Qin family had been quiet for years and which guest would come uninvited?

  Qin Mubai also felt quite surprised, his father was a meritorious general and a high-ranking official in the imperial court, but he had already withdrawn from politics for several years and hadn't received even half a guest during this period.

  "A man has come claiming to be the King of Wu!"

  "What? King Wu has arrived?" Qin Shubao raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Isn't he serving as the governor of Anzhou? Why is he suddenly visiting me, an old minister who has long since retired from worldly affairs?... Sanlang, accompany your old man to greet our guest!"

  "Yes, Father!" Qin Mubai responded with a bow, thinking to himself: Which Wu Wang? I've watched some TV dramas related to the Zhenguan dynasty before, but all I remember is that Li Shimin had a son named "Li Ke" who was made Wu Wang. Could it be him?

  Wu King Li Ke, the third son of Li Shimin, was born to Yang De, the daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui. As such, Li Ke carried the imperial bloodline of two dynasties, making him almost unbearably noble in the eyes of the Tang Dynasty, which revered lineage and pedigree.

  It's Li Ke who has just arrived!

  "Master is above, received a bow from the apprentice." Li Ke, dressed in brocade robes with jade belt and golden crown, saw Qin Shubao and cupped his hands, bowed down, pushed his hands forward as a salute and pulled them back as a sign of respect, performing the most respectful ritual among the nine bows.

  Qin Shubao hastily stepped forward and returned the courtesy: "Your Majesty King Wu, aren't you trying to humiliate me? Quickly dispense with the formalities."

  Qin Mubai stood aside, looking at Li Ke with a few eyes, secretly surprised in his heart: It seemed that he had seen the handsome guy who played King Wu of Li Ke in a TV series before, and didn't know how many girls were infatuated with him. The Li Ke in front of him was probably not even twenty years old... Obviously more handsome, elegant and majestic than the King Wu in that movie!

  "One day as a teacher, lifelong as a father. It is only right that the master receives the disciple's respectful bow." Li Ke smiled and said, "The disciple has brought back some local specialties and medicinal herbs from Anzhou to pay respects to the master."

  Having said that, Li Ke patted his hands, and two servants came in from outside carrying two boxes. When they opened the box covers, there were some brightly colored silks, velvet fabrics, ginseng medicines and other items.

  Qin Shubao hastily cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness bestows such a generous gift, how could I dare accept it? In the past, I only taught Your Highness to play with bows and arrows for a few days, this master-disciple relationship is absolutely not something I would dare to presume."

  "Master, are you saying this because you're dissatisfied with me, your unworthy disciple?" Li Ke chuckled and said without any airs of a prince, "However, since Master is not accustomed to such formalities, the disciple will no longer mention it again. But please, Master, accept these two boxes of gifts."

  "Alright then......" Qin Shubao shook his head with a helpless smile and said, "Your Highness, from now on, we can no longer use the term 'master and apprentice' to address each other."

  "I obey your orders, Duke of Wing State." Li Ke burst out laughing and turned to look at Qin Mu Bai, a smile spreading across his face. "Isn't this Third Brother Qin?"

  "I have seen King Wu of Qin." Qin Mu Bai bowed his hands and paid his respects.

  "You're welcome." Li Xiao gave a subtle smile with deep meaning and nodded at Qin Mu Bai, then turned to chat with Qin Shu Bao about trivial matters such as inquiring after his health, asking for archery tips, and exchanging pleasantries.

  Qin Mubai thought to himself: Judging from the situation, Li Ke has some connection with my Qin family and is also quite familiar with me.

  "Since Prince Wing is not feeling well, I won't disturb him further. I'll go chat with Qin San Ge and discuss archery techniques, so as not to trouble Prince Wing." Li Ke said after chatting for a while.

  "Your Highness, I'll take my leave then." Qin Shubao nodded and smiled, and left first.

  Seeing Li Ke walk to his side, Qin Mu Bai was about to bow, but Li Ke smiled and said: "No need, no need, do we still need to be so polite with each other? Let's go!"

  "Where are you going?"

  "Need you ask?" With that, Li Ke waved his hand and headed towards the backyard, as if he was in his own home.

  Nonsense, how did I know?

  Qin Mubai followed in confusion.

  Da Shuai Ge Li Ke strode forward with big steps, walking quickly through the corridors and alleys, clearly very familiar with the Qin Manor. Before long, he stopped at the west wing of the courtyard, cleared his throat and said: "Mu Bai, you go take a look if Fourth Sister is home or not?"

  "Fourth sister?" Qin Mu Bai slightly made a surprised guess: This guy, could it be that he's coming for my family's Fourth? Between them...